Baguio: A Reminder of Things Past

Burnt-out from work and tired of drinking as a way of loosening up, what a welcome surprise I had when Andrei asked me a week ago if I could accompany him to Baguio for some out-of-town task he had to get done. The good thing about it was I didn’t have to spend anything, he said. I must admit no other persuasion can make a weary soul like me refuse such a great invitation.


So there we were in Baguio around eleven o’clock Sunday night, initially looking for a strategic hotel, before deciding what to do next. Luckily, it didn’t take long for us to find a place to stay—right smack in the middle of the city (downtown). As I discovered, Baguio isn’t a friendly city at night, much to my dismay. There were so many young drunks that I didn’t have the heart to be one myself—it’s just too disconcerting.

Anyway, in my past trips to the summer capital, never have I experienced being with a bunch of drunkards spending a Sunday at some old movie house, converted into a huge place for revelers reminiscent of Cowboy Grill.

But the next day was different. As part of Andrei’s work, we had to visit twenty hotels around this city of pines, and so we did. We started off from the inner city to the outskirts—ending two hours later to our final destination: Camp John Hay Manor. The last time I saw this place was with close friends when it was still under construction in ’02; my trip to Baguio before that was with someone who I thought I'd be spending the rest of my life with.

I never really had any high regard with Baguio that much in all the times I’ve been there. There were memories truth to say, but hardly any appreciation for the place until a couple of days ago; and one need not visit landmarks that everyone sees on postcards.

Session Road, the main road, on the other hand offers a glimpse of the past and present. It serves as a reminder of our colonial past during a time this small resort town served both as a trading post and a cool place for the first batch of Americans in the Philippines. But this main road may just look and feel the same way as Quiapo minus the gentle climate.

One big improvement I noticed in Baguio is the area where the Camp John Hay Manor was built. I think this is the real Baguio; the ideal Baguio. And here’s a tip: if you ever plan to go to the Manor, may I suggest you visit the place around five in the afternoon (or you could check-in there—Php: 4,600.00 for one standard twin bed room) for some San Mig Lights (don’t forget your Marlights ha) at the outside café. Sure is a place where you could talk about past treasured relationships or a recent break-up with the girl you almost planned to marry.