Surviving Baguio: How to deal with bone-chilling cold

SUMMER CAPITAL. Horses are kept in a corner of the Wright Park, one of Baguio City’s top tourist attractions. (PNA file photo)

BAGUIO CITY — Tourists who plan to visit the city between now and late February should brace for bone-chilling temperatures to fully enjoy their escapades in the City of Pines.

Here are some tips collected by the Philippine News Agency (PNA) from Baguio residents on what visitors must stuff in their travel bags, during this time of the year:

– A thick jacket is mandatory — or two thinner ones for layering.

– Socks to keep the feet warm and a beanie or bonnet, as cold seeps on the head and causes a runny nose. Ear muffs would come in handy.

– A muffler or scarf, and a fleece or a light but warm shawl to battle the cold and achieve a stylish OOTD (outfit of the day).

– Thermal wear — tights, a turtle neck shirt, long sleeves, windproof jackets, thermal gloves and socks — to help maintain body heat.

– Lip balm to protect the lips from chapping, and skin or face moisturizer to prevent dryness.

– A Queen flower balm or the locally produced “aceite alcanforado” or “aceite manzanilla” to manage clogged noses, headache, stomach pain, and rashes resulting from the cold wind and temperature.

— Vitamin C supplements to boost the immune system and prevent colds and cough.

— Handy hot pads and travel blankets for children.

Three of the respondents suggested “don’t wear very short shorts,” “bring someone to hug, embrace or cuddle,” and “bring your sense of adventure,” as nowhere else in the country offers the same experience as Baguio and other parts of the Cordillera.

Visitors to this city have been advised by local health authorities to protect themselves from the chilly air that could lead to the so-called cold day illnesses.

Temperature has been dropping for the past days because of the surging northeast monsoon that will last until the end of February, during the two grand parades of the Baguio Flower Festival or “Panagbenga”.

City Health Officer Dr. Rowena Galpo said among the common illnesses in the city during the cold season are pneumonia, colds and cough, bronchitis, and upper respiratory infections.

Galpo advised residents, especially visitors coming from the lowlands, to keep themselves warm while in the city.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) recorded 10.4 degrees at 5 a.m. on Tuesday.

“Baguio woke up to a cool 10.4 degrees Celsius; 10.5 degrees Celsius in La Trinidad; 9.5 degrees Celsius at Sto. Tomas relay station; and 8 degrees Celsius in Atok, Benguet,” PAGASA Baguio senior weather specialist Ceferino Hulipas said.

He added that the cold front from China has intensified and made the “amihan” (northwest monsoon wind) stronger, causing the dip in temperature from Luzon to Visayas.

Hulipas said the cold temperature will continue for a few weeks more as the northeast monsoon strengthens until February.

“This is the lowest temperature recorded since the peak of ‘amihan’ in October last year,” he said.

On January 15, PAGASA recorded 12.5 degrees Celsius.

The weather at the Summer Capital usually drops during the months of January and February which, in recent years, has extended to March.

The lowest recorded temperature in Baguio was 6.3 degrees Celsius on Jan. 18, 1961, with temperatures seldom exceeding 26 degrees Celsius, even during the warmest month of the year.