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.

Mines View Park

Mines View Park

          

         When the Americans built Kennon Road in the early 1900s, there were two forceful reasons why they doggedly pursued such ambitious project.  One was to escape the scorching heat in the lowlands.  The other reason was the presence of gold and copper and other mining extracts. Some of these mining camps or quarries were situated somewhere near the northeastern side of Baguio City.

          When the Americans left the Philippines and these mining sites eventually dried up, after years of non-stop operations, they became tourist attractions.  From the ridge of what is now known as Mines View Park, these mining exploration sites can be viewed on a clear day.  During the rainy months, however, fog envelopes the area, mostly in the afternoons, denying the visitors the much vaunted spectacular view of the Cordilleras.

          But that is not all there is to it.  There are stalls selling wood carvings, knitted wears, silver works, walis tambo and small items such as key chains, ashtrays, slingshots, and many more.  But prices are much higher than those sold in the public market. A tourist has to haggle with the vendors or store owners.

           Some Baguio residents have become enterprising. For a little over P20 pesos, one can pose, for posterity's sake, with a Saint Bernard dog. Or wear an original highlander costume and have his photo taken for a measly sum. Or buy a Cactus plant.  Or an everlasting flower with a scent that lasts for weeks. Or have a car wash while waiting for companions.  Or walk to the nearby Good Shepherd Convent for a few bottles of Ube or Strawberry jams.

          Mines View Park, undoubtedly, rivals the popularity of Burnham Park which is located at the heart of the City. Business has always been that good.  Stores never run out of keepsakes such as the Barrel Man, the naughty key holders, ukelele, caburata and the sungka.  And tourists or visitors continue coming back for more.  Mines View Park is always on their itinerary.  It will always be. You can bet on that.

- Konted

The way to the viewing deck

Old lady  sips hot coffee while tending to her stall.

Ash trays for only 25 pesos

Stall attendant does some weaving which she later sells.  Everlasting flowers are fast selling items at Mines View Park.

Beautiful Anthuriums

Flowers/ plants are tagged so that buyers need not ask.

Sweet corn at the sidewalk

Stalls selling souvenir items 

Mines View Park draws the crowd especially during holidays and weekends.

A big store selling a wide variety of native products

Attractive items

Specially woven sweaters, blankets, shirts, hoods, etc.

Keychains are sold in almost all stores.

Delicious strawberries

Knick knacks 

Silver works such as rings, earrings, necklaces, pendants, etc. are Baguio-made.

Naughty key chains

Bottled jams and brittles are bestsellers.

The native Sungka for P150

Sling shots for the little boys.

More key chains

Walis tambo or brooms 

Heavy fog covers the view.

The tandem that covered the Baguio-Pangasinan event.