Baguio's got talent

MANILA, Philippines - I admit I love going to Baguio primarily because of the cool weather. While I would look a total fashion victim/nutcase in Manila wearing my thigh high boots, Burberry scarves, and furry coats, I would look only half crazy attired in such apparel in Baguio (hahaha!). But Baguio is not just all about the permanent free airconditioning and the chance to wear your long-kept-inside-the-baul-temperate-weather attire. It is going through the whole experience of traveling through zigzag roads; having photos perennially taken at our preferred tourist spots; doing the expected exercise of buying ube jam and peanut brittle at the Good Shepherd, walis tambo and woodcarving souvenirs at the market and woven products at the Easter Weaving School; and more importantly, especially during the Holy Week, having spiritual renewal at the various churches and retreat houses that dot the city. For a lover of the arts like me, it is also an endless opportunity of getting a taste of the best Filipino talents in the visual, culinary and performing arts. It is said that the last are very important factors that have made Baguio the country’s Convention City and favorite out-of-Manila wedding site. 

Although my husband Rotary District 3780 Incoming Governor Paul and I were billeted at the exclusive Baguio Country Club for the 2010 District Convention, our staff who stayed at the Holiday Park Hotel, (walking distance to the Burnham Park at only P1,500 for a deluxe room with two beds at that!) gushed at the great amenities and excellent service typically coming from friendly and hospitable Baguio people.   At the fellowship that followed the golf tournament sponsored by the Rotary Club of New Manila East, everyone was delighted by the cool sound and perfect-harmony-so-pleasant-to-the-ears of the Smooth acoustic group. As the night was about to end, top tenor John Glenn Gaerlan (who is himself a proud Baguio native) mesmerized us with a reverberating rendition of The Prayer and O, Sole Mio.

It turned out that our first night was just a sample of what was yet to come. At the Camp John Hay Convention site, the Quezon City Rotarians were wowed by the exhilarating world-class performance of the University of Baguio Voices and Graces Dance Troupe. Baguio City Mayor Peter Rey Bautista, whose family owns the University of Baguio, himself shared with this writer that the local government has funded concerts and musicales by which local talents are further honed. Even at the Reception and Study Center for Children, (a center for abused and abandoned children in La Trinidad), where we chose to go to donate much needed supplies (instead of daintily picking strawberries at the Strawberry Farm), the Rotary spouses were touched by how the impoverished Baguio kids could express themselves beautifully through music. During the Governors’ Ball of Governor Dulce Coyukiat held on the last night, again, we were entertained wonderfully, this time by the Access retro band — a group that could give Manila-based bands a run for their money. (Remember the very popular Session Road band that originated in Baguio? Even singer Tito Mina and director Joyce Bernal, among so many others, hail from Baguio).

Tenor John Glenn Gaerlan explains to this totally overwhelmed writer that high school and university glee clubs, dance clubs and other performing groups are a wonderful breeding ground for Baguio artists. Aside from the University of Baguio Voices and Graces Dance Troupe, they have the University of the Cordilleras Performing Arts Group, the St. Louis University Glee Club and Dance Troupe and Karlo Altamonte’s Open Space and Tanghalan SLU Theater Group, among others. Even the choirs in the numerous city churches produce the best singers. This is the reason why John Glenn, together with Bishop Carlito Cenzon, in the pursuit of continuing excellence in music among Baguio residents, has been, for the third straight year this 2010, conscientiously organizing the Baguio Cathedral International Festival which raises funds for the maintenance of the Baguio Cathedral pipe organ and other musical equipment therein.

Kay Balajadia, former soloist of the UP Concert Chorus and NAMCYA champion says music has always been part of Baguio and its culture. “It has always been the norm that the development of each child must include exposure to the arts. In fact, it was standard that each household should have at least one musical instrument and that the children are expected to learn to play the instrument. There is so much love for music that drives each Baguio-bred artist to excel and become the best,” lawyer-singer Kay elucidates.

Chinggoy Alonzo, an Aliw awardee Hall of Famer and veteran stage, TV and movie actor, explains that, “in the olden days, until now, Baguio has always been conducive to the development of artistic pursuits. The atmosphere in Baguio City lends itself to contemplation, meditation, inspirational thoughts and creative musings, hence, it’s of no surprise to see so many great artists coming from this place,” Chinggoy emphasizes.

Still thinking of a venue for your next convention or big event? You know now where to go.

(E-mail me at [email protected] or text 0927-5000833. Help build houses for the poor through the Gawad Kalinga by calling 718-1738 to 41 or text 0917-5239777.)