Puerto Galera

This coastal town is famed among tourists for its abundant pocket beaches and numerous snorkeling spots. The area was selected as a Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1973 and has some of the most diverse coral reefs in Asia. The influx of tourist dollars in recent years has greatly benefited the marine environment because of the huge reduction in fishing, as fishermen gain higher revenue from tourists. Puerto Galera is also A-listed by the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays of the World, the only one in the Philippines to be listed there.

Famous beaches in Puerto Galera are Sabang Beach and White Beach, which have a lively nightlife with copious bars and restaurants. They also have an assortment of first and economy class accommodations.

White Beach remains very popular with local travelers, especially during Holy Week. A particular local attraction is the nine-hole golf course perched on the hillside above White Beach, which commands spectacular views over Puerto Galera’s natural harbor, and the Verde Island Passage. In recent years White Beach has undergone uncontrolled development. New restaurants and places to stay are rapidly encroaching on the beach itself. Little remains of the once charming beach. Puerto Galera town is a pleasant but sleepy Philippine town with few attractions.

 

Big La Laguna Beach is popular for local swimmers and snorkelers. Puerto Galera is among the top diving destination in the Philippines. Renowned for its current rips, diving commonly concentrates around Escarceo Point. Because of the strong currents in Puerto Galera, it is best to hire the services of a skilled local guide or dive center. More than thirty dive sites are within a 5-10 minute boat ride from Sabang Beach. Marine life is highly diverse, with more than 180 species of nudibranch and many species of fish.

The town itself has a number of business and commercial establishments. It has a large central catholic church and a Pier area, with a selection of bistros and cafes.

Good Shepherd Convent

The Good Shepherd Convent is located in the Mines View Barangay. Within walking distance from the souvenir shops at Mines View Park, the main entrance is along Gibraltar Road. The convent is typically the next stop for visitors from Mines View Park. For those with vehicles, it is easiest to enter the convent's gate, taking the driveway leading up to the parking lot within the compound. This is the compound center where you find people waiting to be served by the store salesclerks.

This store is popular for the different products made by the Good Shepherd nuns. Visitors coming up to the city who are familiar with items sold in the store always make it a point buy fruit preserves, strawberry and ube jams, cashew and peanut brittle, and coco jam. Most of these products are also available in the Baguio Public Market and at other outlets within the city. Money generated from the sale of these products is used for the different charities sponsored by the Good Shepherd nuns. It is also used for the care and continuance of the convent.

The compound houses other buildings and facilities. Aside from the convent, there is also a Retreat House for college and high school students. At one end of the parking lot is an observation deck with a magnificent view of the distant Cordillera Mountains and the valley below. There is also a garden with assorted trees and colorful flowering plants where you get to smell the fresh pine-scented mountain air.

Camp John Hay

Camp John Hay is a major tourism and recreation attraction in Baguio City. It was a major hill station used for rest and recreation for personnel and dependents of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines as well as United States Department of Defense employees and their dependents, last run by the United States Air Force.

Camp John Hay is much cooler and less humid than the rest of the Philippine Islands with its average elevation of 5,000 ft., thereby providing the milder climate more familiar to the typical American soldier. The facility housed The American Residence as well as Broadcasting facilities of the Voice of America, being an officially designated communications station.

The former American R&R facility at present serves as a tourist attraction. Among its current major attractions are the Par-69 world-class competition, Jack Niclaus-designed golf course, several restaurants and shops, The Manor and The Suites at Camp John Hay, as well as a shopping center and convention center.

Situated on the southeastern side of Baguio City, the Main Gate is presently located on Loakan Road, a 5-minute drive from its former location at the Upper Session Road-Loakan Road-South Drive rotunda. Camp John Hay has a second entrance accessible via the Baguio Country Club road, which is closer to other major tourist attraction.

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.