Explore Baguio

09/08/2026

BAGUIO CITY LANDSLIDE

UPDATE: Three individuals have been confirmed dead, while at least five remain missing after a landslide hit Brgy. Guisad Sur in Baguio City on Sunday night, Aug. 9.

Four residents have been rescued.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong assured that search and rescue efforts will continue uninterrupted at ground zero despite the heavy monsoon rains.

At least 21 families (62+ individuals) have been displaced by the landslide.

Evacuees at the Baguio International Academy and Guisad Surong Bgy. Hall urgently needs food, clean water, blankets, warm clothes, and hygiene kits.

Direct drop-offs are open at both sites. | via Jonathan Magistrado, ABS-CBN News

BAGUIO CITY LANDSLIDE

UPDATE: Umakyat na sa apat ang bilang ng nasawi, habang anim ang nawawala sa tumamang landslide sa Bgy. Guisad Surong sa Baguio City nitong Linggo ng gabi, Agosto 9, 2026, ayon kay Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

09/08/2026

Naguilian Road in Sablan closed after landslide; Marcos Highway only major route to Baguio

By Frank Cimatu
August 8, 2026

Naguilian Road in Barangay Banangan, Sablan, Benguet, was closed to traffic Saturday evening after a landslide hit the Gueweng sinking area amid continuing heavy rains, authorities said.

The Sablan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported the closure at about 6:20 p.m. Aug. 8.

The landslide has made the road impassable, prompting authorities to advise motorists against attempting to cross the affected section.

The Banangan Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council also warned motorists to exercise extreme caution along the Quirino Highway, also known as Naguilian Road, particularly in the Calot sinking area.

Heavy trucks, trailer trucks and buses may be unable to pass through some sections because of deteriorating road conditions, the council said.

The closure further limits access to Baguio as two major routes leading to and from the city are currently impassable because of rain-induced hazards.

Kennon Road remains closed because of continuous soil and rockfalls, with authorities warning of possible additional slope failures.

Naguilian Road is also not passable because of the landslide.

The Asin-Nangalisan-San Pascual Road remains open but is being closely monitored for possible road hazards as heavy rains continue.

The Marcos Highway, also known as the Aspiras-Palispis Highway, remains the only accessible major route to and from Baguio City, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways-Cordillera Administrative Region.

The DPWH-CAR said it continues to monitor affected areas and conduct clearing and response operations as weather and road conditions permit.

Authorities urged motorists to avoid unnecessary travel, follow road closure notices and avoid crossing closed or unsafe sections.

With heavy rains continuing, road conditions may change rapidly and additional landslides, rockfalls and other hazards may occur, authorities said.

Photo by DPWG Cordillera

30/07/2026

Film Academy reminds filmmakers: July 31 deadline nears for Philippine Oscars entry submissions

QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES – With only days remaining before the submission deadline, the Film Academy of the Philippines is reminding Filipino filmmakers and producers to submit their eligible films for consideration as the country's official entry to the 99th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.

Applications for the Philippine Oscar Selection Process will be accepted until July 31, 2026.

"We encourage Filipino filmmakers and producers with eligible works to take part in this year's selection process," said Film Academy Director-General Paolo Villaluna. "Every submission is an opportunity to showcase the creativity, diversity, and excellence of Philippine cinema. We look forward to selecting a film that will proudly represent the Philippines on one of the world's most prestigious stages for filmmaking."

To qualify for consideration, films must satisfy the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) eligibility requirements for the Best International Feature Film category, including:

Be feature-length (more than 40 minutes);
Have predominantly (more than 50%) non-English dialogue, with accurate English subtitles;
Complete a minimum seven-day consecutive theatrical exhibition with paid admission in one commercial motion picture theater in the Philippines or any theatrical screenings outside the U.S. between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026;
Be exhibited in 35mm, 70mm, or DCP-compliant Digital Cinema format;
Be under the primary creative control of Filipino citizens or Philippine residents, with the submitting country certifying such creative control;
Not have received a public non-theatrical release (including television, streaming, video-on-demand, DVD, or internet release) prior to the qualifying theatrical run; and
Provide complete and accurate submission information, as undisclosed or inaccurate details may result in disqualification.

Films that have not yet completed their qualifying theatrical exhibition by the July 31, 2026 submission deadline may still apply, provided they submit proof of a confirmed theatre booking guaranteeing the required exhibition within the Academy's eligibility period.

Producers are required to submit the following:

Letter of intent to join the Philippine Oscar Selection Process;
Application and Consent Forms (from Film Academy of the Philippines);
A notarized Creative Control Affidavit; and
Screener and Press materials

Following the submission period, all eligible entries will be evaluated by the National Selection Committee, which will be convened by the Film Academy of the Philippines in accordance with AMPAS rules. The committee will consist of at least seven members, with more than half composed of filmmakers, artists, and motion picture craftspeople.

The country's official submission will be determined through a rigorous selection process that includes:

Verification of eligibility and submission requirements;
Screening of all eligible films by the National Selection Committee;
Evaluation based on artistic merit, cultural relevance, and international campaign potential; and
A two-round voting process to determine the Philippines' official entry to the 99th Academy Awards.

"The Philippine Oscar Selection Process is more than selecting a film; it is an opportunity to recognize the remarkable achievements of Filipino filmmakers and present the very best of Philippine cinema to the world," Villaluna added.

Submission guidelines and application forms are available through the Film Academy of the Philippines at bit.ly/PinoyOscarsGuidelines. Entries and inquiries may be sent to [email protected].

The Philippines' most recent official submission to the Academy Awards was Magellan (2025), directed by Lav Diaz. Further, the Film Academy also supported the Oscars bid of Food Delivery (2025) for Best Documentary and Vox Humana (2024) for Best Live Action Short Film.

Through the annual selection process, the Film Academy continues to champion Filipino films and filmmakers on the international stage.

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27/07/2026

Where Cordilleran Craft Meets Contemporary Style 🌼

There is a quiet confidence that defines the finest things made in the Cordilleras. Measured not by spectacle, but by craftsmanship, every piece reflects the patience, purpose, and heritage of the hands behind it.

For Tedd Mabitazan, that philosophy is the foundation of his work.

Like many young designers, he once pursued fashion’s spectacle. Over time, experience reshaped his perspective. Today, he designs with intention, creating garments that balance artistry with utility—pieces made not only to be admired, but to become part of everyday life. In his hands, fashion is meant to be lived in.

Rooted in Baguio’s creative spirit, Mabitazan presents Cordilleran textiles through a contemporary lens. Familiar weaves are reimagined into refined tailoring and modern silhouettes, allowing heritage to evolve while remaining unmistakably its own.

His vision reaches far beyond the mountains. Rather than creating for a niche market, he hopes to help build a future where Cordilleran craftsmanship stands confidently alongside the world’s finest labels—recognized not because it is local, but because it is exceptional.

Perhaps that is the story quietly unfolding today.

Not a region following global fashion, but one contributing to it through authenticity, craftsmanship, and thoughtful design. Through Tedd Mabitazan’s work, Cordilleran textiles find a contemporary voice—one that feels equally at home in Baguio as it does in Paris, Tokyo, Copenhagen, New York, or Milan.

Because the finest things are never remembered simply for where they were made.

They are remembered for where they can go.

The Walk, Tedd Mabitazan’s latest collection, was presented at the Cordillera Fashion Expo during the Manila Coffee Festival × Coffee Expo Manila × Biyaya Sustainable Living Festival, held from July 17–19 at SM Megamall Megatrade Halls 1–3.

Photographed by | Jay Mar Dait
Styled by | Tedd Mabitazan
Curated and Written by | Hugo Villanueva Kitma

09/07/2026

Earthquake Information No.1
Date and Time: 09 July 2026 - 02:33 PM
Magnitude = 4.5
Depth = 010 km
Location = 16.31°N, 120.55°E - 009 km S 7° W of Tuba (Benguet)


Instrumental Intensities:
Intensity V - City of Baguio, BENGUET
Intensity IV - Aringay, LA UNION
Intensity III - Sison, PANGASINAN
Intensity II - Urdaneta, PANGASINAN
Intensity I - Cuyapo, and Lingayen PANGASINAN

https://earthquake.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/2026_Earthquake_Information/July/2026_0709_063345_B1.html

07/07/2026

The Return of Art For Everyone at SM City Baguio 🎨

Some of the city’s most meaningful experiences are found in the moments we choose not to rush. Between every brushstroke, every carefully composed canvas, and every conversation with an artist lies a deeper appreciation for the creative spirit that has long defined Baguio.

Returning for its third edition, Art For Everyone once again transforms SM City Baguio into a gallery of local imagination, bringing together more than 140 Baguio-based visual artists and over 1,000 artworks. Featuring the works of artists from the Baguio Arts Guild, Pasakalye Group of Artists, and Tam-awan Artists Village, the exhibition reflects the remarkable breadth of the city’s artistic community while providing local creatives with a platform to share their work with residents and visitors alike.

As the Philippines’ first UNESCO Creative City, Baguio’s identity has always been shaped by the hands of its artists, makers, and storytellers. Art For Everyone is a reminder that creativity thrives not only in galleries and studios, but also in the everyday spaces where people gather, pause, and discover something unexpected.

Take your time. Wander without an itinerary, let curiosity lead, and embrace the art of slowing down. Sometimes, the most memorable encounters begin with simply choosing to look a little longer.

Art For Everyone runs until 10 July 2026 at the Mall Atrium, Lower Basement, and Upper Ground Level of SM City Baguio.

Written and Curated by | Hugo Villanueva Kitma
Photographs by | Nic Horacio

06/07/2026

The Café That Makes You Forget You’re in a Mall. ☕️

Some places reveal themselves immediately. Others ask only for a little more time. Guest Haven Coffee’s newest chapter at SM City Baguio belongs unmistakably to the latter.

Set along the North Wing Terrace, Guest Heaven Coffee offers an unexpected departure from the familiar cadence of the mall. The city’s constant rhythm gently recedes, giving way to an atmosphere shaped by quietude, considered design, and the increasingly rare luxury of unhurried moments. It is less an escape than a gentle recalibration—a reminder that presence is perhaps life’s finest indulgence.

Its interiors possess a quiet confidence. Rich timber, deep emerald tones, marble surfaces, vintage mirrors, and thoughtfully assembled heirloom pieces exist in effortless harmony, where French-inspired refinement finds kinship with the warmth of the Cordilleras. Every element has been composed with intention, allowing craftsmanship to speak long before ornament ever could.

The same sensibility extends into the cup.

Prepared with 100% Arabica blend from Atok, Benguet, the cappuccino unfolds with bright citrus, dried fruit, milk chocolate, berries, and tropical fruit before settling into a delicate butter biscuit finish. It is a composition that rewards patience, revealing its character gradually rather than all at once.

Yet perhaps the finest detail is one that cannot be photographed.

Behind every pour lies an unwavering devotion to craftsmanship, where quiet precision and gracious hospitality become part of the experience. Here, service is neither performative nor hurried, but offered with the kind of attentiveness that lingers long after the final sip.

In an era increasingly devoted to immediacy, Guest Haven gently embraces another philosophy altogether: that beauty is often found in thoughtful details, meaningful pauses, and the quiet art of lingering.

Perhaps that is why, somewhere between the first sip and the last lingering glance, you almost forget you’re in a mall.

You simply remember how it made you feel.

Written and Curated by | Hugo Villanueva Kitma
Photographed by | Justine Galapon

03/07/2026

25/06/2026

Has Baguio Found a New Place to Unwind? 🥂

For years, Baguio’s social culture has revolved around cafés. But every city eventually needs a place for the hours in between.

Above G1 Lodge atop Session Road, Huddle Rooftop offers a different pace. Inspired by the Go siblings’ desire to create a place where family and friends could gather, unwind, and leave the clock behind for a while, the space was envisioned as more than another food and beverage destination. Instead, it offers something increasingly rare: a place where evenings are allowed to unfold naturally.

Designed with warmth and restraint, the space draws heavily from the character of Baguio itself. Natural wood, subtle lighting, and the scent of fresh pine create an atmosphere that feels both familiar and elevated—grounded in the city’s identity while carrying the quiet sophistication of a thoughtfully designed urban lounge.

Fresh smell of warm wood set the tone, while lantern-lit interiors and a welcoming veranda create an atmosphere that feels distinctly Baguio. At the heart of the experience is a communal bar where house-made syrups, fresh herbs, and carefully crafted cocktails reflect the same attention to detail found throughout the space.

Among the evening’s standouts were the Cascara Sour and Whiskey Sour, accompanied by Taiwanese Chicken Pops, Pork and Chicken Skewers, and crisp Nori Nachos—simple offerings designed for sharing and lingering over.

Yet what lingers most is neither the food nor the drinks, but the feeling of slowing down. A veranda above the city. Conversations that stretch a little longer than expected. An evening spent without constantly checking the time.

In a city known for coffee and conversation, Huddle Rooftop () extends that tradition into the evening, offering a place to gather, linger, and stay awhile.

Perhaps Baguio was never looking for another place to go. Perhaps it was simply waiting for a place to stay awhile.

Written and Curated by | Hugo Villanueva-Kitma ()
Write Up Contribution and Photography by | Justine Galapon ( )