BAGIUO TRIP

31 May, 2009

BAGIUO TRIP

It has been 3 years since my foot last touch Bagiuo City and those trips were official business like meetings and inspections for the company’s projects. Those stays were between project site, office, and place of stay. No sidetrips for sightseeing and no leisure for the left hours would be spent on resting. Last Decemeber, my parents, brother and some relatives had a chance to get together and decided to go up in Bagiuo. This time I had a chance to see the greater Bagiuo.

Through all my trips to Bagiuo, below are list of my observations and what you can expect from the summer capital of the Philippines.

It is always approximately 4 to 6 hours drive from Manila to Bagiuo even if its a private or public land vehicle. It is best to take the late night or early morning to avoid traffic but you will not have a chance to see the sceneries along the trip.
Peak times are during summer and holiday seasons. Be sure to get there early to avoid problems in getting places to stay especially during Panagbenga.
In less crowded areas you can experience fog even if it is only 1 in the afternoon.
It is still hot during the day but cooler compared to the lower urban and rural areas but it is really cold at night.
Places to visit – Burnham Park, Mines View Park, Botanical Garden, Camp John Hay, PMA, Strawberry Farm, Bagiuo Cathedral, Hore Riding Parks, etc… there are lots more..
Nightlife is fair. Like most provinces, people sleep early but still check out the bars. They have great food and great music bands especially in the genre of reggae and ska. Superb.
Wag-wag or Ukay-ukay in Bagiuo are great. They have the finest sorted items. This place is located near Burnham Park.
Check also their silver jewelries. They are more cheaper compared to Manila. Check out the market area for a more bargain price.
If you happen to be there during the school days, you will see a lot of Koreans.
Be sure to try their delicacies and local products like the strawberry ice cream, strawberry taho, strawberry wine, etc.
Vegetable are cheap in Bagiuo so buy many before you leave. Check out the vegetable stores in the highway outside Bagiuo for a more bargain price.

There are a lot of souvenir items you could buy and you will notice handicrafts and wood carvings of the male organ in all sorts like ashtray, keychain, figurines, etc. In addition to these, are the figurines of a man in the barrel and when you lift the barrel his organ will popped out. Now they have also the female version of this.
Structures in Bagiuo have no air-conditioning system even their malls and hotels.
Taxis there also have no air-conditioning system. Taxi fares are cheap because all are metered even if it is only a short ride.
You could take pictures with dogs, horses, ifugao natives and even with their wardrobes on you for 15 pesos.
Be careful in crowded places especially Burnham Park.
They say Burnham Park is a wi-fi ready zone but have not tried this yet.
Try the SCTEX way for an alternative road to avoid traffic in Tarlac and Pampanga.