Welcome to Baguio City,
the Summer Capital of the Philippines. It was during the American occupation
that the city was declared as the country’s ‘summer capital’ because of its
year round mild and cool climate condition. The city lies within the
Cordillera mountain range in the northern island of Luzon with an altitude of
approximately 1,610 meters/5,280 feet above sea level. It is a highly urbanized
city located in the province of Benguet. Its early inhabitants
mostly came from the nearby surrounding highland provinces but many lowlanders
as well as foreigners were attracted to settle their living here because
of its pleasant climate condition. I can say that Baguio City is a home
of mixed-people and mixed-culture but still find the people to be generally
harmonious and friendly among each other.
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| Burnham Park, Baguio City, PH |
The city is about 250
kilometers away north of Manila. Most common way of transportation is by land
and travel time from Manila is from five to six hours. The three main access
roads leading to the city are Kennon Road, Aspiras-Palispis Highway, and Quirino
Highway. Other roads, like the newly
developed access road from the eastern part of Luzon is the Baguio-Aritao Highway.
This road connects the Benguet and Nueva Viscaya provinces which shortens
travel time going to the Cagayan Valley Region. Also leading to north is the Halsema Highway. This highway connects the Cordillera provinces which stretches to a mountainous terrains that starts from the neighboring town of La Trinidad, Benguet. Traveling around within city limits is also
not a problem since there are about 3,000 modern AUV of even SUV taxi units
plying around. These taxi(s) are of course driven by most experienced, honest
and courteous drivers. The city has an airport too which is the Loakan
Airport. The airport is being used primarily by helicopters, turbo-prop and piston
engine aircraft. It can not accommodate bigger kind of aircraft because of the
limited length of its runway.
The city has become the
center of business and commerce as well as the center of education in the
entire Northern Luzon. The economy of Baguio City is centered on tourism
and its educational institutions. The city has at least eight colleges and
universities, as well as numerous number of trade and technical schools. Almost
half of the city's population are students, many of whom come from nearby
provinces, with numerous foreign students to add to the diversity. Although the
city is incapable of producing its own fresh farm and fresh marine products these necessities still at abound in the city's market because of sufficient and
continuous supply coming from nearby provinces.
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| Burnham Park, Baguio City, PH |
Baguio City caters tourists with its numerous attractions. One of the
most common place where tourists love to go is the Burnham Park. The park is
located right in the heart of the city. It features a man-made lake situated at
the center where tourists can enjoy boating with rented boats. Other amenities
found within the park are areas for biking, skating, football field, children’s
park, the newly renovated rose garden and many more. Other famous and beautiful
places which can be found around the city are the Mines View Park, Wright
Park, the Mansion House (which is our country’s president official
resident every time he/she may wishes to come here in Baguio), the
freshly renovated Botanical Garden, Camp John Hay, the Cathedral Church,
the Lourdes Grotto, Tamawan Village, the Philippine Military Academy, the
Lion’s Head and many more. Looking forward to write separate blog for each
of these beautiful attractions in the coming days ahead.
Although Baguio City is
a whole year round tourist destination the best time of the year to enjoy the
stay are from November up to May months. The Panagbenga Festival is among the
most significant yearly event being celebrated here in Baguio City. The Panagbenga
Festival is a month long flower festival held during the month of February. The festival showcases parade of floats that are
decorated with flowers as well as street dancing presented by dancers clad in
flower-inspired costumes. Philippines’ famous cinema actors and actresses
even participate in this occasion adding livelier atmosphere to the eager
crowd.
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| Botanical Garden, Baguio City, PH |
So how about considering yourselves visiting this
beautiful city. It is truly a green city of blooming fresh flowers and a home
of warm and friendly people. By the way this is my home city and will be most
willing to act as anybody's tour guide. Tour guide fee is only minimal or in
some cases even free of charge. Lastly, if anyone who may wanted to
extend their stay, there are so many hotels being found within the city center.
Hotel choices varies from highly luxury class accommodations down to lower
class but still offer presentable facilities and good services for those who prefer
to stay in a cheaper one. For those who
are planning to stay in a hotel just reach me out at my email address or
through this blog. I can extend some help most likely in making an advance
booking during peak months.
