Levitation collection: Ilocos

If others have jumping, tumbling or any other unique shots of the places they visit, then I have levitation. It all started when my family went to Hong Kong last year. From then on, I promised to myself to do this everytime I travel.

Bantay Bell Tower

Calle Crisologo

Paoay Church

St. Andrew Parish

Bangui Windmills

St. Monica Parish

Malacañang of the North

Baluarte

Kapurpurawan White Rock Formation

Haven't seen my days 1 to 3 travel diaries? Click here, here and here.

Travel Diary: Ilocos Day 3

Down to my last Ilocos travel diary!

The first place in our itinerary was Bantay Abot Cave. We all have no idea what awaits us until we reached the area. It turned out that we have to walk on sea rocks (the ones where waves crash!) to get into the cave - in short, liguan ito! There was a problem though: We were not dressed to go for a dip! Our tour guide forgot to inform us so we decided not to push through with it. Besides, it was also high tide. The picture above shows the view from the area.

We then headed to Hannah’s Beach Resort situated right in front of the famous Blue Lagoon! (Photo from Google) This is just one of Philippine’s hidden gems! The captivating crystal clear waters and white sand beach are just too perfect!

It is where the longest zip line in the world over water can be found! Other activities include speed boat, banana boat, jet ski, kayak, surf boards, ATVs, etc! The place is really for adventurers!

And yup, I've conquered the longest zip line, ever! 1.150 km baby!! It’s my first time to try this kind of activity and it was really fun! The view of Blue Lagoon from up above was so fascinating. I wanted to fall into the waters from where I was hanging.. no just kidding. Ahhh can’t put into words the beauty of blue lagoon!! You guys should include it to your bucket list!

Karyoka - cassava cue with young coconut skewered on a stick that's being sold around Hannah's. Tastes so much like butsi for me!

I forgot to include this on my Day 1 post. When in Vigan, eat Kabatiti, Puki-puki, Utong, Bagnet and Empanada! Oh the names they give to their food..

Kabatiti and Puki-puki! NOM :))

First time to try a legit empanada from Ilocos! I haven't tried one during my first visit. Filling includes veggies, longganisa, bagnet and egg. Tastes much better when freshly cooked.

After our short adventure to Hannah’s Beach resort, we visited the red-brick church built in neo-classical style, Sta. Monica Parish – the church with the longest aisle in Southeast Asia! The whole complex took 10 years to build. It is also where Irene Marcos, daughter of the late Ferdinand Marcos, got married to Gregorio Araneta.

The giant tree on the left is said to absorb one’s weaknesses once you hug it.

Speaking of the Marcoses, a trip to Ilocos would not be complete without visiting places in relation with them. Birthplace of Marcos is where Ferdinand was, well, born.

Some paintings hanging on the wall

This room contains plaques, awards, recognitions and other memorabilia of Marcos

One of the 29 houses that the Marcos regime was able to build during its two decades of power is  the Malacañang of the North. This served as the official residence of the first family whenever they are in Ilocos. It was transformed into a museum a few years after Ferdinand's death to showcase his memorabilia.

Incidentally, Imelda Marcos and her two children, Bong-Bong and Irene were all there. Thought we couldn't see the inside of the mansion because tourists are prohibited from entering. They left after a few minutes though.

We all lined and waited outside, hoping to have a glimpse of them, but no. They didn't even open the windows of their cars. Wow ha. Lapit pa naman na ang eleksyon.

Anyhoo, you can see the inside of the house for P30. All I can say is: IT’S HUGE! I wonder if they ever bump into each other.. Or how do they know in which part of the house one is at?

This what greets people upon entering.

Ferdinand's office, I suppose.

Conference area

2nd floor. Lots of chairs and tables to accommodate their visitors!

Set of photos in one of the many rooms. I've been planning to print my photographs and hang them just like this!

Dining area

Beautiful painting of Paoay Church inside the dining area

Overlooking the balcony is Paoay Lake. Imagine waking up in the morning and having breakfast with this as your view!

The very last place we visited was the Marcos Mausoleum where the remains of Ferdinand lies down.

There are two sides of stories regarding his remains being showed to the public (to those who haven't been here before, his body lies on top of a tomb, enclosed inside a glass coffin):

1.) It is not really Ferdinand but a waxed version of him; his real dead body is hidden under where the wax sits and is continuously being injected with formalin. Reason: The Marcoses still want Ferdinand to be buried at Libingan ng mga Bayani.

2.) It is really Ferdinand but coated with wax. Whenever there are no visitors, the body is being dragged below where it is sited to be injected with formalin.

The two stories somehow have something in common but I believe more on the first side of the story. What do you think?

Beside the mausoleum is the Marcos Museum that houses more Ferdinand's memorabilia. Also beside it is another house of the Marcoses. And guess what, Imelda arrived just before we leave. We tried again to have a glimpse of her pero ayaw yata talaga magpakita. Okay, di wag.

If you haven't seen my first two days in Ilocos, click here and here. Hope I succeed in showing you the beauty of  Ilocos! It's more fun in the Philippines!

Travel Diary: Ilocos Sur Day 1

Went back to Ilocos after more than a decade! I can still remember the memories during my first visit back when I was 8 or 9 years old. Yes there are some changes, they're inevitable; but the culture and old time feels remain the same. I love Ilocos because of its beautiful sites, historical places and food!

The first place we visited was the Bantay Bell Tower. Built in 1591, the tower is said to serve as the community’s lookout point to alert them of possible enemies during the 1st and 2nd World War. It became more popular to local tourists because some scenes of the well-known Filipino movie, “Panday” starring the late Fernando Poe Jr., were shot at the said place.

The hole is where FPJ removed the sword. The production team just widen it out for the sword to perfectly fit in it so that the scene would be more realistic.

Also on the same place, few meters away from the tower, is the Baroque and Gothic inspired architecture of St. Augustine Chapel. Considered as one of the oldest parishes in Ilocandias, the church houses the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary (Nuestra Señora de La Caridad) and St. Augustine of Hippo the Doctor of Grace.

Another church we visited was the St. Paul Cathedral. Its architecture is also Baroque inspired. The main purpose of such is to strengthen the structure against earthquakes. The fact that the church’s original interior walls have remained complete is a proof that the architectural design is effective. Neo-Gothic, pseudo-Romanesque and Chinese craftsmanship can also be observed.

Always remember: When paying a visit in a church for the first time, make a wish.



Cool tricycles I saw while walking along the street. That red bumper tho!!

After visiting churches, we then headed to my favourite place in Vigan, the Heritage Village. Wikipedia says “it is one of the few Hispanic towns left in the Philippines, and is well known for its cobblestone streets, and a unique architecture that fuses Philippine and Oriental building designs and construction, with colonial European architecture.” This particular street only allows one type of vehicle to pass through it: Kalesa.

Battle of the old school and modern vehicles. The latter had to give way.

View while riding Kalesa. The kutchera that took us to different places is the same kutchera that accompanied Kris Aquino during her Kris RealiTV in Vigan. I JUST HAVE TO SHARE IT.

Manang (their version of “ate” or “nay” – our terms of endearment to random people) first took us to Burgos Museum. It is the ancestral house of Fr. Jose Burgos. It contains memorabilia of the martyr priest with preserved collection of archaeological equipment and antique collections of historical events in the Philippines.

Coffins during the old times. It is said that when a body cannot fit in it, it has to be chopped into parts. RUTHLESS.

Ilocos Hall of Fame. Contains photos of well-known contributors and heroes of Ilocos.

Replica of Garrote - the instrument used in the execution Padre Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora (GOMBURZA).

Dining area. That thing hanging on the ceiling served as fan - the household help pulls the string attached to it to produce air. Only nobles had it back then.

Dirty kitchen. All the equipment present here are real ones used by the Burgos family. The pot hanging in between the window and door served as refrigerator. It is hanging on purpose: to cool the food (there's a direct airflow from the window on the left part of the photo, not seen though) and to prevent ants from reaching the food.

Crisologo Museum. This used to be the residence of Floro “Flor” Crisologo, a former congressman who worked towards the approval of the Tobacco Law and the institution of the Social Security System, and his family. In memory of him, his family decided to to turn his home into a museum which contains his memorabilia such as items relating to his murder (he was assassinated at Vigan Cathedral while standing on the communion line. The murder remains unsolved and is believed to be politically related.)

I can still remember the first time I had my picture taken with this caruaje! We were still using film camera back then..

Governor Carmeling Crisologo was ambushed but survived in this car on May 10, 1961 at Bacsil, San Juan, Ilocos Sur.

Owned by Chavit Singson, Baluarte is a mini zoo that houses endemic animals from Philippines and abroad. I love that the animals are freely moving around the area and are all tamed! We are lucky enough to arrive just in time for the animal show! The place is continuously being improved.

This road runner kept on pecking on air, as if catching an invisible prey.

Photo opt with Peter Parker himself channeling the Growling Tigers

Paoay Church has got to be my most favourite of all the churches we visited. I just love everything about it – from architectures, interiors and all. It was selected by UNESCO World Heritage Site as one best example of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines.

These buttresses on the side and back part of the church are the main highlights of the structure. It's the same as those of Cambodia's temples. I almost posted a pic with the caption "here at Cambodia." LOL

We then went to Paoay Sand Dunes. Ahh one of the best parts of this trip! Rode on a 4x4 and roamed around the sand dunes! I left my camera and cellphone coz I thought it would be risky so here’s the only photo I’ve got! We stopped in the middle of our ride to try Sand Boarding. I enjoyed a lot!! I stumbled and all but it was awesome! I wish I had photos to share! Ahhh regrets of not bringing my camera with me.

Ended our first night by swimming at the pool in our hotel. <3

Can't wait to share my 2nd and 3rd day of adventure!!