This Week in Baguio (February 29 to March 6, 2016)

The city will experience a minimum temperature of 12°C and a maximum of 26°C. The average temperature this week is at 20°C. Scattered rainshowers will be experienced throughout the week, but it will be partly sunny on Thursday (March 3).

Session Road is the city’s main thoroughfare. Once a year, as part of the “Panagbenga Flower Festival” celebration, it is closed to vehicular traffic to give space to stalls showcasing various products which include local delicacies, local and international cuisine, souvenir items, and the like.

Part of “Session Road in Bloom” is the showcase of music, arts, and culture. Two stages are set, one on top of Session Road just beside the PNP COMPAC and another at the foot of Session Road just beside Malcolm Square. Local bands, artists, as well as nationally-known acts perform on a nightly basis. Performances typically start at around 6:00 or 7:00 PM.

The Panagbenga Closing Ceremonies is slated on March 06 (Sunday) at around 6:00 PM. It is typically a display of upland Cordilleran culture and culminates with a grand fireworks display in selected locations all over the city. Fireworks display locations include Athletic Bowl as well as various areas in Baguio central business district.

Locals and tourists looking for a peculiar food experience should try pinikpikan. Pinikpikan is a native dish from the Cordilleras which is prepared by beating a just-butchered chicken with a stick before cooking. (Hence the term “killing me softly” by locals).The beating brings the blood of the chicken to its surface, which improves the flavor after cooking. Pinikpikan preparation is typically done over open fire as it adds a burnt or roasted taste to the dish. It is like the Cordilleran version of tinola. Try this at Farmer’s Daughter Restaurant at Tam-awan, Longlong, Baguio City.

A Baguio trip during this season is not complete without tasting strawberry. But contrary to what many tourists believe, strawberry does not come from Baguio. The Strawberry Farm (where most of the supply comes from) is located in Km 6 La Trinidad, Benguet (just a jeepney ride away from Baguio central business district). Strawberry at the Baguio City Public Market is tagged at 150 to 200PHP/kilo.

Aside from the typical strawberry and ube jam from Good Shepherd, lengua de gato, peanut brittle, highland veggies, and the iconic Baguio City brooms, one pasalubong visitors should try is the choco peanut bar. It is a milkier version of choc-nut that melts in your mouth and comes with bits of peanuts.

One to 2 million people is expected to flock to the city during the whole Panagbenga Festival 2016 celebration. It would be best to just commute as parking space is a typical problem in this mountain city. Visitors would also do the locals and the whole city a service if they just leave their cars behind to lessen carbon footprint and traffic woes, especially during this time.

If, however, visitors still wish to bring their rides along, it would be best to leave their cars at their accommodation and commute to the city center. The central business district is just one jeepney or taxi ride away. Taxi drivers are courteous and give change up to the last peso. The city is likewise best discovered by walking.