This post should have been titled "You should not miss Baguio City." But enough have been written already about the magnificence (and slow loss of it) of this city nestled atop 5,000 feet-high mountains that were once verdant but now teem of houses and other structures.
Baguio's cold, soothing embrace that once smelled of fresh pine trees has beckoned countless tourists. The Americans so loved its weather that they developed it in the early 20th Century as a special place for their R and R.
For many years, Baguio City's laidback lifestyle was quite conducive to learning and artistic pursuits. Inspired students pored over books and artists unleashed their creativity amid the pine trees and rolling terrain. The cold weather too was perfect for lovers who could cuddle all day without being too close for comfort.
Baguio City has changed in so many ways lately. Urban decay is slowly setting in and the number of tourists is just so overwhelming that it has become a melting pot. It's a great thing that the Baguio natives (mostly Ibaloi and Kankana-ey tribes) have kept their cultural tradition which is now Baguio's main showcase.
Tourists who come to Baguio basically know where they want to go, what they want to see, and what they want to buy as souvenir or pasalubong (stuff you bring back home to prove you came from some place). The following are just some of the things that tourists flock to when going up Baguio:
1. Panagbenga
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2. Strawberry jam and peanut brittle
Ordinary peanut brittle, for example, costs three for P100 at the market. But the Good Shepherd product costs P150. Don't fret though for the premium price because you actually help Cordillera youth go to school when you buy Good Shepherd products.
My oersonal favorite is the cashew brittle which is quite nutty and not too sweet. A pack costs P180. Ube jam costs P250, blueberry jam P105, mango jam P95... There are just plenty of goodies that Good Shepherd offers so you simply have to be there to see it all, including the lively flowers hanging around the store and the view deck that offers a magnificent view of the foggy mountains.
How to get to Good Shepherd: Take a Plaza-Mines View jeepney at Otek St. If you're walking along Session Road, it's the street beside Mc Donald's. Alight at Mines View (check out Item #4), enjoy the view and buy goodies, and walk down to the convent, just a 100 or so meters away.
3. Burnham Park
You wouldn't miss this place. It's right at the heart of the city. From the main Session Road, just go down to parallel Harrison Road and you'll stumble on a large park with a huge auditorium and a manmade lake at the center. This place named for Baguio's architect, Daniel Burnham, is a favorite relaxation place of folks, whether local or tourist. You can go boating or biking, or simply stroll around. You can also watch a football game or teens practicing dance, or simply lay down a mat and have a picnic!
4. Mines View Park
Fram with ate Lina anf Ms Mona at the Mine's View Park |
5. The Lion
I never thought I'd finally have a picture here as a grown-up |
6. Zigzag Road
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7. Session Road
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8. Ukay-ukay
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In all ukay stores, it is alright to haggle, so brush up on your Ilocano so you sound authentic and have a better chance of striking a deal. (Tips: ask "Sagmamano daytoy?" [how much is this?] while holding the item... "Sagmamano dayta?" [how much is that?] when pointing to an item... Say "Nag-ngina!" when you find an item too expensive, then ask "Ania ti last price mo?"[what's your last price?] and expect that the salesperson will cut a few pesos from the original price. Don't be shy to express yourself in English because real uplanders can express themselves better in English than in Tagalog or Filipino.
9. Pine Tree
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The pine tree has come to symbolize Baguio because this tree thrives well in this city because of the weather. There are still many pine trees in Baguio, but not as many as perhaps two decades ago. And that pine-scent has gone, except in John Hay and some less-disturbed places.
10. The Baguio Cathedral
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11. Camp John Hay
This camp was built by the Americans as a rest and recreation facility for American soldiers. For many years, the 690-hectare property was considered as "Little America" until it was turned over to the Philippine government. John Hay is still one of Baguio's most popular tourist attractions. it has hotels, a shopping center, convention center, foot trail, a "lost cemetery" for the pessimists, and many other attractions.
12. SM Baguio
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDbb39dKfZdvUxsvvcYk82gA7bl88t2nVrjDw5tM16kq7ylTUAVozkI46xnhpxF70ouH8fNw2bl1u5julAJoc6qpZut2gVhoBWtJiKklmrFo_9ba8IekDM5pF392odn9s3hftt_mlJbjN/s200/sm+baguio2.jpg)
13. Sizzling Plate with its Sans Rival
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This is why, when in Baguio, I never fail to have an order of my ultimate comfort food (reminds me of college days when I had a very limited allowance, and buying a piece of sans rival was an ultimate treat!). Sizzling Plate has two branches- the original one is located on Session Road, then another in SM Baguio, then along Abanao Street.
14. University of the Philippines Baguio
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UP Baguio is just across the Baguio Convention Center and a stone's throw from the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, DOST-PAGASA, Narda's, and the new Victory Liner bus terminal. It has a dormitory for those who want to stay for a night or two (in addition to its ladies residence hall) though priority is given to UP Baguio alumni who are also entitled to a 25% discount.
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I am an Igorot by heart :-) (Inset: With actor Marky Cielo, one proud Igorot who's gone too soon) |
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An Igorot is a native of the Cordillera Region where Baguio City is located. |
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My self-confession :-) (I am Ilocano-Pangasinan first, and an Igorot second!) |
(This blog was began March 20, 2011 and finally posted today! Hooray!)
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