Hello, Super Folks!
In just a few days, we’ll be stepping into the last month of the year—December. And what does that mean? Holidays and cool weather! Speaking of cool weather, I can’t help but think about going back to a place that holds a very special spot in my heart: Baguio City.
It was the first farthest place I ever traveled to from Manila by land—if my memory serves me right. Most of my trips there happened during my high school days, and those experiences opened my eyes to how beautiful the world truly is. Baguio inspired me to dream of exploring more places around the Philippines, and even abroad.
I’ve been to Baguio many times, and although it feels warmer than before and is sadly more crowded these days—especially during peak season—it remains a place I can return to endlessly.
How about you? Where do you want to go this cool-weather season? Do you prefer the beach or the mountains? I have so many stories I’d love to share about my trips to Baguio—from my teenage years up to the last time I visited three years ago. But I know it would take a while, so for now, I’ll share some of my memories and what we did during my most recent trip there with my colleagues.
Thank God we now have social platforms like this blog to share our experiences. Back then, we didn’t have anything like this, so I can proudly say this is my first time formally featuring my trip to Baguio City.
According to information from Britannica, Baguio is a city in the west-central highlands of Luzon, Philippines. After the United States took control of the country in 1898, Governor William Howard Taft and other officials singled out this cool, pine-forested region—about 4,900 feet (1,500 meters) above sea level—as the ideal location for a summer capital. The idea quickly gained support, and Baguio soon developed into the Philippines’ premier mountain getaway, complete with hotels, cottages, vacation homes, and convenient routes connecting it to Manila, roughly 160 miles (260 km) to the south.
Although Baguio held the title of summer capital for decades, the designation ended in 1976, when Manila became the year-round capital of the country.
Baguio isn’t just a scenic escape—it’s also a key hub for mining in northern Luzon, known especially for its gold industry, with copper production thriving in nearby Mankayan. The city is home to several major institutions, including the Philippine Military Academy, Saint Louis University (established in 1963), and the University of Baguio, which began as Baguio Technical College in 1969.
Visitors will also find plenty of historic and natural attractions, such as Camp John Hay—where Japanese General Tomoyuki Yamashita formally surrendered to General Jonathan M. Wainwright in 1945—along with Burnham Park, Asin Hot Springs, and Mount Santo Tomas. Baguio’s story also includes resilience; the city endured significant destruction during the powerful Luzon earthquake on July 16, 1990.
I used to go to Baguio almost every year when I was a student, but only for school activities. I never got to visit for fun until me and my colleagues took a weekend trip to de-stress and enjoy the cold November weather.
We chose not to create a detailed itinerary. Instead, we planned to find suitable accommodation near the city proper and explore Baguio freely—visiting as many places as possible, trying various foods, going to the night market, buy souvenirs and taking photos. Our goal was to fully enjoy the experience without feeling rushed.
We stayed at Venus Parkview Hotel for 2 days and 1 night, and I can confidently say it is one of the best accommodations in Baguio due to its proximity to Burnham Park and other well-known tourist destinations. I had stayed there several times in the past, and upon returning, I felt emotional because the place was a significant part of my youth. It was where I had attended various extracurricular activities as a student, and being there again brought back many memories. Although much has changed, the improvements—from the entrance to the rooms—were impressive.
I was truly grateful for their excellent service and friendly staff, and we were given a lovely room with a beautiful view.
According to online articles (unverified), Venus Parkview Hotel was founded by Mrs. Venus Kabingue in 1974, thus the name Venus. She envisioned a warm, affordable place for tourists visiting Baguio City and initially opened the property as a modest resort-hotel that could accommodate just under a hundred guests.
In 1977, the hotel was purchased by the Villanueva family, headed by Mr. Teofilo and Mrs. Genoveva Villanueva. Recognizing the value of the hotel’s growing clientele—and out of respect for its original owner—they chose to retain the name Venus Parkview Hotel.
Over the years, the property expanded its facilities and services, evolving into a prominent establishment in Baguio’s hospitality scene. Today, Venus Parkview Hotel boasts 150 rooms and enjoys a prime location right across Burnham Park, placing it within walking distance of major tourist attractions. Its strategic proximity to shopping malls, restaurants, entertainment centers, and transportation hubs continues to make it a favored destination for travelers visiting the City of Pines.
It was Friday night when we went to Cubao to catch a bus to Baguio City. Honestly, it was difficult to buy tickets because it was a peak day and the terminal was already crowded. Travel time usually takes around four to five hours. Luckily, even though it was jam-packed, we were still able to buy tickets for an evening bus.
We arrived in Baguio City at around four in the morning. As expected, the weather was colder and much better compared to Manila. We had breakfast, rested for an hour, and then took a taxi to Mines View Park to watch the sunrise.
It was my first time going there so early to see the sunrise, and honestly, I didn’t expect that there would be an activity like that—it’s actually an observation deck. Before, we used to come here in the morning to enjoy the scenic view, buy souvenirs, and see the famous horse with colorful hair and the St. Bernard dog.
Mines View Park is one of Baguio City’s most popular attractions, known for its panoramic views of the Cordillera mountains and the old mining town of Itogon. Its main highlight is the viewing deck, where visitors can enjoy the cool mountain breeze and take in the scenic landscape—especially stunning at sunrise and sunset. It’s an ideal spot for sightseeing, photography, and relaxation.
Aside from its scenic views, Mines View Park is also known for its local crafts and souvenirs. Stalls along the pathways offer a variety of items, including handwoven products and wood carvings.
Our check-in time was in the afternoon, so after watching the sunrise at Mines View Park, we continued strolling around the city. We took a jeepney to another popular spot—Burnham Park—which was also close to our accommodation. So far, it’s the most beautiful park I’ve seen in the country. There are plenty of activities to enjoy, such as boating, biking, or simply relaxing and taking in the lovely surroundings.
Burnham Park is one of the most iconic attractions in the Summer Capital. Named after architect Daniel Burnham, this picturesque urban park is a popular spot for leisure, outdoor activities, and family-friendly fun.
Fast forward — it was a tiring day, so after checking in, we rested for a few hours. It was also my colleague’s birthday, so we ordered Baguio’s famous strawberry cake from Vizco for a small celebration. Later, we prepared to visit the nearby night market. I was lucky to find some great items, and walking through the crowded market was totally worth it. Baguio is well-known for its many thrift stores, which offer affordable and good-quality pre-loved items.
It was already late at night when we returned to the hotel and prepared to sleep, as we needed to wake up early for another day of our DIY tour. Moving on to the second day, we woke up early to take full advantage of the breakfast buffet, which was well worth it. Afterwards, we checked out and left our bags at the front desk so they wouldn’t be a burden while we explored Baguio.
Our first stop was Good Shepherd, where we purchased their famous ube jam (purple yam jam) along with other sweet treats. We had to stand in line and wait for a few hours to buy our souvenirs, and I honestly wouldn’t want to go through that again. I did it mainly for the experience.
Good Shepherd Convent is run by nuns who first created these treats to help feed the needy. Over the years, its success has turned it into a long-running social enterprise supporting local youth and various charity programs.
Mission accomplished! After that, we went to SM City Baguio for lunch. It is well-known and unique because its common areas do not use air conditioning, instead relying on Baguio’s naturally cool climate and open design for ventilation. This makes it the only SM mall like this and offers a refreshing experience compared to other malls. The design takes advantage of the city’s cool mountain air, allowing shoppers to enjoy the fresh breeze while exploring. In addition, it has a view deck where you can see the beautiful city, and the clouds feel close to you because of the fog.
Before we went back to Venus Parkview, we visited Baguio Cathedral and Baguio Market as our last stops. We had to walk up the stairs from Session Road to the top, which didn’t really bother us. Honestly, walking long distances there isn’t exhausting because of the cool weather—you don’t sweat much.
The Baguio Cathedral of Our Lady of the Atonement is a major historical and religious landmark in Baguio City, established by Belgian Catholic missionaries and known for its wartime resilience. Its iconic stone staircase, called the Pilgrim Stairs, has 104 steps (sometimes cited as 100 or 101) and connects Session Road to the cathedral grounds, climbed by both pilgrims and tourists.
They saved the best for last—and rightly so. No trip to Baguio would be complete without visiting my favorite place in the city: the Baguio City Public Market. This place is truly special to me, and I sincerely hope it will always be preserved. It’s one of the few places where you can find affordable strawberries, fresh flowers, vegetables, fruits, and locally sourced coffee beans—all in one vibrant space.
I absolutely love coming here. You can also find budget-friendly local souvenirs such as jams, sweet treats like peanut brittle, and even walis tambo (broom). Based on my travels around the country, I can honestly say that Baguio offers some of the best souvenirs you can buy—both in quality and price.
And this marks the end of this blog. As always, thank you so much for reading my travel posts.
Next, we’ll be flying to Vietnam, and I’ll be sharing my travel stories from there—experiences from more than two years ago. That trip was bittersweet, as it happened after my father had passed away, and I felt it was my way of temporarily escaping the sadness.
More on that in my next blog. See you there!
“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.” — Anita Desai
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