A lot of criticism has been thrown at Baguio in the recent years, a lot of visitors including the residents feel that the glory of this town is gone forever.
Some visitors even claim that it is a dead city, it has been raped for so many times and that it would be best to visit Davao and other tourists spots in the country.
Baguio is known for the wonderful pine trees and the inviting climate, but lately due to immense tree cutting and lack of effective city planning the city is said to have lost its charm.
But enough of the criticism, we all know that there is something going wrong, may it be due to political, religious or cultural differences.
What we need to focus on is how to rebuild our beloved city.
So how does one love Baguio in the truest sense of the word?
How does one love a treasured city that has been the home of the free thinkers, the intellectuals, , the dancers, the poets and the dreamers.
5. Support local shops and restaurants:
You cannot expect to maintain the culture and charm of the place, if you will not support actual business men who know the area and who love Baguio.
There are so many newcomers in the city and because of that different fast food franchises and outlets have overtaken some of the best locations at Session Road.
Others see that as progress, but some people like me believe that our old restaurants who have been serving us for more than 15 to 20 years deserve our patronage.
Some of the best restaurants in Session Road have closed like Gecko and Sunshine Lunch.
Competition has been too tough lately, it does not mean that they don't serve great food. In fact, Gecko and Sunshine Lunch serves some of the best meals in Baguio.
However, the rent became too high and the value for what they have to offer has been lessened.
If you truly love Baguio... you need to support restaurants that have supported the simple lifestyle of the Igorots a long time ago.
Local shops and restaurants have their own charm and originality in menu.
To see them closing one by one is truly a big loss because it also means that the foundation of a charming city is slowly being removed.
Despite the major renovations that are occurring in Session Road and despite the increase in fast food chains--this old restaurants still deserve to be supported, they provide historical insights to what Baguio used to be...of how great Baguio is...
Instead of eating in Jollibee, Mcdonalds, Greenwich, Starbucks and other newcomers in the area...
Give your love to local businesses like:
Solibao Restaurant
Luisa's Cafe
Mandarin Cafe
Streamline ( previous name Dainty Lunch)
Jack's Restaurant
Oh my Gulay ( La Azotea- Vegetarian food)
Pizza Volante
Session Delights
Sizzling Plate
Tea House
and many others.
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This restaurants need the help of residents in order to thrive.
A lot of amazing restaurants had to close down because they are not able to keep up with the rent.
If only Baguio residents had loyalty to this restaurants who serve great food and good ambiance we will still have them around.
Big companies like McDonalds and Jollibee can thrive on their own and are guaranteed to have more earnings.
But businesses that cater to the local palette need to be given a chance. Restaurants like Oh my Gulay and Luisa's Cafe serve some of the best foods in the area.
The Flying Gecko restaurant was the home of amazing salads and ice cream as well as other Western dishes, it was also one of the most interesting restaurants visually in the 90s.
Sadly, it was not able to make the rent and it had to close down last 2012.
The identity of Baguio can be seen in this restaurants, they all tell a story. A story that franchised restaurants will never be able to provide you.
Restaurants like the Flying Gecko serve quality dishes and make Session truly worth visiting.
Jollibee, Mcdo and other franchised businesses exist everywhere in the country. This franchised foods will not necessarily provide any nutritional effects for the body, it would be best to eat a hearty meal at Jack's or to order some really good soup at Mandarin Restaurant.
What we need is to give a chance to our local restaurants to thrive. Mandarin and Luisa's Cafe serve some of the best Chinese food while Jacks restaurant continue to serve affordable dishes.
Luisa's siopao is highly recommended. I can guarantee you that the sauce and the quality of the siopao is better than Chowking.
We need to help out restaurants that provide unique and quality dishes, franchised brands are too common.
In order to make Baguio more interesting we need to keep restaurants that represent this idea.
4. Rediscover Baguio musicians
Baguio is one of the hardest crowds to please, and if you are able to make the crowd cheer for you there must be something really special about you.
People do not easily give out their appreciation for the performance, you have to give it your all before you will be able to gain a reputation in the music scene.
In order to become a famous musical group in Baguio, your band members should be able to their own instruments.It would also be better if you have your own style and if you have your own list of songs.
Lately the music scene has been at an all time low, there are a lot of benefit gigs but there needs to be a place again to resurrect some of the best musical experiences in Baguio.
Ayuyang Bar has been the home of a lot of wonderful performances in the past, today it has been revived in the name of Ki'Kan bar.
Grupong Daluyon and Grupong Binhi still play here from time to time. When in Baguio make sure to visit Ki'Kan bar ( Gov. Pack Road-- previous Ayuyang Bar area) and get to experience the real Baguio musicians.
Here is a list of some of the best bands, most of the bands have been established in the 90s and continue to play wonderful music.
Musicians in Baguio need the support of people in order to thrive, Baguio is considered to have some of the best musical talents.
At a young age a lot of men and women in Baguio already know how to play the guitar, the people of Baguio dance to their own beat and tourists are sure to feel the mysterious vibe pervading in the concert area.
If you are a performer and you want to test if you have what it takes to make it big. Try Baguio and see if you will survive the music scene.
Where to find them:
The Edralins: If you like men in suits and the music of Beatles and other hits from the 80s and 90s this is the band for you.
They are frequently seen in 18 B.C bar located at Legarda Road.
You can also watch them in Urban Grills as well as Giligan Island.
You can also hire them for wedding receptions.
Grupong Daluyon: If you love rock n`roll, blues as well as cultural performances this is the band for you.
Find them playing at Ki`Kan Bar ( Gov. Pack road)
Grupong Binhi on the other hand is a versatile group that can play any genre upon request.
you can also find them playing at Ki`Kan Bar.
The Seal of Benjamin: Tuesdays- Fridays
7:30 pm Jimmy`s Dainty House-- be serenaded by gorgeous Pop Balladeer Benj Cruz
Regge Pickle Relish
If you want a more laid back and teenage reggae fresh vibe this is the band for you. Pickle Relish also plays at Ki`Kan Bar.
There are more amazing bands in Baguio that have not been covered by this blog, in the coming days I will update and improve them more.
Several famous bands are included in this list, some are active while some are planning to make a comeback.
- dizzy spectrum
- brand x
- sons of merlin
- siege
- didactic symphony
- carpe diem
- swastika
- psychedelic outpost
- Black Heaven
- Revelation
- Yin Yang Theory
- Powerpuff Corn
- Alugbati
- Cookie Jar
- Tumbleweeds
- Bag-iw
- Session Road
- EVEN
- Open Spaces
- Emanon
- Space Flower Band
No. 3, 2 and 1 ways to love Baguio will be shared in the next blog....
I am not in any way claiming expertise over the music scene but will try to provide as much information as I can in the coming weeks.
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