Congratulations, Mayor Bautista!
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?
- Most visitors were just plain SHOCKED at Domogan’s flyover. Even THEY know there’s no traffic at the BGH Rotunda. And when I tell them that he managed to find the funds to complete it before the clamor to cut our losses and tear it down comes to fruition, they asked WHERE he FOUND the money? I said, well, if rumors are true that Farm-to-Market Road Funds were appropriated for its completion, then please know that Congressman Domogan is directly responsible for the high cost of vegetables henceforth.
- Most complained about Burnham Park, how dirty and congested it was. About the jeepneys and the pollution. In fact, I did hear the word ugly thrown around a lot or “Pumangit na ang Baguio.” Would you believe so many actually wanted to go boating so the first place they headed for was Burnham? Oo nga naman, where else can you row a boat in the Philippines? Of course not as many wanted to bike as you can bike anywhere or even skate. Manila even has ice skating rinks. Imagine their reaction when I told them that Pinky Rondez et al are planning to erect a palengke (market) on Burnham?!
- Burnham on November 30 was full of illegal peddlers, including those offering manicure/pedicure, even gupit (haircut), there were cheap wares laid out on blankets in the sidewalks. Folks could even sleep there overnight in their cars!
- Most wanted to flee to Camp John Hay — “Doon nalang ang maganda“
- A lot were wondering what it was about the garbage so I explained that Peter Rey timed his order just when visitors were arriving last October (and without an information drive); that the no segregation-no collection now is merely NO COLLECTION. They mayor did not even have the decency to cause the garbage to be picked up if just for this long and traditionally popular weekend.
- Sunstar is already bringing up the meninggococcemia scare once again in the same article linked above– talk about responsible journalism!
- Of course the visitors don’t care as much as the Baguio folk do about theP20.5M for the ‘car plan’ for the Baguio elected officials. Only the Baguio folk are crying foul because they begrudge the officials a new car (but they don’t much concern themselves with the evil plans for Botanical Garden, Burnham Park, Satellite Markets, and Baguio tourism and environment in general).
- Baguio visitors simply care about the environment, and clean air and greenery. After all, they did travel 240km and 4-7 hours to get here and what do they see? Cement! Landry! Garbage! Traffic! Parked Jeepneys! Some were even laughing at the Divisoria items being peddled to them at Burham Park (that IS laughable). In fact, they were even comparing the Central Business District to Recto in Manila, of all places (that IS ‘cryable’)!
So now, the narrow-minded and all those ignorant of the benefits and massive income that tourism brings to the majority of Baguio residents, directly and indirectly, will scream, “E di huwag silang bumalik!” Duh!
Peter Rey, your move to ruin tourism in Baguio is working, honey! Congratulations!
hi lisa,
beautiful analytical piece in the slow by slow (kasla pinikpikan) decapitation and death of the Baguio we love.The place to go to in the yesteryears, before invaders who do not care came and lorded it over. Continue to wake up the sensibilities of the people who love Baguio.
And to all Baguio boys and girls who may be far yet so near, connect and express your thoughts so the BAGUIO spirit will live on. You may have left Baguio, but we know you do love it. So encourage us to go on LOVING BAGUIO lest we get sick to our guts and find sanity and say we are LEAVING it too. Again we say to all the residents of Baguio, LOVE BAGUIO or LEAVE BAGUIO. Lets us care as we cared, be kind as it is kind to us and let us abide in the laws that were instituted to protect the city we love. No to lawlessness and wickedness. Yes to caring and sharing, the Baguio spirit lives on…..
Hi lisa,
by the way i am in Naga City and i have observed why it is an ISO certified city. They have a system that works as executed by its leaders and they have a people who care and share the responsibility of citizenship and governance. No heaping basuras, no littering, no jaywalking and a criminal free environment (just learned that the protectors of the syndicates have been sacked and disarmed by a strong-willed and GOD fearing police leadership)people are smiling and seem content to what they have. A sense of hope and achievement can be felt and it is booming as they have a Governor who is tourism oriented who built the CAMSUR WATERSPORTS COMPLEX and this city is teeming with both local and foreign visitors who abide by the law because the residents are the foremost implementors, meaning no wrong moves and actions to imitate. GALING! Envious and frustrated for the baguio we love.Together we can amke a difference, so lets move on. Sulong mga lahi at kadugo ni Bonifacio.
hello lisa,
a niece came up for the 3-day weekend with 3 of her colleages. stayed at a hotel. they were in luck because of the cold temperature, brrr, and the fine weather.
and this was her text sunday morning before going back to manila. “thanks tito.
ayaw na namin umuwi. hehehe see you in three weeks :)”
as you can see it’s the weather, the mountains, the pine trees that make the difference. not the man-made distractions.
Hi Voltaire,
Yup, they do say that Bicol these days is sooo warm and tourist-friendly!
Baguio can regain its premiere position as tourist destination if we put our minds and hearts into healing her.
Yup Resty,
Baguio is the sum of all things — environment, events, enthusiasm of visitors and residents. Folks are sooo willing to visit us. We just have to keep a clean house.
I spent all weekend explaining things away to all and sundry, suddenly so defensive about the place I have always been very proud of!
Two ladies were being dissuaded by a relative from coming up — ‘polluted, overpopulated, ugly na’ but by the time of their departure, they exclaimed, ‘We enjoyed ourselves very much — the trip was worth it!’ but I still have to say, that was no thanks to the local government but to the dedicated folks here who made it a point to show them an extra good time!
And thank goodness it was freezing this weekend! Folks loved the chill! Weather cooperated!
Another, who attended a book launching and heard the mayor’s speech at the Baguio Country Club said, “Your mayor went on and on about his plans for education and awareness and bored us all!” Of course they were witness to the garbage issue and he did not hold any credibility therefore. She actually said, “I hate him already!”
Hahaha! Good thing she’s not a Baguio voter!
I really laughed the first time I read that Sunstar article. Great job in pointing out the silliness of it.
Didn’t know that Domogan is taking funds away from where it’s needed to continue building his foolish monument. Another reason to dislike him.
I’m on Mountain View cable and I still have to see the mayor being interviewed on one of their local programs or maybe I missed some? In the meantime, our vice-mayor is doing a good job pinch hitting for the mayor.
Yup, Resty, Danny Farinas is all over the news, especially print media. I suppose because Peter Rey has been receiving a lot of flak, or Farinas is hoping to be mayor in 2010 and has to make his moves because there’s Domogan to contend with.
Honestly, I’m tired of these people. They tackle the most mundane issues, love talking and planning and Baguio remains, for me, still very uglified.