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Baguio City: The Summer Capital of the Philippines

What comes to mind when “tropical country” comes up? Sun, sand, beaches, year-round summer. What exactly are the seasons in tropical countries?

Philippines, being located in Southeast Asia, is known for its islands with multiple beaches. Being known as the “Land of the Rising Sun”, you’d expect this country to be hot all year long. What people don’t know, there are 2 seasons in this country: Summer and Rainy Season. Despite being a hot country most of the time, we still have a so-called summer season that lasts for 2-3 months.

What happens during summer? It’s hotter. Since most students are also on break, most people go to the different beaches that this country has to offer, Boracay being one of the most visited places. However, it’s not the summer capital of the country.

But then, what is? Baguio City. With people feeling hot almost all year round, it’s the place to be. Baguio City is located in the northern part of the country. People go here not for the beach, but for its cool climate. Being 1,540 meters above sea level, this city became known as the “City of Pines” and its capability to grow fruits that can only survive in colder areas.

 

 

GETTING THERE

Flying to Manila was my best option, as well as almost everyone’s. From NAIA, you can take a cab or a Grab car going to Victory Liner Terminal in Pasay City. From there, you can avail your bus tickets going to Baguio.

In our case, we booked ahead of time, even before we flew to Manila. It’s also the best way as you have the option to choose which bus class and what time you’d want to travel, as well as where you’ll be sitting. We went for a first-class bus, which I totally recommend knowing that it’s a 5-7 hour ride, and the scheduled trip of 1 am. I got used to sleeping in long travels since I always get car sick when I was a kid and it’s the best way for me to prevent it from happening, so this is definitely the perfect time for me to travel.

There are other bus companies you could go for but I highly recommend the Victory Liner due to its history and good reviews. The same bus company also offer cheaper options. I just prefer the first-class due to its reclined seats, free snacks and drink, free Wi-Fi, a plug where you can charge your gadgets, and there’s a toilet inside, which isn’t really common for the buses in the Philippines. I haven’t checked it out as I was completely asleep in the whole duration of the trip. There’s also a specific room in the terminal while waiting, that’s only for people who booked in first-class, which is air-conditioned, has a television, and there’s free-flowing coffee. However, they don’t have it in the terminal in Baguio but the bus we got on from Baguio to Pasay has a mini screen in every seat containing movies, music, etc., which I also wasn’t able to take advantage of since my body was trying to convince my mind to sleep already.

 

WHAT TO VISIT

Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad, Benguet.

It’s not that common to see a strawberry farm around the country due to the climate it requires. This farm will let you pick strawberries from January to March. Since we were there on a late May, the strawberries haven’t fully formed yet. You’ll just see teeny tiny ones. You’ll also see other vegetables growing there. Just expect that the smell can be stinky due to the fertilizers. Aside from the fruit and vegetables, people there also sell souvenirs and ice creams. Yes, strawberry ice cream. It’s a must try!

 

Burnham Park

This park is will give you the opportunity to have fun with the multiple rides that you can find there from bikes to go-karts to paddle boats. Not to mention, they have carnival rides.

 

Baguio Country Club

Located in Camp John Hay, this place is like an American compound in the mountains. People come here to play golf, archery, and you can also rent a horse to go around. I didn’t get to do much here except admire the beautiful view.

 

Philippine Military Academy

One place I enjoyed the most (mostly because of the photo ops). It’s a huge place and going around is quite an exercise. You get to see actual military planes, helicopters, tanks, big guns, and many more. I grew up with childhood playmates that are mostly boys so I enjoyed seeing all of it.

 

Minesview Park

The highlight is to see the view of the mountains. It was a bit crowded when we went there so I didn’t really get to take that many photos. You can have your photo taken here where you’re dressed up with the Igorot costume and/or while riding a pony. You can also buy plants and souvenirs here. Although, if you buy any of the plants and will be flying on a plane to get to your next destination, you’re required to get a permit.

 

The Mansion

This is one of the “a must” places to visit while you’re in Baguio. There’s really nothing much to see but it’s a well-known tourist attraction due to what it is. It was first built in 1908 as a summer residence to the US Governors-General and is now the summer palace of the President of the Philippines. Since you’ll be passing by this place going to Minesview Park and it’s just across the Wright Park, why not stop over for a photo? 😉

 

Wright Park

Located just across The Mansion, this place is known for the horses and ponies. Most people come here to ride them and/or just have a photo with them.

 

Botanical Garden

Plant / Flower lovers, this place is for you. You can walk around and see multiple plants and flowers surrounding the place, and maybe take a photo with the Igorot costume if you haven’t gotten a chance to do it yet.

 

Camp John Hay

This place is huge although I wouldn’t mind walking around due to its fresh air and green surroundings. It was formerly a military base for the United States Armed Forces. You can also find here the Liberty Park where they have a replica of the Statue of Liberty, as well as the Cemetery for Negativism where you can see tombstones with images of animals. There’s really no dead people there, just negative thoughts, feelings, etc.

In case you’re wondering, the place was named for John Hay, and the base name was maintained by the Philippine government even after its 1991 turnover to Philippine authorities. John Hay was the private secretary and assistant to Abraham Lincoln.

 

The Manor

This hotel is located in Camp John Hay and is one of the oldest and well-known hotels in Baguio. At the back of the hotel, you’ll be able to find a statue of former President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, and former President of the Philippines, Manuel Quezon, facing each other.

 

Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto

One of the oldest tourist destination in Baguio City. This place is known for the 100 steps you’d have to go through to reach the grotto. There’s also an alternate way for those who can’t go through the steps, so not to worry.

It’s mostly Catholic Filipinos that are the ones who go here, light a candle, and offer a rose. You can also find a church next to the grotto where masses are sometimes being held.

 

Public Market

If you’re up for making your own food with the local ingredients, this is the perfect place to buy them. It’s also the perfect place to buy your pasalubongs” like the peanut brittles, strawberry jam, strawberry preserves, and of course, the strawberries itself. As much as I wanted to bring one back to Cebu, the strawberries have to be stored in a cool place and knowing that I’ll still be going to multiple places before heading back, I really don’t have much choice.

Also, Baguio aims to be a plastic-free city. If you don’t have any green bags with you, you can just easily buy one there. It’s also good to have one with you wherever you go in case you’ll find something to buy along the way.

 

Good Taste

This is a restaurant but I can’t help to not add it to the places you’d want to check out. This place is just across to where we’re staying. Since we arrived in Baguio at around 5:30 am, we decided to eat here as it’s also open 24/7. The food looked good, which they are by the way, and very affordable. We didn’t expect how this place is “a must” to try until we saw the number of people who are there during lunch and dinner time. People were already lining up from the inside to the outside of the building, and to think they have 2 floors filled with tables and chairs.

 

 

If you’re a big group, it’s definitely ok to rent out a van to go around. However, if you can just fit in a cab, you can just go for taking a cab in every destination. The flag down is only 35 PHP and there’s no heavy traffic. I actually like the traffic flow in Baguio. Almost everyone would always give way. Kudos to the drivers in Baguio!

 

Finding a place to stay there is also not that hard. You’d get to have tons of options in Agoda and Airbnb. We went for the latter since we were able to get a good deal there that’s perfect for our itinerary.

I highly recommend Maria’s place. It’s a 2-bedroom unit with 2 toilet & bathrooms and is completely fully-furnished (like almost literally!). You just need to bring your clothes, shampoo, toothbrush, and toothpaste. If you prefer cooking your meals, the kitchen has almost everything that you need.

CLICK HERE to get a discount on your first Airbnb booking.

Tip: Find a place near Burnham Park. Restaurants, pharmacies, supermarkets, and the public market are all walking distance from there.

 

It’s also been a while since I had a vacation with my family. We had a 1-year-old baby and a senior citizen with us on the trip and it was still free from hassle. I can definitely say that Baguio is good for family vacations. Although expect the amusement of older family members who had been here a couple of years ago and see the positive changes in the place.

Overall, the trip to Baguio was amazing. It’s nice to get a break from the hot weather, especially during the summer season. 19 degrees C still makes me sweat but I definitely wouldn’t mind having that on a daily basis.

Is it worth to go back there? Of course! It’s always nice to go the next time and see new changes.

29 thoughts on “Baguio City: The Summer Capital of the Philippines

  1. Whether or not you believe in God, read this message!

    Throughout history, we can see how we have been slowly conditioned coming to this point where we are on the verge of a cashless society. Did you know that Jesus foretold of this event almost 2,000 years ago?

    In Revelation 13:16-18, it states,

    “He (the false prophet who deceives many by his miracles–Revelation 19:20) causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

    Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.”

    Referring to the last generation, this could only be speaking of a cashless society. Why’s that? Revelation 13:17 states that we cannot buy or sell unless we receive the mark of the beast. If physical money was still in use, we could buy or sell with one another without receiving the mark. This would contradict scripture that states we need the mark to buy or sell!

    These verses could not be referring to something purely spiritual as scripture references two physical locations (our right hand or forehead) stating the mark will be on one “OR” the other. If this mark was purely spiritual, it would indicate both places, or one–not one OR the other!

    This is where it really starts to come together. It is incredible how accurate the Bible is concerning the implantable RFID microchip. Here is information from someone named Carl Sanders who worked with a team of engineers to help develop this RFID chip:

    “Carl Sanders sat in seventeen New World Order meetings with heads-of-state officials such as Henry Kissinger and Bob Gates of the C.I.A. to discuss plans on how to bring about this one-world system. The government commissioned Carl Sanders to design a microchip for identifying and controlling the peoples of the world—a microchip that could be inserted under the skin with a hypodermic needle (a quick, convenient method that would be gradually accepted by society).

    Carl Sanders, with a team of engineers behind him, with U.S. grant monies supplied by tax dollars, took on this project and designed a microchip that is powered by a lithium battery, rechargeable through the temperature changes in our skin. Without the knowledge of the Bible (Brother Sanders was not a Christian at the time), these engineers spent one-and-a-half-million dollars doing research on the best and most convenient place to have the microchip inserted.

    Guess what? These researchers found that the forehead and the back of the hand (the two places the Bible says the mark will go) are not just the most convenient places, but are also the only viable places for rapid, consistent temperature changes in the skin to recharge the lithium battery. The microchip is approximately seven millimeters in length, .75 millimeters in diameter, about the size of a grain of rice. It is capable of storing pages upon pages of information about you. All your general history, work history, criminal record, health history, and financial data can be stored on this chip.

    Brother Sanders believes that this microchip, which he regretfully helped design, is the “mark” spoken about in Revelation 13:16–18. The original Greek word for “mark” is “charagma,” which means a “scratch or etching.” It is also interesting to note that the number 666 is actually a word in the original Greek. The word is “chi xi stigma,” with the last part, “stigma,” also meaning “to stick or prick.” Carl believes this is referring to a hypodermic needle when they poke into the skin to inject the microchip.”

    Mr. Sanders asked a doctor what would happen if the lithium contained within the RFID microchip leaked into the body. The doctor replied by saying a terrible sore would appear in that location. This is what the book of Revelation says:

    “And the first (angel) went, and poured out his vial on the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore on the men which had the mark of the beast, and on them which worshipped his image” (Revelation 16:2).

    You can read more about it here–and to also understand the mystery behind the number 666: https://2RUTH.ORG

    The third angel’s warning in Revelation 14:9-11 states,

    “Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.'”

    Great hope is in our midst, and is coming in a mighty way–the greatest revival for Jesus in the history of the world where we will see the most souls come to Him of all tribes, tongues, nations, and peoples (Rev. 7:9-10); for we have this promise in God’s Word in the midst of these dark times:

    “Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years (not literal–rather a spiritual label for time spent in eternity); and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while (when the Antichrist and false prophet will rise up and God will test the world).” (Revelation 20:1-3)

    “The coming of the lawless one (the Antichrist) is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)”

    Who is Barack Obama, and why is he still in the public scene?

    So what about his name? The meaning of someone’s name can say a lot about a person. God throughout history has given names to people that have a specific meaning tied to their lives. How about the name Barack Obama? Let us take a look at what may be hiding beneath the surface.

    Jesus says in Luke 10:18, “…I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”

    The Hebrew Strongs word (H1299) for “lightning”: “bârâq” (baw-rawk)

    In Isaiah chapter 14, verse 14, we read about Lucifer (Satan) saying in his heart:

    “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.”

    In the verses in Isaiah that refer directly to Lucifer, several times it mentions him falling from the heights or the heavens. The Hebrew word for the heights or heavens used here is Hebrew Strongs 1116: “bamah”–Pronounced (bam-maw’)

    In Hebrew, the letter “Waw” or “Vav” is often transliterated as a “U” or “O,” and it is primarily used as a conjunction to join concepts together. So to join in Hebrew poetry the concept of lightning (Baraq) and a high place like heaven or the heights of heaven (Bam-Maw), the letter “U” or “O” would be used. So, Baraq “O” Bam-Maw or Baraq “U” Bam-Maw in Hebrew poetry similar to the style written in Isaiah, would translate literally to “Lightning from the heights.” The word “Satan” in Hebrew is a direct translation, therefore “Satan.”

    So when Jesus told His disciples in Luke 10:18 that He saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven, if this were to be spoken by a Jewish Rabbi today influenced by the poetry in the book of Isaiah, he would say these words in Hebrew–the words of Jesus in Luke 10:18 as, and I saw Satan as Baraq O Bam-Maw.

    Malie and Natasha are the names of Obama’s daughters. If we were to write those names backward (the devil does things in reverse) it would be “ailam ahsatan”. Now if we remove the letters that spell “Alah” (the false god of Islam being Allah), we get “I am Satan”. Mere chance? I do not believe so!

    Obama’s campaign logo when he ran as President of the US in 2008 was a sun over the horizon in the west, with the landscape as the flag of the United States. In the Isalmic religion, they have their own messiah that they are waiting for called the 12th Imam, or the Mahdi (the Antichrist of the Bible), and one prophecy concerning this man’s appearance is the sun rising in the west.

    “Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.'” (Revelation 14:6-7)

    Why have the words of Jesus in His Gospel accounts regarding His death, burial, and resurrection, been translated into over 3,000 languages, and nothing comes close (the Quran about 110 languages)? Because the same Spirit of God (YHVH) who created all people likewise transcends all people; therefore the power of His Word is not limited by people; while all other religions are man-made, therefore they tend to primarily stay within their own culture. The same God who speaks to all people through His creation of the heavens and earth that draws all people around the world likewise has sent His Word to the ends of the earth so that we may come to personally know Him to be saved in spirit and in truth through His Son Jesus Christ.

    Jesus stands alone among the other religions that say to rightly weigh the scales of good and evil and to make sure you have done more good than bad in this life. Is this how we conduct ourselves justly in a court of law? Bearing the image of God, is this how we project this image into reality?

    Our good works cannot save us. If we step before a judge, being guilty of a crime, the judge will not judge us by the good we have done, but rather by the crimes we have committed. If we as fallen humanity, created in God’s image, pose this type of justice, how much more a perfect, righteous, and Holy God?

    God has brought down His moral laws through the 10 commandments given to Moses at Mt. Siani. These laws were not given so we may be justified, but rather that we may see the need for a savior. They are the mirror of God’s character of what He has written in our hearts, with our conscious bearing witness that we know that it is wrong to steal, lie, dishonor our parents, murder, and so forth.

    We can try and follow the moral laws of the 10 commandments, but we will never catch up to them to be justified before a Holy God. That same word of the law given to Moses became flesh about 2,000 years ago in the body of Jesus Christ. He came to be our justification by fulfilling the law, living a sinless perfect life that only God could fulfill.

    The gap between us and the law can never be reconciled by our own merit, but the arm of Jesus is stretched out by the grace and mercy of God. And if we are to grab on, through faith in Him, He will pull us up being the one to justify us. As in the court of law, if someone steps in and pays our fine, even though we are guilty, the judge can do what is legal and just and let us go free. That is what Jesus did almost 2,000 years ago on the cross. It was a legal transaction being fulfilled in the spiritual realm by the shedding of His blood with His last word’s on the cross crying out, “It is finished!” (John 19:30).

    For God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:23). This is why in Isaiah chapter 53, where it speaks of the coming Messiah and His soul being a sacrifice for our sins, why it says it pleased God to crush His only begotten Son.

    This is because the wrath that we deserve was justified by being poured out upon His Son. If that wrath was poured out on us, we would all perish to hell forever. God created a way of escape by pouring it out on His Son whose soul could not be left in Hades but was raised and seated at the right hand of God in power.

    So now when we put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14), where God no longer sees the person who deserves His wrath, but rather the glorious image of His perfect Son dwelling in us, justifying us as if we received the wrath we deserve, making a way of escape from the curse of death; now being conformed into the image of the heavenly man walking in a new nature, and no longer in the image of the fallen man Adam.

    Now what we must do is repent and put our trust and faith in the savior, confessing and forsaking our sins, and to receive His Holy Spirit that we may be born again (for Jesus says we must be born again to see and enter the Kingdom of God in John chapter 3). This is not just head knowledge of believing in Jesus, but rather receiving His words, taking them to heart, so that we may truly be transformed into the image of God. Where we no longer live to practice sin, but rather turn from our sins and practice righteousness through faith in Him in obedience to His Word by reading the Bible.

    Our works cannot save us, but they can condemn us; it is not that we earn our way into everlasting life, but that we obey our Lord Jesus Christ:

    Jesus says,

    “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7:21-23)

    “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” (Hebrews 5:9)

    “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’

    Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’

    And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.'” (Revelation 21:1-8)

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