Camp Henry Allen in Baguio City

I know little of Camp Henry Allen, but I am aware that this area is a place for military servicemen.  Many years ago this was a well-kept place.  The houses that can be seen from the road are immaculately white and the roofs well-maintained.  They actually reminded me of the cottages in the old Camp John Hay.  So it was really a surprise to see the houses in such neglect.

Quite sad.

Photos taken January 2011
Technorati tags: Baguio

Saint Louis School Center in Baguio City

I was a grade school student here in the late 70s.  I had the opportunity to visit the school recently.  The building itself is the same as it was but I only have vague memories of my time there.  I think, though, that the current Principal's Office used to be the Library.

Photos taken January 2011
Technorati tags: Baguio

Burnham Park in Baguio City

This is the section adjacent to the Rizal Park.  In my youth, this was just a wide section of green, sloping land.  We used to let ourselves roll down the slope, or play kites.  Today, the sloping section now has a wide, concrete stairway and areas were bordered for roses.  The lower section was left as a wide expanse, cut in the middle by the concrete walkway.  Still lots of room for kids to run on.

Photos taken January 2011
Technorati tags: Baguio

Children's Park

When we were leaving for New Zealand in 2008, the Children's Park in Burnham was closed for renovation.  The allocated budget was PhP4.48M.  Two years after, let's see what has changed at Children's Park.

The entrance has been relocated to the left of the original, making it more spacious.  A wide, circular space wlecomes you to the redeveloped Children's Park.  My reaction: looks good!

On either side of the entrance are the elephants, one of the main fixtures of the old park.  It's good to see them back.  My reaction: I love it!  Even though these elephants are already relics by design, they still provide much fun to those who rides on its back.

In the distance I saw the swings.  Oh no... I thought these were going to be renovated because they already so old and rusty.  Swings are very basic (and popular!) playground stuff so why didn't they renovate this area?  My reaction: SAD.  And they can also plant more trees at the left side, which looks barren.  Trees are free at the DENR, isn't it?  Perhaps they can even plant fruit trees!

This is an old an rusty obstacle course for kids.  See the bridge connecting the orange and the yellow slide?  It's made of metal and has already corroded.  So it's an accident waiting to happen.  My reaction:  VERY SAD.

This is one of the new play areas.  Very popular of course.  My reaction: HAPPY

Look at these see-saws.  Again, corroded and very old.  Another very basic playground staple.  And yet it was not renovated!  My reaction: AGHAST

These circular swings are also very badly in need of renovation, and yet it was not changed!  My Reaction: WHAT THE...

The major renovation they did was in the pathways and the entrance and the gazebo nearby.  But this is a Children's Park.  The kids are not going to admire the entrance and the gazebo and the nice pathways... they come here to play!  The come here for the slides and the swings and see-saw!  The improvement should have been done in those areas!  My overall reaction: CONFUSED AND SADDENED.

Oh well, at least the trusty elephant is still there!

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Baguio City Market Encounter

We've been to the public market a couple of times.  I especially wanted to see the area where fruits and pasalubong can be bought.  It's now airy and its looks more spacious now.

At the left of the above alleyway is a row of stalls which sell coconuts, tapioca of various colours, sweet potatoes, galapong, and lots of other ingredients needed to make sweet delicacies.

Dried fish is also a favourite!  Stalls are located in the same alley as above.

Fruits, fruits, and more fruits!  These can be found all over the market.  Don't you just love our mangoes?  Notice the ones in front?  They're a small variety that's very sweet.

These animal headcovers are quite popular here.  Jo-Lo chose sheep, because he said he loves farm animals.

One can also never get enough of local handicraft.  Try your haggling skills!

Technorati tags: Baguio