If you passed by Marcos Highway on your way down to Manila or went up to the Ilocos region and noticed a very interesting and colorful infrastructure somewhere in Cares, Pugo, La Union chances are, you just got a glimpse of the newest tourist destination called the Kultura Splash Wave Resort.

It is a 1.6-hectare water park with various sports activities and amenities. Number one on its list of attractions is an electronically operated wave pool which simulates various ocean movements. Located 251 Km in Marcos Highway, the water park has two Dolphin pools; giant slides; three kiddie pools; air conditioned villas or cabañas; dining areas offering American, Australian, and Filipino cuisine; a convenience store; pharmacy and clinic; souvenir shops; picnic umbrellas and sheds; and plenty of parking space. Kultura Splash Wave Resort is scheduled to open second week of October. Malapit na!

Owned and operated by one of Baguio’s handicraft entrepreneurs, Juliet Galvez says, “It took three years to finish this project. I started this in January 2007. The fencing alone took some time. I want this water park to be my legacy, so I am personally taking care of its construction. My son Gary and nephew Louie Fanky are both helping me.”

It is Juliet’s work of love – her personal creation. The resort focuses on culture and arts, Juliet’s passion. Murals and artwork in the resort are being done by two Baguio artists: Allan Manalastas and Richard Domilis. She even had a replica of the Sagada cave at the edge of the wave pool. The place is ideal for family outings, meetings, weddings, conferences – or simply for relaxation. You no longer have to travel far to enjoy a good water park. It is near and very accessible. A splash, a wave, a tinge of culture – that is Kultura Splash Wave Resort for you.

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As the tenure of the Baguio Centennial Commission officially ended last Aug. 31, it opened an exhibit at the Baguio Museum last Sept. 3, entitled “Baguio… Haven for All People.” Highlights are the contributions of the Filipino-Chinese community and other foreign communities to the development of Baguio. The Fil-Chinese exhibit at the basement of the Baguio Museum was spearheaded by Dr. Charles Cheng and Peter and Ivy Ng. The 4th floor showcases the different personalities from the local and indigenous communities, as well as foreign communities like the Americans, the Japanese, the Indians, and the Europeans.

“We want people to know that different cultures and different people contributed to Baguio’s present development,” says Arch. Joseph Alabanza, Centecom’s head of the Committees of Centennial Designs and Beyond, 2009. Baguio’s unique heritage is a microcosm of the different local and foreign cultures. The Americans may have given us the great Burnham Plan or our identity as the “Summer Capital of the Philippines, but it is the contribution of everyone that makes us a unique melting pot of cultures.

The Centecom intends to build a time capsule in the future. The time capsule’s total design will incorporate their centennial collections from stamps to coins, and other memorabilia. These collections will be their legacy to Baguio – and will be exhibited at the Baguio floor of the Museum. It promises to be another museum attraction in the future.

Commissioners: Arch. Jody Alabanza, Bishop Carlito Cenzon, Mike Pearson, Geronimo Evangelista Sr., former councilor Edilberto Tenefrancia, councilor Fred Bagbagen, and executive director Delia Abalos were present to meet guests like the Baguio City National High School students with Principal Elma Donaal; Causa Nostra’s Sheree Nolasco, Marie Balangue, and Andrea Cosalan; Delphic’s Liza Ilagan and Mila Lopez; and Pigeon Lobien. Representing the mayor was his secretary Raffy Tallocoy. Also present were councilor Elmer Datuin - chair of the committee on tourism of the city council. Nicolas Tabora - chair of the board of the Baguio Museum gave the welcome remarks and executive director Leonora San Agustin thanked the Baguio Centennial Commission for their patronage.