Dining with Marilyn Monroe

I am a fan of the oldies.

I love the vintage wheels that I can drive around the city, it's music that calms down my intense day, or just the mere feel of it.

More than anything else, I would want to live during the 50's, 60's, or 70's.

I would want to wear those bell bottom pants, those very tight shirts, and smoke weed like there's no tomorrow.

But guess what, in the heart of Baguio, I experienced 50's just the way I like it. I may not have worn those bell bottom pants, but I had a taste of it, literally.

50's Diner, located a few steps away from Teacher's Camp and the Pink Sisters Convent, will treat you to an ambience of the era as its business name; the name speaks for itself.

If you're familiar of Diner Dash, the computer game, then you'll find it quite the same with its setting.

At a cheaper price, you'll get to taste what Baguio has to offer when it comes to the American side of your taste buds. From steaks to huge burgers, from milk shakes to American-style shrimps, you will love everything that the resto has to offer.

Cap off your meal with the perfectly crafted dessert that will make your world turn upside down. It might be the usual, but brace yourself for the twist.

So when you visit Baguio, spend all your time going around the city, but spare an hour or two at 50's Diner and experience the 50's at a most comfortable way.

I saw Baguio - from day 'till night

Daytime...

Nighttime...

I don't know what's with Baguio, but I kept on coming back to the city with expectations getting higher and higher as I visit and revisit it. 

Well, it was really because of The Bar's series of events. However, I still have a choice to join the team or not, yet, I decide to be counted in.

Where do I start?

Seeing Baguio minus the million heads walking around the city and the heavy hour traffic is really an apple of the eye. You have all the time to drive around the city or even walk with nothing to worry about but the cold wind.

Baguio during the day is really mouth-watering with the cold breeze, pine trees, and the picturesque spots. You can really tell the beauty of the place - you might even wonder how such place you only see in your dreams came to reality. 

Where do you go during the day?

If you have a car, you can drive yourself around the city. If you want to see the greener side of Baguio, there's Camp John Hay. The trees will surely inspire you write a poem, a song, or even a blog entry such as this. You'd better bring your wallet or credit card for you'll surely stop by the shopping area. 

Mine's View is another place to be. There will surely be countless heads around but what will drive you through is the thought of overviewing the trees that you won't ever see in Manila.

There's also the very busy and will always be busy Burnham Park - you can spend time rowing a goose or a boat on the creek or ride a bike if you never did your entire life.

At night, you will witness the other side of Baguio.

If you want to drink a bottle of beer or two, then you'll surely enjoy the ambience of Nevada Square. During Panagbenga, Nevada was a disaster, a famine. But just last Saturday night, I saw the peaceful and lovable side of it. You'll surely enjoy the way Baguio people celebrate the night away.

Session Road is another place to be. You can hop from one bar to another with this street-long party place. After your dreadful drinking session, you can cool down a bit with the dining areas stripped all over the street.

The best way to do it?

Visit Baguio on your own. 

You will surely enjoy the spots during the day and the party at night.

The flora and fauna escapade

Being my first destination for the start of my long-term plan, to visit all Philippine Festivals, I was very, exaggeratedly, extremely excited about Panagbenga 2009. 

Forgive me. It's my first Panagbenga.

All things were set. Off we go from Manila to the City of Pines, Baguio.

I quite expected the thick cloud of people and I am not just talking about hundreds of people here, I'm talking about thousands and thousands of people from north to south and from east to west anticipating and spectating the beauty of Panagbenga 2009.

Stop.

What does Panagbenga suppose to mean? How did everything start?

From Malayo-Polynesian origin, Panagbenga literally means "season of blooming." This started as a tribute to Bauio City's abundance of flowers and as a way to resurrect from the devastation of the 1990 landslide that almost erased the city from the Philippine Map.

Formerly known as the Baguio Flower Festival, Panagbenga is a brainchild of Atty. Damaso Bangaoet, Jr. of the John Hay Poro Point Development Corporation and Victor A. Lim of the Bases Conversion Development Authority which was basically to boost the city's tourism on the month of February after Christmas and before Holy Week.

Going back to our trip, it wasn't really the best Baguio experience, rather it was not the usual Baguio I used to visit. 

Being my very first Panagbenga, I wasn't used to the traffic, the influx of thousands and thousands of people, and the not-the-usual-Baguio Baguio. It was really a mayhem. 

You wanted to drink but the lines literally long. You go order your dinner, but there are no seats. Then I asked, what has happened to Baguio?

However, I totally had the best Baguio trip ever.

Not because of Mines View, but because of the Strawberry-flavored taho. 

Not because of SM City Baguio, but because of the overwhelming and welcoming people.

Not because of the noise of the band, but because of cute little kids who joined the parade.

Not because of the free meals I ate, but because of the cheerful company bonding.

Not because of the lost in Baguio experience, but because of the time to explore it.

Not because of the unlikely deeds, but because of a friend we gained.

And not only because of the festival, but because of the precious time I spent with my partner.

This trip will surely me remembered for the rest of my life.