For those who stood up for the trees and continue to do so...

I remember sitting down at a Cafe with some of my Baguio artist friends when suddenly a big news was relayed to us.

SM City Baguio is planning to do an expansion that will require the cutting of 182 century old trees in Luneta Hill near Governor Pack road.

They first heard this through an active environmentalist group A Tree A day and an invitation to help save the trees was created by Michael Bengwayan on Facebook.


Almost all of the pine trees in the city are being cut--to give way to Parking lots  and concrete structures and while we cannot prevent people from building their homes and setting up their businesses- the question of what will the future of Baguio be like started to bother me...

The role of Baguio artists was really crucial in helping me understand what is going on in the city.

 It was them who opened my eyes and made me realize that the way we are living right now could not possibly sustain us in the future. But there had been also a number of people who just made me realize this is something that truly concerns us all.

Like many others I felt overwhelmed with the news, and started reviewing the implications of the expansion, the cutting down of the trees and the potential problems this expansion will create.

This is just my story...and thousands of residents here in Baguio City have their own story to share--In fact, if given a chance in the future I would like to tell the story of a number of people here in Baguio who have dedicated their time to make sure that Baguio will still have trees in the future.

 Many have participated and contributed in their own little ways and while the battle is not yet finished--we have seen the power of social  media, we have seen how concern for the city of Baguio can go a long long way.


And we have seen that even in just a short period of time...we were able to get united.

 The people who would normally ignore each other on the streets--felt the need to meet each other over coffee--because they all wanted to know how they could help Baguio

One anonymous member who called himself William Kim  died this week, and while the rest of Baguio don't know who he really is, many who are active in the social media circle have heard of his name and have observed of how relentless he is in providing social media campaigns for environmental awareness and consciousness in Baguio.

He was one of those who started the campaign of Going Local or supporting the Local Baguio industry, he suggested that instead of supporting just one giant mall, why don't we Rediscover Baguio again- This made a big impact on a lot of people whether he knew them or not and I am one of those who started to Rediscover Baguio again.



While , we are definitely aware that SM City Baguio is not the only one who is planning to cut trees, this will also include JohnHay and Moldex Residences as well as other local companies- we still insisted on using the energy that was created from this group in order to spearhead activities that are related to the environment.

A year has already passed, and while you will no longer see Baguio residents openly protesting the cutting of the trees- a new lifestyle has emerged, thanks to people like William Kim.

Many of those who protested, have opted to change their lifestyle, many like me have chosen to go local.

To support local products and to join as many tree planting projects- and not just that we were able to get in touch with Baguio artists--in many ways the community was strengthened--and while most critics of the group did not see this...those who have felt it--understand what I mean.

Other places in the Philippines started to get concerned, even people from Pangasinan now understand why it was horrifying to see the trees being cut  just to give way for road widening projects..and while yes, we were not able to prevent the cutting--we have to understand that something is being ignited inside our minds that did not exist before..

We are slowly gaining the idea that trees are valuable, that trees have life- that Nature should be respected--we are slowly regaining our ability to listen to the voice of nature. 

His real name is Edmund Cosalan, I never really saw him in person but he often contacted me in order to provide tips and guidance on how to help people Rediscover Baguio again.

Like many others who love Baguio he was open to providing ways on how we can make our community stronger.

Despite being anonymous, he found ways to support the group.

 I remember  once that he sent a friend to provide us pen and paper so that we could collect enough signatures with regards to the cause of the trees

. He was the one who connected me with other concerned Baguio residents, we were able to create several environmental campaigns because of this connection.

People like him made me realize that there are still those who care for Baguio, despite the fact that a lot of environmental issues have been raised like the air quality of Baguio-- My hopes are still  high.

In fact, because of the protest for the 182 trees I have come to realize that Baguio residents are still genuinely concerned and will do what they can- if they are just given a chance.

The more than 100,000+ signatures we have collected in Baguio alone, the tenacity of the people, the need of the people to join is something positive.

And while we are not yet able to understand why it happened and why the universe connected most of us--it does not mean that the purpose is lost.

I saw the passion of several artists groups who did their own performances and info campaigns just so the people of Baguio can get informed.

This people have not been paid, they willingly volunteered their time--because they all felt something must be done.

I saw how the young and the old were able to connect--I saw something wonderful- something powerful..something crucial and could be used to change the problems of Baguio City.

 Although many of them have been accused, I know with all my heart that this people did all that they could because they really felt the need to do so and I know that each of them who have given their time and heart to do this...have learned a valuable lesson that only they can interpret.

Because of this protest, a lot of people were encouraged to plant trees in various areas including Badiwan, Tuba, Asin Forest Park and other adopted areas in La Trinidad and not only that..groups who have ignored each other before like the LGBT community and the Catholic Church were able to unite for one cause--the ENVIRONMENT.

To me this was something crucial, something important, something valuable. Something amazing happened here and we must not forget it.

There are still various groups who are continuously working on environmental projects like the Badiwan Saturday habit.

 Members of active Facebook groups like the S.M.I.L.E movement continue to plant trees, other groups in La Trinidad that have been headed by Dean Cuanso were also able to create environmental projects including one group that is headed by Michael Stalley.

In fact, most of this active Facebook groups like A Tree  a Day continue to create projects.

Each and everyone in the city of Baguio who have felt in their heart to do something--will always come out again if needed. I know that if one day corporations will threaten to cut the remaining trees again people will do something about it.

Residents of Baguio and concerned neighbors still want to do something, and they  continue to prove that time and time again there is something that we will be able to accomplish if we really want it.

After the protest for the 182 trees I have seen a lot of Facebook groups emerge like Save the Needy Now. While this Facebook groups have their own different vision and mission- most of the people who started this met each other because of the call out for the trees.

Save 182 has no official members- it is a movement, If you love the trees and you love Baguio  and you feel that trees should not be cut then you are instantly a part of it.

It was never registered, and  while there are some who are vocal like me...it does not mean that this movement has limited support. In fact, I can vouch that a lot of people follow this movement by heart.

..Save 182 is a symbolic stand that Baguio residents made--and while some will directly connect with the issue of SM--I was able to see the larger picture.

This is not about hatred for one corporation--it is so much more than just the fight for what SM stands for in the Philippines...it is just one step towards understanding what is happening in the entire world.

I saw thousands of Baguio residents hoping for change and not just hoping but working to achieve this..the ideas live on and I know that anytime Baguio will be threatened again...the same people will rise up...People like William Kim ( Edmund Cosalan).

People who will always love Baguio no matter what.

We might not see them directly working, they might not always be present in newspapers, you never see them in the news- but it does not mean that they are not there. It does not mean that the movement has stopped..it does not mean that this people are no longer willing to do something...

It has just taken another direction--an evolved direction...an evolved consciousness that is still waiting to happen.

A Brewing idea that will change not just Baguio but everyone who will care to understand what it means.

5 ways to love Baguio City

Here is the second suggestion on how a person can  profess  love for Baguio City,  may it be an Igorot or an adopted resident of the city.

#2.  The second best way to show love for Baguio city is to support the Baguio Art Community.

Thousands of residents reside in Baguio  but some of them are not able to maximize the experience.


 Some just  shop and hang out at SM city Baguio or Good Taste and that's about it for their social life.  

This means that if they don't have the money to hang-out, they will just content themselves staying at home watching telenovelas. 

Others just stroll at Camp John Hay and take some  strawberry jam as pasalubong and that's about it...

This  is a big waste of what Baguio has to offer, because the truth is...Baguio is so much more than just one SM Shopping mall, it is more than just the expensive lighting equipment courtesy of the Mayor at Rose Garden.

Baguio is the home of some of the best artists of the decade.

 For me, Baguio  tourism can  only be revived if due credit and respect are given to artists.

They are the life line of Baguio...

 Most of the pine trees are gone--if you came to Baguio to experience the glory of nature--then you are in the wrong city.

 The creativity of the residents is the only thing that will save the place from total ruin.

The poets, the writers, the sculptors, the dancers, the theater productions, the musicians are the only ones that can save Baguio from utter ruin.

 Artists that have been recognized worldwide and artists who continue to inspire us despite the fact that they are not featured in any book live here.

 Baguio is the home of artists that are published in the chronicles of life...

Baguio is the home of legendary artists, sculptors, musicians...poetry slam artists, writers, photographers.. 

Baguio City contains a thousand pages of magical characters but only if you will follow the correct map.

 I can openly claim that Baguio City should be the center of Art in the Philippines-- and when I say art I do not mean the fancy museum collections or the pa-sosyal conyo type of art that usually alienates people from different walks of life--

I speak of  art that is given free to the community by those who understand that art is a way of life--- art is not something that you buy inside a store and display inside your living room.

The level of art in Baguio is at its highest--mostly because the creativity of artists are needed during this crucial time for Baguio.

 In fact I  would be so bold as to say, that the art community is what saved me from taking my own life after graduating in college. 

You see, after college graduation you have all sorts of question on where your life will go.

Average people like me are just expected to graduate, work in a call center most  probably or get a Korean teaching job or work inside a University if I am lucky to get accepted. 

 Baguio is still a small town, you cannot expect us to get kick-ass jobs.

After college I thought that was the end of the line...that I was just going to spend my life in front of a computer, answering the call of nasty and angry American clients.

I hated my life truth be told, I always thought I am someone who is going to be special after graduating in Philosophy and taking up Education subjects.

 You see we had studied complex subjects like existentialism, Asian and western Philosophy, Women Studies,  Marxism so and so forth..
.. and to realize that I am just going to sit in front of a computer taking up calls and drinking my days away in a call center work environment was the breaking point for me.

If I believed myself to be special...shouldn't I be doing something kick-ass..then why am I stuck in a job that I do not even like...am I just here to pay the bills and nothing more?

Is it possible to get inspired if my only task is to answer calls for the rest of my days?

Is there not something inside every person that tells them they ought to be doing something great...but why are they not doing it? 

When did they stop believing in their own voice telling them to live their life to the fullest...we will never know... 

Perhaps...it was the first day we stepped inside the school...the first day the system has removed our creativity...

6 months I tried my best to understand working in a corporate environment.

 I tried blending in, I wore suits and high heeled shoes- I did enjoy several parts of the training and meeting people part, but after the training stopped and the real work started--I just felt completely lost. 

I did not envision this kind of life, and I most certainly will just have a short lived happiness every time I will buy a new gadget. I have never been a gadget freak--and if the idea is to get a job to pile up more things in my room that I never use--then all is meaningless.

 I tried making  myself believe that I am a working girl and I am proud of what I was doing--but deep inside I felt empty and not just empty but...lost. 

If graduating  means working in a job that I hated with all of my heart then I'd rather  die.

Waking up every day to answer calls about debt...is hardly called a life...and I will not believe anybody that will say that there is no other way--because I have met people from every walks of life who have striven to reach their life goal--just by simply believing..

People choose to lose their own color...people choose where they work, who they are---we always have a decision to bring back the color into our eyes...

I had this grand dreams for myself you know...The universe I believe heard my call... I have always asked myself if there was something more than the kind of life that others are used to...and the answer came so swiftly and at the right time.

One of my friends got acquainted with some of the best artists in town..a friend in college who for some reason became a part of my world without me even trying..

one day after resigning form work I got invited to one unbelievable party.

It was 10pm in the evening, and a black pick up truck with 12 or more people inside invited me to jump in and join the party. 

I of course, knowing that my life was a complete bore decided to join. After all, a suicidal person need not worry if this people are harmful or not.

This people were very different, some of them wear shabby clothes, they had all this weird bracelets and tattoos and dreadlocks and all kinds of attire--but they had this amazing freedom in their eyes and I just jumped inside the pick up truck.

We ended up having a party at one of the abandoned buildings in JohnHay. This was the first time that I met people like Kawayan de Guia. Kidlat Tahimik( first born),  Rene Aquitania, Rommel Pidazo, Bong ti Baguio, Rocky Cajigan, Carlo Villafuerte and Gawani Domogo. 

They had a friend who owned the spot, they filled it up with various artworks

. Impressions, book collections and they started a bonfire inside the building and some of them had some djembe drums.  I bet, some of them did not really know each other, but then they all danced to the music and sat contentedly near the bonfire.

All of them danced to this wonderful beat, I remember watching Gawani Domogo dance like there is no tomorrow, her grace...the way her dress sways to and fro... I remember Bong Ti Baguio having this one of a kind dancing step that really got you going...he was this energetic dance God and despite being strangers I felt welcome...

I felt so welcome in fact, and watching them dance just uplifted my soul--something moved inside me..something powerful that has ignited my will to live up to this very day.

 I just felt I was now among my family...my soul family.

You see, this people just danced because their hearts told them to do so, there are no dancing requirements, there are no dancing steps... here is just a dance floor..a dance floor called the  universe..

 You don't need to think about who you are when you are dancing, you just merge with the energy around you 

 and I felt it that night and I will feel it forever and I am so glad I jumped inside that black pick-up truck.

They provided us with free painting materials, spray paints and brushes and each of us had been allowed to get a brush and just paint whatever came to mind.

This was a freeing activity for me, and like I child I picked up the coloring materials and painted and painted abstract colors on the walls...

I will never forget what Carlo Villafuerte said that day...you see Carlo is a master of colors, and despite him not remembering what he said that day--I just  knew that by just looking at the abstract paintings I made--he connected with  my thoughts...

I remember telling Rene Aquitania ( a humble and  the most talented performance artist in Baguio) that I have never tried having a dance partner..I said I really wanted to try out some ballroom steps. 

I don't know why I felt like I needed to say that...but I did... we did not sleep. We were awake until 6am in the morning and I remember Mang Rene asking  me to go outside the door near the grass area...

He stretched out his hand and asked  me to take it, he said let us dance... I will never forget the day he took me for a dance. 
It was one of the most powerful life changing experiences that an artist gave me...me..a person who thought she is emotionally dead already...

I needed that dance from a stranger in order to believe that life has something better to offer.

 Life is not just about working 24/7 hating the job that you do because you cannot relate to it.

 Life was not merely about impressing people you do not know by buying things you do not need...

Life is a beautiful beautiful rebellion...and what a loss it would be if people who are residing in Baguio are not given the chance to Baguio artists...they have changed my life and continue to do so...

I have hundreds of stories about each and everyone of them...but right now I will stop here. I will add more in the coming days...

Get to know the Baguio Artist and I assure you...you will value and love Baguio like I do...