Sunday, August 31, 2014
Ilocos Tour
We were fortunate enough to travel as a group in Ilocos. Though everyone is on a budget about this trip, we enjoyed it anyway. Our first stop, Sta. Maria Cathedral Church.
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| about to climb the 85-steps stairs |
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| the boys ... |
Sta. Maria Church (Asunta Parish) is a national landmark that was used as a fortress during the 1896 Revolution. It is located in Ilocos Sur. It was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO on December 11, 1993. Its patroness is Our Lady of Assumption or Nuestra Señora. During the Spanish era, the church also functioned as a citadel.
It was built in around 1765 by the Augustinians. The church is nestled on top of a hill and may be reached by climbing 85 steps of granite rock that was imported from China. The thick buttresses on each side functions as protection from earthquakes. The architecture of the church is Baroque inspired.
Second Stop... Batac
Batac is a city in the province of Ilocos Norte. It is located in the northwest corner of the island of Luzon, about 11 kilometers (6.8 mi) from the eastern shores of the South China Sea. The municipalities of Banna, Currimao, Paoay, Pinili, Sarrat, Marcos and San Nicolas form its boundaries.
Batac is known as the "Home of Great Leaders", as it is the hometown of many significant figues in the history of the Philippines. Among them is the former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos.
The Marcos Museum and Mausoleum lies in the heart of the city. The Mausoleum is where the glass-entombed, preserved corpse of the former president can be found. The Museum holds the memorabilia of the late President, from his stint in the Armed Forces down his presidency
Our third stop ... Paoay Church
Paoay
Church (St. Augustine Church) is a historical church located in Paoay,
Ilocos Norte. During the Philippine Revolution in 1898, its coral stone
bell tower was used by the Katipuneros as an observation post. Paoay
Church is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Construction
of Paoay Church was started by the Augustinian friars in 1694. It was
completed in 1894 led by Fr. Antonio Estavillo and was re-dedicated in
1894.
http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Paoay_Church  |
| with officemates and friends =) |
In front of Paoay Church is Herencia Cafe. They are serving this very unique pizza flavor, the pinakbet (pakbet) flavor. Imagine a pizza with amapalaya, talong and sitaw.... sarappppp!!!
After Paoay, we proceeded to Laoag City...
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| ayan na ang mowdel! |
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| pa side side lang =) |
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| with dabarkadz |
Fort Ilocandia is the only 5-star hotel resort in the northern Philippines with over 77 hectares of land amidst gentle sand dunes and pine forests with a two kilometer sandy beach facing South China Sea. It is located at Laoag City and only ten-minute drive from Laoag domestic airport.
Check out their promo packages that starts with Php4,300. Click here.
Visit their official webpage at http://www.fortilocandia.com.ph.
We spent the night at Cabugao. The best known place to stay in this place is the Cabugao Beach Resort. For room rates check their official website at http://cabugaobeachresort.weebly.com/rates.html
Before going home, we visited The Heritage at Vigan, Ilocos Sur...
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| inside the Vigan Cathedral |
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| with ninang Pau |
On December 2, 1999, the City of Vigan, the capital city of Ilocos Sur, was inscribed in the prestigious UNESCO's World Heritage List of Sites and Monuments of 630 cultural and natural properties of exceptional universal value. UNESCO described the city as "a best preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia with its architectural reflecting the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines and from China with those of Europe to create a unique culture and townscapre without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia.
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| my one and only princess, Janelle |
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| Souvenir Shop in Vigan |
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Vigan City :Baluarte ni Chavit Singson
Baluarte is located in Vigan, 408 kilometers north of Manila. It is only 10 minutes drive from the Heritage. It is a 80-hectare rolling terrains, hills and mountain sides and the most famous zoo in North Luzon.
The best thing about Baluarte is that the ADMISSION and RIDES are absolutely FREE!!! It is owned by Governor Chavit Singson and sometimes called as his "Fortress". He actually built the place as a gift to the people of Vigan. Bringing food and using the picnic areas within the area are allowed. There are also enough comfort rooms located at the entrance of the zoo. It opens at 7 AM and closes at 6 PM everyday
The best thing about Baluarte is that the ADMISSION and RIDES are absolutely FREE!!! It is owned by Governor Chavit Singson and sometimes called as his "Fortress". He actually built the place as a gift to the people of Vigan. Bringing food and using the picnic areas within the area are allowed. There are also enough comfort rooms located at the entrance of the zoo. It opens at 7 AM and closes at 6 PM everyday
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| the greeters of the zoo |
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| ostrich within your reach |
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| little ponies |
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| a free trip around Baluarte |
Baluarte started off as a rest house in 1991 with celebrity friends like
Fernando Poe Jr. as regular visitor spending long weekends. The place
has already considerable numbers of domestic animals like monkeys,
chickens, large lizards (bayawak) and rare bird species, right inside
the Baluarte forest, these rare bird species are found only in there.
Governor Chavit, loves nature and exhibits passion for animals. Baluarte
setting is that place where he can enjoy peace and quiet and away from
the demands of a busy life and urban living. As a political leader of
Ilocos Sur, people searched for him continuously.
So the rest house cannot anymore accommodate people and friends who also enjoy the place, that was, when he decided to slowly construct Baluarte. He first constructed the main house and seeing the beauty of the next, he abandoned the old main house, made it the guest house, and constructed a multi level house on a hilltop that magnifies the fantastic view of Vigan City that stretches all the way to the South China Sea.
So the rest house cannot anymore accommodate people and friends who also enjoy the place, that was, when he decided to slowly construct Baluarte. He first constructed the main house and seeing the beauty of the next, he abandoned the old main house, made it the guest house, and constructed a multi level house on a hilltop that magnifies the fantastic view of Vigan City that stretches all the way to the South China Sea.
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| Janelle's crying because her slipper slipped... not because of the tigers =) |
There are a total of 9 tigers in Baluarte with shows everyday. We were not able to see them because we are in a hurry going home. Gov. Chavit must be very very rich thinking how huge the place is, how plenty the animals he owns and maintains, how plenty the buildings are.... and they are offering everything for free!!! He really is rich.
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| with dabarkadz |
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| the cute camel photobomber, hahaha =) |
Baluarte is in the state of further improving their facilities for both the animals and the visitors. They are planning to implement the open zoo concept wherein animals will be kept in a more sizable enclosures to give them more space to roam around.
Don't forget to visit the place while it is still free... I guess it will forever be free =)
Visit Baluarte's official webpage at http://www.chavitsingson.net/baluarte/general-info.html
Don't forget to visit the place while it is still free... I guess it will forever be free =)
Visit Baluarte's official webpage at http://www.chavitsingson.net/baluarte/general-info.html
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Bohol
Bohol is a first income class island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas Region, consisting of the island itself and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City.
With a land area of 4,117.26 square kilometres (1,589.68 sq mi) and a
coastline 261 kilometres (162 mi) long, Bohol is the tenth largest
island of the Philippines. To the west of Bohol is Cebu, to the northeast is the island of Leyte and to the south, across the Bohol Sea is Mindanao.
The Island of Bohol is oval-shaped and surrounded by 73 smaller islands. The main island has a gently rolling terrain. Bohol's mountainous interior is home to rare and endangered flora and fauna; at certain points, hills drop steeply to the coast from a maximum elevation of 870 meters above sea level. The interior uplands are fit for agro-forestry and high value agricultural production, while the central and northern lowlands also have fertile grounds and an abundant water supply. Over a hundred caves have been identified, the biggest of which is found in the eastern part of the island.
The Island of Bohol is oval-shaped and surrounded by 73 smaller islands. The main island has a gently rolling terrain. Bohol's mountainous interior is home to rare and endangered flora and fauna; at certain points, hills drop steeply to the coast from a maximum elevation of 870 meters above sea level. The interior uplands are fit for agro-forestry and high value agricultural production, while the central and northern lowlands also have fertile grounds and an abundant water supply. Over a hundred caves have been identified, the biggest of which is found in the eastern part of the island.
We came from Cebu City by plane and then crossed the sea via a ferry ride to go to Tagbilaran City. Ferry fare Php500 one way. When we get here the first time it is Php500 (roundtrip already!). The fare doubled in 8 years huh!
Before going to Bohol, it will be most comfortable if you already have a contact person regarding your vehicle to be used in touring Bohol. Price starts at Php1,800 for renting a car and Php2,300 for a van. A list of vans/cars for rent here and here.
Our first stop... Loboc River.
Before going to Bohol, it will be most comfortable if you already have a contact person regarding your vehicle to be used in touring Bohol. Price starts at Php1,800 for renting a car and Php2,300 for a van. A list of vans/cars for rent here and here.
Our first stop... Loboc River.
Loboc River Cruise Restaurant is a great way to start your Bohol trip. It is a floating restaurant with live music played by the locals. We really enjoyed this... while eating unlimited seafoods, we are on board the boat with soft music in the background. It costs Php250 before, I'm sure it costs more now. The pick up point is at Laoay Bridge, around 20 kilometers from Tagbilaran City.
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| eat-all-you-can at Loboc River Cruise |
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| with my super friends, Rowie, Pau, Buboy, Karl, Dad and Olive |
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| the calm view of Loboc |
Bohol Tarsiers (Tarsius Syrichta) measures 4 to 5
inches and is considered as the world’s smallest primate. Its size is
no longer than an adult man’s hand and weigh only about 113 to 142 grams
or four to five ounces. The primate belongs to the more primitive
sub-order Prosimii or prosimian that dates back 45 million years.
With its tail longer than its body, it has large brown eyes, hairless
ears and long finger-like claws. It has gray fur and a nearly naked
tail that is more often than not about 232 mm in length. The tails arc
over their back when they hop on the ground apparently to balance
themselves. The underside of the tail has dermal ridges such as those
found on human hands and feet.
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| Baclayon Church |
The Church of Immaculada Concepcion in Baclayon is considered to be one
of the oldest in the Philippines. Construction began in 1717 where some
200 native forced laborers (obras pias) cut and dragged coral blocks
from the sea, using only bamboos in moving and lifting the stones in
position. Millions of white eggs were said to have been used as cement. The current building was completed in 1727.
http://www.bohol-philippines.com/baclayon-church.html
http://www.bohol-philippines.com/baclayon-church.html
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| Blood Compact |
The Blood Compact site is the same spot where the friendship between
Datu Sikatuna of Bohol and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi of Spain was
cemented.
The ritual was made for two leaders to enter a pact of friendship and end their hostility against one another.
The Chocolate Hills are considered one of Philippine's natural wonders and Bohol is often referred to as the Jewel of the Philippines. They are hills made of limestone leftover from coral reefs during the Ice age when the island was submerged. They turn brown during the summer, hence their name.
The Chocolate Hills are consistent in their cone shape and size and
estimates show that the number of hills reaches at least 1,260 but may
be as many as 1,776. The Chocolate Hills encompass a 20 square mile (50
sq km) area creating a sea or rolling terrain of these haycock hills.
The height of the hills varies from 98 to 160 feet (30 to 50
m) with the largest hill reaching a peak of 390 feet (120 m). The
Chocolate Hills are actually grass covered limestone, but during the dry
season the grass dries up turning brown which is where the name is
derived from. The dried up brown hills look like a sea of "chocolate
kisses."
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| at the Hanging Bridge |
From Chocolate Hills, you will pass by Sipatan Hanging Bridge. The hanging bridge is located in the upper area of Loboc River. At the other side of the bridge is the Sevilla town with lots of coconut water juice for sale and a lot of souvenirs. This is the best place to buy your souvenirs. You can still haggle the already lowered price.
On 15 October 2013, Bohol was devastated by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. The epicenter of the earthquake was 6 kilometers south of Sagbayan town. The earthquake, which also devastated neighboring Cebu City, claimed 156 lives and injured 374 people. It also destroyed or damaged a number of Bohol's heritage churches, including the churches of Baclayon, Loboc, Loon, Maribojoc, Loay, Dimiao, and Dauis.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohol
For accommodations in Tagbilaran, click here.
On 15 October 2013, Bohol was devastated by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. The epicenter of the earthquake was 6 kilometers south of Sagbayan town. The earthquake, which also devastated neighboring Cebu City, claimed 156 lives and injured 374 people. It also destroyed or damaged a number of Bohol's heritage churches, including the churches of Baclayon, Loboc, Loon, Maribojoc, Loay, Dimiao, and Dauis.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohol
For accommodations in Tagbilaran, click here.
