Baguio Area Profile: Baguio
City, Islands Philippines
Prior to Baguio's early development, it was a place
of pasture and grazing land first inhabited by mountain tribes Igorotes
called Ibalois and Kankanais.
Although, little can be said of prehispanic Baguio, it must be
noted that the Igorotes had developed their own set of customs and
beliefs, and a common, systematic trade system called barter before
the westerners arrived.
Because of Benguet potentials for gold source, the Spanish government
through Commandante Galvey established the Commandancias Politico
Militar to rule the natives. Benguet was then divided into 31 rancherias.
Baguio was then one of the rancherias composed of 21 scattered houses.
Don Q..M. Quirante was assigned by Galvey to explore Benguet's
gold mines. As a result, mining activities started in Antamok, Itogon
and Suyoc areas. The introduction of Christianity and new techniques
in coffee and cattle raising is credited to the Spaniards.
Before the close of 1800's, Antonio Bejar (Juan Carino) was made
the first Governor of Benguet. However, his reign did not last long
when in the early 1900's, the Americans came.
Shortly after the defeat of the Spanish Navy in the battle of Manila
Bay, Captain Rudd came to Baguio to set up the first civil government
ever established in the Philippines under the governorship of H.P.
Whitmarsh. From a military, a township form of government was adopted
in November 1900 by virtue of Act No. 48 and Act No. 1397. In escaping
the lowland heat, the Americans found Baguio a perfect place to
rest and recuperate with a climate similar with that of the United
States.
In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt appointed Cameron Forbes
to develop Baguio. Architect Daniel H. Burnham made a plan for an
expected population of 25,000 people. This followed the Philippine
Commission's declaration to make the town of Baguio in the Province
of Benguet, as the "summer capital of the archipelago".
Gov. Forbes also encouraged the development of Baguio as an Administrative
Center. Reservations were given to various national government offices.
This was followed by the building of the Kennon and Naguilian Roads.
In 1906, William Haube build Session Road, so named because members
of the Commission passed through it on their way to the session
hall.
On September 1, 1909, the Charter of City of Baguio authored by
Gov. George A. Malcolm was promulgated pursuant to Act. No. 1963.
Mining went on high gear production. American prospectors came and
worked in the mines until full operations were reached. As Baguio
was fast gaining grounds as a commercial center, the public market
was opened. Various commercial enterprises were established along
Session Road, Harrison Road and Trinidad Road (now Magsaysay Road.
From 1909 to 1957, the mayors of the city were all appointed. Americans
were appointed mayors from 1909 to 1937, subsequently, a Filipino
Engineer took over the reigns of government. Baguio had its first
local elections in 1957. the mayor-council government set-up became
elective since then.
Featured Baguio Hotels - Recommended Baguio Accommodations
Travel Quotes:
Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen. Benjamin Disraeli
I have wandered all my life, and I have also traveled; the difference between the two being this, that we wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment. Hilaire Belloc
Fiesta Foods Philippines Cuisine
For festive occasions, people band together and prepare more sophisticated dishes. Tables are often laden with expensive and labor-intensive treats requiring hours of preparation. In Filipino celebrations, lechón (also spelled litson) serves as the centerpiece of the dinner table. It is usually a whole roasted pig, but suckling pigs (lechonillo, or lechon de leche) or cattle calves (lechong baka) can also be prepared in place of the popular adult pig.
More details at Fiesta Foods Philippines Cuisine
About Philippines
The Philippines, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (Filipino: Repúblika ng Pilipinas), is a sovereign island country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam. The Sulu Sea to the southwest lies between the country and the island of Borneo, and to the south the Celebes Sea separates it from other islands of Indonesia. It is bounded on the east by the Philippine Sea. |
