Tutel and I decided to take a break from the pressures of work and from the busy life of the Metro. We prepared our things for a three days out of town vacation and we started another FUN travel to revisit the City of Pines - Baguio City.
It took us 6 and a half hours of travel by bus. Bus ride(via Victory Liner) today would cost you about 440 pesos ($10). Price has gone up since I last remember traveling to my childhood hometown. We stayed at my sister's place which was about 8 kms from the city proper. The advantages is that the place is relatively colder since there are still more trees in this part. There are less activity since there are no busy bars or restos, or busy streets filled with tourists trying to get their share of Baguio.
PMA gate (a few meters away from my sisters residence)
We resided in this camp for more than 20 years of my life... now that my father is a retired military man, I hardly see where I grew up. Then we went to the City proper by taking a jeepney (a popular Filipino ride). Jeepney fare was 14.50... I am really that old? haha! The last time I remember while I was still studying in college... fare was only 7.50... now it's doubled?
While we were in town, we decided to eat at Cathy's. For those who are not from Baguio, you are missing good food! Cathy's Canteen is not popularly known. But for Baguio residents, no one would argue that Cathy's still serve great food for a cheap price. If you are visiting Baguio and would like to try Cathy's... landmarks.... I guess the easiest way is to get to the jeepney terminal of "UP-PNR". On that same side street, you will see Cathy's a few meters away.
Me and Tutel at Cathy's
Walking through Baguio is not impossible since the climate is "still" cold. Though the sun shining hot, the cold breeze keeps you cool and wanting to just keep walking. Our next stop - Pink Sisters.
(picture of pink sisters chapel)
Why is it called Pink Sisters? The sisters wear pink. If you are looking for a quiet place to say your prayers, this is the best place to go to. Next stop.... Burnham Park..... we just looked for a bench to seat on and let some time pass by watching people have fun while we enjoy the cool breeze.
Some pictures of flowers at Burnham Park
I don't know if the introduction of SM is beneficial to Baguio. SM may have created jobs not only for the locals but for the neighboring provinces. However, this also contributed to the loss and closure of the native Baguio establishments. One sample is the former "Session Theater" was closed down since people would rather watch from SM Cinemas...
Tutel at SM
Another, place you'll find good food.... Rito's Resto. You'll find one along Marcos Highway and another in Front on City High.
Dining at Rito's
Hhhhm.... I would say that my chilhood hometown is no longer the same as I left it 10 year back. Session road has catered to high buildings and native establishments are overshadowed by the new businesses... although some are still thriving to serve the locals, many of these "favorites" gave way to the new trends.
20 yeas ago, after the devastating July earthquake, for safety reasons, I know that there was an ordinace disallowing the construction of buildings that are higher than 4 floors. Now tall buildings are everywhere.... I wonder what happenned to the ordinance? Have they forgotten that a fault passes through Baguio? Imagine what would happen to Baguio if that same magnitude of earthquake hits again...
Over-all, if Baguio continues to "grow" and become more commercialized over the next few years, the summer capital will no longer be it's tag line... Baguio is now getting warm inspite of the high altitude. More people are building houses in Baguio's surrounding areas... trees and land masses have to give way to the construction of subdivisions... one day Baguio will just be like any other Metro... just on the top of the Mountains..
Bus ride going back to Manila
oooppsss.... this truck transporting cases of bottles turned-over at Marcos High-way.... hopefully the transporters were ok...
You can also read more about Tourist spots in Baguio in my previous article -
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