Biking Down Memory Lane: The Burnham Boy Returns to Lake Drive Where He Worked as Bike Attendant in the 80s

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In 1982, an eighteen- year-old man from the island town of Anda, Pangasinan bravely went to Baguio City and tested his luck for his dream of sending himself to college. He worked as a bike attendant in a concession located along Lake Drive, part of Burnham Park for almost a year. Their employers call him and his fellows Burnham Boys–an obvious moniker.  The young man dealt with different types of tourists and recreational vehicles daily to move the wheel of his life. His working experience in the City of Pines helped him to be a high school teacher in his town. This industrious and courageous person is my father.  Whenever his previous students complimented him, I often hear that they remember my father’s diligence. They share sir Dops’ tales of working in the sea of Tondol and in various cities and provinces to save money for the pursuit of being the first degree holder of his family. They often tell me about my father's seashells picking in our barangay, construction works i...
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Baguio Museum: The Storyteller of the City of Pines and the Cordillera Region

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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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