At the beginning of my stay in the City of Pines, I knew three things: Baguio was the Summer Capital of the Philippines, the cost of living was inexpensive, and tasty pasalubong like strawberries and ube jam were bought there. Little did I know, three years later, that there was more to it than that.
Aside from being a home away from home, Baguio City, as I have realized, is also where a sprawling art scene, bean culture, and lush scenery reside. But more than that, it is where the Cordilleran culture, community, and other influences thrive. It is a breeding ground for practicing new hobbies and trying something new alongside a community that shares many of the same interests.
So, if you ask me how to live the Baguio lifestyle best, here’s what I can tell you: life in Baguio should be as simple, culturally diverse, artistic, and grounded in nature as possible.
If you want to experience the city in its rawest form, umali kayo! Here are some hobbies you can pick up to live out the Baguio lifestyle!
Thrifting for the Next Ukay-Ukay Find
When in Baguio, remember one thing: you have to be fashionably ready for blazing hot mornings, windy afternoons, and chilly evenings. However, it takes a pro to know that being fashionable does not mean being expensive.
If you are not yet acquainted, welcome to the land of ukay! A city with a rich wagwagan culture and an array of commercial centers where you can cop good-quality jackets for the price of ₱120. Talk about a steal!
Derived from wagwag, the act of dusting off clothing, this secondhand culture allows locals to save money and be as creative with their racks as possible. Did I mention getting brand-new or branded items for a quarter of its price? So, if you have just happened to make a local friend or two, don’t be surprised about this affordable obsession.
As a student who needs an outfit change now and then, let me tell you a little secret: Always know what your clothes are worth, and never be afraid to haggle.
If you feel thrifty, some places to visit include Sky World Commercial Center (along Session Road), Baguio Market Block 3 and 4 (Hill Top), Abanao Shopping Center, and Bayanihan Building.
Before heading out on your next ukay trip, here are some tips passed down from one fellow thrifter to another:
- Get cheaper finds for as low as ₱20 at Hill Top
- It takes patience and perseverance to cop the best clothes
- To avoid overspending and overtiring yourself, visit these places with a fit-spiration on hand
- Start by looking for the color or pieces you have in mind and work toward the fabric you want
- The best places are always the least crowded
Harnessing your Inner Plantita or Plantito
It’s not Baguio without its natural beauty, diverse plant life, and towering pine trees. With the perfect climate and atmosphere in which plants thrive, there is no better place to nurture your green thumb than here!
Whether you’re just earning your ‘plantito’ or ‘plantita’ title or adding a touch of indoor greenery, the city is home to various plant-selling shops and stalls. Whether it’s herbs, flowers, or bonsais – the selections to browse are endless. Trust me, it’s a plant wonderland even for a not-so-green-thumb like me.
While the city still has a sparse green here and there, taking a plant home in a highly urbanized city does more than bring the Baguio charm to your homes or dorms. After all, harnessing your greening talents is a good mood booster while keeping the air cool and clean. Talk about an activity that encourages calmness and stillness in true Baguio nature.
Giddy up because if you want to explore your talents in growing ornamentals and indoor plants, Burnham Park’s Orchidarium is the perfect place to get you started. Get tips on which indoor plants last (Hint: Fortune plants, snake plants, and zebras) and how to best care for them.
Stalls around Mines View Park and Wright Park are your best bet for lucky bamboo, hibiscus plants, everlasting flowers, and herbs like basil and mint.
If you’re worried about keeping them alive, don’t! If I can grow a snake plant in my dorm, you can too!
From one plantito or tita to another, here are some tips to keep those plants alive:
- Indoor plants need shade to survive, while most flowering plants need the sun
- Flowering plants that last the longest are bougainvilleas, bromeliads, and orchids
- Indoor plants require less water compared to flowering plants
- Use growers and fertilizers paired with water for optimal plant growth
Tasting the Best of Cordillera Coffee and Chocolate
Whether it’s the high altitude or the atmosphere, something about the Cordilleras makes it the best place where coffee and cacao beans thrive at their creamiest. Pair that accessibility with the local’s innate love for caffeine and warmth – you’re in for a treat!
Whether you’re like me, looking for a cup of coffee to get you through the slow mornings, or a bite of chocolate to ease stress, there’s no better city than Baguio to get the best of both worlds. And it’s not just any coffee or chocolate either!
One of the things best learned in Baguio is that art is not just something you see but one you can smell and taste. The region, known for its locally grown coffee and cacao beans, boasts a bustling coffee culture that pairs well with its growingly promising cacao industry.
Exploring the Baguio Coffee Culture
Starting strong, hold on to your caffeine-powered hearts because Baguio is home to an array of coffee shops that are part of a third-wave coffee movement. Priding themselves in carefully crafted coffee that channels the notes of locally sourced beans.
Some places you can pin for your Cordillera coffee tasting are Cafe Yagam’s Nest Coffee Roasters, Tau Ceti Speciality Coffee, and Hot Cat Speciality Coffee‘s cozy cat crib, which offers beans from Atok, Benguet, Mountain Province, and many more.
Before rushing to chug down your caffeine fix, it is best to inhale that delicious aroma and taste the coffee in its purest form (if you are feeling brave!) for the best experience.
Unearthing Baguio Artisinal Chocolate
While coffee shops are everywhere in the city, the real Wonka experience is in a single chocolate studio from Baguio’s first chocolate crafter, Kokomo Cordillera Chocolate.
Made by hand by chocolate connoisseur Ms. Angeleah Montilde, Kokomo is also the first to introduce single-origin Cordillera heritage cacao from Natonin, Mt. Province, to the city.
While the place is relatively unknown to most, it is the best place to pick up a chocolate-tasting hobby the connoisseur way. Schedule a visit and get a bite of their limited-edition bars made from the rare Criollo cacao.
Meanwhile, if you have the time and means, learn about the best local chocolate and imported wine pairings in an appointment-only experience at The Manor. Did I mention they also sell Atok coffee beans in-store?
To make the most of your experience, pair those delicious chocolates with rich stories of their origins. In doing so, you will appreciate the work that goes into the product you experience.
Appreciating Local Art and Antiques
As a UNESCO-recognized Creative City, Baguio is the best place to nurture and comfort the most creative souls. If you are a kindred spirit, there is much to discover as the city teems with all art forms.
Art is everywhere, from local museums and antique shops to murals hidden like gems within the city. This is why there is no better place to satiate your creative soul than touring the city to appreciate the local art scene and browsing through antiques.
Over the years, I have discovered that Baguio boasts a rich community of artists and artisans. With this, part of the experience is getting to know them personally through their pieces and the culture that brought them to life. Are you intrigued yet? There is genuinely no hobby that is as perfect and enriching!
Browsing in Trade Fairs and Museums
A personal favorite, even as a child, Baguio hosts local events that celebrate artists, artisans, and crafters. Support the showcase of the masterpieces and wares of local artists at the annual Baguio Craft Fair and Mandëko Kito.
On the side, you can also explore charming museums, such as the famed BenCab Museum, where you can find Ben Cabrera’s muse, Sabel. Alternatively, you can also dive deep into Cordilleran culture at the Museo Kordilyera at the University of the Philippines, Baguio.
Admiring Art Installations and Murals
The beauty of Baguio art is that it transcends size and vision and can also be found in the city’s walls and foundation. A peek into art that goes beyond the box lies at Tam-awan Village, with its series of traditional huts and garden in the sky. And who could forget Kidlat Tahimik’s Ili-likha Artists’ Village?
Make sure to also spot Venazir Martinez’s murals all around the city. Meanwhile, you can head to the Salimisim Murals at E. Jacinto Street and appreciate Baguio’s rich ancestry and heritage. Brought to life through the visual and literary minds of Baguio’s local artists, what more could you want?
Experiencing the World of Antiques
Art celebrates the new and old. That is why Baguio, with its rich retro culture, is also home to antique shops. An ode to Baguio’s culture of resourcefulness and longevity, there’s no better place to pick up the hobby of antique shopping.
Visit Patina Heirloom at the decades-old Casa Vallejo for assorted, cute finds. On the other hand, go to T. Claudio Street’s Bookends for top-notch second-hand book shopping alongside vintage knickknacks. However, Teresita’s Antique Shop may be just the place for an intriguing experience in a store as old as its items.
But before you go to any of these spots, fair warning: antique shopping is not for the faint of heart.
Joining a Silent Book Club
Part of the Baguio lifestyle may involve going out into the city to enjoy art, its culture, and its people. However, few people talk about the simple pleasure of spending a Friday evening curled up in a good book, beverage in hand, while overlooking a beautiful view.
If you’re an introvert or an ambivert like me, Baguio can also be a haven that promotes comfort and stillness in the cover of clouds and trees. So, if you’re looking to appreciate literature of all forms in silence, nothing is better than joining Baguio’s first and only Silent Book Club.
Formed by Jojo Padilla alongside his co-owners at Hygge Library Cafe 2600 (pronounced: ‘Hooga’) alongside co-working studio Nib and Keys Collective, this once-a-month book club is every introvert’s and bookworm’s dream.
So, if you’re as passionate about reading and building a community that shares the same love (but hasn’t got the time), this book club is only a sign-up away at ₱299.
Inclusive of a welcome kit and all-you-can-drink coffee and tea, the Silent Book Club is the perfect spot to focus on your reading while enjoying moderate social breaks to discuss all things books. Sound perfect?
If that’s too much pressure, you can check out the comfy corners of Hygge Library Cafe 2600 at Amparo Street, Camp 7, or its other location at Assumption Road for a bit of light reading.
Eat, Breathe, and Live the Baguio Lifestyle
You see, there is always more to Baguio than meets the eye. It is a city filled with hidden gems where you can be anything and pursue any hobby you find most passionate about.
Whether you’re a student like me enjoying Baguio for the first time or a local, I implore you to go beyond what you think you know and look at the city not for what it is but for what it can be.
In sum, it’s time to challenge yourself and live the Baguio way, the Baguio lifestyle. Your turn. Are there hobbies in particular you’re looking to pick up in the city? Or is there anything you would like others to try out for themselves?
I would love to hear what you think. Share them down below!