Philippines’ beaches can be experienced anytime of the year. I am glad I live where I don’t have to wait for a particular season to see the beaches.  It is a place to hang around, celebrate love stories, family life, Christmas, Easter, any event, or just the most perfect place when you can’t think of any better one at all.  Its promises are always pleasurable.

Just like Cebu, Panglao, Bohol is a renowned destination among local and foreign tourists due to its white-sand beaches and rich, well-preserved marine life perfect for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts. This tourist destination is also known for its proximity to other wildlife wonders like the popular Chocolate Hills, spectacular water forms like rivers, falls, and springs, and home to the cute and cuddly tarsier recognized as the world’s smallest primate animal, which is native only to the island. Visiting Bohol is like getting a box of chocolates — you’re definitely in for a treat.

I don’t clearly remember, but the first time I came to Bohol was when I was just a child.  To be honest, I was quite excited about this 4-day trip because it felt like everything on my sight was all new for me though I have heard so many great things about the place from friends and relatives.

Traveling to Bohol

There are many ways to get to Bohol if your first point is either Manila or Cebu. If you start from the airport in Manila, you can take a direct flight to Tagbilaran City, Bohol, which is the province’s capital. From there, you can hire a van or car to take you to Panglao Island which is usually around 30-minutes travel time.

If your starting point is Cebu, take a ferry boat in Pier 1. You can have two options here: a fast-craft ferry boat or a regular one. If you take the first one, travel time is around one and a half hours while if you take the latter, it usually takes you four hours to get there. For the first option, the fare is around P500 – P2,500 while the second option is  P300 – P1,500. The fare rates vary per type (regular, economy, tourist, business class, etc) and they also have occasional promo rates. They also have ferry schedules at least every hour daily.

When you arrive at Tagbilaran Port, you can go to Panglao Island in a number of ways, too. You can ride a taxi/cab, a private van or car, or if you’re feeling adventurous, you can ride the local tricycle / public vehicle, too. Either way, you’ll get to Panglao resort in 45 minutes to an hour depending on which hotel or resort you’re booked. The cost is around P600 per person for a taxi/cab or private car while the van costs higher or around the same as taking the cab or car.

For this trip, since I am from Cebu, I took the fast ferry boat and hired a private car to go to the hotel. We were booked at the BE Grand Hotel in Panglao, Bohol, and the place is 10 minutes away from Alona Beach, which is one of the most famous beaches in the area.

We chose BE Grand Hotel because it is a secluded place but not too far away from Alona Beach where all the bars and busy nightlife are. True to its name, the grandeur of this 4-star resort hotel is remarkable with its vast pool area, wide and beautiful beachfront, modern restaurant and bar, elegant rooms, and cool amenities like its state-of-the-art gym, recreation room with games like pool and table tennis and a section for the kids to play, karaoke room, and a lot more. We had so much fun playing pool and ping pong and spending most of our afternoons enjoying the food and cocktails by the relaxing pool.

On Day 2, we decided to go snorkeling in Balicasag Island. We asked our hotel to book us with their partner tour package company, Scotty’s Action Sports Network, Inc. for the said activity. The tour package consists of a snorkeling activity to see the turtles and other marine life in Balicasag Turtle Island and a sight-seeing activity in Padre Pio Island. There were nine of us in the motorized boat with two guides/staff and we had the two activities for about two hours. It was the best time to get underwater photos of turtles and I was in awe of the beauty of the marine animals and ecosystems that live underwater. Initially, I was too afraid to go past the deep blue ocean since it was my first time to try it, but then, seeing the colorful fishes just swimming around me took my fear away.

On the last day, we decided to just enjoy the beach and the sun one last time so we spent the whole afternoon swimming and enjoying the view together with mostly foreign tourists in the Alona Beach front. Seeing the locals and foreign tourists enjoying the warm weather and cool sea breeze and the water feels like summer in November and it should even get better towards the end of the year and the beginning of the year without having to deal with the crowd.

Indeed, Alona Beach in Panglao, Bohol is a good start towards getting a feel of what Panglao, Bohol has to offer. If you live in a Western country where it’s freezing cold because of the winter time, traveling to Bohol or any part of the Philippines for that matter is a great idea to do as we have the most perfect weather during this time of the year plus you get to enjoy the food and the places here without breaking the bank.

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Jocelyn Medico

A writer by heart who is fascinated with topics related to the Philippines, motherhood/parenting, self-development, health and lifestyle, food, and travel.

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The Mansion, Baguio City, Philippines

I love Baguio City

Living in Colorado makes me see the wonders of God when I am in the mountains, and secondly, it reminds me of Baguio City and the vast mountains in the Ilocos Region. The time I was still with STI – Systems Technology Philippines, I had frequent visits to Baguio City. At times, I would stay there for a few weeks to a longer month and those moments were some of my glorious times in the Philippines. The cooler weather as compared to Ilocos Norte where I am from was always something to look forward to. The fresh strawberries, mushrooms, and broccoli were my favorite picks whenever I was strolling by the market.  My mom would ask me to bring home fresh Baguio vegetables whenever I travel there.  Yes, we call them Baguio vegetables as these vegetables can only be grown in Baguio City. They have the best fruit jams, peanut brittles, wood sculptures, knitted shirts, weaved fabrics, native home decors,  and I would buy them for “pasalubong” presents.  I loved jogging in the morning and my favorite places for some rounds were the Mines View Park, The Mansion, Wright Park and the Botanical Garden.  These places are adjacent to each other and could be easily scouted on. The ambiance that each place offers brought me some relaxing and healthy moments in the mornings. I loved the idea of wearing my sweatshirts (which I rarely used them in Ilocos)   when jogging in the morning. The cold weather in Colorado makes me miss the light clothes I used to wear all year round in Ilocos though. When you are used to something, they become a part of you, and when they are gone, they are always greatly missed.

Wright Park, Baguio City, Philippines

I had a chance to bring my American family to Baguio City and the weather was fantastic on a month of April after enduring a few weeks of humid and hot weather in Ilocos. The fun at the beach in Ilocos was great but the heat made my family feel sick.  We were in Ilocos the months of March and April, and the summer heat was pretty much on. I was used to living there but the adjustment when I visited was quite noticeable on my part as well. Baguio City’s climate made my family feel better. The winding road was just challenging and made my daughter feel sick. I should know better next time, and yes it happens to her also on our frequent travels to the Colorado mountains. It is wise to always carry medicines for these occasions so as not to spoil the fun. The best times to visit the Philippines are the months of January and February to beat the heat. Baguio City has the right climate any time of the year but avoiding the rainy or typhoon seasons which are the months of June through November should always be considered.

Baguio City is officially known as City of Baguio or Baguio. It is known as the summer capital of the Philippines. It is 4 hours drive approximately 250 km (155 miles) from Manila via R-8 and N Luzon W Expy/R-8. People love to cool off in this place in the summertime and this place has the fairest weather anytime of the year. The city is located approximately 5,050 feet above sea levels and it is the center of business, commerce, and education in northern Luzon, as well as the regional center of the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Traveling to Baguio City

Riding a bus or renting a van is your best bet to go to Baguio City from Manila or from any part of Luzon.  Avoid booking your bus travels online. I have made a research about the experiences of people booking their travels online and they have different stories and most have horrible ones. If you want to consider booking online, it is always smarter to use the bus company’s website and not a third party website. Why? If you ever encounter problems, you will deal straight with the bus line company. Your few days of stay in the Philippines is not worth the hassle. You are fine to call the Bus Line Companies for your booking or buy your tickets at the bus terminal during your trip. It just gets busy during peak season. Here is the list of holidays for the year 2018.

Burnham Park, Baguio City, Philippines – Daughter in native attire, Igorot costume

Regular Holidays:

January 1, 2018, Monday – New Year’s Day
March 29, 2018 – Maundy Thursday
March 30, 2018 – Good Friday
April 9, 2018, Monday – Araw ng Kagitingan
May 1, 2018, Tuesday – Labor Day
June 12, 2018, Tuesday – Independence Day
June 15, 2018, Friday – Eid’l Fitr
August 27, 2018, last Monday of August – National Heroes’ Day
November 30, 2018, Friday – Bonifacio Day
December 25, 2018, Tuesday – Christmas Day
December 30, 2018, Sunday – Rizal Day

Special non-working days:

February 16, 2018, Friday – Chinese New Year
February 25, 2018, Sunday – EDSA Revolution Anniversary
March 31, 2018 – Black Saturday
August 21, 2018, Tuesday – Ninoy Aquino Day
November 1, 2018, Thursday – All Saints’ Day
December 31, 2018, Monday – last day of the year

Additional special non-working holidays:

May 14, 2018, Monday – barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections
November 2, 2018, Friday
December 24, 2018, Monday

Mines View Park, Baguio City, Philippines

Suggested Bus Companies

Manila City to Baguio City:

Manila Terminal

Victory Liner – https://www.victoryliner.com/ – See Reviews

Address: 551 M. Earnshaw St., Brgy. 401, Sampaloc, Manila

Phone Numbers: (02) 559-7735, 09985915073

Quezon City Terminal

Address: 683 EDSA, Cubao, Quezon City

Phone Numbers: (02) 727-4688, (02) 410-8986, (02) 727-4534, 09985915054

JoyBus – See Reviews

Cubao Terminal

Address: EDSA Cubao, Corner New York ST., Quezon City, 1109 Metro Manila, Philippines

Phone No. +63 2 709 0545

Pasay Terminal

Address: 103 Sgt. Mariano, Pasay, Kalakhang Maynila, Philippines

What Not To Miss

Burnham Park

It is a place to wear and show off your interest in the Igorot costume (native attire). A place to relax, have a round of bike,  and yes bikes can be rented in the area including the authentic Filipino bike with sidecars attached to them. A small pond to satisfy your love for boating and benches to just cool off and enjoy the smell of pine trees. The park is close to the Public Market and bus stations which means when you are done with your shopping, you can take some time to have some moments to relax and cool off on this place.

Burnham Park, officially known as the Burnham Park Reservation is a historical urban park located in downtown Baguio, Philippines. It was designed by American architect and Baguio city planner, Daniel Burnham who is also the namesake of the park. The area was formerly known as Baguio Meadow. According to the Baguio City Heritage Foundation in 2014, the open field was often used for football.

Wright Park

Wright Park is a quiet paved public walk with a long reflecting pool lined with beautiful blooming flowers and bushes, and tall Pine trees on both sides. It adds a capturing façade to the main gate of the Mansion. It is one of the many parks in Baguio City that you will never miss because as said, it is close to The Mansion and Botanical Garden which are well visited.  Its main features are the long and shallow body of water that looks like a pond, known as the Pool of Pines, and the park circle which is on one end of the park. A place to ride your favorite and colorful kind of pony and some Igorots dressed in their native attires are frequented for a pose in exchange for a tip if you would like the idea of taking pictures with them. Native handicrafts are sold by a few native peddlers. It is always best to buy stuff with the aide of someone who knows the market.

The Mansion

The Mansion House is the official summer palace of the President of the Philippines.  It was built in 1908 to serve as the official summer residence of U.S. Governors-General at the insistence of Governor-General William Cameron Forbes.  The house was badly damaged during the Second World War and was rebuilt in 1947. Since then, it has served as the holiday home and working office for each President of the Philippines during his or her visits to Baguio.

The Mansion consists of an elegantly designed Spanish Colonial Revival main building and a guest house.  The front gate is still one of the most photographed section of the property. Tourists can visit the Mansion House’s museum containing presidential memorabilia.

Across the road from the Mansion House is Wright Park, a quiet promenade with a long reflecting pool lined with pine trees.  A long stairway leads visitors to the back where ponies for children are available for hire.

Botanical Garden

Botanical garden’s façade is decorated with a sculpture made of cement and stone depicting the different rituals of the Cordillera tribes, with Igorots in their native costumes that you would love to join in your picture taking.

A valuable addition to the place is a bronze sculpture uniquely made by famous Filipino artist Ben-Hur Villanueva. It depicts the original builders of the city, composed of Cordillera natives, Americans, Chinese and Japanese working together. In the same place is a beautiful garden filled with towering pine trees, budding and flourishing flowers or colorful nurseries that make it more inviting. I find myself sitting in this place early mornings feeling the cold air with the smell of exquisite and delightful flowers.

The paths are made of stone stairs and they make your tour around the area at different elevations which is a great addition for photographers. The Botanical Garden is the home of the Baguio Arts Guild and it is a place that displays Filipino craftsmanship. A row of souvenir stalls selling native handicrafts will make your stay engaging. It is a favorite venue for tribal gatherings and rituals, open concerts and other community activities.

Mines View Park

Mines View Park is five kilometers from downtown Baguio and it has an overlook ark to get an amazing view of the mountains including the Amburayan Valley and a neat view of elevated houses and the mining town of Itogon or abandoned gold and copper mines of the Benguet Corporation. You can reach the main part of the observation deck through a winding stone-covered stairway and it is pretty close to the parking area. You will love the shopping area here. In fact, we bought a few items on our visits like statues and carved wall decors made of woods.

Camp John Hay

Camp John Hay is a former military base for American soldiers and was designated in October 1903, when US President Theodore Roosevelt signed a presidential order. It is a place for them to refuge from the relative hotter weather of the lowlands.  The site is referred to the locals, the “Ibalois” as “Kafagway” and is owned by Ibaloi leader, Mateo Cariño.

In December 1941, Japanese warplanes dropped 72 bombs over the main gate of the camp during the onset of World War II in the Philippines. Camp John Hay served as an internment camp for the Imperial Japanese forces as well as the headquarters of General Tomoyuki Yamashita during the Japanese occupation period.

After the war, Camp John Hay was converted into John Hay Air Base in 1955 and remained under the control of the Americans until it was officially turned over the Philippine government in 1991. It was converted as a tourist destination and forest watershed reservation.

Session Road

You haven’t been to Baguio if you never get to see or cross the session road. Your story of Baguio City always starts from this road. A place to satisfy your hunger, hang out in the night time and nearby are accessible rides to the different places in Baguio City. A place to start and maybe end your shopping. Most street vendors are in this area. The famous ukay-ukay thrifty shops are all around the area, and the famous restaurants are all over, and a hilly road that takes you to all these places from end to end.

Baguio Market

With my frequent trips to Baguio City, I knew that I didn’t have to see all the scenic spots everytime. The city’s market or what we called “palengke” was never missed though. The ambiance and smell of native products, fresh produce can only be found in the place. The cooler weather while window shopping makes you on the go even with the presence of the crowd. It is deemed a top visitor attraction because of their unique and cheap products. They have all the native products in one place. Try their Cordillera rice wine called “tapuy”.

It is located at the lower end of Session Road on Magsaysay Avenue, and it is near Burnham Park. Adjacent to it is the Maharlika Livelihood Center that complements the market with boutiques and other specialty shops including money changers. It is best to visit the place the time you are about to head home to get the freshest produce and other stuff good for a present “pasalubong” so as not to carry the weight of these while roaming the city. You bet, you will love the shopping but, the weight of them won’t make you happy if you have to carry them along with you. Don’t worry if you are not able to shop that thing you wanted from Mines View Park, Botanical Garden or that scenic places you have visited,  you can find a wide variety of the handicrafts and souvenir items you’ve missed and mostly at a lower price on this place. Their strawberries, ube jams, and peanut brittles are not to be ignored.

Laperal White House

A Victorian style built by Roberto Laperal in the 1930’s as their vacation home. It is known to be a haunted house and its very interesting story is based on its history during World war II, that it was occupied and used as a garrison by Japanese soldiers. The house was built by Roberto Laperal in the 1930s.  Despite being closed after the owner’s death, the rumors of unearthly sightings are always spotted in the house. In fact, some stories behind these spotted scenes were covered or featured by a number of Philippine TV stations. Lucio Tan, a Chinese Filipino billionaire purchased the property in 2007 and made it into a tourist attraction.

Handicrafts, Local products of Baguio City, Philippines (Left to Right: Leis – made of everlasting flowers, Last Supper US$30.00, Statue US40.00)

More at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baguio

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Hannah’s Resort, Paoay Church, Paoay Sand Dunes. (Find out more information about scenic spots to visit in Ilocos including La Union and Pangasinan in this article.)

Audio translations for useful Ilocano words can be found below. Hovering underlined texts gives you Tagalog and Ilocano translations.

Are you visiting Ilocos soon?  Ilocos is defined for its beautiful beaches, sand dunes, historical structures, and great mountains.  Ilocanos are known for their thriftiness.  Why? I don’t really know the exact answer. It could be the fact that their mindset is to keep their money for important things that their family needs.  It could be the thoughts of sending their kids to the best schools, which is a great deal of expense.  It could be the pressure of owning a house or having a nicer house. Of course, there are many shopping areas in the neighborhood and this means that people are fond of shopping and contradicts the thought about thriftiness. Forget about thriftiness, but think about hospitality, and it is what Ilocanos are good for, that is why Ilocos is one of the most visited places in the Philippines by tourists.  The friendly Ilocano atmosphere is very welcoming to many who are visiting the place.

Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur are neighbors and they share pretty much the same local culture as far as values, foods, beaches, historical spots are considered.  It is situated in the Northern part of Luzon.  Ilocos is accessible through an airplane or a bus from Manila.  It is about 7 hours to Ilocos Sur and 8 hours drive to Ilocos Norte.  People who are in the business prefer the airplane.  If your plan is to visit Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur and planning to stay for the most in these places, then reaching your destination is easier through an airplane.  Riding the bus is a good option also.  Some top of the line buses that give you a comfortable ride are Fariñas, Maria De Leon and Partas.  These bus lines offer the deluxe type of buses which are equipped with restroom, comfortable seats, and wifi.  Having a road trip gives you the option to see beautiful structures and scenic spots along the way plus the opportunity to buy good stuff on side streets.  The view of the oceans while riding on a bus is one of the highlights you won’t like to miss.  If you are coming from Manila, you will pass through Pampanga, Tarlac, and La Union before you reach Ilocos Sur and eventually Ilocos Norte.  Ilocos region comprises 4 provinces: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan.  On a trip to Ilocos, you will see pretty much of La Union on the way. Pangasinan is a little bit west of La Union, which is out of the way.  Some people love to see the whole Ilocos region as a package when they travel to the North.  If you plan on that, there are hotels mainly in the capital city of each province, but some small towns are not exempted from having good ones also.  The cities are; Laoag city in Ilocos Norte, Vigan in Ilocos Sur,  San Fernando in La Union.  And yes, these places are now in your favorite Google Maps for your exploration if planning for a travel.

Vigan, Ilocos Sur (Find out more information about scenic spots to visit in Ilocos including La Union and Pangasinan in this article.)

Ilocos Sur

Ilocos Sur’s Mestizo District is found in the City of Vigan. It contains the largest concentration of ancestral homes and other colonial-era architecture in the Philippines, built by Chinese merchants who settled in Vigan.  The houses are still preserved and maintained by the Ilocos Sur Tourism Information Center.  The district is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Philippines.  St. Paul’s Cathedral is known as the Vigan Cathedral.  This church’s most prominent feature is its separate belfry, built 15 meters away from the main structure.  The structure was built in “earthquake baroque” style, meaning it has thick walls and buttresses that can sustain strong natural disasters.  The Palacio de Arzobispado, or the Archbishop’s Palace, was built in 1783, and it served as the official residence of the Archbishop of Nueva Segovia.  Currently, it is the only surviving 18th-century archbishop’s residence in the Philippines.  Inside, it is the Museo Nueva Segovia, a museum which showcases archdiocesan archives, a throne room, antique portraits of bishops, manuscripts, and other religious artifacts from various colonial churches all over Ilocos Sur.  Burgos National Museum is the former residence of the martyr Padre Burgos, a member of the GOMBURZA priest triumvirate, is now a museum exhibiting various treasures and antiquities depicting the Ilocano culture and society.  A display of Padre Burgos’ memorabilia can also be found in the area.  Santa Maria Church, a Baroque masterpiece found in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.  It was built on a hill elevated from the central town plaza together with its distinctive bell tower.  Other places to see are Baluarte Zoo owned by famous Chavit Singson,  Noah Bulanos in Narvacan and many more!

Bangui Beaches, Patapat Bridge, Madongan Dam, Laoag City’s Bell Tower, Dragon Fruit Farm (Find out more information about scenic spots to visit in Ilocos including La Union and Pangasinan in this article.)

Ilocos Norte

Paoay Church is one of the most popular structures visited in the Ilocos Region.  It is one of UNESCO’s List of World Heritage. This beautiful old church was built and completed in 1710 in honor of St. Augustine and one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in the Philippines. Bangui Windmills have been steadily gaining popularity among travelers to the Philippines.  These energy generators standing proudly at Bangui Bay were prominently featured in one of the country’s tourism advertisements, firmly asserting its status as a tourist destination.  Laoag City is the capital city of  Ilocos Norte and is a home to a selection of tourist destinations, including Marcos-era mansions and a Spanish-inspired Fort Ilocandia Resort hotel. More importantly, the city is rich in heritage amidst its developing economy, making it a significant yet convenient traveler’s pick.  Paoay Lake’s freshwaters not only offers the tourist a magnificent view of the Ilocos landscape, but it is also a biodiversity hotspot, elevated as a national park and protected area.  Malacañang of the North was once the official residence of former President Ferdinand Marcos in Ilocos Norte.  This palace is now a museum showcasing memorabilia owned by its previous occupants.  It also presents a great view of the Paoay Lake.  The Marcos Mansion which is the ancestral house of the Marcoses has been converted into a museum displaying souvenirs of the late President Marcos’ 20-year reign. It also houses the preserved body of the late President.  Fort Ilocandia’s sprawling complex south of Laoag is a great getaway up north.  Aside from the estate’s beautiful architecture, Fort Ilocandia also has great restaurants, a shooting range, paintball, archery and a variety of water sports.  It also offers a tour of the nearby Suba or Paoay sand dunes where it is now a great area for sandboarding.  Pagudpud is hailed as the “Boracay of the North,” with the gazillion tourists.   The secluded Maira-ira Beach is commonly known as the blue lagoon brings the vacationer a most sought-after relaxation, as there are hardly any visitors on these fantastic shores.  Hannah’s Resort is one of the most popular resorts where you will see a match of the mountains, Disneyland (famous Disney characters are around the area) and New York (Statue of Liberty is standing tall overseeing the whole beach resort).  Some resorts in Ilocos Norte that can be considered worth visiting are Saud Beach Resort and Hotel, Casa Victoria Beach Resort and Restaurant, Kapuluan Vista Resort, Evangeline’s Beach Resort, Hannah’s Beach Resort, Polaris Beach Resort, Terra Rikka Beach & Dive Resort, Punta Garvida Resort, Punta Azul Beach Resort, Arinaya White Beach Resort, Keahana Beach Resort, Agua Seda, Kingfisher, Roq’s place, Northridge Beach Resort, Villa Carlina Resort, Casa Consuelo, Madrid Beach Resort, Punta Azul Beach Resort, Jun & Carol Beach Resort, Pagudpud Rinnovati, Pannzian Beach and Mountain Resort, Kapuluan Vista Resort, Alta Vista Ilocandia, Palm Grove Saud Holiday Complex, Apo Idon Beach Hotel, Villa del Nico, Maria Exaltacion Lodge, Britanya Lodge, Ria Grande De Laoag, Playa Tropical Resort Hotel.  One can also see a view of the Bangui Windmills, the magnificent power generators situated in Bangui Bay.  Dragon Fruit Farms are also becoming popular in Ilocos Norte.  locos Norte is aiming to become the “dragon fruit capital” of the Philippines.  Get a taste of the king of exotic fruits in Ilocos.  Other places and structures to see are the Kapurpurawan Rock formation and Cape Bojeador Lighthouse in Burgos Ilocos Norte, Pekkan Falls in Vintar Ilocos Norte, Madongan Dam in Dingras, Tanap Avis Falls in Burgos and many more!

Ilocos Pinakbet, Batac Miki, Dinengdeng, Royal Bibingka, Tupig, Ilocos longanisa, Igado, Bagnet (Below are more information about Ilocos Foods that are fun to try.)

Ilocos Foods

Don’t forget to taste some of Ilocos’ sumptuous dishes, foods or drinks like Pinakbet/Pakbet, Bagnet, Dinengdeng, Empanada, Ilocos longanisa, Igado, Pinapaitan, Pakbet Pizza, Tinubong, Ilocos bibingka or suman, Igado, Dinakdakan, Batac Miki and fresh sea foods.

Empanada –  Usually stuffed with pork longanisa or eggs  and vegetables rolled with rice flour colored with achuete oil for the orange color.  Some prefer vinegar or ketchup for dipping.  We have the Vigan version in Ilocos Sur and Laoag version in Ilocos Norte for this food . Each has a little bit distinct taste, but both are fun to taste.

Bagnet –  It is a crunchy pork belly (sometimes pork legs and other parts of a pig) that has been boiled, hung to dry, and then deep fried. You can find this dish both in Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte.

Pakbet or Pinakbet – A mixed vegetables usually eggplants, string beans, bitter gourd, okra and lima beans stewed with shrimp paste, bagnet, tomatoes, onions, and fermented fish sauce. The authentic Ilocano version uses small round eggplants, baby bitter gourd and seldom uses squash.

Dinengdeng or Inabraw – It is a mixed vegetable soup usually made of eggplants, some types of gourd, malunggay (Moringa) or vegetable tops like potato tops, string bean tops, saluyot, alukon etc. boiled with fish sauce.  Some prefer it without meat toppings, but some are fond of mixing it with bagnet, grilled fish, or dried shrimp.

Longanisa – The sausage of  Ilocos which is made of ground pork with lots of garlic, pepper, and vinegar.  There are Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte version.  Both are sumptuous and has a distinct taste.

Tinubong –  It is made of rice flour,  coconut meat, and margarine.  It is steamed in bamboo tubes. You can buy freshly made ones in Ilocos Sur.

Tupig – It is made of rice flour usually mixed with coconut meat, milk, butter or margarine and sesame seeds wrapped in banana leaves. This food is popular in Ilocos Norte.

Igado – It is made of pork meat plus liver mixed usually with bell pepper, peas, and carrots with lots of garlic, ground black pepper, and laurel.

Dinakdakan – It is a grilled pork cut into small pieces with pork brain mixed with vinegar, some garlic, and onions.

Pinapaitan – It is a very popular dish among Ilocanos.  The dish consists of goat and ox innards and its meat flavored with bile, tamarind, and chilies.

Pakbet Pizza – Yes, it is a well-known local pizza served with mixed Ilocano veggies plus anchovy (fermented fish).  Some local Pizza stores make the authentic ones though  Pizza Hut serves them also.

Basi – It is a fermented drink made of sugar cane.  It is Filipino’s inexpensive wine and wine lovers are fond of buying them anywhere in Ilocos. Some are homemade by the neighborhood.

Bibingka – Ilocos makes the best bibingka.  There is a hotspot in Ilocos Sur where buses stop for a taste of local freshly made bibingka.  It is made of rice flour or grated potato mixed with coconut milk, coconut meat, butter or margarine and cheese usually seated on banana leaves and grilled slowly to perfection.

Batac Miki – It is a noodle soup made of egg noodles simmered in homemade broths topped with bagnet and hard boiled eggs.  Miki is very popular in Ilocos but you can find the best ones in the plaza of Batac.

Lastly, Ilocanos are known for eating the well known “bagoong” (fermented fish) and a lot of sea foods. They are usually part of every Ilocano dining. There is much to explore about foods in the locality. Don’t forget to take home some good stuff if you think they are good for a present to your loved ones. You can also buy some of the locally grown or made products like garlic, tobacco, Ilocos vinegar and Ilocos wine for a cheaper price in the area.

Hundred Islands, Alaminos, Pangasinan. (Find out more information about scenic spots to visit in Ilocos including La Union and Pangasinan in this article.)

La Union and Pangasinan

There are cool places to see when you reach La Union.  Agoo-Damortis National Seashore is a great place to see.  It is declared the National Park in the municipality of Agoo, La Union.  Another one is San Juan Beach.  It is the “Surfing Capital of the North”, with stretched white sand beach facing the South China Sea and it is a must-go place for anyone who loves to surf and has a passion for water sports. The ideal surfing months are from November to February.  If you are on a road trip through a rented or private vehicle, you may consider going a little bit west of La Union to see the beautiful province of Pangasinan. Hundred Islands National Park is the coolest place to see in the province. This national park is famous for the beautiful islets dotting the coast of Alaminos City.  Cape Bolinao Lighthouse is great to see also. This lighthouse standing at Bolinao, Pangasinan was built by the Americans in 1903 on a 300-feet high promontory at the western section of Cape Bolinao.  Up to now it still sends signals to vessels passing by the nearby sea.  Manlaleuag National Park is another must-see place.  This forest area was declared as a National Park in 1940 and is a host to both scientists and tourists interested in the environment.

Learn the Ilocano Language

>>> Useful Words When Visiting the Place

to address an older lady - nana / manang to address an older guy - tata / manong to address a younger person (boy or girl) - ading How are you "nana"? - Kamusta ka nana? What is your name? - Ania ti nagan mo? Where is it? - Ayan na? Where is the place? - Ayan na diay lugar? What do you call this? - Ania ti awag na daytoy? How much? - Mano ti bayad na? Where is the store? - Ayan na ti pagtagilakuan? Where can I buy? - Panggatangak? How do I get there? - Kasano nga makapanak idiay? Is there a transportation to get there? - Adda pagluganan a mapan idiay? Is it close? - Asidegen? Is it far? - Adayo pay? Let's go. - Intayon. Let's stop. - Agsardeng tay man. Are you hungry? - Mabisin kayo? I am hungry. - Mabisinak. Let's eat. - Mangan tayon. Delicious! - Naimas! Let us find a rest room. - Agsapul tay man ti rest room. I am a visitor here. - Bisita ak ditoy. Ilocos is beautiful! - Napintas ti Ilocos!

Ilocos Foods 

Empanada Bagnet Pakbet; Pinakbet Dinengdeng; Inabraw Longanisa Tinubong Tupig Igado Dinakdakan Pinapaitan Pakbet Pizza Basi Bibingka Bagoong (fermented fish, anchovy) Marunggay (moringga tree) Saluyot (chorchorus herb) Patis (fish sauce)

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Bat Island, Pangasinan, Philippines Photo by Bart Jake Mapps

Hover or tap underlined words for translations to Tagalog and Ilocano text. Listen to audio translations below.

Happy Halloween! Creepy photos? It was not on a snowy day in North America, but rather it was pretty much summertime in the Philippines.

It is the best time to talk about the bats we have seen in one of the more than one hundred islands in Pangasinan, Philippines.  If the Philippines is known for its 7,107 islands and it will be difficult to explore all the islands, you may want to hit one hundred islands in a small amount of time (possibly in one day). Hundred Islands is 5 hours drive from Manila and along the way, it is exhilarating to see a lot of ponds and the oceans. There are many small stores along the way and it will be fun to buy some bargain goodies.

Photo by Bart Jake Mapps

Many of the goodies are made of seashells, fish, or anything from the ocean.  The island that caught our eyes and one of the most interesting islands was the Bat Island. It was weird that there were just many bats hanging on the trees on the island.   I realized it was in the day that the bats would sleep.  We have hit a few islands right before passing the Bat Island.  The thoughts that these bats are awake in the night time,  there is a chance for them to visit all the other islands.  Nobody wanted to get on the island as it was not advisable.  The waters are clean, pristine, placid and so inviting that anyone would love to consider staying overnight in one of the islands.  So, I asked our tour guide if they allow people to stay in the islands during night time.  He said, there are islands that are pretty safe and there are islands that are not good for an overnight stay at all. I did not dig into the matter of what makes some safe and others not. I left the conversation hanging,  so I won’t be scared to stay overnight in one of the islands when I go back again.  So if you want to see real bats on Halloween or any time of the year, consider Hundred Islands.

Trick or Treat? Trick or treating is a practice in North America and some other parts of the world, in which kids go from house to house in search of candies or goodies. I grew up not knowing what these words were.  I just knew that every 1st through 2nd  of November (All Saints’ Day  and All Souls’ Day),  we were to visit the dead in the cemetery.  At a later time,  children became aware of Halloween and have joined the culture. Though trick or treating is not widely practiced in the Philippines, Halloween parties have become a part of the lives of people and are widely celebrated in the Philippines nowadays.  People are excited to wear their costumes though there are not many candies to share.

All Saints’ Day – Philippines

All Saint’s Day was one of the holidays that I always looked forward to. Why? I get to have a chance to be acquainted with other people who are also celebrating the same thing at the cemetery. What happens on this day? You will see a lot of people in the cemetery, lots of side street stores to buy flowers, candles and even foods to offer for the dead.  Some people play music as like they are partying with the souls.  It seems pretty weird, but it is something that people are happy to do with their dead ones.  Some bring alcohol drinks though it is prohibited because they treat this day as like a festival for the souls and themselves.  It is not awkward to put up tents, play music and party all night because it is what so many people would like to do. Some will go there just to offer prayers for their dead ones and leave early to avoid the crowd.

The crowd can be scary if you are not used to it.  The holiday brings heavy traffic most especially the roads that are close to cemeteries.   Manila has always experienced the most horrible traffic during the holiday. But other than the hassles of crowd and traffic, it is one of the holidays that most Filipinos prepare for. For them, if dealing with the crowd on a day like this is to happen, then they can sacrifice to visit the cemetery and offer flowers,  light candles, and most especially prayers to commemorate the memories of their loved ones.

Tagalog Audio Translations

weird - kakaiba seashells - mga kabibi practiced - ensayado overnight - magdamag night - gabi one hundred - isang daan island - isla horrible - nakakapangilabot holiday - bakasyon flowers - bulaklak dead - patay day - araw crowd - maraming tao costume - kasuutan cemetery - sementeryo celebrate - ipinagdiriwang candles - mga kandila bat - paniki All Souls' Day - Araw ng mga Kaluluwa All Saints' Day. Araw ng mga Santo. I want to see Hundred Islands. It is scary to go to the cemetery at night time. It is pretty different in the Philippines. The bat island in Hundred Islands is pretty scary. What are the good stuff to buy in Hundred Islands?

All Saints' Day - Aldaw dagiti Santo All Souls' Day - Piesta ti Natay bat - paniki candles - dagiti kandela celebrate - selebraran cemetery - kamposanto costume - aruaten crowd - adu nga tao day - aldaw dead - natay flower - sabsabong holiday - bakasyon horrible - nakabutbuteng island - isla night - rabii one hundred - sangagasut overnight - agpatnag seashells - dagiti kappo weird - sabsabali The bat island in Hundred Islands is pretty scary. I want to see Hundred Islands. It is pretty different in the Philippines. It is scary to go to the cemetery at night time. What are the good stuff to buy in Hundred Islands?

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 Feeling ‘BOARD’ and ‘DUNE’ know where to go?

Tips: Underlined words in this article are translated to text.  Click the buttons for audio translations.

The sand dunes in Paoay and La Paz used to be one of the playgrounds of my pup back in 2009 (a Siberian Husky in a desert-like side of the country how’s that? Lol). We loved hiking up a dune and upward the peak, then we’d run back and roll down to the plains without fear.  Though the place is not ideal for beach lovers,   no huts or cottages compared to other beaches, I considered still a wonderful place to loosen and unwind.

Holding a managerial position with few staff, it is my joy to let them experience a perfect summer outing. It was May 2014 and summer was almost over. I didn’t want to see the rain chasing us, feeling like it’s whispering to us that we need to hurry because we only had few hours left before the rainy season.  Time is of the essence and thus, it was not smart going on a long travel just to get through an annual  “summer outing” So I asked my team, “How would you like to try a 4×4 ride and go sand boarding for a change?” Some were cool about it and some reacted so-so! I myself was thrilled since it would be my first time. I love diving but I don’t want to miss the opportunity of experiencing how it’s like to be in that 4×4 open type, big wheel, rugged jeep and later on ride the slopes on a piece of board.

I called up the guy who gave his business card and made our booking on the following day around 5 in the afternoon. We hired 2 off road jeeps with a capacity of 5 passengers each excluding the driver, four standing at the back and one sitting beside the driver. They had us sign a waiver indicating that it is our free will and that we understood the risk once we hop in. No insurance offered on the site also, meaning you ride at your own risk. There was a short briefing before we proceeded, one of which I remember is that you have to leave your valuables like wallet, car keys and cellular phones with them to give you peace of mind and lessen the possibility of dropping and losing them forever in the sand.  Filled with excitement, we prayed that everything will go smooth! Oh well, that ride did not go smoothly as expected! That was an extreme adventure I didn’t want to miss.  Our driver behind the wheel revved up the engine and started moving in 10 meters, 20…. and when we reached 30 meters away from where we started, we encountered the first slope going uphill and down. I stayed at the back standing along with 3 of my staff and the rest stayed in the other jeep.  We screamed as the driver maneuvered his steering wheel to the right. The right front and rear tyre climbed the dune and stayed put for about 10 seconds.  It reminded me of my side plank exercise in the gym holding that poses for a couple of seconds until i felt stiff.  If your arms are not strong enough to hold on to the bars while the driver drags everyone down with a hard step on his accelerator, good luck! You might fall off and meet God soon. Lol. Just kidding. By the way, passengers don’t wear safety gears such as helmets, knee and elbow pads, or safety belts.  I was only wearing a white fitted shirt, blue jeans, a pair of sneakers and a sunglass to protect my eyes from the sand. I didn’t mind the scorching sun. As we continued to break the nature’s silence with our unending screams while we cruised and climbed all the different levels of the dunes, the driver stopped and switched off his engine, pointing to the area where two other guys were standing and waiting for us with skim boards in their hands.

Girls just wanna have FUN!

We spent 2,500.00 per jeep including the sand boarding experience.  The tip is not a must but if you’re happy, you can give out of joy to the friendly and accommodating drivers.

Imelin Cruz Cristobal, Ilocos Norte, Philippines -Contributor

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Tips: Underlined words in this article are translated to text.  Click the buttons for audio translations.

Ilocos Norte, Philippines – Photo by Bart Jake Mapps

Ilocos Norte is a province of the Philippines located at the northwest corner of the island of Luzon. Its capital is Laoag City. Ilocos Norte faces the West Philippine Sea.

Ilocos Norte, Philippines – Photo by Bart Jake Mapps

When we search for a dive site in the Philippines through the net, there are usually many hits that come out.  Some most popular sites are in the Visayas’ region. There are some in the Southern Luzon region but we seldom get an information about dive spots in the Northern Luzon areas.

Seeing the deep waters makes me think that this world is just beautiful! – Imee, Fish Sanctuary photo by Wilnorie Rasay

“Why are you into scuba diving Imelin?”, my boss once asked me. I smiled and answered her with, “Why are you not into scuba diving boss?”. Answering her question with a question seemed so silly to her. But I also added in filipino, “Ang ganda kaya ng Pilipinas!”. (“Philippines is so beautiful!”) Yes, the pristine waters of the ocean of Ilocos Norte is such a paradise-like place to resist so why would someone like me, a typical Ilocano not go into the adventure of diving? I live 15 minutes away from the beach and 35 minutes to the nearest dive spot and I know I shouldn’t be a stranger to my own native land. I love the beach and everything in it, not to mention the taste of the saltwater, the white foam rushing to the shore, the fine sand where we walk along for a natural, clean and free foot massage (just do it yourself). How I love being sun kissed by the rays of the sun and feel the tropical breeze especially in the morning. Want some peace and tranquility? Go underwater and see the other side of the ocean, whether you are from the arctics or from the Caribbean, I know you will have your own story to tell. So why do I love diving? Uh, diving was a far fetched dream and thought that only the well off could afford this kind of recreation, until a friend who is a doctor by profession asked me 15 years ago to join her to try diving. It’s not an easy hobby because it entails a high cost of budget but since I love the Creator and His creation, I didn’t think twice and signed up. We headed to few more dives after the training and this became our sweetest escape after a hard day’s work and a treat to ourselves after a long week.

Bow. A wreck from a 1944 Japanese cargo vessel.

We have different dive spots here in the province that only few divers know about. These sites may not be  among the best dive spots you might have seen in the country but if you want to go into the deep where not many divers go, I would say these are pristine dive sites you might want to explore.

1 of the 4 parts of the 1944 Japanese cargo vessel.

The Sunken Ship – Found at the seabed of Currimao, Ilocos Norte, the shipwreck was said to be a Japanese cargo vessel during their invasion in the Philippines and withdrawal sometime in 1944. This cargo was not identified and remained unnamed up to this day. Over the years, this vessel was divided into 4 parts and has become a fish haven of the marine life and corals. You don’t need to be a scuba diver to get to see this wreck. Just take a mask and a pair of fins and from the surface you’ll be able to see it because this historical shipwreck is only about 18-20 feet deep. But if you plan to stay underwater and take photos of it as you see in the following photos, suit up, don a tank, and sling your camera onto your wrist and make some memories like the photos you see here. Don’t forget to bring your buddy.

A typical view of the ocean in Ilocos Norte, Philippines.

—————————————————
More dive spots to come…
• PANGIL
• CURRIMAO SMALL PORT
• CURRIMAO BIG PORT
• CAPARISPISAN, PAGUDPUD
• BURGOS
• LA VIRGEN MILAGROSA
• BADOC ISLAND

Imelin Cruz Cristobal, Ilocos Norte, Philippines – Contributor

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