Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Camp John Hay - the Better Story

     A friend shared with me a beautiful piece about Camp John Hay.  There were actually two articles and both are quite excellent pieces and in my limited understanding about feature writing, these articles are Grade A items that could have been easily published by the National Geographic, or at least the Philippine Daily Inquirer.  Sounds like I'm just kidding but I do mean it.  I've read the articles and I want to share it with you especially to those who appreciate history and the value of family.  Here's the undiluted article (part one of two):

FAMILY
TREES
Ultimate Family Getaway: Camp John Hay, Baguio


By:  Friedrich L. Santos 

‘Camp John Hay is the preferred family destination..’

-Digivoice
(The country’s fastest and most accurate electronic survey company)

   
Imagine.

Tall ancient pines; the smell of a forest that has seen the passage of time, measured in generations; feel the acute diversity and magnitude of life that can only be found in the bark of the ancient wood; the mist that permeates the trunks and low-lying branches of an enchanting forest…

 Road Trip

When planning for a family road trip, there are many preparations to make: clothes, snacks, drinks and other basic necessities that contribute to the convenience of travel.  Studying the route is also important.  While many may argue that the journey is the main thing, the choice of destination is the crucial aspect in any family road trip that creates the anticipation: the activities that the family will do when they arrive, the food they will eat, where they will sleep and of course is it a nice place all round?

With the advent of more well developed motorways such as the wider NLEX, the far reaching SCTEX and the newly opened TPLEX, the obvious destination for the perfect family getaway is the world famous Camp John Hay in Baguio City.  Envision a relaxing drive through picturesque rural landscapes free from congestion, noise and pollution.

No need for plane fares and delayed flights.

The camp has everything that a family wanting to get away will ever need.  But most importantly, no other place in this particular mountain province completely captures the essence of Baguio –in just one contiguous location.  It literally has everything that one would come to expect in a mountain getaway: cold weather, lavish log cabins, mountain themed hotels, history, good food, long trails and spaces for nature walks and other family activities and of course, the prerequisite pine trees that are as staple in any photo album from Baguio.  It is the 21st century interpretation of the camp that embraces the advances of the future while retaining the legacy, beauty and character of the camp’s early years.

Story For The Road

The history of Camp John Hay can be revisited through books and old photos from the past era, easily downloaded from the web.  The romance of history is punctuated with episodes wherein charm and old world manners were the order of the day.  Reading about the camp’s history and searching for old sepia photos is a treasure hunt that transports everyone to an earlier, more gentle period in history; the early years of the camp are a golden age that carries over to the present day and knowledge of this charming and sometimes turbulent history make the visiting the camp a much deeper and meaningful experience.

One great way to spend the journey to John Hay is to revisit this history, making for an educational treat, especially for the younger members of the family.  This way, the bonding experience can already begin long before the family glimpses even a single pine tree.  It also reminds us of the rich history of the country and the struggle of our ancestors who fought for our country during the wars.

In the beginning, Camp John Hay was not the lavish mountain retreat that most are familiar with today.  It was founded in times of war.

Originally conceived as a hill station by one Captain Robert Rudd of the 48th Infantry Unit, the area where Camp John Hay is situated today was once a part of pasture land owned by a local named Mateo Carino.  It was referred to as ‘Kafagway’, meaning ‘wide open place’ by the local people called the Ibalois. The hill station was established by Capt. Rudd in 1900.

Shortly after, through a presidential order signed by none other than President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903, about 525 acres of the camp was designated as a reservation for American military personnel to relax and escape the higher temperatures and extreme heat of the lower altitudes –sort of a military summer retreat for American soldiers.  The name of the camp was taken from Teddy Roosevelt’s Secretary of State, John Hay.  Mr. Hay was, incidentally one of the signatories of the Treaty of Paris and has been a participant in many historical events yet few people know of him.  It’s actually a good thing the camp was named after him (Camp Teddy Roosevelt just doesn't have quite the same ring to it).

A few decades later, war had once again caught up with the camp and in 1941, the start of the second world war began when no less than seventy-two bombs were dropped onto the camp’s main gate.  The destruction was monumental.  The camp was then used as an interment area for forces fighting the Japanese that included not just Americans but also Filipinos who fought along side them against the Japanese. 

At some point, the camp itself was taken over by General Tomoyuki Yamashita.  Rather fittingly, by war’s end, Yamashita surrendered at Camp John Hay during a formal ceremony that was held at the Ambassador’s Residence –then called the High Commissioner’s residence. 

While people today do not usually associate Camp John Hay with military aircraft, the Americans further converted the camp into –remarkably– an airfield.  It was called John Hay Airbase. 

But in the end, the Americans finally turned over the camp in 1991 after which the Philippine Government decided that that camp should become a nature reserve which will serve as a tourist destination, a human resource development area and a watershed reserve.

The camp’s long drawn affair with war had finally ended.

Arrival

Nothing can compare with the moment when the family finally arrives at the main gate of the camp.  The surroundings suddenly change and everything just suddenly becomes bigger.  The trees are higher and denser, the atmosphere is instantly changed, as if stepping through portal to another dimension.  It is instantly serene and exciting at the same time.  And everything is just greener.

The sense of nostalgia for the older generation hits like a wave –memories of their childhood before the camp was turned over to the Philippines government and perhaps even further back, if they were around during the end of the last war.  Youngsters on the other hand are assailed with what could only be described as feelings of mild reverence (more so if they listened to the story during the car trip) and heightened expectation: the camp is now undeniably cool in more ways than one.

It is at this crucial time that a typical family can begin the delicate task of bonding.

The Bonds That Bind Us

Bonding is what makes families stronger; while John Hay’s facilities and features –by themselves– don’t particularly make families bond (such a convenience has not yet been invented), they do set the scene that creates the catalyst for this complex process.  Not surprisingly, bonding is strongest when near nature because it awakens the same primeval instincts our prehistoric ancestors had that strengthened ties with members of the family group –safety, affection, security (perhaps from predators).

But in today’s age, the undiluted, uninterrupted effect that nature induces, free from most –if not all– modern concerns of the outside world, is a powerful concoction that creates new bridges of communication, new discoveries about oneself and a revisiting of each family members’ personality.  In other words, rather than reawakening our animal natures and making us regress a rung or two down the evolutionary ladder, the process of family bonding in a natural setting reawakens our humanity, creating a stronger foundation for our character and sense of trust and loyalty –love if you will– to our respective families.The more natural the setting, the better.

The trigger for this emotional and psychological awakening is when a family member is presented with the sheer joy of nature.  The impact of this exposure causes an individual to –to a greater or lesser extent– return to his/her inner most innocent and basic self; the sense of vulnerability and wonder in the presence of such quantities of nature reminds people of their smallness and their part in the larger, natural world.  The powerful emotional and psychological force that nature –Mother Earth– produces, permeates through to the core of the family group during bonding.

Why Nature Works

Nature is a healthy panacea for stress and fatigue –ever hear about the benefits of putting a plant or a small fish in your home or office to help relieve stress?  Imagine those very same benefits multiplied a billion times.  You get a free dose of that every time you come to the camp.  Since your family deserves the best, the biggest mountain green house surely should be top of your list to reap the health benefits that only a natural setting can produce.

Everywhere in the camp, indoors and out, the man-made contrivances and structures strive to emulate the glory of nature through its subtle use of color, wood and landscapes; nature always takes center stage.

Camp John Hay has many features and facilities that encourage being in touch with nature.  One of the most popular is the golf club.  Many players from all over the country –the world in fact–come to play the John Hay course.  Unlike most courses in the country, the golf course at John Hay is what can be called a historic golf course –much like the one in Intramuros.  But better equipped.  With a full range of locker and lounge areas, players and friends will be spoiled with the level of appointments in the club.  The greens are beautifully manicured and always thick and lush –fairways are like a deep green carpet, but stay away from the rough (its even deeper); the putting greens are a master class in the art of shaping and grading –watch out for those breaks. 

Another nature attraction is the Butterfly Farm.  Here, visitors can literally interact with nature –a varied number of butterfly species is kept in stock; these delightful nectar feeding creatures flit through the enclosure like fairies and every once in a while, if you keep perfectly still, one or more will land on you.  The experience is utterly enchanting and magical.

There are numerous nature trails and areas designated for barbecues (you haven’t been to John Hay if you've not had an outdoor barbecue) –remembering not to burn the forest down, of course– and simply having picnics in one of the many designated picnic spots.  Take the whole family on one of the many tree top adventures such as the Canopy Ride, Zip Line and the Tree Drop.  The pictures will be priceless.  And possibly hilarious.

Or, visit the old Bell House for a taste of American colonial architecture.  The ‘house’ has been converted into a museum and is a lovely place to visit especially those who have an interest for Philippine-American history.  Just below it is the amphitheater and nearby, the Cemetery of Negativism.  This last place, also called the ‘Lost Cemetery’ is perfect for the bonding family because it is where people come to bury negative feelings, habits and emotions.  Perfect for the family that seeks healing.

To balance things off there are 21st century stop overs like Army Navy, Yellow Cab and of course the unsinkable Starbucks! 

But don’t miss out on other favorites like Tender Joe Steakhouse and the Mile High Diner.  Finally, there’s the delightful hot chocolate made the traditional way from Batirol’s. 

And don’t forget one of the most ‘fun’ aspects of going to a cold climate: dressing up for it.

What could be more fun than trying on that new coat that you've been saving for that fabled trip to a cold country you've been planning for years?  Before the moths get to it, throw it on and get to wear it in one of the few places you can dress for the cold.  The kids will have a blast looking like Eskimos during the coldest of days at the camp.  The whole time chatting, laughing, eating and enjoying the natural world that so many have taken for granted or have forgotten.

Back To Reality, Or Is It?

At the end of the day, or lunch or dinner time, the inevitable return indoors –and to the modern world– is not a violent wave that suddenly shakes the recent exposure to nature has bolstered and reaffirmed the deep but fragile family bonds that have been reestablished; the Camp’s indoor retreats such as the Manor, Forest Lodge and the Golf Club, echo, through the use of natural materials and indigenous themes the great outdoors, creating a gentle transition into the familiarity of the modern world with all its technological and 21st century comforts that threaten to violently strip away the recently reaffirmed family bonds that may have resulted from the family group’s most recent foray in one of the camp’s many nature romps.

For example, having a hearty meal at Le Chef, the Manor’s premier restaurant, is a warm and delicious experience not just for the culinary delights offered but the wholesome atmosphere as well.  Appetites will have been quickened after spending a day enjoying the sites of the camp.  After dinner, imagine having a nice glass of wine or a piping hot cup of hot chocolate while sitting and chatting by the hearth –the fireplace is a wonderfully magical feature in many John Hay hotels.  Perfect for long talks or just cozying up.  The grand forest lodge theme of the lavish interior spaces of the Manor as well as her sister buildings are a welcome sight after a day in the woods; cozy and never intimidating, the invitation to relax and just enjoy the company of your loved ones is irresistible. 

The romance of it all is the stuff that memories are made of.