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!

Asin Hot Springs Resort

Can a part of a municipality that was allowed to be operated and managed by its neighboring city, be declared or made by the city as privatized area.  This means that part of the municipality, the Asin Hot Springs Resort managed and operated by the city, will be offered to private entities for its operation!  That is similar to how the former Camp John Hay (CJH) is now being operated!  CJH is now a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) under the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) that has actually privatized it and being operated by Fil-Estate Realty Corporation!

CJH now is a far cry from what it was during the time it was operated as a rest and recreation base by the U.S. military.  It used to be that locals and visitors alike could walk around freely and go nights-out until wee hours of the morning.  Picnic tables were free to use, people can go visit any place in the base except for the the ambassador's residence that was off-limits.  The present CJH now has so many restricted areas and even cordoned off!  Imagine this happening at the Asin Hot Springs Resort! 

The resort is located in the municipality of Tuba, Benguet, more or less 15 kilometers west of Baguio city.  It is the nearest place where locals can enjoy relatively cheap resort and swimming pool accommodations.  Currently, there are three privately owned resorts:  The original near the power generation facility that has real hot spring water but was not fully developed; the River View Water Park Resort; and the Palm Grove Hot Springs and Mountain Resort.  Baguio City locals flock to these resorts almost every week end specially during summer.

Asin Hot Springs Resorts has also been well patronized by well sized companies in Baguio that they hold some company outings here.  The main advantage of the location for Baguio residents is being able to enjoy the place and go home at the end of the day.  If the entire place is to be privatized, whoever operates the area will 'jack-up' fees that locals will have to think twice before visiting the place again.  Also, there will be restrictions again within a defined area of the locality just like CJH!

Lastly, the Baguio City local government has had problems getting its share from CJH what is due to their coffers.  Are they trying to say that they prefer it that way?  Or, its because they don't have trusted people that operate and manage the Asin Hot Springs Resort.  That might just explain it:  The city losing earnings while some people enjoying the "fruits" of managing the resort!

New attraction at Camp John Hay

Beside the Amphitheater, a new attraction cum entertainment is going on.  It is called the “TreeTops”.  It is not exactly for all though, as there are some physical and fitness requirements for one to enjoy them.  Of course it will cost something as it is operated by an entity other than Camp John Hay management.

Thanks to Reich Francisco for sharing this foto.

The cheapest is ‘Trekking’ that will be 100 pesos per person.  This is recommended for the faint-hearted and scared of heights. What many might find thrilling is the “Superman Ride” where you would be on a harness in the prone position, holding on to a bar and the feet ‘hooked’ behind another bar.  This is like the “zip line” but moves quite fast, one forward and one backward trip.  A slower zip-like line is the “Silver Ride” where the rider is in an upright harness.  The feet stand on a bar while hands holding on to a higher bar.

Fotos compliments of Reich Francisco thru FaceBook

 There is also the canopy ride where you are seated on a harness – similar to ski lifts.  This would take you through the treetops that give an excellent view of the surroundings.  The ride will involve transfers from one tower to another.  Another that some would find thrilling will be the “Tree-Drop” from a height of 60 feet.  Those taking the tree-drop are warned not to grab the cable in the process as it could cause ‘hand burn’.

Packages are offered should there be those who would want to try at least three different thrilling experiences.  The physical and fitness requirements to enjoy these Camp John Hay attractions are:  Height: Not below 3’6” (or 3’9” I think); Age: Not for those below 10 years old; Must not be pregnant and does not have any heart condition.

Note:  This is not an advertisement – I just discovered this yesterday.  It is quite new because developments are still on-going.

Enjoy your vacation in Baguio

Baguio City is undeniably still a place to go for vacations, holidays and relaxation.  It has been and will always be because of the cool climate.  

Here are some tips to enjoy your stay in the City of Pines:

• Plan your trip at least a month before your trip especially if you are coming from more than 250 kilometers away.
• Try to contact someone you know in Baguio City to help you find a place to stay if it will not be in one of the hotels or inns.
• Inform the person if you want to cook meals in the place.  Many places do not provide the cooking range because of risks.
• Make sure there is good supply of water or reliable water delivery.  Many vacationists get frustrated because of lack of water.
• Set your budget especially for food, drinks and night-outs.
• Make sure you have bonnets or hats and thick jackets especially for the months of November to February.

What to expect in Baguio City:

• Heavy traffic in the main thoroughfares and difficulty to find parking space within the central business district.  SM Baguio has pay parking.
• Burnham Park is often crowded during weekends and holidays.  
• Other places you can go to are the Mines View Park, Mansion House and Wright Park - all are close to each other.
• From mid-morning to mid-afternoon it is not really very cold compare to early evenings and mornings.
• Baguio City is very strict with people crossing streets.  Use pedestrian lanes or overpasses in the central business district.
• Follow traffic rules and regulations.  Cars parked in a "No Parking" area will lose their license plates.
• Plate Number Coding is applicable from Mondays through Fridays except when declared as non-coding due to special occasions or holidays.

Taking note of the above will help you enjoy your stay in Baguio City.

Camp John Hay - Before

The Camp John Hay (CJH) Air Force Base of before was originally a United States Armed Forces military reservation.  It was not really a military camp or installation but a recreation facility for USAF men stationed in various real military bases in the Philippines.  There was no airstrip or any military equipment in the base.  It has a beautiful golf course (I don't play golf) that is a main attraction to many, locals and military personnel alike.  The course is so well designed and had an annual event every December that foreigners and locals participate in.

The Main Gate, as they call it, was practically at the tip of  the main city road, Session Road.  A very welcoming main entry to the base.  Until the early 70s, I believe, to have access to CJH, you have to apply for a gate pass as long as you're 18 years old and above.  It was such as a great recreation center that it was the main center also for night life before.

Camp John Hay had the Half-Way House that featured nightly band performers and a dance floor.  In its earlier years it had some slot machines somewhere at back part.  Not far from there, maybe half a mile, is the Mile High Bowling Center.  It had only 6-lanes of fully automated Ten-Pin facility.  Aside from that there were pinball machines, pool tables, darts, table tennis and an unforgettable snack center.  For about the same distance more into the base is the 19th Tee Golf Club to the left and the Billeting Office to the right, coming from the fork of the road.

Farther up from the golf club is the Scout Hill that has more open-air recreation facilities. A baseball field, volleyball court, tennis courts, skating rink, ice cream parlor, snack bar, a mini-golf course and a children's playground.  It is actually a park within the main circumferential road.  Across the roads are beautiful cottages where military personnel are billeted.  Across the volleyball court is an entry leading to the Ambassador's residence.  I believe the location of the residence is where General Yamashita surrendered (or yielded his Samurai) to the U.S. armed forces after World War II (I hope I'm right with this one)
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Okay, this one's getting too long - from here I'll to do a Part 2 next time - more on the surroundings of Scout Hill.  (I hope I can also get some old photos of CJH)