2014 Baguio finds

I find myself in Baguio from time to time and more often I end up on the usual familiar territory. There were quite a few new and noteworthy ones during this last visit though. It really is good to travel sometimes with other people who know the area.

1. Visco's at Session Road

Believe it or not, it was my first time here even though we've been going to Baguio since I was born. My parent's hometown was nearby and Baguio was pretty accessible. Unfortunately, we didn't get the chance to try the famously delicious strawberry shortcake. Will have to make sure next time.

2. Manhattan suites/hotel

I am not sure where this was (I mean in Sepic road but it's not walking distance to Burnham or anything) but the places was relatively new and it had those neat accents all over. The view from the room balconies are not much and consist mostly of shanties.

3. Ketchup community

We probably mostly just ate in Baguio. This one was near Wright Park and tends to get packed. This is a popular place to eat and you have a few choices of cuisine to choose from. You can think of it as ~5 outdoor restaurants with its own dining space enclosed in just one gate and wooden fence. There's no central dining area so it's not a food court either. 

4. Holy Family Church

Nice church for a wedding.

5. Kaffeeklatsch

Probably the highlight of this trip. It's a hole in the wall kind of coffee shop with live acoustic music. The place does not feature a standard seat or tables but a mish-mash of different sorts in different nooks and crannies. Overall a great place to chill. We tried looking for alcohol but didn't find one. Supposedly some of our friends saw some though. Somewhere near Legarda, the entrance gives little hint of the treasure you'd find inside. Maybe it's one of Baguio's little secrets. This deserves a visit when in Baguio.

6. Cafe by the ruins

First time here as well. We were lucky to arrive just before the droves of people came in. There were quite a number of seats at 11:30am on Sunday but once it hit noon, the place easily filled up. They don't take reservations on weekends so better time it right. 

The food may be a little pricier than usual but I think they're fresh and good so it's reasonable.

Bloom where you are planted

While many may say high school was the best time during their younger years, mine would have to be college. I enjoyed college (and the years directly after it) more than I enjoyed high school. And a large part of it was because of my university, my peers/classmates who in turn became my closest friends and UP ALCHEMES. All others followed because of these three (i.e. UP PRIME and UP ESC). Amazing how the years have passed and now I am a proud alumna of this organization.

Looking back, my reasons for joining were just maybe to some shallow and random. Back then, the organization was very young and the underdog, the child born out of wedlock as one of my former professors said. Nonetheless, it is where I found what it's like to be a UP student, learning both in and outside of the classroom while having fun.

It doesn't really matter which organization you choose to belong to. There's always something good bound to happen whichever choice you make. It's about trying to "bloom where you are planted." Nonetheless, I am happy with the choice I made and I am very proud at how far this organization has come and is going. The culture and demographic seems to be changing than how I remembered it to be but I hope that the members will keep growing with it while still having fun. College starts to define who you are as you try and enter adulthood but that shouldn't hinder you from having fun. It is still that time to be making those mistakes and being carefree after all. And as the organization evolves, may it still continue to strive for excellence and make a difference.

Congratulations and more power UP ALCHEMES!


SHAPE lives of others. UP ALCHEMES. from Derek Baterisna on Vimeo.
Service is not just something we do...
Humility is not just something we practice...
Academics is not only being promoted...
Professionalism and Excellence are not just ways of life...

They are our CORE VALUES.


University of the Philippines
Academic League of Chemical Engineering Students (UP ALCHEMES)


*Music: 'Paperman' by Christophe Beck