As someone who was a Heograpiya, Kasaysayan, at Sibika (HEKASI)
quizzer in my elementary days, the Cordillera Administrative Region piqued my
interest. I love the indigenous culture I read about it and its colorful
history.
My first time to set foot in Cordilleran soil was in early
2000s. I was 11 or 12 that time. My father, my sister and I accepted the
invitation of our relatives to visit Atok, Benguet. I tried harvesting potatoes
and see mummified remains in a wood coffin. Those were vivid experiences I had
about the people’s culture there.
Now that I am a blogger focusing on travel and lifestyle, I
am working on visiting the six provinces of the region and document cultures
and stories from the past and present.
In my quest of navigating the beautiful region completely
and to know more about the City of Pines, I went to Baguio Museum last December
6, 2025 as my starting point of my journey. It was 4 PM, an hour before its
closing time.
I remember that I was walking fast from SM Baguio to the
establishment to make sure that I would not miss the chance. I was panting when
I reached the registration area which is on the second floor. You need to take
the stairs to get there.
There is a 100-peso entrance fee for visitors to pay. The
staff briefed me about the dos and don’ts particularly on the use of flash
photography. The museum advises visitors not to do it on the mummy that is
displayed there.
I did not waste time during the museum tour. It is not only
the rich history and culture of Baguio City presented there, but also the
provinces of the Cordillera Administrative Region. The second floor has the
display cases in which the artifacts are properly showcased. I learned a lot
about clothing, music, and agricultural life of the Cordillerans.
The traditional clothes of the men and women captured my
attention. They are woven intricately considering patterns and colors. Artistry
is visible and felt in every fiber.
The third floor has the information about the establishment
and progress and development of Baguio through the years. Seeing old pictures
of the city makes me feel nostalgic like I am a native of the city. The area
boasts its people who excel in the different fields particularly on the arts. The
establishment did it right as Baguio is designated as Creative City of Crafts
and Folk Arts.
The fourth floor shows the artworks about Kidlat Tahimik, a
National Artist. There are paintings and visual masterpieces honoring him.
There are also books and printed materials about him and the city. Inasmuch as
I want to read them, but I did not have the luxury of time to do so.
I ended the tour by roaming the first floor. There were only
a few arts installed there. I saw paintings about the traditional knapbaskets.
I just recently learned that those are parts of the preparation for the
Carriers of Tradition backpack exhibit of the museum slated December 13th. What
would be a nice thing if the event coincided with my museum tour. But, there
are things meant not to happen. Maybe next time.
I spent around five minutes taking pictures of the signage
of the museum on the first floor. I concluded my visitation by taking pictures
of me in front of the building. Thanks to my tripod as it helped me do
photography.
I am happy I was able to do one of my itineraries. It was a
brief tour, but an educational one. The Baguio Museum has lots of stories to tell
the locals and to the visitors. The establishment makes me go beyond the walls
and yearn to experience culture in the highlands and immerse in the stories of
the Cordilleran people.
Agyamanak unay, Baguio Museum!
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