Aquí Estoy Baguio

One of the beautiful places in the Philippines that the tourist should not be missed to visit was the City of Baguio. Also known as the City of Pines and serves as the summer capital of the Philippines. Baguio was considered as one of the most visited tourist attraction not  just because of it's cold weather but also of its famous landmarks to visit and beautiful parks. 

As a Filipino, one of my dream was to travel and visit all the beautiful places here in the Philippines. Lucky me because I have a job that will help me financially to fulfill my dreams. Since Lenten season was coming, and it means that I have a two days vacation from work. And also Good Friday was my birthday. Joy Furio, a friend of mine invited me to spend our vacation out of town. I said yes automatically when she told me we can go to Baguio. She has a friend there that can accommodate us for our stay and also for our tour. 

It took us 12 hours before we reach Baguio because of traffic. As I've said it was Lenten season and its the chance of many hard working Filipinos to take a break and have some fresh air. Feels like Baguio was going to be populated this time. It's really fine though, knowing that this visit was going to be worthy enough to think about traffic. 

We only have a day to tour Baguio. Luckily we visited some famous tourist attractions that Baguio offered. 

* Strawberry Farm at La Trinidad Benguet 

    Because of the cold weather, this place manage to plant strawberries, lettuces, and other kind of breeds. The farm was big. Strawberry picking was amazing. The people was friendly. Tha strawberry was delicious and also the jams and ice cream. I never tried the strawberry taho.

* Botanical Garden

    Different kind of flowers and trees can be seen. 

 

* Wright Park

  Different kind of horses can be found here. They also offer horseback riding. The payment depends how long do you want to ride the horse. You can also rider the horse with or without a guide, if you know how to ride it. 

* The Mansion

   Few blocks away from Wright Park was The Mansion. This was where the Philippine's President stay when they visit Baguio. The Mansion was not open for tour but you can take pictures outside the big gate and inside not far from the gate. You know what I mean. 

 ( Taken at the Wright Park. The view on our back was The Mansion )

* Mines View Park

   Is an overlook park on the northeastern outskirts of Baguio in the Philippines.Located on a land promontory 4 km from downtown Baguio, the park overlooks the mining town of Itogon, particularly the abandoned gold and copper mines of the Benguet Corporation, and offers a glimpse of the Amburayan Valley.The observation deck is situated below a winding stone-covered stairway close to the parking area. ( c/o Google ) 

 You can also tried wearing native Ilocano dress. 

* Lourdes Grotto

   Located at the top of the hill. You have to take a stairs to reach the top consisting 250 or more steps. Many vendors sell candles to lit up when you reach the grotto. The climb was kinda tiring but when your there it's worth the struggle. When you're there, you can pray in silence and peace. 

* Burnham Park

  This was a happy place for me. We rode a bicycle, a pink sidecar. You can also ride a paddle boat there. 

My Baguio tour was really amazing, memorable since I celebrated my 23rd birthday there. Thanks to "Lalay" who serves as our tour guide and as our photographer. I promised to myself that the next time I visit Baguio, my family was with me. 

Pusang Gala!! : The Filipino Childhood

Pusang Gala!! : The Filipino Childhood: Way back 1990's times, when computer games don't exist. When children plays outdoor with their classmates or neighbors. Being a Fili...

The Filipino Childhood

Way back 1990's times, when computer games don't exist. When children plays outdoor with their classmates or neighbors. Being a Filipino was really something to be proud of. Specially the experience of growing up and being involved with the culture. As a kid born on a year without wifi connections in our house, without cellular phones and personal computer on our table, I was so delight to experienced different kind of childhood games. 

 Bahay-bahayan. Banana leaves, coconut leaves and bamboo was being collected to made a small house. Leaves will serve as the walls of the house and the bamboo was the one to hold the leaves. 

Chines Garter. Mostly girls played this kind of game. This game should be done with a 3 or more persons or groups. They used long garter or chained rubber band for this game. Two persons will hold the garter and stretch it giving enough space for the opponent. When it's done, the challenge is that the opponent will jump or cross the garter. The garter will be raised one foot distance if the challenger successfully cross. And when the challenger failed to cross the garter will loose. 

Tumbang Preso or Tumba Lata. From the word itself, Tumba means fell. Using a can atleast 3 or 4 inches tall, 2 inches wide and a slipper. The slipper will be placed on top of the can. Each of the group will hold a slipper too and position themselves atleast 3 meters far from the can. One by one, they have to hit the can with the slipper in an attempt to make the can and the slipper fell to the ground. The one who make it wins. 

Hide and Seek or Tagu-taguan in filipino. This game was very common to everybody. I think all of us experienced to play this game. This game mostly played outdoors by Filipinos especially at night when it's full moon. Exciting really. When the others tried to scare the one who's seeking them. Sometimes they hide at the bunches of leaves and will make scary noises. 

Luksong-Baka. Lukso means jump in English. Two person wiill used their arms and legs. They have to put it together like on the photo. The other kid will jump on it until he couldn't reach anymore. 

 Coconut leaves where being cut from the stick/broomsticks to make or form bracelets, rings or even Mats. 

I'm not sure if these games still exist. Modern technology introduces online games, and 90's games have been forgotten. I'm not saying online games are bad, it's just that we should not forget that there are still any games aside from online games. 

Our 2nd Mountaineering Assault; Traversing Mount Pamitinan, Daranak Falls and WaWa Damn

Bitin.. Oo nabitin kami sa una naming attempt reaching summit. We did really enjoyed the experience in Pico de Loro ( the first mountain we climbed ). We want more. So we decided to plan another mountaineering experience. 

Myself with Mount Pamitinan on my behind. 

Hindi katulad ng pag-akyat namin sa Pico de Loro, naging mahirap ang pag akyat namin sa Mount Pamitinan. Hindi lang sa medyo matarik ang bundok, medyo maputik din ito. Pero dahil Hindi kami sumusuko sa anumang challenges, we continue our trek with happiness. 

Photo taken before we climb.

    Reaching the summit. 

    Daranak Falls

    WaWa Damn. 

Visit Facebook.com/jabzkie for more photos.