The long weekend brought more than just a holiday.
It brought sweaters. Scarves. Steam rising from hot drinks.
As the country marked the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, thousands of tourists packed their bags and headed for cooler ground — Baguio City and Tagaytay City.
They came chasing the cold.
And they found it.
Baguio’s Coldest Days Yet
In the City of Pines, temperatures dipped to 12.6°C on Saturday and 13.6°C on Sunday.
For many Filipinos used to tropical heat, that’s more than just chilly.
That’s sweater weather.
Along Kennon Road, tourists lined up at the iconic Lion’s Head, smiling through foggy breath, wrapped in thick jackets and knitted scarves.
At Burnham Park, families walked hand in hand. Some rode bicycles. Others sipped hot drinks and spooned warm strawberry taho — sweet comfort against the crisp mountain air.
Laughter echoed across the lake.
Phones clicked.
Memories were made.
And It’s Just the Beginning
But according to PAGASA, the cold has only just begun.
Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section Chief Ana Solmoro Solis said temperatures could drop even further in the coming weeks.
For December, the forecasted lowest temperatures range from 11.4°C to 14.3°C.
From January to February 2026, it could fall between 7.9°C and 11.8°C.
Colder mornings.
Sharper winds.
More “cold surges” on the way.
While tourists celebrate, Solis offered a gentle warning — especially for those in mountainous areas of Luzon.
Extreme cold can cause frost formation, which may damage high-value crops, particularly in the Cordillera Administrative Region.
The beauty of the season, she reminded, also comes with risks.
Tagaytay’s Weekend Rush
Down south, Tagaytay City was just as alive.
Tourists from as far as Visayas and Mindanao made the trip, eager to feel the cool breeze and catch a glimpse of Taal Lake wrapped in mist.
One visitor from Negros Occidental shared that they had just come from a Christmas party outing in Batangas — and couldn’t resist stopping by Tagaytay on the way home.
Because when the air turns cold, Tagaytay calls.
Traffic and Triumph
The recent opening of the Tagaytay-Mendez Flyover helped ease traffic at the busy Tagaytay-Mendez crossing.
But not everywhere.
Parts of Aguinaldo Highway and Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway remain heavily congested. And with the holiday season in full swing, heavy traffic is expected to continue until the new year.
Still, for many, the long drive was worth it.
Because sometimes, all it takes is a breath of cold air…
To slow down.
To gather loved ones.
To feel something different.
In a country known for its heat, this rare chill has become a quiet celebration of its own.
