SAGADA ADVENTURES

"travel"


There are many blogs about Sagada, I don't want to be different, just want to share my experience. I have a friend who is a descendant of a family from Sagada, so they have stories from way back, of how Sagada looked like. I tell you, most locals don't want changes in the way of life there, it's almost modern. Too busy as they say, the relaxation they get from going back from their hometown is tarnished by modernization. It doesn't mean they don't like tourists, they do like when people know something about their culture but the thing is people don't adjust to Sagada's way of life, its the other way around.

Sagada adjusts to tourists, two years ago the path from echo valley is grass and earth, you can even jump at the side of the mountain. Now there is a cemented path with bars so the tourists won't fall, and many other hotels that popped up for the convenience of tourists. But really why did you go there in the first place? 

1. To relax
2. To commune with nature
3. Get away from everything
4. Take time to meditate on life 
And not to find hotels with wifi, have a comfortable room to stay and indulge on food just like what you do in your other travels which contradicts your point of going there.

So what to do in Sagada? It's my second time to go there, before I tried caving in Sumaguing and went to Lake Danum, I also went to Echo valley just to shout hahaha, and Kiltepan to watch the sunrise. I went back to Kiltepan this year which is full of people! it's like there are 500 people there just to see the sunrise. It's funny when they say what so special about it, folks! if you go there with the other 500 people, I don't think you would know what special about it. Because before we are only 8 people looking at that sunrise when no one is talking and making noise, and the valley below Kiltepan is covered with clouds which is literally you are above the clouds and waiting for the sun to shine. And it made me feel thankful to witness another day of my life beginning because of that.

Sunrise at Kiltepan

Sagada's church is my favorite spot, I don't know why the air is much cooler and blows much harder there than any other place. Feeling the cold weather and talking to my friends who are with me, creates memories. Going down a large grass field made us laugh because we don't know which path to take, because we might fall down or slide downwards. Like we are kids, and laughing again because basically we have to climb up which is much harder.

St. Mary's Episcopal Church

Locals say you haven't been to Sagada if you did not try caving in Sumaguing (P500 with guide). That's why they have a T-shirt saying I survived Sagada. Tip - If you are there please try this, you traveled almost 12 hours just to get there and you will go Pabebe! oh my gosh please spare me! It's too beautiful to miss, you can actually touch and walk on the rock formations in the cave unlike in Palawan that you just boat all through out. The fulfillment of going down a dark cave, the adrenaline rush and your will to go on because you don't want to be left alone there.

Sumaguing Cave

One unexpected thing I did is the Echo Adventure (P1000), because I booked for Echo tours (P600) only because it is said that its 3 hours trekking, well it end up we did the Adventure one because of misunderstanding. We started at 6pm almost dusk but it's still bright during that time, so we went towards the Hanging coffins, another cave and the Underground River which leads to Bokong falls. I am so tired that time due to early morning spelunking and side trip to Banaue which I drove and then we are at an adventure that made me too weak and too tired to move on. It might be easy for me if I'm relaxed and not hungry that makes it even worse because by the end of the trek I am shaking of hunger. My friend said that its the first time she trekked at night, and I said sarcastically who isn't?! And then we laughed it off. For me it would be nice if we did it when the sun is up, we will appreciate the beauty of Sagada more, since we passed by rice fields and climbed up from river to the bridge.

The food in Sagada usually caters international menu, because apparently their usual visitors before are foreigners. They also have vegetarian restaurants, french cuisine and yoghurts (these costs 120-200/meal depends on the restaurants). So what are the local menus? I've tasted almost all unique food in Mountain Province since I have a friend whose family cooks it when I visit them.

1. Pinikpikan - It is like Chicken Tinola but the chicken is prepared in a different manner, it also has Etag, it's like bacon but prepared traditionally. In the town center there are small restaurants at the basement of a building (I forgot the name but it's beside the tourist center) which sells 1 serving for 100 pesos.

2. Pork with Black beans - literally thats it (P90 with rice)

3. Sinigang na Baboy - yes it is not uniquely theirs but their manner of cooking with tomatoes as the main ingredient for its sourness which makes it taste so fresh. (P90 with rice)

4. Lemon Pie - this is the only place I've tasted this kind of Pie (I don't know in other countries) (P35/slice)

We traveled on a budget so we brought food while travelling to lessen expensive eating in restaurants. I always tell my friends that the only thing that can make your budget blow up is due to excessive eating while travelling hahaha! Also try to find local eateries that can make you save money and try their local cuisines.

You can also bring these during your travels not only in Sagada 
1. blanket
2. towels
3. drinking water (very important!)
4. chips, crackers or bread
5. cooler with ice (for your cold beverages)
With these you can save on add-ons because sometimes they charge for extras.

There are a lot of blogs that can give you a backpackers price but with me it is meant for people who bring their own cars and a small group (3-5 person). I prefer bringing one because of comfort and it saves time. When I visited this holy week, we are only three when we traveled in Sagada. So you may think it's expensive but i'll give you a break down. Note Bataan to Baguio has the same Km as Manila to Baguio.

Bataan-Baguio Gas (P35/L)                              1000
(Honda City 1.5 AT)
SCTEX TPLEX Toll                                           1000
(vice versa)
Gas Top up Baguio-Sagada (P44/L)                 1100
Baguio-Bontoc Toll                                                30
(vice versa)
George Guesthouse Hotel                                2000
(for 3 pax - P1000/night)
Tours (Sumaguing and Echo Adv)                    1500
Gas Top up Sagada-Baguio                                700
Gas Top up Baguio-Bataan                                 700
Total                                                                   8030
All in all we spent P8030 divided by 3 persons, it costs P2677/person. We have a budget of 3000 per person before we left Bataan, we still have P900 excess for food while we are together. But we brought P2000/person extra for incidentals (food and souvenirs). So I think P5000 per person is more than enough to spend a trip in Sagada on a private vehicle with your friends. 

Go up and experience Sagada, so you can check off one of your travel bucket list. Try the adventures and it will make your long trip worthwhile.

And as the local says: While in Sagada...Take nothing but pictures... Leave nothing but footprints... Kill nothing but time.


FOR THE LOVE OF HOTELS

"travel"
Solaire Hotel and Casino

When I was little my dream is to sleep in a hotel, I don't know why, but it gave me a perception that being in that place equals to comfort. And yes! it is!

My first experience in a hotel is not so well, given that it is one of the best hotels in the Philippines. My dad had an operation in a clinic and they prefer that he should stay in a hotel near the clinic so we checked in. I was so excited that it ended up very disappointing for me. First, I don't smoke, the fact that my parents too have no idea what to do when checking in, because maybe its still their first time. The reception gave them a smoking room with twin beds, hence I could not stay inside the hotel for a long time. So from then on, I did not get a smoking room after that one. 

So why is a girl like me living in a third world country have the affinity to hotels? If other people prefer signature hand bags, expensive watch and high end phones, me, I like hotels. What are the hotels I've tried? Here are the list.

Manila

1. The Manila Hotel
2. Dusit Thani
3. Edsa Shangri La
4. Sofitel Philippine Plaza
5. The Peninsula Hotel
6. Marriot Hotel
7. Solaire Hotel and Casino
8. Traders Hotel (Hotel Jen)
9. Hyatt Hotel (New World)
10. Manila Pavilion
11. Manila Grand Opera Hotel
12. Microtel at MOA
13. The Fersal Inn Chains
14. Midas Hotel
15. Tune Hotels (Red)

Provinces

1. Microtel Chains

Other Countries

1. Marina Bay Sands Singapore

Well actually in the provinces and other countries, I don't go for luxury because of limited resources but when in Manila and I try to relax, I picked at the 5 stars that I can find. You may ask, what's the difference? what do I get from this? Let me dissect the Pros and Cons.

5 star hotels aside from the grandeur and high quality linens (hehehe!) have perks!
When Solaire opened, I was welcomed with free drinks at the bar, buffet breakfast, fruits and chocolates in my room and an ice bucket with ice! sounds weird? well a lot of hotels have ice buckets but no ice. In Marriot, I was given 2 types of tea in an elegant tin can with box :D Well others have fruits and newspapers.

In a 5 star hotel there are options, for a person like me who wants comfort, I usually get the Executive suites, its not like a Presidential suite, you will also have a regular room like the others but you have access to Executive lounge. ooohhhh sounds fancy eh?! well yes it is. And can you tell me what that is? you may ask?

Because you paid extra for comfort and luxury, the hotel will give you something extra too. Like when you check in or out, you will not queue like the others do in the lobby. You will go to the lounge and sit in a nice sofa with cable TV and drinks while you wait. Upon check in, you will be given any drinks or food that they have in there (you can take any food at your hearts content, no one will judge you). There are also hors d'oeuvre from 5pm-7pm with your choice of wine (again you can take as much as you want) but be prepared because dress code is strictly implemented (no shorts allowed). You can take food and drinks during your stay, provided you will finish it there (baka daw kasi mag uwi ka). You can also use a board room complete with amenities if you need it and free press of 1 pair of clothes. Not enough for you? You can also have your breakfast there away from many people in the buffet breakfast below, you can enjoy your breakfast with peace and quiet that you usually have at home (because who will want to pay for extra right?).


Executive Lounge at Marriott Manila

So, who has this Executive lounges? Pretty much every 5 star hotel has one, I tried the lounges in Marriot, Dusit, Hyatt and Traders. They live up to their standards of comfort and pleasure but the best food among them is in Marriot. Well I love their cold desserts and pretty much all the cookies and french macaroons! yum!



So for beds, only one has a My Bed, you will feel you are lying on top of a marshmallow and that is Sofitel. Aside from the bed, they put another layer on top that makes it more soft and you will have a good night sleep. Sofitel also have a lagoon type of pool so you will feel you are in a resort rather than in a city type hotel. 



Food, pretty much everyone has a good standard so I will not say who's the best because I like food, even if its bad I'd still like it especially when I'm hungry. I order food mostly from room service, I don't try their restaurants because I don't want to mingle and dress up when I'm in a mood to relax. So let's just say what expensive foods I've tried in a hotel. This is ala carte not buffet, I spent almost 3000 pesos for a steak in Solaire, the only steak resto in there, Strip Steakhouse. The fact that I'm wearing an old shirt and faded pants didn't stop me from eating there. The staffs are nice, the steak is awesome although I need to order separate rice and side dish for that which makes it even more expensive gives me a satisfaction. Plus, they even gave me 2 pcs of chocolate bonbons to finish my meal, it made me full and happy. I also tried Sea bass in a resto in Sofitel, when it came it looked beautiful and its worth 1500, you know just to try what sea bass is, I really didn't know what to expect, I just have the idea that it taste like fish, well after eating it i want to shout Patis please :) 

Strip Steakhouse at Solaire


The Steak

Room service is not tricky, you just open the hard bound books of the hotel and choose a meal. They even have order cards that you leave outside your door before you sleep at night, so that when you wake up you can have your breakfast beside the bed hahaha! not in bed? because they will convert their food carts into a table when they come in to your room. So what to order! I have a hack for you, don't choose filipino food, for god sake, you have all the filipino food you want outside the hotel, please spare me. If you like asian food such as korean and japanese and if its available kindly order that, especially when it comes in bento. Why? Because those food have side dishes, in japanese you'll have miso soup and others, in korean, kimchi and others, so you can get your money's worth.

Next are the pools, the best one for me (for me! not you or any other person) is Sofitel. Why? because its like a resort and then its near the bay. Word of advice, if you are going to relax in a hotel please bring swimwear, whether you feel like you are not going to swim, just bring one, you'll never know the water might invite you in. My other experience is at the famous pool in Singapore, that's right you guessed it, The Marina Bay Sands. When I went there to swim others just took pics and bring their DSLRs in the pool and snap away. Too bad for me, I have no companion so no one took my photos :( but its a great experience, before I'm just looking at it through photos then suddenly I was there.

Sofitel Lagoon Pool

Marina Bay Sands Pool

There is also spa! yes! if you plan to have a massage that night call the spa right away so that you can book yourself early and you will not be out of slot. Most massage in a 5 star hotel cost around 2000-3000 pesos, yes its expensive, but the thing is they will not put a cheap oil on you. Their oils can make you relax, and some masseuse are so good you wont have a choice but to fall asleep. In Dusit hotel their masseuse has a technique of pressing hot towel on your back and immediately give a pressure so that the heat will get in your body to relieve all the stress.

Dusit Thani Deverana Spa

Heads Up! Checking-In at a 5 star hotel isn't just your room charge, you will pay first and then there's what you call a security deposit, in any case you made damages to the hotel. It costs around 2500-6000 pesos depending on a hotel, I will not specify which hotels because of competitive reasons. So be prepared to bring extra cash, or if you have credit card you will need to swipe that and they will keep the receipt, they can tear it if you didn't use any or if you prefer to pay cash. Another hack, let's say your budget in a mini vacation is 10 thousand pesos, that means you paid for the hotel and the deposit. You can use that deposit to pay for your meals during your stay, spa services or even what you take in your mini bar. If you want to refund, just pay the services in cash when you use it.

Speaking of which... THE MINI BAR, hahaha I have a story for you, one time I was at a provincial hotel and we checked in as a group but I got a separate room, I was the last to check out, when I'm at the reception, I was charged with 2000 pesos for a bunch of sodas! I paid for it 'cause I can't leave unless I do so. So after that I called my friend and told her that her friends drunk the sodas at the hotel fridge. And her answer was, they drunk the sodas because it will be a waste if they do not drink that, they thought its free. So there you go, every food in that bar worth 10 times, like you drank a water filled with diamonds because for 500 ml of Evian, you will have to pay 1000 pesos. If you can't pay for the food in the mini bar, please just leave it alone and buy at the nearest 7 eleven stores :D The mini bar at Marina Bay Sands is cool, I hope they have one like that here. The fridge is locked when you have no more extra money left in your deposit. There are electric tray sensor in the fridge they have holes for specific drinks so when you take it, you can't put it back again, because it will be charge to you, might as well drink it.

One or two things I like in hotels are their variety of bath products and things you can use during your stay like slippers, laundry bags, papers, ball pens, soaps, dental kits, coffees and teas! Before I check out it seems like i went shopping in a grocery. Sorry hotel peeps and owners, if I have to pay that expensive room at least i get to keep the ball pens right? Sometimes I ask receptionists if I can keep their pen when I'm signing something which they usually agrees. In Manila Hotel the bathrooms have their own built it TV at the walls, so you get to enjoy your favorite program while having a relaxing time at the bathtub. In 5 star hotels they partner with brands like L'occitane Asprey and Lanvin for the bath needs, some have Aromatherapy, which you don't use because they are expensive.  At least I tried some of them, even the teas, some are Twinings others have TWG, you might guess I have a lot of tea bags in the house by now right? Well the answer is in my cabinet full of hotel stuff.

To continue, what do I look for in a hotel? It depends on what business I have during my stay. If I have to do something in the city, I don't go to 5 star hotels because I will not stay there the whole day. I choose Fersal Hotel chains, they have several hotel within the city and they are affordable. Unlike other hotels that have specific check in time, at Fersal they don't. If you check in at 7am today your check out will be 7am tomorrow, same goes if you check in at 5pm today you check out at 5pm the next day. They also have masseuse that will be in your room when you asked for it. The food in Fersal Hotel is good, I like their food choices, it has a large serving with affordable price.

Fersal in Makati

Next is location, especially when I'm going out of the country since I live in the province. I always book at Microtel at MOA and Tune Hotels (Red Hotel now) in Aseana because of their proximity at the airport and SM Mall of Asia. Usually I'll be in Manila a day before my flight, so I often check in at Microtel. The night before I'll be roaming around the mall or catch a movie before sleeping, so that the vacation starts there.They have a pool if you need a dip with the view of the mall and the bay. Microtel is good due to its functionality, it may not be a 5 star hotel but everything you need during your stay is available. They even have ice maker in between floors so you know where to get your water and ice. They have wake up calls and they even pack a breakfast for me before going to the airport, since I can't eat my breakfast there if my flight is at 5am. I also check in if my arrival in Manila is 11pm, this time in Red Hotel. Red Hotel retain the functionality of Tune Hotel, what you need for a quick night stay, you can get it there. It's clean, modern and near places you need for a quick bite.

View at the Pool Deck in Microtel MOA

But when it comes to comfort and relaxation I often stay at 5 star hotels, because I'm the girl who dreams at sleeping at hotels and I make sure to try the top hotels on my list. But for hotel novices I hope you take this tips before choosing hotels. Learn what the hotel has to offer and enjoy using the services. Last life hack, I often book my hotel at Agoda.com, sometimes I compare it to the hotels official website and assess where I can save for the same type of room. In Agoda, I get points for every booking and I even redeemed a free hotel because I saved a lot of points. Some time in your life you have to do these things, but at least I gave you what the best hotels can offer and I hope you learned a lot from me.

CTTO: for the owners of used pics :D






PLAY WITH WORDS

"hobby"

This is my first attempt of making a lettering out of a quote, as you can see I have the idea but its not polished. Earlier, I came across a Hand Lettering book by Abbey Sy titled The ABC's of Hand Lettering, so I looked at it and when i went home I started researching about it. 



Although it needed ruler and many layouts to do it, I tried it using freestyle, that's why it ended up looking crooked. But no matter, the fact that I tried makes it 1 step further in making this a hobby.

I used to draft this with cardboard paper, a pencil and a 0.3 ballpoint pen. I found the quote while I was watching the trailer of The Danish Girl, that made me want to use it as an inspiration. I hope by posting this you had an idea of how I started which is very sudden and kinda spur of a moment.

I'm a person who has a lot of free time, so I'm making the most of it by learning something new. Try if you want to do it, than just looking at it and wishing that you can do it to. Just research and get the right reference to start lettering.

Some of my favourite letterings and quotes:







SURPRISE BOX!!!

"featured"
Surprise Birthday Box

I'm a simple girl who wants simple things. But sometimes you came about wanting more like cellphones, gadgets and gaming devices as you grow up. Others like signature bags or shirts that is easily bought in the stores. During holidays or birthdays or any occasions, simple cards are not used anymore. The thought, the words and the message of how much you care for a person is slowly dying down. But I hope it will not, maybe we can do something to pump it up. 

There is an art project that I saw one day on Facebook and it caught my attention and dreamed of doing it. Personally I might say, I'm not into arts and crafts, for me its time consuming, when you can just pick up a shoe or shirt or whatever. Anyway I don't have someone to give that kind of gift to. Then when the time comes a person comes along and their birthday is coming up, I said to myself, I think now is the time to make this.

And so I bought the materials needed for this surprise box, which by the way I watched in YouTube. Click on this link ---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qJBN_iyfyY and started making it. At first I thought I can make it that day, which I'm mistaken (If you think you can, well think twice). 

I made the box for 3 days and 2 nights that made me up till 2 am for the next two days, just to finish the details. Not only I'm following instructions in Portuguese (thank god for the subtitles) but computing for the size of the box in centimeters also gets to me. And with my big hands making the small designs makes it even more harder. But my will  to finish this is very strong. 

Making the box is not hard...thinking of what to put in the box is the hard part. Of course you don't want to copy everything in the video. You want some of your original ideas to be put in it. I'm so proud of finishing it because it is the first arts and crafts that I attempted to make and finished. The time and effort that I put on it makes it special, and to the person you will give it, will appreciate the effort and will love what you've done for their special day.


The Pawikan Experience (Pawikan Festival 2015)

"travel"
Pawikans going to the shore
I’m from Bataan but this is the first time that I went to the Pawikan Festival. Why? Who goes to their own festivals right? I have been to different tourist spots here because I had to promote my own town to others when I go to different places. Although I’m not a tourism officer but I am glad to have lived here and boast to others what a good province Bataan is.
 

I was amazed how the day turned out, I thought it would just be an in and out program but I enjoyed it a lot. There’s a lot to see and a lot to do. So first off. Why is there a Pawikan Conservation in Bataan? Some of the care takers and advocates of this center are past Pawikan poachers. When they realized that the Pawikan are one of the endangered species in the planet, they had to stop and help save the Pawikans.

Pawikans to be released
The festival started 14 years ago, officially… hahaha well those are the words I’ve been hearing the whole morning. The conservation is at Brgy. Nagbalayong in Morong, Bataan, there is a small swimming pool at the entrance for the Pawikan. Although they do not encourage to keep the Pawikans in the center, they had no choice because the Pawikan itself keeps coming back to the area whenever they release him. Beyond the pool is the hatchery where the eggs are buried for their incubation period. Although they can be released anytime they hatch, the ceremonial releasing of them is during the festival where lots of people are able to watch. When you go here during the festival there are no entrance fees, if you have to spend something, they are for the souvenirs and food that you want to buy.

Kid touching the Pawikan
The crowd watching the release
There are many activities to watch during the event, there are body painting exhibition, boat painting contest, sand sculpture contest and of course the much awaited street dancing competition which is performed at the beach. (hehehe should’ve changed it to beach dancing competition but anyway…) I looked forward to swimming at the beach of course! And when we are hungry, there are a lot of food stalls and souvenir stalls along the beach of Morong.





There are also photo booths and Pawikan painting backdrops where you can take a lot of pictures and store it with the enjoyable and jam packed activities you had all day.

Photo op with the body painting models

Activities for the day
You can visit the Pawikan Center anytime when you visit Bataan. Here is the Map, You can take Manila to Bataan bus, either Genesis or Bataan transit to Balanga then ride a mini bus from Balanga to Morong at the Terminal, you can ask the conductor to drop you off the Pawikan Conservation Center.




For more info about Bataan you can Like their FB Page www.facebook.com/bataan.tourism

Cool it up Baguio!

"travel"
Bell Amphitheatre 
I would like to start a travel blog on one of my favorite places, a year will not pass by that I wouldn’t go here, even my parents’ old pictures says a lot about how close my heart is with this place… Baguio.

Yeah, a lot has enough blogs about this place, but who wouldn’t? Baguio is a nice place and its very close to my heart. When my mom died the first place me and my dad went to is Baguio.

Why do I always come back? Well its because of the weather, the thing of waking up in the morning with a nice somewhat air-conditiony type of weather brings smile on my face. I don’t like heat so I prefer cool places. I can’t go to Japan, Korea, US or any place that has winter, so this is the most accessible. I remember my friend’s cousin laugh about me, when I woke up and thinking out loud on how I love the coolness of the place, he thinks I’m weird actually.

Well, how many times have I’ve been to Baguio? Actually, I can’t count anymore. But every time I went there is a different experience, like this one time, I ask a friend of mine if she has been to Mines View Park, where you can see the trees, several houses and clouds on top of the mountain. She answered “Yes”, of course she lives there, but I’m a weird person so there’s a follow up, but have you tried going there at night? Well of course she says no, what will you do there if its dark? Personally I just want to see it without people in it, and its really dark :D I’m just crazy. So what I did is repeat that moment with her. There’s a problem though, there’s a storm, signal no. 2 if I may say and its raining heavily. But who could stop a person like me? Hahaha! So its already 5pm and the sky is close to darkness and we head to the park, put our jackets on (3 layers! First time I wear in Baguio) umbrella in my hand and just went there. Well there are no people, no vendors or whatsoever, just like how I wanted it. We went to the edge and voila! You can’t see anything except for clouds, fog and rain, every now and then we can see a glimpse of trees and houses but most of the time, none. But I loved it, my purpose has been served :D

Mines View Park during the storm
Since I’ve been to Baguio too many times, what do I do there? Where do I go? Of course, I revisit every tourist spot and mind you! Take a picture of it as well, lately I’m discovering new places because I have a friend who live there. Aside from Burnham, Mines View, Camp John Hay there are Lourdes Grotto, BenCab Museum, Tam-Awan Village, Chinese Bell Tower, Crystal Cave (still haven’t been here), Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad, SM Baguio (don’t tell me you will not go here!) and PMA. I’ve discovered a new place, I’ve been to Camp John Hay too many times but I didn’t went to Bell House, well I thought its off limits all this time so I wouldn’t dare hehehe. There, me and my friend talk for hours with a cool breeze of the wind under the pine trees, it’s a nice feeling that we forgot to eat lunch.

Speaking of food, Baguio is like Singapore, not how the way they cook food but a variety of cheap and delicious food. Unlike Manila, there are times you can go to a resto and regret that you went there. In Baguio, pretty much all of the places I’ve been to is worth my taste buds. I have a favorite place that I will not miss going there when I’m in Baguio and the place is called Good Taste. Yes this is very popular, it has this reputation of good food, large servings and affordable price. The best seller? Good Taste Fried Rice, this includes Fried rice, egg sunny side up, veggies, roasted chicken, asado pork and few lechon kawali for only P115! What a treat! :D There’s a lot of signature restos in Baguio, just explore, the latest I’ve been to is Café Yagam, it’s the road leading up to Hotel Elizabeth just a few yards from it in Gibraltar Rd. The ambiance of the place feels homey and there is a fireplace that they use every night, there are books and their Lemongrass Iced Tea is a revelation to me, its so refreshing! Their menu is a traditional cordillera food with fusion from other regions, its like eating and discovering their roots at the same time. I also had an experience in most artistic place, the place is art itself, its along Assumption Rd and its called Balbacua, I know its not cordilleran food and its from Mindanao but the idea of Baguio being open to different kinds of cuisine from different parts of the Philippines opened my eyes that the people here appreciate traditional cuisine.

Balbacua
Where do I stay? Now when I go there, I stay at my friends house, they are like a family to me, and the one I will miss most when I stay there is the Pinikpikan with Etag and the taste of it is heavenly. Its like you tasted art! No kidding! Not to brag but I’ve been to a lot of best high end restos in Manila but this! This is one of the best I’ve tasted! Just making it is an art from the chicken to etag and a simple tinola like cooking is the best. I can even taste the smokey flavor of both meat and the deliciousness of the soup base, it takes me back to I don’t know when! So I have that privilege that I don’t go to hotels after that hahaha! But here are some of the place I’m staying before, Dely’s Inn is no. 1 for me besides the location, beside Burnham and at the back of Good Taste who wouldn’t like that. Its cheap too P1500 for 2 persons and what I like is the strong water pressure when I take a bath, it’s a plus for me. Another one is DL Divine Inn its also below P1500 and walking distance from SM Baguio and Session Road. Those are affordable places that I stayed before, I’m not going to mention the 3k and above because there are lots of it in Baguio.

Pinikpikan with Etag
One thing I was curious when I was there or when I’m looking at blogs is Session Road. I travel by car all the time when I go up, that I don’t walk when I’m in Session, usually I’ll just pass it by. Lately, my friend made me stroll around Session that I’m finding new places to eat and malls other than SM to go to. There is a place called Porta Vaga, where cheap items were being sold, a lot of restos too at the ground floor, even the buildings in front of that mall has restos from vegetarian (Azotea Greens) to pizza lovers (Volante). The one that catches my attention is The Tea House! I love their cakes that is placed in a microwavable container, not in a box so its not messy to eat, and the taste is very good and its cheap too. I like how creative they are, that’s why they pop to the masses.


People of Baguio are open minded, cultured and they want to preserve it as long as it takes. Even my friend is an advocate of cultural preservation, that all of us should follow, so we will not forget where we came from. In this world of fast paced economic growth, I think sometimes we should take time to slow down and take in as much culture as we can. Yes, Igorot is a very unique word for a local of Baguio and Cordillera Region, it means people from the mountains, but this place within the mountains will teach you a lot about nature and culture, and you will love it as much as the cool weather.

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