Baguio

I was there, February 23-26, 2012.

When I was young, Baguio used to be a city so far away. I was in Mindanao then.  Nevertheless, I was fortunate to be sent by Mindanao State University to Baguio twice (1996 and 1997) to attend some student assemblies. Now that I am based in Pampanga, Baguio is just a dream away. I go to the city every now and then. February is the best time to go to Baguio because of the Panagbenga festival. The shots herein are taken from my cellphone camera.

This beautifully-crafted dragon made of Malaysian mumps and everlasting flowers caught the attention of many tourists. It is an entry of SM Baguio, a Panagbenga hall of fame awardee.

Reportedly, there were 1.3 million visitors this year, thus, transportation was a big problem. All taxis were taken, buses reserved, wow! I almost did not made it home.

Of course, many companies took advantage of the event as an opportune time for advertising. The event is highly commercialized. Some floats were made not really to compete but to carry a product advertisement. This year's Panagbenga was also star-studded. ABS CBN's Vice Ganda joined the parade and entertained the crowd while GMA's Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera mesmerized the crowd with their pleasing looks.

Corregidor

I was there, May 15, 2011.

The Managing Editor of the University Press of First Asia, Ms. Cho Fernandez, organized a tour among the her authors to the historic Corregidor Island. It was a hot day but it was a day I realized the severity of World War II in terms of material and human costs. I shall forever remember these scenes.

The tourist buses were designed after the tram cars which once ply to and fro the island. Each bus had an assigned tour guides who simply loved to talk. 

In December 29, 1941, Corregidor was bombed and strafed by the invading Japanese. And in April 1942, it was subjected to bombardment from land and air such as no other area (of its size) in the world ever received. By May 6, it fell into the hands of the Japanese.

The Ruins of a theater. The island fortress, during its heyday, was replete with facilities to make to life of the inhabitants comfortable.

The island fortress was well-protected from attacks from the seas. However, it has no aerial cover.

The aggressive and non-stop attacks of the Japanese Army can be seen from the gashes of these walls.

The famed Malinta Tunnel. Pres. Manuel L. Quezon's health deteriorated in this tunnel and was advised by his physicians to leave for the United States. There, he eventually died of tuberculosis.

 

The Mountains of Mariveles, Bataan as viewed from La Playa Restaurant. What lies behind those mountains? The island's proximity to Bataan plus their interconnected histories almost made me believe that it is a part of the Province of Bataan. But no! It is a part of the Province of Cavite.

The Lorcha Dock, this is where Mc Arthur departed for a submarine ride to Australia.