tourism

Tourism

BAGUIO—The Ascending Journey

Was there ever a time you felt cold . . . and lonely? The probability is that you have. Anyway, forget about it and think of a place where you’ll feel cold…and jolly! Think of Baguio, or better yet, go to Baguio.

Baguio City offers a chilly air that could rip through the bones, but even if you're alone, there could never be a time for sadness. The 1,500 meters sea level elevation of Baguio is bellowing a silent intimacy with the blue sky and cotton clouds. What’s more, it is the solitude that leads to the feeling of the oneness with nature where flowers grow wild and enrich the surroundings with its beauty.

The ascent to the city of pines resembles the upward plight of OFWs. As Baguio represents a dream vacation for weary city dwellers, working abroad is a get-away journey from poverty that grips many Filipino families to an elevated economic life.

The rhythm of the trip to Baguio is accelerated by the visit to famous tourist destinations...just like there are concentration of migrant workers abroad. The Baguio Cathedral, set on top of the hill, could be reached by climbing its hundred steps. Rising on its 100^th step could leave one breathless, both from exhaustion and from the breathtaking view up there. Another step-ascending destination is the Lourdes Grotto where one can pay homage to the shrine of the famous Lady of Lourdes. Here, one must climb 252 steps to reach the top where the promising panoramic view of the city is located, more tiring and more breath taking than that of the 100 steps.

The migration of Filipinos abroad is similar to taking each step upward. Though each step requires a release of energy and action of the muscle power, it stands for a promise of a brighter tomorrow. The resounding image of a salvaged economic life sustains the energy level of OFWs.

All the OFWs’ effort is visible through the homes they build, children they feed, clothe and send to school, among others; and through their remittances that they tried doubly hard to maintain. A decent home is always on the list of dreams OFWs wanted to acquire. In Baguio, The Mansion is one of the destinations Baguio-goers simply couldn’t miss. The Mansion, as the summer home of the President, delights those who see it's circular driveway, scenic garden and an ornate gate. Much more, it provides the President of the country something to look forward to—a place of relaxation while still performing his duties. The Mansion resembles the homes OFWs built with their sweat and blood. OFWs can take pleasure thinking about the roof, the windows and the walls which was painstakingly put together by their remittances. Oh, and nothing beats the bliss of picturing the family sitting together at the dining table, partaking in the meal.

The Mines View Park in Baguio offers the world up a steep and rocky slopes where children dangerously awaits few coins to be dropped by the amazed local and foreign tourists. The scenario offers a picture of the beneficiaries of the OFWs awaiting the knock of door-to-door delivery staff to hand them remittances from their beloved father, mother or whoever's working abroad.

One never went to Baguio completely without going to the Baguio City Market. Available here is the freshest, newly harvested fruits and vegetables straight from the vegetable basket of Luzon itself, La Trinidad, Benguet. One can also find an array of good bargains from intricate wood carvings to cutely and elegantly knitted-stuff.

Comparing the scenario with that of the OFWs, life abroad would not be complete without the usual, traditional "balikbayan box" filled with numerous "pasalubong" and "bilin" of the loved ones back home. Inside each box are sorties of imported chocolate, canned goods, jewelry, perfumes and latest apparel, and just about every conceivable goodies Filipinos have grown to love. It’s a common notion that some Filipinos have grown attached to anything with foreign sounding names-colonial mentality.

The Burnham Park and the Club John Hay are more than foreign names. Burnham Park provides a lake to roam around, by foot or paddle of the boat, and there’s picnic and concert ground around it; while the Club John Hay offers cozy cottages, golf courses, bowling lanes, dining places and picnic grove. Both destinations surely win the heart of those who see them; just as Filipinos win the heart of their employers abroad with their dedication and efficiency. These OFWs may not have the rigorous training of the Philippine Military Academy, a military institution 8 kilometers from Baguio City, but they have got what it takes to be the country’s pride--patience, endurance, sacrifice, struggle--the traits of the modern day heroes and heroines.