What can you do with a day and a half in the Summer Capital of the Philippines? A lot.
Some months ago, I had dinner with my friends Dex, Claire and Gelo (whom you know from my Sagada, Quezon, Mindoro and Mt. Pulag trips). It was the third weekend of August and the following weekend was a long weekend because of National Heroes Day. Our conversation went something like this:
Gelo: Comedy bar next week?
Me: Tara!
Claire: Long weekend yun.
Dex: Oo nga. Bakit di na lang tayo mag Antipolo?
Me: Pinto Art!
Gelo: O kaya Baguio!
Me: BenCab! Tara!
The plan was to be as spontaneous as possible. I booked rooms on the day of the trip itself. There was no strict itinerary but we all agreed that we would only check out places we all haven’t been to before — no Burnham Park or Mines View Park here.
We invited some friends but most couldn’t make it because of prior commitments. Dex brought his friend, Heintji (who was actually my classmate in one subject in college — but we both couldn’t remember each other) and Dex’s cousin, Glanie. Late Saturday night, we rode a Victory Liner bus to Baguio. The trip only took five hours and we arrived in Baguio before 4am. And so our Baguio weekend adventure began…
Day 1 4:30am Check in at Mountainside Lodging House
From the Victory Liner terminal, we took a cab to Mountainside Lodging House in Bokawkan Road. The house itself is big and located uphill so we got a nice view of the city lights.
The rate per person per night of stay is 300 pesos but since we checked in super early, we had to add an additional 50% (150 pesos) per person. So we paid 450 pesos each, which wasn’t bad at all. I initially asked for 1 room for 6 but they only had 2 rooms (each good for 3 persons) which was also fitting because there were 3 girls and 3 boys. The rooms were small and bare but overall, clean and nice. The wooden floors made it hard to walk in silence and when I accidentally dropped my phone, I thought I woke up the guests next door. Speaking of next door, the guys’ room and our room were next to each other and separated only by a narrow door — literally. There was a connecting door which we kept opened almost all the time so in essence, it was just like a 6-person room.
We settled in, packed the things we wanted to bring with us (mostly cameras and cash), left the house at 5:30am, and took a cab to Session Road.
7am Have breakfast with a view at Cafe in the Sky
Claire and I did a little bit of research prior to this trip, just so we’d have an idea which places to visit. Cafe in the Sky in Mount Sto. Tomas was one of the places we wanted to visit because of the promise of sea of clouds. We walked around Session Road, figuring out where to find a jeepney that would take us to Mount Sto. Tomas. We found the terminal in the City Market and by 6:30, the jeep left for La Presa. But not before taking photos.
The fare from the market to La Presa costs PHP 28. The cafe is located just along the highway to La Presa and when we came there, it was almost empty. Naturally, we took photos. Lots and lots of them. You’ll soon find that this trip was just an excuse to use our cameras.
All of us ordered the cafe’s specialty, Sky Rice (fried chicken, fried pork belly, chop suey, and rice) and hot chocolate. I thought the serving size of sky rice was a bit too much but we actually needed the energy for the next activity.
8:30am Trek and take embarrassing videos at Sitio La Presa
Sitio Pungayan, more known as Sitio La Presa (from the popular TV show “Forevermore”), is actually in Tuba, Benguet, NOT in Baguio. Just like the Strawberry Farm (which is in La Trinidad, NOT Baguio), Sitio Pungayan is near Baguio. From Cafe in the Sky, we could see the big satellite dishes on top of the mountain. Since not all of us have been, we decided to hike to the mountain and visit Agnes’ (the lead character in “Forevermore”) house. In just a few minutes, we were burning calories from our previous meal.
You have to pay 10 pesos if you want to enter the house. There’s not much to see inside though, so I wouldn’t recommend going in.
The highlight of this trek though was Dexter’s pabaebae moments. We shot 3 videos of him lip syncing to Twerk It Like Miley. He was so game and we were so embarrassed.
10am Stare at paintings at the BenCab Museum
When we returned from the mountain, we started looking for cab drivers who were willing to tour us for the rest of the day. We got one, although his vehicle’s not a cab but a Tamaraw FX. He agreed to take us to BenCab, Tam-Awan Village, Camp John Hay and maybe PMA.
And so we went to BenCab Museum, a personal museum that houses the works of National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto Reyes Cabrera, better known as BenCab.
BenCab Museum is located in Asin Road in Tuba, Benguet so technically, it’s not in Baguio. Admission fee is 100 pesos.
12:15am Enjoy art and nature at the Tam-Awan Village Garden in the Sky
After BenCab, we took a quick lunch and then went to Tam-Awan Village Garden in the Sky, located along Long Long Benguet Road. We paid 50 pesos entrance fee. Near the entrance of one gallery, a kid threw a tantrum, complained to his mom and said “I’m so exhausted, mom! There’s so many art!” LOL, poor kid.
But there really is a lot of art in Baguio. BenCab + Tam-Awan = Art Overload. Tam-Awan Village is an artists’ village showcasing traditional Ifugao and Kalinga huts and ethnic art. The good thing about it though is it combines art and nature, making it the perfect venue for inspiration. You’ll have to do a little bit of trekking so make sure you’re wearing comfy shoes. Thank goodness I wore boots and not my doll shoes.
3:20pm Have hot choco and suman at Choco-Late de Batirol in Camp John Hay
Now for the most fun part… FOOD! There is no shortage of good eating places in Baguio. But on a drizzly afternoon, nothing beats hot chocolate and Pinoy pastries. Choco-Late de Batirol serves one of the best hot choco I’ve ever tasted (thick and not too sweet) and a really delicious suman. Their bibingka is also good.
8pm Have a smoky dinner at Sizzling Plate
After merienda at Choco-Late de Batirol, we went back to the lodging house to freshen up and sleep. We woke up at around 6:30pm to prep for dinner. We contemplated on going to Baguio Craft Brewery but it’s a bit far from where we’re staying so we decided to just have dinner at one of the many restos in Session Road.
Sizzling Plate is a famous steak with three branches in Baguio. The food was good and the ambiance Western, though it was a bit smoky inside.
9pm Shop at Harrison Avenue Night Market
Another thing Baguio is famous for? Ukay-ukay and tiangge! If you want good bargains on clothes, shoes, bags, socks, caps, etc., you should not miss the night market along Harrison Ave. Claire and I were so ecstatic when we saw knitted sweaters worth 15 pesos each! FIFTEEN PESOS!
Of course, when we were packing our stuff, we questioned our decision to buy sweaters that are not only heavy and bulky but also unlikely to be worn given the current El Niño phenomenon in the country.
9:40pm Drink and enjoy music at Duyan Arts and Entertainment
Drinks and music — perfect way to cap a good day. Duyan Arts and Entertainment is a hole in the wall bar near SM Baguio. The only reason we went here is because we wanted to listen to a live band. But Claire ended up taking the stage, too!
Day 2 11am Grab a filling lunch at Good Taste Restaurant
This is the 4th time I’ve eaten in Good Taste so I guess that says something. This time, the place was so full that we had to be seated at the 6th floor of the restaurant. 6th floor, you guys! Just imagine how many people this place feeds every day!
We also celebrated Heintji’s birthday a day in advance! Happy birthday, Heintji!
1pm Stroll at Burnham Park
Since we still had time to kill before our bus ride home, we decided to go to Burnham Park to take more photos. I know we said we won’t go to touristy places but hey, Burnham Park is prettier than it used to be so I think it’s okay.
In our attempt to recreate Team Pulag’s happy group photo, we returned to the same bench, not minding that there’s a couple having a moment behind us. About ten groufies later, the couple left, probably to look for a spot where crazy kids (disguised as adults) don’t hang out. Great job, guys!
2pm Shop for pasalubong at Baguio City Market
Finally, before heading to Victory Liner terminal, we dropped by the city market for some pasalubong shopping. Baguio City Market is heaven! It’s clean, spacious, and it has everything. I wanted to buy so much stuff but I’m commuting so I had to settle for a few bottles of fruit wines, honey, the obligatory lengua de gato, Vigan longganisa, and a shirt from Dex.
So what can you do with a day and a half in Baguio? It turns out, a lot. Check out museums, visit an art village, hunt for bargains, do a little bit of mountain trekking, take lots of photos, and eat and drink. 37 hours can go a long way when you have awesome friends and a sense of adventure. 🙂
Photos from myself, Dex, and Gelo
When was the last time you’ve been to Baguio? Share your experience, leave a comment!
5 Comments
I travelled from Canada to the Philippines when I was a kid, and we spent a couple of nights in Baguio. Since I was young, I really only remember how scary the drive up was and being surprised by how cold it got at night! I’d love to visit again one day as an adult!
The drive is scary indeed but I think the roads have improved over the years. And yes, it’s so much colder at night, even in the summer. Which is why Filipinos love the place so much. Do visit again. Baguio has changed a lot.