posted by Prime Sarmiento

A colleague asked me if I needed to go to Baguio just to write a thesis proposal for my graduate degree in anthropology.  She can’t understand why I need to go all the way to Baguio, travel by bus by around six hours or more, for something that I could have done in my own bedroom.

I'm a working journalist who works with a daily deadline and believes that writing is more a matter of discipline (i.e. I write even if I'm not "in the mood.") That said, I also believe that every major writing project deserves my undivided time and attention. In my case, that major writing project is my thesis proposal. Career blogger Penelope Trunk said that living in a farm  in Wisconsin allows her to slow down, make space, focus and be productive.

That's what I just did when I went to Baguio and on my own personal writing retreat.  I relaxed, focused and did a lot of writing.  This place is perfect as an ideal writers retreat.

1. It’s affordable: The last thing that I need while working on my graduate thesis is to get stressed out on whether I can afford the cab fare or how can I pay for my huge credit card debt.

But Baguio is budget friendly. I stayed here for nearly a week, and I spent roughly 150 U.S. dollars  and was quite comfortable with it. This amount covered everything – board and lodging, cab fares, round trip bus tickets to Manila, dining out in some mid range cafes  and even gifts to my family (souvenir t-shirts, a bag of coffee and four bottles of renown Mountain Maid strawberry jams which my mother and nephew love)

2.   It’s convenient: Baguio may be a bit laid back compared to Manila, but it has all the conveniences that this city gal needs including  reliable power and water supply, a shopping mall and 24 hour convenience stores, a smattering of hotels and restaurants catering to every budget, wi-fi hot spots and round the clock public transport.

3.  It has the right vibe: I don’t know if it has something to do with the cool weather ( Baguio is the Philippines’ summer capital, with temperature at 25 degrees Celsius in the afternoon, dropping to 17 degrees in the evening ), or the fact that it’s in the Cordillera or the abundance of pine trees, strawberries and flowers, but Baguio is a magnet for creative types.

Baguio is home to some of th e country’s best painters, photographers, musicians, film makers and writers and I know a lot of  Manila-based artists who go here at least once a year, as a sort of pilgrimage, to this haven of creativity.

4. It’s familiar and safe: I have been to Baguio several times that navigating around it is not a problem. It also helps that I don’t have to worry of being mugged or kidnapped thanks to its low crime rate.

5.  It’s relatively isolated: I went all the way to Baguio to “escape” my family and friends, avoiding the distraction that this kind of relationship usually brings. It also lessens the temptation to go home and just bum around as the six-hour traveling time (eight if I take the ordinary bus)  is not something that I like to do. I have friends in Baguio, but I didn’t bother telling them that I was there nor did I even drop by at any of the usual watering holes for journalists. Like I said, no distractions. Just Focus!

How about you? What is your ideal place for writer's retreat?