BAGUIO: Cemetery of Negativism at Camp John Hay: Is it Worth Seeing?

BAGUIO: Cemetery of Negativism at Camp John Hay: Is it Worth Seeing?

For the fans of the telenovela, "Forevermore", it's definitely worth seeing. Some of the scenes of this famous telenovela was shot in the Cemetery of Negativism. Below is a video of one of the scenes.

from lizasoberano.ph

(The scene at the Cemetery can be viewed at 2:00 -3:35 minutes of the video)

Aside from the fact that some of the scenes of the the telenovela, "Forevermore", was shot there, if you're at Camp John Hay, do pass by the Cemetery of Negativism. It's an enlightening experience. In fact, I never thought some of the negative thoughts "buried" there were really negative thoughts until I went there and visualized it. It's a thought-provoking journey going through that cemetery. At the same time, it will give you an opportunity to physically bury whatever negative thoughts you have and move on with life.

The sign at the entrance speaks a lot:

"NEGATIVISM is man's greatest self-imposed infliction, his most limiting factor, his heaviest burden.   

No more for here is buried the world's negativism for all time. but for you a stern reminder-- as you leave this hill, remember that the rest of your life be more positive.  

Have a good day -- treat today like it’s your last, though it’s the first day of the rest.”

There are 16 tombstones and 16 negative thoughts buried in the Cemetery: 

KANTOU NUTHIN WRIGHT :
“Born: Dec. 5, 1905, Died: June 14, 1903”

BOSS WON'T LETTUCE :
“A Great Idea: 22 May 1907, Hilted: 1 Sept 1905”

JUST KANT SHAKIT :
“Born: 5 Oct 1819, Died of Passivity 20 May 1516”

EYE FORGOT :
“Born Humbly, Died Sometime

A TRUELY MISERABLEDAY :
“Born 'n Gloom, Lives Without Bloom, Died In This Tomb”

WHY DIDENT I? :
“Born: ?????, Lived Wondering Why, Died For No Reason”

ETZ NOT POSSIBLE :
“Conceived 11 Nov 1905, Still Not Born”

 LETZ STUDY IT :
“Delayed Birth, Step Childhood, Never Reached Maturity”

UHAFTO OR ELSE :
“Born Of Intimidation, Lived In Resentment, Died Without Fame”

The other tombstones without a photo:

DOANNA SET A PRECEDENT : 

“His Passing Was That Of A Precedent”

KNOT A TEEMPLAER : 

“Born A Star, Lived A Meteor, Died In Flames”

IM N ONLY CHILE : 

“Born: March 27, 1908, Died: Before His Brother”

WONT B. USED : 

“Started December 10 1906, Abandoned December 14 1906”

KNOW DAM WAY : 

“Conceived New Year's Eve 1910, Didn't Work Out”

WILL NOT LAST : 

“Born 3 June 1906 And Didn't”

BLAME MI WILL YA : 

“Adopted 4 July 1911, Returned 5 July 1911”


LOCATION:

BAGUIO: Snacks at Solibao Restaurant, Burnham Park

BAGUIO: Snacks at Solibao Restaurant, Burnham Park

We visited this place because it was listed as one of the places for a Baguio food trip. The food was just fine, but not great. However, if you're in Burnham park and you're hungry, this place provides a good option to satisfy your hunger. Solibao is located near to both the biking and boating areas so it's the most convenient place for tourists to take a snack.

The Solibao store selling snacks are on the left side

This is the store selling snacks

THREE SNACKS ARE AVAILABLE:

Puto Bumbong
28.00 pesos

It was just ok.

Bibingka
(48 pesos)

It's hard. Not good.

Ilocos Empanada
(40 pesos)

It's ok.

LOCATION:

BAGUIO: Where to get a Good Massage: Nuat Thai Baguio Review

BAGUIO: Where to get a Good Massage: 

Nuat Thai Baguio Review

If you're on vacation and you want to get a straightforward massage that is not too expensive, I recommend Nuat Thai Baguio for the following reasons:

Consistent Quality of Nuat Thai Massage

If you've gone to other Nuat Thai branches in Manila, you know they have a trademark massage. This means if you choose  Thai massage, you get the same kind and same series of moves at every Nuat Thai branch or franchise. I found the same consistent quality at Nuat Thai Baguio.

Clean Rooms and Restroom

This branch is new so they have clean rooms/cubicles and restroom.

Reasonable Rates

The following photos are taken from their website:

LOCATION:

ECCO Building 2, #39 Marcos Highway corner Balsigan Road

NOTE: It's in the same building as 7 Eleven and Banco de Oro (BDO)

Operating Hours:

12:00 PM - 12:00 AM (last call is at 11:30 PM)

Contact Information:

Landline: (074) 4421161 

Cellphone:  0915 1354056 

Website: http://www.nuatthaibaguio.com/ 

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nuatthaibaguio

Warning from their facebook page!

We almost stopped at this spa thinking it's Nuat Thai. Apparently, a lot of people were confused too. Therefore, the warning posted in their facebook page.

BAGUIO: Burnham Park Boat Rental, Bike Rental and Parking Rates (as of May 2015)

BAGUIO: Burnham Park Boat Rental, Bike Rental and Parking Rates

(as of May 2015)

BOAT RENTAL RATES:

BIKE RENTAL RATES:

The different kinds of bike to rent

The bike with the side car as shown above is more expensive.

PARKING RATES:

Below is where the above parking lot is located:

BAGUIO: Beggang Resto Grill: Highly Recommended Restaurant in Burnham Park

BAGUIO: Beggang Resto Grill: 

Highly Recommended Restaurant in Burnham Park

If you're in the middle of Burnham Park doing the usual tourist thing like riding the bike or taking a boat ride and wonder where you can conveniently dine, I highly recommend going to Beggang Resto Grill.

WHY I RECOMMEND DINING AT BEGGANG RESTAURANT:

The food we ate was really fresh, delicious and of good quality and the place is clean and conveniently located. The price is slightly higher than ordinary meals in Baguio but considering the quality of food, I find it reasonable.

WHERE IT IS LOCATED:

WHAT CUISINE THEY SERVE:

Filipino cuisine

WHAT WE ORDERED:

We ordered fresh lumpia, buko shake...

and grilled tuna belly.

The tuna belly was delicious and fresh
It costs 355 pesos, and is good for 2-3 persons.

The fresh lumpia was also delicious and the wrapper homemade.

It had bits of crushed seaweed, rice noodles and peanut
combined with the usual vegetables.

The fresh lumpia costs 85 pesos.

We loved the buko shake!

It was refreshing, very creamy but not too sweet.

You can see how creamy it is in this close-up photo.

The buko shake costs 85 pesos.

TOTAL COST OF WHAT WE ORDERED:

We spent 700 pesos for 2 persons or 350 per head. The breakdown is shown below.

WHERE TO PARK:

There's a big parking lot across Beggang Grill that is also being used by the Athletic Bowl bus station.

This is the big parking lot.

This photo is taken from the parking lot.

The roof you see beside the "Welcome to Burnham Park" sign
is the roof of Beggang Grill.

Parking rates

MORE PHOTOS OF BEGGANG RESTO GRILL

You can buy some pastries sold inside the restaurant

My Jose Rizal Tour Series: Rizal at Calamba, Laguna (1861-1870)

MY JOSE RIZAL TOUR SERIES: 
Rizal at CALAMBA, Laguna (1861-1870)

Highlights of Jose Rizal's life in Calamba (taken from the poster below):

Rizal lived in Calamba from the time he was born until he was 9 years old. 

June 19, 1861: Jose Rizal was born in Calamba, the 7th of 11 children 

June 22, 1961: Jose Rizal was baptized 3 days after birth at the Calamba Church adjacent to his house. 

1864: Almost 3 years old, Jose Rizal learned the alphabet. 

1865-1867: From 4-7 years old, his mother taught him to read and write. 

1867: A private tutor, named Leon Monroy, was hired to teach Jose Rizal Latin, reading, writing and arithmetic. The tutor lived with them in Calamba. 

1869: At 8 years old, Jose Rizal wrote his first poem, "Sa Aking Mga Kababata." 

1870: At 9 years old, Jose Rizal was sent to Binan to attend the Justiniano Aquino Cruz school. He lived with his aunt.

He was no longer living in Calamba when the following events that greatly influenced his future happened: 

1871: His mother was imprisoned by the Spaniards FOR 2 YEARS, on fabricated charges that she connived with her half-brother, Jose Alberto, to poison his wife. Jose Rizal was 10 years old then.

1872: The execution of Fr. Gomez, Fr. Burgos and Fr. Zamora for subversion. Paciano, Jose Rizal's elder brother, dropped out of school because friends of the priests are being followed. Paciano is a good friend of Fr. Jose Burgos. 

From 1872, Jose Rizal stopped using Mercado and started using Rizal, so as not to be associated with Paciano. He was the first family member to use Rizal. Jose Rizal enrolled at the Ateneo using the family name Rizal. 

Jose Rizal was 11 years old then.

We see a glimpse of Rizal's life in Calamba by visiting a reconstruction of his house in Calamba in the original site of his residence. The original house was demolished before the land was purchased by the government. The reconstruction was supervised by Architect Juan Nakpil from 1948-1949. The shrine was opened to the public in June 19, 1950 (source: Rizal Shrine Facebook page)

What you will see in the Rizal Shrine

The entrance of the shrine

FIRST FLOOR

You will see the following on the First Floor:

A LARGE POSTER SUMMARIZING RIZAL'S LIFE IN CALAMBA

A COPY OF HIS BAPTISMAL RECORD

The Transcript of Rizal's Baptismal Record in Spanish

The Translation of Rizal's Baptismal Record in English

Rizal was baptized on June 22, 1861, 3 days after birth.
The parish priest who baptized him was Rev. Fr. Rufino Collantes.
He had one godparent, a Rev. Fr. Pedro Casanas.

AN EXPLANATION OF WHY THE NAME RIZAL WAS ADOPTED &

AN EXPLANATION WHY THE NHI CHOSE TO PAINT THE SHRINE IN GREEN

Reason for the choosing the name Rizal: 
Ricial means "green fields, indicating the family's occupation as cultivators of land."

Reason for the green paint of the shrine: 
"the upper stories of the bahay na bato were painted in a variety of bright tints during the 19th century Philippines." The National Historical Institute chose to paint the shrine in green to indicate the source of livelihood of the Rizal family.

The Rizal Shrine in Calamba painted in green.

AN OLD PHOTO OF THE RIZAL SHRINE

SOME STORIES OF RIZAL AS A CHILD

THE STORY OF HOW THEIR FAMILY NAME CHANGED 

FROM LAMCO TO MERCADO TO RIZAL

The paternal ancestor was Domingo Lamco.

1731: Domingo Lamco adopted the name Mercado.

1849: The Spanish colonial government issued a decree directing 
Filipino families to choose a surname from a list of family names.

Francisco Mercado, Jose Rizal's father, chose Ricial, but changed 
it a bit into Rizal.

But the family continued to use Mercado.

1872: Fr. Gomez, Fr. Burgos and Fr. Zamora was executed. The 
name Mercado became suspect because of the friendship of
Paciano, Rizal's elder brother, with Fr. Burgos.

That same year, when Jose was enrolled at the Ateneo, Paciano 
advised that the Rizal name be used.

Jose Rizal was the FIRST ONE in the family to use the name 
formally.

SECOND FLOOR

The stairs to the second floor

You will see the following on the Second Floor:

THE FORMAL DINING ROOM

The first place you encounter after climbing the stairs is the formal dining room.

The windows of the living room look out to the gardens.

The left side of the photo is the path to the living room.

THE LIVING ROOM

The windows look out to the street.

The path on the left and the right lead to the bedrooms.

Take note (as shown above): 

"There is NO RECORD OF THE ACTUAL FURNITURE ARRANGEMENT. 
The set-up here is an assumption based on what is known
about houses that are as old as the original Mercado house in 
the neighboring towns. 

Photo of Rizal and His Siblings on the walls of the Living Room:

THE BEDROOMS

Below is the Master's Bedroom

Below is the Children's Bedrooms

THE INFORMAL DINING ROOM

(Situated near the Kitchen)

A giant fan

THE KITCHEN

THE TOILET AND BATH

The toilet

The bath

THE WELL

(Located beside the toilet and bath)

OUTSIDE THE GROUNDS

Looking out the formal dining room window...

... and seeing this view of the grounds. 

The red roof that you see is the St. John the Baptist Church where Rizal was baptized.

We see the bronze statue of Rizal when he was 7 years old...

... with his dog Berganza.

The tombstone of Rizal's parents is located on the right side of the house.

The tombstone of Rizal's parents, Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora Alonzo.
In 1996, their remains were transferred from the North Cemetery to the Rizal Shrine.

Replica of Rizal's playhouse

At the center of the building is the museum.
At the right of the building is the audio-visual room, where the film showing is held, 
and the souvenir store.

AUDIO-VISUAL ROOM

Short film showing on the life of Jose Rizal

SOUVENIR STORE

You can buy souvenirs such as ref magnets and photos.
There are also books you can buy that are not available in the local bookstore.

THE MUSEUM

You can view clothes worn by Jose Rizal.

The sign on the lower right of the frame says:
A fragment of Rizal's suit that he wore when he was executed on December 30, 1896.
It was found in his grave in 1896 by Higino Francisco and Romualdo de Jesus.
It is made of silk.

Sculpture made by Jose Rizal

Toothbrush holder made of bamboo.
It was made by Jose Rizal for his sister Trinidad
while he was in exile in Dapitan. 

Slippers embroidered by Leonor Rivera and given to Jose Rizal before he left for Madrid in 1882.

A copy of Jose Rizal's Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell)

A model of Jose Rizal's house

Open Hours:

Location: 

You need to go there through Burgos street and make a left turn at Mercado Street 

then a left turn at J.P. Rizal street because Burgos and J.P. Rizal streets are one-way.

The entrance of the shrine is along Rizal Street.

The corner of Mercado and Rizal Street

Parking is along the street of J.P. Rizal Street.

My tip:

Make sure to call the Rizal Shrine at (+63)(049) 834 1599 before your departure for the ff. reasons:

1. To verify if they're open on the day of your visit. 

Or as an alternative, browse their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/rizal.shrine.calamba

2. To book a guided tour and film showing.

The guided tour and film showing is not offered to walk-in visitors. The shrine do not employ regular tour guides. They request tour guides from the city hall who are actually students who are on-the-job training. So you need to request in advance for this service. 

To see the film, they also need a technician on hand to operate the equipment. They also turn on the air-con in the audio-visual room in advance if they know what time you're arriving. 

YOU MAY ALSO WISH TO VIEW MY ITINERARY FOR THIS TRIP:
LAGUNA: Visit Calamba and Los Banos with Kids