A De Luxe Experience

Whenever I go to Baguio City, since I don't have a car, there's only one bus liner I have in mind to take me to the lovelies city of the north - the Victory Liner. And though, I'm kinda "kuripot" when it comes to spending my money on transportation, I won't spending more on transportation again after experiencing the convenience and satisfaction that their De Luxe buses has given to me on my recent trip to Baguio City.

Scheduled at 8:15 p.m., it was so nice to know that Victory has been so keen to their bus schedules until now. I was surprise to be on-board 30 minutes before the scheduled trip, and more surprised to know that we left at exact time. I dunno if the timing of my travel has something to do about, but it felt good to be on time - it gave me a feeling that this trip is gonna awesome!

This De Luxe trip that I got in to has no stopover since it has its own comfort room on-board. Aside from that, it also has a Wi-Fi and free snacks to enjoy while lounging on its soft and comfortable lazy boy chairs, and has a steward inside who is ready to serve or assist you on your needs.

A Surprise Visit in Baguio’s Easter Weaving Room

Aside from its inviting tourist spots and sumptuous dishes, Cordillera or specifically Baguio City is also a haven for arts and crafts materials that are just prominent whenever you see them. From the small trinkets to carved woods and hand-woven fabrics, Baguio City shares that most overwhelming talent of the people from the mountain.

And as I pay a visit to this lovely city again, I finally had a chance to see up-close the magic behind the wonderful fabrics of Cordillera through the centenarian store called Easter Weaving Room.

Easter Weaving Room is located on the Easter Road Guisad and is currently owned and managed by Philippine Episcopal Church, who has a great financial contribution to the work of Easter School and its church.

BenCab: Meeting a Fellow Batang Tundo

Believe it or not, despite of being a frequent vacationer in the country's Summer Capital, I haven't been to this place that serves as one of Baguio City's artistic gem. But did you know that before National Artist Benedicto "BenCab" Cabrera move in here, he was one of those kids from Tondo who aspire to be great through the use of his God-given talent?

This was my first visit in this inspiring museum. Though I'm not really a fan of his works before, after meeting him personally and hearing some nice words about him from his staff, I must say that I was a lucky biatch that time to meet the man behind these great artworks personally and heard from his mouth how Tondo made the BenCab he is now.

With a great number of "Bulol" or the Igorot Guardians in every corner of the museum, you'll stop wondering why BenCab's museum is here in Baguio City. Just like the other museums that I've been too, the design in here is so simple, which made every artistic work noticeable and admirable.

Azalea Residences: A Refreshing Take on Baguio's Accommodation

With the culminating activities of Panagbenga Festival 2014 just around the corner, which include the grand street dance and float parade, I know that a lot of you are now preparing for the weekend to witness one of the freshest, blossoming and really colorful festivals in the country. But wait, before you pack your bags and head up on to the mountains, let me ask you this - Do you have a place to stay? I'm not sure if they are already fully booked now, but if not yet, then let me tell you why Azalea Residences is the best place in Baguio City to stay in for the Panagbenga Festival 2014.

Celebrated on the entire month of February, few months before the country faces another exciting summer season, Panagbenga is one festival that's no doubt keeps making this city in the Cordillera more lovely. With its natural beauty that comes from its people, beautiful tourist spots and great bargains, don't be surprise why the Summer Capital of the Philippines keeps on blossoming and keeps on attracting more tourists, both local and international. 

Strawberry Galore at Azalea Residences

And one addition to its beauty that never fails to amaze me, the newly established and well-kept Azalea Residences.

My Panagbenga 2013 Experience

"There's no turning back."  That's all in my mind after an hour of waiting in Dau Bus Terminal in Mabalacat, Pampangga. And despite of my limited budget to see the most colorful festival of the season, I found myself on the way to the Summer Capital of the Philippines to witness the Panagbenga 2013!

Arriving at Baguio City at exactly 4 in the morning or February 24 was the bravest thing I did ever, I guess, in visiting this cold place up north. And with no itinerary whatsoever, really, I was left standing at Session Road looking at about hundreds of people, whom I thought were braver than me... because you know why? They are sleeping along the busy road of Session Road just to be on the front line when the Grand Float Parade takes its turn to wow the world.

I never thought that there are really people who would do that, but I guess die freezing and be on the front line is better than die at the back of the line and not see a thing of the most glamorous and blossoming parade of floats on this year's Panagbenga. Hehe.

Zoocobia Fun Zoo: Wish Lantern Festival 2013

Carrying hopes and wishes to this year's Zoocobia's Wish Lantern Festival, which is dubbed as Love in in the Air Year 2, we headed up north, in Clark, Pampangga, last February 23 to see again this exciting and heart-warming celebration that is sure to be memorable again.

Arriving at exactly 4 in the afternoon after that unexpected traffic in NLEX that day, the group that I'm with was guided first to the refreshment area where we had a cup of juice and some snacks. And since the whole Wish Lantern Festival was slated to the time when all the guests are in, the program followed, starting with a tour around the place.

On my first visit here, I wasn't able to see all corners of this fun place. The birds were all kept then, and it was almost dark that I wasn't really able to be amazed by the beauty of it. Fortunately, this time, I had my time and moment to capture every exciting bits and pieces of this tourist destination here in Clark, Pampangga.

Souvenirs from Laperal White Haunted House of Baguio

Who would've thought that a beautiful and peaceful looking American-inspired house like this could be that haunting and really scary at night? Well, stories say that a girl as white as ghost is seen on its windows at night looking at the passersby. Yes, you are now staring at the haunting Laperal White House of Baguio City.

Last week, right after our tree planting activity at Mount Bosol in Baguio City, my friends and I decided to pay a visit to one of the the haunted houses that's nestling just inside the City of Pines. Located at  #4 Leonard Wood Street, just a few step from another haunted place - Teachers Camp, Laperal White House is said to be one of the oldest and haunted structures in Baguio City.

Stories say that it was constructed just before the Japanese occupation. But when the Japanese started invading this city, the owners Mr. and Mrs. Laperal were slayed inside this house, then the the Japanese soldiers made this beautiful house as their headquarters and raped and killed more people.

Strawberry Indulgence at La Trinidad's Strawberry Farm

It's been years since I last saw this place, and during that time, strawberries where barely there. I'm just glad that with the recently concluded Eurotel Baguio Bliss, I had a chance to see again one of my top favorite places on earth! It's time to sing "Strawberry Fields Forever!"

Baguio, being famous for its cold weather and breathtaking scenery, is also famous for its red fruits called strawberry. Though, the farms of these sweet and lovely fruits are located at the higher slopes of Mountain Province, Baguio is considered the best market place to buy these delicious fruits.

And since Baguio Bliss is all about experiencing the best of the best, instead of just having strawberries from the market, the Eurotel Team that took us up to Baguio City, brought us to the closest strawberry farm that you could visit while in this lovely place, the La Trinidad Strawberry Farm.

Tam-Awan Village: Not Your Ordinary Village

Another tourist destination that one shouldn't miss when you are in Mountain Province is this one popular village that is located at the top of La Trinidad, Benguet. Just a few minute drive from the hustle and bustle of Baguio City, you'll surely feel that you're somehow on top of the world when you reach the top vantage point of La Trinidad, the Tam-awan Village.

Tam-awan Village is a cultural and arts village established and maintained by Chanum Foundation, Inc. Incorporated. It showcased some of our native's houses that were known up in the mountains.

When I got to visit this place a few days back, we were actually welcomed by these graffiti that I think were kinda off to the whole idea of Tam-awan Village. I'm not saying that the graffiti are not good, but I really think that it would have  been better if those graffiti are nature-related.

Baguio City: Orchidarium

Panagbenga season is up, and with thousands or even millions of flowers that you'll see on every float that will parade today at the infamous Session Road, don't you just wish that you could take one home and have at least one float in your house? I do! I would love to have one in our house, because I believe that fresh flowers give good vibes! Hehe.

But since that'll be very impossible to do, then why not just take a piece of that beauty by buying some nice ornamental plants here at Baguio City's Orchidarium.

Believe it or not, with years and years of visiting the lovely Baguio City, it was justwith Eurotel's Baguio Bliss that I got to visit this very lovely place! Heaven in one word.

A Splendid Vacation with Eurotel's Baguio Bliss

Baguio City - City of Pines. Summer Capital of the Philippines.

Lion's Head in Kennon Road, Baguio City

Baguio has been a favorite place of the many here in our country. With its cool breeze and wonderful sights to see, no wonder people keeps coming back to this lovely place over and over again.

I personally LOVE Baguio City. It is actually on my top most favorite places here in the Philippines. And as I went back here last week to be a part of Eurotel's annual Baguio Bliss, I can't help but to get excited, since this will be my first time to go up here with a group of bloggers, and curious as to what has changed in this cool yet very accommodating city.

Eurotel Baguio

(read my blog about Eurotel Baguio here)

This is the second time Eurotel hosted such vacation to a group of bloggers. Lucky me, I was qualified to join them this time to experience a world-class treatment here in Baguio.

It’s Panagbenga Time!

Dubbed as the most colourful feast in the country because of its natural colors from the flowers used in the costumes and floats during the grand parade, which is always on the last weekend of this month-long festival, the Panagbenga means “season of blooming” in Kankanaey.

Every establishment, company, school and community participates in this very lovely festival in where they showcase their wonderful crafts and talent for designing and dancing.

And this coming February 26 and 27, the most awaited and anticipated Grand Festival Parade and Street Dance will be held once again on the busiest road of Baguio City - Session Road.

I’ll be out of town that weekend, but unfortunately, I wouldn’t be in Baguio City.

It is kinda sad because the first and last time I witness this grand event was last 2008, and it’s been three years now… It’s been a long time.

Mines View Park Hotel: Sharing the Best of Baguio City

When I went to Baguio City with my officemates two years ago for the Panagbengga Festival, our greatest problem that we faced back then was finding a suitable and friendly place where we can enjoy the peaceful and cool surroundings of Baguio City and the crowded and colourful event of Panagbengga. And since it was peak season, we didn’t have any choice but to get the last place offered to us, a transient near the Crystal Cave – what a kill joy!

But now after learning that there’s this new place that offers the best of Baguio City, I think when we plan again to see next year’s Panagbengga Festival, we can then have a place that will make our trip truly memorable – Mines View Park Hotel.