BAGUIO IN MY MIND

I WAS in grade 6 in 1968, about 10 years old, when I was introduced to Baguio. Together with my brother Raul, who is two years older than me, and our Kuya Gilbert (the progenitor of JINGLE), we took the six-hour bus ride one early morn. My eyes grew as big as fishballs (not yet invented in those times) in stupefaction as the series of mountains unfolded right before us during our ascent to the City of Pines. The zigzagging Kennon Road ride was exhilarating and nerve-wracking, to say the least. I held on for dear life onto the metal bars of the bus.

First stop, after taking our brunch, was Lourdes Grotto on the uppermost part of the mountain that featured 252 steps. My jaw almost dropped for it was my first time to see clouds over my head. It's as if you can reach out and touch it. How did that happen? It was really awesome for a young boy who was yet to see the wonders of the world. We went horseback riding in Wright Park and witnessed an accident unfold right before our eyes. As Raul and I were about to get off our rented horses, a young boy, who was continuously whipping his horse from the back, was kicked in the face with a speedy back flip. The horse hit the boy's face directly that blood began to ooze out almost instantaneously. The people around were shouting: "Quick! Bring him to the hospital!" The three of us were stunned and not a word was spoken.

What would it be like if we didn't even visit Mine's View Park? We went looking for everlasting flowers because our mother insisted that we buy her one or two garlands for her altar. We also bought some strawberry and ube jams in small bottles. Remember that during those times, the Good Shepherd mecca of pasalubongs was not yet around. We had to squeeze in as many destinations as possible for we had to go back home the same day...Wala pang budget eh.

FAST FORWARD. The next time we visited Baguio was when I was about 14 years old. We took the night bus ride -- to better enjoy the early morning sunrise while arriving in the city proper. This time, we were with some of our employees. It was a company blowout because the magazine sold well the past year. 

First stop was Baguio Cathedral (Our Lady of Atonement) in Session Road to give thanks for a safe voyage. Next in line was boat-riding in Burnham Park. We also went strolling in the famous Baguio road bereft of traffic and pollution in the early 70's. Not like the sorry state it is in today. Tsk tsk...

We always drove our white Ford delivery van for our next "climbs" to Baguio. I had it installed with six speakers all around and two twitters in front for a balanced and full sound. Remember that the 8-track cartridge was in vogue during those times --  long before the cassette tape was introduced in the market. Pioneer ang player namin nuon. Folk rock songs that featured James Taylor were our on rotation all the way from Manila to Baguio. Dapat terno sa pupuntahan. The sound should also be cool.

I had my fave songs in vinyl taped in 8-track tapes in the very first shop of Love Electronics in Farmers Cubao. I had a vast collection of cartridge tapes back then. Puro various artists. Mga best of. I brought all of my ammo (8-track tapes) to Baguio. Remember that the farthest point then of North Luzon Expressway (NLEX was not even coined that time) was Dau, in Angeles, Pampanga.

Nowadays, driving is a lot easier and faster via NLEX that connects us to SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac) and TPLEX (Tarlac-Pangasinan). Ngayon eh hanggang Pozorrubio, Pangasinan na via TPLEX. I heard that they are extending it all the way right on the foot of Mountain Province. All these freeways we enjoy hassle-free today will not be possible without the oomph of big conglomerates owned by Manny V. Pangilinan and Ramon Ang -- both stalwarts of progress in the country.

FAST FORWARD. Each year, together with my family (with Nerissa and our two kids Paolo and Jaila, and in some instances with Mommy Celi, my mother-in-law) we de-stress and leave everything behind and head on to Baguio.

Everytime we reach Kennon Road, I let Nerissa take the wheel. She would then drive barefoot all the way to Session Road. She enjoys the adrenaline rush of it all. Pero pag magpa-park na nang paatras...ako na uli...That's her waterloo.

We usually go up in December when the weather is cooler compared to May or June. And because of overcrowding and heavy traffic in the urban jungle, the once fine weather enjoyed by everyone is no longer there. Mainit na dun. Everything has even become too commercialized these days.

Pine trees are felled down to give way to houses and commercial establishments being built left and right. Less trees plus smoke emissions from visiting cars equals warm days and nights. It is that simple.

Paolo, our son, always sits in front of the car. I would always say, "Four eyes are better than two."  We usually travel during daytime for better vision. We always avoid traveling at night for I am nearsighted and I have a hard time with long drives in the evening. Because of my son’s navigation with the help of the Waze app, it's easy for us to navigate the traffic-laded Baguio streets. Mahirap kasing maipit sa pataas na road sa traffic...baka umatras ka pagkambyo mo. We always go to Tam-awan Village, a reconstructed Cordillera community where they showcase Baguio artists in their gallery. You can also have a self-portrait done by local artists there.

Another favorite hang out in is Camp John Hay Ayala Techno Hub (ang haba) for they have ample parking spaces and lots of affordable restos. We always chill out in Starbucks -- my personal choice. 

We’re also regulars in BenCab Museum in Tuba, Benguet that features his and other notable guest Filipino artists’ works, plus indigenous highlands exhibits.

Ukay-ukay -- which hawks donated second hand clothes from around the world -- was first introduced in Baguio. You only need an inexhaustible supply of patience while laboriously sifting through numerous used clothings that are very cheap. They also have an ukay-ukay night market right beside Burnham Park which starts at about 8:00 pm until about 1:00 in  the morning. They cordon off the road for the regular ambulant vendors. All of them are assiduous. Ilocanos are known for that...

Fave restos: Canto, O’ Mai Khan (Mongolian), Amare’ La Cucina, The Happy Frog, Jack’s.

The last time we were in Baguio, we drove all the way to Ambuklao Dam. It is a back-breaking drive on a steep, narrow and snaky road that is connected to Nueva Vizcaya. It was all worth it, for we witnessed the impressiveness of the dam first hand.

Baguio will always be a treasure trove of memories. There's a lot more that I haven't remembered in this post but will always be part of our annual family Baguio escapade.

My family and I took a leave this year. Just imagining the heavy traffic, the crowded parks, full-packed restos and taken parking spaces...we decided to stay in Manila...and breeze through EDSA because everyone is on vacay.