Baguio on the Coldest Time of the Year

For centuries, Baguio had been home to many of the Igorots, or a local tribe in the Philippines. But Baguio thrived and became a developed city when the Americans made it into a mountain retreat to get away from the intense heat in Manila, the capital. Then, the Americans established a rest and recreation camp here. Although present day Baguio is a vacation and shopping haven, it still serves its old purpose, from World War II. Back then, it was a military home, and now it is where future Filipino soldiers are trained at the Philippine Military Academy. Baguio is also a place of flowers, which makes it a romantic getaway for couples. There is even a festival of flowers which is a much-anticipated event in this city of pines. Session Road, and the major streets around Burnham Park, are closed during the festival to give way to the floats of flowers. It is also a good venue for artists, in Baguio it is easy to commune with nature. The Tam-Awan Village is composed of small huts, built on a hill that made artists closer to the sky, the stars, and the moon. Along the zigzag road to and from Baguio, you can see clouds on the road as if you are floating in heaven.

Quick Tips:

If you want a taste of the local cuisine, the little eateries near Burnham Park will offer you a great-tasting meal on a budget. It’s very near the Wagwagan, or the center where cheap imported clothes are sold. Get your bargaining powers to work, and haggle for the best price and get the best deal. Try horseback riding at the Wright Park, or at Mines View Park. When in Baguio, take the opportunity to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at the local market. If you have time, try harvesting strawberries at the strawberry farm, during January and February. It’s a bit distant from the city proper, but it’s a wonderful place you shouldn’t miss.

Best Way To Get Around:

It’s fun to ride to Baguio, if budget permits. It’s a road trip! But if there’s no car to drive, or if no one is volunteering to drive, then hit the bus stations and get the first bus leaving to Baguio. Though it is not that safe, it is still advisable to travel at night to avoid the city heat and traffic. It is easy to get around Baguio with the open window taxis (it’s much colder to bring the windows down than to use the air-conditioning unit). If you have a limited travel schedule, or if you are on a business trip, there are small planes that travel from Manila to Baguio. They’re not that popular, given the expensive fare, but they’re a good alternative given the 6 to 8 hour land trip.

It’s not the usual hotel building; it’s more of a vacation house and apartment fused into one. The one we rented had three rooms with six beds complete with kitchen, hot bath, living room, television, and refrigerator. It’s a bit far from the center and you have to walk a bit to get a cab or jeepney to the city. But given the cold weather, walking is a perfect way to get your body warm.

The place is clean and has a space for some outdoor barbeque. There’s also a mini-store across the place where you can buy some of your necessities. It’s also near tourist destinations like Mines View Park, the Wright Park, and the Mansion. We had a wonderful time in this place because it was like a house, and my friends enjoyed blowing bubbles on the terrace.

Camp John Hay was once a place of recreation for Americans, which explains why there’s a movie house, bowling alley, and other facilities within the camp. It was closed down for a few years and whenever we visit Camp John Hay, we have to contend with the construction trucks. Now, it is good to go around the compound because it has been developed for tourists. Golf enthusiasts play here and stay at the Manor. Others come here for a coffee at Country Waffles, Starbucks, or at Bibingka where native chocolate drinks and delicacies are served. There are also factory outlets like Nike and other brands inside the camp. It’s a beautiful place to unwind and relax as we spent the afternoon here, chatting and waiting for the mass to start.

What could be a better way to spend time in a cold, mountainous city than to get some exercise? And for women, shopping is one of the best physical exercises there is. Baguio is known for the ukay-ukay, or the cheap imported goods sold at low prices. There’s one building there with different stalls that sell trench coats at around $3 or a jacket at only $2, and you can even try asking for lower prices.

We spent hours at Wagwagan looking for good clothes at the best price. You just have to get the ones that still appear new and have them thoroughly washed before using them. My friends enjoyed browsing through the clothes from one store to another, and when we have our finds, we just get the feeling of excitement as we are fortunate enough to find it amidst the thousands of displays.

This is where most families spend their weekends. Kids play and blow bubbles, while others take out boats at the man-made lake. It’s where many residents and tourists converge to relax. At night, the park’s green lights are seen from the upper area like in SM, and it glows like a green body of water. It is named after architect Daniel Burnham, who helped design the city and develop it for the Americans. The Park is considered the center of Baguio. Across the park is the Grandstand, where most concerts are held, and a few walks away is Session Road which comes alive from day till night.

Tam-awan Village is known to be the artists’ haven. It is home to the works of famous Filipino artist, BenCab. There are a lot of huts in Tam-Awan Village, most of which are fertility huts. There’s a hut full of paintings and art pieces, and another which is used as nude painting studio of one of the artists. There’s also a viewing deck at the upper part of the hill. Along the way, we passed by an artificial pond with large fish swimming. Tourists can also find a small café in Tam-awan which serves local cuisines. Inside the café is a souvenir shop which sells small items and shirts. It can be difficult to come to the Village without a vehicle, since you will have to walk, or get a cab.

Many pilgrims go to the grotto to visit the image of the blessed Virgin Mary. While some of my friends took the long ladder to get to the top, some of us climbed the hill in a car. We were met by some vendors, and Igorot women who would charge for every pose with them in my camera. While tourists are aplenty at the middle part of the ladder, checking the souvenir shops, and taking pictures of each other, those who are at the grotto were silent and solemn, quietly praying before the giant-sized Mary. Tents were put up to keep pilgrims’ eyes from getting blinded by the sun when they look up to see the image. A few meters below, another image of the Virgin was put up wherein Mary is wearing a hat, and sitting on a giant chair. We also posed before this image and walked down to the bottom of the ladder. The descent was much easier than the ascent, and seemed a lot healthier, and better, after praying and lighting a candle.

For the past few years, the viewing deck of the park gave tourists a glimpse of the mines below. But, with the developments and constructions at the foot of the mountain, and below the deck, the mines are no longer seen. Still, many people come here to see the beauty of the mountains and the scenery below. Now, there are shops and markets within the vicinity, to cater to tourists. There are also a lot of eateries and local coffee shops for those coming in the mornings, or late afternoons when the temperature is cold. A short walk from the park is the Good Shepherd convent, known for their delicious jams and delicacies. There are also horses in Mines View Park, which tourists can rent. Igorots are also found at the viewing deck for those who want their picture taken with these local tribesmen. Binoculars can be rented at the deck to get a better view of the valley.