Boulder is one of those places you have to see to believe. As I browsed through the material, I cannot help but admire how much the community has put up to preserve its natural beauty. From its Open Space programs to its green transit projects, Boulder is a haven for anyone who wishes to live in harmony with nature.

  I have seen the ups and downs of having a city located atop mountains. The cool climate, lush forests, and the fresh air are just some of the few things that we enjoy in Baguio City. To millions of local and foreign tourists, this is a recipe for a high-altitude resort where people may flock during the scorching days of summer. I have to admit that I was also in awe when my family first moved to the city back in my childhood days. The pine-scented breeze, the tall stalks of sunflowers during the dry season, and the springs flowing downhill were a sight to behold.

Gone are these great days now. In a short span of time, our beloved city has decayed due to indiscriminate urbanization and fast population growth. Improper waste management has left us with the unwelcoming miasma of an abandoned dumpsite, which continues to menace the health of nearby residents. The majestic pine trees that gave Baguio City its moniker as the “City of Pines” are facing the threats of being earth-balled by a corporate giant just to give way for a parking lot. The uncontrolled population growth of the city has increased the demands for housing and transportation, which worsen the city’s problems on air, land and noise pollution.

I cannot help but compare Boulder with my city. If the residents of Boulder can tax themselves to purchase open lands, why can’t local officials in Baguio City unite to create policies to protect Baguio’s remaining green lands? If the residents of Boulder can sustain the legacy of their green history, how can a lot of Baguio residents slumber at the midst of the environmental issues which plague us? The list goes on and on.

Despite the comparisons, I still see hope that Baguio City will soon reclaim its glory as the Philippines’ greenest city. These past days, Baguio has witnessed the biggest ‘green’ protests, which drew crowds made up of a majority of students. At last! Residents have mustered enough strength to say no to those who threaten to destroy Baguio. This overwhelming cry has come to the point of being echoed all over the country.

I see the beginning of a great story- a story of redemption that may equal the legend of Boulder someday.

A GLIMPSE AT BAGUIO

    Mabuhay!

    I'm Gab from the Philippines. I'm a Bachelor in Medical Laboratory Science student from Saint Louis University. I write sports articles for the White & Blue, SLU's official student publication. During my free time, I enjoy playing the guitar, reading and playing a lot of sports such as basketball and chess. 

    I am also an environmentalist and a health advocate. I am an alumnus of the 2012 Study of the US Institute (SUSI) on Global Environmental issues. I also led a social marketing program which aimed to improve the health behaviors of schoolchildren in a rural community in the northern part of the Philippines.

    Feel free to add me in Facebook: [email protected]

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