Category: Philippines

Jeju-do, South Korea: The Jeju Stone Park

If I am going to be completely honest with you, I never enjoyed going to museums very much when I was younger. For me, they were mostly a fixture or a building housing rare stuff that has some historical or cultural importance, and that my only reason to visit them was because I need the credits at school. I blame that noncommittal attitude towards museums to the fact that, well, there weren’t much fun to be had at the museums around me. They all practically looked the same, so how was I supposed to get excited over a visit to one? But visits to South Korea (and Japan) changed that.

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Revisiting the Four Lakes of Kabayan, Pt 2: Latep-Ngapos & Bulalakaw Lake

I cannot pinpoint exactly when I developed a deep affection for the great outdoors or nature in general. Sure, I’ve always known that it was something that is worth appreciating, ergo, protecting, but to actively seek it out was not exactly my thing when I was younger and was still going to school. Somewhere along the way, I just started craving to go out there, up there, breathing and soaking it all in. And I like that I live in a place where I can readily do that, even if it requires some commute or a bit of travel.

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Revisiting the Four Lakes of Kabayan, Pt 1: Tabeyo Lake, Incolos Lake + Jr. Pulag

I’ve recently gone back to reading actual, tangible books – you know, the one where you get to flip and fold actual paper instead of swiping or tapping a screen – and it made me feel like setting foot on something solid again. Admittedly, though, I am easing into it slowly, so the pace is not like before, when I practically devoured books. But it’s a start, and to be honest, I don’t think I’d want to go back to that manic reading pace I was on. I guess what I’m saying is that it is nice to go back to old habits, especially the ones that you know were really, really good for you. Or, at the very least, made you feel good. And while we’re at it, let me continue with the reminiscence as I give you a two-parter on my second visit to the Four Lakes in Kabayan a few months back.

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Revisiting Tangadan Falls… and a Side Trip to a Vineyard

I think April Fools’ Day falling on the same day as Easter Sunday made me a bit warier than usual of things that were happening around me. So, yeah, I consciously avoided going on any social media platform that day, afraid that my gullibility would be my downfall. Better safe than sorry, eh? But we’re in the clear now, so let me just do a throwback post, to that time I revisited Tangadan Falls in San Gabriel, La Union.

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Road Trip Up North: Baluarte…More Than Just a Zoo

So here’s one of the many dilemmas that most of us have probably been faced with: liking what we see but opposing the principle behind it. I’m sure that applies to many scenarios and, for me, this is one of them. I love life and the freedom to live it to the fullest; I love animals and respect their right to live theirs freely as well. But here’s the thing: I also like seeing them up close and more than half the time the only way we can do that is if they are in captivity. There lies the dilemma.  Continue reading “Road Trip Up North: Baluarte…More Than Just a Zoo” →

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Road Trip Up North: The Paoay Church of Ilocos Norte (feat. Pinakbet Pizza)

Let me just join what seems to be a fairly large percentage of the world’s population and say Happy Valentines Day (!!!!) to y’all, whether you subscribe to that “tradition” or not. I’m afraid I can’t say the same for myself considering how, for the past several years, February 14 was also the deadline for our year-end reports. Somewhere along the way, this date became more synonymous to “deadline” than with anything to do with hearts and romance. Ah, the life of a bean counter.

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Road Trip Up North: The Paoay Sand Dunes of Ilocos Norte

Growing up in the highlands, I am no longer new to rough roads and rougher rides. I have had my fair share of seeing ravines, steep drops, and rocky and winding mountain roads since I was young, since those are what I had to go through in order to visit my grandmother on an almost weekly basis. Add to that some drivers (like my Dad) that seem to get a thrill out of racing through these mountain roads with the confidence of someone who knew the lay of the land like the back of their hand, then we were always in for a ride. Literally. So to say that I was looking forward to our adventure at the Suba Paoay Sand Dunes Adventures would be a major understatement. Continue reading “Road Trip Up North: The Paoay Sand Dunes of Ilocos Norte” →

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Road Trip Up North: Bantay Abot Cave of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte (feat. Patapat Viaduct)

There are a lot of places I consider to be special to me, and for various reasons. The best restaurant you’ve dined at. The coffee shop with the coziest interior and the best brew. Or it could be special because of the “first” factor. The first country visited. The first mountain climbed. The first island “hopped” on. The first amusement park visited… Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte is somewhat special to me, at least in that respect.

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Road Trip Up North: The Bangui Windmills of Ilocos Norte

Hello, friends, how have you been? It’s been exactly a month since my last update. The holidays have also come and gone. Quite a number of things happened, which was partly to blame for my month-long hiatus from this blog. Let me just sum it up in 4 words: holidays, rest, RSI and laryngitis. BUT! It’s a new year, so let’s leave them at that. Also, instead of starting anew, let’s just pick up where we left off, shall we? This time, I bring you to the next stop in our road trip up north, to see to the famous Bangui Windmills up close.

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Road Trip Up North: Kapurpurawan Rock Formations in Burgos, Ilocos Norte

Next week is like a line-up of Christmas parties, luncheons and dinners – quite a long one that, for some, can be quite suffocating and burdensome. In fact, these festive gatherings kinda started for me during the last week of December. I think that explains why, only halfway through the Christmas month, I already feel Christmaxed out. XDD

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Road Trip Up North: Calle Crisologo in Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Vigan has always been one of those places that spring up to mind when talking about road trips up north. Probably the other equally favored one is a road trip to Sagada. But I digress. My co-workers and I took advantage of a long weekend to go on this road trip to Ilocos, just to take a break from the usual grind at work and, for some, to take advantage of the school break. Of course, any road trip up north would not be complete without spending time at the famed city of Vigan. Specifically, its Calle Crisologo.

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La Trinidad Eats: Kafe Gipas

Wow. It’s been quite a while since my last post. November was pretty packed, you see. First, there was the Bontoc-Sagada trip, followed by an annual convention at PICC, with days of work in between. And, afterwards, “mouse finger” happened. Seriously, though, I’d pick sore muscles and even aching legs over the pain on my right index finger ANY DANG DAY. Still recovering today, actually. Acupressure ball’s been my best bud lately. But enough of that, and let’s talk food!

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Guimaras: Trappist Abbey & The Guisi Lighthouse (+ mangoes!!)

This wraps up my short jaunt in the island province of Guimaras. I know for sure that there are still a lot of places that are worth checking out, and I wish I could have gone to all of them. But if you have limited time, then you’d have to make do with what little you have, and be grateful, right? Maybe I’ll go back someday, maybe not. Who knows. But I do know this was a visit worth remembering, short though it was. Now, let’s go to the Trappist Abbey and the Guisi Lighthouse, shall we? Continue reading “Guimaras: Trappist Abbey & The Guisi Lighthouse (+ mangoes!!)” →

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