TouRIZta: Baguio as Artist's Haven: Day 2

If our first day in Baguio was well-spent in outdoor adventure, sight-seeing and food tripping, our second day was a mixture of appreciating arts and nature.

Our first stop is at Monduiging's Woodcraft along Asin Road in Tuba,Benguet. We found out how artistic Baguio natives are. Woodcarving has been a business in Asin Road. You will see a lot of different woodcarving stores along the way but Monduiging is the most famous, if woodcarving is your thing.

We were amazed how these people made different crafts out of wood, big or small. According to the caretaker, who I forgot his name (sorry for that), a small piece of woodcraft is made almost a day. Wow, such amount of time is needed for a decorative small piece. Time, dedication, patience and creativity are needed to create such a magnificent masterpiece. I wish I possess such kind of talent.

Creating handicraft or such artistic craft is a bankable business which can help you make big in the industry at the same time help people earn a living.

This is a tissue holder, believe it or not?

Many faces of Bulol, Ifugao Gods

After visiting Monduiging's Woodcraft, we went straight to BenCab's Museum which was owned by a Filipino National Artist, Benedicto Cabrera. As you visit the area, be ready to pay for P100.00 for adults while P80.00 for students and senior citizens as entrance fee. The fee, in my opinion, is worth it, for I believe viewing those paintings and other artworks are noteworthy.

Enjoying my stay at BenCab Museum

Well, the place was indeed, exceptionally beautiful. The first three floors are dedicated to painting and other artwork exhibition. Meanwhile, the ground floor was a cozy cafe and restaurant known as Cafe Sabel, named after BenCab's favorite art muse, Sabel, whom Ben Cab met at Tondo. She was street grease lady (taong grasa) in Filipino.

The many faces of Sabel

Across the museum is a beautiful landscape which Ben Cab bought. It was not only appreciating art at its finest but also experiencing the beauty of nature all at the same venue.

such a relaxing sight to behold

After hours spent in BenCab Museum where we also had our hearty brunch, we continued traversing along Asin Road to check out other sceneries. What captured our attention is the bridgeway where the clean waters from the stream was flowing. We had a short photo shoot there with my high school friends.

Clear waters

the Ladies!

After checking out the places in Asin Road, we went back to the city to buy pasalubongs at Good Shepherd. The rest of the afternoon was well-spent at Mt. Sto. Tomas. We were not able to reach the peak due to fog, but making it almost on top of the mountain, we were privileged to see how beautiful the province of Benguet is. We also experienced the cool breeze of the winds and captured the many, tall, pine trees in area. If we had this first on the list, we might be able to get on top of the mountain and see its magnificent beauty.