BAGUIO: Three Summertimes in the City of Pines!

June 2007
One of my childhood dreams WAS to visit the famous Baguio City. I don’t know, but the place WAS overly commercialized that I really would want to see it for myself hehehe! Until one day, after my second busy season (that was June of 2007), my office batchmates planned for a trip to Baguio. I was not that close to them yet at that time, so I hesitated at first. But because I so wanted to see Baguio, I accepted the invitation the day before the trip—and invited also one of my closest friends in the office, so I won’t feel out-of-place hehehe!

It was just an overnight budget trip; we stayed in one of my batchmates’ boarding house in Baguio. No formal itinerary, no estimated budget, and NO CAMERA! :D We only made use of the Nokia N70—at that time, yun na ang may pinaka-Okay na resolution for camera phones! Hahaha! epic! But we managed to get a few good shots though :)

May 2008
The following year, my audit team decided to go for a weekend trip to Baguio right after we released our client’s consolidated financial statements! :) It was the first weekend of May 2008, no formal itinerary (again!). We just wanted to get out of Makati and unwind somewhere else—and that “somewhere else” happened to be Baguio City! :D

We stayed at my teammate’s house, who is actually from Baguio. It was also a tipid trip, no cost for accommodation and breakfast! :D Andddd one of my teammates shouldered the van rental cost hehe. I think we shared only for the cost of the gas. :D

May 2011
Oh yes! Completing the 3-part 2011 Northbound Trip! [Part 1: Batad, Ifugao (Rice Terraces and Tappiya Waterfalls), Part 2.1: Sagada (Fidelisan Rice Terraces and Bomod-ok Falls), and Part 2.2: Sagada (Sumaging Cave)]. On our way back to Manila from Sagada, we decided to take the Baguio route. We went to visit a few of those tourist spots in Baguio, to pass the time away, before we headed back to Manila.

These were among the places in Baguio that we visited:
*Puro tao, wala mashadong pikchur ng view* hahaha! :D

The Crystal Cave
This is a cave where the water from City Camp flows. This cave also where once a mining area but have been restricted by the barangay. and now it became as the source of water for the entire Asin Road barangay. http://wikimapia.org/18150047/Crystal-cave

It’s just a small cave, walked a few meters before we reached the end of it. We didn’t get much pics because (as mentioned above), we were only using a camera-phone–mahirap pa talaga kame dati, mga baguhang auditors! haha!

Philippine Military Academy
The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) is the premier military institution of the country and is the training ground for future officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

In 1950, the Academy was transferred to a sprawling 373-hectare compound in Loakan which is ten kilometers south of downtown Baguio City. Here it found its permanent home in a fort named after the young hero of the battle of Tirad Pass, Gen. Gregorio Del Pilar. http://www.cityofpines.com/pma.html

We walked for a few minutes around the compound, enjoyed the cool breeze, the relaxing sight of those pine trees surrounding the campus, took a few photos, and eventually left the place. :)

Camp John Hay
This site was used for rest and recreation for personnel and dependents of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines as well as Department of Defense employees and their dependents. It was last run by the United States Air Force. While officially designated a communications station, the facility was mainly used for rest and recreation.

At present, the former American R&R facility serves as a tourist attraction. Among its current major attractions are the Par-69 golf course, several restaurants and shops, and The Manor and The Suites at Camp John Hay. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hay_Air_Base

We ate our packed lunch (from Jollibee actually hehe) in this camp, stayed for a little while, then waited for a cab to take us to Mine’s View Park.

Mines View Park
Mines View Park, a great park located within the city limits of Baguio City, Benguet, is a popular tourist attraction where tourists can shop, explore and view the scenery. An abandoned mine, used by early Ibaloi/Igorot peoples, is viewed from the said tourist spot. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mines_View_Park

The Mansion
The Mansion (also known as the Mansion House) is the official summer residence of the President of the Philippines. The Mansion consists of an elegantly-designed Spanish Colonial Revival main building and a guest house. The elaborate main gate, made of ornate ironwork, was earlier reported as a replica of one of the main gates at Buckingham Palace in London, which is false. The front gate is said to be one of the most photographed sections of the property. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mansion,_Baguio

2008

2011

Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden, known as Igorot Village, features native huts; said to capture the ethnic spirit and cultural legacy of the native people. This park is more peaceful compared to Burnham Park where there are amusement facilities. Botanical Park does not have amusement and you will surely enjoy serenity surrounding the area, suitable for soul searching and nature tripper. This is also home of Artist Guild, Baguio a natural haven for artist because of its lovely natural and peaceful environment. http://travel.wikinut.com/Baguio-City-Philippines-part-two/3d_7z_el/

And again, we didn’t get very good shots to justify the tourist spot! Hehe!

Burnham Park
Burnham Park is an urban park located at the heart of the City of Baguio, in the Philippines. It was named after the American architect and urban planner, Daniel Hudson Burnham who laid the plans for the city. Several stretch of roads around the park lead to Camp John Hay, a former recreational base of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines. It is a scenic park overlooking Mount Kabuyao, the tallest mountain in the Baguio region.

The park features a man-made lake situated at the center where tourists can enjoy boating with rented boats. At the southern part of the park, a skating rink was constructed. The Melvin Jones Grand Stand and Football Field at the eastern part of the park are normally used for several activities like parades, concerts, and political rallies. The Children’s Park and the Orchidarium is located at the western part of the park. There are also bike rentals if one so wishes. You can rent either single bikes, tandem bikes or even bikes with side cars. They even have small bikes for the little kids of both two and three wheel versions. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burnham_Park_%28Philippines%29

Wright Park
Few minutes ride from Burnham Park you can enjoy the horseback riding where Wright Park is located. Horseback riding is one of Baguio City’s highlights for tourists, where you can rent the horse to wander the Marlboro and Green Valley country and golf club. Marlboro and Green Valley country and golf club offers great facilities and services for sports/golfers in particular. The great forest of Marlboro country will give you the feeling of a good horse rider when you wander the forest riding a horse. You do not need to worry if you are not an expert with horses, the pony boys association can provide you a pony guide and instructor. http://travel.wikinut.com/Baguio-City,-Philippines/284e1j7m/