Baguio’s wet & dry Public Market is located at 38 Raja Soliman Street in Baguio City. The marketplace, however, spans Magsaysay Avenue and crosses Lower Session Road. When the city’s artistic community converted Baguio Market into a gallery in 2014, it transformed from its 1917 structure—made of local materials and symbolized by the original golden eagle relic—into a cultural place. The open market sells a wide range of commodities and goods. Some stores open at five in the morning, particularly the wet goods and vegetable sections. While some dry goods stores are open 24 hours a day, most don’t open until between 6 and 7 in the morning.

GOODS IN THE WET MARKET

All items and products should not be set aside in the public market. Primary to this are the freshly harvested vegetables from the province. The city is lucky to be a part of the province of Benguet, which is regarded as one of Luzon’s top vegetable-growing areas. Numerous vegetables, including carrots, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, and lettuce, are delivered daily from the vegetable exchanges in the nearby towns to the city market in La Trinidad. Most of these are sold by the kilo, but you can also get small to-go packets. Additionally, fresh herbs, including basil, rosemary, mint, and parsley, are available in this section for gourmets.

Vegetables are not only present, but fruits are also a big part of the market. Almost all fruits local to the Philippines are found here, such as mangoes, coconuts, apples, etc. Baguio is actually famous for its fresh strawberries. This market is one of the best places to buy strawberries. Usually in peak season from November to April.

There is also a meat department where you can buy different types of sausages and longganisa (Filipino sausages). Some of the local butchers even make their own garlic and sweet varieties of longganisa. On the second floor of the building is a butcher’s shop, and on the ground floor, there are chicken shops. The fish section is a few steps up the hilltop, where Baguio residents stock up on fish daily.

Baguio is close to the flower gardens of Benguet, so you can buy freshly-cut flowers at the public market. Each vendor has very simple but cute booths where shoppers can pick which flowers they want and how they want them arranged.

GOODS IN THE DRY MARKET

In addition to fresh produce and flowers, the market has a “dry” section that sells packaged goods and clothing. It is common to see preserves such as strawberry jams, passion fruit, rice, and spices. Snacks, such as handmade chips and peanut brittle, are also common in this section.

The shop also offers native and local hand products. There is a market section filled with baskets, wooden plates, and other woodwork, in addition to other gifts and goodies such as souvenir shirts and trinkets. In this section, you can buy accessories made from handwoven fabrics, such as wallets and key chains. If you buy a lot and give it to your friends, colleagues, or family members, buying in bulk is a good deal.

Buyers can also find a section for cheap clothing or “ukay-ukay” as referred to by Filipinos. Most shoppers can attest that ukay-ukay, or shopping for used clothing and accessories, is cheap at Baguio City’s Public Market.

THE SOLIDARITY FORMED IN THE PUBLIC MARKET

Baguio City Public Market not only offers bargains and rare items, but it’s also known as one of the cleanest markets in the country. No need to worry about your shoes or sneakers getting dirty or muddy. Some visitors are confident enough to wear flip-flops when going to the market without worrying about getting their toes dirty. But what makes Baguio Public Market special is its strong sense of solidarity is interwoven, and the relationship with customers deepens and turns into friendship.

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