Welcome to Baguio City, Philippines

I. BRIEF HISTORY

During the Spanish Era, Benguet was not a remote area for the Spaniards to explore. The vastness and promising economic potential of the place lured the Spaniards to conduct series of expeditions. Early explorers included Juan Salcedo in 1572 and Don Q.M. Quirante in 1964. Series of attempts were made to pacify the "Igorots" but failed. Finally in 1846, Commandante de Galvey established his Commandancia at La Trinidad, Benguet (named after his wife). Galvey went to establish the province of Benguet with 31 rancherias. The first Kapitan of Benguet was Pulito of Kafagway, now Baguio, a minor rancheria of about 20 houses.

The presidentia of Baguio was first established in the house of the Campulet at the top of the new Tabacalera road at the lower end of Guisad Valley. Later, the presidentia of Baguio was moved to the present site of the Baguio City Hall.

The Spaniards were able to establish order, built churches and schools, made trails and introduced coffee during their long occupation of the area.

The Americans came early in 1900 and established their government with H. Whitmarsh as the appointed Governor of Benguet and Baguio as the capital. This was the first provincial government to be established in the Philippines and this happened a year prior to the inauguration of the civil government of the Philippines. Their best administrators and teachers were fervent boosters and promoters: Worcester, Wright, Forbes, Pack, Barrows, Eckman and others who together with Filipinos committed to make the place haven.

Beginning 1909, a government fleet of Stanley steam autos brought up more than 2,000 passengers a season. The city was well governed and well kept.

The mines near Baguio were developed and productive. Business in the city flourished with commercial centers put up. Recreation facilities were installed. The city was growing before the outbreak of the war.

Baguio was bombed on December 8, 1941 by the Japanese and they occupied it on December 27 of the same year. However, the war changed course and on September 3, 1945, General Yamashita formally surrendered to the Americans at the US Ambassador's residence in Camp John Hay, after which, Baguio immediately set to the task of rehabilitation.

The July 16, 1990 memorable earthquake devastated the entire city with its infrastructures, buildings and its populace but it did not end here.

Four years after the great earthquake, Baguio City has recovered and is standing firm and proud for its restored heritage.

Until today, Baguio City as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, is the most frequented destinations in Northern Luzon by local and foreign tourists alike.

II. OVERVIEW OF THE CITY

Geography and Land Area

Baguio City, approximately 250 kilometers north of Manila, is situated in the Province of Benguet. The area of the city is 49 square kilometers enclosed in a perimeter of 30.6 kilometers. The developed portion of the city corresponds to a plateau that rises to an elevation of 1,400 meters. Most of it lies in the northern half of the city.

There are two great valleys found in the south and north of the city. The more famous Guisad-Lucban Valley has an elevation that ranges from 1,300 to 1,400 meters and is centrally located towards the north. The southern valley is composed of long and narrow vales surrounded by low hills and transected by a network of hills. Some of the more important vales are Camp 7, Loakan, Bakekeng and Crystal Cave. These valleys are arables as they are rich with alluvial deposits.

The summits on the plateau offers panoramic views. The summits that face the west : Quezon Hill, Mirador-Dominican Hill and the Bureau of Animal Industries Stock Farm offers splendid view of the Ilocos Coastal Plain, Lingayen Gulf and the South China Sea during cloudless days.

Another famous promontory is Mines View Park which overlooks the mining towns of Itogon and offers a glimpse of the Amburayan Valley. All over the city, however are sporadically scattered steep side hills and mountains. About half the area of the City has a slope of 25% or more.

Climate

Baguio is 8 degrees cooler any month on the average than any place in the lowlands. When Manila sweats at 35 degrees centigrade or above, Baguio seldom exceeds 26 degrees centigrade at its warmest. The lowest temperature reading made by the local weather bureau was 6.27 degrees centigrade, recorded in January 18, 1961.

Baguio is very wet during the Philippine rainy season which is from June to October. It gets the biggest amount of rainfall in the country, twice the volume of rainfall as compare to Manila. The record for the heaviest volume of rainfall occurred in Baguio in July 1927 when it measured 4.77 meters.

However from November to May, Baguio becomes a tropical paradise, a refreshing break from the hot and humid Philippine climate. Christmas season is when Baguio glows with the nippy winter air. Nights are good for bonfires.

Population

The population of the city as of 1995 is 226,883. The youth constitute nearly half of the population. There is a trace of longevity among the people, of whom are aged over 60. The middle aged group numbers 70,511.

During the peak of the annual tourists influx, particularly during the Lenten period, transients triple the population. The numerous government offices and private businesses keep the transients flow to a stable 14% of the resident count at any time.

Language Spoken

English is widely spoken and understood. It is the medium of instruction in all public and private schools. Most newspaper and magazines are printed in English, hence, an English speaking traveler would not find communication problems. The national language, Filipino, language is of course spoken by everyone. Ilocano is also spoken by almost everybody.

Major Industries

The three dominant industries in the city are tourism, education and integrated circuits.

Tourism remains to be a dominant industry, especially with the improved access roads. Lowlanders come to the city during the hot summer months.

Baguio has about 50,000 college and vocational students.

Texas Instrument initiated the Export Processing Zone. Today, they export six hundred million dollars worth of products

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Baguio is the gateway to the wonders of Northern Luzon. The calm beaches of La Union; the fabled Hundred Islands of Pangasinan; the world famous Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao; the ancient churches, Spanish influenced houses, historical and cultural relics of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, the Kabayan mummy caves of benguet; and the distinct culture and colorful traditions of the tribes of Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao and Abra.

A. Historical

1. Marker of the Philippine Commission's First Session in Baguio - This is the site of the building where the members of the Philippine Commission met from April 22 to June 11, 1904 and officially initiated the use of Baguio as the Philippine Summer Capital.

The Commission was composed of Governor General Luke Wright, president, and Commissioners Henry Ide, Den C. Worcester, T. Padre Tavera, benito Legarda, Jose de Luzuriaga, James Smith and Cameron Forbes.

To celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Baguio a project was done to locate, clean and spruce up all historical markers. So the marker was fenced off and signboards were made.

2. Kennon Road and its builder - Named after Col. Lyman W. Kennon who was the final builder of the famous benguet road, with the help of the industrious Cordilleras and foreign workers.

Kennon road is the shortest and the most scenic highway linking Baguio and the lowlands. The Lion's head can be found along the way.

Final construction of this road was finished in 1903. Col. L. Kennon first ascended to Baguio in 1905.

Of the original workers, the Igorots and Japanese were admired for their trustworthiness and willingness to work.

Kennon was closed to traffic after the July 16, 1990 earthquake. It is now open to light vehicles.

3. Diplomat Hotel on Dominican Hill - In May 1911, the councils of the Province of the Dominican Order voted to construct a vacation house in Baguio on a 17 hectare property they had acquired when the American authorities were encouraging people to come here. Actual work started in 1913 under Fr. Roque Ruano and the building was inaugurated on May 23, 1915. To take advantage of the tax exemptions a school called Collegio del Santissimo Rosario was opened in June 1915 but due to the very small enrollment the school closed in 1917, reverting the building to the original vacation house sanitarium.

During WWII it was first occupied by refugees. Later the Japanese Army Liberation Forces had to bomb out the refugees from the buildings. The five direct hits left very extensive damage and for a time it was left unrepaired. Reconstruction was started in 1947 and completed in 1948 with most of its pre-war grandeur and beauty restored.

In 1973, Diplomats Hotels, Inc. acquired ownership, remodeled the interior into a 33 bedroom hotel with modern facilities, but retained the unique and distinct personality of the Dominican Hill. In the 80's the hotel ceased operations due to the death of one of its majority stockholders. Plans are underway to develop this historical religious landmark into a tourist resort.

4. Philippine Military Academy - The Philippine Commission promulgated Act No. 175 which became the basis for the creation of the Philippine Constabulary in August 8, 1905. The school for the officers of the constabulary was first located in Sta. Lucia Barracks in Manila. Later in 1908, it was relocated in Baguio on the site known as Constabulary Hill later renamed Camp Henry T. Allen, in honor of the first chief of the Philippine Constabulary.

With the passage of the Jones Law, the school was later changed to "Academy for officers of the Philippine Constabulary" with a two-year curriculum. In 1908, the course was raised to collegiate level and later lenghtened to three years with class 1938 as having the lease graduates of that course.

When the commonwealth government was established in 1935, the Philippine Military Academy was created in place of the Philippine Constabulary Academy. Under the National Defense Act, the PMA was authorized to maintain a cadet strength of 350. Because of increased population, the academy transferred to Teachers Camp in June 1936 where it remained until WWII broke out.

After the war the PMA headquarters was temporarily relocated at Camp Murphy and later at Alabang, while Camp Allen was being rehabilitated. In April 1947 the PMA was back to its original home in Camp Allen.

Again they had to transfer to Loakan because of overcrowding. Since May 1950 the Philippine Military Academy has found its permanent home at Fort del Pilar, Loakan, Baguio City.

5. The Mansion - This imposing and majestic Baguio mansion house has a long list of Filipino presidents and American governor-generals. It has elegantly structured building and guesthouse. It's gate is patterned after that of London's Buckingham Palace. The Mansion has also been the site of several international conferences and a working office of the President of the Philippines during his visits to the City.

6. Camp John Hay - This former American recreational facility is currently undergoing development as a world class resort.

7. Teachers Camp - It was through the vacation normal school which began in Teacher's Camp 1908, that not only teachers from all over the islands were able to have a respite and some more time for studies, but the city became nationally popularized.

In a letter to the Secretary of Public Instruction, Governor William Pack outlines his plan to set up a camp in Baguio where teachers can be accommodated. The plan was approved on January 8, 1908 and the camp was opened on April 6, 1908.

For a start, four assembly tents were put up for kitchen, dining and storage purposes and two other large tents were set aside for class purposes. Later on, the "KURSAAK" was constructed in 1909 as a permanent structure and took over the functions of the mess tent, aside from being the social center for assemblies. The next year, other buildings were added, the road traversing the vast hectarage leveled and the athletic field out in its hollow.

In 1912, Benitez Hall , Ladies Hall, the Secretary's Cottage, the Under-Secretary's Cottage the Director and the Assistant's Cottages were built. Several more appropriations were passed to construct the Teacher's Hall, the Tavera Hall and the White Hall in 1927. In 1937, General Luna Hall was built by the Philippine Military Academy.

It now caters to conferences, meetings seminars and social functions sponsored by the government sector.

B. CULTURAL / HISTORICAL

1. Easter Weaving Room - This school was built in 1905 under Samuel Drury with funds donated by Bishop Brent of the Episcopalian Church of the Philippines. It opened in 1906 as a church school with "eight homesick malaria-infested Igorot students" one of whom was the famous Dr. Hilary Clapp. In 1909Deaconess Hargreaves admitted girls but it was during the administration of Dr. Benjamin Platt that Easter School Weaving Room was started as industrial work in the curriculum. By 1924 there were five buildings and in 1928 they inaugurated the Chapel of the Holy Innocents. Before World War II the Easter School Compound which had nine buildings were razed to the ground by the American Liberation Forces. With only the headquarters and the Nurses cottages standing, then rehabilitation started to complete the compound as it is now. It is the right place to visit for those who are interested in native fabrics and other handicrafts. Her one can witness the actual process of cloth weaving as practiced by the natives of the mountain provinces for ages. The basic material for woven products can be bought in an adjunct of the Easter School established in 1908 by the Philippine Episcopalian Church.

2. St. Louis Filigree Shop - A handicraft shop specializing in silver jewelry and other filigree products. Some of the craftsmen are only high school students. The shop is in the center of the city and was established in 1916.

3. Baguio Tourism Complex - Within the complex along Gov. Pack Road are the Baguio Sunshine Park, the Regional Office of the Department of Tourism and Secretary's guest house. The Sunshine Park features flowering gardens piped in music and covered stage with ethnic designs which is often used for cultural presentations. The park itself is designed after a shield.

4. Baguio-Mountain Provinces Museum - This museum was temporarily located in Camp John Hay following the collapse of the building during the 1990 earthquake was established by a group of concerned citizens to preserve the cultural heritage of the Cordilleras. It had on display a variety of artifacts and relics showcases the cultural heritage, customs and traditions of the mountain provinces. The cluster of buildings within the complex depicts the architectural feature of the native houses of the mountain provinces. There is now a plan to reconstruct this at the old site within the Tourism Complex. Hopefully it will be completed and opened by 1998.

5. Baguio Convention Center - Situated across the University of the Philippines exudes an ethnic flavor, considered the most modern and spacious edifice North of Manila, the BCC initially gained prominence when it became the site of 1978 internationally renowned chess championship series between Anatoly Karpov and Victor Korchnoi. It was inaugurated by former Pres. Ferdinand Marcos on July 7, 1978 during the opening of the series. It continues to cater to conferences, conventions, meetings and other social functions in the City.

6. Educational Institutions - There are six (6) colleges and universities in Baguio. These are the University of the Philippines College, University of Baguio, Saint Louis University, Baguio Colleges Foundation, Baguio Central University and Brent International School.

7. SLU Museum - Located in the premise of the school (SLU), it showcase the different culture heritage's of the Cordilleras and some lowland amenities. Artifacts and relics including an ancient coffin can be seen on display. A curator is always stationed for the convenience of visitors to explain the artifacts and the culture of the Cordilleras.

8. Ifugao Woodcarvers Village - Along the way to Asin, about 5 kms. From the city, is an Ifugao wood carving village which produces and sells beautiful hand-carved items at very low prices.

C. NATURAL

1. Asin Hot Spring - Located 16 kilometers northwest of Baguio. The resort's main feature is a swimming pool surrounded by thermal springs, lush vegetation and several hanging bridges. It is an ideal respite. This is now eyed to be redeveloped into a Tourism resort along with the adjoining tourist attractions of Tuba and Baguio.

2. Mt. Sto. Tomas - A trek up to the Mount Sto. Tomas is a hikers delight. The peak is 7,500 feet high and commands a majestic view mountain sea and valley. The mountain can be reached by foot or by vehicle.

D. RELIGIOUS

1. Lourdes Grotto - This is religious shrine housing the image of the Lady of Lourdes. About 252 steps lead to this shrine where pilgrims brave the steep climb to offer sacrifices, devotions and prayers. One is also regarded with a beautiful panoramic view of the city.

2. Baguio Cathedral - One of the familiar landmarks in Baguio. The structure with its twin sires and one hundred steps sits on top of a hill in the heart of the city, offering church goers and visitors a chance to get a birds eye view of the entire commercial hub. It was opened to the public last November 25, 1990 during the Christ the King celebration.

3. Bell Church - This cluster of temples is located on the border of Baguio City and Trinidad Valley. Its exotic oriental architecture, pagoda roof, ornate gateway, dragon ornaments and Buddha guarded windows gaze from a top a hill. The Bell Temple priest practices mixture of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Christianity. One may even try having his fortune told.

4. Churches, Seminars and Convents - Baguio is an ideal location for meditation, contemplation and spiritual renewal hence the existence of no less religious denominations that run churches, seminaries, convents and other institutions such as hospitals and schools.

E. MAN-MADE

1. Burnham Park - It is the oldest of all Baguio Parks. One can unwind from the tension of the day-to-day bustle of biking, skating or simply reflecting on the day's experiences amid a soothing garden backdrop of colorful flowers.
It is thickly wooded and is a great place to have picnics and concerts. There are tennis and basketball courts, athletic oval and an orchidarium.

2. Botanical Garden - It is also called the Igorot village which features native hut typical of Cordilleras architecture. This village within a village captures the ethnic spirit and cultural legacy of the Igorot dweller.

3. Mines View Park - Appropriately named for its breathtaking view of mountain ranges and Baguio's "mineral bowl" where gold, silver and other curio items.

4. Wright Park - It is sometimes mistakenly called "Ride Park" by some who identify this pine tree park reserve for its kiddy horse rides. A long stairway leads to the "Pool of the Pines", a 100 meter long pool of water lined on both sides by the famous Baguio towering pine.

5. Baguio Country Club - This club was organized with funds which were privately contributed. They built tennis courts and cottages.

Today Baguio Country Club has 182 guest rooms and suites in a new building. It also boasts a beautiful 18-hole golf course for its members and guests.

6. Session Road / Market - The first Commissioner came to Baguio on horses from Bauang up to a place which is now called Sablan. With their horses they went down the mountain trails to the valley of Trinidad and to Baguio. In Baguio City teetered their horses at the water trough which is still intact at its original site until 1984 when it was demolished to give way to the Diamond (75th) Jubilee marker right in the confluence of Session Road and the roads going to Pines Hotel, YMCA and Teachers Camp. During the early years of Baguio, Session Road was occupied by buildings only on the left side opposite the hill on which the church was built. The lowest portion of the road was crossed by a big stream spanned by wooden bridge. Beyond this bridge was the swampland where bullcarts parked and congregated thereby starting what is now called the market. Many of the open air stalls spreads out towards Lucban following the banks of the steam and thus determined the direction of the market expansion.

7. Pine Tree of the World Park - This park is a collection of several varieties of pine tree species from all over the world. A ceremonial planting was done on July 22, 1997 with the President, Fidel V. Ramos and Ambassadors of donor countries planting pine trees themselves.

This park is a recreational area and is conceived to become a research center for pine tree study in Asia.

This encompasses the Tower of Peace monument which was build by the Lionism Movement which was dedicated for world peace and understanding.

IV. FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

1. Baguio Ecumenical Holy Week (Holy Week) - Focuses on Baguio as a spiritual center. The first commemoration initiated by the religious sector of the Non-Government Organization started last March 1991. The theme was, "Baguio, a journey to spiritual renewal."

2. Baguio Floral Festival (February) - Focuses on Baguio as the "Flower Garden City of the North". Highlights included, flower, flower exhibits, lectures, garden tours, floral contest and a parade of floats.

3. Baguio Foundation Day (September 1st) - Commemorates the anniversary of Baguio since it became a chartered city in 1909. Art exhibits, parades, programs, cultural shows and sister-city programs are often scheduled.

4. Baguio Arts Festival (November to December) - An event annually sponsored by the Baguio Arts Guild, the Department of Tourism and the Cultural Center of the Philippines was started last November 1989, envisions to turn Baguio into a permanent venue for art festival. The festival features: visual arts (photography, film, video, sculpture and art installations); performing arts (modern dances drama, music, poetry reading) and ethnic arts.

5. Christmas in Baguio - An annual Christmas activity highlighting numerous activities like cantatas, children's mardigas, sports competition, etc. and sponsored by the national Correspondents Club of the Philippines.

a. Silahis ng Pasko
b. Share-A-Toy
c. Lucky Foreign Balikbayan
d. Phil-Am Golf Tournament
e. Himig ng Pasko

6. IMPAKABSAT (November) - A Trade and Tourism Fair showcasing the products and services of the Cordilleras.

AVL-Country-Sight-Travel, Inc
Contact : VIOLY, RITA
Tel. (632) 372-4865, 371-1492, 371-1493