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Longganisa Festival | A Colorful Vigan City Fiesta
Posted: January 27, 2013 in ARTS, FESTIVALS, Ilocos (Region 1), Ilocos Sur, Luzon, Philippines, VIGAN“The Longganisa Festival marks the opening of a year-long cultural celebration in Vigan.”
Longganisa Festival is the first festivity celebrated in Vigan every year which usually happens every 22nd of January, the date of the cityhood of Vigan. However, Januray 25 is the exact date of the Vigan City fiesta, also the date of the conversion of the city’s patron saint, St. Paul.
Without too much ado, allow me to share to you my Longganisa Festival experience by posting these humble photos.
The art of balancing
The Vigan sway…
Artistic back
Little kids dancing on the streets
Flying saucers of the Longganisa Festival
The smile of Longganisa Festival
Joining the street party!
With street dancers from my Alma Mater
Remembrance…
The street before the street dancing
Laid back street before the street dancing…
The heritage city of Vigan never fails to amaze me. The love of living here continues to blossom each day making this little heritage city hard to leave.
#Vigan Exploration Series
Map Showing the Location of #Vigan
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Challengingly Sweet Journey to Licuan-Baay, Abra
Posted: January 22, 2013 in Abra, Adventure, Cordillera Administrative Region, Experiences, Licuan-Baay, Luzon, Philippines“No complaints. I am loving it not that I want to do it so that I have something to write but because it activates my brain cells to think, analyze and think again.”
And the memorable journey to the remote Cordillera town of Licuan-Baay continues. Taking the main road, it is Licuan at my left side and Baay at the right. Do not be confused, because Licuan and Baay are two recognized subdivisions of the town but these two subdivisions join together as one to form the town of Licuan-Baay. It is a unique case for such a town in the Philippines.
I just have seen the Chocolate Mountains and I am still at the back of the pick-up that I enjoyed the most while traveling along a road that might become impassable during heavy rains. But never mind about that because I have learned many things in this town. In the long run, the main reason why I travel is not really to relax, but to learn and discover. Our life is an unending course syllabus and the places we go are unlimited sources of knowledge.
As I continue the journey, I wondered how the people survive in this town and their strategies to survive in a remote town like this is another lesson worth studying for. I live in the city where trade, commerce and financial institutions thrive so for this subject, I must say I am dumb yet. I know studying these strategies requires living in this town. However, a day trip to Baay already gave me many information and it surely did gave additional knowledge to me.
I don’t mind the effort reaching the place because our life is a matter of adaptation. If you can adapt with what is uneasy, then moving to an easier life would be a bonus. It is your edge because you have been trained to dwell in a simpler town. That is, the townsmen of Baay are more resilient in terms of rural survival and that is their edge. They are well-trained to adapt to such situation and as I was saying, it is another life lesson we might want to learn.
And it was undeniably a long off-road riding. No complaints. I am loving it not that I want to do it so that I have something to write but because it activates my brain cells to think, analyze and think again. It keeps the brain functioning. Everything I see was a great subject to think on.
A lot of questions linger in my mind. It was a jigsaw puzzle on how could I reconcile the things. Why the mountains are brown? Why eucalyptus trees are planted atop the hills? How do the people mine gold? How often they go to market to shop? How does the road look like when it is raining? How come there’s gold in those mountains? Uh… endless questions. It keeps my brain functioning. Visiting this town is a quest for knowledge.
My trip to the town is indeed unforgettable. I am just lucky that I was allowed to hitch on a car for free. Everytime I share my experiences to my friends and relatives, they would say “Nagtured kan! (You’re brave!)” – thinking about the bad publicity people hear about Abra. But that’s not the point. Abra has a different side that people overlook onto. It is a province where hidden natural wonders are left untouched (or less explored at least), thus, the original beauty may remain.
I am still at the back and I asked someone beside me if we’re near. The man who is a resident of the town and who was with me said, “We’re near,” and after an hour, we’re still on the road. So that is how he defines near. Just imagine how huge the size of this mountain town is, that the time you have to consume traveling within the town speaks about hours. Well, this is the case at the Baay side and going to the barangays of Licuan side is another story. Huge town!
I can sense that we are gradually descending and at a point, I am now seeing a river streaming down the valley. Yup! We’re heading to a valley which is the heart of the Baay side. There are schools and houses already — a community veiled by the mountains!
So I reached the heart of Baay – very raw! [Almost] everything I see is a work of nature. The brown mountains have turned green. The place is very laid back yet nostalgic. It feels like I am really lost!
The shallow river is teaming with natural resources. At the banks of the river is an edible fern called pacpaco and a main stay river fish called palileng. These are gifts of nature that the people of Baay are harvesting.
A mini-waterfall along the road
Crossing the river
Pacpaco or Paco (Pako) – the edible fern I ate in Baay
…reached the town under a beautiful sunny weather
…met the town mayor, Hon. Christopher Millare (middle) at his house
For security and safety purposes
For self-defense purposes, lols!
Finally, finally, finally. I have reached the heart of Baay. I have endured the exhausting ride but it was all of worth because of the new discoveries I learned.
But wait, the sweet journey isn’t over yet because I have to leave the house of the mayor for a separate adventure. Sharing my experience going to that surprise destination might make this blog post a multi-chapter book so I am omitting it. For the second time, I have to trek without a footwear again. I have to do it because my guide did it so I thought it was a must. Below is my guide trekking in barefoot. To be continued…
My guide, trekking in barefoot
Location of Licuan-Baay, Abra on Map
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Unscripted Off-Road Back-Riding to the Chocolate Mountains
Posted: January 13, 2013 in Abra, Adventure, Cordillera Administrative Region, Licuan-Baay, Luzon, Mountains, NATURAL WONDERS, UNUSUAL“This is no longer a part of the script but it is essential to make the story worthy. This is purely an escape and a beautiful way of getting lost!”
The path was not easy. It requires that you must get physical and brave. And I said, it is unscripted because it is not the type of off-road riding designed for packaged/paid-tours wherein the things you are going to see and the so-called “off-road” you are going to take is like a script of a movie that is already written and anticipated and it mainly caters the thrill designed for tourists paying for the touristy off-road rides.
I call this natural wonder as Chocolate Mountains.
So this pick-up back-riding adventure has a different script. The script is on the spot and it requires a driver who can go on the spot and a guide who is knowledgeable enough about the destination to keep the story going.
The destination is the town of Licuan-Baay, a place not recommended for solo travelers (as per assessment) and an overnight stay for strangers is a scene that should be cut by the director of the movie. If you haven’t heard about that town, I have made an introduction post to help you get an idea what to expect there (click here) but of course, that intro post is just the surface. We will explore this town deeper in the upcoming posts of this series.
…and I miss these instant friends!
I was riding at the back of a pick-up. It was a personal choice. Although I was given a chance to ride like a prince, I preferred to savor the view of this first-time-to-see destination. I wanted a bigger space where I can rotate my body 360degrees. I practically didn’t want to miss any good thing.
With me at the back are two men whom I have met for the first time. We don’t know each other but an instant friendship was established.
We devised ways to make our stay at the back comfortable and adaptable. But it turned out to be more memorable than comfortable.
The fast-running car has left us awed as we pass the road amidst wide post-rainy season brown grazing fields then slowly but surely, the road has been successful enough to conceal that we are already ascending to a higher altitude.
Prelims: Pine-clad mountains, Eucalyptus-topped hills
Pine trees growing naturally along the road
Eucalyptus-topped post-rainy days brown hills.
The start of the ride will not allow you yet to see the Chocolate Mountains as I call it because those preliminary mountains host pine trees naturally while some are intentionally planted with eucalyptus that give a menthol-y smell to the air.
But if you try to notice them, mostly are low-rise mountains and hills already covered with post-rainy days brown grasses.
The smooth start
The start of the ride was smooth. As you go farther, the scene becomes different. Totally different from the capital town — empty road that gradually turns rough and those mountain views not seen in the capital town.
I was just enjoying the smooth ride as we gradually ascend to the mountains. All I know that time is I will be seeing heavily-forested lush green mountains of December.
_______________
As we were going farther, more remote than ever, I was expecting that the mountains must have thicker woods and hardcorely verdant mountains but the script of the real-life movie where I was a part was just unpredictable.
You don’t know what will happen next and how the story will end because as I go deeper to the Cordilleras, the mountains start to become brown.
“Oh, where am I going?” I asked myself. The place becomes more strange every second and the movie has turned oblivious for the ending.
However I know, this will be more exciting. I have erased all the expectations in my mind and just waited what will happen next – not certain but I think it is much better. At least, I know I am in good hands and I am safe wherever they will take me.
The real score has come. The flow is no longer smooth, it starts to become bumpy and dusty as the environment starts to turn brown and the sun has poured out heat to indirectly squeeze out our sweat.
It becomes tiring and more challenging I know but it becomes more thrilling. This is no longer a part of the script but it is essential to make the story worthy. This is purely an escape and a beautiful way of getting lost!
Licuan-Baay is the name, the home of this brown paradise. These natural features are higher/taller than Bohol’s Chocolate Hills but they are less known, undiscovered and too remote to see. As the off-road back-riding becomes more intense, the reward becomes more alleviating.
There it appears and this is now real! The pine-clad and eucalyptus-topped mountains have just diverted my expectations. It was like a tremendous mound of chocolates!!!
The view is surreal! I can’t help but to take cycles of deep breathes and it took me few minutes before sinking-in to the point that what I was seeing is real.
Actually the town is too huge that a day is not enough to explore the place and it could be costly and butt-numbing. My white shirt has turned cream and my dark skin has turned whiter because it was totally covered with dusts.
Endless mound of chocolates, that is. But I am not telling that all mountains in Licuan-Baay look like this. There are also green mountains and mind you, these chocolate mountains (a personal name I coined for these mountains) turn green during rainy days. Check out the photo below.
There’s nothing to lose, rain or shine, there’s something magnificent to see. If this is the price, I would not mind traveling off-road once again and every now and then.
As we were winding the off-roads in the Chocolate Mountains, I thought I have already penetrated deep the Abrenian Cordilleras but I was wrong, we are still going deeper and those brown mountains were just a grand welcome. We’re still at the surface of the town! The town is really huge and it is composed of two unofficial districts called Licuan and Baay.
I was able to penetrate more of the Baay side and it is another story as the road is getting intensely excruciating and the challenge is getting exclusive for the brave and the determined. For those who can not take a more extreme level of off-road traveling, think twice.
Military escort turned photographer (photo op)
The adventure was made possible through these people (Candid shot)
Look at those mountains at the back!
The story doesn’t stop here. The scene got more intense and thrilling as we go deeper in the town. This is the real sense of adventure. Now I am feeling how to get really lost wonderfully!
I discovered great things in Baay, but before reaching the inner barangays, it requires that we have to survive the next part of the challenge. To be continued…
Map of Abra showing the location of Licuan-Baay
Witnessing 2013’s First Sunset (and full moon?) in Perspective
Posted: January 6, 2013 in BEACHES, Ilocos (Region 1), Ilocos Sur, Luzon, SUNSETS, VIGAN“…that beauty may fade but the memories will stay.”
It feels like it was just yesterday and we are entering another planetary age again. That phenomenon adds more pressure to me signaling that my time on earth is going shorter each time and there are a lot of things I want to do and to accomplish yet. But time is inevitable, it runs fast if you will let it be.
I think I also captured the moon? Look closely.
I spent the first day of the year 2013 with my family and relatives. Of course, being with my family (my mom and dad, and my two younger brothers) is the highlight of this new age.
It is our [maternal extended] family tradition to go to the beach every January 1 and Black Saturday. And since I was a child, I have always been going to this beach every New Year’s Day and Black Saturday. I have a lot of memories printed in photos taken from filmed cameras from more than a decade ago up to the digital age now.
I didn’t want to miss the chance of seeing the first sunset of this year, as I have always been doing and my extended family every year. It only happens once a year.
Riding on a motorbike, I made sure to bring myself to the coast of my hometown Vigan. The city that is hard to leave and let go.
Driving a Motorbike to Mindoro Beach
It’s just so sad that the beach now compared when I was a kid is very different because of “black sand mining” that slowly but surely grabbing the coastline of my hometown. It somewhat hurts, because I love this place. I was born here, and currently working here (as of this post).
When I was a kid, I have to walk very far more from our beach tent before reaching the waters and before the waves, there used to be a natural mini-seawater lake on which we used to call as a ‘swimming pool for kids.”
My mom and my dad at the sea
The beautiful beach I used to see before is already gone. It is now just worthy of memory to cherish and that’s what this beautiful sunset is showing to me — that beauty may fade but the memories will stay.
But then again, as the sun disappears, it means that there will be new tomorrow. Can you notice the moon? That means the night and the day are really united in one accord.
Like in life, there’s nothing permanent, so do anything you can do now because you may not be able to do it tomorrow. And one of them is seeing the first sunset of the year on which I can never do it anymore should I have missed it. It is once in a life time. For 2013, I am looking forward of doing many things, as many as I can!
I am not really into making year-end posts because a post of this kind is not evergreen. It is time-dependent. By time, the value goes down. Time can consume it fast. But I realized it is just once a year right?
And for the fact that I have a lot of [wonderful] things to mention, I was compelled to make mine too. And it is my first time to make a year-ender post. I have several blogs but never have I made one.
For this post, I want to highlight not the place but the experiences that push me to blog. I said that because I love talking. I love talking about my experiences, my insights, my opinion and everything my emotion feels. That’s me, It’s not the place per se. I am particular about my feelings. I talk a lot about my feelings and experiences I encounter on my travels.
It’s the end of the year but this post is all about firsts and beginnings. Like the Mayan calendar, it ends, but after the ending is the birth of new era. So I will be highlighting the 12 beginnings for the end of 2012. This 2012 wrap-up post will be about my first time experiences (in my whole life) that happened in 2012.
I know this is not something great or uncommon but for a low-profile traveler like me exploring low-profile towns, it means a lot because it is my first time and it marks.
That is the Vigan Heritage River Cruise. Cruising the Mestizo River allowed me to meet low-profile people and I can relate with their lives a lot. I want to help them not because “I have something” but because I know how it feels to have nothing.
First Time to Meet a Travel Writer
With Edgar (eazytraveler.com) photo by Journeying Pinay
It was EAZY Traveler, Edgar Alan Zeta Yap whom I met. He is a travel blogger too but I want to tag him as a travel writer. I find it more appropriate to call him that way. His blog is a free travel magazine accessed by a single movement of your index finger. I would mean that his posts are all magazine-worthy.
Yes, first time to see a travel writer whose works are seen on travel magazines. During our first meet-up, we traveled on a motorbike that sustained flat tires until we were almost stranded at the middle of nowhere. I had no idea what to do that time until a trike driver came and oh, sigh, I was relieved that finally someone from nowhere came to save us. That’s the reason why it’s so memorable. Anyway the photo posted above was during our second meet-up.
First time to meet a female travel blogger
2012 is the year when I first met a female travel blogger. She is Heiz of Journeying Pinay. Yuff, she is the authentic Pinay islander who loves journeying everywhere. She travels at night alone, she goes everywhere and also travels to “give.”
That is Journeying Pinay, the very first female travel blogger I met. That first meet-up was memorable because oh well, I was just surprised that she hugged me that instant. Well, it’s not a big deal but just because we never met before and she doesn’t really know me personally, the friendly hug seemed like we were already long-time friends that’s why I was surprised.
Then I told her about that and finally, I understood. Yeah, that is, she really is the Journeying Pinay — warm, sweet, sweet, cool, sweet, friendly and sweet. During our second meet-up, we walked and talked along that street she tagged as “romantic” until midnight.
P.S. She is also the first ever blogger to make a biography about me :p I feel so special 🙂 That’s why I am eating sugar eveytime I read her posts. She loves dealing with people especially the tribal people. She GIVEs to these people too and even got a tattoo.
First Time to Dine (in group) with Bloggers
If Edgar was the first travel writer whom I met (right) and Heiz is the first female travel blogger I also met, who would expect that these 3 souls will meet altogether! That moment was my very first time to dine with travel bloggers — that time when our souls clashed in one accord.
First Time to Travel Solo with a Motorbike Outside my Province
They say it is a suicide when I traveled solo for a total of 200 kilometers using a motorbike. Yes, they are true but I just can’t resist the impulse that compels me. But let’s don’t establish a standard because everything can be dangerous if we are not cautious. That’s why experience is the best teacher. With this experience, I survived the impending danger.
The experience taught me that I can do it. There is danger everywhere, it should not be directed to motorbike riders only. Even if you are sleeping at the comfort of your own house, there is always an accident. Therefore, motorbike riding is safe if you are cautious. It is also the same with “Driving a helicopter is safe if you are cautious” or “Driving a calesa is safe if you are cautious.” I hope you are getting what I want to bring out. I mean, why think “accident” if we talk about motorbike riding? There are more motorbike owners than car owners so it is natural that there are more motorbike accidents. I hope you got what I mean.
Anyway, this is my first ever solo motorbike travel outside my province.
First Time to See (and Climb) a Lighthouse
2012 is not really the end of the world and of my world because there are a lot of beginnings that happened this year in my life and one of them is my very first experience to see a lighthouse. Uh, even in my dreams, I have never seen one and 2012 was just a great year for me that it allowed me to finally see a lighthouse. Opportunity-grab, I also climbed the dangerous steel vertical stair, rusty and never mind.
That is the Farola Lighthouse. It is actually historical and it was created by Belgian people who landed on Farola Beach in Tagudin town some 100 years ago.
First Time to Meet a Self-confessed Blog Reader
I met a self-confessed blog reader in person for the first time and the place was at the town of Licuan-Baay in Abra. She is from the United States, A balikbayan and currently living in her hometown in Lagangilang.
I specified a “self-confessed reader” because I don’t know if I have already met unknowingly a blog reader of mine before. So in this case, Ma’am Cynthia (her name) introduced herself to me that she reads my blog and oh, it was like a town-shattering happiness. I never expected that! She even requested a picture-taking with me and ohhh, fluttered! She said, “Post me!” Now I am posting! Ma’am Cynthia, if ever you are reading this, and I know you are and you will, I would want to thank you! Happy New Year! Regards to your ministry anf family!
First time to cross (and sail on) a river while inside a car
Prior to my first floating car sailing experience
How I wish I could also experience to topload on a jeep while the jeep is being transported by a motorized balsa but I was just very lucky that I received a VIP treatment from my host in Abra on which I was given a chance to reach the farthest town in Abra at the south.
It was my first time to cross the river while I was inside a car. It is Abra’s improvised Ro-Ro system. If the Ro-Ro system connects the islands of the Philippines by sailing to the seas, this balsa crossing in Abra connects the towns of Abra by sailing through the great rivers of the province.
First time to travel with a DSLR
Never in my life have I tried traveling with a DSLR and the wish to travel with a DSLR came true in 2012. Nope, the camera I have always wished to own was not mine. It was owned by a person who wanted me to capture the beauty of her homeland. I don’t know who she was and I am not sure if she too, knows me.
But never mind about that because she entrusted me her beautiful camera and take note, I don’t know her really. She just let me use her’s. Of course, we became friends during and after I used her camera. I also traveled with her. I just don’t want to mention their names to protect their privacy. And it was my first time to learn how to set the camera into manual and automatic modes, uh. That was exciting! I am so left behind about those gadgets. I have captured hundreds of photos in her province. Thanks! You know who you are. And to your sister, you know who you are. Sorry, I just want not to mention names for now because of personal reasons, but I might make another thank you section in my blog when the right time comes. You are a blessing to me guys! I am hoping to meet you again soon!
First Time to Ride on a Habal-Habal
It was not the hardcore habal-habal that can carry hyperbolically a one whole village, but the fact that I am about to ride a habal-habal, big or not, hardcore or softcore, is another first time record to be considered.
First Time to See Rice Terraces
My first rice terraces encounter happened in 2012. The place is called Kawayan Rice Terraces. Unheard much right? It is because I am more excited to see the less seen than the more popular ones. I am hoping I will be able to see the more popular rice terraces in Batad and Sagada next year. But for now, I am more than contented seeing the less popular ones.
First Time to Get Published on a Book
I am not a professional photographer, but my photos occupied 4 pages in a coffee table book published by the Philippine Carabao Center. I believe, chance comes by chance, so you don’t need to exert much effort for something because if it is for you, then it is for you.
Bonus: Other Memorable Pinoy Travel Bloggers Meet-Ups
Well, it is my first time to meet a Mindanao-based blogger and he is Dennis Dolojan, the popular Love Mindanao! We had a quick tour in town via motorbike.
I have been talking a lot here about my first time experiences but this time, I met Mai Flores of Budget Biyahera and it was the other way around. It was her first time to meet a fellow travel blogger and I was the first one whom she met.
Mai and Rubel were two cool, kind and generous peepz. Imagine, they treated me until my stomach was too full! I even received a box of red ribbon from them! Thanks Mai and Rubel for making my 2012 meaningful! The photo was grabbed from Mai’s blog by the way 🙂
For the second time around, Roj Braga of Adventuroj also met a fellow Pinoy Travel Blogger for the first time and that was me, hehe!
This traveler is also a nurse! Whew! We both are. It is weird but I left them in the house to sleep there because I have to go to my hospital duty. I know, Roj understands how a nurse deal with the time of work because she’s a nurse too! When I went home after the duty, they were gone and I was too late, lols. Anyway, the short bonding we had can last a lifetime in my memories! Nice meeting you Rojae!
And to wrap-up things, I also met Mica of Senyorita.net. It was my first time to meet a blogger who can speak Ilocano, because I am an Ilocano. Guess what, we chatted at the middle of Calle Crisologo from night until dawn! Whew! We had a heart to heart talk, hehe.
P.S. (Updated) I forgot to include the first blog I followed before I became a travel blogger myself.! That blog is the langyaw.com by Estan Cabigas! Yey! My experience of traveling with him for the first time is posted in detail here. Sorry I can not post a photo of us together because we were both naked that time, Hahahaha! (I’m not allowed to post that, LOLS!). I also met a blogger for the first time who comes from another niche (HR). He is Eric Cabalda! Just read the link I provided and see where we go @_@.
To sum up, I am looking forward to many more first times next year! Watch out #townfolks!
This is Edmaration #TownExplorer’s official entry for the December 2012 Pinoy Travel Bloggers Blog Carnival hosted by Gay of Pinay Travel Junkie and Regine of Between Coordinates.
Related posts filed under the category “BLOG CARNIVAL”
Bagnet Festival of Narvacan, the Bagnet town of Ilocos Sur
Posted: December 25, 2012 in FESTIVALS, Ilocos (Region 1), Ilocos Sur, Luzon, Narvacan, PhilippinesTalking about Bagnet, that deep-fried pork thingie that is a consistent suspect to the swine depopulation scheme (blah blah), one may just think about the Bagnet found in the four corners of the world… I mean the world heritage city of Vigan. But hey, there is a bagnet town 40 minutes away from Vigan called Narvacan that [really] produces great Bagnet.
So what now? The Bagnet craze has invaded the streets through that Bagnet Festival street dancing which was celebrated last December 15, 2012. So now, I won’t talk too much. I’m gonna shut my big full-mouth off because I will overdo this post with a lot of [trashy] photos. Sorry for the hideous color and resolution of the photos.
That’s it. Let the photos speak for the fun I experienced. This is the Bagnet Festival 2012 and this has been your #TownExplorer, signing off. Please share if you want to share, uh!
Licuan-Baay: an Introduction to the Town-of-Gold
Posted: December 16, 2012 in Abra, Adventure, Cordillera Administrative Region, Experiences, Licuan-Baay, Luzon, Philippines“The scope of Licuan-Baay is extensive and expansive. You need to get a guide beforehand who is familiar enough of the town. Reaching the barangays and communities of the Tingguian (Itneg) people is tricky”
I got this opportunity to visit another town in Abra called Licuan-Baay. I would say it is a remote town with communities hiding within those seemingly endless range of brown mountains covered with grasses like the Chocolate Hills type. The town is literally a town-of-gold because it has gold deposits and those golden wealth are being extracted by the residents of the town through small-scale mining activities.
Brown Mountain Ranges
When I first heard about the town, I was thinking it was made up of two towns fused together but they are actually one since. Interestingly, the town is actually divided into two (2) unofficial districts called Licuan and Baay. The other side of those towering mountains is Baay and the other one is Licuan. I was able to explore more of the Baay side.
Reaching and Exploring (the town): Citing the Difference
Exploring the town is not as easy as eating ripe mangoes. If you are a solo traveler wanting to do it solo is a suicidal attempt so please spare this place if you are brokenhearted. Yes, I have done several solo travels that require trekking and hiking and I would say those were just easy compared to how I reached the inner communities of the town.
Going to Licuan-Baay didn’t require me to trek and hike (at most) and you think it was easy? Nope. I was even given a chance to ride on a decent car courtesy of some kind people of Abra but that doesn’t mean I didn’t have to experience exhaustion.
Ok, let’s say it this way. You can actually reach the town via the Kalinga-Abra road easy because the said road is paved and improvement is under way. But you will just stick to what you can see at the highway which are mountain ranges and nothing but mountains. I tell you, the beauty of the town is hidden behind, in between and beneath those mountains talking about protected caves and subterranean rivers.
‘Reaching’ Licuan-Baay via Kalinga-Abra Road
So to make the visit to this town worth it, I really want to use the cliche word explore and ‘reaching’ the town is different from ‘exploring’ the town.
If you are a first timer, you can not simply rely to your maps and GPS even if you have your own car if you want to try the word explore solo.
You need a guide, I tell you, you need a guide. You can not get a guide in town at instant. The scope of Licuan-Baay is extensive and expansive. You need to get a guide beforehand who is familiar enough of the town. Reaching the barangays and communities of the Tingguian (Itneg) people is tricky.
‘Exploring’ the town is a whole different story
So now you know the big gap of difference of reaching and exploring the town and you will learn more if you will keep an eye to my Licuan-Baay series.
The people are specific about their location if they are from Baay or Licuan. But as I was saying, Licuan-Baay is a single town with two major unofficial subdivisions. The seat of the municipal government is located at the Licuan side while the schools and the house of the town mayor is located at the Baay side.
The town and the people
Tingguian Elders in Baay
Licuan-Baay is a town of around 4000 people which belong to the Tingguian tribe (or Itneg bloodline). Like other towns in Abra, the people of Licuan-Baay speak their own Itneg dialect while Ilocano is spoken when they go to the capital town of Bangued.
I got the chance to meet the people of the Baay side and met some of the amazing Tingguian elders in Brgy. Bulbulala. They don’t wear traditional tribal clothes and they are just like us. But one thing that makes them unique and identifiable to others is their Itneg dialect.
The Itneg people who are educated can speak Ilocano, English and Filipino too. I am just talking about the dialect here. I know there are more with regards to their culture, practices and customs but to understand that, it requires that I have to live with them in a considerable length of time. Of course, I don’t want to talk as if I am very familiar of their tribe.
They are great people! Very warm, very kind, very hospitable and welcoming!
Baay National High School
The town has 11 huge barangays and I was able to visit 3 of them called Nalbuan, Bulbulala and Tumalip and a sitio called Tubong.
The three barangays are just wonderful. I was welcomed with great food, great sceneries and of course warm people.
Teens in Nalbuan killing time at this foot bridge
Old House in Bulbulala
Exotic Food in Sitio Tubong (Tab-Tabba)
Fresh Highland Buko in Tumalip
Rice fields in Bulbulala
I have a lot of experiences to share. I was welcomed by the peaceful scenes in Nalbuan, encountered an exotic food in Sitio Tubong, I got to see old houses in Bulbulala and taste a fresh highland buko in Tumalip.
I know this will take me long so I have to cut my Licuan-Baay adventures into series.
Town of Gold
Mt. Cap-Cappo, the mountain of Gold
One of the most notable landmarks in Licuan-Baay, Abra is probably this mountain that seems to have no life. I mean, it does not have vegetation, it is barren and looks dangerous.
But I would erase my previous statement that it has no life because it actually gives life. It gives livelihood, or source of income to the people by giving them the golden opportunity, that is, to extract the gold therein via small-scale mining.
Another golden mountain
The photo above is another golden mountain that used to be the favorite place for gold-diggers like a large-scale mining firm.
The town mayor said that this mountain used to be ‘bald’ and has craters due to the large-scale mining activities but now has recovered when the firm stopped extracting golds there.
To date, only small-scale mining activities are allowed there and the people of Licuan-Baay mainly benefit from it.
So now? I am not yet done! I have a lot of discoveries and stories to share in this mountain town.
Map of Abra showing the location of Licuan-Baay
Licuan-Baay Brown Mountains, one of the many things to expect
How I was able to reach and explore this mountain town is a long story. This is just an introduction and I have more overflowing stories to share.
So what to expect and see in the town? There are plenty of them not yet mentioned in this intro post. Expect butt-numbing off-road adventures and liquid wonders. To be continued…
Daraga, Albay | Tourist Spots and Things to Do in Town
Posted: December 8, 2012 in Albay, All, Bicol (Region 5), Daraga, Luzon, Philippines, Travel GuidesMaximize your time in Daraga, Albay. The bustling town is more than just the Cagsawa Ruins. I have made this simple travel guide to give all types of travelers an idea what to do in the town of Daraga.
So whether you are a solo backpacker, glamorized backpacker, traveling in group, budget-packer, spend-all-you-can-packer, BFF-packers, family packers or simply just a mother packer, you can absolutely do this given that there is no typhoon, volcanic eruption and flood happening the day of your visit.
So you want a town-specific tour for Daraga in Albay and you have this style for slow travel covering 1 town at a time? Here are suggested things to do in town without the need to wear a red bikini. It is very D-I-Y and it won’t cause you an overnight stay to a lodging house or a 5-star hotel. Get ready to rumble #TownExplorers!
Start Your Day at Cagsawa Ruins
Yes, you gotta start your Town Tour Itinerary at the Cagsawa Ruins. If you would ask the locals, they would tell you to go here at morning. The reason? To see the Mayon Volcano without thick clouds covering it.
Ok, that is the theory of these #TownFolks and I bet there are no political and scientific conspiracies over those theories. The volcano’s showgirl side peaks at the morning. Ready for the show?
Explore the Ruins
Don’t just get satisfied of photographing Bicol’s most famous man-made landmark seen in HEKASI Books back then in Elementary and High School. Go and explore the ruins! Examine the ruins. Go around the ruins. If you were able to do that, you’ll be smart enough to recognize how volcanic stones look like.
This is your chance to touch and feel the famous Cagsawa Ruins and you’ll come to realize that there are some more things to know not discussed by your school teacher only if you will observe keenly and examine the ruins with curiosity.
See what’s inside the ruined belfry
Another suggestion is to go inside the belfry if you are lucky enough. I said if you are lucky enough because I wasn’t lucky enough to go inside. However I was able to take a snap shot. There are wooden fences. The reason I can see to this is to ensure the safety of the tourists. There could still be debris you know.
But of course, have you ever wondered what to see inside the belfry? ‘Cause you know, we always see the exterior in books but not what inside the belfry right? This is your chance to prove that there is no dragon inside the belfry.
I was really curious, and now, I was able to see that inside the belfry are volcanic stones stuck together. It is massive you know. The holes inside (that used to be the windows of the belfry) were great source of light inside. But during the night, they become non-useful, of course.
Shop for souvenir (optional)
This option is highly recommended for shoppaholics but not for shoplifters.
Inside the Cagsawa Ruins premises are plenty of local products to choose from. But one inviting commodity that I don’t suggest shoppers to buy is the Wild Orchid from Mayon. I am afraid these orchids will run out due to high demand.
Just buy other orchids but not this beautiful wild orchids growing at the slopes of Mayon Volcano.
Travel Back in time at Balay Suanoy
Check out the Balay Suanoy Ancestral Home. It is a restaurant-museum. It is a very elegant house that contains a lot of vintage stuff. It feels like you are not in Albay because of the Intramuros-ish and Vigan-ish ambiance.
Located across the street is the Gazebo, it is recommended for group travelers who want to experience dining in this high-end restaurant.
Food Trip: Recommended Foods to Eat at Balay Suanoy
Yes I know, you are in Bicol and you have to try the Bicol express food. But I just want to make a detour to the Pacific Ocean because the Crispy Pata and Apple + Banana crepes in Balay Suanoy are must-try foods.
I am confident enough to say that it won’t disappoint 🙂
Visit the Daraga Church
Daraga Church is a National Historical Treasure painted with white which actually contains chemicals to preserve the deteriorating facade.
You need to climb the hill where this church is located. If you don’t have an idea how this church looks like before it was painted with white, check out the belfry and you’ll know how old it looks.
Get inside the Daraga Church
Don’t get satisfied just seeing the facade, get inside and check out what to see.
Inside the church was empty when I went here. The facade looks older than what is seen inside based on how I see it.
Dine (again) with the Mayon View
End you Daraga town tour with another food trip at JZOR Restaurant. North of the Daraga Church is a simple, non-touristy yet must-try restaurant because of the experience it brings you dining on an azotea-like setting while viewing the Mayon volcano.
It gives you an outdoor-dining experience because of the vastness of the plains you see below that gradually meet together at the top in unison that is the peak of the almost-perfect cone Mayon Volcano.
I hope this one helps. Go! Explore the town of Daraga!
Do you want to explore more the town of Daraga? Hint: Click the map. Happy #TownExploring!
Tagudin, Ilocos Sur | Tourist Spots and Interesting Places to See
Posted: December 6, 2012 in All, Eccentric Posts, Ilocos (Region 1), Ilocos Sur, Luzon, Philippines, Tagudin, Travel Guides“So you want to explore the town of Tagudin and you don’t have any idea what this town has to offer? Let me help you based on my experience.”
Tagudin is actually an interesting town that can give you history lessons and interesting trivia. It is the first town in Ilocos when you are coming from Manila via land travel or if in case you want to make alay lakad to death, why not? It is still the first town from the south :p
So now, I have found interesting tourist spots you need to see, or if you are not a tourist, or if you don’t want to be called that way, there are “interesting places” you might want to see. Of course, I will give you some important details and reminders and it will be up to you if you want to see the place. So here we go!
Bio View Deck
Let’s start with the Bio View deck. Uh, please don’t get confused if it is Bio deck or view deck because it is actually Bio view deck, makes sense?
The view deck is located in Brgy. Bio which is the southernmost barangay in Tagudin, also the first barangay you have to take in Ilocandia when you are traveling by land from the south. The viewing deck is located at the top of a hill.
What to do here:
Enjoy the view: So what to do here? Just stand the whole day! Lols. Kidding aside, it is a view deck and it will allow you to view the boundary of La Union and Ilocos Sur provinces, the beautiful Amburayan River and the Amburayan Bridge. If you love viewing a view (equation: view x view = view2, lols), then the Bio View deck is the place for you.
Picnicking: There is also picnic area at the view deck. Enjoy the fresh air and the countryside ambiance of two provinces in one vantage point which is the Bio view deck made for viewing a view in your own point of view :p
*Censored* There is another one, and usually couples do it at night according to my source, but I won’t tell it because this is not a night life guide, this is a tourist spots guide :p Any idea? lols. Anyway forget about that, this post did not undergo proofreading :p
How to go here: Just after you cross the Amburayan Bridge which comes before the Ilocos Sur welcome arch if you are from the south, look at your right side, you will see this view deck. Just take the stair then climb. Coming from the north, look at your left, it is located before the bridge.
Amburayan River and Amburayan Bridge
A walk away from the Bio view deck is the Amburayan River. It originates from Benguet then terminates in Tagudin. The bridge spanning across the river is called the Amburayan Bridge which connects the two provinces of La Union and Ilocos Sur.
What to do here:
River fishing: Do what the locals do. If you are well-versed with river fishing, it could be a cool leisure activity without doing a break dance.
Picnicking: You can also have a picnic at the riverbank. You can fish at the river for your meal. If you don’t know how to fish probably because you are suffering from a carpal tunnel syndrome then just bring your own food. There are no picnic tables, it’s a cow thing, I mean be a cowboy, or a cowgirl (I don’t know if they allow cowgays here).
Swimming: If you are into swimming, then why not! Locals also go here to swim, simply to release heat and be refreshed.
Photo walk: If you are not into photo swimming, blah… you can still do a photo walk here. The place is photographer friendly.
*Semi-censored* Swim nude! Urgh… Swim like you are in a nude beach, but be sure your body from the waist down should be submerged into the water :p Oh no! Please don’t follow this advice, this suggestions isn’t approved by the BIR.
Warning: The water gets harsh at times, so be sure there is no typhoon or unlimited monsoon rains via chem-trail if you plan to go here. Also, there are no facilities or resorts near here to hire a bikini or fishing material and cooking materials so bring your own. I told you this is a cow thing. Better, bring an already cooked food if you’re not cow-ish.
How to go here: The Amburayan Bridge, which is the first bridge you will be taking before entering Ilocos, should be the landmark you have to take note if you are coming from the south. It comes before the Ilocos Sur welcome arch! Just go below the bridge by following the trails.
Tagudin Sundials
Tagudin Sundials are Spanish-era structures. The two sundials of Tagudin are the oldest sundials in the Philippines and the only sundial used during the Spanish regime.
What to do here:
Tell the time using the sundial: The sundials are still working, so don’t miss the chance to know what time is it by interpreting the shadows at the sundial. That would be your challenge.
Don’t touch the structure: Don’t you ever dare touch the structure. This is a part of our heritage and it needs to be preserved. Touching will lead to vandalism. So, prevention is better than cure. If no one will touch it, there would be no vandalism. So be a responsible individual, traveler or tourist.
How to go here: There are two sundials in town, the one is located in front of the municipal hall and the other is inside the St. Augustine’s School just beside the Tagudin Church. Don’t forget to ask for directions from the locals, this is mainly DIY. More tips and learn more about this sundial by clicking here and not there.
Tagudin Church and Belfry
Tagudin Church is a must-see in Tagudin. It has a Baroque architecture and was completed by Fr. Juan Sorolla in 1832. It also has a belfry situated east of the church which was built with distance from the church as caution for earthquakes. Learn more about this church by clicking here:
How to go here: The church is located at the heart of the town so it is very visible and accessible once you know how to go to Tagudin which I have discussed below, going to this church will be as easy as ABC. Or you could just ask the locals anytime about the direction. It is very D-I-Y.
Farola Lighthouse
Farola Lighthouse is one historical landmark in Tagudin. It builds an Ilocos-Belgium connection (click here to learn more) and it is about 100 years old.
For the things to do and the history, click here.
How to go here: From the Tagudin town hall, get a tricycle and ask the driver to drive you to the Farola Lighthouse in Brgy Farola. Fare costs about 30-50 pesos. Traveling in group would be much cheaper via the benefit of sharing for the fare. If you have your own vehicle, Farola is located midway the Poblacion and Bitalag. You can ask for the locals for the direction along your way.
Farola Beach
So you want a silent beach in Tagudin? There are several beaches but it is only the Farola beach that I was able to see. It is located near the Farola lighthouse. This beach is the landing site of Belgian missionaries.
The beach has pebble and dark sand shorelines. Learn more here:
How to go here: Same with Farola Lighthouse, please refer above.
Go for adventure and off-road travel in Tagudin, then Ambalayat hanging Bridge is the place for you. It is actually a footbridge but they are used of calling it as a hanging bridge. It is located in Brgy Ambalayat, the last barangay in the town at the east separated by the Amburayan River, thus, the foot bridge.
How to go, what to do here? Check it out here.
How to go to Tagudin?
Click the map to see all posts about Tagudin.
From Vigan Bus Terminal, get a south bound bus (Vigan-San Fernando, Vigan-Carmen). The fare is 100 pesos as of July 2012. You can also ride on a Vigan-Tagudin PUV located north of the Ilocos Sur Capitol in Vigan.
From San Fernando City, La Union, get a north bound bus or PUV. Drop at the Yellow Market, that would be your starting point in exploring the town. Yellow market is located along the national highway in Tagudin.
EDMARATION 