BAGUIO IN BLOOM

Panagbenga 2009 was just as wonderful as my whole family imagined--- here are a few pics to remember it by.

What I enjoyed most was the Session in Bloom, a gathering of business establishments from the posh Camp John Hay restos to the simple fishball stand. There were musicians, a butterfly garden, vendors of all sorts of goods. Although closing Session Road posed increased traffic during the fiesta, I did not hear any complaints from the local or visiting folk.

The Street Dance competition which was judged at the Athletic Bowl was a mere downhill trek from our quaint lodging, Inn Rocio. I don't recommend joining this celebration if you have members below 10 or above 70 years old, as well as those who are pregnant or with equally sensitive conditions.  In fact, if you are planning to enjoy the Panagbenga, you should avoid the Street Dance and Float Parade dates all together! It is unbelievably crowded, and anything can happen in that situation.

Burnham Park's skating rink has had a face lift, now featuring a covered amusement park as shown in this photo. We saw rides (bump cars, inflated playgrounds, trains, a carousel, and the drop-coin types) as well as games in this area. It has, however, a strict no-food-and-drink policy, and they enforce this by inspecting all bags at the entrance where food items can also be deposited until you exit the theme park.  We did see a section inside the vicinity where simple snack food was being sold. The skating rink, ironically, becomes a mere background to everything instead of being the main feature. I have mixed emotions about this plot turning into what it is right now, versus what it used to be when I was growing up. I seem to like it much more as nature's highlight--- what a park ought to be--- a place outside where children can play while getting exercise.  I have no doubt though that my kids would swear they could live in the new Burnham Park Skating Rink until they turn 18. 

In sum, I would not think twice about bringing my family to Baguio on Panagbenga... just not on the dates of the huge parades.

Botanical Gardens

I remember visiting the Botanical Gardens as a child, and so it is very disappointing to see how much it has deteriorated through the years.

It's one of the more popular tourist spots being in the same vicinity as The Mansion and Wright Park, although it is obvious that its maintenance is taken for granted. For instance, the place had too much trash pits--- good if they weren't packed and oozing. I understand that garbage has a potentially important role in gardening but I guess it's got nothing to do with being on display.

The Igorot huts were no longer as amazing in December of 2007, particularly because the roofing which used to be made of dried leaves was replaced by tattered plastic sheets. The statues were no longer majestic as some of them were too badly damaged to even be presented to visitors. My husband shook his head to this sight, saying, "Botanical garbage."

I don't know if I will still include this spot in our next visit if only to see the artists' hub inside. Maybe not if I already see that other cultural/artistic sites like Tam-awan Village or Easter Weaving Room easily satisfies that creative urge.

Cafe By The Ruins

Your Baguio experience can never be complete without a visit to the Cafe By The Ruins. All taxi cabs know about this place; besides, its almost within the Burnham Park area so there is no excuse not to indulge in its earthy yet sophisticated offerings.

The menu includes sandwiches and pastas and even native delicacies like pinikpikang manok. My daughter tried the ever reliable carbonara, I forgot what pasta I ordered, and we also tasted the native iced tea.


We had the chance to try the calabasa (squash) soup which was intensely delicious--- except that my little boy got too excited with it and spilled his serving not just on the table but also all over my pink shirt... Hmmm, pink and bright orange? That cut our gastronomic adventure short but it was worth the visit. There will be a McArthur though! Total bill for my family's snack was Php840.

Prices are higher than the usual cafe/deli, and crowd is definitely high society and artistic.

The Only Rowing You Might Handle

You could practically spend the whole day in a boat in this lagoon for Php80. Before you ask, here's why:

1. This boat ride gives you marvelous city views, where the trees stand as tall as buildings.

2. Knowing how crowded Baguio is most of the time, this is your ultimate time-alone zone.

3. Thirsty or hungry after 3 hours of paddling? No worries--- there are probably 2 or 3 boats around that have been rented by hawkers. Your only problem now is a restroom.

4. Don't know how to row? There are foot-paddled boats (like the ones in the photo) that can easily be maneuvered even by the likes of Paris, Britney, and Lindsay.

5. If you support this lagoon, you justify its continued existence in a city that is pressured to develop every usable square inch (including all of Burnham Park) into a highly commercial area (i.e., theme park instead of a nature park.)

Don't be a wet blanket. Take your family to this place even once in your lifetime and convince Baguio city that the Burnham Park (including the lagoon) is wonderful just the way it is.

Just Before You Leave Baguio...

The Good Shepherd nuns generously shares their treats to the public through a humble goodie-shop within the convent's lot. This is a must-stop-by-to-buy-at item in any Baguio lover's itinerary.

Their ube jam is the ultimate diet breaker, and the last time I bought a medium sized jar, it cost me about P265. That's more than a year ago though, so it must be close to P300 now. Will update the price after my Panagbenga 2009 holiday for those who plan to expand their waistlines by summer!

You have to get your Baguio pasalubongs from this place, because those who sell the same brand in other places automatically add around P30 to the base price.

Of course, the staple strawberry jam can be found here, a little cheaper than the ube if I remember right.. Alhough strawberry jam and strawberry preserves are two different things, the latter having a lot of strawberry chunks mixed in. They also have baked delights like cookies, and for the figure conscious--- they have pickled veggies which are perrrrfect for all grilled items or just on their own. That jar cost me about Php180 back then.