History of Baguio City, Philippines
The beautiful City of Baguio, also known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, was just one of the 31 tiny settlements, or rancherias, established at around 1846 by the early Spanish colonizers in the pine-covered highlands of the Benguet province. Back then, the rancheria that would eventually become Baguio City was called Kafagway, a village inhabited by the Kankana-ey and Ibaloi tribes of the Cordilleras. Rising around 5,000 feet or 1,524 meters above sea level, Kafagway and the rest of the Benguet province was perfect for growing arabica coffee, as the Spanish settlers discovered. The coffee trees, however, would outlast the Spanish colonizers for elsewhere in the world, something else was brewing that would change the destiny of Kafagway.The beautiful City of Baguio, also known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, was just one of the 31 tiny settlements, or rancherias, established at around 1846 by the early Spanish colonizers in the pine-covered highlands of the Benguet province. Back then, the rancheria that would eventually become Baguio City was called Kafagway, a village inhabited by the Kankana-ey and Ibaloi tribes of the Cordilleras. Rising around 5,000 feet or 1,524 meters above sea level, Kafagway and the rest of the Benguet province was perfect for growing arabica coffee, as the Spanish settlers discovered. The coffee trees, however, would outlast the Spanish colonizers for elsewhere in the world, something else was brewing that would change the destiny of Kafagway.
In the international arena, the United States of America won the war against Spain, and Spain sold the Philippines to the Americans for $20 million. By the early 1900s, the cool climate of the highlands as well as its rich gold ore deposits quickly attracted the Americans. The new colonizers began the construction of Kennon Road that would link the highlands to Pangasinan, to La Union and to the other lowland provinces.
In the international arena, the United States of America won the war against Spain, and Spain sold the Philippines to the Americans for $20 million. By the early 1900s, the cool climate of the highlands as well as its rich gold ore deposits quickly attracted the Americans. The new colonizers began the construction of Kennon Road that would link the highlands to Pangasinan, to La Union and to the other lowland provinces.
Soon after, the highlands were developed as mining camps and as a retreat for the U.S. Armed Forces. In 1903, the Americans built Camp John Hay as a rest and recreational facility for US servicemen. At the same time, Americans mined the mountains in Benguet for gold. Kennon Road alone was lined with several mining camps. The American architect and urban planner Daniel H. Burnham designed the city. The city got its name, however, from bag-iw meaning “moss” in Ibaloi – the native tongue of the Benguet province. On September 1, 1909, the Americans declared Baguio a chartered city and the Summer Capital of the Philippines. During the American Occupation, quite a few Baguio natives acquired a taste for country songs, cowboy hats and boots. They also gained a command of the English language. Baguio City, in many ways, became westernized under American rule, and even resembled an idyllic American town.
This idyll, however, was shattered by war once again. Baguio City fell into the hands of a foreign power for a third time as the Philippines got drawn into the war between the United States of America and Japan. Japan bombed the city of Baguio on December 8, 1941 and invaded Camp John Hay 19 days later, turning it into their command post. During the early stages of the war, Japan successfully conquered many territories in the Far East. The Americans later recovered, however, and even gained the upper hand. Soon the Japanese imperial army was on the run. Japanese forces from all over Asia retreated to Baguio for their final stand. It was rumored that the retreating Japanese forces took with them the riches from the many countries they plundered. Then, upon the orders of Emperor Hirohito, on September 3, 1945, General Yamashita formally surrendered to the Americans in Camp John Hay. No treasure was ever recovered from the Japanese, and an urban legend was born: the fabled Yamashita Treasure. The legend has grown with the passing of time, and so has the alleged treasure. Numerous rumors of crates filled with gold bars and jewel-encrusted golden buddhas buried here and there have kept hordes of treasure hunters searching and digging all over Baguio and Benguet. But it was something less incredible and less dramatic than Yamashita’s Treasure that began to draw more people to Baguio.
Shortly after the war, Baguio reestablished itself as a favorite tourist spot of the Philippines. War-damaged buildings were repaired and more were constructed. Moreover, with the improvement of roads and other infrastructures, the city also established itself as the cultural and learning center of the north. Baguio became a melting pot as migrants from Kalinga, Apayao, Mountain Province, Abra and Ifugao as well as from the lowlands were drawn by the rapid urbanization of the city. It was this development coupled with Baguio City’s natural, cultural, historical and scenic attractions that made Baguio a top travel destination for honeymooners, families on vacation, executives on business conventions and conferences and Philippine showbiz celebrities.
Baguio History Trivia
It is interesting to note that the famous Zigzag of Kennon Road was born of an engineering error! Engineers decided to build Kennon Road more or less parallel to the mighty Bued River. The Americans went to work quickly and began building the road from both ends. Then, nearly five years into the project, it became clear the ends won’t meet because of differences in elevation. The engineers twisted and turned the road to compensate for early miscalculations, producing the steep and winding Zigzag.
Kennon Road nevertheless remains to be the most scenic route to Baguio from the lowlands so take this route if possible. In the Klondikes, visitors will get their first ceremonial welcome or “baptism” from the cool mountain streams gently trickling from the rocks high above onto the road below. Further up, the Bridal Veil Falls is an awesome sight to behold. The name says it all but you just have to see it to believe. Don’t miss the Lion’s Head and the Zigzag View that comes right after the gigantic lion. Just remember to drive slowly and safely. You’ll often find yourself driving with a wall of rock on one side and a ravine on the other. During or immediately after heavy rains, take Marcos Highway or Quirino Highway (formerly known as Naguilian Road) instead. Being parallel to the Bued River, Kennon Road is prone to road cuts and rockslides! Kennon Road best exemplifies the Cordilleras: wild and beautiful.
Tourist Spots of Baguio City
1. Burnham park
2. Mines View Park
Nowadays, Mines View Park is a place more famous for memorabilia and souvenir shops rather than where it was name after. This place gives a perfect view of the old gold and copper mines of the Ibaloi tribe.
3. Wright Park
Here found the much photographed Pool Of Pines, a rectangular pool of water surrounded by flowers and pine trees but it’s more famous to locals and tourists alike as the place where you can ride horses with over a hundred of them to choose from. You can also have a photo taken unlimited wearing native costumes for the price of 20 pesos per person.
4.The Mansion
Located across the Wright Park, The Mansion is the official summer residence of the President of the Philippines. It’s pretty small as compared to the Malacanang Palace, but it doesn’t seem any less elegant with its white edifice fronted by a beautiful gate which would definitely grab your attention.
5. Botanical Garden
Botanical Garden is one of Baguio’s scenic parks which features a wide array of plants but what we love more about it is here, we got the chance to interact with friendly natives who were also ready to playfully pose for the camera.
6. Teacher’s Camp
Declared in April 2008 as a National Heritage Site, Teachers Camp has been home during summer to teachers from all parts of the country for recreational and educational purposes. Within the camp are classrooms, dormitories dining and conference halls. It also has an athletic ovals which locals can use for a minimal cost.
7. Camp John hay
Camp John Hay is what made Baguio the “Little America”. During most of the 20th century, it was used as the recreational facility for the U.S. Armed Forces. Although many parts of the camp has been changed when it was converted into a privately owned resort, it is still famous to tourists for the history the Americans left within it. Among these are the Bell House & Bell Amphitheater which are the works of art of the late Governor-General James Franklin Bell. The Secret Garden which was JF Bell’s personal space is now famous as the place perfect for wedding proposals. Here also found the well visited Butterfly Sanctuary which houses over 50 different species of butterflies. If what you look for is extreme adventure, you might wanna opt for the extreme paintball center and the treetop adventure.
8. Strawberry Farm
Located in La Trinidad, a nearby town in the outskirts of Baguio City are the vast strawberry farms. Here you can choose the type of strawberries you want from small to big ones or from half ripened to the fully ripened ones as you are picking them yourselves. Be careful though not to be too excited to pick every strawberry you see as the cost is triple times higher than the price of strawberries sold in the market, but getting to pick your own strawberries which you can bring home to families and friends with the touch of love is priceless.
9. Tam-awan Village
Tam-awan Village was built to restore the Ifugao and Kalinga villages in Baguio City to give those people who haven’t been to the Cordilleras the experience of living immersed through the cultures of these natives. It has become an artists village as it is host to several art exhibits for artists from all over the city and beyond. It has an art gallery which houses paintings and other art pieces.
10. Panagbenga Park
Panagbenga Park is a small park situated along two intersecting roads one of which is the Loakan Rd. This is just another typical park in Baguio City with potted plants, mini butterfly sanctuary and a bird cage which houses rare bird species but what I loved about it is here sold at Saleng Garden, a mini bar within the park is the delicious refillable cup of coffee and lemon grass tea which is only for 30 pesos.
Foods of Baguio
Lagud (Strawberry beer) at Baguio Craft Brewery
Baguio’s first craft brewery offers a variety of flavors that will keep both the curious and the avid craft beer fan on their toes. Try the distinct flavor of the strawberry beer, Lagud, which is highly recommended with the buffalo wings.Other beer variants are, among others, Kabunyan (Wheat Beer), Dalo (Brown Ale), Kraken (Baltic Porter), Ripe (Passion Fruit Beer), Englishman in New York (American Pale Ale), Message in a Bottle (India Pale Ale).
Dark beer cheesecake at Ozark Diner
GO AHEAD AND SIN. Indulge in Ozark’s sinful and rich dark beer cheesecake.
You probably won’t eat cheesecake and down it with beer, but there’s another – nay, more ingenious – way of doing it: the dark beer cheesecake, which you can indulge in at Ozark Diner along Bareng Drive in Bakakeng. And if you’re still up for another slice, also try the Chocolate Siling Labuyo cheesecake (yes, complete with candied chillies on top).
Lomo Ribs at Canto, Ketchup Food Community
WORTH IT. Find out the reason behind the long lines with a serving of Canto’s Lomo Ribs.It’s easy to see why Canto, a restaurant at the Ketchup Food Community, is always full with diners (with more lining up outside): the lomo ribs, one of the few offerings on its menu, are just mouthwatering.Served with an excellent salad and either mashed potato or rice, it’s hard to believe half a slab goes for only P190. A whole slab – which can probably feed up to three people – is at P270.Head to Canto early for lunch to avoid lining up, especially on weekends. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.
Strawberry sorbetes from La Trinidad Strawberry Farm
STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM. Add this chunky strawberry-flavored sorbetes to your strawberry picking experience in La Trinidad.If you’ve gone strawberry-picking in nearby La Trinidad, you’ve probably encountered vendors with their signature offering: the classic sorbetes, in the not-so-classic, hot pink, chunky strawberry flavor, which are sold only around the area for P20.
Sans rival at Sizzling Plate
SANS RIVAL. Experience sans rival like never before with Sizzling Plate’s light take on the classic dessert.Light, crisp, buttery, and creamy, Sizzling Plate’s Sans Rival makes for the perfect cap to the restaurant’s sizzling steak dishes.Its wafer base makes it a much lighter version of the usually dense cake, and at only P26 a slice, you’ll most likely order second or third helpings. Whole servings are also available at P300.
Strawberry taho
DON'T MISS IT. A trip to Baguio is not complete without the classic strawberry taho.Strawberry chunks and syrup added to the classic taho, this popular street snack is widely available in any of the city’s parks – Burnham Park, Mines View Park, Wright Park, Botanical Garden, etc. – for P15 to P20 a cup.
Patatim, Rose Bowl
Nearly everyone’s family has a Chinese restaurant they always go to. In Baguio, that restaurant would be Rose Bowl. Rose Bowl is home-grown and started out as “Rice Bowl” back in 1945. Patatim is the dish we think best represents the restaurant. This hearty dish comes with lean meat in brown soup with a side of kangkung that's perfect for sharing with family.
Bulalo steak, sage
One of Baguio’s young but reputable restaurants in the city is a quaint restaurant named Sage. Sage offers classic fusion dishes with a twist. The Bulalo Steak is one prime example.
When one speaks of bulalo, it’s all about the bone marrow and its soup. Sage takes away the latter and substitutes it for a creamy sauce with gravy on the side which further enhances the bulalo flavor we all have come to love. Yes, it’s different but still manages to hit so close to home.
Hot Chocolate, Choco-Late de Batirol
Some say a trip to Baguio would not be complete without visitng Choco-Late de Batirol at least once. This rustic restaurant tucked in a quiet area of Camp John Hay. The traditional hot chocolate is a perfect treat to Baguio's cold weather, instantly warming the body with its signature sweet and distinct taste.
Message In A Bottle, Baguio Craft Brewery
Baguio’s finest craft beer is the perfect way to cap off the list. At the outskirts of the city is Baguio Craft Brewery. They have 21 craft beer taps and are known for their use of fresh local ingredients and uniquely-produced, handcrafted beers.
They have notable beers like the Message in a Bottle which is a dark India Pale Aleand the Lagud, a sweet strawberry beer you'll be craving for long after your Baguio trip has ended.Major Industries
Beneath the mountains of Benguet lies treasures of gold, copper, limestone and pyrite. Approximately 6,227,565 metric tons of primary gold ore and 897,551,435 metrioc tons of primary copper are in Benguet. The discovery of gold in the province led to the goldrush in the 1930's and the birth of the mining communities. Today, three large mining companies, Benguet Corporation, Philex Mining and Lepanto Mining Corporation are operating in Benguet. The mining firms contribute to about 98% of the province's export revenue. Added to the mining and vegetable farming, manufacturing is likewise a major economic activity in the province. Loom weaving which is a traditional art has been transformed into a major industry and ranks as one of the top exports of the province. Knitting, fruit processing, bamboo craft, metal craft, wood carving, and tigergrass craft are just some of the industries currently found in Benguet. However, based on resources, the province holds great potentials for ore processing, silk fibercraft, rootcraft processing, mushroom processing and strawberry processing.
Source of Livelihood
Agriculture has been the traditional source of employment for most of the people in Benguet. Vegetable farming, cattle raising, poultry and flower-raising, provide employment for the province and its neighboring provinces. Benguet is popularly known as the "Salad Bowl" of the Philippines because virtually every type of vegetable used in salads is produced here. But of late, the title "Strawberry Country" has been added. Various species of luscious strawberries, a rarity in the tropics, are now being raised in Benguet. While the province is a leading producer of Baguio vegetables, it also has potential for growing oranges, pears and other temperate fruits.
The main language spoken is Ilocano, but other languages include English, Tagalog and Chinese, as well as some other native dialects such as Kankana-ey, Ibaloi, Ifugao, Kapampangan, and Pangasinan. People who live in Baguio are from all over the Philippines and other parts of Asia. There is also a relatively large population of Indians who migrated from India
Traditions and Beliefs
The languages commonly spoken in Baguio are Ibaloi, Kankana-ey and Ifugao, as well as Ilocano, Pangasinan and Kapampangan. Filipino and English are also understood by many inhabitants within and around the city. Several restaurants also serve different types of local and foreign foods. The Culture and trasdition of a place is a reflection of its society. The culture and tradition of Baguio is fascinating and captivating. It tells us about the people of the place, their lifestyle and their beliefs. Observing the culture of Baguio gives you a fair idea about the traditions and practices that are still followed by the locals. The festivals, the events, the attractions, all reflect the culture of Baguio in one way or the other. The locals have a fairly high standard of living and are quite well-off in addition to being friendly towards tourists. Communication with the older people, though, might be a little difficult as they mostly speak their native language. The younger crowd, educated in the English language, is more approachable.
Religion
Predominantly Roman Catholic representing about 73 %. Other Christian, groups include Baptist, Methodist. Other religions are Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, Iglesia Ni Cristo, Presbyterian, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-day Adventist as well as Muslims.
Festivals
Adivay Festival, Strawberry Festival
Attractions
Panagbenga Park,Tam-awan Village,Strawberry Farm,Camp John hay,Teacher’s Camp,Botanical Garden,The Mansion,Wright Park,Mines View Park,Burnham park,Baguio Cathedral,Session Road,Lion's Head,Our Lady of Lourdes Grott,Good Shepherd Convent,tree top Adventure Baguio,Baguio Botanical Garden,Bell church,Chocolate de Batirol,Bell House,Dominican Hill Retreat Hotel,Baguio Night Market,Pink sister's Convent and chapel,Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary,Bencab Museum,Baguio Orchidarium,Baguio City Public Market,Cemetery of Negativim,Malcolm Square,Laperal white house,camp John hay Eco-Trail,Harrison Road Night Market,Sunshine Park,Emilio F. Aguinaldo Museum,Baguio Museum,Museum Cordillerano,Butterfly Sanctuary,St.Joseph the worker parish church,the Mansion House, BellAmphitheater,immaculate Conception church,Kennon Road Viewpoint,Bguio country club christmas Village,Botanical garden,jadewell skate Park,Green Valley country club,lgorot park,Butterfly sanctuary,Pool of pines
Getting There
The province is accessible by landtransport via the following entry points: from Pangasinan through Kennon Road;La Union through either Marcos Highway at Rosario or Naguilian Road at Naguilian; Mountain Province through the Halsema Highway; Nueva Vizcaya, through the Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road; and Ilocos, through the Abatan-Mankayan-Cervantes Road. These road networks converge in Baguio City, the center of trade and commerce in the province.
Seaports and Airports
An airport at Lepanto, Mankayan is used privately by a mining company.
