Our Baguio Exploits (Day 2)

The house at noontime.

February 6 – Day 2

I woke up around noon and the house was pretty quiet. Turns out we’re now divided into two groups. We’re one Camerawalls’ member short with me, Ian, Pao, Sarah and Cheska being left behind to snooze some more. Law join the group of The Bernadettes and our roadies Antonette and Odette with their own spree of shopping for souvenirs and food tripping. Before I continue, let me share an account of what the other group did thru a written contribution by our host Antonette:

When Clem asked me what we did on our 2nd day in Baguio, I laughed. I remembered how crazy and fun that day was. It was around 10am when I was awakened by the noises made by the Angeles brothers just outside the bedroom I was sleeping in. I was rooming with Daphne and Clem — Daph ready to go, while Clem was still all curled up in his bed. The weather was really nice and I wanted to sleep in more but I realized it was our 2nd and last day in Baguio. I want to make the most of the trip since I only get to go to Baguio once a year.

It was almost 12NN and we were all hungry. The Bernadettes, Law, Daph and I decided to go together. Clem, Ian, Cheska, Paolo and Sarah stayed in the house and left late in the afternoon. Instead of playing it safe and going to SM for lunch, we all voted we head to Burnham Park and eat in one of those carinderias were the locals go. We almost ordered everything that was offered to us. All dishes that were served to us were cleared in less than an hour – we were THAT hungry.

Not wanting to waste any time, we headed to the market right after lunch, where we bought the “usual” Baguio pasalubongs – walis tambo, broccolis, strawberries, Sagada oranges, chorizos. The highlight of the trip in the market was when I said we need to buy coffee. But isn’t Batangas the coffee producing city of the Philippines? I thought so too, but years ago, a coffee produced from Benguet was introduced to me by my dad. I am pretty good with directions, but that time, I didn’t want to waste any time, I decided to ask for directions on how to get to the part of the market where they sold coffee. After asking one of the vendors, I was told, “Pag-akyat niyo, madali na lang hanapin. Amoy kape kasi.” True enough, we just followed the smell of the coffee! I was supposed to get the Sagada roast but I was told it was too strong that’s why I opted for the Benguet Robusta and Arabica for my dad while the Angeles’ bought Sagada roast.

We then headed to Camp John Hay, specifically in Mile-Hi Camp where the shop called Everything Nice was located. I went in the store and only found chocolate chip cookies in the rack. A bit disappointed, but hopeful, I came up to the lady in the counter and asked if there’s any chance they’ll have new batches of chocolate crinkles to be delivered before 7PM. There is no way I am coming home to Manila without those crinkles I promised my brothers.

The nice lady made a quick call to their main office and said informed me that I can come back at around 4PM for the crinkles. But we didn’t leave the shop empty handed. Paolo bought cinnamon rolls and ensaymadas while Odette bought brownies, which by the way, was all eaten before we reached our next destination – Baguio Country Club.

No, we aren’t members of the country club. Odette just wants her raisin bread BADLY. On our way to the country club, being the sneaky tandem that we are, Odette and I had our battle plan. The security was strict. We were stopped in the entrance because we didn’t have a sticker to prove that we’re club members. I stuck out my head in window and told the guard that I need to inquire something that was wedding related. We waited for 5 minutes before we were let in. We were instructed to look for a certain person that we could talk to. Of course, we had to show ourselves to the events manager – he was expecting us. It’s a good thing that I really needed to talk to him about some wedding-related businesses. And after the 5 minute-meeting, Odette and I headed in the bakeshop. She bought the 2 remaining raisin breads. Mission accomplished!

We finished off our shopping and food tripping by heading to Mines View and Good Shepherd, we also had to go back to Everything Nice to pick up my chocolate crinkles.

It was getting a little cold and we all decided to head back to Gibraltar to pack, relax and wait for Clem and the rest. We also had strawberry wine and chorizo by the fireplace. Before leaving the house, we had our usual “class picture” (minus Andre who left right away, after the gig) in the living room and outside the house by the staircase. – Antonette

A nice recap. While they we’re busy doing all that our group took our time and had a more laid-back, random itinerary. I started my day with a 30 minute jog back and forth Gibraltar St. passing by a lot of Koreans doing horseback riding at Wright Park. As I traverse along the pine road I keep passing by an area with a lone street vendor selling grilled corn on cobs. Couldn’t resist to urge to take some home so I ordered a few continuing my jog as I wait for it to be ready. Grilled, buttered and salted to taste.

Couldn't resist to take some home.

Sharing my corn cobs with coffee on the side. Our brunch at 2pm.

I received an invite by JB Bautista (President of University of Baguio) for his little daughter’s birthday celebration at Jollibee automatically determining our first stop for the day. Jada is so cute and adorable in her boots and blue dress. We enjoyed watching the kids during the program while chatting with some of the dads about the joys and pains of parenting.

Before we left Jenny (the celebrant’s mom) gave us some kiddie souvenirs (which i gave to my little niece when I got home) while JB, to my surprise, handed me a Morrissey tour shirt!

The Birthday Celebrant

Party Girls

Birthday Treats!

We went straight to Mines View Park to buy some “pasalubong” (treats) to bring home to our friends and relatives. I spotted a “Taho” Vendor selling strawberry flavored taho uncommon in Manila and Bulacan and couldn’t resist to indulge in this signature sweet. Taho is a Philippine snack food typically made of fresh soft tofu, arnibal (brown sugar and vanilla syrup) and pearl sago (similar to pearl tapioca). But the variety in Baguio uses strawberry syrup instead of arnibal.

After checking out a number of shops and scanning the area of the overlooking portion of the park for any changes and developments since our last visit (hardly any, except for added stalls), we headed back to the house. It was already dark.

Taho.

Souveniers at countless shops at Mines View Park

Getting dark so we pose for our last shot at Mines View.

The fireplace was blazing when we arrived and we gladly joined the rest for a few more drinks and chit-chat before we packed our stuff and get ready for the long drive home. As Antonette mentioned, any Lilystars gathering isn’t complete without taking our usual “class picture.”

Coffee and Crinkles by the fireplace.

The mandatory family pic before we say adios.

Our adventure doesn’t end there since we were invited by The Edralins to their gig at Gilligans. Our final stop before we leave the city intoxicated. We were probably the rowdiest group in the bar indulging to jamming requests and singing along to familiar tunes performed as we cheered the night away with unlimited booze courtesy of JB Bautista. T’was a great night. After the gig we all bid our goodbyes and left with a lasting grin on our faces that will eventually be drowned in sleep as we finally hit the road back home.

The Edralins

Jamming at Gilligans.

Poch & Paolo of The Bernadettes + Ian Sarabia as Oasis chorus boys.

Turbo Goth performing Bizarre Love Triangle.