Ilocos: Day Two
Arrived safely at Ilocos. Had breakfast at our officemate's relative's house in Ilocos Sur. We had Vigan
longganiza, corned beef, scrambled eggs and
sinangag. A very satisfying meal after a long travel... c",)
The plan for our Ilocos Tour is to start first at Ilocos Norte, stay overnight at a resort in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud is known for its white beach) and end at Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
Juan Luna Shrine. (30Apr2005) 
Our first stop is at Juan Luna Shrine in Badoc, Ilocos Norte. It is "
a repository of the memorabilia of the famous Luna family; foremost are the paintings of Juan Luna which include a reproduction of his masterpiece, the Spolarium."
Coral formations. (30Apr2005)
Fifteen kilometers from Badoc is Currimao, where you can see coral formations along its beachline. On the way to Currimao, we have to take a detour because there is a parade.
Marcos Museum. (30Apr2005)
From Currimao, we should be proceeding to Paoay. But because of the parade, we cannot proceed to our planned itenerary. We decided to go to Batac, instead, where we can view the remains of the former President, the late Ferdinand Marcos. We also visited the Marcos Museum.
The Marcos Museum is "
also known as Balay ti Ili, the ancestral house of the Marcoses in Batac showcases the memorabilia of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos."
Dingras Church Ruins. (30Apr2005)
Inside Dingras Church. (30Apr2005)
From Batac, we travelled 36 kilometers to reach Dingras where we can find the Dingras Church Ruins. As can be observed, only the walls were spared; thus, reconstruction was made of the church to put up the roof, etc.
Sinking Bell Tower. (30Apr2005)
From Dingras, we were supposed to go to Solsona to take a look-see of the Karingking river. But according to one of the locals there, the river is no longer existing because of rock falls. We then decided to go to Laoag for our lunch (26 kilometers form Dingras).
After our lunch at Max's, we went to Laoag's Sinking Bell Tower. This tower is said to sink several inches every year.
St. William's Cathedral. (30Apr2005)
Across the Sinking Bell Tower is the St. William's Cathedral. So far, from the churches we have visited, it seems that the churches in Ilocos have a separate structure for its bells.
"
The Augustinians built the church of Italian Renaissance design in 1612. Its unique 2-storey facade is held by four pairs of coupled columns. The deeply recessed niche shows the image of the Patron Saint of Laoag City. "
Fort Ilocandia. (30Apr2005)
Another must-see in Laoag is the Fort Ilocandia Resort and Casino, which was said to be owned formerly by the Marcoses. (BTW, I left a "souvenir" at Fort Ilocandia... hehehe!)
Pagudpud White Sand Beach Cove. (30Apr2005)
From Laoag, we were supposed to take a short stop at Burgos on the way to Pagudpud. This is to see Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, "
the highest lighthouse in the Philippines. Built in 1892, it stands on a promontory in Burgos." Since we don't know how to get to the lighthouse, we stopped by Burgos police station to get directions. According to the police, you have to walk or use a motorcyle to reach the place. Since everyone is tired and it is getting late, it was decided to proceed to Pagudpud.
Pagudpud Sunset. (30Apr2005)
Sunset. (01Apr2005)
We finally arrived at Terra Rika Beach Resort where we would be staying overnight. We made reservations at Apo Idon, which was cited in Lonely Planet, a travel book advisory.
Ilocos: Day One
We would be leaving for Ilocos after office. The van we would be using for our 9-hour travel from Makati to Ilocos would pick us up around 7:30 P.M.
Sunset view from Makati office. (29Apr2005)
Before then, would first take a shower in our company's gym's shower room and eat dinner before the trip. While waiting for the gym to open, I was at the stairwell when I witnessed the sunset.
Because of the traffic, the van was late to arrive. We left Makati around 8:14 P.M. Expected arrival in Ilocos is 5:14 A.M.
A Despedida
Another officemate is off again to a "greener pasture", leaving behind her husband and daughter. I have already said my piece regarding working abroad (see my February 9, 2005 post), but then again, each of us is unique and have different priorities.
It should have been at a restaurant offering Filipino cuisine as a reminder of what she would be missing here. But we allowed her to choose which restaurant she prefers. Thus, our
despedida lunch was at Teriyaki Boy in
Market! Market!.
After lunch, stopped by at Ferrino's Bibingka to buy myself a
bibingka for my
merienda... (hmmm.. if that's not rhyme, I don't know what is. hehehe!)
Aloha Wedding
Attended
The Wedding Date with Debra Messing and Dermot Mulroney. c",) Debra is not flighty, making the movie more endearing. It is somewhat funny that you can hear a cackle here, a giggle there...
Aloha Yo. (23Apr2005)
After the anticipated mass, ate with friends at Phobac and caught the last minutes of Aloha Yo, a short musical featuring the music of Disney's Lilo and Stitch Island Favorites. The musical is being shown at the Glorietta Activity Center. Actually, I've watched it last night, but the music has a nice beat to it, you can't help but stop, look and watch the mini-show again. c",)
Bugs Bunny Snowglobe
A friend finally reported for work after almost a month's vacation at Australia. With her kids in tow, she visited her husband who is working there.
As a
pasalubong (souvenir), she gave me a snowglobe with Bugs Bunny in it. She must have bought it at
Warner Brothers Movie World, Australia's movie related theme park.
Now, my rooster and teddy have Bugs Bunny as company... c",)
Note: I was wondering why she chose Bugs Bunny for me. I hope it's not because of the teeth! hehehe! But then again, maybe because I'm cute... as if! LOL!
Seek Reggae
Dakota Fanning has a strong screen presence, sometimes overshadowing her legendary co-star Robert de Niro, in the movie
Hide and Seek. The movie will keep you guessing who "Charlie" is, that is, if he is a child's figment of imagination or whether if he is real. Well, I was able to guess correctly... Yes!!! c",)
A Night of Reggae. (16Apr2005)
After the movie, went window-shopping around Glorietta until I reached SM Department Store. It is here when I saw the mini-concert titled "A Night of Reggae".
reggae (reg-ay) n
popular music of Jamaican origin having elements of calypso and rhythm and blues, characterized by a strongly accentuated offbeatWhat makes this mini-show interesting is the musical instrument used by one of its band members--a wooden box with a hole on one side. He also uses the other wooden box he is sitting on to create rhythmic beats, making a springy, offbeat music.
Dakak: Day Three
Our last day at Dakak. We would be taking the 12:35PM flight (PR168) of
Philippine Airlines. Thus, we would be leaving the resort around 10:30AM.
Aside from packing our things before our departure, after breakfast, we went to the other side of the beach we haven't been to. The area have several big rock formation.
The flight home, which according to our pilot would take one hour and fifteen minutes, is uneventful. Except for the time our plane was to stay on the air several minutes before landing because the plane, with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on-board, is about to land at the airport. Her plane came from the Vatican since she attended the Pope's funeral.
Our short vacation ended with a late lunch at Conrad's Grill, located at Domestic Road, Pasay City.
Sidelight events of the day:Aling Clara's Wet and Dry Market. After landing at the Centennial Airport, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) proceeded to Farmer's Market in Cubao to award ten markets (two private and eight public markets) for being the cheapest and cleanest market. Our family's market, Aling Clara's Wet and Dry Market in Baclaran, Parañaque, is one of the awardees. My brother, in behalf of the family corporation, accepted the award. While still waiting at the sidelines for our market to be called, GMA and Vice-President Noli de Castro keeps looking at him as if trying to recall something. When he went up to GMA to receive the award, it was then that both remembered who he was. They made short chat while giving him the award. (All this I've learned upon arriving home.)
Dakak: Day Two
Have to wake up early as we arranged for a land tour by hiring a van that will take us to places at Dapitan and Dipolog of special interest. We are to leave around 8:30AM; thus, we have to eat our breakfast around 6:30AM. (The buffet breakfast at the resort's restaurant is from 6:30AM to 7:30AM).
Our first stop is Rizal's Shrine at Dapitan. Dr. Jose Rizal, our National Hero, was exiled at Dapitan. At the shrine are replicas of his house, kitchen and clinic. You can also find there the Talisay's Water System which he built.
Rizal's House. (08Apr2005)
Rizal's Kitchen. (08Apr2005)
We then proceeded to St. James Church where Rizal attended mass. He has a favorite spot at the church: on the left side at the back of the church. Infront of St. James Church is the
Mapa sa Mindanao.
Dapitan St. James Church. (08Apr2005)
Mapa sa Mindanao. (08Apr2005)
Next, we went to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Cathedral.
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Cathedral. (08Apr2005)
At the Goodtimes Cafe and Art Gallery can be found several greeneries and pieces of artwork. You can enjoy a cup of coffee while enjoying the tranquility of the place.
Goodtimes Cafe and Art Gallery. (08Apr2005)
We passed by Dipolog's landmark. We asked the police manning the area if our van could stop for a few minutes so that we can take some pictures. (I don't think it is allowed to stop there since it is a rather busy street, comparatively speaking.) The policeman nicely acceded. Although, I don't see his logic that my camera will melt because of the summer heat when I tried crossing to the other side to get a closer picture. I guess, it's his way of stopping me from jaywalking...
Dipolog Landmark. (08Apr2005)
Dipolog is noted for its sardines. The best, according to the local people there, is the Montano Sardines. Thus, off we went to its factory so we can buy some as
pasalubong.
Dipolog's Specialty: Sardines. (08Apr2005)
Since it is already lunchtime, we proceeded to
Kamayan ni Manay to have a bite. The customer relations officer recommended this restaurant because of the seafood dishes it offers. And she is not wrong in recommending it... (wink)
After lunch, we tried climbing up 200 steps at Pasko sa Ilihan Hill 2004 for a view of Dapitan. Afterwhich, we went back to the resort, but stopping first at it's main reception area. This is used only when there are a big number of guests expected by the resort.
Dakak Park and Beach Resort's Reception's Chandelier. (08Apr2005)
We arrived around 2:30PM. Took a few hours rest and, at the same time, watch the Pope's funeral aired at CNN.
After resting our tired legs, we took a dip at the jacuzzi (again) and had a funny experience this time. Since we like the jacuzzi (plus I don't know how to swim), we spent several minutes (or hours?) in it. When we finally decided to try the beach, as soon as we stepped out of the jacuzzi, two men were running to be in it. Guess, they are afraid that we would change our minds and not leave the jacuzzi... hehehe!
The dinner, this time, was set-up at the beach. While enjoying dinner, there was a cultural show: a luau. A portion of the show have the guests participate by teaching them some steps. The guests were also provided with grass skirts and lei during their impromptu "performance".
Dinner Cultural Show. (08Apr2005)
Day Two is a tiring experience but enlightening... ending it with nice dip at the jacuzzi and a dinner cultural show to boot!
Dakak: Day One
Philippine Airlines' Flight PR169 will leave Manila to Dipolog around 11:50AM. We were at the airport around 9:30AM, at least two hours before the scheduled flight. This is to give time for the security check of our baggages.
While waiting for the call to go on-board, took some pictures at the airport. This is the start of our vacation in images... (hehehe!)
Since the flight is around noon and we're afraid to get hungry, we visited
Delifrance for a bite. We finished our
merienda just in time when the passengers were asked to board the plane.
Centennial Airport. (07Apr2005)
Finally, we were on our way to Dipolog. According to our pilot, the flight will take one hour and ten minutes.
Upon landing at Dipolog Airport, the friendly staff of
Dakak Park and Beach Resort--the resort where we will be staying--is already there to greet us, giving each one of us a ribbon with an orchid, the flower Dipolog is noted for. Dipolog, a province of Zamboanga del Norte, is known as City of Orchids.
The trip from the airport to the resort will take us another 30 minutes. By the time we reached the resort, it is already around 2:30PM. Just enough time to check the resort's facilities and a good excuse to take pictures!
After checking-in, we went first to our cottage before going back to the resort's restaurant to eat our afternoon
merienda. Then, off we go!!!
Dakak Park Beach Resort. (07Apr2005)
Beach Lounge Chairs. (07Apr2005)
Hammock. (07Apr2005)
Man-made Waterfall by the Pool. (07Apr2005)
We then decided to take a dip at the jacuzzi while waiting for the sunset. Lo and behold... the mountain blocked the view! But the colors it gave to the sky did not diminish its beauty.
(A cute, chubby kid joined us in the jacuzzi. He loves the water but don't know how to swim. Thanks to the jacuzzi, we have new friends--the boy and his family. Rather cute when he smiled and wrinkeld his nose when he saw us during dinner. hehehe!)
Dusk at Dakak. (07Apr2005)
Dinner will be at the area near the pool and we were told that there will be a cultural show around 7:30PM.
Dinner by the pool. (07Apr2005)
Cultural Show. (07Apr2005)
Hmmm... if our Day One is the basis of what is yet to come in our stay at Dakak, I can say, this vacation would be a great one!
