Baguio is my home
At some point in my life, I left Baguio City to pursue my dreams. A few years later, I found myself back in my home. Baguio City will always be my home. With everything that is happening right now, I can’t help but ponder, what’s next Baguio? Here’s my short blog about our city. It’s going to be a lot of reminiscing and dreaming.
A Baguio Girl’s Short Background
For those who don’t know me personally, my elders came from La Union and the Quezon Province. My grandfathers and grandmothers from both sides settled here in Baguio City. My parents reminisced that there are such a few houses here before. My grandparents from the father’s side decided to live here. They put up one of the first tailoring and barbershops in the city. My grandparents from the mother’s side met here and settled. My grandfather was a Baguio artist (Baguio Arts Guild and Tahong Bundok Group) who also helped to design a few spots here. His day job is a radiologic technologist at the health center while my grandmother served all her years as a public school teacher. Then, of course, my parents met in this city wherein their courting stage includes long phone calls. LOL! So, that’s why I became a Baguio girl. Hehe 😊
Baguio’s Tourism
The tourism sector has suffered a lot especially the hotel industry, the artists of Baguio, the small businesses like vendors in the key attractions of the city. A few days ago, Baguio Tourism Officer Alec Mapalo sighted plans for reopening activities in the city but only for locals. This includes activities in Burnham Park like boating and biking. I don’t know about you who are reading this. What’s your take on this? To our fellow “Baguio people,” are we finally going to enjoy our own city? Will the businesses still flourish with this setup?
As for me, if ever activity at the park shall be reopened with perfect safety protocols, I would love to get back on my rollerblades at the skating rink again!
Baguio City Eats
Sushi Baked by My Bitesize Kitchen! 🙂 one of my faves during this quarantine!
What I love about Baguio is that we have so many cuisines and food trips to choose from! We love to eat, don’t we? Since this pandemic happened, most locals are already establishing food businesses. I am glad that there has been much support to local businesses right now and I hope we all help each other more! The delivery services are on an all-time high effective these days. Are you loving it too? The convenience of the food being delivered to you? Don’t forget to always sanitize also the exterior food packaging! As much as possible, hand over the exact amount of the price to pay and store it in a paper bag or an envelope.
Christmas in Baguio
Well, it’s already BER-months! Christmas in Baguio City is very festive and very “home-y”. I love the vibe as it is colder in these months. All the more that we’ll experience that “Baguio-feels” that many Baguio people and tourists understand! One thing I would surely miss this Christmas time is the annual lantern parade which is hosted by my alma mater, Saint Louis University. I doubt that this event would push through this year! I’ll be leaving a video from 2 years ago for you to check out!
Baguio History
For those who are curious, did you know that Baguio City was called “Little America”? Yup! Americans lived here and set up a military base. Here’s a super a quick history notes published by Esquire:
“In 1909, Baguio was proclaimed a chartered city and official “Summer Capital” of the Philippines. The Mansion became the official residence of the American Governor-General. The Philippine Commission held its first session in Baguio City and this explains why there is a street called Session Road.
The Americans were obsessed with making their mark in their newly colonized lands and they thought that the best way to do that was with architecture and urban planning. Their thinking back then was that anything local is primitive and savage.”
So, what’s next, Baguio?
Today (September 1, 2020), we are celebrating the 111th Baguio Charter Day. It is with a heavy heart that we can’t even celebrate this properly this time. I miss the old Baguio. I miss the interactions with people even when sometimes it gets a bit suffocating because, in this small city, everybody knows everybody (almost). I miss just walking up and down session road. I miss just being carefree, not having the need to wear masks or any protective gear. I hope and I pray that this pandemic would end soon. To my fellow Baguio friends who are reading this, I hope you are staying safe and healthy! Happy Baguio Day!
Interesting trivia about Session Road in Baguio! Pero ang lungkot na yun yung isip ng mga Americans sa anything local noon – primitive and savage. And also, happy Baguio Day! 👏🏻 I hope things go back to normal there! 🙏🏻
It is slowly picking up na lalo na sa food! Take care!
The last time i was in Baguio was 2016. Would love to go to Baguio soon! Happy 111th Baguio Charter Day.
Happy Baguio Charter Day! Despite the pandemic, I believe people there can still enjoy your day. Hearts and hugs from Manila! Baguio’s one of the first places I’d want to revisit when things gets better. See you soon!
Looking forward to that! 🙂
Haay, I miss Baguio! Burnham park will be alive again with Biking and Boating. But I agree with what you said, they should be reopened with perfect safety protocols. Opening it to locals first is also a good idea.
I was still a kid when I last visited Baguio. I really want to go one of these days. Sana matuloy na.
Thank you for sharing this! ❤
I totally loved reading this. I feel like I got to know a lot of about Baguo I never knew before! It’s super obvious that you love your city and I hope that one day I’ll get to visit Baguio again and experience it’s magic.
I am excited to see you here, too!
Awww Baguio! It’s one of my most loved city and I can’t wait to move there. Dapat last year pa nga eh pero marami pang inasikaso hanggang sa naabutan na nga ng COVID 19. Kaya I love reading Baguio posts dito sa blog mo, Rae. I heard the city is open for tourist na?
Hey Khae! It will be open for Region 1 tourists muna. Actually, some are moving here na nga eh! hehe Hope to see you soon!
In the few times I’ve ever been to Baguio, I always enjoyed myself! Totally feel sad by the loss in tourism, but I’m hopeful things get back to normal. I remember going there for vacation with my family when I was a kid, and I’d love to come back as an adult! Excited to visit “Little America” soon without a face mask!
See you soon! 🙂
You’re lucky to be living in one of the most beautiful cities 🙂 Baguio will always be our favorite stop in the north, its sights, its people, the food, its charm. Growing up, we used to go up there every 3 months and the city always brings us delight. Wishing and hoping to be back very very soon!
Hello! Im from here too..hehe Actually Benguet but near baguio anyway..Baguio naman ang sentro.. 😁 I love the way you blog about baguio..❤
Anya ngay? hehehe. Are you from LT? 🙂 Thank you, Jane!
Baguio is truly my favorite city in the world! I dream of having a rest house and retiring there when I get older. I go to baguio at least once a year but I think I won’t be able to visit this year 🙁 Really missing the weather huhu
This is such a nice read! You’re like the girl next door type. They usually have very strong roots to their childhood place. So looking at Baguio, I love your place. The locals are also kind plus your night ukay ukay is the bomb haha I bought a lot of nice pieces there! I know it can get tough but I guess your local govt has its best interest for opening tourist spots exclusive to you residents. Its for the economy as they say. Little by little we’ll get out of this mess. I can’t wait to visit Baguio again!
Thank you, Thea! 🙂 yeh, I love Ukay-Ukay, too! <3
Baguio has so much to offer and based on your many stories about your place, I can tell that Baguio got so many similarities here in many Victorian rural suburban areas. Well, maybe except population-wise coz Baguio surpasses it.
ive always loved baguio! but hindi ko alam bakit never na nagkaopportunity to go back. siguro kasi wala akong sasakyan? mahirap maggala with a kid kung commute? kaya naman mag commute pero shempre if me kid, mas madami pag me sasakyan. looking forward to going to baguio when it opens again, when the pandemic is over.
There have been many bus trips bound to Baguio. Sa Victory Liner, halos every hour pa from Pasay, when I used to work in Mnl. Anyways, oo mahirap magcommute din naman talaga pag may bata. 🙂 Next time!
Happy Baguio Day! Natatandaan ko nung mga bata pa kami halos every year namamasyal kami sa Baguio. Dapat nung Holy week nakaschedule na kami pumunta ulit dyan, kaso inabutan ng pandemic. Hopefully, matuloy pa kapag ok na ang lahat.
You know, I grew up hearing all bout these awesome culture and lifestyle in Baguio. I bet most of the kids back then did too. Until now, whenever we hear about it, we get still excited. That’s how much Baguio made it’s impact to farther provinces. Happy 111th Baguio Charter Day!
Thanks, Ja!