Listening to You
Regular readers may notice this but I have not been coming up with articles in recent days. However, I do publish comments and respond to them daily.
This is my exercise at ‘listening’ to you.
This site has 142 posts and 37 drafts in about 18 months. A lot of the features still stand, a lot of the problems/situations still exist. A lot of the recommendations and suggestions are still valid.
This blog was first created to feature Baguio in depth, then it morphed to explaining away “garbage,” “ukay-ukay,” “koreans,” “the quality of education in our schools,” “threats to Burnham Park,” etc. But now it is time to work offline as much as online, so instead of complaining, it is my turn now to listen to what you think about these issues.
Of course I will be writing again soon (come on — there’ll probably be something I feel strongly about tomorrow). Just know that I am here everyday, listening to what you have to say.
We just...
as pilita corrales would sing it…a million thanks…to you lisa for your great blog. for giving us a spot to share our feelings for baguio, whether it be positive or negative.
Hi, Lisa!
I think I’m the most frequent visitor to you offline, huh? hehehe!
And I learn a lot from you, too!
Hi Resty & Marie,
Thank you for being so supportive of Baguio initiatives and this blog. Most important, your feedbacks are (phrasing like Yoda because I am in a weird mood today).
Love you guys!
Hi Lisa,
As much as I enjoy listening to you… thank you for intently listening to me too and most specially understanding and caring.
Lisa,
Much thanks to you!!! ingat po lagi and smile lagi
Hi Lisa,
I visit your sites a lot, but didn’t think my comment would have an impact. You are doing a good job, though, for the city of Baguio. Lived there about 18 years of my life, I love Baguio. It’s one of the best place to live in my opinion, and it’s too bad that she has lost the pine scent, years ago.
One thing bothers me, just a little bit. In one of you sites, you have a tiny paid advertisement for SEXY FILIPINAs meeting/dating site….I just wish they don’t advertise Pinays just as sexy not as intelligent, loving and family oriented. Maybe, you should start a site…
Keep up the good work.
Hi Lisa,
Googled for old Baguio pictures last night as I was felling homesick. It must have been the chesire cat’s grin moon that made me reflect on my childhood. I’ve spent the first 17 years of my life in Baguio, went through the whole earthquake experience but had to go to Ateneo for college and never really went back home to the city of pines.
I read until page 13 of your site and was sick with how the Baguio politicians are acting. I did not sleep a wink. Memories of Baguio came flooding in: church events at CJH (my parent’s church were affiliated with bible belt texans so we always had access), weather so cold that us kids wore thick woolen frogsuits to bed, trekking up to Ketchup Mountain after school just for kicks (ditto the white and red trails at John Hay), scouting camps at Scout Hill, food (Rose Bowl, Dainty, Sunshine Lunch, Star Cafe, Sizzling Plate, Swiss Baker, that pizza place on session road when it was still small, tom sawyer’s, la azotea, coney island), picnics at burnham park and the children’s playground, pony rides, share a joy brown bags every Christmas, Baguio Arts Guild (I was a member during Eric’s presidency), etc.
Baguio was not always complacent and mediocre. I think we regressed after the earthquake. Every development was welcome then and that set the tone for unabated “development”. Politicians found anew source of income with unnecessary public infrastructure, the residents lost fire in being pro active in the city’s affairs.
Baguio has overstreched its population limit. Yes we have excellent schools (both public and private) but manageable student populations was a key factor. The diploma mills are not helping the city at all. I say put a cap on the populations of these schools then the city can breathe a little. Don’t issue new building permits. Land on fault lines should be turned green ( ditto for the condemned building on session road and the burnham park area).
I miss Baguio terribly and consider myself to be a true Baguio kid. Although I don’t have Igorot roots, I am so proud to be from Baguio that I wore a Bahag when I accepted my Dean’s Award for the Arts in Ateneo.
Thank you for blogging about Baguio and also for all the offline work your doing. Same for your PAGASA workshop with Nic Perlas (whom I met several times in the Civil Society circles when I was working as an Assitstant to Fr. Tito back pre, during and post EDSA II). All the best to you.
Posted from the Swiss Boondocks.
Hi May!
A blog is like a forum where the threads (topics) are started by the blogger so expect a lively discussion even on the insights by the commenters, which is one thing I appreciate about this medium, by the way.
As for “In one of you sites, you have a tiny paid advertisement for SEXY FILIPINAs meeting/dating site…” I did not notice that particular ad. Google sends over contextual ads based on keywords. Maybe it picked up the word ‘philippines’ instead of ‘baguio’ at one point. I will watch for this ad and block it when I see it, don’t worry.
“Baguio was not always complacent and mediocre. I think we regressed after the earthquake. Every development was welcome then and that set the tone for unabated “development”. Politicians found anew source of income with unnecessary public infrastructure, the residents lost fire in being pro active in the city’s affairs.”
Hi Edwin from the Swiss Boondocks,
Baguio was always classy, and serene. I miss that. None of the good that was done during the post-earthquake years had any long-lasting effects as there were more selfish people running things than generous ones.
But the Philippines is slowly waking up — the masses have realized that voting for movie heroes, for example, has not made their lives better.
Things have gotten so bad that many of us are now doing deeper into ourselves to find solutions to problems that used to be overwhelming. Thanks to Nicky Perlas (wonderful, wonderful man) and PAGASA, folks are feeling less helpless and hopeless.
Sleep better, friend, all is not lost yet. We will find a way out of this hole we have dug for ourselves.
Enjoy your cold!
you have been listening too long. Time to wake up the people again with your insights. You must be working on something really heavy. For your information, a trial run for the casino was done for ten (10) days at the Camp John Hay, but Sobrepena Bob did not approve of it considering that it is one of the conditionalities imposed by the City and that they took into consideration the flak they may receive as they have not been paying up Baguio’s share for the longest time.Heard a lot about the sob stories of Baguio people losing a fortune in their daily forays to the casino in La Union. Kawawa naman sila.Maybe you can write a piece on this.he,he. miss your insights so start writing again. see you and GOD bless you exceeedingly, abundantly!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Volataire!
Am looking for something new to write about, something positive, and finding none, am riding it out so we do not turn visitors off. Hahaha!
As for a casino, I am not against it. Everyone can complain how it destroys families — it’s not the casinos that destroy, it’s the gamblers.
When Hyatt Casino was still operating before the earthquake, foreign tourists came to Baguio. And yet, Baguio was safe, fun and still wholesome then.
The casino at Poro Point is full of Baguio residents, and that’s just 30 minutes away. With the Baguio traffic, a casino in Camp John Hay will be 20 minutes away.
Hahaha. Ok, maybe I have enough points to write about.
Thanks!
Lisa on May 9th, 2008 at 2:07 am Said:
“Baguio was not always complacent and mediocre. I think we regressed after the earthquake. Every development was welcome then and that set the tone for unabated “development”. Politicians found anew source of income with unnecessary public infrastructure, the residents lost fire in being pro active in the city’s affairs.”
Lisa, you’re so right about this. In our haste to get back on our feet after the earthquake, we lost focus and just rushed into everything. So here we are, for me at least, am asking “wha happen?”
Hi Lisa! Hi Grace! Hi Marie! Hi Voltaire!
You guys coming down for the forum?
Sorry OT.
Dale
Hi Lisa!
The summer is almost over and my family has yet to go up.. huhu. I terribly miss Baguio, my mom, my friends, the cool weather (compared to Manila ‘no!). My driver (aka husband) is too busy. I (aka assistant driver), on the other hand, am too chicken to take on Kennon or Marcos hiway!
No matter what negative things people say about Baguio, if one has roots there, she will always yearn to go back.
The corruption, apathy, uglification are disappointing. But reading about your PAGASA workshops shows there’s hope. Good luck and may the Pagasa group multiply. Send my hellos to Eric P, we were friends back in college.
Chats
Hi Dale,
I’m sorry I was unable to go to the forum — high season for me up here, but Marie went down! Will join the SAGADA Pagasa Workshop in July — for sure — tatawid ako!
Hi Chat,
There are PAGASA workshops in Manila — they’re actually fantastic! Anywhere you may be located you can help the Philippines (and Baguio, too, of course).
See their schedules at http://www.pagasa.net.ph and you will learn a lot. PAGASA is an assembly of GOOD PEOPLE!
Will tell Eric P. you said hi!
Hi Lisa,
How is the peace and order situation up there ? There’s been a spate of brutal bank robberies here lately, the most bloody involving a sister company of the institution where I work. 10 dead, all shot in the head in cold-blood, at close range.The killers made sure there would be no surviving witnesses.
I’m spooked, and I thought I was a person who doesn’t spook easily.
Take care, ol’ buddy.
Butch
Hi Butch,
We just got hit by a freaky typhoon (or were there 2) in mid-May and I just got online again.
The crimes here are not as violent — a lot of drunken brawls (few get jailed for physical injuries), illegal gambling (i think that gambling should be legalized — it’s like playing the stock market, in my opinion), theft (cellphones mostly), a whole lot of estafa and bouncing checks.
I heard about the news in Laguna. Inside job, you think? Brazen, too! For 3 million pesos?!!! Naman! It’s upsetting, and since we had power outages for more than 24 hours, we were not able to get any updates either.
That should get bank security, and security in general beefed up all over the country.
Here we have had about 6 or 7 major fires in succession — that should get the mayor’s office looking into fire and public safety issues, too.
See ya!
I miss Baguio so much. I wanna go back to this place.. Tnx for ur blog Lisa, they keep us updated with what’s happening to Baguio. Can you please post something about the new call centers in Baguio City?
Tnx so much Lisa.
Somehow, the mayor has not that been visible lately on local tv, unlike before. It’s either the vice-mayor or the city admin appearing and answering the questions. Maybe it’s the load of being mayor, but whatever, I’m sure we all wish him well, Lisa.
I know a song it goes this way..
“Hey now you’re an All Star, get your game on – go play
Hey now you’re a Rock Star, get the show on – get paid
And all that glitters is gold
Only shooting stars break the mold”
Time to write? dear writer??
Hi Lisa,
Re-your comment on the RCBC bank robbery. It was probably an inside job. The likely cohorts are former or present guards. RCBC changed security agencies less than a year ago. The security camera conked out (or was disabled) a week or so before the rob. Per a friend who banked there, the branch even had a dog out back. The dog mysteriously disappeared shortly before the robbery.
It is a terrible tragedy and the families are just shattered.
Indeed, life is transitory, mysterious and sometimes tragic, as you well know.
As it turns out, the lack of parking space in Baguio has an unexpected benefit, in that you hardly need to physically go to your bank to transact.
Who would have thunk it ? Urban congestion may be good for you.
But the unusual number of fires in Baguio are worrisome, specially since there’s a perennial lack of water there. Saw your pics on the UB fire.That was a major one. I don’t remember there being that many in a short period. I hope the good (?) mayor looks into it.
My family are Baguio immigrant from Navotas and malabon,during the Japanese occupation, I was born and raised there and as a young boy I have a vivid memories of how Baguio looks like then.The chilly weather(most of the Baguioans wore long sleeves shirts or sweater) and crisp pine scented air fills the atmosphere, my childhood friends sometimes skipped our class,he he he, to go for a swim on its clean and sparkling streams,catch frogs, gold fish or Japanese eels(do you still hear frogs croaking in the neighborhood at night this days?).Late in the afternoon the entire city was filled with fogs, and after the ‘oracion”which was a part of Baguioans traditions that we religiously respect, few people venture out as it is cold and rainy, and yes, there is no mosquito, dengue was never been heard of.Why am I so nostalgic is because of how our politician from the lardizabal era to this days,manages the city.We can no longer get back our city as it was,but at least we can still make it a good place to raise a family and retire.
Hi Adie,
Thanks for liking the site. As for the call centers, I will probably be featuring them at http://www.gobaguio.com, probably in the business directory. The reason you don’t see me writing about it here is because I really want to encourage my countrymen to be more creative and learn a trade and not settle to become telephone operators, technical support or promotional peopkle with an American accent.
Hi Resty,
The mayor has been travelling — Canada, Palawan, etc. He actually started making Danny Farinas his mouthpiece months ago, when things got hot.
I do wish him well, for his success is Baguio’s success — if he would only put Baguio’s interests above those of his family business…
Hi Dan, here I am again.
Hi Butch,
The absence of aprking is awful because one does not feel physically safe withdrawing or depositing, with so many stranger-residents currently living in the city. Easy for pickpockets to blend in, too, with the current dressing down tremendously (I am one of them by now).
Until a few years ago, hats, scarves, coats… You dress up well now, you become a target.
Hi Edgar,
Actually Baguio is very pretty still, exccept that we have allowed shanties and vehicles to cover up the natural beauty of the place. I don’t know — have we raised generations of people who do not appreciate trees?
I remember New York in the early 1980s looking so dark and unsafe. Singapore was the same. Look at them now! Why can’t wouldn’t we be able to get the Baguio we like back?
Honestly, with political will, we can get our city pretty and classy again, if the people here wake up and decide they cannot live with ugliness.
err..I mean..lardizabal era these days
lisa, This is what I can’t understand Why can’t the city government spend a meager amount and paint the City Market buildings as well as the building along Kayang St.,Magsaysay Ave. and session Rd.Or at least encourage if not intimidate the building owners to paint and clean up their buildings is that not a good start?
Ei tnx Lisa! You’ve made me realize something with what you’ve said.. “I really want to encourage my countrymen to be more creative and learn a trade and not settle to become telephone operators, technical support or promotional people with an American accent.”..
I will probably go back to Baguio real soon, Im just fixing things. And you’re right, cost of living there is way too low than here in Manila.
Hi Edgar,
I think it’s because of the paradignm shift from tourism to education. I don’t think thc city fathers, led by the mayor, think that the students and residents deserve beauty.
Honestly, with all the air, noise and visual pollution allowed in Baguio, I am wont to believe they just don’t care or love the city.
And as a businessman, when your puesto is beautiful, folks think it’s expensive, so one’s tendency is to keep the puesto squatter-like.
Plus the city does not give tax incentives for beautification. And I can go on and on.
But what can a resident do? Beautify first their homes, then their little corner of the city and CONTAMINATE everyone with beauty and order!
Ei Adie!
There’s so much of life to explore. If you’re passionate about something, it’s easy to excel, then you grow yourself into a profession or calling.
I’m glad you’re encouraged! Good luck to you!
kapatid sa pagasa. pakikinig nga ba ang tunay na dahilan o ang pagbaba (ng konti) ng gana dahil ang mga hinaing natin ay imbis na mabigyan ng kaganapan ay bagkos dumadami pa. Kasama yan sa proseso ng pakikibaka at syempre ng buhay – ang taas at baba. Naway, sa iyong pakikinig ay bumalik na ang gana na puspos upang harapin ulit ang mga kaganapan sa ating mailiit na bayan ng Baguio. Alalahanin mo kapatid, ang Pagasa ng buhay. Ingat palagi
Francis, kapatid, katulad ng aking isinulat, nang binasa ko ang mga naisulat ko, walang pagkakaibang nagaganap, at kakaunting kabutihan ang naidudulot ng paghihinaing.
Ang pagpapatuloy ng pagsusulat ay mahalaga, ngunit mas mahalaga ang pagsulong sa labas ng internet (yamang wala namang naidudulot na kabutian ang aking madalas na paghihinaing).
At baka rin masyado kong pinakikinggan ang AKING boses, at hindi ang mga kagustuhan ng mga nagbabasa nito, kaya naisip ko na kayo naman ang magsalita.
Ang pagmamahal sa bayan, sa Baguio at sa kapwa ay hindi pumapanaw. Ngunit wala tayong magagawa kapag nag-iisa lamang. Kailangan magtrabaho nang kasama ang marami. Hindi ko sila natatagpuan sa loob ng internet. Silang lahat ay nakatira sa Baguio at kailangang gisingin, bumangon at magparamdam.
I am sorry to tell you that Baguio is ugly in many parts. The many many wired that are strung accross the roads and houses make it look more like some places in India. A bad look. If you care about the look of Baguio put your wires underground.
Oh yes, John, I so agree!
Considering they have dug up the streets many times for (sometimes unnecessary) “repairs,” and considering that every time it drizzles, the power company shuts off all electricity as a “preventive” measure, Baguio should really bury the power lines.
Personally, I am aghast at how so many people have been allowed to build unsightly structures all over the city.
And sadly, I see no improvement in the future the way things are going.
Ate,
I really really appreciate all your articles. I love them.
I never imagined I’d love something that contains horrible and unnerving things. Yes, it didn’t make me feel any good after reading ANY of the topics here. BUT it made me aware, concerned, and mature enough to accept that these is the reality that’s happening. And instead of doing my very best to ignore them, I’m thinking something that I can do to help in eliminating these cancers in Baguio. All that I’ve managed to do up to this point was to spread these site to my friends and college contacts- both living in Baguio and not. I was thinking: “If I can’t do anything to directly help, at least I should help open the eyes of those people that might be able to help and if not then at least help them be aware of the reality that we are breathing”. No matter how much I wanted to help regarding the problems I’m sad to share that I can’t because I’m being restrained by my own limits.
I have been slapped hard enough with the truths in your topics. So hard that I’ve been awaken. Awaken to face, understand these problems.
I can’t thank you enough Ate Lisa.
- a concerned Filipino, resident of Baguio and studying in SLU
Mr. Baguio,
It pained me to take this path — if you have had a chance to peruse my primary website http://www.gobaguio.com, you will perhaps glean the great love I have for this home of ours.
But in pretending that all is right with this world, we are actually helping destroy it. Should you have any concerns with school and life, drop me a note and let’s see what we can do.
Lastly, know that you are powerful. You can do things directly to help. Everybody can. Awakening is the first step towards recovery, then we hold hands and say, “Enough of this!” “This is what we want!” “What is good for the environment is good for man!” “The lazy, greedy, selfish and inept have no place in our world!”
Believe me when I say the students, by their sheer number in Baguio should be a force to be contended with. You should demand better education, teachers, facilities, campuses. You should feel safe, fair treatment for all. You are entitled to everything good in this world! Your creativity should not be suppressed. Your individuality must shine through. You should not be turned into mindless robots, or raised to be breadwinners for your parents and the whole clan. You are entitled to pursue your dreams. We all have a destiny to fulfill!
here’s another concern if you let me pls. So when do Fil-State ( John Hay Developer ) start paying the city of Baguio for rent, lease etc.etc.
They charge penalty fees for delingquent members on their monthly dues. why can’t the city of Baguio do the same.
people of Baguio listen up it’s time to unite and get on thier case
Lisa, since school started, I was thinking traffic wasn’t that bad at all. As a pedestrian and motorist, the newly painted lanes help a lot. That plan of vice mayor Farinas to turn Forbes Park into a camping area is great. A bit of lessening the shrubbery, more of grass and just pine trees and walking trails should be good for the place.
Oh Bondying,
I don’t think Fil-Estate has plans of paying up — they have been stalling via lawsuits where they allege that the original terms of their contract have not been met — i.e. special economic zone status. Neither does the government plan on pursuing the collection, it seems. Private pockets being lined for this inaction, you think?
Now, legally, they can enforce their sanctions for their lessees non-payment. Their nonpayment does not make their contracts with their lessees invalid.
Hi Resty,
Been away for 3 weeks now so thanks for your observation about the traffic. As for any plan to keep parts of Baguio as natural as possible I am all for it, too!
Lisa, i get it, one reason why traffic seems much lighter is because the number coding is back. As we can see, it is a great help is easing traffic compared to the weekends when it is not in force.
Hi Lisa, here’s another news link and I totally agree with the mayor on this:
http://www.baguiocity.com/index.php?cmd=news&item=4702®ion=9&cat=1
…hopefully it can be enforced and sustained.
i was born, raised and schooled in baguio. and then i left the city of pines for metro manila two decades ago. the thing about growing up in baguio is the sense of place is indelibly written in the mind. as i’ve seen here and in other websites, many people cherish the memory of their youth in baguio, often to the most romantic heights. seems the place inspires that kind of nostalgia in former residents more than most cities in the philippines. the sad thing is the consensus that baguio is on the downward slide to urban wastelandia. you are right, the inability of residents to give back to their community bears down on the quality of life. maybe people have to be given ideas and options on how to give back. a civic renewal is called for on all fronts (education, health and sanitation, urban planning, environment, etc.) to complement/counteract the woeful political inaction or misdirection.
Hi Resty,
In my experience, traffic gets heavy on weekends also because folks do not have a set route or routine — they’re just going off in all directions. Also during workdays and schooldays, folks stay within their schools and offices for many hours.
Hiya Ferdi,
Hard to find familiar faces in the huge crowds — everyone in Baguio is so anonymous and everyone dresses the same (badly, I would say, including myself). I would say that Baguio now is lacking in generosity, mimicking only the environmental degradation part of being a highly urbanized city. These people think that tarpaulin on a pole is prettier than a pine tree. Then they call it progress. Sigh…
Greed is the root of this evil, dear Ferdi. Greed coupled with incompetence, too. Double whammy!
musta ulit kapatid?
gusto ko lang makibalita tungkol sa kaganapan o walang kaganapan sa PAGASA (Baguio initiative).sa totoo lang ay nanghihinayang ako at di natin nagawa yung 2nd PAGASA activity para magplano, buhayin, alalayan ang pagsasakaturparan ng mga nabanggit nating gawain. pero, dasal ko pa rin ay matuloy ang 2nd module. pakibalitaan na lang ako sa email add ko. maraming salamat.
hello lisa, just bought some items from mercury drugstore at center mall and they now follow the number system of attending to their customers. dennis pharmacy at sunshine started this numbering system and it had to take an ordinance to have other drugstores follow suit. good news for consumers, first come first serve.
Baguio Day is just around the corner. Hope a solution to our garbage crisis will be solved by then. I think this problem caught us flat-footed. I don’t ever recall the past mayors or our present mayor warning us about an impending garbage problem. All we were talking about was jadewell, flyovers, garbage segregation, and then booom! no dumpsite for the garbage.
Hiya Resty & Resty,
How funny that some business people do not simplify matters and put customer comfort at the forefront of their operations. Mercury has always, in my opinion, been pretty inefficient as far a buying medicine from their counter is concerned.
Thanks for letting us know that they have changed the system — even if I am upset that the government encroaches upon procedural business matters that they have no business getting into.
And about your garbage crisis, well, one of the causes for Baguio’s garbage problem is overpopulation, and overpopulation is caused by the schools, and the powers that be in Baguio make oodles and oodles from the luvcrative business of granting diplomas. Doesn’t logic dictate that they should maybe provide for the dunpsite themselves, on their account?
I am tired of having to suffer the man-made dilemmas of the city.
…and Lisa, may I add the migration to Baguio contributing to the overpopulation. Baguio is bursting at the seams.
Let’s see, Resty, who are the migrants?
Ah, No 1. about 40,000 – 50,000 students from the lowlands who end up living here, coming or college. Divide that by 4 years of college, about 10,000 new student residents per year.
No. 2. Teachers who come up with their whole families — Baguio could not have produced in all the years the schools have been existing enough teachers for about 150,000 students.
No 2, Illegal vendors, numbers unknown. Cheaper to squat in Baguio, dearie.
Then there are businessmen like me. Bringing a few millions to invest in the city, creating new jobs. People like me get a lot of bull for permits, taxes, etc. A totally antagonistic attitude from Baguio, which does not really like investors, just the kind that will provide mass employment of the masses of graduates, like call centers. Because the powers that be graduate too many people from their diploma mills.
No 1 and No 3 tend to reproduce and create more babies. Ask a lot of the youth post earthquake — all Baguio born with a sense of entitlement.
Hahaha.
Now you ask, how do we control migration? Make it expensive to live hear. FOr all of Baguio’s beauty, it so friggin’ cheap!
Hi Lisa!
Inspirational and moving are the words to describe the efforts of this site to bring to the people of Baguio the realities of various problems and dilemmas we are now facing as a community. I know we could only do that much. But we pray what we could do could offer us hope or the audacity to hope for a better Baguio.
Let me share to you a personal experience.
Last week, with the combined effort of the City Government through the City Mayor, POSD and the Permits and Licensing Division, our Barangay and the Baguio City Police Office, we were able to close the businesses of numerous bars operating without the necessary business permits in the Central Business District. These are establishments, particularly those operating in the Balisong Building along Assumption Road, just a stone’s throw away from Saint Louis School Center (SLSC) and Studio 59 at the Upper Mabini Street. All these establishments operate in violation of the City Ordinance, all of which are within the prohibited radius from schools to include the University of Baguio, SLSC, Saint Louis University, Mary Immaculate, Philippine Women’s University and others.
Some of these establishments are even known to be a haven for prostitution. Police records reveal that four (4) have died and more than fifty (50) have been stabbed, mugged and injured as a result of intoxication by the liquor served in these establishments. The most recent victim was stabbed on his way home last August 2, 2008. This is how gruesome and grotesque the situation is.
It is sad to note that the operation of the said nightspots along Assumption Road resumed a few days after their closure using an Order by the Court directing the owners of these establishments to first post the necessary bond to enable them to secure the Writ of Preliminary Mandatory Injunction (WPMI) they prayed for. Without complying with the Order of the Court particularly the posting of the necessary bond as a condition precedent to the issuance of the WPMI, these business establishments forcibly opened the doors previously sealed by the POSD and the Permits and Licensing Division. This is in blatant disregard of law and procedure. With the resumption of operations of these establishments, the peace and safety of our children and the community as a whole would again be at risk. What a pity!
As Punong Barangay, we can only do so much. The change we seek requires great struggle and sacrifice to overcome the evils that beset our community. In our quest, we have been subjected to a lot of criticism and threatened at times. However, with much courage, we continue to hope and pray that we may be able to achieve a safe, secure and better Baguio, the city we have always loved and proud of. May this be everybody’s call.
In the service of the community, I remain.
MICHAEL KARL C. FLORES, Punong Barangay, Kabayanihan Barangay, Baguio City
Hello Michael Karl C. Flores,
Good luck to you! That particular area is so congested that some folks think they can hide their shenanigans from the world through the sheer mass of bodies occupying the area!
If there’s anything we can do to help (i.e. discuss your particular issues, or write about them) just let me know…
“It is sad to note that the operation of the said nightspots along Assumption Road resumed a few days after their closure using an Order by the Court directing the owners of these establishments to first post the necessary bond to enable them to secure the Writ of Preliminary Mandatory Injunction (WPMI) they prayed for. Without complying with the Order of the Court particularly the posting of the necessary bond as a condition precedent to the issuance of the WPMI, these business establishments forcibly opened the doors previously sealed by the POSD and the Permits and Licensing Division. This is in blatant disregard of law and procedure. With the resumption of operations of these establishments, the peace and safety of our children and the community as a whole would again be at risk. What a pity!”
Ay apo talaga.
Hi Lisa, a number of old properties are up for sale along Navy Base, Outlook Drive and South Drive. Once these are sold and built upon, that’s byebye “sleepy” streets, welcome more traffic. Guess there is no way to stop the onslaught of the construction of buildings in the city. Right now, at the Tuding crossing, a government building is being built, too. Sana meron moratorium on the construction of hotels, condominiums, etc. muna.
hello lisa, i think generally, there are two types of baguioans: those who care and those who don’t care. and under those who don’t care are people who think the more jammed our traffic, the more polluted our air, the more buildings built wherever, be it in burnham, camp john hay, maybe even forbes park, etc.to them, these are signs of progress.
Hi Lisa,
I admire your initiatives and effort in saving our beloved Baguio. Thank you for coming up with this blog. It’s really great. Now I can update myself. Whenever i miss Baguio, i just google on this site. Keep it up!
Hi lisa, the left margin overlaps into the message space so the left side is partly covered and can hardly be read.
Hi Resty,
I checked the design in Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari and the design degrades pretty well. What browser are you using? Please try refreshing the page, changing your display setting… will see what else I can do. And thanks for telling me.
maganda ang baguio
haha nakakagulat! re-designed uli ang baguio insider. great!
Took me all day yesterday and all night and I am far from done! The last one was loading too slowly, plus this design will force me to organize categories and tags for better site navigation. Notice how I have to update thumbnail photos too. Maybe I’ll sleep first… yawn… Good morning, Resty!
Early today as I was coming home from Burnham Park, a caucasian man maybe in his ’60’s who was jogging, was nearly hit first by a jeepney, then a taxi along the pedestrian lane going to the Dangwa station. Just a sample how pedestrians are treated in pedestrian lanes in Baguio. Motor vehicles rule!!!
“There was confusion in the coding scheme so the city has clarified that private vehicles are included. But they gave a long list of exemptions, which is more confusing.
Why not one rule for all? When Baguio people go to Manila, they do not bring their vehicles on days they are coding. When Manila people come up, they can just park their cars on days these are not allowed on the streets. There are more than enough taxis to hail. If need be, all requests for exemptions could be handled by an office, on a case-to-case basis.”
-Baboo Mondonedo, Dateline Baguio, Baguio Midland Courier
Wonder what you have to say to this Lisa. I think that if the city has a number coding system, by all means, enforce it. Stop the numerous suspensions. Otherwise, just cancel this number coding ordinance if it cannot be implemented rightfully. The mayor has just clarified that the number coding suspension only applies to non-residents. And yet again, there is word that the number coding has been suspended during the Pangabenga weeks, even for us Baguio residents. Can anyone elucidate on the ambiguity of this obfuscation?
Hi Resty,
I first published a really long answer to this. But let me post it as an article instead, so folks can join in on the discussion.
Happy Valentine’s, Lisa!
Happy Valentine’s, Resty. I haven’t gotten around to finishing the number coding article, but it’s in the works. See you at the Fluvial Parade Today
From Michael Tan’s column Pinoy Kasi, Phil Inquirer March 4, ‘09
Baguio Conference
“The Cordillera Studies Center is sponsoring a “Baguio Centennial Conference” on March 6 and 7 at the University of the Philippines, Baguio. There’s an exciting program on topics around Baguio City’s history, urban planning, ancestral lands, environment, tourism, ethnic identity, art and popular culture. I am doing the very last paper Saturday afternoon on “The Ghosts of Baguio.” (Hint about its content: I originally thought of a title, “Politics and the Ghosts of Baguio.”) Conference fees are a bit complicated, but here are the most important: P750 for observers (no meals, no conference kit), P1,000 for students, and P2,500 for regular participants.”
Lisa, it would be good if we required our mayor, vice mayor and councilors to attend this one.
Drat, Resty!
I will not get to see your face!!! I have to be down tomorrow till monday! drat!
It would be a nice conference, no? Maybe I can ask or sponsor some members my PAGASA Baguio group to attend.
hi, i read your blogs and had some research on baguio city, burnham park. im required to write a research paper for baguio city as a requirement in my major subject.. can you please help me have an appropriate research topic to work on? thank you. i’ll surely appreciate your help. c: Godbless!
Um Jhang, in the first place, what’s the major subject? Your topic has to be related to that subject so is it history, language, sociology, philosophy, anthropology?
thanks for your reply, c:.. um, im an architecture student. it is for my research methods subject. i have in mind the issue of the placing of a bumper cars on the skating rink area. anyway i read your blogs and got some information from it. thanks a lot madame. c:
Aha!
You may want to expand your topic from just bumper cars to parks in urban areas instead. The internet is full of topics on why the city hurts your brain.
You can also delve into urban planning and zoning.
The subject anyway is research methods, not architecture, right? It would be good to merge both, though. Also you can work on the public transportation system in place in Baguio City as there should be a lot of material on that in government offices.
Lastly, while the internet is a wonderful research tool, there is data to be mined offline. This way your paper becomes more relevant and useful.
If you need more help, scream! I’m on my way back to Baguio City tonight.
thanks! hmm, i already passed my research papers (we were required to pass 6 proposals). yesterday we got the results. and luckily one of my proposals was chosen! c: .. it is entitled “Baguio city and its obstinate citizens” it talks about the behaviour of the people in baguio towards the rules and regulations of the municipality..not properly using the facilities, like over passes, instead of using the facility they cross the road by climbing at the median. tsk tsk. actually its urban planning but can relate to architectural too. anyway, im still waiting for the result of my proposal in the relocation of bumper cars. c:
Hiya Jhang,
Baguio City has obstinate citizens?!!? Hahaha. Well, if we did not have those overpasses and were instead given priority over road use instead of cars, if the overpass steps were even or comfortable, then maybe some would not try to cross the street instead. Once I was with two senior citizen tourists and they looked up at the overpasses in desperation because climbing them would have been difficult, and, honestly there’s no other way to cross Magsaysay without using an overpass. Maybe it would be helpful, in the course of your research to determine why they were built in the first place — and who made oodles of money out of their construction. Hahaha!
Seriously, though, I love the way Baguio drivers give way, although recently a lot of folks have been crass and have started blocking intersections. I noticed, too, that a lot of taxi drivers have not been giving way to pedestrians crossing Session Road.
I was just thinking, let me know if you want your paper published here, under your name of course. It would be great to see the comments of folks thereon.
yeah, that’s what i had observed too. hmm, as i’ve experienced before, we nearly got bump by a jeep along lower session even we’re in the pedestrian lane. so embarrassing!. hmm, im thinking to pursue this research paper in my thesis for next school year. and i hope to consult you for some opinions and recommendations. and also if you could refer me to prominent people i could talk and ask information from. hehe.c: .. thanks! hmm, if my research came out successful, then maybe i can publish it. c:
( i have a picture of a man climbing the median of the Harrison road along UC, it was attach to my research paper that i submitted. hope i could show it to you. c:)
Jhang,
I got run over by a car while I was on the pedestrian lane, believe it or not! Where the Philippines fails is that we test driving skills not driving attitudes.
The city has many, many officers and employees and offices. Just go to city hall first thing and they can help you with your resource persons and also some data. If data is missing or inadequate you can also cite that in your report, along with recommendations. If data is missing you can even gather some and make that again part of your report. Your professor will love it.
If you need any particular help, let me know and I will try to source the info for you — within my means, of course.
hi lisa, bwd usually prepares very well for our water supply during the holy week, except this year it seems. here in t. alonzo, we are already experiencing water shortage. or maybe it’s just an isolated case?
Hi Resty,
I happen to live in an area in the city with water that is plentiful so of course there is no shortage. But it has been hot and dry. Pray for daily showers that can replenish our sources. Of course many of us are upset when it rains but we need a good amount of good rain.
Lisa, apparently something went wrong with the new water line and has been repaired. We had better supply this morning. Yes, the rains are very much welcome, to replenish our water resources and give some break to the summer heat.
tnx! C: .. GODBLESS!
Hi Resty,
Glad to hear about the improvement in your water situation. At least your customers are on vacation, right?
Hi Jhang,
I gather all went well with your research? Let us know if you want it published here, ok?
I spoke too soon Lisa. We are on our second week of water shortage in T. Alonzo.
Hi Lisa, Baguio air was never so fresh and sweet as it was today, an effect of the storm just passed.
Is something wrong with our mayor? I ask this because here we are with the never-ending garbage problem and he’s nowhere to be seen or heard. Are we not entitled to a medical report or something if something is wrong?
Hiya Resty,
I heard the money is there and the council and the mayor are sitting on it. We have a higher population during school days and it is during peak tourist season that this happens. Um, am I the only one who sees the “deliberateness” of this all?
If it is not that purposefulness to ruin the economy from tourism, then it is plain and simple incompetence. Isn’t he back yet from another overseas trip? That Turkey junket was over weeks ago!
And what kind of governance is this that we need him to be physically present for the business of the city to function properly? Or is that a non sequitur? Because even when the mayor is physically present in Baguio City, the city still suffers from uncollected garbage.
Haay, I hope he’s not thinking of running for public office in 2010 — the city has suffered a great deal under his watch. And the rest of the councilors are not exempted from this, my condemnation, either.
Grabe na talaga ang uncollected garbage. Wala pa mga college students. How much more pag andyan na sila, na halos walang pakialam sa basura sa boarding houses nila…. Anyway, I had this encounter with a man carrying baskets buying recyclables/junk. I asked him to get 6 sacks of segregated plastic products,cans,metal. These are my recyclables for the past 8 months as I buy my groceries, lysol, and other home products in big,big sizes bec. of disposal problems. Anyway, I used the big containers for my plants. BUT, what is apalling, and gall bladder turning is that, this man peddler complained of the garbage collectors “collecting” their segregated and purchased recyclables stacked neatly near the waiting sheds. According to him, itong mga collectors “declare” that these are garbage! So that the poor fellow who had collected these recyclables lost his only means of leaving. Maawa ka talaga! Magnanakaw ng basurang pagkakakitahan!
Sorry, 3rd to the last sentence should read: “means of livelihood” not “means of leaving”. Totally different meanings. Thanks!
Everything about Baguio today is so depressing. Hate what the migrants are doing in Burnham.
Hi Lisa, hope you’re just busy and not sick or something. Regards!
Hiya Resty,
Yup, been in Manila, been busy (nothing Baguio related though so I do not write about it here). I figured I wanted also to keep the Baguio 100 Years in the Making post on the front page as long as I could so that more folks would see it
hi ms. Lisa, how are you?…I’m starting with my thesis. A 5th yr in architecture now.whew!thank God.anyway, we were given topics to work on, so my proposal was changed but still related. instead of overpasses, it was replaced with waiting sheds… on how they will be properly utilized. i hope to seek your help later on, in order for me to know where will i find the right source of information regarding my study of these sheds..thanks! God bless!
Hi Jhang,
Offhand, your best sources of information would be the office of the City Architect and the City Engineer. I do not know if the waiting sheds fall under the jusrisdiction of the DPWH.
Hi Lisa, may I just put in a good word for the following Baguio Volkswagen owners who actually still use their vehicles? Regularly see them on the roads. There is this kinda red-colored Volkswagen Fastback, a dirty-white Volkswagen station wagon and a black Volkswagen Tradback(sedan). Nakaka aliw when I see them on the roads. Thanks and good day!
Hi Lisa,
Participated in Milo Baguio yesterday and was amazed by the number of children who ran despite the rains. Always fun to run in the rain and hope nobody gets sick from it.
Hi Resty,
I am sure that Milo, which usually plans activities during the summer, like kite flying, planned this activity during the schoolyear to get more kids to participate (and keep their product in mind all throughout, of course). But, in my opinion, fun runs should be timed for October to May.
Then again, with the world weather so weird, and typhoons sometimes occurring in January, who knows when it will rain?
The only good things going on in Baguio right now are your blog, Reli Agamata’s Letters to the Editor in the Baguio Midland Courier which make so much sense, Art Tibaldo and Ramon Dacawi’s Busol Watershed activities and Councilor Balajadia’s protection of Forbes Park from from squatters. Other than that, can’t think of anything else.
with so much suggestions from residents in the local papers and in your blog, wonder whether our city officials ever read them or don’t just give a damn, like up-your-nose-people, we’re the ones in power not you. please allow me to give them the finger in your bolg.
Not in Baguio, but in Tuba. But they just cemented portions of the trail going up Mt. Cabuyao. I’m glad that we at least had the time of our lives when that trail was pure trail. Mt. Sto. Tomas is the closest thing to a Mt Pulag, and you don’t have to travel for hours to reach it. It’s like right out of our doorsteps. Fantastic view, fresh air! Time to go there na if you haven’t yet.
Hope Baguio can learn something from this article:
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/221467/wala-lang-a-green-and-gwapo-metro-manila
Good Monday morning Lisa, just like to put in a good word for Pan de Manila for opening a branch here in upper Magsaysay St, beside Mercury drugstore. They add some class to what would otherwise be a seedy area. Hope their products would be patronized so the outlet stays around for good. Love their pan de sal and mango jam.
Hiya Resty, and thanks for the info about Pan de Manila.
Yes, this is one of those franchises that I welcome into the city because their bread is fresh and I love the old-style heavy pandesal, just like I used to enjoy in my Lola’s house.
Good morning Lisa, just like to comment on the butterfly Christmas tree in Session Road. Just wish it was lit up early mornings just like with the traditional Christmas tree which we had for so many years.
Hi Resty,
I wanted to do a feature on that tree, which is pretty when lit up at night and looks like piled garbage during the day, pero I figured huwag na. This drama of ours with butterflies would be good if we had as many butterflies moving around our gardens as before.
Honestly, I like traditional Christmas trees, too, with stars. That makes it more like Christmas.
Lisa, that cement tree on top of Session Road upset many people. Yet, I still have to hear outrage for the cement logs used as railings for the flyovers in Trancoville and BGH. They look so kitschy, grimy and so dungis now. You pass by the bridge along L. Wood regularly try to notice the railings. Don’t they look so basic and classic?
Hi Resty,
There’s a petition online started by Karlo Altomonte for the removal of the pine tree. I think it is a positive first step toward reclaiming our beautiful all-natural Baguio http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/concretepinetree/signatures.html.
First the Vergara-Domogan Pine Tree, then maybe the fake logs, then maybe the BGH flyover. Who knows?
Ran thru L. Wood. From the Teacher’s Camp bridge to Pacdal around 530am. Nawala iyong mga street lights, ang dilim.
Hiya Resty,
I almost got mugged in that area at about 8:00p.m. when three friends and I decided to walk home from Munsayac Inn. I do not understand why the government is not spending their Php 1 Billion budget on making the city safe for pedestrians.
At Navy though, someone stole our cables so the streetlights were off for a year but now they’re back on. If BENECO loves the city, they would bury the electricity lines — safer, easier to maintain, cannot be stolen.
Lisa, these are one of the basic things barangay officials should at least do. I don’t think a bulb costs that much. They’d only need help maybe from city hall or beneco for a ladder to replace the bulb.
Merry Christmas Lisa, everyone!
HaPpY NeW YeaR Lisa and everyone!:)
Hi Lisa. I don’t know where else to post my question so im writing it here.
Im looking for a party planner / kids activity moderator / etc that can watch for about 20 kids. We’re having a big concert next month and us out-of-towners would like to keep our kids occupied together.
We are looking for someone who can do a magic show or set up a craft activity or do some games or anything similar to that, for 2 hours, just enough time for us to leave them and get them ready for bed. Only the yayas will be left in the hotel.
I would appreciate your help!
Thanks!
ps. if you dont mind publishing our poster for our concert, just for publicity as our target audience is for a specific group of people, it would be great!