Category Archives: Tourism

Business, Culture, Government, Health & Medicine, Tourism

Baguio City’s Panagbenga Will Go On As Scheduled

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BAGUIO CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Baguio Bureau) – Hundreds of thousands of tourists, not to mention local businesses, were sorely disappointed that City Mayor Benjamin Magalong decided to cancel today’s Opening Parade for the 2020 Panagbenga Festival.

The month-long festival attracts more than a million people each year and has always been a great income-generating opportunity for local merchants and businesses.

The cancellation was prompted by concerns that the coronavirus could threaten the health and safety of Baguio residents and visitors alike.

But no worries, the rest of the Panagbenga activities will go on as scheduled, especially the final street and float parades which cap the festival.  This, after the City Government and festival organizers agreed on a crucial safety measure that will be implemented.

The measure?  All parade participants — those hunky males donning Igorot costumes included — as well as the flower floats will be required to wear protective face masks.  In addition, parade spectators will also be asked to wear the masks .

If there’s a will, there’s a way!

Government, Local News, Politics, Tourism, Travel

Baguio City Declares NPA, LP Persona Non Grata

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BAGUIO CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Baguio Bureau) – The summer capital of the Philippines and the rest of the Cordillera Region have taken the lead in isolating members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and all groups that are perceived to be anti-government and anti-Filipino, including the very liberal Liberal Party.

Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong announced a new policy that declares the NPA and the Liberal Party to be “Persona Non Grata.”  As such, members of these two groups are off limits to the City of Pines.

The new policy comes just weeks before Baguio launches its popular month-long Panagbenga Festival which easily attracts one million people.

Magalong said anyone associated with NPA and LP seen roaming the streets of Baguio will be immediately arrested and detained in newly-constructed jail cells next to the city’s dumpsite in Irisan.

Talk about nabubulok (non-recyclable)!

 

Government, Science and Environment, Tourism

SM Baguio To Be Relocated As Part Of Government Plan To Rehabilitate City

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BAGUIO CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Baguio Bureau) –News media reports indicate that after the successful rehabilitation of Boracay and ongoing efforts in Palawan and other beach destinations, the government is now setting its sights on the highlands, in the country’s so-called Summer Capital, Baguio City.

The city government led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong has prohibited the cutting of trees and ordered a stop to all new construction of homes and office buildings as he sets out to turn Baguio into a “smart city,” according to Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

To revive the City of Pines, the city and national governments also plan to relocate structures, mostly private homes, that have been built along the slopes, to new developments being planned in the outskirts of the city and neighboring municipalities, Puyat said.

The Adobo Chronicles has learned that part of the grand scheme is to relocate the sprawling SM Baguio Mall built on top of Luneta Hill to a still undisclosed location far from the hustle and bustle of downtown Baguio.

”Come of think of it,” Magalong said, “the reason Baguio is experienceing this horrendous traffic is because practically all roads lead to SM.  Take out SM and you solve the traffic problem instantly,” he said.

In lieu of the shopping mall, the Department of Tourism will build what it is calling “Park on the Hill” which would would put to shame New York City’s Central Park.

It’s back to “The City of Pines” for Baguio!