Walking in Baguio: Veteran Pine to Burnham Park

The sun's out!

Baguio officially celebrated its 107th charter day yesterday ("officially" because the opening ceremony for the anniversary was held on Aug. 22), and by coincidence (or just sheer luck), the rains stopped sometime in the afternoon. All I could think about was Yes! I can finally walk in the sun again tomorrow!

The dilemma was where to go. There were still so many places I want to walk to, but I remembered there were some things I have to go buy in town. Plus I thought it would be nice to see Burnham Park on a sunny morning, so to town it was.

No umbrella needed! Details of my walk here.

I started tracking my walk at the Veteran Pine again and made my way to Leonard Wood Road via Romulo Drive. I turned right at Gen. Luna then walked toward the Emilio Aguinaldo Monument at the Happy Glen Loop. The museum was still closed (this was at around 8:30), and the general's monument had a group of skateboarders practicing their flips, so I decided to return another time.

Back on the road, I made my up toward the Post Office Loop then along Gov. Pack, where I surfed a bit among travelers getting bus rides and students heading to class at the University of the Cordilleras (UC). Down to Harrison and across the street to Burnham, then after a few more meters came the bicycles and of course, the lake. I went around the lake soaking in more sun and people-watching.

I learned that Milo was also having its Little Olympics in the city. Young athletes came to represent their schools (I think from Regions I-III?) and were lined up along Lake Drive, waiting for the opening parade to start.

I also learned that archery is one of the events. How cool is that?

Calm, collected, and seated. Conserving their energy, perhaps.

These birds were taking a bath in the small puddle. So. Darn. Cute.

I found an empty bench and sat while looking across the lake. It felt nice to just chill and feel the cool breeze.

I got my snack (peanut butter-filled biscuits!) and had a picnic. Little things like that give me immense pleasure--have I said how great it felt to feel the morning sunshine on my face again?

This man doing push-ups looked to be in his seventies!

I can't wait to hit the trails again. Just a little more sun!

Walking in Baguio: Mines View Park to Teachers' Camp and Back Again

A footpath at Wright Park

It sure feels good to be back in Baguio and walk along its roads and parks. There's really something refreshing about this city, especially if you need a break from the skyscrapers, crowded streets, and bumper-to-bumper traffic of Manila.

For this morning's walk, I started at the little rotunda at the other end of F. Torres Street near Mines View Park. Down Moran to Arellano Street and downhill again to J. Felipe via Baltazar Street. This brought me to Romulo Drive.

No overlaps! View the MapMyWalk details here.

Baltazar Street. The brick/brown building is the Philippine Treasures factory.

When I got to Wright Park across the Mansion, I took one of the footpaths that cuts across the grassy area. Wright Park is popular for its horses, and I suppose few know that there's this nice tree-filled park on the hill.


It's a really nice place, but it's disappointing to see pieces of trash here and there. I mean, why couldn't people hold on to their trash for a few more meters and dispose of it once they see a garbage bin? It's such a simple thing!

Anyway, once you emerge from the path, you'll find yourself wanting to join these ladies at their taebo session. Perhaps I will, one of these days.



I took the stairs down to the horseback riding area and saw one of the city's famed St. Bernard dogs waiting for fans to arrive and take a photo with him (her?).


Top three tourist places where you can buy potted plants in the city: the Orchidarium, Mines View Park, and Wright Park.

After Wright Park I continued along Romulo Drive toward Pacdal Circle and to Leonard Wood Road, and went in to Teachers' Camp, my turning point. I jogged whenever I could -- it was a downhill journey, anyway.


The track oval at Teachers Camp. I was able to try it out one summer morning several years ago and remembered how nice it felt then.

At Teachers' Camp Road going up to South Drive, I started to gain some elevation back, so I picked up my pace to make the most of the cardio workout. Yup, it's time to go back uphill! I jog-walked South Drive going to the corner of Ilusorio/Baguio Country Club Road and made my way to Outlook Drive (which seems to be unofficially the "practice driving road" in the city).

Mt. Sto. Tomas + Mt. Cabuyao (with the two radiotransmitters/ "ra-dar" in these here parts) viewed from Outlook Drive. The forested area is Camp John Hay.

I continued going up Outlook Drive. I stopped for a bit at Kiwi's Bread and Pastry Shop, but they didn't have pan de sal yet, so I just went ahead to Mines View Park, where I stopped my tracker and got a bit of rest before heading home.


Weather: bright and sunny. A cap is a must-have.
Note to self: if you're wanting to walk 6K (or more), Laurie, better start early!

Walking in Baguio: South Drive to SM

I've long wanted to take a stroll along South Drive--not too many vehicles pass along that road (during off-peak season, that is) and there aren't that many establishments, either.

I actually started my walk at around 9:48 a.m. from Mines View Park going down Outlook Drive but I forgot to turn on my tracking app (I use MapMyWalk). I waited until I was in front of The Mansion to start tracking.

Route: Mines View Park - Outlook Drive - Romulo Drive - Pacdal Circle - Park Road - right to South Drive - Upper Session Road - SM Baguio

Going to SM via jeepney from my starting point usually takes around 20 minutes (with traffic) via Leonard Wood Road. Fare is Php 10. Via taxi, fare is usually around Php 75.

Weather: Overcast, with the sun peeking at times.

Wright Park/The Mansion to SM via South Drive
Click to see the details of my walk!

Since I started out kinda late, I didn't think I would still see joggers, but there they were running uphill (you guys rock!). Strolling along South Drive was really nice, and generally safe in daytime except for the few spots--just a couple of meters--where there was no sidewalk to speak of. 

I initially planned to head over to the Baguio Museum for a look-see. I confess I haven't been there at all (perhaps when I was younger? Will have to ask my parents, haha). Shame I've been living in Baguio a year but yeah, there are still plenty of places I haven't visited.

Aside from an umbrella, I brought along a light jacket (just in case, because when you're in Baguio in July the weather can change dramatically over the course of an hour), my on-the-go sketching kit (for drawing museum stuff and whatnot), and a few other essentials (money, wet wipes). I didn't bring water because I didn't think I'd be thirsty and I was going to town anyway.

South Drive, near the Lutheran Theological Seminary

When I got to Upper Session Road, I started to feel hungry. I had a light breakfast of oats, but I guess it all got burned up pretty quickly. I checked my watch--almost 11. Hmm. How about having lunch first before heading to the museum? So I stopped my tracker and headed to the mall. :P

So I had lunch (Japanese), bought a magazine from Booksale (Monocle), checked out some Sandugo trail shoes (I'm eyeing the Mudtrax), paid my rent, bought the week's Baguio Chronicle, and walked along Session Road to the jeepney terminal for a ride home.

I saved the museum trip for another day. Heading there on foot will be another reason to walk along South Drive, anyway.