Last year, there was already a plan to go to Baguio and surprise a friend who will be finishing his Masters degree in Divinity at Asia Pacific Theological Seminary (APTS). I visited the school website to check the graduation schedule so I can book the ticket earlier for a cheaper rate. But there’s one beautiful Christmas Manita who was so kind and gave me round trip ticket (Cebu-Manila-Cebu) as a gift. Whew! Such an awesome Christmas gift! Thank you arrreeee!! 

So from 10 people who initially planned for the said surprise, only 4 who made it to the trip—me, Ann, Cyrus and Third. We were in a different morning flight schedules and just meet up at Victory Liner Terminal. We were not able to get the deluxe bus, the one with CR and snacks. But I’m fine with that since regular aircon bus is way cheaper than the deluxe one, from PhP750 to PhP455. Actually it was a bad day because it’s unfortunately my “period”; it’s uncomfortable since it’s the 2nd day [if you’re a girl you can really relate how bad this day was]. But since this trip is special, I really needed to manage my mood so not to ruin the special-ness. Good thing, Victory Liner has good stop over locations, clean CR and daghan food.

It was around 6pm when we arrived in Baguio and headed immediately to APTS to check-in at the school dorm [US $7 per night per person]. It’s really cold during the night especially that APTS is located somewhere uptown.  

This is the video when we surprised Herman, here's the link to Cyrus' facebook account: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10200320489487958 Hope this can be viewed publicly :D

Herman is one special person to us. He’s a good friend and a strict kuya. He is not perfect, so are we. And such  imperfections and personality differences brought us together and share a wonderful friendship. We’ve been through a lot—our friendship has been tested many times. But I can say those dramas needed to happen so to make the friendship stronger and more genuine. Ok fine, have to end this oa-ness [lol].

We went the following morning to Philippine Military Academy and Camp John Hay for some very quick tour. Herman will always say there’s nothing in Baguio except these 2 places. Well I don’t mind since this is my 3rd time already so there’s really no need to tour the entire city. Ann being the first-timer didn’t mind also since she’s imagining the windmills of Ilocos already while we were in Baguio. For the first-timers, I suggest you'll check also Burnham Park, Wright Park, The Mansion, Botanical Garden, strawberry farm, etc.

What I really like the most in this summer capital of the country is their long and winding road. Now that I’m into running, this city is perfect for such activity. Imagine yourself doing LSD (long slow distance) run here: 

And here's Philippine Military Academy; too bad it's sem-break so we didn't see any cadets around the campus.

After this very quick tour, we went back to APTS for the graduation ceremony. We were so surprised to see the program having Herman’s name marked CUM LAUDE! He’s a what?!?! Wow!!! Proud friends here [lol]

Of course eating out was the next agenda. We went to O' Mai Khan (meaning come over) for dinner. It’s a Mongolian restaurant in Baguio, eat all you can for PhP210/person and you can do your own concoction. It's like Cebu's Kublai Khan. 

Celebration was not actually fancy but the warmth and care of each and everyone were there. From their teachers, school administrators, classmates, families and friends. All are genuinely happy and proud.

The following morning, me and Ann pursued our "premature" plan of going to Ilocos Sur and Norte, while Cyrus and Herman went to Sagada. Third decided to stay in Baguio for the entire weekend. The boys wanted to have some adventure trip, while I wanted sightseeing. My reason: it’s my period and I just wanted an easy and light trip.

But before I will show you the beauty of Ilocos, let me show you the beauty of APTS campus first- my favorite spot in Baguio:

Again, congratulations Herman! ‘Till next graduation…PhD?? Oh well *wink*

I got my first digital camera (Brand: BenQ) in July 2006. And I named that 3mp cam "Ben" (isn't it obvious? lol) It was a gift from my brother on my 26th birthday. I've been travelling since I started working in 2002, but since my documentations decade ago were printed in some glossy/matte paper, so I cannot make a story out of those trips. Maybe it's about time to get a scanner just for those old stuff.
I woke up one morning and decided to make an online diary of my travels, about my love for running, food perhaps, my emo days, anything. Some random thoughts. 
Browsing my travel folders, I found this Baguio trip back in 2006. I realized since I got "Ben" in July, 3 months after I took him to Baguio. 
I attended some serious event; a convention for the young adults at church. I remember a typhoon hit the country that time but it didn't stop us from going to the convention. After all, that was for the Lord. Promise for the Lord, not an excuse for get-away *eyes rolling* (lol). Why would I be excited, it's my second time anyway; was in that famous city in 2004 with my grandmother (grin). And so this time with friends ... ah noooooo, bahalag bagyo larga ta! ^_^ 
In Manila, we were being ilad to an old taxi driver. I kinda forgot the story, basta It was something like not knowing where the Mall of Asia is located. So when we asked, "Manong, papuntang MOA ba ang daang to?", and he answered, "Sa MOA pala kayo? Nako, hindi ko alam papunta doon." And we were like, "hello manongggg ganiha ra kaha mig sakay2x nimo." And so we let him stop the cab and transfer to other taxi and he wanted us to pay him (the nerve!). That is MOA, and it's wayyy impossible that he would not know such place. It's like when you're in Cebu and the taxi driver will tell you he doesn't know SM or Ayala. Hay.

We wanted to go up north at midnight. So we were just killing our time in MOA. Window shop. Eat. Take pictures. Tsika, tsika, and tsika and lots of tsika.

Arrived safely in Baguio, headed immediately to the Asia Pacific Theological Seminary for checked-in and convention registration. At the back of my mind, maybe this would be the best venue to find Mr. Right. Let's see if I got one :D But first let me take you to the awesome campus of APTS.

The convention was awesome. Powerful speakers, awesome venue, great crowd, relevant topics just made everything perfect. It was for the young adults with the theme Work in Progress encouraging all to bring God to their workplaces, how to deal pressures at work, setting good example, and doing all our best for the glory of God. 

So at the end of the 3-day convention, of course touring around Baguio came next in line. Let me take you to the summer capital of the country. We decided to wear our group t-shirt because we just really loved it ^_^

Such a wonderful trip. I indeed went back to Cebu joyful and inspired. By the way, I wasn't able to get a "prospect" :D