Exploring Baguio City in 24 hours

No plans. No expectations. No frills. A great 24 hour Baguio road trip!

It’s possible to explore Baguio in 24 hours, just be sure you’re ready for the walk.

I prepared myself for some walk by running 5k every other day in Gold’s gym for the past week. It’s worth it!

Target destination: Baguio City
Date: August 15, 2009

Camera: PSP camera

Photo Album:
Exploring Baguio City – Philippine Military Academy 15 2009
Exploring Baguio City – Camp John Hay August 15 2009
Exploring Baguio City – St Joseph Cathedral + Baguio Botanical Garden August 15 2009
Exploring Baguio City – The Mansion + Wright Park August 15 2009
Exploring Baguio City – Baguio Cathedral August 15 2009
Exploring Baguio City – UP Baguio + Baguio Convention Center August 15 2009

House to Victory Cubao to Victory Baguio City
Saturday 12:30 AM
Quirino-C5 Jeep – 7.00 Php
C5-Cubao Bus – 14.00 Php
Cubao-Baguio Bus – 430 Php

I arrived home later than expected due to the instant ESA team dinner with Richelle, Pau, Ryan, Jane, Juvie and our guest Jhamz in RSC. Had dinner, a mango juice and spent some time watching the TV. I’m ready for the weekend adventure.

I took a jeepney ride from the Village gate and a bus to get to Victory Cubao Station. Scheduled for 12:30 AM trip and arrived in Baguio 6:09 AM. Exhausted from the day’s work, I just spent most of the bus time sleeping. It was day break when I woke up, I can feel the fresh and cold air conditioned by local temperature. My first time in Baguio City!

The panoramic view is great and relaxing upon entering the city. The coldness is different from room air-conditioning. The weather was good and I was very excited to explore the city.

Victory Bus terminal to UP Baguio, Baguio Convention Center
Walk

The bus arrived in the station at 6:25 AM and I went immediately to a local gas station to get a City MAP for 65Php (which I learned costs only 30Php originally).

From there I noted the landmarks to visit. I noted that Convention center is near so I set foot to visit it.

The convention center is just across UP Baguio which I visited first. Exchanged my company ID for a UP visitor’s tag and started to explore UP Baguio very early in the morning. It’s very small comparing to UP Diliman but all needed facilities was there. It has little terraces, student dorms, class buildings, admin buildings, basketball court, tennis court, and the famous UP Oblation shrine.

I then went to the Convention Center which sets up like a smaller Araneta Coliseum. Asked the guards and they were nice enough to let me enter the center to take a peek. The inside is dome shaped with red carpet floors. Chairs are those in mini theaters. You can see some art display of local artist near the top row chairs. 2009 is Baguio Centennial Year or it marks 100 years of Baguio’s existence.

Sunshine park and Schools along Session road
Walk

Sunshine Park is just a block away from UP and you can pass it along Upper Session road.

It displays a variety of plants organized together that provides an atmosphere of relaxation to the public. It has a small stage where the local people and students gather during events.

In my walk down upper session road, you can pass a lot of schools like the University of Cordilleras and Baguio National high school. It wasn’t tiring to walk because of the cold weather and many students were just going to there schools. Apparently, there are classes on Saturdays of August due to typhoon canceled classes. I was like a student with my backpack along session road.

Burnham Park
Milo – 15.00 Php
Andok’s “Tapsi” Meal – 68.00 Php
Silver earing – 20Php

Burnham Park is one of the tourist attractions in Baguio. It’s the largest and most organized park I’ve visited. It has a center pond which allows you to ride a small boat or “Kayaking”. It’s very clean and there are a lot of people early in the morning either doing exercise, sight seeing, passing along or selling their stuff.

There were a number of Coffee patrol boys selling hot drinks in a cup for 15 pesos. It was nice seeing them in formal uniforms! I bought a Milo-in-cup to keep myself warm and indulge in the experience.

I walked around the right side of the park and it was a good experience.

From Burnham Park you can see a small portion of SM Baguio, Baguio City hall, Andanao Square, and Baguio Cathedral.

Got a local silver earing for 20 Php as souvenir.

I reached upper center part of Burnham Park and you will see the statue of Burnham, the designer of the Park.

I noted the small Rizal Park towards the city hall and went to it. Took some photos and proceeded to Baguio City hall.

Baguio City hall is very clean and just across Burnham and Rizal Park.

Went back to explore the left side of Burnham Park. Saw Andok’s restaurant and ate my “Tapsi” breakfast.

I then explored the left side of Burnham Park where I discovered Baguio Orchidarium, Biking area, Children’s playground and Baguio Skating & Amusement center.

Baguio Cathedral
Walk

You can see the top portion of Baguio cathedral from Burnham park overlooking the green trees. It’s around 400 meters away. After exploring the vicinity of Burnham Park, I started to walk to Baguio cathedral.

Baguio cathedral should I say “Is the most beautiful cathedral I’ve seen”. It’s pink! Effin Pink! The area surrounding it is very clean.

Went inside a convenient store nearby for some Gatorade.

The Mansion
Cab – 48 Php

I took a cab from Session road to The Mansion in Lualhati, Baguio. I took photos of the site and was able to meet the site guard Sgt. Jun Macaraeg. I bought a sticker which I eventually placed in my laptop.

Wright Park
Walk

You can’t miss Wright Park across the Mansion where you can find a lot of Effin’ Pine trees. There’s a long pond in the center going into the center of the Park.

There are several souvenir shops inside the park.

You can go down the concrete stairs to the horseback riding area or find yourself back to the highway.

Some horses have dyed hair! Pink! I tell you, Pink!

St. Joseph Cathedral
Walk

Baguio botanical garden is just 10 minutes walk away from Wright Park. On the way you can pass along an anti-abortion monument and St. Joseph Cathedral.

Baguio Botanical Garden and Centennial Park
Walk

You cannot miss the Botanical Garden from the highway. It has a huge sign!

I sat down being fond of the tourist getting photos with the local Igorot ladies. One local sat with me.

They do not understand Tagalog language well. They know Ilocano and 2 repeating English word “Picture! Picture! ”… That means stand up and 10 pesos for them! Crazy!

I went inside the garden which displays a wide array of plants and artifacts from local tribes.

I learned that Centennial Park is a actually just the back of Botanical garden which is proposed to become a golf course or something. Just passed by it.

Camp John Hay
Photo album: http://sharpangel.multiply.com/photos/album/110
Cab – 42 Php
Dencio’s Sizzling Fish “Sisig” meal – 170 Php
Brothers Onion rings – 60 Php
Bell house and CJH history core entrance – 30 Php (student )

I took a cab from Baguio Botanical garden to Camp John Hay. We took gate 2 route which passes by Baguio Golf courses. The cab driver was very friendly and provided me information on how to explore CJH.

Mile Hi center is the central business part of Camp John Hay. I had my meal and explore the shops. I bought Borthers onion rings with me so I can have a snack going to the CJH history core.

I walked until I saw stairs going up. The air is really cool in the camp and the ambiance is great. It’s just a little awkward since most of the people I saw have partners with them, holding hands and others kissing. Can’t blame them, its really romantic!

I approached a small house to get my entrance ticket to the Bell house and CJH “history core”. The teller asked me “What school are you from?” I replied with the school I graduated and she said “30 Php”. Great! I soon found out that the regular price is 50 Php. I got a 20 Php student discount. Seriously, do I look like a student in backpack? I’m flattered.

I was in the mood and my stamina was great so I walked to gate 1. This was a very long but relaxing walk. Eventually I passed by the Butterfly garden area, paint ball area, horseback riding area and CJH convention center.

For the record, I walked from Mile hi center to Gate 1. Rested for a while and enjoyed the view and ready for PMA.

Philippine Military Academy
Photo album: http://sharpangel.multiply.com/photos/album/111
Cab – 57 Php

I took a cab from Camp John Hay Gate 1 to the Philippine Military Academy. It is like the UP Diliman. Found myself walking again and this time not a choice.

Tourist (ahem) will be required to present a valid ID when entering the academy gates. You will see a military cadet hat after entering the gate. After that you will see a revolutionary monument with tanks, mortars and land war machines.
You will pass by officer’s cabin, academy hospital, a Petron station and a church.

The receiving area is a small park with PMA activity emblem on it. You will also see a small replica of a Philippine map and some huge guns in the park. There is canteen near the receiving area.

Passing by you will see the famous Melchor hall and the PMA headquarters. A chapel and some aircraft displays are within your reach.

Also went to the PMA grandstand where the cadets perform their march. They were playing soccer that time and they seem to be having fun.

See the cadet on top. He told me it’s forbidden to step in the PMA grandstand field. Oops.

Anyway, more photos of PMA in the album

PMA to SM Baguio to Baguio Market to Manila
Jeep – 17 Php
Pasalubong – 100 Php
Sweatshirt – 50 Php

I canceled my trip to the strawberry plantation because of the rain. I saw some plantations before in Dapitan and it’s most likely the same. I just went SM Baguio to see some view. The cold air and the view are amazing.

I went to the famous Baguio market to buy some “pasalubong” for lola and the team. Also, I got a branded sweatshirt in the “Ukay-ukay core” for 50 Php!

Immediately I packed to the bus station were I got my tickets and set back to Manila.

I met a couple of interesting people inside the bus. There was this boy who is a mild autistic patient and his aunt. They went to Baguio for a therapy session. The conversations were interesting and the boy was fond of talking to me. Unfortunately I can’t recall their names. Crap. Anyway, I’m thankful I learned their insights and it urged me to travel more as that is what I want to do. More road trips to come! Yay!

What a 24 hour adventure! I will definitely go back to Baguio when time and mood applies.

Truly Baguio is one of the greatest destinations in Luzon. The summer capital of the PH.

Till next time.