Session Road

Session Road is part of the Radial Road 9. It is the main thoroughfare of Baguio City. It is also the hub of the Baguio Central Business District. Located at the city center, it is divided into two parts.

Lower Session Road spreads eastward from Magsaysay Avenue through the BCBD until the intersections of Father Carlu Street towards the Baguio Cathedral and Upper Bonifacio Street and Governor Pack Road. Businesses are located in this is the area, among others banks, shops, restaurants, bakeries, hotels, newsstands, boutiques, and studios.

Upper Session Road encompasses Post Office Loop, Leonard Wood Road, and the foot of Luneta Hill where SM City Baguio is located. It extends to the rotunda cutting toward South Drive towards Baguio Country Club, Loakan Road towards Camp John Hay, Loakan Airport, Philippine Military Academy, Baguio City Economic Zone, and the mine areas of Itogon, Benguet, up until Military Cut-Off leading to Kennon Road.

Session Road’s name originates from the fact that it used to lead up to the old Baden-Powell Hall. This is where the first Philippine Commission held its sessions from April 22 to June 11, 1904 and officially initiated the use of Baguio as the Philippine Summer Capital. The Commission was comprised of Governor General Luke E. Wright, president, and Commissioners Henry Ide, Den C. Worcester, T. Padre Tavera, Benito Legarda, Jose de Luzuriaga, James Smith and William Cameron Forbes. Right beside the enormous bus terminals, next to Baden-Powell Inn on Governor Pack Road stand a marker. This is the only noticeable evidence that anything of historical significance ever took place on Session Road.

Session Road is filled with local residents, and students from the different Baguio schools and universities. Tourists and visitors to the city stroll up and downhill, window shop, meet up with friends, snack on ice cream in cones bought along storefronts that open up to the sidewalk, or step into many of the restaurants lining the street.

Session Road is a promenade individual from other commercial centers in the Philippines because of its slope, and the mid-20th century American-town inspired facades and Art Deco buildings. Adding the exceedingly cool Baguio weather and friendly locals, and a stroll through Session Road makes for a unique experience.