Brilliant Baguio
May 4th, 2010 | 
Author: Baguio City in northern Luzon, known as the summer capital of the Philippines is a popular destination particularly during the months of March, April, and May for both local and foreign tourists because of its cold climate. Also known as, “The Flower City of the North,” it is a great venue for various outdoor activities. Come Christmas time, Baguio is also a preferred vacation spot.
Located some 250 kilometers north of Manila, it is nestled 5,000 feet above sea level on the Cordillera Mountain Range, the highest metropolis in the Philippines. In the heart of Benguet Province, it benefits from having political autonomy, being a chartered city since 1909. With an area of 49 square kilometers enclosed in a parameter of 30.6 kilometers, it has 20 administrative districts where its 129 barangays are distributed.
Baguio, before being discovered by the Americans a century ago, was known as the “rancheria”. Cattle and horses used to flock the area during dry seasons, but most of the time it was marshland with a shallow lake where the locals hunted for duck and snipes.
The Americans saw Baguio as a place to build a future metropolis. A water source was found, pine trees were everywhere and grass covered the area. They immediately decided to make Baguio an admirable site for the future summer capital and health resort of the Philippines.
Today, Baguio is a melting pot of cultures. The diversity of indigenous ethno-cultural scene. The Ibalois are considered the original settlers and together with other Cordillera groups such as the Bontocs, Kalingas, Ifugaos and Kankanais, comprise about 10 percent of the total population.
Other ethnic groups from as far as Mindanao also settled in the area. Local visual artists also gather in the city of pines for it is a comfortable space to home their talents together with their contemporaries.
Baguio City is also popular for its vegetable and strawberry produce. It is also an ideal place for golfers and those who love to trek. Simultaneously this promotes environmental awareness and education for both the young and the young at heart. It is a mountain paradise with a surely entice any tourist to visit more than once.
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