Baguio City - Summer Capital Of The Philippines

	Brief Description
	Baguio is the gateway to the wonders of Northern Luzon: the calm beaches of La Union; the fabled Hundred Islands of Pangasinan; the world famous Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao; the ancient churches, Spanish influenced houses, historical and cultural relics of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, the Kabayan of the tribes of Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao, and Abra.

Geography

Baguio City, approximately 250 kilometers north of Manila, is situated in the heart of the Province of Benguet. The area of the city is 49 square kilometers enclosed in a perimeter of 30.6 kilometers. The developed portion of the city is a plateau that rises to an elevation of 1,400 meters. Most of it lies on the northern half of the city. About half the area of the city has a slope of 25% or more.

	Political Subdivision
	A popularly elected Mayor heads the city government of Baguio. He is assisted by the Vice-Mayor and a 12-man legislative council called the Sangguniang Panglunsod.

	Climate
	Baguio is 8 degrees cooler on any month on the average than any place in the lowlands. The temperature seldom exceeds 26° centigrade at its warmest, and the lowest reading was 6.3° centigrade, recorded in January 18, 1961. Baguio is very wet during the rainy season which is from June to October. The recorded heaviest volume of rainfall measured 9,038.3mm.

	Population
	The population of the city as of 1995 was 226,883. The youth constitute nearly half of the population. During the peak of the annual tourist influx, particularly during the Lenten period, transients triple the population.

	Language / Dialect
	English is widely spoken and understood. It is the medium of instruction in all public and private schools. The national language, Filipino, is spoken by everyone. Ilocano is also spoken by almost everybody.

Major Industries

The three dominant industries in the city are tourism, education, and integrated circuits. Texas Instruments initiated the Export Processing Zone. Today, they export six hundred million dollars of products annually. Baguio City Is Famous For... Strawberries and Other Fruit Preserves Favorite tourist buys, especially of local visitors coming from the warmer portions of the country. Horseback Riding Cool Climate In the summer months of March, April, and May, Baguio lives up to its title as the “Summer Capital of the Philippines” when thousands of visitors from the lowlands and Manila take their annual exodus to the city to cool off. From November to May, Baguio becomes a tropical paradise, a refreshing break from the hot and humid Philippine climate. Christmas season is when Baguio glows with the nippy winter air. Flowers Baguio is the “Flower Garden City of the North”. One need only visit Burnham Park and admire its backdrop of beautiful and colorful flowers. Baguio Floral Festivals are held in February. The city is also famous for its towering pine trees. Parks Burnham Park is the city’s premier park and the oldest of all Baguio parks. Mines View Park is known for its gold, silver, and ore quarries while Wright Park is a pine tree park reserve. Educational Center Baguio is home to the Philippine Military Academy, top military school of the country; the University of the Philippines College Baguio; and the Easter School Weaving Room teaching cloth weaving as practiced by the natives of the Mountain Provinces for ages. Spiritual Retreat The Baguio Ecumenical Holy Week celebration focuses on Baguio as a spiritual center. Among the city’s religious edifices are the Baguio Cathedral with its 100 steps on top of a hill; Lourdes Grotto with its 252 steps; and Bell Temple which practices a mixt of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Christianity. Vegetables and Fruits Gifted with a temperature that seldom exceeds 26° centigrade at its warmest, Baguio is the ideal setting for growing fresh and crisp temperate vegetables and fruits. Trekking Mt. Sto. Tomas, with a peak that is 7,500 feet high, is a hiker’s delight. It commands a majestic view of mountain, sea, and valley. The city itself is littered with great valleys and plateaus as well as sporadically scattered steep side hills and mountains. Convention Center The Baguio Convention Center is considered the most spacious edifice North of Manila. It initially gained prominence when it became the site of the 1978 internationally renowned chess championship series between Anatoly Karpov and Victor Korchnoi. Silvercraft A thriving industry in the city sustained by various handicraft shops specializing in silver jewelry and other filigree products, such as the Saint Louis Filigree Shop where some craftsmen are only high school students. Woodcarving Along the way to Asin, about 5 km. from Baguio City proper, is the Ifugao Woodcarvers Village which produces and sells beautiful hand-carved curio items at very low prices. Baguio / Cordillera Mountainbiking The rugged mountains of Northern Luzon offer fabulous scenery and give you a close look at some of the Philippines’ most fascinating tribal groups. Start in Baguio, where local bikers will be happy to guide you along routes ranging from a quick run up Mt. Sto. Tomas to a lung-busting full day down to Ambuklao Dam and back. If you want more mountain adventure, you’ll find plenty here. Try a two-day ride to Sagada, then base yourself there to explore the numerous local roads and trails. From Sagada, you can ride to Bontoc, then out through untouched mountain wilderness to the rice terraces of Banaue. From Banaue, you can make side trips to the equally spectacular terraces at Hungduan and Mayoyao, far off the usual tourist trail. Or wind your way from Baguio to Ambuklao and up to Abatan, then down to Cervantes and over historic Bessang Pass. Up here, the mountain air is cool, the people you meet are friendly, and the rugged roads will challenge even the most dedicated of upland bikers. Baguio/ Cordillera Trekking The Luzon Cordillera is the country’s largest mountain range and home to some of its most distinctive tribal groups. It is a trekker’s paradise. Start in Baguio, jumping-off point for the ascent of Mt. Pulog (2930m), the highest point in Luzon, and the second highest mountain in the country. There are routes for all fitness levels: the climb from Abangeg via Babbadak can be managed by any reasonably fit hiker; whereas the Tan-awan route, starting from Kabayan town will test the veteran. Both routes pass from forests of Benguet pine to stunted montane oaks wrapped in thick moss, then emerge onto a wide expanse of dwarf bamboo and grassland. Things to Do and see in Baguio City... Cultural Marker of the Philippine Commission’s First Session in Baguio The site of the building where the members of the Philippine Commission met from April 22 to June 11, 1904 and officially initiated the use of Baguio as the Philippine Summer Capital. Teachers Camp Started its operations on April 6, 1908 and catered to teachers from all over the country to further their studies and at the same time spend their summer vacation in the city of Baguio. It now caters to conferences, meetings, seminars, and social functions sponsored by the government sector. Baguio-Mountain Provinces Museum Temporarily located at the Baguio Convention Center. On display are a variety of artifacts and relics showcasing the cultural heritage, customs, and traditions of the mountain provinces. The cluster of buildings within the complex depicts the architectural features of the native houses of the mountain provinces. The DOT and City Government of Baguio are undertaking a reconstruction of the Baguio-Mountain Provinces Museum building. Natural Asin Hot Spring Located 16 kilometers northwest of Baguio. The resort’s main feature is a swimming pool surrounded by thermal springs, lush vegetation, and several hanging bridges. It is an ideal respite and now eyed to be redeveloped into a tourism resort along with the adjoining tourist attractions of Tuba and Baguio. Mt. Sto. Tomas A trek up the Mt. Sto. Tomas is a hiker’s delight. The peak is 7,500 feet high and commands a majestic view of mountain, sea, and valley. The mountain can be reached by foot or by vehicle. Religious Churches, Seminaries, and Convents Baguio is an ideal location for meditation, contemplation, and spiritual renewal. Hence, the existence of no less religious denominations that run churches, seminaries, convents, and other institutions such as hospitals and schools. Lourdes Grotto A religious shrine housing the image of the Lady of Lourdes. About 252 steps lead to this shrine where pilgrims brave the steep climb to offer sacrifices, devotion and prayers. One is also regarded with a beautiful panoramic view of the city. Man-Made Burnham Park The city’s premier park and the oldest of all Baguio parks. One can unwind from the tension of the day-to-day bustle by biking, skating, or simply reflecting on the day’s experiences amid a soothing garden backdrop of colorful flowers. Botanical Garden Also called the Igorot village, it captures the ethnic spirit and cultural legacy of the Igorot dweller. The garden is also a site of cultural presentations and other tribal meetings. Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary Run by a religious group, this sanctuary enables visitors to experience a journey through time.