By Jan Vicente B. Pekas
The countdown for Christmas continues as this city gets a sample taste of what is to come when the 25th arrives. A long weekend in Baguio would not be complete without the symbolic traffic that clog the streets. And the mixture of students, employees, tourists etc. sweating under the sun and smog.
Despite all that we face, the arrival of Christmas is almost always a good source of motivation. Maybe not for the parents who bear the responsibility of buying gifts.
The atmosphere in this country arrives early, just not the arrival of students to their classes. But we know which one to prioritize. The colors red and green decorate this city, while the red lights of cars in traffic add to that unique design.
It is almost a surprise how this city can transform come the holidays. The parks in particular get a complete makeover. And people will always make sure to keep the place filled at anytime of the week.
Millions of Filipinos can get fanatic when red and green come to visit. They already proved that last election.
In this month where Baguio gets a temporary boom of visitors, the people who keep the streets clean will need all the help they can get. The trashes in parks and streets will come in droves. Pieces of plastic thrown into their proper bins can surely be of help for the workers already drenching with sweat working under the heat.
Baguio City, while having heavy traffic as part of its identity in recent years, cleanliness should always be a bigger trademark. It is not a good experience of this city when traffic and trash combine to dominate the streets and sidewalks.
Clean air and a clean city will always be a good magnet for tourists rather than expensive decorations that prove a burden to workers and nature.
Natural Christmas trees can be found all over the city. Though the lights will have to come from the passing cars.
This city’s greatest decoration will always be the air that we cannot see. The cold, often clean air keeps its people from burning down under the sun and gives them nights that keep them from waking up.
Just like her people, Baguio will improve and change as the years go by. But it will always be imperative to try and keep the air from deteriorating. And holding the city’s trash from spiraling out of control.
Clean and cold is what Baguio should be. As we focus on taking care of this city, tourism and money will always come.**
