When we attended a convention of the Association of Systematic Biologists of the Philippines, the event was held in the newest campus of St. Louis University Baguio, the Maryheights Campus in Bakakeng. This new campus was recently inaugurated last 2010. The area was formerly a forest but was later converted to the present location of this school. The occasion was a showcase of information and technology exchange with a blend of cultural immersion on the Igorot's way of life.
The plan to build a new campus here is part of an overall strategy to decentralize the schools in the already congested city and divert part of the studying population away from the city towards this new place and soon enough there were many developments in terms of housing and commercial enterprises that sprung up around the new campus.
The problem that came out however was the transport problem of reaching the school where only a handful of public utility jeeps are plying the route and a regiment of students and residents to transport them indeed posed a problem that should have been anticipated during the construction phase. Anyway that is another story to tell.
However seeing the new building complete in all its glory unveils a very beautiful scenery of the Baguio countryside. It is precariously perched on a steep incline of the mountain and gives students a breathtaking view such that it probably may serve as an inspiring and motivating factor for studying or it may serve as an effective distraction as well.
I was a little bit envious of the place compared to the school where I am teaching, the Brothers there also have a uncanny preference of having their school buildings erected precariously along the cliffs, but unfortunately ended building one in a very unstable and hazardous location that was later declared condemned resulting to the abandonment and eventual waste of resources in constructing such a big building.
The drive to Baguio for the convention was a very challenging one. We left Cavite at midnight so that the travel time would be just enough for us to arrive at the opening ceremony of the event. The travel was expectedly very fast and convenient because not only did we travel along the newly renovated North Luzon Expressway but we also got the opportunity to travel at light speed along the newly opened SCTEX (Subic-Tarlac Expressway) that cut our travel time by as much as three hours. Although Malen was scared during the expressway travel because of the fact that we were the only car traveling alone for more than an hour, I was exhilarated and a little bit euphoric because this is one of a driver's wish when traveling long distances. No delays! Just cruising along the ventura highway like a highway star!
We finally met up with our group and it was like a little sentimental
reunion. Just kidding! Anyway it was great that we were finally complete so we had a posterity shot taken in the lobby of the schoolbuilding.
The convention took off without a hitch and soon enough everyone was deeply immersed in an atmosphere of academic euphoria except me who was more interested in exploring the place. Soon enough I was up on my feet wandering through then halls of St. Louis University-Bakakeng! Hmm...sounds a bit awkward to pronounce because it sounds more like a familiar colloquial word. Ha ha ha.
Fr. Seraphin Devesse is the Founder of St. Louis University and a Catholic Belgian missionary who arrived here during the American occupation on a mission of converting the Filipinos in the hinterlands towards Christianity. He met his martyrdom after the war in 1945 at Santiago, Isabela.
Malen also took time to pose on the history wall of St. Louis University showing the chronological development of this premier university in summer capital. At the present there are already four campuses around the city: the Main Campus along A. Bonifacio St. which houses the Schools of Computing And
Information Sciences, Engineering and Architecture, Humanities, Law, Medicine,
Natural Sciences, and Nursing and the SLU Hospital of the Sacred Heart.
Next is the Saint Aloysius de Gonzaga Campus along General Luna Road which houses the SLU Laboratory Elementary
School. Third is the Navy Base Campus along Claro M Recto St. Navy Road which houses the SLU Laboratory High School and the
School of Teacher Education. Finally the newest is where we are now, the Maryheights Campus in Bakakeng which houses the School of Accountancy and Business
Management
It was pretty cool to wander along the empty halls of the school because there are no photobombers to ruin your shot since it's vacation for the students and teachers alike. However, we were quite reluctant to do extensive exploration of the campus to get better shots because we were just stepping out in between sessions to do explorations and we were not pretty sure which place are allowed and which places are prohibited.
I just noticed the the building administrator is a stickler for safety. They have a huge circular stairwell with bay windows providing a spectacular view of the countryside but the entire panoramic view was fenced with small windows giving the a prisoner's view from the inside. The inner well is also cladded with large glass pane that blurrs the camera show. The height was probably too inviting for both accidental and deliberate falls that the school doesn't want any untoward incidents from happening.
The souvenir bag that were distributed to the delegates was awesome because it was a shoulder bag that was locally woven using traditional weaving equipment. It is probably the most cherished souvenir not only from this event but from visiting this summer capital as well.
The event was a 3-day affair of scientific knowledge sharing that often times becomes so information overloading that one cannot avoid getting sleepy once in a while especially in a place with an awesomely cool climate and spectacular scenery. To top it, all we had a group shot of all the delegates among the pine trees scattered along the campus.
While exploring the building, I happened to discover a balcony with a great overlooking view of the countryside that I wasted no time in inviting my colleagues and friends for a photo opportunity. However, that day a a foggy day that obscured the scenery but you can still appreciate a vague gog-laden view of the countryside. It was a fun moment indeed! We took the remaining time to shoot all afternoon before the evening event.
That evening the school hosted a fellowship dinner and we were treated with a sumptuous feast that would really warm your body on a very cold night. The food was laden with Baguio's prime fruits and vegetables that were mouthwatering and everyone was indeed delighted by buffet.
The main event of the evening was of course a cultural presentation courtesy of the host school. We were entertained by an Igorot dance depicting certain events such as courting dance between a male and a female Igorot and other traditional Igorot dances.
The dancers were really dressed with their tradictional Igorot costumes, playing their traditional Igorot musical instrument and dancing to their traditional Igorot songs. It was traditionally Igorot entertainment at its best! We had fun watching them indeed!
There is this timeless joke about a question which place is colder? Baguio City or Tagaytay City? What is the answer to that question? If you answer Baguio, you are definitely wrong! Why? People in Tagaytay always wear thick clothing during the cold season whereas in Baguio this are the common sight among the Igorot people even in the coldest of weather. Huh! This joke always pop out in my mind everytime I see their traditional costume.
The costumes are also iconic of the place and showcase the innovative weaving skills of its people. The cultural dance is still well preserved despite the changing times. The Igorots are just one of the few tribes in Philippine history besides the Mindanao Muslims that were not completely converted by the Catholic Spaniards. The American missionary were probably more successful in that aspect.
Malen also took the opportunity to have a photo op with the male dancers who obligingly posed for the camera. These are probably students who are part of a cultural dance group of the school. Despite the cold these guys are already sweating all over after their dance number and were already musky as well. Ha ha ha ha! Talk about it's raining men! ha ha ha ha!
Since the city center was quite far from the school, it was best to be accomodated in their dormitories. It provided dormitory beds, toilet and bath but sadly no wi-fi internet, no tv and cable as well.
Anyway, it was more than enough to provide us with comfortable sleeping needs especially when we only use it during the night.
Overall, the convention was a success and this Baguio trip is one for the books. The venue was very serene and its ambiance very peaceful for a convention of the scientific minds. But of course, mixing business with pleasure makes the convention more worthwhile because not only do you broaden your intellectual horizon, you also get to visit new places as well.
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