CITY OF PINES 2022: MT. KALUGONG CULTURAL VILLAGE

I first got wind of Mt. Kalugong when a friend of mine posted photos about it on Facebook last December. Intrigued, i snooped around a bit, and realized it was located around 30 min away from Baguio city. 

As i have been to Baguio many times, and didn't intend to do touristy stuff like boating at Burnham Park nor kabayo-ing at Wright Park, i thought this seemed the perfect activity to try.

So it was that on one hot, muggy day, we set off for Mt. Kalugong Cultural Village.

For background, the name 'kalugong' comes from the local term for 'hat'. Apparently, the rock formations at the peak look like a hat when viewed from below. 

To get there: Ride a jeep bound for Camp Dangwa or Upper/Lower Tomay (this is the same jeep that goes to the strawberry farms in La Trinidad). Alternatively, just as we did, we took a taxi.

Make sure to tell the driver to drop you off at Brgy. Cruz. This is well-known to PUV drivers, and the road is quite a busy one with many commercial establishments; so finding a jeep or a taxi going back to Baguio afterwards will not be a problem. 

This is the jump-off point, so once you see this, you are in the right place: 

At the corner is where Benguet Memorial Service is located. But hey, don't let any macabre thoughts creep into your mind :-D  To my knowledge, no one has expired yet while going up to Mt. Kalugong and needing memorial services! Here's a closer look:

The road going up is well-paved, and winding in some parts, and steep. Make that very steep. We stopped periodically to drink water and catch our breath. 

Signages along the way, providing encouragement :-D

 

 

 

 

Eventually, the paved road reaches a private subdivision gate (take note the gate is closed from 6PM to 6AM). Only a few houses built so far. 

 

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I realized this is one other way of getting to Mt. Kalugong: Rather than huffing and puffing from the jump-off point, one can actually bring a private vehicle and go up the paved road, and park along the road of this very quiet subdivision.  (Or take a taxi and pay the driver extra to bring you up to this point) 

This way, one cuts out most of the hike (and the huffing and puffing). But of course, slackers like me do not take the easy way out! Laban langggg! **puffs chest out in fake, vainglorious display of bravado**

 

(My friend S. told me later on that no need for an SUV, her Honda Jazz could manage the steep road)

 

 

 

Okay, so this is the end of the cemented road inside the subdivision. Another encouraging sign that "You are healthy"!! Woohoo!!! 

At this point onwards, one has to walk up going to the cultural village. We turned left and continued going up the foot path, which was narrow and uneven and rather muddy. Thankfully, one can hold on to the makeshift fence made from bamboo poles (watch out for the barbed wire, though)

 

 

 

 

Here's a short clip for better appreciation of the lovely view, as well as what the steps going up look like: 

 

 

 And after more huffing and puffing, we reached the ecopark. Yes!! [fist pump]

 

There is an environmental fee of PHP100.00/person (it is a private property, after all).   

 

 

So nice this place! Cool and tranquil.

 

 

 

Below is a campsite area, wherein one can actually stay overnight. 

 

 

  

Here's another look at it, from the opposite direction:

 

 

 

 In the next post of this series, we'll check out where these steps (note the ingenious of used rubber tires) lead to [hint: a coffee shop and some awesome views].

If you're interested in going, please check their Facebook Page 'Mt. Kalugong Cultural Village' for updates. 

Practical tips: Bring water, and make sure to wear proper footwear (hiking shoes like Merrell). 

Bonus: Check out the Youtube video of local guy The Torogi Wanderer, whom i reached out to prior to going; and he was very helpful with tips. 

 

CITY OF PINES 2022: HATCH COFFEE

This self-billed 'not-so-secret coffeeshop in Baguio' is indeed on the radar of many local food bloggers i follow, hence my interest was piqued. 

On my last day before heading back to the metro (boo!), S. and i had lunch at Hatch, which is located inside a quiet subdivision, yet quite accessible from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

 

 

The place, with its airy lawn and plants, was quite relaxing; and S. mentioned that yoga classes were, in fact, being held here during mornings.  

 

 

 

The menu was not very extensive: S. quipped that most of it were food that one can do oneself at home, which amused me greatly ;-D 

 

 

 S. ordered the Hatch burger (basically a typical cheeseburger), while i was dead set on the ube grilled cheese sandwich (blame Instagram and the fact that i'm a huge ube jam fan hehe).  Here it was:

 

 

 

 

It proved to be as yummy as it looked!! Yesss!! Perfect for a light lunch or rather filling mid-afternoon snack. S. shared a portion of her burger, and it was moist and tasty. Recommended as well. 

 

For drinks, S. had the latte horchata milk (below left) while i chose the intriguing Orange Coffee (right). Hmmm, i'm still ambivalent about it -- it was refreshing, but the taste was rather odd.

Overall, Hatch Coffee proved to be a nice hangout place with good food and a relaxed atmosphere.

(Hatch Coffee is located at 135 Easter Road corner Road 1, Manzanillo, Baguio City. Check their Facebook page and Instagram account hatchcoffeeph for updates on menu, schedule, etc.)

CITY OF PINES 2022: 113 Wagner Cafe

Hello, hello! Finally, after more than 2 years, yours truly left the confines of the metro and ventured forth to one of my fave destinations, Baguio City (I've been here probably at least 10 times, in total). 

First order of business was to have dinner with good friend S., merely one of the richest persons in this neck of the woods. Upon her suggestion, we agreed on the fairly new 113 Wagner Cafe (so named because it was located on...well, 113 Wagner St. Hehe!). 

Things did not start out promisingly. Waze guided us to this dark, quiet unpaved street, which looked rather dodgy. 

Fortunately, it seemed we were on the right track, due to the sign. True enough, a short walk led to this gate. 

 And when one enters, suddenly it's a whole different world!

 

 

Being a Friday night, the place was full. Apparently, this place was the private residence of the resto owner as well.

On to the food: S. had reserved and chosen the Farm Fresh Food menu, knowing my huge appetite hahaha!

The roasted tomato cream soup was a winner. Great texture, with a strong spicy kick. Perfect for a chilly night.

 The linguini pasta was cooked very well, and didn't scrimp on the ingredients. 

 

The main course, Certified Angus beef striploin steak, could have been a teeny bit more done, in my opinion. Nonetheless,  it was delicious and we (party of 3 adults and 1 small child) very nearly finished it -- syempre nagkahiyaan and left one last piece on the plate hahahaha style bulok amp. :-D

 

 

 

There was a surprise midway through our dinner. The staff starting singing the birthday song, and brought out a slice of chocolate cake.  Then i realized that it was MY birthday that was being celebrated! Wrong month! 

 

But the chocolate cake was flat out superb! It reminded me of the Red Ribbon chocolate cake back in the 1990s, which was so flavourful and moist; before Jollibee acquired Red Ribbon and the chocolate cake became dry and virtually unedible. 

 

 

 

Lastly, the panna cotta came out, and i finished my portion quickly. Can't go wrong with PC! 

 

I'll leave more pics of this lovely cafe, definitely recommended to visit. 

 

 

 

113 Wagner Cafe is strictly by reservation only. Check their Facebook and Instagram accounts for updated information on menus, schedules, etc. 

(Thanks to S. for the food pics!)