Baguio Peeps Panic Mode

Yo!

Yup you read that right. We Baguio residents do go into panic mode as the Flower Festival parades nears. Most of us go to the market and groceries to stock on food already that will last for about a week to two weeks.

Why? Because the city does not become ours for a few days. We would rather stay at home and watch the lousy coverage of the parades on TV rather than squeeze ourselves in the thick crowd who go watch.

I do remember the first one, oh yeah it was so much fun watching since you could stand relaxed with much breathing space. You can even follow the parade as they go to the Athletic bowl. As years passed the tourists started pouring in and watching the parade was not that enjoyable anymore.

So we would rather stay at home.

Can you imagine some people already sleeping along Session road and even Burnham park just to get a good position as the sun rises. Can you imagine at 6 in the morning there is already a thick crowd along Session road. Oh boy if you thought coming around 7 since the parades starts at 8 is already early then think again.

Years ago the parade used to start in the afternoon. Me and my friends one time didnt know there was a parade and we were happily stuck on top of Session road. Why happy? Because we got the watch the parade up close. It was so much fun back then since "WALANG SIKSIKAN" ahahaha. You can enjoy watching rather than being paranoid that a pickpocket is beside you ahahaha.

So word of advice if you want to watch the parade on the 26th go as early as 5am and position yourself on top of Session road. If not choose to go early to Athletic bowl and get comfortable seats on the bleachers and wait for the parade to arrive.

Why athletic bowl? Because the contestants will perform one at a time on center of the field. Oh trust me sacrifice the up close view that you will get along Session road. Take note they are marching down so most of the time not all contestants will get the chance to perfrorm in front of your location. You will be lucky if the parade stops due to traffic.

If you want to watch them all perform better be at the Athletic bowl. The same goes to the parade of floats the following day.

Some people just come for the parade but they are terrible wrong. The parades are just eye candy. If you want to have fun then you better be in Baguio for Session Road in Bloom. That is one whole week where the whole stretch of Session Road is closed to traffic.

The streets will be filled up with outdoor restaurants and so much food stalls and souvenir stores. Lots of concerts every night and its just so much fun strolling along Session Road while eating assorted food.

How i miss those HUGE SWEET CORN on stick, the HUGE slices of pizza. Shawarma and siomai and so many more. Its like everywhere you look there is food ahahaha. But take note there are no portable toilets ahahaha so tell your stomach to cooperate.

There will always be something about Panagbenga...February 27 several years ago. Session Road was closed...we were supposed to meet around lunch time but she failed to show up or there was miscommunication. But in the evening...a red laser light hit my eye...it was her on the second floor of the restaurant across the street. Those mini laser pointers was the in thing years ago, i retaliated with my own laser and a few minutes later she came down and crossed the street and we finally met.

That was February 27, 1999

Tourists coming up to Baguio for the Flower Festival you wont enjoy the scenic scenes here since there are too many people. Give me a holler and i will point you to some secret scenic spots that seldom people know about.

I might be able to test shoot my camera because i do hate crowds. But maybe i will. Will do post some pics for those who are not able to come to the Festival.

Ciao!