Baguio is one of the places I love to visit most because of its awesome scenery and cold climate. I dreamt that place because my father always tells us good things about it. He tells his experience there and of course the things that cannot be found here in Pampanga.
If I’m not mistaken, I have gone there for three or four times already. I have given the chance to go there every year since I entered the seminary because our annual retreats are always facilitated there. I can still remember my precious moments there when it was my first time.
We left the seminary early in the morning for the reason our travel would spent time for four to five hours. But let’s go back to the preparation first. The night before, we were given the chance to have our night out so that we could buy the things we needed for our retreat. I packed my things as if I would not go back again because of many things I brought. My jacket was given by my father and imagine the jacket, as if I were in Alaska. I could not sleep the night before because I was very excited.
Morning came, the most awaited day. I preferred to sit near the window of the bus so that I could see the beautiful view on the way to Baguio. We took our lunch in SM Rosales. We arrived an hour before the twilight. During our way, especially when we reached the town proper, I was amazed with what I saw. I could not imagine that there were such things in that place. I enjoyed the zigzag road, I imagined myself riding in a “rueda” in a carnival because of the thrill it gives. But I was too nervous because of the sharp edges of the roads and any wrong moves of the driver, the bus might dive there. This was not only a trip to heaven journey but also a near death experience.
We stayed at Mirador Jesuit Villa. It is located at the top of the well-known grotto of our lady of Lourdes. If you are in the grotto, you can’t imagine that there is a villa there. It is really hidden! The villa is a paradise for me because of its beautiful location. It is on the top of the mountain where you can see a bird’s eye view of Baguio itself. The villa is really suited for those who are having retreat because of the prayerful ambiance. As what they say “as if you are very near to God because of the high location.” I couldn’t forget also my first night there because I couldn’t sleep because the place was too cold. The only thing I did was to wait the morning. Right after our breakfast, I bought gloves and a bonnet so that when the night would come again I would have another protection from the coldness of the air.
The morning was very good because of the sweet and good scent of the pine trees. But the funny moment was that, most of us were afraid to go in the shower rooms because even though the showers have their own heaters, you could really feel the coldness right after you took your bath.
The most memorable was that, it was not just about the retreat itself but the side trips we made. Every afternoon, we had our free time to seize the place and we precious those by going to the nearest tourist spots, buying cheap “pasalubong” in the public market and in mall especially peanut brittles, key chains, t-shirts, “walis” or brooms and some other Baguoi’s products. We tasted also the street foods there and had interviews with the seller.
We have gone to the Mansion, Mine’s view which I really enjoyed the view and had a picture taking riding on a horse. I took also pictures there with the Ifugaos, wearing their native clothes. I remember also the bonsai I bought there as a “pasalubong” for my mother but it didn’t last for many months maybe because the climate in Pampanga is not suitable for it. In my first time in Baguio, it gave me the chance also to visit in Manaog, Pangasinan. Before we really left the mountain province, we decided to visit the miraculous image of our Lady of Rosary known as our Lady of Manoag as a sign of our thanksgiving also for the success of our retreat and for our safety trip going home.
I left Baguio full of treasures of memories. It was indeed the first place that enkindled my heart. It was Baguio the place I really kept going back. It was Baguio which set my mind to be my desired resting place. Without a doubt I LOVE BAGUIO!
