Baguio city, located in the heart of the province of Benguet, was named after “Bigyiw”, a moss that was abundant in the swampy creeks and on the trees. Baguio was then a rancheria during the Spanish occupation. With its cool climate, lovely and healthy environs, it was declared as the “Summer Capital of the Philippines” on June 1, 1903 by the Philippine Commission. It was chartered as a city on September 1, 1909.
Baguio is a tropical paradise starting November until May each year with temperature dipping to as low as 10 degrees from December up to February. The rainy season, which is from June to October, turns the city into a very wet place.
The city, which is approximately 250 kms. north of Manila, is a melting pot wherein people coming from all parts of the country converge either as permanent residents or transients.
Baguio city, improved and prospered through the years, has its share of destructions (both man-made and natural). It was one of the first places in the Philippines to taste Japanese bombs and it was destroyed by repeated carpet bombings by American forces trying to flush out the Japanese Army during World War II. From the ruins, the City rose to become the commercial and educational center of Northern Luzon.
On July 16, 1990, a killer earthquake devastated the entire city destroying many of its landmark infrastructure and buildings and killing many people. After four years, the city has risen from the rubbles and stood on its feet becoming a highly urbanize city and a favorite tourist destination once more.
INHABITANTS:
The early settlers in the city are the Ibalois or Inibalois. As the city developed and prospered, natives coming from the different sub-provinces of the old Mountain Province as well as people from the low lands came here as permanent residents or transients. People from practically all parts of the country keep coming making the city a melting pot and the commercial and educational center of the North.
Today, there are over 200,000 residents, ten times more than the 25,000 people envisioned by the architects of the city.
English is widely spoken and understood while Filipino (tagalong) is spoken by everyone. Ilokano is widely used and is the preferred dialect spoken by natives when talking to other natives belonging to different tribes.
Baguio city, chartered on September 1, 1909, celebrated its centennial anniversary on September 1, 2009
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In Pictures
Sleeping beauty - Kalinga
Lake Bulalakaw along Ballay-Tawangan stretch, Kabayan, Benguet (by Ronnie Calugay)
A crypt inside Dumanay cave, Pungayan, Kapangan (by Glo A. Tuazon)
HEART BAGUIO/BURNHAM advocates sit it out and do weekly bonfire vigils at the Pine Trees of The World Park (back of Athletic Bowl) for more than a month now. Journalists and musicians and concerned groups and individuals gather to protest the killing of the trees and the park as well as preserve the use of the same for the people of Baguio City. (By Glo A. Tuazon)
Sagada, Mt. Province (by Glo A. Tuazon)
Sadsadan morning view, Bauko Mt. Province
Sagada Cave, Sagada, Mt. Province (by Gordon P.)
the green houses of Atok, Benguet (by: Glo A. Tuazon)
gud morning! Rise & shine 4 8 s only at dis point wer u hav gold in your eyes, corn oil on your face, methane in your mouth & very fashionable hairstyle!