By Joshua Corcuera
I stayed in Baguio from the evening of February 22 until the afternoon of February 26. It was a memorable experience especially that, as someone born and raised in the city, I rarely go to provinces; more so those that are distant from Manila.
My university sent me there as part of the student delegation for the national conference of a certain association. By the time I set foot in the Summer Capital of the Philippines, I realized how cold it was as compared to Manila. To be candid, it was much colder when I disembarked the bus, and it was not yet evening at that time.
That night, I had the privilege to go out with my fellow schoolmates to roam around Burnham Park. It was Wednesday evening already and, surprisingly, there were only a few people strolling around. It was silent and serene, the warm lights emanating from the trees illuminated the area. Nearby, there were several stalls where food and pasalubong could be bought. Ultimately, I brought home a dozen strawberry jams, as well as lengua, keychains, and a dozen tiny coin purses featuring the weaving design of the Cordilleras.
On the 24th, we participated in a community engagement program in Sablan, Benguet, where local children performed a dance while elders offered several items such as brooms, ube jam, chocolate tablea, and so forth. This engagement offers a good lesson: that there are many people who find happiness in a different way of life.
As someone who grew up surrounded by tall buildings, roads made out of asphalt and concrete, and noise coming from cars and jeepneys, it is interesting that people can enjoy having a lifestyle surrounded by giant trees and the peace of the mountains. It seems that internet connection is not a luxury the locals in Sablan could enjoy—even electricity to begin with. Yet they were able to make a living for themselves, sustain their lifestyles, and find happiness—something unimaginable for a city boy.
The following day, we woke up early and stood along Session Road to witness the Grand Float Parade of the 2023 Panagbenga Festival featuring flowery floats and colorful dance performances by the locals. The streets were filled with people from all walks of life. It is an interesting experience, especially that festivals are something I find lacking from the city, in general, and, specifically, from where I live. The only feast I could remember back home is the procession of the Black Nazarene which I do not participate in because of the overwhelming number of people. Also, there is a local feast by the Church in the district I live in, but I usually eat the handa only during that day. From here, I realized that travelling offers an opportunity to learn traditions and lifestyles that were once unknown or unfamiliar.
Altogether, it was a mesmerizing experience. More importantly, I gained memories with the people and experiences I encountered, and learned that we sometimes need to travel to new ventures not only to take a rest from work or studies, but to engage ourselves in the real world and learn new things.
