Finding Manny Pacquiao in Baguio

“Ninong” is a Filipino endearment for a godfather, which usually connotes a person who generously gives out gifts, especially during the Christmas season.

This is another alias that was recently added to boxing champ Manny Pacquiao because of his television show that awards fabulous prizes.

He was the reason why I, along with some colleagues, recently headed to Baguio City, the summer capital of the Philippines, to do an on-the-spot photo shoot for a work-related project. Sunday night was no rest for 16 of us who took the six-hour land trip to the mountainous city of Baguio.

We arrived almost two hours past midnight, even when our group took the shorter route – Kennon Road. Sleepy and tired, we went directly to Benguet Prime Hotel, a cheap hotel along Session Road where we were billeted, for a few hours of sleep. Too bad the hotel was a bit old and not so much comfortable for us to recoup the tiredness of being on the road for hours.

Chasing after Pacman

Just at dawn, everyone was up and about, ready to face the adventure ahead. While we waited for advice on the whereabouts of the Filipino boxing legend, we headed to nearby Burnham Park, one of the spots where he would possibly do his morning run.

I’ve seen Burnham Park, with its man-made lagoon, several times each time I visit Baguio. Yet, it was a first for me to be there on an early morning when there were several locals run around the park and aerobics sessions was held along the street. While we marvelled at the energy that the park was bringing to the day, we went on to make subtle inquiries on Pacman. Each one of them had a theory, believing that they knew his location than any of the people there did.

He was nowhere in sight so we headed to the track and field, which is a stone’s throw away from Burnham Park, based on a tip from one of the street sweepers. We stopped to inquire with a jogger who was doing some warm-up exercises whether Pacman did his run that day at the track. He told us that we would know if this was so because there would be several big vehicles and media trailing after him.

While local joggers exercised their legs around the track I took a good look at the SM mall ahead, which have been experiencing some controversy because of the pine trees it has been uprooting and transferring to give way for a parking lot. Baguio City is also the city of pines and without those trees; the essence of Baguio seems to fade away.

As the sun started to rise, we were getting frustrated. We decided to seek refuge at a nearby fast-food chain for breakfast so we could have enough energy to last us for the day. Then the call came. Pacman, as he is sometimes called, was running in one of the subdivisions. Bearing the excitement of a chase, our convoy went to the location armed with our cameras and lenses.

Just as we were parking, team Pacquiao appeared on the horizon as they headed our way. Whether we appeared like the other journalists or some paparazzi, we tailed after the jogging group, with the van’s door open and our cameras clicking away. The excitement was building up and we joined the throng watching the boxing champ during his training exercises. We tried not to get in the way, yet, grabbed the break for our purposes.

Our mission was accomplished but we stayed a little bit to join the Bible study led by Pacquiao himself. Slowly, people left one by one. Satisfied to have done our duty and got close to the champ, we explored Baguio with smiles on our faces.

Wandering around Baguio

The nearest attraction was the BenCab Museum. Baguio is teeming with artists. It must be the inspiring ambiance brought about by the mountains or the wonderful culture of the tribes that made the arts flourish on this side of the Philippines. And Ben Cabrera is one of these famous artists that Baguio has produced.

Forgetting it was a Monday when museums are closed, we arrived at the closed doors of the museum with no life in sight. Disappointed, we went straight to the city proper to buy the famous raisin bread at the Baguio Country Club that one of our officemates asked us to bring home.

Unfortunately, these raisin breads can be bought inside the club if there is a reference from one of the club members. Not wanting to waste the remainder of our day sulking, we drove to Mines View Park, one of the famous attractions because of its overlooking location and the market located there. But beware; being a tourist spot, Mines View Park is full of tourist traps. The latest there were the picture booths featuring large dogs.

Since we didn’t have plans to shop a lot, we proceeded to nearby Good Shepherd, where food products made by nuns are sold. We bought some to take home to friends and colleagues.

That morning seemed to be the longest I have. Although we went round and round the winding Baguio roads, noon was still an hour away. One of our companions who grew up there brought us to Camp John Hay to the Cemetery of Negativism. I’ve never known one existed and it was interesting to find a burial site for all the negativism.

After looking around and hanging out at Camp John Hay’s Historical Core, we opted for lunch, a short stop at the Cathedral and then we finally headed back to Manila.

It must have been my shortest stay in Baguio City but the most exciting one. I wish to come back here for a longer stay and a more relaxing one especially when the summer heat is overtaking the capital these days. And I wish “Ninong” the gift of another victory on his next fight.