Wright Park

Wright Park

           

          In tight-fitting jeans, Melinda walked down the steep concrete stairs. She was wearing her red and black Nike sneakers, believing that it would give her that extra nimbleness.  She wanted to ride a horse.  Walking by and sorting out a group of horses, Melinda was looking for a particular horse.  She moved to the other side of the small horse track, followed closely by a horse handler.  The track is part of what is commonly known as Wright Park in Baguio City.

           Wright Park is one of the earliest parks built by the Americans in the City of Pines.  It is situated in front of The Mansion House, and near the roundabout where one can see St. Joseph Church.  It is also near the Baguio Country Club.  The park was named after Luke Wright who served as Governor General in the early years of the American Regime.

           Wright Park is known for its beautiful rectangular pond with trees lining both sides.  It is aligned with the gate of The Mansion House.  In this area where Wright Park is located, tall pine trees still abound.  There is still that scent of burning pine cones. It has the semblance of the Old Baguio.

           Melinda was now getting impatient.  She could not find her fancied horse.  A horse guide approached her and asked:  "Manang, when was the last time you rode that horse? I may be of help." The man, who could speak English as most Baguio residents do, sincerely wanted to help her.  " Oh, that was a long time ago.  Matagal tagal na rin. I used to call that horse 'Kidlat' ", Melinda replied.

            "Manang, when was that? Approximately what year?", asked the guide.  Thinking for a while, and licking the red mark on her upper lip caused by the strawberry taho, Melinda shot back: "1983. Yes, 1983.  Am very sure of that." Breaking into wild laughter, the man said: "1983 pa?  I am also very sure that horse is gone. A horse does not live forever. Patay na yon." 

             Other horse guides were laughing too. Melinda, now blushing, retorted:  " Basta! That was my favorite horse."  She picked another one. One that looked like an Appaloosa. Turning at the bend of what is called Riding Circle, she was beginning to like the horse.  With the cool wind touching her face, Melinda asked the young escort:  " Ano pangalan nito? " To which the guide answered:  " Kulog po ang pangalan nya, Kulog. " What Melinda heard, it was like a bolt from the blue.

             First, it was Kidlat.  Now it is Kulog.  Not surprising. The two go together.

- Konted

Main entrance to Wright Park.  It was named after Governor General Luke Wright who commissioned Architect Daniel Burnham to make a master plan for Baguio City.

Taking a power nap near the rectangular pond at Wright Park

The concrete steps leading to the Riding Circle of Wright Park.  You walk downwards.

Tall pine trees still abound at Wright Park

If there is unlimited texting, there is also such a thing as 'unlimited shots'.

Uniform rates

The Riding Circle at Wright Park

Horses at Wright Park are well-trained and well-behaved.

A rider may confine himself within the Riding Circle or he may opt to venture to nearby places.

A wide array of horses to choose from

The horses with the artificial fuchsia color draw attention of visitors.

Poinsettia is also called the Christmas flower.

The Everlasting near the Poinsettia is also identified with Baguio City.

Pony with fuchsia color attracts young riders.

Even the tent is fuchsia.

The Henna Tattoo usually lasts for more than a week.

For Melinda, her favorite horse Kidlat lives forever.