Baguio Sightseeing

Greetings from Baguio City, my birthplace!

After I parted ways with my Auntie Lala and being sent off at 5 am on yet another bus to travel a few hours, I finally arrived in Baguio around 2 p.m. The ride wasn't smooth at all since Manila traffic is a major headache and staggering acceleration and breakage seem to be the norm. I give it up to Filipinos here though, I would not survive driving through this wreck. Everyone seems to drive throughout these major roads and return home unscathed.

My uncle Juhn along with my Auntie Vickie came to pick me up from the bus station, had a quick lunch and we were already off to go sightseeing since they knew I was pressed for time, with only 4 days in Baguio. Our first stop was the Philippine Military Academy. I'm not quite sure what gave my uncle the impression that I'd want to see this place, but I guess it's because my uncles attended this academy years ago and it was a way for me to learn about our family and what is known to be one of the "tourist" destinations here.

Some background on the PMA:

This academy houses hundreds of soldiers who study for 4 years to become high ranking positions in the Military. Apparently this military academy is quite prestigious as it has served for 102 years and served as a training facility for future officers in the armed forces. Using the US Military Academy as it's template, the PMA fosters the growth of soldiers in the military and in the educational aspect is brought forth with the heavy instruction of mathematics, engineering, and the sciences as these fields were deemed West Point's strategy for success.

Pictures!

Old military tanks used in the WWII served as relics at the PMA

Throughout the campus, several soldiers were walking to and from classes. This was kind of intimidating to see them, especially since they were armed and constantly saluted to each other when crossing paths.

Our next stop was Camp John Hay, another historical sight preserving the history of the American occupation here in Baguio. This camp was used by the US military for rest and recreation along with the designation to be a communication station during the war.

In WWII, it served as an internment camp for the Japanese since they were suspected to be spies during this time.

We stopped by my uncles office and chatted a bit about my travels and future ones for the time being. He prefaced me about the tribal wars going on in Sagada and the numbers of casualties already documented and what I would expect to see there since I was planning on taking a shot-gun trip up to that city while I was already up north. Basically, by my dad's orders I wasn't allowed to go whatsoever so instead, I would be toured around Baguio by my family every single day.

This is my uncle Pedro (or Pedz). My uncle Pedz is retired from the military and served as a Colonel for a almost a decade, he now enjoys his time as the head chief in homeland security for the campus making it safe and secure for visitors and military to enter daily... but really, he plays Text Twist on Yahoo Games (Haha. I caught you, uncle!).

Baguio is also nick-named as "the city of pines" because of the dominant growth of pine trees after the US planted thousands of seeds throughout Baguio City in the late 1800s

The Bell House.

This was where President Roosevelt stayed along with Secretary of State, John Hay. All the rooms inside are still in tact and well preserved for viewing.

After touring around with my uncle and learning about the Philippine-American history from this sight, we left and uncle Juhn and I drove off to reunite with my other family members at SM.

Somewhat of an exhausting day. I'm still trying to get used to the idea of being in the Philippines and the familiar faces of Filipinos and the weather. It's been awhile!

More updates to come!