I was born and raised in Pasig City, Metro Manila. It is my home. I can say that it is the place I'm most familiar and comfortable with. On the other hand, I get a chance to go to Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro, though rarely, because it is the hometown of my father. Apart from these places, there is one that is close to my heart - Baguio City.

I consider Baguio as my second home. I first came here when I was about four or five years old. Based on my mother's story, it was an office trip where she brought us (me, my sister, and aunts) along. After that, I remember my family going there often. Whenever we have the chance to visit the place like during long vacations, we make a way to spend some time there. This even triggered me to spend my first year college at the University of the Philippines, Baguio.

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I was really surprised when I passed UP and my campus was Baguio. Even though this is very from my home, there was no debate whether I'll be allowed to pursue my college education in Baguio.

UP Baguio was not a bad place for my college life baptism. Compared to UP Diliman, where I am now, it was a lot smaller. Because of this, it wasn't hard familiarizing with people. We only had a single lobby, where if you sit down now, in the next five minutes, you'll have someone you know sit beside you already.

School was tough but the absence of pollution, heat, and traffic jam, really makes the area conducive for studying.

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In Baguio, people just walk under the sun and really don't mind it. It's just too cool to notice the heat or the exhaustion. With this, my feet brought me to ordinary places I really loved.

There's Session Road that's like the all-in-one place. It's a friendly place because I can do a lot of things there already. There are many food chains to eat at. Oh My Gulay is one of the unforgettable places in Session Road since it is where my group of friends in Baguio became close.

There is also Tiong San where I do my grocery because it's cheap there. Another is Porta Vaga mall with many stalls that offer a variety of goods at an affordable price. Also in Session Road is the Baguio Cathedral where I hear mass. I would always pass by Session Road because the terminal of the jeepney on my way home is at its foot.

On the other hand, at the topmost end of Session Road is SM Baguio that is just a walking distance away from our school. During long breaks, it's just the right place to chill at.

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My college life fantasy: Destination - Baguio City, with lunch in Session Road, group study in Burnham Park, recreation in Mines View area, cold climate, no traffic, and no pollution. Then suddenly, Sandman left me and gave me back to reality - shortage in allowance, wash my own clothes, buy my own food, and live with people I do not know.

I lived in the house of my mom's best friend with Nanay and two children. I had to adjust with their lifestyle which includes praying every six in the evening and going home early even though I have to stay late for school.

I also learned how to budget my monthly allowance. I learned to do the laundry, though I seek the help of laundry shops most of the time. I also learned how to do my own grocery and prepare my own food. All these, I wasn't used in doing before.

Not only this, there was the greatest challenge of all - homesickness. Every night I would send a text message to my parents on how I have been for the day. Also, I go home to Manila at least once a month. Being in Baguio for one school year meant I would miss some family gatherings and celebrations. With this, I realized I can't stay longer and I needed to transfer.

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My life in Baguio greatly affected me. The place I used to see as a tourist spot became a learning ground for me. It was ten months of independence, adjustments, homesickness, and FUN. Looking back, now that I'm here in Diliman, I can say I had one of the best teachers in Baguio, it wasn't any professor or person there - it was the place and my experiences in it.

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