Wednesday, July 14, 2010

NATURE WRATH

Wednesday, July 14, 2010
2:24 AM


Heavy storm. Roofs are breaking. Literally. The anguish of the wind just gets stronger and stronger. What should people do? Thank that they have a home or a house at least, that could give them protection when tortures of nature like this bang them. That is one thing I realized tonight, while listening to the wrath of nature. Oh my mother! She seems really, really mad to people. Honestly, I'm shaking. I'm thinking if I SHOULD cry. Honestly, I don't know what else to say. I don't know what to do….. Can't help thinking about other people.. Who are homeless, the unfortunate, those who are on street, those who are in travel, those who are greatly affected (well, I could say, we are greatly affected). By now, I can hear "hammering". On the neighborhood. Surely I'll post this on my blog WHENEVER electricity gets back. Think it'll be back for more couple of days. I can't say how destructive this storm is. I'm here, inside my room. Everything locked, and closed. But then I can still hear everything. What more if I open one window? What more if I were outside? -- LET'S PRAY. LORD, PROTECT US. PROTECT YOUR PEOPLE.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

BAGUIO CITY - A Feature Article

First of all, this is a school paper.


BAGUIO CITY – A Sneak Peek

Known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines and the City of Pines, Baguio City throughout the years has always been one of the country’s most beautiful attractions. Located in the Northern part of Luzon, Baguio city was established by the Americans in the year 1990 at the site of an Ibaloi village known as Kafagway. There are three main accessible roads from the lowlands leading to the mountainous lands of Baguio which are the Kennon Road, the Marcos Highway now known as Aspiras-Palispis Highway, and the Quirino Highway. The fastest way to get to Baguio by land is to access the Kennon Road, which will take a 6-hour-travel from Manila. However, it is also very dangerous to take the Kennon Road especially during rainy seasons because it is prone to landslides but despite the perilous route, it still remains as the most popular route among tourists because it gives you magnificent view of the green mountains and spectacular waterfalls. Plus, it gives you the experience of a real life roller coaster ride because of the curves and bends that your car will experience as it climbs up to the top.

Experience the Cold Breeze!

There is no doubt that Baguio is one of the most visited spots in the Philippines according to surveys especially during summer. People from different parts of the country even from different parts of the world who would like to escape the torrent of heat during summer months would not miss the cold weather that Baguio city offers from time to time. It is the only place here in the Philippines where you can find yourself wearing a sweater even in a very hot day. It is found that the average temperature there ranges from 15 to 23 degree Celsius – 8-degree-Celsius lower than the temperature of the rest cities in the country. Who would believe that a cool, cool weather lies already about 45 minutes away from the city?

A Real Beauty

As one of the Philippines’ beautiful attractions, Baguio city is very unique through its green setting that puts anything relaxed and calmed. Then and now, the city has always been very popular in and outside the country because of its cool natural beauty. Although the city had experienced lots of earthquakes and landslides, it withstood through the years and remained as the City Garden of the Philippines. There are also many stories, some written in articles, some told by folks, about Baguio, being one of the most haunted places in the country because of the 1990 Luzon earthquake that caused severe damage to the city which also resulted to lots of deaths and destructions. But in spite of those rumors and all, Baguio is still a face of beauty to many people all over the world and one of the most visited places in the Philippines.
The Burnham Park, also known as the mother of all the parks in Baguio, is named after its city planner, Daniel Burnham. It has a very admiring landscape where you can relax and free yourself from any other worries you have. This is a place where you can have a quality time spent with your family because it also offers amusement like there is a man-made lake located at the heart of the city where you can row a boat. It is also a good place to have a picnic, to go biking or to go strolling. There are also skating rink, tennis and basketball courts, and few restaurants around the Burnham Park.
The definition of a real beauty can be found in the Mines View Park. It is no doubt, the most popular and the most visited spot in Baguio city. It gives you a very spectacular panorama of Benguet’s gold and copper mines and the gigantic mountains nearby. It is definitely the place you should not miss when you visit Baguio and absolutely the perfect place for picture takings. There are also souvenirs stalls where you can buy Baguio’s very own products without costing you a fortune.
Consider as one of the picturesque parks in Baguio, the Wright Park is located at the eastern part of the city. Like the Burnham Park, this park also offers amusement for everyone. There are many food stalls scattered around the park and there are horses ready for back rides among children as well as adults.
Wright Park is the best at night. It is when you can fully appreciate the tall pines especially when they are surrounded by lights of different colors and striking decorations. The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) is also one of the most popular places in Baguio. It is the ‘premier’ military institution in the Philippines that serves as the training ground for future officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Aside from the Burnham Park, Mines View Park, Wright Park and PMA, there are many more that you can be found in the heart of just one city, Baguio; A proof that it is indeed, a real beauty.

People and Culture

The first groups of people in Baguio city were the Igorot, the Ibaloi of Benguet, the Kananai of Lepanto, the Bontoks and the Ifugaos. Then there came the Ilocanos, the Tinguians, the Apayaos and the western Kalingas who later developed their own organizations and institutions that they brought together and adapted in their new habitat then soon formed their own culture. During the fourth month of February, they celebrate the very popular, Panagbenga festival also known as the flower festival that shows the many floral floats and native dances, presenting one of the city’s wealth, the flowers, through a two-day parade and a big celebration.


FOR FEATURE WRITING CLASS. I CHOSE BAGUIO. :)