Ilocandia Adventures - Bangui, Burgos and Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

It took me almost 3 hours to reach Bangui from Laoag.  I took a non-airconditioned bus so it stops every kilometer or so to let-off or take-in passengers.  It was still an enjoyable ride considering I got to see the Ilocos Norte country-side. There seem to be no integrated bus terminal for buses going to the North side of Ilocos.  You have to tell your tricycle driver to bring you the bus station of for Bangui-Pagudpud.

Since my objective is to explore the North-side I stayed for two nights at the Pagtarusan Lodge.  It's right beside the highway in Poblacion Bangui. One cannot miss it.  If you want to be sure, just tell the driver and the conductor of the bus about the lodge.

This is also where I took my meals during my stay.  They serve the typical Ilocano dishes. The lodge do not have its restaurant. 

While having lunch in a carenderia near the town-gymanasium I meet a tricyle driver who offered tour services for the Bangui and Pagudpud areas.  

For 600 pesos a day, accredited tricycle drivers can bring you to North or South side of the must see spots in the area. The tricycle can accomodate 3 pax, excluding driver. 

Bangui Windmills

The 20 windmills at the Bangui Bay are probably what define the town as one of the tourist destinations of the North.  Even from the highway, they are already very visible, that one would be eager to go nearest to the structures - the closest possible.

A viewing deck can be found along the main highway where replicas of the windmills are sold as souvenirs, however, i bought my souvernir windmill from vendors at the Burgos Ligthouse which was cheaper. The prefect spot for viewing, however, is right along the shore.

Burgos (Cape Bojeador) Lighthouse 

Standing on top of the Vigia de Nagparitan Hill, Burgos, Ilocos Norte, this light house is considered a cultural heritage structure of the region.  It is overlooking the Cape Bojeador and South China Sea.

The tricycle parked at the small parking lot at the foot of the hill and I continued on foot to the entrance through a steep flight of concrete stairs.  

There wasn't much visitors that time that the courtyard was almost empty. Stairs leading to the verandah are everywhere.

It is from the verandah that one sees the magnificent view of the landscape below and and the South China sea.

During the spanish era, the cape used to be very busy as galleons used to pass by. It  has been more than a century since the lighthouse was erected and it is still fully functional — a beacon signaling to ships that they have entered the Philippine territory. 

Accordingly, one is allowed to go up to the lantern room (the top-most area of the lighthouse) but again, not during that day. Well, the view from the verandah and the courtyard is more than enough for photo-ops and sight-seeing. A museum is found on the the building but was close.  

I brought a few souvenirs items from the vendors at the base of the lighthouse. The items proved to be cheaper here than at Bangui.

Patapat Viaduct

This is my favorite among all places to I have been to in Ilocos Norte.  The sheer grandeur of the structure is simply breathtaking! Imagine a bridge built at the foot/side of the North Cordillera Mountain Ranges and overlooking the Pasaleng Bay.

I have been to almost all places in the Philippines and I can't remember seeing a structure similir to this.  A real engineering marvel.  This is the fourth longest bridge in the country at 1.3 km long.

Aside from being a tourist attraction, the bridge elevated some 30 meters above sea level, has been strategically built to avoid accidents in this landslide prone area. Also found along the viaduct is the mini-hydro power plant, the Mabugabog Falls. There was no water however during my visit there.

Accordingly, during clear and sunny days, one can already see Taiwan from the horizon.  I guess if one brings in a radio, maybe one can already tune-in into Taiwan's local radio stations. Whoa!

At the viaduct, it's like the mountain meeting the sea and the sea meeting the sky!

Bantay Abot Cave

A strange formation called Bantay Abot Cave can be found on the shores of Barangay Balaoi. It is not really a cave but a hill that was wrecked during an earthquake, leaving a hole in the middle.  

Bantay Abot was coined after the rock’s unusual characteristic. The name literally translates to “mountain with a hole”. From the inside of the hole one can see the blue waters of Maira-ira beach or Blue Lagoon and on the other side of the hole is the Timangtang Rock - a bell-shaped rocked in the coast of Barangay Balaoi.

To get to the insides of the cave, one needs to go down through a steep concrete staircase and walk through some slippery rocks.

The water surrounding the Bantay Abot Cave is not a good spot for swimming. The strong waves that washes the stony sides of the cave is scary.  Maira-ira beach is the best place for swimming which is just a few kilometers from the cave.

Kabigan Falls

The falls is around 2km from the registration area where the the 30-40 minute trek starts.  There is a 20 pesos per person entrance fee plus 100 pesos for your assigned tour guide.  The guides are legit for they have formed some sort of cooperative.

Although the trail is mostly on flat muddy areas, there are also a few uphill climb which are also really easy to pass. The locals have designed the trail with the city-slickers in mind since even the hill-sides have handrails on them.

I did not stay long in the area. Just took a few shots then went back to the registration area where the tricycle is waiting.  I've seen much better waterfalls...

Post Script.

Reasons to visit Ilocos again :

1. Visit Kapurpurawan Rock formation.

2. Explore Paoay.

3. Trace my Ilocano roots. 

Dali! 

Sama tayo ...

Ilocandia Adventures - Sta. Maria, Ilocus Sur

Sta. Maria was not in my original itinerary.  I heard about the Sta. Maria church from a fellow guest staying at Grandpas Inn.  I got curious. My curiosity paid off!  

Sta. Maria is around an hour by bus from Vigan. I boarded the bus heading for Baguio from the terminal near the Public market complex. Buses going to manila is also an alternative when going to Sta. Maria.

One cannot miss the church.  All buses going to and from the town passes by it.  With its impressive bell tower and stone steps, one can never miss the location. The church is also a world heritage site.

 
 

The church interiors is impressive.  Stepping inside the church made me felt as if I went back in time due to the century old wood carvings and statues found inside.  

On my way in through the rectory, I spotted some worn out documents inside an 'aparador' in one corner.  They seemed old.  I noted of making a detailed inspection on my way out...

They were indeed baptismal records and church hymnals dating back to the 1700s!  I was even surprised when the records keeper showed me more documents stored in another 'aparador'.  

I was overwhelmed by the age of such documents, however, I felt sad realizing the fact that no form of protection was being done to safeguard these documents from further decay.  I confirmed this from the office workers in the rectory.  Paging, National Historical Commission !!!

My Sta. Maria trip was a short but revealing visit.  After lunch I headed back to Vigan.

Ilocandia Adventures - Vigan

A twelve hour bus ride from Manila to Laoag is too much for me.  It will consume a considerable time of my limited schedule in exploring the Ilocos region.  Thanks once again to the seat-sale of Cebu Pacific, I was able to book a round-trip ticket from Manila to Laoag at a discounted price.  

Touch down at the Laoag international airport was just after lunch. The flight was delayed for almost an hour due to the air traffic congestion at the Manila airport (as always).  I availed of the free shuttle service from the airport to the city proper, from where I took a tricycle to bus terminal for Vigan. To avail of the free shuttle service, just go to the passenger assistance counter near the exit of the arrival hall in the airport and register your name there.

I took the Farinas aircon bus going to Pasay. No, i'm not going back to Manila.  Vigan is to the South of Ilocos with respect to Laoag. It was cozy enough that I was able to relax for the next two hours.  I dropped off at the terminal near the Vigan Market Complex where I took a tricyle to Grandpa's Inn -- my home for the next two nights.  

Grandpa's Inn (http://www.grandpas-inn.com/index.php) is just a walking distance from the Heritage Strip where one finds the more known Calle Crisologo.  The Inn itself gives the feeling of being in an old Spanish mansion. I would recommend that you stay in this place at least one night.


 
Calle Crisologo is a cobble-stone street lined with century old spanish-inspired old houses and souvenir shops.  Kalesas (horse-drawn carriage) ply the street ferrying mostly tourist and a few locals. Popular souvenir items from this part of Ilocos are the ilocono towels and similar woven items, native garlic and onions.  The best time to go around the Calle is night time. If time permits, buy your souvenir from the Vigan Public Market complex where they are cheaper, otherwise get them from the souvenir shops in the Calle area.

With no intentions to buy souvenir items at Calle Crisolog, I instead sampled the dishes that were sold in some of the cafes in the street.  I sampled Ilocos' famous empanada from one of the stalls - at P24 piece. Its huge enough that it can be considered a meal for the 'small-eaters'.  






For an early dinner, I sampled Cafe Leona's bagnet (which is just like a lechon kawali) and a sinigang soup.  The food at Cafe Leona's is delicious, but expensive. I know there's a more cheaper food-joint some other other parts of Vigan.  

Oh, I tried their tabacco, but I never got passed the third puff -- too strong!

I ate my breakfast here as an alternative to Grandpas Restaurant which can be full during peak season.  They serve the typical breakfast 'silog', especially the one having the sweet Vigan Longanisa. 

Vigan Cathedral (St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral) and the Plaza Burgos are alternative hang-outs after the Calle Crisologo.  The church is the third reconstruction during the 1700s after an earthquake destroyed the first one during the 1500s and after a fire gutted the second one in the 1600s.  

I passed the cathedral earlier that day but never got interested until I saw it during night time.  

Fifteen to twenty minutes from Vigan City proper is the Baluarte. It is a mini-zoo owned by the politician Chavit Singson.  The resort complex lies in hectares of land that stretches from the rolling plain towards the hills, where the former governor’s multi-storey house sits with a grand view of Vigan, the mountains of Abra and the South China Sea. 

There are no entrance fees so everyone is welcome. 









There is a butterfly farm, a track for horse riding and an aviary.  Ostrich roam freely in the track much to the delight of the visitors. 

Caged peacocks, pheasants, deers of various kinds are found adjacent to the butterfly garden.

The Bengal Tigers can be seen at the entrance to the zoo.  

It is advisable to hire a tricycle when going to the Baluarte Mini-zoo.  I paid 200 pesos for the one I hired.

Dinagyang Festival - A Dance To Faith

Dinagyang Festival is to Iloilo, while Sinulog is to Cebu.  Which one is better than the other is like comparing an apple to an orange.  Whatever it is, both festivals are celebrated in honor of the miraculous child Jesus, the Sto. Nino.

Dinagyang Festival is held every 4th weekend of January in Iloilo City, a week after the Sinulog of Cebu City.  It is a weeklong festivity, but the highlight is on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Dinagyang week.

Saturday and Sunday was all about dance.

The Media Pass issued to me allowed me access to the photographers and videographers area at the sprawling Ilo-ilo Sports Complex.  Space was a no issue among those in the area. 

Getting the Media Pass was not easy though as several requirements were needed by the foundation for them to issue such passes.  Thanks to Ms. Pearl Lena who guided me through out the application process.

The Kasadyahan Regional Cultural Competition took place on a Saturday.  The competition showcased the cultural dances inspired by the veneration of Sto. Nino and the Christianization of the Philippines as a whole. It was participated by select participants from the various municipalities of the island.

A sports dance competition was on-going when I arrived inside the complex.  I guess this was the 'front-act' to entertain the spectators while waiting for the first contingent to arrive.  The sports complex was the last performance and judging area for the competition.

I was thrilled to know that two fellow Cagayanons were among the judges of the sports-dance competition.  Both of them are well-known experts in this field, Faith Javellan and Rodel de la Torre. 

I owe them this picture, so if any of you know them, please message me so i can ask on how I can give this picture to each of them.

As the first group of participants were parading into the field, i cant help but notice my fellow 'shutter-bugs' as they scramble to position, preparing themselves for the first of the seven performances that day.

The colorful costumes of the performers, their gracious movements and facial expressions combined to make each performance enthralling.  To me they were all winners. The following images best describe their performances ...

In between performance, floats would pass-by just like this one bearing the winners of the festival pageant.

For the first time, the Masskara of Bacolod and Ati-atihan of Kalibo festivals winners joined the Dinagyan as guest performers during the competition.  Their presence added more color and fun to the competition.  Each were given standing ovations by the Ilonggos.

Masskara Festival Performers

Ati-atihan Performers

Ati-atihan Performer

The Ati Competition the following Sunday is the big event!  The grandstand of the the sports complex was filled to the rafters - the crowd double in size the previous day.

Props, costumes, movements and expressions were the name of the game of the competition. See them for yourselves...

When the Tribu Pan-ay performed their routine, I almost forgot that I need to take pictures.  

Their props where really well-crafted, the movement fast-paced and the choreography almost perfect.  

Most of my companions in the photographers area were perplexed by their performance.  It was their 3rd win in a row. No wonder... 

Other participants also showcased their best and gave their all in their respective performances.

Truly, Dinagyang is one of the Philippines' Best Festivals.  I encourage you to see and experience the festivities next January.