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It’s an unwritten rule for being a Filipino — at least once in your life, you should set foot on the mountains of Baguio.
Most people who went were happy the first time and have decided that they will come back. It’s understandable. Baguio has a legacy not one person can dispute. There’s no other place in the Philippines that offers the chilling air and the cold shower that Baguio have.
A minority though felt betrayed by the aging city. It’s dangerous going up and the trip going down is just as scary with every zigzag a possible landslide area. When you get past all that danger, Baguio is not as beautiful as you thought it would be (except for the public parks). Streets are too narrow and too steep. Houses are piled on top of each other that from afar they look like that smokey mountain from TV. There are many pickpockets, and every seller offers products that are either fake or overpriced.
I felt both sides. My first time was just two years ago, as I lead a group of students to an Educational Tour north of Batangas. We first went to Subic, then Tarlac, then climbed to Baguio. We stayed in a transit house with 8 people in a double room. The heater wasn’t working, and we’re 1 kilometer away from Burnham Park. I distinctly remember that our coaster bus was old, clunky and smells like vinegar. The only two solace I had were 1) I was in the company of fun-loving students and 2) I was given P5000 by the tour operator for pasalubong. I bought a lot of Ube and Peanut Brittle from Good Shepherd, three walis tambo, a bow and three arrows (which still hangs in a corner of my room) and a lot of small items.
I got home very tired on a Valentine’s Day and was listless for 1 week. I decided it was my first and last Baguio trip.
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Two years after, last March 25, 2011, I’m on a much nicer bus on my way to Baguio again. I felt I didn’t have a choice. Like the first trip, this one was totally my idea also. How can I do this to myself?
This second trip was a different experience though.
We planned it months before as part of the promotions and services of WOWBatangas Tours. In our effort to help fellow Batangueños get the best travel deals as possible while helping local travel businesses, WOWBatangas fought for the lowest price possible for a 2 day stay in the summer capital of the Philippines. We announced it on the website, and in 2 weeks all 45 seats were reserved.
We left Lipa City at exactly 9PM of March 25. Some opted to be picked up in Turbina and Magallanes and we we were able to pick them up without any trouble and soon we were in NLEX.
We had a stop over in NLEX Bulacan at 12 midnight which was much needed to stretch out our legs. Next stop was Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan, and although we were sleepy, the miraculous church that survived World War II was a sight to behold. Breakfast was Arroz Caldo at Sison, Pangasinan. 30 minutes after we are climbing our way to Baguio.
Here are the stops:
March 26, Saturday
8:00 AM PMA
9:30 AM Wright Park and The Mansion
11:30 AM Mines View and Good Shepherd
1:30 PM Botanical Garden
3:00 PM Check-in at Hotel (free-time)
When we first alight from the the bus at PMA, the first wind we felt on our skin was amazing! It was like opening your ref in the middle of the night. It was sunny and was great day for pictorials. Only then did I really get to meet our fellow tourers. There was a family from Taal and Nasugbu, bestfriends from Taal, couples from Lipa and Malvar, and some cousins by Reinier of GuitarTutee. Renz of WOWBatangas Tours was also doing a great job telling us more about Baguio and shepherding us to our destinations.
Baguio was better this time around. Flowers were in full bloom, everyone was much friendlier, and the sun was high up without burning the skin. We had lunch in Mines View while literally seeing the mines. It was a shopping spree next with all the Mines View shops has to offer. I bought 5 different bonnets, a sweater and some other clothing, and spent a fortune again on Good Shepherd Ubes, Strawberry Jam and Peanut Brittle. I was down to my last thousand peso even before the first day ended.
I was very tired and chose to stay in the Hotel in the early evening. I fell asleep immediately. But before I did I made a mental note to tell you guys that the hotel was really nice, the heater was working and the bed was comfortable.
March 27, Sunday
8:00 AM Check-out at Hotel
9:00 AM Bell Church
10:00 AM Strawberry Farm
11:30 AM Burnham Park and Free Time
5:00 PM Off to Lipa City
We got up early and had free breakfast courtesy of the hotel. The first stop was Bell Church. Our fellow tourers had a wonderful time taking pictures in this Buddhist temple. We had more fun in Strawberry Farm, the last shopping stop that we have. Tens of kilos of strwaberries were soon loaded on our bus and although people were tired, everyone had a smile from this experience. Lunch was back at Burnham Park, were GMA 7’s Party Pilipinas had setup a stage in the concert grounds, and the rest of the afternoon was watching, strolling and a trip to the famous SM City Baguio, the only mall in the Philippines without air-conditioning. By 4pm everybody was back in the bus and ready for the trip home.
The return trip was uneventful, which is just how I like it. We arrived safely in Lipa by 1AM of March 28.
So what can I say about this Baguio trip? SULIT. If you haven’t been to Baguio before or you want to unwind from months and months of heavy work, then this trip is for you. Believe me when I say I’m a very busy guy, but during this trip, I did not even think of work. Quite frankly I can’t say anything bad about this Baguio trip.
Some Tips
1. Bring your sunblock. The weather in Baguio is tricky—the sun will be directly shining on you and you won’t feel it. You don’t want to look like you went to the beach coming home in Batangas.
2. Bring comfortable walking shoes. Baguio requires a lot of walking to really see it.
3. Bring only the money you plan to spend. While there, you can’t help but feel like a tourist (which you are, although you’re Filipino.) If you want to save a great deal, bring ready-to-eat food like crackers and instant noodles. Baguio treats all tourists equally, whether you have the money or not.
4. Never forget to pause in some bench and really notice what Baguio is all about. It may be the flowers, or the wind, or the clothes. For me it was the mountain and the feeling of going back in time to the American era when Daniel Burnham was designing this city atop the mountains.
Parting Words
For those who have seen Baguio and decided no more, give it another chance. Go with your mom or your grade school bestfriend like what our fellow tourers did, and I’m sure it would be a trip to remember.
For those who have been wanting to go back for some time now, you cannot find a better deal. P1700 for two days in Baguio on a nice hotel? Please be reminded that the bus will be coming from Lipa City, not Manila.
For those who haven’t seen it, go. There’s no other way to being a Filipino than through Baguio.
We have another Baguio trip on May 6 – May 8, and you may want to reserve now while others haven’t read this article yet.
