Driving in Baguio City

Many of those who come to Baguio City driving their own vehicles are not aware of the courtesies while in the city.  They drive around as if they were still in the lowlands.  They do not know how to give way to uphill moving vehicles when they are  going downhill.  That is the reason why they sometimes have altercations with true Baguio people driving in the city.

True Baguio City drivers know how to acknowledge and thank a vehicle that gives way by two short honks on their.  The short honks or beep-beep means "thank you".

The same thing is true when passing vehicles.  They just want to get ahead and just pass vehicles in front of them.  It becomes scary and dangerous when they do that  on roads with a lot of curves.  Imagine when they do that driving uphill or downhill.

Here's hoping that this blog will get across people from other places who are driving in Baguio City.  Our traffic enforcement people no longer put signs like "Give way to vehicles going uphill".  We used to have those signs in the city.

Please drive carefully when in Baguio City.

Crabs of Iwahig Penal Farms

Crabs sizes can be different from place to place.  How fat they would be will also be another thing.  45 years ago when we were in Palawan, I was amazed on the size of the crabs that were sold to us at the Iwahig Penal Farms.  They were really big in size compared to those what were sold in the market in Baguio City.

The crabs then, if I remember right, were caught in the rice fields

where there were a lot of coconut trees around the rice fields.  As I was just around 13 years old then, I lacked the curiosity of knowing if the crabs were fat or not.  What was important to me was that they were yummy and satisfied my palate.

Crabs - Iwahig Penal Farms

Going back this October 2013, I asked people around Iwahig if there were still a lot of crabs caught in the rice fields.  According to them, there are not as many now as it was way back in 1968.  I thought to myself that if ever there were any, they would probably cost much that it will not be affordable to have them.

Opened Crabs - Iwahig Penal Farms

A good friend though who is from the Iwahig Penal Farms, said he would sponsor lunch for us because we have been away for so long. The lunch came on the day before our departure. The crabs he had prepared were not as big as they used to be but they were really bulging with fat. My daughter feasted on two of the fattest crabs that were specially picked for her by my friends.

Don't forget to have a taste of the Iwahig crabs if you get to visit the place.

Super Typhoon Yolanda's destruction

As far as I can remember, there have been other destructive typhoons that have hit the Philippines of all the times I have been aware of natural calamities.  We were also a victim of one caused by nature which was the July 16, 1990 7.4 earthquake.  There was widespread destruction in our City of Baguio and neighboring provinces.  There was still no internet and advanced cellular phones during those times.

The destruction that super typhoon Yolanda has brought upon in the Visayas region, especially in Leyte, was very devastating.  It wiped out entire towns that were never done by other natural forces of nature.  It wrought havoc that made it impossible to estimate loss of property and lives immediately after a few days.

Super typhoon Yolanda was almost like a giant tornado that was 600 kilometers across compared to only around 150 meters for that of a tornado.  It also traveled across for days unlike a tornado that would dissipate after a few miles.  It was a typhoon and tornado at the same time rolled into one destructive force of nature,

Comparative photos of locations completely destroyed by typhoon Yolanda can be seen at http://cdnimages.abs-cbnnews.com/graphics/others/111313_luntad-leyte.jpg.

Burnham Park - Baguio City

The Baguio Burnham Park no longer allows parking on the streets around the lake.  Some people who drive their cars to work used to park there because of lack of parking space elsewhere.  It did not matter to them if it was quite a walk to their offices.  Malcolm Square has been closed for a long time now because it was converted to "istambayan" when it was one of the original parking spaces in Baguio!

Some time ago, corrupt officials allowed Jadewell to conquer the parking spaces along the streets of Baguio to make them pay parking.  This was contested and now gone but maybe a case is still being heard in court.  The parking area beside Ganza is now useless because of this.

The city now made the former site of the Public Library in Burnham Park as parking area.  Php 40.00 for the first hour!  I did not bother finding out how much it would be for the succeeding hours.  Compare this to parking at SM that is covered and secure that only costs Php 35.00 for the whole day and that of Baguio Cathedral that charges only for Php 20.00 for the first hour.  If less than an hour it's free.

Why are the city officials less concerned while private people understand that parking space in Baguio is very limited and make them available at lesser cost?  Is it because no more pork barrel to get money from?
It pays to exercise in Burnham Park

Junk and Scrap street buyers

Baguio City has so many junk and scrap street buyers called originally "magbo-bote" (empty bottle buyers).  Early in the morning, around 7 a.m., they start plying their trade.  What they actually buy now are empty plastic bottles, scrap iron and junked appliances.  On our residential street alone, there could be at least five or more of them that pass in intervals of about an hour shouting "plastik, bakal, bote".  

Late in the morning, they would be seen walking down with their fully filled bamboo baskets suspended from both ends of  thick bamboo stick plat.  Both baskets could weigh at least 30 kilos or more at each end.  From the cash they pay out for the junk and scrap, they would have at least 1,000.00 pesos as capital everyday.  

I had the chance to talk to one of them who bought my junk printers for 130.00 from my internet shop.  Curiously, after paying me, he asked if I heard about the "Piso Net" computers where one peso coins are drop in a slot like juke box.  He said that for each peso, one could go on the internet for five minutes.  I told him I've read about it somewhere but the computers are too expensive costing 20,000.00 each.

He told me he has 3 units of those "Piso Net"  computers in Manila (250 kilometers south of Baguio City) that earns him an average of 1,000.00 pesos a week.  This made me realize that these junk and scrap street buyers are well educated and making good profit out of their trade. I see him almost everyday passing by our place for not more than 2 years.

That means that he could have saved at least 60,000.00 in a year or so and invested those earnings in the Piso Net computers.  So, for people who see them, don't think lowly of their trade.  They know how to do business and invest in high-tech.  Unemployment made these guys think and ply a trade where there is money in it.

Baguio's Wild Morning Glory Climbing Vine

http://indianflowersandherbs.blogspot.com

The 'lanot' or 'lanut' is hardy climbing vine of Baguio City that's got purple flowers that opens up at sunrise.  In my curiosity, I searched, better yet googled it, and almost did not find anything like it published online.  It was only when I searched the entire phrase "Wild Morning Glory Climbing Vine" did I find photos and a blog about it.  It was  
called the Ivy-leaved Morning Glory (Ipomea cairica) and is also known in India as 'Mile a Minute vine'.

Curling up to close around 1:00 p.m.

The name Morning Glory is very deserving for the vine as the flowers are open only in the morning!  At 12 o'Clock noon time, the flowers start to slowly curl up and finally closes after an hour or so.  It is a sturdy vine because even if the tips have been cut off from its main "vine stem", the flowers continue to open and close at their designated time of day!

Closing around 1:00 p.m.

Baguio has so many unique plants that are not found elsewhere in the Philippines.  The native Sunflower and Pine Trees are the more popular ones.  There is also the "runo" that resembles and grows like a bamboo.  It is not as hardy and tough like a bamboo.  The inside of it is not hollow instead it is solid.  The "Runo" will deserve a blog and what its name is in English and its scientific name.

Credits to photo on link

This is a similar Morning Glory when it comes to flowers.  The difference can easily be seen with the leaves it has.  The leaves look more like that of the Sweet Potato (Kamote) leaves.

Flowers of the vine at the wires still open and close even it has been cut

The vines that have crept to the electric and telephone wires have been cut from the main vine as of this writing for almost a week now.  The flowers still continue on to open in the mornings and close at noon time.

Good Shepherd Convent - Baguio City

Baguio City has so many places of interest and tourist destination.  One would be the Good Shepherd Convent located just beside another tourist spot - Mines View Park.  The Good Shepherd Convent was known in the early days as a rehabilitation center for girls that have lost their way in life.  It is being run by Sisters of the Good Shepherd.

Right now it is a flourishing place and is making exceptionally well.  Their produce are Peanut Brittle, Ube jam, Strawberry and Blackberry/Blueberry jam.  The place has developed into a virtual production plant of the said products.  There was never a time I visited the place as early as 7 a.m. that there were no visitors.  Many local tourists do not fail to buy goods before leaving for their respective cities or provinces.

The Peanut Brittle is one of their products that is outstanding.  Even locals still prefer them over the next best rival Romana's Peanut Brittle. The same with the Ube and Strawberry Jams.  They have well secured production areas and not just anyone is allowed in there.

Good Shepherd Convent has upgraded its facilities using Solar Panel lighting and Solar Thermal Water Heaters.  The upgrade is to save on electric bills that they use in production.  It is just amazing how they have developed into what they are right now.  If you did not visit the place on your trip to Baguio City, make sure it will be on your agenda on your next trip!

Baguio - A 'Mixing Bowl' of the Philippines

Many countries would have some cities, municipalities or localities that we can call their "mixing bowl", which means people residing in them come from different parts or regions of the country.  Baguio City, Philippines is among the cities that have now so many residents that come from different regions and provinces of the country.  For one thing, it is the cool climate that they really come to like.  There is no other city in the Philippines that would have an almost year-round cool climate.

Many migrants then, came from the nearby province of Pangasinan.  The reason they have a good number of residents in Baguio was due to gold and copper mines that flourished around Baguio city in the 1900s.  The promise of good pay in the mining industry was so attractive then.  That was also some reason for those from other provinces to migrate to Baguio.  Until now, even people assigned by companies to their city's branch office hardly want to leave the city if they are to be re-assigned to another place after a few years.

A good number of old-timer residents also come from the province of Batangas.  The Batanguenos are good in doing business and they could have been the 'Levis Strauss' for the several mines surrounding the city.  Migrants at that time learned to speak the more common 'Ilocano' dialect then.  The national Pilipino language was not spoken by much by locals.  In fact, most of the locals and natives even spoke English better than Tagalog until the late 60s!

Tagalog or the Pilipino language became more spoken when migrants from Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao increased.  They easily understood more the national language and spoke it even in a heavy accent.  It can also be noticed that people from the southernmost tip of the Philippines, those who are with the Islam faith, have also increased in number!  They are mostly ambulant vendors and are quite making good.  To identify them in Baguio City, they wear robes and caps that Muslims don.  The women mostly still wear their 'bandanas' but do not cover their face.

It is a lot easier now to communicate to almost all residents in Baguio City in Tagalog and English too.

Baguio City No Smoking Ordinance

Fortunately I saw two friends this morning along Session Road that has been closed to traffic for the last week of Panagbenga.  Incidentally the three of us are smokers and it is only the other one who told us that the Baguio City No Smoking Ordinance covers all public spaces including streets and parks.

The latest articles that showed on my search about the ordinance was dated December 7, 2010 and December 10, 2010.  The articles were about the ordinance and not the ordinance itself and only referred to "Republic Act 9211 (Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003)or the Clean Air Act and the Comprehensive Anti-smoking ordinance of Baguio".  Another one, "Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act to achieve 100% smoke free environment".

What was clearly stated in the articles, the ordinance bans smoking in all public places, including pedestrian overpasses and public utility vehicles.  The articles also mentioned that "No Smoking Signs" will be displayed to make people aware of it.  For the past weeks, I have walked up and down Session Road several times and on other sidestreets but not a single sign and most of the time I was smoking.  Also there were many others who were smoking, maybe also unaware as I am.

I respect the non-smokers.  However, how will one abide by the ordinance or law if it does not clearly state or define the public places?  Many times it is not reliable to listen to people who just hang around listening and making gossips and hearsays.  What seems to be right for them is often exaggerated if not wrong.

Island of Palawan circa 1967-68 - Part 1

Thinking about the island of Palawan, it is almost 40 years now since we were there. Well, what I have to say here is how it was before because I have not been there since. It was there where I went through my second year in high school and half of my third year. Among a brood of 10, two of our youngest sisters and I were taken along there with our mom. Our father was then the superintendent of the Palawan Quicksilver Mines located some 14 kilometers from the islands capital of Puerto Princesa, now also a city. It didn't mean anything to me then. All I cared for was sports and as long as they had basketball there it was alright with me. The relocation of 884.56 km to 961.47 km south of our hometown didn't matter. It was our parents' decision and there was nothing we could do about it. It was like a dream. In an instant, we were there! No talk, no orientation - no nothing about anything that I could recall! When we got there, we never realized that we were going to live a life of a highly respected family (almost royal lol)! It was funny and at the same time weird living there during those times. It was as if the people there then were informed of our coming into town. The mining company even sent a car there from Manila just for our use going to and coming from school! We were the only students in the best school there that were being brought to and from school chauffered! We were treated very well and highly respected in that school run by nuns.


Actually, it was only in recent past about 5 or 6 years ago, that I came to realize all these. There are a lot of stories I could blog about here during our almost 2-year stay in Palawan. But as my usual self, I would not want to make this a boring article to read as I know most of you should be doing more important things online. Part 2 of this series will be my personal adventures, what I did on my own there that my siblings and parents wouldn't have known about. I hope I could write it very soon as I am excited myself to tell the stories about them too. Some of them were scary or weird growing-up scenarios.

As of this writing the Palawan Quicksilver Mines has mined-out itself for many years now. I have not been in contact with any of my former classmates or friends since we left. Having been online frequently for the past 4 years now, I have not come across any of them yet, inspite of some searches I have made.

Map Photo & Other PhotosCourtesy of:

http://www.haribon.org.ph/images and http://www.butterflytravel.ph/puerto_princesa.html

Lunch Break

Since the late 1980s, it was no longer convenient to go home for the one (1) hour lunch break. Both for those who go to work and go to school. It might be only convenient for those who live just a stones throw away from school or workplace. What has caused this? Traffic. It has made travel longer and inconvenient going home for an hour of lunch break. Vehicles should make life easier but it has caused some inconveniences. Only a few families could afford to live close to the central business district these days. They would probably be those who own a commercial building or a business in the area.



Until the mid-1980s, our city, the City of Baguio was a pleasant place to go around in a car or just walking. The cold early mornings could still be felt and the refreshing smell of Pine trees was still much around. Taking a ride home was still easy especially for those who live not more than a 15-minute ride away. It was usual then that someone would be at home who has prepared lunch. So, some 20 to 25 minutes could be used to eat and watch some TV and still be on time to go back to school or work. Many people were still residing within the central business district. When the city needed more office or business spaces, rentals within the business district went high for commercial use. This meant people had to reside farther away and had started having difficult time to go home for lunch breaks. Living farther calls for a need of vehicles - more vehicles caused traffic. And that is how it is now in our city.