In the Philippines, there is the National Capital Region (NCR). And then there is Baguio City.
The NCR and Baguio City are on opposite ends of the spectrum in reference to elevation, making the climate in Baguio City ideal due to its high elevation. It is common to see people in their sweaters mostly when out and about. Kids would have rosy cheeks.
Baguio City is the Summer Capital of the Philippines. You notice the air is crisp though the sun is up. People flock there, especially during the Holy Week. The businesses in the area await the arrival of charming visitors who swarm the stores for souvenirs and to try out local favorites.
Taking early morning showers could be a challenge. You don’t need caffeine to get you ready for the day. If you don’t have a portable water heater and you can't heat water because the gauge to your liquified petroleum gas-fueled stove gets near the empty level indicator—good luck! Condition yourself to take cold water showers. I had done that countless times during the eight years I was there.
It gets twice as chilly in the rainy season, so prepare to numb yourself from the nippiness, with or without an umbrella. It’s like you know you are in the Philippines, but then it’s like you are not, knowing the country sits near the equator.
What I loved there the most is its bountiful nature. And, it gets foggy there, especially during the “ber months,” which are the months that end in ber. I loved how I had to see through the fog till I got an idea of what was across the street. It was a sight I loved, even as a little kid—like a heavenly kiss!
Those childhood memories I had in the City nurtured my pondering. I was ten years old when I attempted to write a short story. I came up with a few paragraphs, but when it required transitioning to the next scene was when I hit a wall. What to do when there were no books or mentors to steer you in the direction you were looking to explore? As I had gotten older, pondering would come to me more often in the cooler months. I attribute this to the fond memories I had about the city and its climate that I loved.
The drive up to the city is notoriously zigzagging. You would navigate through a narrow, winding road, going one lane in each direction. You would think the road couldn’t accommodate cars going in opposite directions, so watch out for sharp turns. Prepare to get your driving skills and patience tested, as there can also be notoriously slow-driven vehicles.
It’s a very cliffy drive, especially Kennon Road, the shortest route, but the zigzagging of the three: Marcos Highway, Naguilian, and Kennon Road. Don’t look down the cliff if you have a problem with heights. Rather, turn your gaze at the mountains that reveal the natural beauty around you. Kennon Road has waterfalls that are refreshing to look at.
Then come nightfall, and the homes on the mountainsides look like the stars had rested on them, keeping their glow all night long! I was always fascinated at the sight of it, a feeling that doesn’t get old. It's like Christmas every night—and I love the Christmas season!
Hubby and I have clocked nearly two decades there—from high school through college for him and from 1984 through 1992 for me. And now, fourteen years later, we found ourselves there again.
And there we were for the final leg, so roll with me.
It was cold here in San Francisco when we flew out. Acclimating to the Baguio City weather wasn’t necessary. It was just like the usual summer-like Baguio City feel. On another note, the notably crowded city must’ve contributed to the warmer climate, which surprisingly, not the one we recall, would be a month of shivering cold.
We didn’t have to be away for a long while and not notice the spike in the crowd. I miss the old Baguio City and its nature-fresh air. Walking on Session Road, the main street, used to be exhilarating. You could choose to walk slowly, or a little faster, and notice the stores dotting the main street. Nowadays, you had to go with the flow of foot traffic, or you’d bump into the person in front of you. The landscape had changed drastically. It got too busy there. It is like a mini-Manila, in our observation.
This is what I meant in Part 2 of this post about our mixed emotions—the good and the bad regarding the changes it had undertaken—a total departure from the Baguio City we’ve come to know. It still is a tourist spot, don’t get me wrong, but if you’ve been there in the 70s, 80s, and early 90s, even you would admit to the changes. With the direction it had taken, it comes down to personal taste—either you go for the bustling or laid-back feel. I go for the latter.
The City was in its final preparation for the “Panagbenga Festival,” an annual commemorative event that we aren’t familiar with, which added to the busyness of the city. Now that I mention that, I wondered if we’d run into some old acquaintances. We didn't.
Restaurants on Session Road all had people waiting to be seated. Either we head to the mall, our best alternative, or deal with painful long wait times.
At the restaurant, the service was outstanding as if we were the only guests there. The food was better than good. The menu showed no shortage of incredible local dishes. The presentation was unexpectedly fantastic, too! On top of that, the location provided a view of the glorious mountains. Overall, it was like having a champagne taste on a beer budget. Ever heard of this? All because we didn’t have to spend much to enjoy a great meal. Again, that’s also because of the strong US currency.
We dined at the mall a couple of times. Once we had to wait a bit, but it was an opportunity waiting to know firsthand that chivalry among Filipinos is still alive. I was offered a seat by this man with his wife as there wasn’t enough seating for everyone. The wife and I exchanged pleasantries. Once inside, we were seated not far from each other, so when they got up to leave, again, we exchanged smiles.
And about the mall—it has the best view among all the malls in this chain! The view deck offers a vantage point for selfie opportunities. And, though it is average in size, it has an atrium, so if you couldn’t get to the Botanical Gardens for some rare flora, you might find what you’re looking for right there.
Coffee lovers, anyone? Starbucks there has some elements to it that are conducive to socializing. Many were young couples, possibly college students. Befriending strangers over a cup of your favorite hot beverage could come so naturally, one that could start as you wait in line. Filipinos are intrinsically welcoming.
You will find some souvenir kiosks and shops there. They carry items that are sure to pique your interest. Often I’d say to shop around a little as prices vary for similar items. It is easy to snag a sale if you know how to haggle as merchants often match what the competition offers, even selling you the item at better pricing. But, now I say, if you are touring the city and carry the US currency—especially the US currency, I ask that you leave the bargaining skills behind. Think of it as helping them. Grab every opportunity to be charitable. 😊
If you are a fan of woodwork, you will find it there, too. As with other trades, woodworking is an artistry that’s often passed on across generations. You’d be awed at the intricacy and quality of the pieces, all displaying the artisans’ pride in the work and amassed skills perfected over time. They are export quality. Just don’t be surprised to see some unexpected humor mixed in, so don't tell me later I didn't warn you. 😁
Now back to our itinerary, naturally, the mall wasn’t the only place that we went. It's always great to visit the Convent of the Most Blessed Sacrament, also known as The Pink Sisters' Convent. The nuns wear pink and creamy-white vestments. It always is the perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and turn it into moments of that much-needed meditation and prayer time, regardless of time not on your side—but especially when crunched for time because it is where you will find your balance.
That’s what we did. It was a pleasant surprise when the nuns gathered to sing hymns. I remember my father, may God rest his soul, often admired the nuns and hymns that to him sounded like a multitude of angels singing. Holy moments. ❤️
As I often would do after praying, I wrote my petitions on a page of my mini-notepad and slipped that into the prayer box. At that moment, it made sense to me why I had to bring a mini pad—I was to write my petitions, and they were out of paper! God-incidence moment?
From there, we proceeded to Camp John Hay to further escape the crowd. Though this place was once a US military rest and recreation area for its members and their immediate families when the US Air Force (Clark Air Base) and the US Navy (Subic Naval Base) installations were still in the country, it was also open to the public. And back in the day, at the gate were the shuttles to drop you off to where you needed to be.
I frequented their library in the early 90s. I learned enough about the US even before getting here. But, that’s all that I went because it didn’t require spending. If you were to spend the day strolling, you would easily work up an appetite. And, if you only have a little to spare, that’s not a place to eat because your Philippine pesos could only go so far.
Anyway, pressed for time, we didn’t embark on a self-guided hike, but we had lunch there. It was surprising to see several restaurants. Each one offered great dining options. How Filipinos love food! Such were times I wanted to believe there is no calorie counting on vacations and when out dining because it is hard to pass up on tasteful meals!
Typing this up, however, made me recall when my brother and I went there so he could teach me to play table tennis. May he rest in eternal peace. He brought his family to Baguio City for a few days. It was fun to have them there. My niece and nephews, who were still little, had a blast. Anyway, I needed him to teach me table tennis for my PE class.
Now I can't stop missing him knowing that on the next day, we were on a bus ride to Pangasinan. Going to Baguio City via the Dagupan City route—the unintended alternate route, got me teary-eyed as we passed the Carmen Bridge, for there was a time during college when the bridge was severely damaged that prompted the town to build a makeshift bridge.
Okay, let me skip over to the rest of the agenda as we had never been busier than that day.
That was Saturday, we knew that a Sunday Mass wouldn’t work for our schedule because we had to head back to the province the following morning. By God’s grace, we were able to make it to the Saturday Vigil Mass. 🙏
And again, by God’s grace, that I approached Jesus in the sacrament of reconciliation right before the Mass started. We took the pew next to the confessional box. A man was at the far end. He didn’t appear to be praying, so I asked him how to proceed. There was no line forming for the confession. I explained that it has been a while. He smiled. It was one of those that didn’t make me feel comfortable. Could he be thinking, it was about time? Gee, whiz! Ha-ha!
Alright, Sunday came. The hotel offers breakfast. It felt like coming home and sitting down at a table each time. They never failed to please the hungry guests—dishing out a heavenly brunch service consistently. It was a great way to start the day.
There were two separate sections to dine in: the main hall itself and near the lobby, where you are seated with a view because of the windows that run from wall to wall and ceiling to floor. They did a great job placing the picture windows strategically. As I look back, if I can suggest to the management, it would be to add private verandas in each room, or at least in some to accommodate the guests craving the in-room late afternoon teas or coffees, or wanting to catch a late night breeze. Wouldn't that provide a tranquil way to end the day?
The hotel doesn’t look inviting from its facade because of all the other establishments nearby. It reminds me of the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” because as you walk the halls leading to your room, it’s not the typical hotel hallways, and that’s because of the paneling. It has the cabin vibe. As I said earlier, I wouldn’t mind not going anywhere if I didn’t need to, for staying put fulfills the purpose—to recharge the batteries running low on juice.
And now, it was time to board the bus.
How fun that somewhere along the route was an area where images of some of the saints were on a raised platform! It was on the left side of the roadway. We were on the right side of the bus, unlikely to notice it, which made it interesting that hubby had a good sight of it, so there, I had a glimpse of it, too. It probably was of no significance to some, but quite the contrary to me.
Here is why —
Over a decade ago, I had a dream about some of the Saints: Jude of Thaddeus and Thérèse of Lisieux were among them. I think Saints Teresa of Calcutta and Faustina were in my dream, too. The others I could no longer recall. In my dream, looking out the window in an upstairs room, though the hill was far, the images appeared so close that I identified most of them.
The imagery in my dream was not similar to the one we saw at the roadside, for it was far more realistic in that though the Saints were stationary, like statues, were life-like as if breathing humans. Nonetheless, that right there by the roadside came pretty close that's why the dream came back to me right at that moment. My heart leaped for joy because it was a lovely dream! And to recall it was beautiful. 🥰
Two hours on the road went by, and we arrived in Binalonan where hubby is from. My sister and her husband met us at the bus stop. From there, they drove us to the Memorial Gardens to pay respect to their father and grandparents.
They took us to lunch afterward—I'm telling you, this vacation was mostly eating and more eating. The halo-halo, a popular dessert made up of shaved ice, evaporated milk, and some cooked fruits, sometimes topped with leche flan and your choice of ice cream, usually mango or ube flavor—was that good! They served it in a huge bowl, not in a tall glass, to share.
Then off to the mall, we went. They wanted to get gifts for our sons waiting for us back home whom they haven't seen in years. To have the correct sizing was a no-brainer.
There was still time to visit hubby’s now-only-living aunt. It was emotional, but what was surprising was her liveliness despite her age. No one could question her mental acuity. And, no issue with her vision yet approaching her 90s. Her spirituality is top-notch. One of the sons is a priest in the Catholic faith.
I remember her for her sense of humor. It proves that our outlook in life has a remarkable contribution to our well-being, especially in our old age. The effect of optimism in her life is a good reminder that we shouldn’t take this life too seriously.
The visit also allowed me to meet her other son, the respected barangay captain, and his cordial wife. As I wonder about it, this life is about meeting people.
Nightfall came, and we had to be at my other sister's. Whoa! It was like Christmas when we got there! Outdoor Christmas lights illuminated the yard! You see, at our nephew’s, where we stayed for the first two nights, they still had the gigantic Christmas tree and village on display—the first and last home we spent the night over had the Christmas feel—AMAZING! 🤩
No doubt it was another “Godwink” because I am big on Christmas, that on our fireplace mantel are the garlands and Christmas decor year-round. More on this love for Christmas in another post.
So there we stayed at my niece’s lovely home, in the same compound as my sister's. She designed the floor plan and managed the day-to-day progress during the construction, yet she isn’t an architect. She is a nurse. It is proof we can wear many hats, and wear them very well.
Repeatedly I exclaimed, "This is home away from home!"
Though a lived-in home, it looks like a model home. Hats off to her! I love the contemporary design elements incorporated into her decorating style. Did she get it from me? 😉
We slept like a log! After breakfast, my brother and his wife came to bring us going-away gifts. The dried fishes were the best! Ash Wednesday was that week, so it was perfect timing to have on no-meat Fridays of Lent breakfasts. I didn’t ask for those, but we got them. Could it be God whispering into their ears? 🤔
You see, at the hotel in Tarlac City, one of the staff was willing to run to the market to buy us dried fish as I had expressed interest in finding where to get the same dried fish they serve at breakfast. I mentioned that on the last day of our stay. I wish I had said it much sooner because we ran out of time. But, imagine that? That was far exceeding the hospitality expected of them! We had to leave early, however, and needed to catch a bus so it wasn't practical to wait. But then again, it proved once more that things we couldn't do, God takes care of it. We just have to wait to be amazed! 🙏
Back in Manila late that noon, more going-away gifts and food awaited us! We spent a few hours with another sister and a niece, who both missed the prayer gathering for the passing of my brother. Then came our nephew and his wife to drop us off at the hotel near the Mall of Asia. It had to be a hotel near the airport and the Mall of Asia. We darted through traffic as it was getting late already, then rounded out the meeting with a nice meal with them. As they had done previously, repeatedly, in fact, they took care of the bill. We were kind of getting used to it by then. 😁
As I conclude this three-part post, I thank God for His provisions and us responding to the graces. The invitation to attend the Mass in Cavite despite being physically exhausted from the long flight, was a gift, for there I saw the image of Sto. Nino de Cebu, after many decades since seeing the original. It was in the mid-70s when they toured the original image to a nearby town.
As a kid, I didn’t understand the grace behind venerations. I am glad my sister tagged me along because the experience stayed with me. This church in Cavite is in honor of the Sto. Nino de Cebu. There were other churches, even close to our nephew's home, but the Mass times didn't work for us. The bottom line, it had to be this church. God-incidence?
The Mass at the Baguio City Cathedral and going to confession was a bonus. I didn't expect to attend a regularly scheduled Sunday or a vigil Mass while there, so I asked for God's forgiveness beforehand. So, attending both Masses was a blessing!
Recalling the route that was arranged for us heading out to Baguio City, God was behind it—a constant reminder of His commitment to His promise to be ever-present wherever we are. And, He will meet us halfway, when we can no longer proceed. 🙏
And so, the day of our return flight had come. We woke up at the crack of dawn as we had a plane to catch...
Now is your turn to share your stories ingrained with a heavenly touch. Shoot me a message, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Many blessings!
Thank you, Kuya Danny, for the memories. May you rest eternally in the loving arms of our God. Amen.
Till We Meet Again...
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