DAY 1: November 29, 2021
Agetyeng Travel and Tours, the travel agency assigned for this project, dispatched a van to pick us up at SM City North EDSA in Quezon City, and we departed the assembly area at 4:30 AM.
Plying the Aspiras–Palispis Highway, popularly known and still referred to as Marcos Highway, before final touchdown in Baguio City, we were first welcomed by Baguio Tourism personnel with Sunflower Leis as a symbol of hospitality, as well as #BreatheBaguio facemasks. After passing through a checkpoint, we proceeded next towards the triage at the CAP Convention Center located inside Camp John Hay for health screening and verification of QTP and documents.
The first stop was the so-called Mandeko Kito situated at the Berkeley School. Mandeko Kito, which means 'let's sell' in Ibaloi, is a Baguio City artisans market established in 2020. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, its main thrust is to assist local crafts people and artisans in Baguio City and the Cordillera Administrative Region. A wide array of various products from Baguio, Benguet, Sagada, Mountain Province, and Pangasinan, such as handwoven items and accessories, were elaborately showcased to the delight of purchasing visitors.
Apart from these types of products, this market also catered to the hungry tourist as evidenced by the presence of kiosks featuring local food items. We were served the uniquely delicious Smoked Chicken meal by Moe’s for lunch.
Also, nestled inside this market was an art gallery called Gallery Ninety. It featured various exhibits proudly depicting inventiveness, as local and everyday materials were transformed into extraordinary works of art.
After being warmly welcomed at our accommodation venue, the Venus Parkview Hotel, we then checked-in and freshened up ourselves in preparation for a Welcome Dinner at the Grand Sierra Pines Hotel in recognition of the Photo Contest winners.
Since we still had a few hours to spare before sundown, we decided to visit the Vanilla Cafe. Located inside the Kamiseta Hotel compound. It was a vintage French-inspired cafe, wherein we just ordered dessert while enjoying the ambience.
The evening festivities opened its curtains with the Welcome of Participants and the Invocation led by Ms. Montoya, and was followed up by the Welcome Remarks courtesy of Engr. Aloysius C. Mapalo, City Tourism Officer.
A representative from each winning group then joyfully delivered their own messages in relation to their winning entry, which captivated the audience. The representatives were Chel Caitlin Caridad (Couple), Germaine De Castro (Barkada), and Charlene Marvilla (Family).
Next on the plate was the presentation of Baguio’s official music video, which was actually launched last September 1, 2021 during Baguio Day, highlighting the new tourism and city brand #BreatheBaguio.
Concluding the program proper was the presentation of tokens to the winners by no other than the Hon. Elaine Sembrano, City Councilor & Chairperson of Committee on Tourism, Parks and Playgrounds, and Engr. Mapalo. The representatives of each group were given the symbolic “Key to the City” and each group member received a #BreatheBaguio shirt and tote bag.
Capping off the day was a sumptuous dinner buffet, and a group photo opportunity at the garden area as media photographers fired away.
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