Baguio: The City On My Mind

Yes, I am now in Baguio and I just couldn't imagine that I am here. Long ago, it was just in my mind and that I am dreaming about it ever since. Hearing about it's pleasant reviews from my close friend's experiences and from the media buzzes, it seems that Baguio had captured my imagination and etched a powerful urge to go there someday, which was realized right now. I was little then when I have heard about Baguio and how magnificent it is to the ears of a young child. I've heard how nice of a place it is and as one of the famous and most sought and visited city in the country. A place whose demand for tourism was really at its acme.

Baguio City, dubbed as the Summer capital of the Philippines, is indeed the coolest place in the country. Seated atop of the peak of the Cordilleras, it looks like it is a mountainous city. We arrived here on May 9th and we were dead tired from the seven-hour bus ride not including our five-hour wait at the Victory Liner bus terminal in Pasay City, waiting there since 0300H. Our wait was been paid off though because strolling around Baguio City was a breath of fresh air. We didn't regret waiting at the bus station for five gruelling hours. It was expected because we didn't bought tickets ahead of time but rather walked in at the terminal.

We checked in at the Eurotel hotel when we arrived at 1700H and then took our much needed rest after eating dinner at a steakhouse near the hotel. I asked the kids to wake me up so that we can stroll Baguio at night but they were shy to do it because they feel that I need the rest. They told me that I was snoring heavily that's why they did not woke me up.

I woke up the next morning at 0300H because of my jetlag thinking that it was still night time but I ended up going back to sleep again because I felt that it was still early to get up. Four hours later, I woke up feeling awesomely refreshed. We prepared ourselves for the day, went down to the lobby for our much needed breakfast, then started the day right as the bright morning sun had greeted us with a warm welcome when we stepped out of the hotel.

May 10, 2014 (Saturday): Our first day was extremely hectic indeed, hopping from one place to another. It was like a trip of a seasoned traveler yet it wasn't. We took the liberty to peruse one place to another until we got ourselves exhausted. We had a blast though and that's the bright side of it.

First up, we went out of the Eurotel hotel we were staying and strolled downhill taking the miniature Rizal Park adjacent to the hotel and then we went down the hill crossing the street towards the northern gate of the famous Burnham Park. We took some pictures-in-a-jiffy and then continued to amble towards the swampy lake and decided to try the Swan boats, a must to try when in Burnham Park.

We rented one boat and hired a "bankero" to row for us while we were enjoying the once-in-a-lifetime experience. The boat started tilting from side to side and we have to balanced ourselves just to keep it stabilized in the middle of the murky lake. When we reached the middle portion of the lake, the driver or rower offered to get a picture of us so we let him do it and then we continued to row until we gave up.

We alighted from the boat and then continued to peruse the whole park enjoying the beautiful view and the myriad blooms around us. We also took many pictures for our own online Facebook albums. I myself had a lot of pictures taken for my Facebook account. You know me, how I took pictures for my online safekeeping.

When we thought we got enough of the place we decided to look for the Baguio Cathedral and decided to pay our homage to God first to bless us for our travels and also because one of us (which is my little sister) is celebrating her 32nd birthday. We called for a taxi and then told him to drop us off at the Lady Of Atonement Cathedral, which is the pink church on top of the hill. We stayed there to pray for a while and then decided to look for more attractions but first we looked for a pastry shop to buy some cupcakes for my little sister to blow candles for her birthday later.

We then hired a taxi to drop us off at the Mine's View Park. When we got there we didn't waste time. We went inside the park and saw the awesome picturesque view of the mountains of the Cordilleras from a miner's point of view. It was a stunning view from our vantage point of view, wherein I didn't resist to take more pictures to add for my ongoing online albums. It was really nice and stunning there. There were a lot of tourists there as well. It was crowded!

When we were finished we left the park and then hired another taxi to drop us off at "The Mansion" which is the official residence of the president of the Philippines whenever he comes to Baguio City. The immaculate white mansion perched on top of a well maniicured hill appears majestic from our perspective, and likewise I can't resist not taking a picture of it as well. After there, we crossed the busy main street and checked out the Wright Park just across the mansion's location.

After checking out the park we went out there and then hired another taxi to drop us off at the Botanical Garden. At the entrance, we decided to have a pictures of the aging Ifugaos, waiting for tourist to approach them for picture taking and then ambled inside the park. We aimlessly strolled the vast garden and stayed there for quite sometime to peruse the myriad plants and flowers that blooms everywhere as well as checked out some of the structures located inside the garden. We also took a lot of pictures for our own online albums. It is where we lighted the birthday candle and stuck it on the cupcake for my little sister to blow for her birthday. We sang a jolly "happy birthday" song for her and greeted and wished her luck on her very special day.

From the Botanical Garden we then hired a taxi to drop us off at the Lady of Lourdes Grotto. My sister, nephew, and niece opted out to climb the steep stairs so I ended up climbing alone to see the grotto at the end of the climb. From the top a stunning aerial view of Baguio City had laid out in front of me. It was a great site to behold. It was beautiful up there. I lighted some candles at the grotto then I hiked down to meet the kids.

From there we called for another taxi to drive us back at the heart of the city. We decided to go to the SM Mall and there we ate lunch at the Chinese Restaurant on the third floor to celebrate my little sister's birthday. It was already past 1300H when we got at the mall, no wonder why we were very very hungry.

After savoring the hearty lunch we then decided to go back to the hotel to rest and recuperate our fatigue for a little while. When we woke up we hastily prepped ourselves and decided to continue our adventures. When we got out of the hotel it was already raining slightly outside but the rain did not hinder us from leaving and continuing our search for a nice scenic and panoramic places to just pass the time and wind up.

At 1600H we then left the hotel and took a taxi to drive us off at the Taoist Temple Bell Church. It was a very stunning and colorful chinese temple but sad to say that our stay there was cut short because they were closing when we got there but we had took enough pictures for our safekeeping just right at the front of the temple gates.

From there we hired another taxi to drive us to the Lion's Head along Kennon Road. It was a long drive, about 45 minutes, but it was worth the ride, because when we arrived there a gargantuan structure of a lion's head had surprised us. Majestic as it is, the Lion's Head which usually welcomes revelers from Manila was the first structure that greeted the tourist before but not anymore because Kennon Road is not passable anymore by the bus coming from the capital city. We were just lucky to hire a taxi to drive us off there and enjoy looking at the huge statue. The Lion's head was kind of vintage and appears neglected already because it looks old now as if nobody was been maintaining it.

It was already past 1800H when we left there and the twilight was been slowly creeping and lurking already at the surroundings sending an eerily gray fog blanketing gradually at the lowest portion of the mountains. We went back to the city taking the ascending twirling, twisting, and zigzagging Kennon Road. We made a short cut at Camp John Hay and then decided to have us dropped off at amateurish yet famous "The Ketchup Factory" where celebrated my little sister's birthday dinner at the Rancho Resto, one of the seven resto chains inside Ketchup Factory, eating some traditional Filipino cuisine with a lot of twist. We had a blast that day and it was tiring but a lot of fun despite of the slight drizzle that cool off the summer weather a little bit.

After dinner, we called a taxi and then told the driver to drop us off at the Ecotel Hotel near Burnham Park. The driver had asked me about my impressions regarding Baguio and I told him an honest answer that it is a very nice place and that a lot of beautiful sceneries abounds. He asked me about my impression regarding the people and again I told him honestly that the people were kinda obsessed about what they were doing and that they were not friendly and approachable at all. He also asked me about my impression regarding the taxi drivers around the city and I told him my general conclusion that the taxi drivers sometimes are not that truthful about the taxi fare (because they always second guess the fare knowing that we were tourists)and he admitted to me that it is always true.

He introduced his name to me and he told me that he is also a former expat living in Canada to be with his working wife. He and his wife lived in Calgary before but he opted to go back in Baguio to make a living because he could not stand the harsh Winter season in Canada. When we got to the hotel he gave me his phone card and told me to call him so that he would drive us to some places that we haven't been yet. I struck a deal with him instead to pick us up the next day because we will be picking strawberries tomorrow in La Trinidad. And the deal was sealed there.

May 11, 2014 (Sunday): The next day we woke up late because I told the driver to pick us up at 0900H. We welcomed the day full of bright expecations. We were kind of tired from our activities yesterday yet we were so excited because we have another day full of promises and full of delight to see more of what Baguio City can offer to all four of us.

We all took a warm shower and then get readied for the day. We went down the lobby to get our breakfast and for me to get some coffee to perk me up. I usually drink some coffee in the morning to start my day. I guess the caffeine had made my morning complete everyday if I start it with a cup of coffee. I've been used to it eversince.

After breakfast, I texted the driver that we were almost ready and he texted back he will come at 0900H as agreed. We went down the lobby to wait for him at 0900H. We waited there for thirty minutes but he was not there yet. I texted him again and he did not respond. I almost called another taxi but I told the kids to wait for another minutes. After one hour he texted me back that he overslept. He apoligized and then told me that he is on his way. I told him it's okay and that we were ready for him to pick us up.

Ten minutes later he came and then we took off to La Trinidad taking a much unknown hilly shortcut as claimed by the driver. He was right, the road was away from the traffic and we drove to La Trinidad without any problem at all for less than an hour. We arrived at the sprawling town of La Trinidad excited to pick the famous sweet strawberries they are proud of. The town was a developing farm area and it was already crowded with tourist buses and vehicles when we arrived.

The driver spotted a good parking spot and he told us that he will just wait for us there. So we alighted the taxi and then look for the place where to pick strawberries. There was a lady at the entrance of the farm asking us if we are going to pick strawberries. I told her yes, and she signaled us to follow her so that she can guide us to the farm.

We walked towards the middle of the farm, balanced ourselves on the makeshift trail in the

May Reminds Me Of My Dad

I didn't even know that is is May already. The month just breezed through without even my knowing. That's how fast time had elapsed. I am so dead tired from working too much even the changing of the months was not even anticipated.

Yeah, I remember when I was little, in the Philippines, that we used to flocked in the afternoon at the church to offer flowers to the Blessed Virgin Mary. We have to attend the Catechism class first before the flower offerings.

Since it was Summer in the Philippines, a lot of children goes to church to attend the class to learn about the Bible and a lot of religious values taught by the book. My curiousity when I was little was enormous so attending to classes like this excites me which I also excel most of the time.

The month of May reminds me of my dad as well. He was born May 10, 1934. I remember when I was little that we used to celebrate his birthday by killing a chicken and cook a "chicken tinola". Actually, he is the one cooking it because he is also the cook at the house. Hehehe.

When my little sister was born in 1980 it was also on the same day of his birthday. I remember how happy he was that time and he even believed that she was the best gift that he had received on his birthday. He had a big celebrated that time in a restaurant I recalled.

Dad was a role model to us. Complacent and patient, quiet but can be dominant, he was very strict but right at the point. I admired his authority wherein we his chidren obeyed to him with utmost respect. Dad was a good father figure to us. A God-fearing person I know. However, he has some weakness but all in all h eis the best for me. I won't exchange him if being asked to do so.

Dad, wherever you are, Ijust want to let you know that I missed you and I love you very very much from the bottom of my heart. I know you are in peace now with God and I hope you will continue to guide me even though you're not here. Happy happy birthday to you my dear father. Palangga ko gid ikaw!

May Is Here

There's something special in May I think. Everytime it's coming my heart leaped a thousand miles. I don't know. But May brought a lot of fond memories in me that I could not forget. It's just amazing to feel the warm breeze of a sunny May weather.

May is the fifth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars and one of the seven months with the length of thirty-one days. It is the month of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and summer in Europe. It is also the only month that begins and ends on the same day of the week in any year. This month is the only month to have these two properties.

The month of May was named for the Greek goddess "Maia", who was identified with the Roman era goddess of fertility, "Bona Dea". whose festival was held in May. Conversely, the Roman poet Ovid provides a second etymology, in which he says that the month of May is named for the "Maiores", Latin for "elders", and that the following month (June) is named for the "iuniores", or the "young people".

Events celebrate din the month of May around the world are the following:

#April 29 to May 5 - In Japan, which includes four different holidays, is called "Golden Week". Many workers have up to 10 days off. There is also "May sickness", where new students or workers start to be tired of their new routine. (In Japan the school year and fiscal year start on April 1.)

#May 1 - In Hawaii is called "Lei Day". The custom is to wear a lei throughout the day. It is the "Feast of St. Joseph" the worker in the Roman Catholic calendar. In the Irish calendar it is called "Beltane" (Bealtaine), the first day of SUmmer, and a public holiday is held on the first Monday in May. May 1 is the "month of Music" in New Zealand and is "May Day" in many countries. This is also celebrated as "Labour Day" in many countries, just like in the Philippines.

In the Catholic Church the month of May is dedicated to and honors the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the Philippines (my home country) children flocke dto the church and offer flowers to Mary as a tradition. I remember when I was little we used to do this. I also learned my Bible during the Cathechism held in the afternoon before we offer the flowers. Until now it is being celebrated there.

In Germany it is an old custom to plant a "Maypole" to honor someone on May 1. Often young men set up an adorned birch in front of their girlfriend's house.

#May 3 - Is when the Polish Constitution Day is celebrated in Poland and Japan.

The first Saturday in May is the date of the annual Kentucky Derby, the most famous horse race in the United States.

#May 4 - is the liberation Day in Denmark, celebrating the ending of the German occupation from April 9, 1940 to May 4, 1945. It is also considered by many Star Wars fans to be Star Wars day for "May the fourth be with you" soundingsimilar to "May the force be with you."

#May 5 - is when "Cinco de Mayo" or the Batalla de Puebla is celebrated in Mexico. It is also celebrated widely in the United States. It is also the "Children's Day" in Japan and Korea as well as in Netherlands, celebrating the ending of the German occupation. It is also "Europe Day" in the European Union.

#May 8 - is VE Day in Western Europe. In Eastern Europe it is celebrated on May 9.

#May 9 - is Europe Day in the European Union countries and also is the Victory Day in the former Soviet Union, celebrating the capitulation of the Nazi Germany.

#May 10 - is the Golden Spike Day (1869 - Completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad - Promontory Summit, Utah). It is also Mother's Day in Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador.

#May 12 - is INternational Nurses Day, the day of the Finnish language in Finland, and International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND). These diseases include Neurofibromatosis, Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, etc.

#May 13 - is when the Cathoic Church honors the first apparition of our Lady of Fatima to the three children of Fatima, Portugal (May 13, 1917). It was Lemuria the day for seeing spirits to the other side in ancient Rome, the holiday was later moved to November 1st and called All Soul's Day.

#May 15 - is the beginning of Tourette Syndrome awareness month. It ends on June 15th.

#May 17 - is the Norwegian Constitution Day and is the Vesak full moon poya day (Buddhism's Holiest Day, the day of birth, enlightenment (nirvana), and passing away (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha.

#May 18 - is the International Day of Capitalism

#May 21 - is when the Battle of Iquique (Combate Naval de Iquique) is celebrated in Chile, and it is a national holiday.

#May 24 - is when Eritrea celebrates its Independence Day (Independence from Ethiopia). Is also remembered and celebrated in Ecuador as the day of the Battle of Pichincha (May 24, 1823).

#May 25 - is the May Revolution (or Revolucion de Mayo), a national holiday in Argentina. It is Towel Day, in tribute to Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

#May 28 - is Republic day of Nepal (May 28, 2008). It is Armenia's first independence, from the Ottoman Empire (May 28, 1918)

Under the French Ancien Regime, it was of habit to "plant a May" or a "tree of May" in the honor of somebody. The County of Nice saw girls and boys "turn the May" with the sound of fife and drum, ex. to dance rounds of May around the tree of May planted on the place of the village.

The second Sunday in May, the Eurovision Song Contest is held. The Indianapolis 500 is held on the Sunday before Memorial Day.

In Canada, Victoria Day is celebrated on the last Monday on or before May 24. The last Monday of May is Memorial Day in the United States, first celebrated on May 5, 1866, in Waterloo, New York.

Symbols for May includes Emerald as the birthsone, which is emblematic of love and success. The May birth flower is the Lily of the Valley and the Crataegus monogyna. The zodiac signs for the month of May are Taurus (until May 20) and Gemini (May 21 onwards.)