Thursday, November 27, 2008 Calinao: From fame to shame By Nick Prill Calinao Free and Easy
AFTER reading about the current condition of Burnham Park in the local papers, I visited the main promenading area within the central business district myself. It truly is sad to say that I found the park in such a pathetic state.
What was once a source of fame and pride seemed to have been diminished to a setting of shame.
What was once a clean, peaceful, safe and family oriented park seemed to have gained "popularity" for dirtiness, disorderliness, violence and petty crimes, as well as a haven for pimps and sex workers.
Poor Burnham Park, so different today to what it was decades ago.
As a Baguio Boy, I do have fond memories of this park. Me and my peers used to enjoy playing hide and seek, "touch the body," soccer, or tag at the Melvin Jones Grandstand area or around the lake on lazy afternoons after school. It was such a clean and safe place then.
I remember the chilly evenings when we would stroll around the lake with the family. Evenings when the simple pleasures of playing with siblings and being with loved ones in the park was such a comforting experience.
Oh, and yes... I do remember that the air then was cool and fresh. Nowadays, the "aroma" emanating from the lake carries with it such an offensive stench similar to that of a sewer. Poor Burnham Park... once a source of fame and pride... now diminished to setting of shame.
After what I have seen, I do agree with the observations of no less than one of the city's councilors... That the park is in such a pathetic state, something has to be done about it.
As a "true blue Baguio-boy" I was once truly proud of Burnham Park. I never failed to promote the park to buddies and tourist friends visiting the city. Nowadays however, I would surely think twice before doing so... "Hawkers" in the park seem to feel so "at home" that they treat the area as their own "baratilyo"... perhaps to bring back orderliness wouldn't hurt the park's image.
A vendor stands doubling as an illegal numbers game (jueteng) "corner" was observed between the football field and the lake... question is: If passers-by notice this, then why can't the cops? Perhaps there is truth in the saying that... "they are blind to the violation because they opt not to see it."
Evening visitors and locals try to avoid the park for fear of being mugged or robbed. Now if one could not feel safe in a park which is but a few meters away from City Hall and the Baguio City Police Station... then where may they feel safe in the city after dark?... Poor Burnham Park... once a source of fame and pride... now diminished to setting of shame.
The park was once confidently roamed in the evenings by families, couples, and loners alike. Not anymore, as according to reports, the park also serves as a "business area" for pimps and prostitutes offering sexual services; ladies hoping for a quiet evening at the park are often mistaken for sex workers, couples wanting for a romantic stroll avoid the park for fear of being maliciously approached by misguided elements, and parents would rather take their kids elsewhere rather than expose their young ones to danger and immoral examples... Poor Burnham Park... once a source of fame and pride... now diminished to setting of shame.
There may be other observations on the pathetic condition of one Baguio City's landmarks, yet perhaps the few mentioned may suffice to stress the point... the point is... something better be done about it or the park may very well end-up as a "Shrine of Shame" instead of what it truly should be..." a landmark famous for being a safe, clean, green, tourist, and family oriented promenading area"
