Top 30 Favorite Spots in the Philippines: 29. Baguio

Much has changed in Baguio since my first visit decades ago. Back then, only street vendors and local businessmen compete among each other. Now, the retail giant SM has already invaded the city, making the competition tougher for the locals. Back then, ukay-ukay has not been introduced yet, now, it covers a significant space along the busy stretch of Session Road. Back then, a trip to Baguio is never complete without a photo-op with the Igorot tribesmen clad in their local costumes at Botanical Garden. Now, not so many people do that. Over the years, this vibrant city known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, has caught up with the demands of the modern times. It is the face of an ever-changing metropolis. 

Although some has changed in Baguio since the first time I visited it, I still consider it one of my favorite destinations. I may have been to other beautiful places in the country, but there’s no denying that taking a trip to this city once in a while offers a lull from my daily urban grind. Those fog-kissed pine trees and the morning mist on the windows of Victory Liner bus as it ascends through the long and winding road to Baguio still brings a warm fuzzy feeling to my heart. 

The topography, the people and even the climate may have changed a bit, but some things will never change in Baguio. It's still the best place to go sight-seeing, food trip, museum-hopping, shopping, and trying out new adventures. 

Check out my blog on the must-do activities in Baguio. 

A Baguio trip favorite must-do -- boating at Burnham Park

Save the Pine Trees, Save Baguio City!

At around 1 a.m. today, the news site Rappler broke the news via Twitter that they are getting reports from Baguio that retail giant SM started "earthballing" pine trees in Luneta Hill. It was followed by disheartening tweets like "first tree just fell," "3 trees down," and "10 trees cut down" shared by some netizens near the site.

So as I imagined the scene, it was covertly done early hours in the morning, with barely enough light to carry on the operation, backhoe and crane inside the compound, and massive walls were set up around the site. Clearly, SM is deliberately hiding the massacre from the public eye. 

According to Rappler, 182 trees will be removed from Luneta Hill as part of the expansion plan of SM Development Corporation. According to the plan approved by the government, additional 76,000 square meters to the existing mall's floor area of 106,000 square meters is going to be converted to a parking lot and entertainment plaza.

While SM claims that the pine trees will be balled and not cut down, environmentalists are saying that it will have long-term harmful effects. Rappler noted that the area from which the trees will be moved is one of the few areas in the city where patches of trees remain. 

Travel Guide: 6 Must-Do Activities in Baguio City

Baguio never gets old. This city perched on the cold mountains of the Cordilleras is one of the most-visited summer destinations in the country. It entices many of its visitors with a chilly weather perfect for those lazy bones. It is a home to some all-time favorite tourist spots that show a glimpse of its past dwellers (established by the Americans in 1900) and that of the mountain people's rich life and culture; a haven for shoppers and bargain-seekers; and a magnet for food lovers. For these reasons, just like many, I’ll never grow tired visiting this city. 

To fully enjoy a getaway in Baguio, I'm sharing with you some of the things that you can do while in there. I've also added tips that might be helpful to plan your trip. 

2011 Unforgettable Journeys

I wish I could bottle up all the great memories I had while backpacking Pilipinas this year. I immensely enjoyed every bit of it. Thanks to my travel buddies who joined me exploring some destinations in Luzon, Vizayas and Mindanao! Until next year! But before I get too hyped up with 2012, first, here's 2011 in retrospect. :)

Revisiting Mt. Pinatubo. The first time I went there in 2009, I was  very impressed with the crater that I told myself it definitely deserves a second visit. So last January, I climbed again. This time with Cha, Kidd and Janet. But unlike in 2009 that good weather was on our side, this recent climb proved to be more difficult. It was drizzling all the way to the top and we had to go through an agonizing four-hour trek on a rocky terrain. But all the hardships waned the moment we saw the crater. It’s worth it! :)

Palumbanes Lighthouse Summit. On my previous visits to Palumbanes Island (Caramoran, Catanduanes), I always wondered when I would ever get near its lighthouse. Perched on the mountain overlooking the island, for me it’s a silent witness to the daily grind of the sea, mountain, and the community living below it. And so on my visit last March, along with 10 companions, I was thrilled to have finally reached this panoramic part of Palumbanes. From there I got 360-degrees view of the island. What a sight! :)