Seen, Scenes, and Sins: A Tour Guide’s Boo-boos
DOT Sec. Cristina Frasno and DOT-CAR RD Jovi Ganongan at Cafe Stella, Itogon Benguet. photo courtesy of Cafe Stella
By: Cordillera News Agency, photos courtesy of Daily Tribune and Café Stella
DOT Sec. Cristina Frasno at Mt. Camisong Forest Resort, photo courtesy of Daily Tribune
I don’t usually go on tours as a tour guide. I am, however, an officially accredited Department of Tourism community guide — for three years now, mind you. So when a call went out for guides for the Philippine Experience Program – Cordillera Leg, I signed up immediately. Because really, who could resist wandering through misty mountains while working, it will be business with pleasure.
The itinerary read like a dream (or a DOT brochure): Baguio–Itogon–Atok–Bauko. Perfect timing too — I was deep in research for a film story I am writing. Nothing like real-life fieldwork to make fiction sound believable.
And what an experience! The Cordilleras, even if only a part of, was a parade of beauty — not just the landscapes but also the personalities of the guests we were assigned to guide.
The Grand Itinerary of Mountain Marvels
Camp John Hay – The tourist comfort zone. Bell House, pine scent, and food. After a grand take-over in management, several rebranding were done, so we kept getting lost on John Hay Hotels, so we are now taking notes of the Garden and Forest Wings…
Mt. Camisong, Itogon – Newly opened this year. Eco-sustainability with a glass ramp, seemingly engaging for a momentary fashion show of sorts: but, stop with that video recording of yours for your reels, you are a guide, not a Vlogger.
Plus, there was a short-term pop up for Mandeko Kito arts and crafts fair, perfect for the guests’ attire needs, when their next OOTD specifies “creative”.
Baguio Country Club – Because colonial nostalgia is what it is… A welcoming dinner for guests.
Festival of Festivals – DOT’s “Avengers Assemble” of Cordillera provinces and cities, and their best performances on showcase. I wanted to let my guests try the community dancing, but we had a tight schedule to follow.
Northern Blossoms, Atok – Flowers that thrive better in the cold, than maybe my love life, or someone else’s heart.
Mount Data Hotel – Where history meets the skies, despite the rains that showered blessings, especially for the guides and drivers.
Balicanao Farms, Bauko & Cada, Mankayan – Rural charm, rolling fields, almost keeping people from slipping and rolling down the slopes like that of Jack and Jill went up the hill.
Café Stella with Chef Waya of Gypsy – Proof that enlightenment can be achieved through food.
Malcolm/People’s Park & Baguio Public Market – The cultural epicenter, a moment to experience of what should be saved from Mallification.
Confessions of a Misguided Guide
Since I don’t do this regularly, I made a few boo-boos. Let’s call them “learning moments”, because “professional embarrassment” sounds too tragic.
Eat only after your guests have eaten.
Logical, yes. But after ensuring everyone was settled, I had approximately five minutes left to shovel down food like a cadet in ROTC. Apparently, eating with guests is frowned upon — a social faux pas, not a bonding moment. Who knew?
Be present but invisible.
Ah yes, the sacred art of omnipresence without existence. You’re there, but you’re not there. Smile, assist, disappear. I thought networking was part of tourism. Apparently not, unless you’re networking with the leftovers.
Learn to eat anywhere — under sun, rain, or behind the van by the parking lot.
Cordillera guides are cowboys, after all. During Igorot gatherings, you take your watwat wherever you can — just not at the presidential table. It’s anthropology with extra steps.
Clarify “breakfast at the hotel.”
Lesson learned: a ₱700 buffet may come with a side of humility, a tuition fee to learn what should not. Turns out, guides wait for their packed meals elsewhere. The hotel parking lot, perhaps.
Do not get caught drinking coffee in guest areas.
You’re not one of them. Even if you can quote Lonely Planet better than they can. But I’ll admit, Cordillera hosts are forgiving to offer snacks beyond guests — maybe because we all look equally exhausted on the sidelines.
Avoid religion and politics.
If guests bring them up, nod wisely. You’re not there to discuss corruption in Halsema or of the Battle of Pilando.
“Take-life” moments.
Military term for taking risks, some kind of disobedience. When you say bring memories with you, a simple snapshot in landmarks would be proof that you were there, something to show others that this is the place to be. But apparently not this time when you are not afforded the luxury of stop, but yeah, just take-life, let them take a quick stop and absorb all consequences later as their guide.
When dealing with well experienced tourism stakeholders, enjoy listening to their stories; they’re often better than your spiels. Guides aren’t know-it-alls — just know-enoughs.
Tokens, Takeaways, and a Touch of Trouble
Every trip gives guides their own souvenirs — just maybe not the trinkets, but the tales. I admittedly “took” spare tokens for me and the van driver from the small tokens from Mount Data Hotel, courtesy of the LGU (and, well, thank you to the Hotel Manager as my advantage being the lead curator for MDH art exhibitions). Yes, as a guide, I am not in the budget for tokens. But, how else could I describe Kiniing/Etag, Polvoron, and tea cookies to guests if I hadn’t tasted them myself? It’s research — delicious, justifiable research.
The Philippine Experience Program isn’t just about sights and sounds. It’s a full sensory workout — of taste, patience, and social hierarchy. But I would still think that Guides aren’t mere extras in this cinematic production; we’re part of the experience too.
So if someone decides I’m too opinionated to be a “proper” guide, so be it. When you let a creative person lead a tour, expect a bit of commentary with your cultural immersion. After all, what’s a guide without a little satire? Just a map with legs.
I have been disillusioned as a guide, but I still have high hopes for the Cordillera Experience. I hope it gets shared well.
Tokens, Takeaways, and a Touch of Trouble
Every trip gives guides their own souvenirs — just maybe not the trinkets, but the tales. I admittedly “took” spare tokens for me and the van driver from the small tokens from Mount Data Hotel, courtesy of the LGU (and, well, thank you to the Hotel Manager as my advantage being the lead curator for MDH art exhibitions). Yes, as a guide, I am not in the budget for tokens. But, how else could I describe Kiniing/Etag Polvoron and tea cookies to guests if I hadn’t tasted them myself? It’s research — delicious, justifiable research.
The Philippine Experience Program isn’t just about sights and sounds. It’s a full sensory workout — of taste, patience, and social hierarchy. But I would still think that Guides aren’t mere extras in this cinematic production; we’re part of the experience too.
So if someone decides I’m too opinionated to be a “proper” guide, so be it. When you let a creative person lead a tour, expect a bit of commentary with your cultural immersion. After all, what’s a guide without a little satire? Just a map with legs.
I have been disillusioned as a guide, but I still have high hopes for the Cordillera Experience. I hope it gets shared.
