Baguio City - The Beauty and History of Camp John Hay
Baguio City - The Beauty and History of Camp John Hay
While Baguio City has retained most of its natural charm, cool breeze, tall pine trees, and vibrant flowers, there is no doubt that modern developments have somewhat transformed it into a budding urban sprawl. With more and more shopping centers and businesses putting up buildings, what is considered the central business district of the city is rapidly expanding. Perhaps in the next decade, or even sooner, the city will have turned into the busiest metropolis in this area of the country.
This is why both Baguio residents and tourists greatly appreciate the scattered areas in the outskirts of the city that remain naturally pristine and reflect the peaceful and quiet Baguio that once was. Such a sanctuary is Camp John Hay, an old American military base that has been transformed into one of the must-see tourist spots of the city.
Camp John Hay, or the John Hay Air Station as it was known during the American occupation, was built in October 25, 1903 at the orders of then US President Theodore Roosevelt. The camp was meant to function as the official headquarters and communications station of the American forces that were sent to Baguio City and nearby towns.
It played a significant role during the Second World War, as it was used as an internment camp for Japanese spies and later, at the peak of the Japanese occupation, after being captured by Japanese forces was also used as a concentration camp. As a matter of fact, the infamous General Tomoyuki Yamashita of the Japanese Imperial Army used the American residence in the camp as his house and headquarters. Eventually, the American forces, with the help of Philippine soldiers, reclaimed Camp John Hay before the fall of the Japanese army.
But the base was not only for serious military operations but also for rest and recreation. This is why aside from bunkers and hangars, the 690-hectare property also houses the Scout Hill baseball field, the Mile-Hi Recreation Center, the Lone Star, and the 19th Tee. The American soldiers could recharge and relax in the confines of the camp, with the city's cool air and pleasant weather an added bonus.
Camp John Hay was officially turned over to the Philippine government on July 1, 1991 and was managed by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, which was designated to convert former US military bases into productive economic growth centers that would encourage the creation of jobs and business opportunities. In 1997, however, it was leased to a private developer that has transformed the camp into what it is now.
It has still preserved some of its old buildings and features, namely the Bell Amphitheater and the Commander's Cottage; while other structures have been rebuilt but still maintain the original concept, like the Mile-Hi Center. But the most famous attractions of Camp John Hay today are the grand Manor Hotel and the competition golf course that hosts the annual Fil-Am Golf Tournament. The grounds still remain open to the public for picnics and the numerous restaurants and cafes still draw in crowds that are eager to take in some of Baguio's history, green grass, and unpolluted environment.
Any tourist that visits Baguio City, the Summer Capital of the Philippines, is sure to enjoy the sights and sounds that our famous Camp John Hay has to offer. It's a little modern, but just enough that we can still lose ourselves in nature and forget about the chaos and problems of urban life.
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