You may have noticed how silent this blog has been for the past two weeks, and may think me a terrible blogger! I’ve been quiet because I’ve been looking for something nice about Baguio to write about (of course there are two restaurant features in the wings that require more research). “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything” applies to Baguio and me these days.
However, I did find this unfinished July 2007 post that was held in abeyance pending more urgent (political) matters. And I felt its release for those visiting Baguio this Christmas season very timely. Here goes…
Why Riding a Cab in Baguio is a Very Pleasant Experience
The taxi service Baguio is pretty good. I wouldn’t say exceptional, like the ones in Singapore, but nevertheless way better than Manila’s, for the following reasons:
1. The taxi drivers give you the exact change. Read More…
Politicians have been calling for the development of the Baguio La Trinidad Itogon Sablan Tuba areas (BLIST) for a Metro Baguio, but they are proposing only residential communities there. All big business is still concentrated in the Central Business District — and I’m not talking about hotels and restaurants.
Baguio Schools Must Move Out of the Center of Town
The big businesses that contribute greatly to the congestion of Baguio would be the schools, with small campuses relative to their extra-large populations. The students have to be transported, fed and housed on a daily basis. Thus all auxiliary services such as carinderias, dormitories, copy centers, school supply stores, internet gaming shops will mushroom all around the schools. Read More…
We had as very special guests last weekend Adarna House, a publishing company based in Metro Manila, Philippines — my neighbors in Quezon City actually — who were launching for a Baguio civic organization a wonderfully written and illustrated children’s story that had as its subject child abuse.
I met Ghani Madueno, the illustrator of the book and I was instrigued, “You illustrated child abuse in a children’s book! How?!” and sorry that I missed the book launching (’twas a busy, busy weekend) … Read More…
Today’s headlines are shouting: “Garbage Problems Did Not Dampen Arrival of Visitors - Official” This was at the close of November 30, a legal holiday in the Philippines, Revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio Day, the start of a long weekend.
Of course they would not affect ARRIVAL — no one but WE knew how bad things have been the past two months. But thanks to the heavy influx of visitors, now THEY know how dirty Baguio is these days. And thanks to blogging, I would not be surprised if more photos of UGLY BAGUIO will be posted in the next few days.
Question is: Will they RETURN? And how many people will they COMPLAIN to, whose decisions to come up will be affected? Read More…
One should not stop at calling attention to the deplorable current state of affairs in Baguio. I am sure that Baguio residents, current and past have many desires for a better life, that starts with a better natural environment that leads to a better economy for all.
How many persons are there currently living in Baguio who have seen this city at its peak in the 70s and 80s? And how many of them know the ‘old formula for success?’ Not very many. A lot have migrated to other lands. We are left with those who have sought political office for personal gain, like million-peso cars while others languish and starve. Read More…
