Unforgettable City: Baguio City

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“Baguio City has amenities of a city and a province.”

“Tara Baguio tayo this weekend!”

These are the words my co-worker utters out of the blue every time he feels upset or mentally stressed-out from audit. Of course all the people around him including myself positively reply from his invitation. Unfortunately due to time constraints our plan for a weekend in Baguio always does not prosper.

Why do people like to go to Baguio? Well for me, this city plays a big part in my life. I’ll share with you tidbits of my family background. My mom grew up and studied there being an alumnus of University of Baguio. I still remember her stories about her childhood days and on how much she spent (25 centavos) for a movie ticket with sandwich and her taxi fare back and forth to their house. My mom’s sister, Tita Naty and her family, who lives in Loakan, were my only relatives in Baguio. Also my parents were married in Saint Vincent Church, (near SLU Girls High).

On my part, I was lucky to study in Saint Louis University. I met the nicest and coolest guys who became my friends. My old flames were both from Baguio (just a coincidence). The city I loved most also gave me my first job as a banker assuring our clients that they are in good hands.

What’s with Baguio anyway? A friend of mine once said “Baguio City has amenities of a city and a province.” I guess she is right. Life in Baguio is just like in Manila. The city is becoming thickly populated each year but the people are still kind, warm and good-natured. SM mall and establishments, mostly food and restaurants sprouted like mushrooms as well but the simplicity of life remains and the cost of living is far cheaper as compared to other major cities in the country. There are already traffic jams at some streets and air pollution is evident but taking a different perspective, walking along the city is still enjoyable because of the cold climate and still green environment (though there are lesser pine trees as compared before).

Well back to the present, my co-worker’s invitation is finally fulfilled. Ten of us went to Baguio during the first weekend of September. After being in Manila for months, I was so eager to go back to Baguio. It was the joyous weekend escapade I ever had. We were like tourists in the City of Pines as we wandered along Lourdes Grotto, Burnham Park, Mines View, and Botanical Garden (whew!). We had our lunch in Good Taste where foods are served just like in fiestas (burp!). Finally we ate our dinner in Don Hen (I still love their pizza!). I met my old friends and enjoyed the rest of the evening listening to the acoustic sound of Baguio City.

I guess it is not only the beauty and coolness of Baguio which make this city an unforgettable one, but the memories I created with people I met during my stay. People who were once strangers became friends.

“Tara Baguio ulit tayo this weekend!”

PS: My co-worker in the office suggested this topic. He wants to see an article in our blog about the Baguio City. Nelson your request is granted.

Cream Page:

"I had a fun time shopping for a week’s supplies at Sunshine."

I had the chance to read this interesting section in a particular blog:

You grew up in Baguio City if…

…you bought your school supplies from CID Educational Supplies

…you bought your fabrics from Tiong San Bazaar

…you went to Tea House for coffee and siopao

…you went to see movies at Pines Theatre
…you think that the best chinese restaurant in town is Rosebowl Restaurant

…you had your photos developed at Pines Studio

…you buy your potted plants at Orchidarium

...you know what cooking oil looks like if not in bottles

…you know that the best San Rival is from Sizzling plate

…you don't have an inclination to eat at mcdo/jollibee/dunkin donuts which came to baguio only in the middle 90s

…you always prepare vegetable salad in any handaan

…you speak straight and clear english without an annoying colegiala accent

…you do not wear the Baguio City hat (only tourists wear them)

…your idea of a good weekend is a picnic at burnham or john hay or swimming at asin hot springs

…you have eaten Pinikpikan at least once in your life

…you have a photographer take your picture at Burnham in the morning and then claim it in the afternoon

Baguio City brings wonderful memories to me. This is the place where my mom and dad met when they were still college students at Saint Louis University. They weren’t from this City to begin with. That was destiny. Eventually, they decided to settle there as well. I had been working here in Pasig City for almost 3 years now and it will be a precious treat to stay for at least a week in my own hometown. Although the “Cleanest & Greenest City” had deteriorated a bit in terms of cleanliness, orderliness & coolness of climate, the place is still so nice compared to the urban areas here in Manila.

My fondest memory of Baguio is of course the time when I was growing up. When I was about 7 or 8 years old my mother would already give us a list to buy from the supermarket. I had a fun time shopping for a week’s supplies at Sunshine. I bought necessities like milk, sugar, hotdogs, soap, shampoo, etc. Sometimes it was too heavy that’s why I rode a taxi going home. I grew up to be independent at a very young age. I thank God for having Baguio as a home because it was a peaceful and secure place. There were no hold-uppers, snatchers, kidnappers and the like – a very safe place for a kid like me to have gone walking all alone and practicing my soloist attitude.
I recommend Baguio tourists to visit Pink Sisters Convent if they want to have a solemn moment to pray or to attend mass. Pink Sisters has a chapel ran by sisters who have angelic voices. If you are lucky, you will have the chance to hear them sing and you will feel peace and tranquility inside you.

I will never trade Baguio City for any other place because this is my home. Someday, this is the place where I may consider spending my golden years for good.

Delectable Finale:

All of us belong to a place where we are born. We have our own place which we call home. And still we also have a place which in one way or another became a big part of our life. For Maan and I it's Baguio City.

This city touches our lives. It nourished our needs during our years of stay. How ironic we found the warmest love of the people in the coolest place of the country. How about you what's your unforgettable place?