Not the usual Baguio

I grew up in Baguio. When my mother was assigned in NPC Baguio, my brothers and I had to go with her. I remember my childhood days having picnics every weekend in Camp John Hay, fighting with my brothers over who gets the most number of pine cones, biking in Burnham, eating the cheap fiesta pizzas, taking a bath with matching endless screaming of "Ang Lamig!", and waiting for the magtataho every morning that sells strawberry taho.

I also remember the time when the killer earthquake attacked the city. I was about 6 or 7 years old then. I remember my father carrying me and three of my brothers all at the same time while running outside the house. We had to sleep and build tents outside the house for about a month to be safe from the quake's aftershocks. Thank God our family survived that killer quake.

I had a lot of good and not-so-good memories in Baguio. So, when my mother died late last year. I thought of going to Baguio to reminisce my childhood days with her. It was a healing trip for me. Aside from reminiscing moments with her, I also got the chance to visit Baguio and the not-so-usual tour spots. I wanted to rediscover Baguio without the overpopulation, the disappearing smell of the pine trees, the disgusting smell of garbage in the some parts of Burnham, and the malls and hotels that crowd the place.

If you are tired of visiting Burnham, Camp John Hay and Mines View, I suggest you visit these places.



BenCab Museum/ Cafe Sabel and Farm
The museum is a few minutes away from the city proper. It is owned by Ben Cabrera. Most of the paintings are images of  Sabel. The place also features paintings of up-and-coming artists in Baguio. It also features an erotica gallery and I must say that it is quite interesting. If you are tired of all the walking inside the museum, you can have a sip of their famous coffee in Cafe Sabel and have a picture taken in the duck pond.

Tam-awan Village
The village is a haven for artists in Baguio and Benguet. I also learned that Ben Cabrera started in Tamawan Village before having his own museum. It has paintings by different artists and also features Kalinga huts. One can even have an overnight stay in the huts. What I liked about the place was how the tourists can have a short trek in the place, since it is like a miniature mountain, and discovering huts and artworks along the way.

Rock Garden
It is a few walks away from the Tamawan village. It is still a newly built rock museum. You can also meet some of the artists there and have your portrait drawn for a minimal donation.

Arko ni Apo/ Cafe Diperensya
It is located in front of tamawan village. It is actually the house of the famous sculptor Benhur Villanueva. It showcases his different artworks. Since the artist lives on the 2nd floor, there is a big chance having a small talk with him. He is a very welcoming artist, he even introduced us to his wife and told us to call her mommy. There is also a coffee shop nearby called Cafe Diperensya. The coffee and butter biscuits is even prepared by mommy. One can find different artworks which showcases imperfections hence the name Kape Diperensya.

Asin Hotsprings/ Man-Made Underground tunnel
It is quite an experience to dip in a hotspring while having a majestic view of the mountains of Baguio. It is located more than an hour away from the city. It was a long and winding road going there but seeing the manmade underground tunnel was a breath of fresh air from the long ride in the jeepney.

Mt. Cloud Bookshop
It is a small cozy bookshop located in Upper Session Road. There a lot of Philippine publications being displayed. I really like the place because it is like powerbooks without the lingering looks of the sales attendants. You can stay in the bookstore to read an entire book and they even encourage people to "tambay" in the place by allowing the visitors to bring coffee and beer inside. If I was still residing in Baguio, I will be here everyday.  This is my favorite place in Baguio. During the trip back Manila, I even seriously contemplated relocating in Baguio just because of this Bookshop. :)

Baguio really is one of my favorite places in the Philippines in spite of the pollution and crowded city, maybe because of the nostalgia that the place brings. All of my wonderful memories as a kid comes rushing in once I smell the pine trees along Baguio. I miss it already.

*Writing this makes me want to go back there. Find a couch in Mt.Cloud and sip on some Sagada Coffee.