CITY OF BAGUIO, Historical Data Part II

Engineer E J. Halsema – The paved streets, excellent waterworks, telephone, hydro-electric system, ideal and well-kept parks and solid foundation of Baguio earned for this man the title of City Builder. Mayor Halsema spent seventeen and a half years of his life to public service at the helm of Baguio City Administration. Following David Burnham's plan of the city, he earnestly worked to make Burnham's dream a realization. His accomplishments were unbelievable and enormous. Under his guidance, Baguio became one of the most beautiful spots in the Orient, the most outstanding, cleanest and progressive city in the Philippines.

Mayor Halsema will always be enshrined in our hearts, and we shall always remember him for his ability, diligence and democratic attitude towards everyone. What he did for the Baguio people cannot be paid in money. He died in Baguio, the city he made, that even his bones are lying in our soil, the soil he, too, loved.

Sergio Bayan – Mayor Bayan was the first Filipino Mayor of Baguio. Like Mayor Halsema, he untiringly and unselfishly worked for the improvement of the cloud-kissed city. The Health Center, Skating Rink, Athletic Bowl, Asin Bathhouse are some of his achievements. During his administration, Baguio maintained her prestige

Baguio, therefore, is the story of unselfish and hopeful young Americans who cooperated with Filipinos to build a paradise near the clouds. It was here where the whites and browns worked hand in hand to build a mountain retreat; where those who believed in democracy fought side by side to drive the last Japanese remnants from their last impregnable [unreadable word] hideout.

Baguio yesterday was only a hill station with few business houses and government cottages. Baguio in the past was a sleepy-hollow where mosses were growing the whole year round. It was swamps and forest and a few native huts. It was mud and rain — untamed deer and ghostly nights. Baguio was lonely!

Then, enterprising men came to Baguio to embellish it with art and beauty. Broad, clean paved streets with sidewalks, and homes patterned according to American designs, [an] excellent drainage system — and an invigorating climate perennially spring, which tingles the blood like aged wine and brings nostalgic memories and feelings of Americans and other foreigners. Baguio today is where occidentals and orientals bridge the differences of race and customs, work together to make the place a more progressive one.

Despite the destruction wrought by the war, the people picked up from its ruins and rapidly came back to life, and began again from where the Japanese left.

Baguio today is a delightful sight to behold. "Little America" we claim because the life and tempo of the place is more Americanized than Filipinized. It is more than a Summer Capital for the Pearl of the Orient Seas. Miniature palaces and mansions, with gardens marvelous to see mushroom on hillsides. Interesting scenes and natural sights offer photographers objects for their cameras. At present, reconstruction is still going on — but soon, Baguio's skylines will be restored and, no doubt, our Pine City will be more progressive than the pre-war years. It is true that the city's past and present life is still dependent on its mines. We still pray and hope that its future will depend yet upon its mining industry because the rocks under our feet are highly mineralized and, for sure, more gold will be uncovered yet in the future. Many also believe that Baguio may become an educational center due to its mild climate, which make study very susceptible.

All these that we enjoy now were the dreams come true of many prominent men from America and our country. The natural attractions of Baguio beckoned them to contribute their might to make Baguio what it is now.

In conclusion, let me quote what an excursionist wrote on one of the blackboards of Pacdal School. One who must have been infatuated with the beauty of this classical city.

"Baguio, Baguio, I love you
Baguio, Baguio, my heart is longing for you
Call me Sweetheart, Baguio my love
When shall we be together again?
O, Baguio my love."

Baguio nestles among cloud-kissed mountains and hills in the middle of the southern half of the plateau and sub-province of Benguet, Mountain Province. It has an altitude ranging from 4,500 to 5,200 feet above sea level.

This region of hills and small valleys is covered with short, thick grass with magnificent pine trees which for the most part grow at a considerable distance from each other, while along the numerous streams, there are wonderful giant ferns and luxuriant tangles of beautiful tropical vegetation.

Baguio covers an area aggregating 57,486,905 square meters, making it one of the largest cities in the Philippines in point of area.

1. Climate and Rainfall

The city has an evenly cool climate ranging from 45 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. According to meteorological observation, the place possesses the "world's best weather."

The climate is refreshing and stimulating, although there is always the likelihood of a sudden mountain shower as late as March. Even in the heat of the noon sun, the shades of pine trees and constant mountain breeze maintain the pleasant coolness. It is

As you will see in the table below, Baguio has continuous rainfall throughout the year. In spite of its heavy distribution of rainfall, it has very few typhoons contrary to its name which means "typhoon" in Ilocano.

January February March April May June July August September October November December

....................................................... ....................................................... ....................................................... ....................................................... ....................................................... ....................................................... ....................................................... ....................................................... ....................................................... ....................................................... ....................................................... .......................................................

0.91 inches 0.80 inches 1.83 inches 5.49 inches 15.41 inches 16.92 inches 42.06 inches 44.79 inches 27.55 inches 14.92 inches 4.83 inches 1.96 inches

Baguio's soil is not even unlike most places in the lowlands. Most of it is clayey in nature — sticky, fine, and adhesive particles of earth. Some places are rocky and hard, which are

Baguio still boasts of a considerable amount of pine growth in its forests. Tree cutting and the making of kaingin is prohibited in order to conserve its timber supply. Many areas have been deforested but they have now been reforested by the Bureau of Forestry. The big trees may soon be used not only to give lumber but also to provide paper pulp. American experts have recently explored this great possibility.

In addition to its trees, the growth of giant ferns, the only one of their kind in the country, offers the potential for the establishment of another industry — the so-called "cottage industry." Ferns are unique materialsfor the making of useful handicraft articles like flower vases, picture frames, fruit trays, pot stands, and tables.

Although most of the lands which used to be the grazing grounds of carabaos, cattle, horses, and goats have become what are

Minerologists believe that a number of mineral deposits are found in Baguio's mountains. A few years ago, a gold vein had been struck at the new P.M.A. site. Presently, high grade rock is being taken at the Baguio Rock Quarry at City Camp. Except for the dynamiting and processing, the work is performed by women, most of whom are Igorots. Lime is also taken at nearby Irisan where a refinery has been established.

Water power has long been recognized as the best and cheapest means of generating electric energy. Some streams and creeks are being utilized to run the various hydroelectrical plants in the city. Camp John Hay's hydro is also powered by a swift stream flowing nearby, along the Kennon Road.

The city is proud of its scenery, which is unmatched in the Orient. This is probably an asset which is more valuable than all the other resources combined. With its picturesque landscapes,

Baguio is a young city. When its natural resources will have been exploited and fully utilized, it will claim a distinction not only as a tourist center but an industrial and commercial center as well.

Baguio is a living example of a place where all sorts of people, foreigners, lowlanders, and natives high or low live together in peace. There is very little or no discrimination in the way they treat each other. The foreigners are looked upon as having contributed a lot to the making of Baguio as it is now. As a matter of fact, Baguio's builders were foreigners. The lowlanders, too, in spite of their overwhelming superiority in number never take advantage of that fact. The natives, in turn, do not expect special treatment. They only want one thing — equal opportunity for all.

Even in its society, no highbrow cliques or groups are found. The rich and the poor brush shoulders side by side, the former never looking down towards the latter.

This happy state of events can easily be seen in public gatherings, dances, parties, and the like.

As one will look into the data below, he will notice that practically all the major dialect [more correctly, language] groups in the Philippines are represented. About 7% of the total population is made up of twenty nationalities.

But when one goes around the city, he will easily find out that Ilocano has come to be the dominant dialect [again, more correctly, language]. Non-Ilocanos learn the tongue for purposes of expediency and better understanding.

Transcribed from:

History and Cultural Life of the City of Baguio, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections. The pagination in this transcription is as they appear in the original document.