Avoiding sunburn

Summer time again in the Philippines and a lot of folks would like to cool themselves at beach resorts and swimming pools.  Those who would be bathing in the seas without skin protection will most likely suffer from sunburn.  The itch of sunburn followed by peeling skin definitely is more irritating than sweating in the summer heat.   Facial and back sunburn are most common because they are exposed to the sun more often and dry faster than other parts of the body.

As a habit when coming from a swim, most people wipe their head and face first.  Doing it frequently will cause the skin to be sun-burnt.  The upper back torso and nape get sunburned because people turn their back against the sun.  It's rare for people to face the sun after a dip in the waters. 

I experienced getting facial sunburn even when not in the beach or pool.  Once, I had the habit of always having on  hand a face towel to wipe sweat off my face while under the sun.  I sweat profusely on my face and head that makes me look like coming from a shower.  After a whole day of sweating and wiping them off, I felt okay and relieved.  The following morning I felt a burning sensation on my face and was surprised to see it sunburned!

So avoid or prevent sunburn after coming from a swim in ocean waters or swimming pool, don't wipe off the water from your face and body unless, of course, you don't intend to get back in the waters.  Stay under a shade and let the your body shed off the water and dry slowly.  The other good thing for this is your body and skin slowly transitions from the water temperature to the air temperature.  This will not let you shiver too much.

Okay!  So have a nice summer time without having to worry about having a sunburn with this little tip.

Visitor arrogance in Baguio

Being with Facebook, with many friends to boot in Baguio, is really worth it.  It gives value and meaning to what and who we are in Baguio. They have stories to tell and some are unimaginable about what visitors can do against a local or locals.  The original people of Baguio City are inherently courteous, very accommodating and respectful to visitors.  This is something that many outsiders do not know.  We, who drive, know how to give way to vehicles going uphill when we're going downhill, and much more, give way to pedestrians (that's rarity from lowland drivers).  We were one of the first city to understand and respect the pedestrian lanes.

There are those who claim they are from Baguio but actually has been there only for less than ten (10) years.  A bona fide Baguio local would have his or her roots in the city way back 40 years or more.  Many of those who have been in Baguio for less than ten (10) years will not really know the true values of original Baguio inhabitants.  That's why when I tell stories, even to my children, how Baguio was in the 1960s and that my step-grandfather was the first District Forester of the City, they are awed.  Many of us originals wish the Baguio of old will be back.

I came across a troubling story at Facebook from one Baguio lass after a reckless action of a visitor driver.  She was treated with arrogance by the rude driver of a convoy vehicle that organized "Le Tour de Filipinas".  The idiot reckless driver did not know he was showing arrogance to someone connected to the local tabloid!  A companion, or  maybe his boss, did even bother to discipline him at the onset!  I wanted to post the article here but it consists of four paragraphs. Anyway there are links below to that article at Facebook and you can just click on them to read the whole story of the Baguio visitor's arrogance.

https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150174937898857

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Summers in Baguio City

Almost anywhere in the world, when the summer season sets in people would prefer to be in a place where they would not feel the heat.  In the Philippines, Baguio City will forever be the "Summer Capital" because of the year round cool climate including the summer season.  Most of the time the Holy Week falls during summer months the time most local tourists and vacationers flock the city during this period. Many vacationers take a side trip to the beach which is just an hour away from the city, for a dip in the sea. Visitors can reach to as many as 500,000 within a months time!  The nearby beach resorts in La Union and Pangasinan also benefit from this.

Courtesy of Ric Maniquis FB Photo post

With the number of visitors, the city launched in 1958 to pick a Lucky Summer Visitor (LSV) every year during the Holy Week.  The primary criterion is simple:  It must be the first time for the visitor to be in Baguio City.  In some other years, organizers add little more criteria for the selection and kept secret until one is chosen.  The Lucky Summer Visitor program was conceptualized for the city's appreciation to all those who visit Baguio.  The LSV is given a symbolic key to the city, free guided tour, free hotel accommodations and meeting some city officials!  That's aside from several souvenirs the LSV takes home for free!

Going for a summer vacation in Baguio City has to be well planned.  Hotel occupancy is 100% most of the time during summer.  It is very difficult to make or get reservations.  There are a good number of private houses and dormitories offered for rent to tourists during summer.  This is the next best alternative if hotels are fully booked.  Most would have complete kitchen and dining facilities that could prove to be less costly compared to dining out.  Having contacts or friends from the city will help in getting a favorable place to stay other than inns or hotels.

The City of Baguio is short of water supply during the summer season and could be a problem for private houses leased out.  Purified or mineral water is not a problem though as there many outlets in the city to provide potable water.  Traffic conditions will be terrible with the lack of available parking space.  Baguio City is just 64 square kilometers in area and the only time a vehicle would really be needed is when going from one far end to another frequently.