Meet Mr. Maulbecker of Camp John Hay

For most Filipinos, an annual vacation will not be complete without a visit to Baguio City. Known as the country’s summer capital because of its exceptionally cool and relaxing weather, the city is home to interesting sights that continue to delight generation after generation.

Baguio spells tradition, for nearly every Filipino holds a special memory of the picturesque pine covered mountain province. And despite the continuous developments of newer and more luxurious leisure destination, Baguio City continues to be in the priority list of local and foreign vacationers.

Camp John Hay is one of the most loved destinations in the city. Named in honor of John Milton Hay, the US Secretary of State under William McKinley, the former American military reservation camp is still a favorite sanctuary of city-based vacationers who long for the scent of pine amid the cool mountain breeze.

Camp John Hay has always opened its doors to tourists, even when the Americans were still running the camp. Thus, when Fil-Estate was tasked to turn the property into a leisure complex when the Americans left, the company made sure that the new establishments will retain the warm and friendly atmosphere the camp has always been known for.

Today, a beautiful cabin-style hotel greets visitors to Camp John Hay known as Camp John Hay Manor and is being run by General Manager Heinrich Maulbecker, a German who has been in the Philippines for the last 25 years. He has an extensive knowledge of the hotel business with his experience as general manager of Hyatt Terraces also in Baguio City in 1979 and Heritage Hotel Punta Baluarte to name a few.

With his 43 year professional experience, General Manager Maulbecker started as an apprentice in Hotel Management in 1961 at the Hotel Krone Auerbach Germany and moved to the "European Way" career in France and Switzerland followed by earning a diploma at the Hotel School in Heidelberg Germany.

In 1969, he joined the Mainz Hilton Hotel in Germany and worked for the next 8 years in Dusseldorf and Munich Hilton.

After posting at Istanbul Hilton Turkey in 1977, he joined Hyatt International as an Executive Assistant Manager in Hyatt Rama Bangkok.

In September 1979, he was appointed as the General Manager of Hyatt Terraces Baguio and held the position for the next 12 years then returned to Baguio in August 1999 where he joined the Fil-Estate Team and Development of Camp John Hay and assumed the position of General Manager of Camp John Hay Golf Club, Manor Hotel and the CAP Trade and Convention Center.

He described Camp John Hay Hotel as a family-oriented hotel and at the same time, serving as venue for conferences and seminars. It has a world-class club house and health spa. The Manor has 189 rooms condotel erected at the former site of the main club. It also has a 500 yard 18-hole golf course designed by the legendary golfer Jack Niclaus.

What’s nice in the Manor is that peeople can dine in formal clothes or in their most comfortable attire and not feel awkward. They have the convenience having anything they want like steak, rack of lamb or pizza or hamburger. It’s casual dining and what makes this place extra special is the laidback ambience that other restaurants in Manila do not have.

The menu highlights Baguio’s famous greens as well as fresh seafood from nearby provinces. The atmosphere somehow dictates what you should have on the menu. For instance, if you come from Manila, it would be nice to have a big bowl of fish soup, prawns sinigang which is very good during the cold weather Baguio is known. And no other than celebrity chef Billy King mans the kitchen.

Guests at Camp John Hay can go hiking in the eco-trail, while the more adventurous can pitch a tent in the camp site. It has a butterfly sanctuary for those who wish to hold colorful butterflies with their bare hands.

In the months to come, however, guests can look forward to having a more exciting stay in the leisure estate. Sometime next year, a group of local villages will be relocated in the forest reserve in the complex. Their presence will give tourists a first hand view on how the villagers live from day-to-day.

Since its official re-opening in the summer of 1999, the Camp John Hay Golf Course has continuously received plaudits from avid local and international golfers that have played on this Jack Nicklaus designed 18-hole world-class championship course.

After a refreshing round of golf, golfers can relax at the golf clubhouse which stands out as an impressive structure with its elegant log architecture and tastefully designed interiors. The authentic mountain atmosphere, coupled with thoughtful amenities and gracious surroundings, make everyone’s visit a genuinely pleasurable experience.

With such a beautiful oasis place, nestled amidst the lush pine trees and sprawling golf course, it is no wonder the tourists are coming in droves to Camp John Hay Manor in multitude. The next time you and your family plan a trip to Baguio, make it at the Manor. (Frank Arce)