Tagaytay City

Date: August 16, 2009

With its cool climate and clean air, Tagaytay City is the perfect place for leisure activities like picnics, horseback riding, camping, great golfing at two championship courses, plus breath taking sightseeing. It makes for an affordable weekend getaway for most Filipino families.The weather in Tagaytay is mild & average temperature is from 22 deg Celsius (71 F) to 25 deg Celsius (77 F).

Subic Bay Zambales

October 21, 2009

Dubbed as Philippines number one destination for extreme adventures and sports, Subic bay stands out as one of the recommended destinations in the country. It is well known for its diversity in both cuisine and culture. Some have described the panoramic views and leisure activities here as experiences of a lifetime. Others have depicted the place as one of the spots in the world that you can label as Paradise

Morong Bataan

Date: April 18, 2009

Bataan has the beauty of unspoilt beaches, a peninsula in the western part of Luzon that shields the Manila Bay on its south and east from the South China Sea on its west. A tourist haven boasting a multitude of exciting places to visit, and interesting things to do. The province has much to offer - a rich culture and history , and a warm hospitality that is truly Filipino.

Mt. Samat Bataan

Date: April 2, 2009

Dambana ng Kagitingan (shrine of Valor) atop Mt. Samat (altitude 564 meters) in Pilar town Bataan was built in 1966 in memory of the soldiers of World War II.

How to get there

From Manila, take the North Expressway (Balintawak Cloverleaf) and exit at San Fernando. From San Fernando, head southwestward about 34km all the way to the Layak junction that leads to Olongapo. At the junction, head straight. About half a kilometer from the Layak junction the road will veer left and will head southward. Just follow the road southward. A short distance from the point where the road veers southward, there will be a junction. Just follow the road to the right. This will take you through the main highway that bypasses the towns of Orani, Abucay and Balanga. After about 24km on this main highway, you will see a clearly marked junction that points to Mt. Samat on the right. Turn right, then about 4.5km towards Mt. Samat there will be a junction on the left that leads to the Shrine. This access road is about 6.5km winding uphill.

Batac, Ilocos Norte, Northern Luzon

Date: November 4, 2007

Marcos Museum
Ferdinand Marcos, one of the country's brilliant presidents. His reign over the country has given us both fame and pain. Every event that happened has been embedded in each Filipinos hearts and mind.

The Marcos museum that housed all the memories of his reign is the president's former house in Batac, Ilocos Norte where he was born and raised. It has been renovated and still preserves its Spanish look. The house contains the huge memorabilia and collections of the late president.

Also found in the museum is the remains of Marcos, laid and preserved in a refrigerated crypt.

Paoay Church, Ilocos Norte

Date: November 4, 2007

It is a dream come true to be able to visit Paoay Church,the best known earthquake Baroque church in the Philippines which has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. The cornerstone of the church was laid by the Augustinian missionaries in 1704 while the cornerstone of the belfry was laid in 1793. The people already used it even before completion in 1894,but it was formally inaugurated on February 28,1896. It is said that large coral stones were used for the lower level of the church structure,and bricks were used for the upper levels. The walls which were made of coral blocks,tree sap,lumber and stucco-plastered bricks are 1.67 meters (more than 3 feet) thick,and are supported by 24 massive buttresses of intricate design.The church was partially destroyed twice by earthquakes in 1706 and 1927.In the restoration,permanent columns were built to support the ceiling. Today,this uniquely beautiful church still stands, wowing tourists with its majestic structure of Oriental,Gothic and Baroque influences.

The belfry stands a few meters from the church. As in other belfries of Ilocos churches,Katipuneros used the belfry as watch point in the 1896 revolution,and guerrillas of World War II also used it to check out coming enemies.

Malacañang by the Lake Paoay Ilocos Norte

Date: November 4, 2007

From the Home of Great Leaders, we proceeded to the Malacañang of the North (Malacañang Ti Amihan). Located on top of the hill, the mansion overlooks the whole of the magical Paoay Lake.

You can observed from outside that the place used to be grand but is now dilapidated. It is made of hard wood and its interiors furnished with narra. At the back of the mansion is the grand porch facing the lake. On the lake, used to float was the presidential boat of the Marcoses.

Legend has it that beneath the lake was once a properous village where rich but wicked people lived. One night a great flood covered the whole place under feet of water after ignoring the warning of a mysterious old woman who came to the place.

Whether the story is true or not, Paoay Lake is really enchanting.

Bangui Wind Mills Ilocos Norte

Date: November 3, 2007

The Bangui Wind Mills were built by the NorthWind Power Development Corporation to take its share in reducing the emission of harmful greenhouse gases (GHGs) causing global warming and to accelerate the rural electrification of the goverment.

In this area, wind mostly comes from the north-east, from the sea towards the land. To optimize the full benefit of the winds, turbines are installed along the shore facing the sea effectively removing wind breaks and achieving a terrain roughness of class 0.

The 'Wind Farm" as it is aptly called consist of 15 wind turbines. The turbines are on-shore and arranged in a single row spaced 326 meters apart. The turbines hub height (ground level to center of nacelle - that part holding the blades) is 70 meters high (roughly equivalent to a 23 storey building), each blade is 41 meters long (just 9 meters shy of a Olympic sized pool) giving a rotor diameter of 82 meters and a wind swept area of 5,281 square meters.

Going there

From Laoag, take the Laoag - Cagayan route. About 5 minutes after Burgos town proper, a directional marker on the left side of the road will lead you to Bangui bay, which is the host of the wind turbines. This will lead you to a gravel road with a downward slope going down to the beach. Right after the first turn, you will already be awed by the sight of the wind mills, follow the road and make a right turn upon entering the beach.

Should you miss the first marker, go on and proceed to the Bangui Bay observation deck (this you will never miss, also on the left side of the road) where a picturesque view of the wind mills can be obtained. Thereafter, you can go on on the road and right before Baruyen bridge, another marker will be found leading to the wind turbines. Travel time from Laoag is about 1 hour and 15 minutes.


Every body is welcome at the wind farm (you will not see any fence) and wonder at the beauty of the wind mills. Visitors are reminded, though, to --- Take nothing but pictures (and/or videos), leave nothing but footprints and retain nothing but memories.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Ilocos Norte

Date: November 3, 2007

Burgos has a heritage structure called the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, also known as Burgos Lighthouse. It is the highest-elevated lighthouse in the Philippines and the northwesternmost in location (the northeasternmost being Cape Engaño Lighthouse in Palaui Island, Santa Ana, Cagayan). It was established on March 31, 1892 under the Spanish government on a high hill overlooking the scenic Cape Bojeador, where galleons passed by. Its purpose is also to guide ships away from the rocky coasts of the town. It still continues to operate with new lenses run by solar panels. Originally the light was provided by pressurized kerosene lamps, very much like the current " Coleman lamp". In 2005 the old pressure vessels and wicks for the light could still be found in the shed.

Access to the lighthouse is through a two-lane narrow concrete road that starts at the north side of the Maharlika Highway, just after passing a bridge. From there the road winds and climbs up a steep hill. Upon arrival, visitors climb a flight of concrete stairs to the perimeter wall, which offers a good view of the Cape Bojeador and South China Sea. To enter, the caretaker should be notified. Upon entering the courtyard, one can see two antique buildings on both sides and two more on the foreground. Climbing the terrace of the first building, you will pass by a short dark corridor to get to the foot of the stairs leading to the tower. Another steep flight of stairs leads to the entrance/exit door of the tower. To climb to the lens room, where a certain number of people are only allowed to do so one at a time, you will climb an antique spiral staircase to the top.

The majestic lighthouse can also be seen from as far away as Pasuquin town in the south and Bangui on the east on a clear day. The octagonal stone tower, being the most prominent structure in the light complex, is 65 feet (20 meters) high. It is recommended to visit in the months of November to January, when the cold winds from winter China are felt throughout the normally hot Ilocos Region

Baluarte ni Singson

A new attraction around the Vigan area in Ilocos Sur is Chavit Singson’s Baluarte. If Ilocos Norte is Marcos territory, Vigan is where the Singson’s rule. The Baluarte is a 20 hectare land with a mini zoo, shooting range, and a chapel. It is also known as Chavit’s Fortress. Access to the mini zoo, where Singson’s numerous pet tigers and other animals are found are free for the public, as he considers this as a gift to the people.

Even if the place is still being developed, the place does look good. Harry, the friendly tiger is found at the entrance. Unfortunately, the handler isn’t around because I’d really want to touch that tiger. Seems like a giant stuff toy. I must warn though that if you are going to bring children, watch them closely as the cages for the wild tigers aren’t safe. The cages are too accessible and a child can easily slip their hands as the bars are too wide apart.

There are still more animals and sights to see at the Baluarte, and I bet once the place has finished in development it would draw more crowds as a recreational activity from visiting Vigan. We asked our caretaker-slash-guide on how much is it to maintain the place, he said it takes around a million pesos a day to maintain the place. Wow! Singson indeed has a lot of money to spare.

Vigan

Date: November 2, 2007

The historic town of Vigan was inscribed in the World Heritage List in November 1999 because of its outstanding development in architecture, urban planning, and landscape design. It also serves as a testimony to a cultural tradition which has disappeared.

The justification for inscription is as follows:

""Criterion (ii): Vigan represents a unique fusion of Asian building design and construction with European colonial architecture and planning.

Criterion (iv): Vigan is an exceptionally intact and well preserved example of European trading town in East and South-East Asia.""

The name Vigan was derived from ""Biga"", a giant taro plant that grows abundantly along the banks of the Mestizo River. This river was central in the development of trade and community activities in Vigan during the 16th to the 19th centuries. Established in the 16th century, Vigan is the best preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines and from China with those from Europe to create a unique culture and townscape without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia.

Places to visit in Vigan include:

CALLE CRISOLOGO. Located at the heart of the Mestizo district. Lined on both sides by centuries-old Vigan Houses, it is made of cobblestones. Ground floors of the old house at Calle Crisologo have been turned into shops where souvenir items and Vigan furniture could be found at reasonable prizes.

ST. PAUL’S METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL. Built by the Augustinians in 1790-1800 in distinctive ""Earthquake Baroque"" architecture. It has three naves, twelve altars, and a choir loft. Chinese influence is evident in its baptistery altar, brass communion handrails, a pair of Fu Dogs, and moldings on the façade. Most of the original church interior features are still in place. The octagonal belfry is located 10 meters south of the cathedral.

ARZOBISPADO (1783). The only surviving 18th century arzobispado in the country, the palace served as headquarters of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898 and the invading American forces under Col. James Parker in 1899. Its Museo Nueva Segovia showcases antique portraits of bishops, a throne room, archdiocesan archives, and other ecclesiastical artifacts gathered from various colonial churches all over Ilocos Sur.

PLAZA SALCEDO. The elevated elliptical plaza west of the cathedral features the 17th century Juan de Salcedo Monument, the oldest of its kind in the Northern Luzon. It was in Plaza Salcedo where Gabriella Silang was executed by public hanging in 1763.

BURGOS NATIONAL MUSEUM. The ancestral house of Padre Jose Burgos is an excellent showcase of archeological and ethnographic treasures, antiques, dioramas of local historical events, and photographs of Ilocano heroes and achievers. A priceless collection of 14 Esteban Villanueva canvasses depicting the 1807 Basi Revolt is exhibited on the upper floor of the museum.

OTHERS: Mindoro Beach Resort, Syquia Mansion Mira Hills Eco-Park, Pagburnayan Jar Factory, Crisologo Museum, Terracotta Red Clay Industry, Abel-Iloco Weavers & Native Delicacy Makers.