Archive for July, 2006
From the Mines View Park, I then proceeded to one of Baguio’s favorite gardens. The Baguio Botanical Garden. Due to the heavy downpour, I wasn’t able to completely tour the park. The place boasts of a wide array of floral collections. Beautiful and vibrant-colored blooms abound the place. There is also a section where you can ride a horse and have your photograph taken for posterity.

There are also several Igorot houses inside the park. Another intriguing section of the park is the Baguio Artists group secton. Located near the entrance, this section has a gallery of artworks done by local artists. Various types of media is used in their pieces. From acrylic to oil, to pen, and even sunlight. Another section features balanced rocks near the pond. No glue or any adhesive was used to stick these rocks together. Truly this place is an artist’s haven.



Continuation of my Cordillera/Ilocandia Tour Series
From the Burnham Park, I rode a jeepney marked “Mines View”. In no less than 30 minutes, the jeepney driver dropped me to this heavenly location. The Mines Views Park.

The place was once a gold and copper mine, This has now been converted into a major tourist spot in Baguio. Th viewdeck offers a commanding view of the Cordillera mountain range. Sad to say, parts of the mountain range has already ben converted into a residential area.

When I first set foot in this beautiful park several years ago, I hardly can get a decent photo due to a large number of people going here. But when I returned to Mines View Park view deck last week, Hell yeah, I was the only person there! The entire view deck is for me alone! And having this once in a blue moon oppurtunity to be alone at the Mins View Park, I stayed here for almost an hour, doing nothing, but enjoy the cool mountain breeze, see how the fog covers the mountain range.


After hearing Mass at the Baguio City Cathedral, I then proceeded to the heart of Baguio City. Also known as the plaza,the Burnham Park is virtually the center of everything.
Named after the American city planner, Daniel Burnham, this park is always a must-see when visiting the City of Pines.
At around 7in the morning, I was able to catch up with several college varsity players jogging around the boating lagoon. While on the other side of the park are some Filipinos and Chinese doing their tai chi routine. The park is a good place for daily morning exercises wth its cool mountain breeze.
Unfortunately, I did’nt stay long there due to rain. Remember that I went to Baguio just 2 days after the typhoon Florita left the Philippines.
To be continued
I have been to Baguio before, but this is my first time to be at the City of Pines alone. Yup, I did travel last week alone, and I prefer gallivanting alone. On Wednesday, July 19, 2006. I arrived in Baguio at exactly 4AM. What greeted me there was a bowl of steaming hot arroz caldo (rice soup with chicken bits). An hour later, my journey begun. My first agenda: To hear mass at the Baguio City Cathedral.
The seat of the Diocese of Baguio still looks the same. It’s still in its cool pink hue. It’s my first time to get inside the church. The mass (thank God!) is in English.
And this is what greeted me at the Cathedral:




To be continued…

A cadet from the Phil. Military Academy, Baguio City.
I am now about to start my Cordillera-Ilocandia Tour series. Please join me as I retell my stories from Manila to to the City of Pines up to the Sunshine City of the north.
Series starts late today or tomorrow. Abangan!
This is my entry for this weeks Photo Friday Weekly Photo Challenge. This week’s theme is Common. The photo shows cigarette butts in an ashtray.
One of the most common problem the Filipino youth is facing today is teenage smoking. Despite the health warnings in cigarette packs, this problem is still common, especially in the urban areas. The Philippine government has done little to totally eradicate this problem.
This is the banana heart, or in Filipino puso ng saging. This is also used for cooking Filipino dishes. Excellent when cooked with coconut milk or gata. This can also be made into a hamburger patty sans the beef. This photo was taken at the Avilon Zoo in Montalban, Rizal
This photo was taken at the ruins of Father Blanco’s Garden inside the San Agustin Chuch complex.
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