The Filipino Mom Blog

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At least twice a year (during Christmas and Easter), my family goes to Baguio City for a few days of vacation. Because I’m a true-blue Baguio girl, I do my best to ensure that my kids grow up loving the city of my roots. Baguio City is a wonderful place to teach our children the beauty of nature and appreciation for culture.

Baguio has many beautiful parks that are perfect for leisurely walks. But during peak holiday seasons, the parks could easily get crowded. So, instead of doing the usual park rounds, why don’t you get away and visit the lesser-crowded attractions? Here are some:

TAM-AWAN VILLAGE, Pinsao Proper. Tam-awan Village is also called the Garden in the Sky, because it’s etched on the slope of a mountain and has a view of the South China Sea and the lower lands. “Tam-awan” literally means “to look” or “to view”, as in “look outside your window.”

The village was founded in 1996 by Chanum Foundation, a group of local artists who wish to promote Baguio City as a cultural destination. Tam-awan Village has an Art Gallery featuring the works of famous and up-and-coming local artists. One of the founders of this village is national artist Ben Cabrera. You can have your portrait drawn by the local artists for a minimal fee. Cultural dances by Igorot women clad in native costumes are held everyday during “tourist season” (summer and Christmas break). 

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So, Baguio City seems like the over-rated summer capital of the Philippines, huh?

When you ask people how their Baguio experience was, you may hear one of these complaints -It’s so crowded, it’s not as cold anymore, the traffic is awful, there’s so much ukay-ukay!

As a true-blue Baguio girl, I sometimes find Baguio disappointing too. But home is where the heart is - and I will always love this city.

Despite these complaints, why do people still love to crowd Baguio during holidays?

Because, let’s face it, Baguio has not completely lost its charm.

Even if the weather isn’t the same as it was twenty years ago, Baguio is still about 10 degrees cooler than the rest of the country. Despite the growing population and commercialization, there are still quaint crannies - those places you might haven’t been to. And whether they will admit it or not, some people come to Baguio for the ukay-ukay!

In Baguio, the skies seem a bit bluer, and the trees a shade greener.

BAGUIO TRAVEL BASICS

1. Getting to Baguio: Thanks to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), travel time to Baguio has been significantly reduced by about an hour. From Manila, it usually takes 6 hours by bus, and less (or more, depending on the driver hehe) by private car. If travelling by car, you can choose among three ways to get to Baguio: via Kennon Road (the shortest way); via Marcos Highway (the safest way, supposedly); and Naguillian Road (the longest way if you’re coming from the south).

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