Originally, Baguio City was a settlement camp of American troops during their occupation in 1900s where they patterned the architecture of houses and buildings after their homes in the United States. And to easily access the neighboring towns, they have constructed Kennon Road; a highway known for its narrow and challenging turns. Apparently, this changed its peaceful face to a city of merchants and uncontrolled migrants from surrounding towns. When Americans left, more settlers invaded the thriving city and soon turned into a crowded district of mixed locals and vacationing tourists who come mainly for its temperate climate.
- Wright Park
The city’s economy moved progressively despite the absence of the founding Americans. Parks, Gardens, Museums, markets and shopping malls were established everywhere and perhaps elevated the rapid rise of tourism. Big growth on hotels, lodging houses, restaurants and bars is increasing every year. Aside from farming, locals shifted to handicrafts to sustain the rising demand of market coming from tourism. Because of this Baguio famed itself as the best place to go for cheap wood carvings and fabric weavings. These shops are all over the city market and nearby town markets of Asin and Trinidad.
- Fresh Flowers of Baguio
Baguio illustrates an ambiance of people wearing warm outfits all year around. If you only see Philippines as a tropical country, visiting Baguio somehow changes that view. Filipinos regarded this city amidst the towering peaks of the Cordillera, as the summer capital of the country, where they can move away from the irritating heat during summer.
Massive malls, congestion of population, and real state developments, nowadays, reduced Baguio’s appeal as the greenest mountain city of the north. For people who have known Baguio twenty years ago and seeing how congested it is now with unsightly views of houses instead of trees on top of the mountains can be terribly disappointing. For sure back then, less cars, less houses, less people, but with lots and lots of pine trees harmonized the simple and natural living of Baguio. Within Camp John Hay luckily pine-covered forests have been preserved but almost all hills nearby La Trinidad have been fully constructed. Although Baguio has moved this far, it is still the largest commercial district in the Cordillera that is chartering its neighboring towns an ample assurance of economic progression.
- Burnham Park
To get there, Victory Liner, bus company based in Pasay City along Edsa, has departures for Baguio in the morning daily. You can also take your car. From Balintawak take North Expressway and get off at Dau Exit. Pass by Tarlac, Urdaneta and Pozzorubio. Before reaching Rosario, you may see a junction (Kennon Road) to Baguio. Skip that way, and at about 500 meters, you will see a newly constructed road with a signboard "to Baguio". Other routes such as Naguillian Road from Bauang, or Marcos Highway from Agoo are good options for people who may want to enjoy first the beaches of La Union.
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