Mention Baguio City’s “Burnham Park” and the activities that will immediately come to mind include taking a ride on one of the boats on the Lake, having a picnic, riding bikes at the Biking Area, having a go at the Skating Rink, letting the kids loose at the Children’s playground, walk around the Rose Garden or the Orchidarium, catch a game or an outdoor show at the Melvin Jones Grandstand, and, lately, watching the fountains light up in the evening. It comes even more alive when the annual Panagbenga (Flower Festival) comes around (see more tourist accounts here, here, and especially good ones here and here), since it’s the site of the Market Encounter and other trade fairs. And, of course, the fluvial parades on the Lake, also during the Panagbenga.
In the early mornings, however, you get to see a different side of Burnham Park. The fit side.
Tai Chi, Taebo, Aero Taebo, Wushu, and the popular Zumba craze. You’ll find all these – and more – at Burnham Park.
Enter through the gates across Rizal Park, walk past the bust of Daniel Burnham, and there, a short distance from the Fountain, you’ll see the elderly deep in their Tai Chi session.
Proceed to Lake Drive, from the front of the Police Substation, past the entrance to the Baguio Orchidarium and the main biking lane, and there’s a group doing cardio and taebo. This was the group my Ma-dear used to join every Saturday, before a minor surgery put her out of action.
Taking a walk around the Lake is a good workout in itself. And if you’re one for people-watching, it’s also a good route to take. There are the early-morning joggers, the brisk walkers, and those that I like to call, the “strollers”.
You get to enjoy the cool morning breeze, and there’s that view of the Lake, which is still pretty much empty of people paddling along on the boats.
And you can’t see it clearly here, but on the viewdeck across the Lake are a few people doing some stretches.
And here’s an early bird, getting set up for business.
At the other end of the biking lane on Lake Drive, you’ll find one or two more groups doing aerobics and some more cardio-taebo. Go further along, and you’ll see another group right beside the Solibao Restaurant (Burnham branch). Here’s a Zumba sesh led by Zin Sarah and Zin Kevin.
The taebo/aero-cardio group on the other end of the road.
Circling back and passing under the View Deck.
And this is another Zumba group, the “Zumba Burnham Family”, with Zin Arman Lapastora.
These “classes” are open to everyone. No need to sign up. Even casual passersby can stop and join in. There are no fees to be charged, although it is highly recommended that you “make a donation”, for the efforts of the instructors and the use of their respective mobile sound systems. In the Zumba group I regularly participate in, a Php20.00 donation is customary, although you can opt to give more, especially if you were highly satisfied with the workout (or you’re simply feeling generous).
Some classes start as early as 6am (Zin Kevin and Sarah’s sesh is from 6-7am, while Zin Arman’s is on from 6:30 to 8am). Most end at 8am, since that is the only time frame they are allowed to conduct the classes, as per the permits they obtained earlier from the Park management.
Since the rainy season is upon us, there are some mornings where outdoor workouts are not feasible. I don’t know about the other groups, but Zin Arman’s sessions still continue, but relocated at the Melvin Jones Grandstand.
It’s so easy to see why many people love joining these classes. They get a workout in a clean and picturesque area, with the cool early morning Baguio (chill) air, and they won’t even have to spend anywhere close to a hundred pesos!
Burnham Park is just a 3- to 5-minute walk from the Park to the Office. A few mornings of the week when I manage to wake up early, I head to Burnham, join the class, then proceed to the office at a little past 7:30, ready to start work at 8am.
Yes, every morning is Fitness Morning at Burnham Park. The best part? Everyone is welcome!
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