Baguio City has been called a lot of things—the City of Pines, the Summer Capital of the Philippines—but what it is, really, is my favorite city in the Philippines.

It is arguably the hub of tourism in Luzon, especially during the month-long festivities of the Panagbenga Festival every February. It has the best thrift shopping places with its ukay-ukay stores. A food trip paradise with its numerous restaurants lining Session Road. And a weekend-getaway haven with its numerous tourist spots and general accessibility from Metro Manila. Its year-round cool and temperate weather only adds to its charm as a tourist destination.

I know I’m not alone in nominating Baguio City as their favorite city, but if you’re still unconvinced, here’s a travel guide to convert you to become a certified Baguio Junkie.

►BOOK DISCOUNTED TOURS IN BAGUIO

If there’s one thing I hate about Baguio City, it’s the row upon rows of houses that sit along its hills. Indeed, they look pretty at night, with their lights all glimmering, but come daytime, they look very drab and more precise to the point, they look very garbagey. I love this city, but that’s how I really see it.

THE STOBOSA MURAL AS SEEN FROM HANSELMA HIGHWAY

About a few steps away from the border of Baguio City and La Trinidad, they have similar settlements built on hills. What differentiates it from its counterparts is that people actually stop, get out from their cars, and take pictures of them. The Stobosa mural is the newest tourist destination that has Baguio-goers going gaga on their Instagram.

“Let me take you down, coz I’m going to Strawberry Fields…” The classic Beatles song was floating over my head as I asked around Baguio’s Burnham Park on how I can commute to the famous Strawberry Field in La Trinidad, Benguet via jeepney. My budget was really limited so I was avoiding taxicabs like the plague.

I would have walked all the way to the La Trinidad if it was not so freaking far by foot. The strawberry plantation is located more than ten kilometers out from Baguio City; it might take me half the day to reach it. I’ve been to the place twice before and I really didn’t find the road going there to be that scenic, so I felt it’s gonna be a waste of time if I do my usual long jaunt.