Hi Everyone!

I woke up early this morning. I had a good sleep and when I opened my eyes, the sun was shining and the air was very cool. It was different not sleeping with the air conditioner on all night. The air smelled different. Mama said that the smell was from all the pine trees and fresh air. I don’t know what it is but I like it.

We are staying at the John Hay Manor. It is a really nice place that is made out of wood logs. Mama said that all the logs were brought here from the United States and Canada.

Dada said that Camp John Hay used to be the rest and recreational facility for members of the military and employees of the Department of Defense of the United States. He said that this 690-hectare property was turned over to the Philippine government in July 1, 1991.

Dada said Camp John Hay was named after U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary of war and was used by the Japanese as a prisoner camp for American and British soldiers during World War II. He said its name was changed to Club John Hay after it was turned over to the Philippine government and  for the first time in its history the facility was open to the public in 1991 and converted into a recreational complex. It used to be off-limits to Filipinos, except for the privileged few who could get entry passes from its former American administrators.

There is a lot of new houses here and there is a really nice golf course. I want to learn to play golf when I grow up a little bit more. I hope that Dada will teach me. We spent most of the morning walking around Camp John Hay enjoying the pine trees. We went to a special place where they have so many butterflies in so many colors. It was really nice to see so many different colors…just like a rainbow of butterflies. You know how much I love rainbows!

After our walk, we took a van to town to go to the Baguio Cathedral. Every time that Mama and Dada come to Baguio City, they go,first, to Baguio Cathedral to pray and thank God for all their blessings. Mama says the rose-colored Baguio Catholic Cathedral, located on top of a hill in the heart of the city, is one of the more familiar and most visited landmarks of Baguio. she said this beautiful building has twin spires and is one of the most photographed buildings in the city. The construction of the cathedral by phases was begun on a hill which was originally referred to as “Kampo” by the native Ibalois. It was later called Mount Mary by a Belgian Catholic Mission headed by Fr. Carlu, CICM, who was then the parish priest. The cathedral was finally consecrated in 1936 and dedicated to Our Lady of Atonement. During World War II it became an evacuation center and withstood the Japanese bombing of the city in 1945, thereby saving thousands of lives.The Baguio Cathedral is the biggest catholic church in Baguio and is the center of religious activities such as during the Holy Week when thousands of devotees from Metro Manila and the provinces come up to the city.  

After we prayed at church, we decided to go visit the SM Mall. It is a new modern addition to Baguio City and a fun place to visit. We walked all through the mall and had a good time. We had a late lunch at Jollibee and I had my favorite foods.

After that we went back to Camp John Hay where I went to the skating rink and watched the people roller skating. I am a little too young to skate. I went and played on the playground. I like the swings and the gym bars.

Tomorrow, Mama said that we are going to a park where I can ride on a boat and we are going to another park where I will ride my first ever horse. I can’t wait for tomorrow!

Technorati Tags: Baguio Cathedral, Baguio City, Camp John Hay, Jollibee, Manor Camp John Hay Manor, SM Mall

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