HISTORICAL VIGAN Part 2

The first bite of Vigan happened at Granpa's Inn restaurant called Kusina Felicitas. A place of tasty sumptous meals that is just right for the price. That is where I first tasted bagnet and crispy dinuguan, a delicacy that is really Vigan! Although most of the foods are pork base, you can also find vegetarian foods like poqui pogui. You cannot miss this place when you go visit Vigan specially because the staff can also describe you old century bricks and authentic Vigan antique pieces that are part of restaurant.

After that gastronomical adventure, it's time to explore Vigan by foot in attempt to shake off the calories and of course discover more of what this place can offer. We headed back to Calle Crisologo and walked all the way to both ends. And then a quick visit to the well lit St. Paul's Cathedral for a night shot. 

The phone alarm rang at 4:30 a.m., it's time for the famous "walk at dawn" in Calle Crisologo. As we stepped out of our hotel, we saw an army of tourist already walking around taking photos, like it was the night before, as if they never went to bed. It was a pain taking a slow shutter shot as the tourist don't really care about you and they end up like ghost in my photos. I gave up taking photos after a few shots, I just enjoy the place and waited for the crack of dawn. The blue hour with dark blue skies lightening up against the backdrop of this Spanish structures is simply magical!

Back to Cordillera Inn for a nice breakfast, we went up the 3rd floor that opens up to a veranda overlooking the street of Calle Crisologo on a different perspective :)

 The blue hour

It's a fun filled day visiting several places of interest around Vigan. We started off with Syquia Mansion, toured by a descendant of the Syquia's, he told us the history,secrets and showed us things we can't photographed. Then we travelled a few minutes to Burnayan (potteryshop), where they have a live session on pot making, you can even try it yourself.

 Next stop is the Crisologo Museum, which almost same as the first one. And then lunch! This time we went out of the busy street of Vigan and drove towards the airport where a famous garden is hiding.

 The Hidden Garden, famous for it's collection of flowers, potted plants and bonsai. The ambience of the place is so relaxing, that you get drawn to lay down in one of the hanging swing made of bamboo sticks. Water fountains, sitting areas and beautiful clay pots are scattered around the place. The famous Lilong and Lilang restaurant serves yet another mouth watering dishes. It was so good that when they asked me how is my meal I responded "it was heaven! will you be nice enough to adopt me here?

After that feast, we decided to visit the "abel" weavers - the famous loom weavers of Vigan. It's a family run business that was handed down from generation to generation. Their products which includes blankets, bags, linens, camisa chino, bath towels and robes, hand towels, placemats, napkins, table runners and fabric materials are sold in Calle Crisologo and are of import qualities.

Rowilda shop is owned by the Panela family with Dominico and Milagros couple. They named it after their only child’s name. Dominico started his loom weaving business in 1977 equipped with his acquired skill from his ancestors. It was stopped for lack of capital and revived it in 1989 when he came back from working abroad. He bought some of the textile weaving machines of his neighbors when they started to move and work abroad. Rowilda has eight weavers that includes the couple.

This article was published in HKLife News February 2015 Issue

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Siete Lagos FUNLakwatsa

The Seven Lakes is located in San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines. The city is famous for them for it attracts a lot of tourists. I have heard of them a long time ago and some people say there are only five and the other two doesn't exists. So WAFP agreed to go for an adventurous trip in search of the seven lakes. We gathered a lot of information on how to locate these lakes before going because there are lakes which are accessible while some of them are far-off that it needs some time to be reached which made the trip more interesting!

These lakes are said to be "maars".  So what is "maars"? Maars are low-profile volcano craters and among the 200 small monogenetic volcanoes found along a rift zone between  Mt. Makiling and Mt. Banahaw. Whew!  Did you get that? That is hard to understand! Well in short they are craters of an ancient volcanoes. These lakes has legends which the locals believed to be its origin. Well, wherever and however they come to existence, I cannot deny the fact the these bodies of water has become the favorite subject of adventurers!

Our quest started at  Calibato Lake.  Calibato is the farthest among the seven lakes from the city proper. It is located in Barangay Sto. Angel and it is said that Calibato is the youngest and the deepest among the seven lakes. Trekking is required before we reached the lake, but I have to remind you that the trail is rocky and slippery, I guess that is where its name was derived. "Calle" the spanish word for street and the tagalog word "bato". Anyway, there are residents within the shore of the lake, and fishing is their main source of income. There are also fish pens which grows "tilapia". From the shore a waterfalls on the other side of the lake is visible, they call it "Nagalagas Falls".

After a lot picture taking we went off to the next lake, Lake Pandin I consider this lake as the most charming of them all. You only need to hike for 10-15 minutes from the main road before you could reach this lake unlike with Sampalok Lake which can easily be reached. What is good with this place is that you can stay and enjoy the light breeze cooled by the lake while cruising and eating lunch in the middle of it! This place is highly recommendable for family quick weekend getaways and also for friends and relatives or even company outings. The association of women in Pandin Lake are the ones in charge of preserving the lake, they keep the area maintained for its protection.

They also serve lunch of grilled tilapia and pork belly, shrimp cooked in coconut milk, "pako" salad and rice for only 400 pesos (raft ride included) to tourists.

Lying near Pandin Lake is Yambo Lake, they say they're twin craters! The lake is accessible by a 5-minute trek on a rough trail from Pandin Lake and then you can get the view of the lake from a narrow strip of land at the end of it. The raft paddlers in Pandin usually takes tourists to the path going to Yambo Lake. Like the Pandin Lake, Yambo provides fishermen with a good catch of "tilapia" and small shrimps for their living.

After a heartful lunch at Pandin Lake, we continued our quest for the fourth lake, the Mojicap Lake. You can get this view of the lake by descending on a concrete steep stair, only you have to be very careful because some steps are already weak. The viewpoint is just a narrow path where some residents are staying. Taking turns for photo opportunity is recommended so as to avoid pile-up in the area. Locals offers raft rides on the lake for a minimal fee, they mentioned that a cave exists in the area where tourists can go spelunking, but I am not so sure what to see in that cave because we haven't gone there. We took some pictures of the lake and its beautiful reflections and headed to the next lake which is just a few kilometers away from Mojicap Lake.

Fifth lake and just a few kilometers away from Mojicap Lake is the picturesque Palakpakin Lake.
This lake is located Barangay San Buenaventura, you need to take a tricycle from the main road for it is the only transportation available if you don't have a private vehicle. Just tell the driver to take you to the lake and they will guide you to where the lake is best viewed. This photo was taken from Palakpakin bridge, a better location than the first one we had been earlier. And from there, we had a very spectacular image of the blue lake adorned with coconut trees and the overlapping backdrop of Mt. Banahaw and Mt. Cristobal. Isn't that very rewarding? Fish cages on the lakes grows "tilapia" and silver carps which is the source of livelihood of the residents of Palakpakin.

Fasten your seat belts for we our heading to the sixth lake to visit, the Bunot Lake. 
Lake Bunot can be reached by taking a jeepney from the main avenue just ask the driver to stop by Carmelite Road in Barangay Concepcion, it is just a few kilometers away from the city proper if you don't have a private vehicle. This view was taken from the residential houses along the shore, some places with a good view of the lake has been fenced and we can't just get through it. The lake is known for cultured tilapia and its fingerlings.

The temperature on that day was severely hot! We have to take a break and get something to cool down and that happened on our next stop. The last but not the least lake to visit...Sampalok Lake!

This lake is the biggest among the other lakes and the most accessible, being just around the vicinity of City Hall. It has also become the prime tourist destination for its shoreline has been developed into parks where people can stay, relax and watch the splendid view of nature around the lake. There are also food stalls and restaurants selling snacks sold in affordable prices so tourists can enjoy their stay along the lake. You can also come early and catch the sunrise or stay until the end of the day to watch the sunset. Try it!

Oh well our mission has been accomplished and the curiosity about the seven lakes is finished! I know these lakes just looks similar with each other, they are all bodies of water and I know some people would find it boring but the thrill of this adventurous expedition with friends is something that is highly memorable and you must go for it! IT IS A WAFPER'S DELIGHT!!

How to get there? If you are taking a public transport, take a bus going to Lucena, get off at San Pablo City. Hire a tricycle and ask the driver to take you to the lakes, there are drivers who can do lake tour for a negotiated fare. I suggest Roldan with mobile no. 09214230596, he do lake tours just advise him before going.

If you like to have lunch in Pandin Lake you can contact Mam Tina at mobile no. 09079952983 and make arrangements with her.

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Claveria, the Coastal Paradise of Northern Cagayan

History has it that the municipality of Claveria was named after the Spanish Governor General, Narciso Claveria, who drove the raiding pirates away from the then village called Kabikungan. Kabikungan was renamed Claveria in honor of Governor General Claveria as soon as the place was converted into a town.
The town of Claveria in the province of Cagayan is a modest and peaceful place, about 600 kilometers away from Manila, a favourable place for people looking for solitude, away from the tiring metropolis. Branded as one of the cleanest municipality in the country, Claveria, Cagayan can be reached by enduring the approximately 15 hours of land travel, or (5 hours) about less than an hour by air to either Tuguegarao or Laoag and an additional 3 to 4 hours of land journey.

The town of Claveria is represented with such fantastic milieu. The air is fresh and always breezy due to its proximity to the ocean. Existing not just in dream, Claveria is an incomparable place at the north tip of mainland Luzon in the Philippines because of its unfussiness. A really admirable location for non-luxury looking individuals. Its populace, just like the rest of the Filipino, are welcoming and are approachable. The foods are all right, a very Ilocano approach in living life. The town offers a comforting and perhaps one of the finest places suitable for retiring, whether of old age or just withdrawing from active life, seeking retreat, far and away from the noise of the urban living. Life is indeed simple but the convenience of living modern are presented. Everything seems uncomplicated in this town, the waterfalls and the beach is just there somewhere.

The village of Taggat is where the lagoon can be found, situated at the right area of the inlet, a favoured swimming destination especially for the children. The place is shielded from the immense waves by natural boulders of rock, trapping the composed sea water in a basin-like enclosure, calling it a lagoon. During the dry months, this particular spot on the coast of Taggat are filled with people immersing themselves in the lagoon to beat the summer heat. With adults supervision, the kids can play safely in the lagoon without worrying to a great extent that they might be carried by the waves away in the open sea. On the pebbly side of the beach, opposite the lagoon, is the waterfalls.

Aside from the lagoon, Taggat is where the renowned rock formations can be witnessed and was even made distinct and illustrious by its legend, the Lakay-Lakay and Baket-Baket. “Lakay” and “Baket” is a term of endearment in Ilocano language. Lakay means “an old man” or “a husband”, and literally intended only for the grown ups of male gender while Baket is the feminine equivalent of such expression. Moving on, the legend says that once upon a time, a well-to-do family who made fortune by fishing, was asked by an elderly tramp for food, but Lakay-Lakay acted high and mighty and so is his wife, Baket-Baket, they pay no attention to the lament of the pitiful, old beggar. Swollen with greed the couple were, the strange, old tramp foredoomed their family. As the elderly tramp vanished into thin air, the couple became uneasy and hurriedly looked for their child who happened to be playing on the other side of the coast. Little by little, their child turned to rock, Baket-Baket gradually turned to rock as well, and before Lakay-Lakay realized he’s sorry, he
himself was turned. This is why Lakay-Lakay and Baket-Baket stood beside each other at Taggat, while their progeny, Ubing-Ubing, was on Sentinela Cove in Camalaggoan / D. Leano.

Another cloaked paradise in the town of Claveria is the Sentinela Cove, home to the Ubing-Ubing. Ubing means “ a child” in the Ilocano language. Sentinela Cove is enthroned with fine sand and the current is more tender compared to Claveria beach at the boulevard, near the “ili”or the town proper. Rubing-Ubing as told

 in the legend is the offspring of Lakay-Lakay and Baket-Baket, who in their greediness was turned to rocks. On dazzling account, the Cove is perfect for beach bumming and swimming. A cave for a shade and a hill for the bird’s eye view of the bay completed the representation of this piece of paradise. By day’s end, the cove is a spectacle to stare at. Gazing at the sun going down on the horizon as the blue breaks open in beautiful hues, was more than the seeing of sights.

Those natural rock stunners of Claveria are dubbed as the sentinel of the fisherfolks of the town. Try to connect with the story of Lakay-Lakay and Baket-Baket, though given an insensitive anecdote, their tale stands for the great morals of sharing and compassion. It is not how the story ended, but how the story inspired one’s self to do unpretentious and encouraging act that in some way brought gladness to the underprivileged members of the society and consequently making the world better.
The rock formations in the town of Claveria are wonders of the natural world. They must be safeguarded too from harebrained individual. Dreaming that those rock creations would be marvellously standing on the shore until the waves got weary of humming their melody, awaiting the ultimate twilight, for those legendary rock formations kept their silence for hundreds of years, they’re an eyewitness to the transformation of the environment, survivor all along these years. Those rock formations- monuments shaped by nature, fashioned and made perfect by time.


Written by Miguel Voyager: 
I am identified in the travel blogging world as “Palos”. My friends call me Miguel, and I have a burning passion in traveling and landscape photography. An occasional travel blogger, a bartender and a narrator for ads, who makes real living in the field of public service.Read my short articles on http://biyahengpalos.blogspot.com as I walk around the picturesque Philippines.
This article was published in HKLife Newspaper for the month of May 2014

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The Feast of Sto. Nino

The religious population in the Philippines is one of the most unique in Asia, as the country is predominantly Christian. A majority of them are Roman Catholics, whose beliefs range not only from simple prayers and worship, but also devotion to different icons including the saints, the church and it’s leaders.
This month the whole of the Philippines celebrates the feast of Santo Niño, which celebrates a Christ child-like statue. The statue of the Christ Child image started in the 17^th Century in Prague, where it was presented as a wedding gift to a Spanish woman who wedded a Czech nobleman in the 17th century. The statue was handed down to the Carmelite sisters and from there the statue was associated with miraculous healings and protection of the Church during wars.

Among the places where Santo Niño festivals being celebrated around the country are Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan, Binanog Festival in Lambunao, Iloilo, Sinulog Festival in Kabankalan City, NegrosOccidental, Makato Sto. Nino Festival in Makato, Aklan, Kinaradto Festival, Buenavista, Guimaras, Batan Ati-Ati MalakaraFestivalin Batan, Aklan, Atlavas Sto. NinoFestivalin Atlavas, Aklan, Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City, Ibajay Ati-Ati Municipaland Devotional Festival in Ibajay, Aklan, Dinagsa Ati-AtihanFestivalin Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, Hinirugyaw Festivalin Calinog, Iloilo, Sto. Nino de LakbayawFestivalinTondo, Manila, Buling Buling Festivalin Pandacan, Manila,Pajotan de Sto. Nino Festival in CaloocanCity, Biniray Festival in Romblon, Romblon, Bambino Festival in Pasig City.photos by Nelson Gonzales, Earla Arnibal, Raymond Avergonzado, Roberto Labaniego
article featured in HK LIFE Newspaper for February 2014 issue

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THE STAR OF HOPE, Pampanga Giant Lantern Festival

The season of Christmas begins early in the Philippines. As soon as the first day of September commences, you can already hear yuletide songs being played on many radio stations. People also begin to decorate their houses with elaborate Christmas ornaments. Shopping malls display a wide array of different Christmas decorations. Colorful Christmas lights light up the streets all over. Christmas carolers, the Noche Buena (the dinner taken by the whole family on the eve of Christmas) and lanterns hanging on most of the houses. These make the Philippines the home of many Christmas traditions.

But above all these traditions, there is one thing that many people from all walks of life wait for during this yuletide season, the famous Giant Lantern Festival, also known locally as “Ligligan Parul” of San Fernando, in the province of Pampanga. It is a celebration showcasing the popular Christmas product of Pampanga – the parol, or lighted star, that symbolizes the star of Bethlehem that led the Wise men to the baby Jesus. It originated from a classic five-pointed star that resembles the star of Bethlehem. Several others made their own parol creating it with innovative designs according to their liking.

The tradition only began as a simple lantern festival held by the people of San Fernando honoring the then President of the Philippines, Manuel L. Quezon. The primitive lanterns were made of bamboos and were only about two feet in diameter. They were held in procession during a nine-day celebration leading up to Christmas, and brought to the town church before midnight mass on Christmas Eve. This religious activity was known as “lubenas.”

Nowadays, everything has changed. A more elaborate competition is being held. Parols have evolved from simple bamboos to giant lanterns measuring up to 40 feet in diameter; from simple lighted candles to magnificent blinking lights and from star-shaped to different floral pattern designs. At the start of the year, artists begin the designing for the parol. When everything is ready, artisans start creating the parol. The best parol-makers are hired to guarantee that the best parol would be made. The work itself is very taxing. Making one would mean several hours spent just to create a magnificent work of art. Add to that the cost which can rise to several thousands of dollars. Then on December, few days before Christmas, these Giant Lanterns will be displayed before a large crowd, lighting up the dark night, all vying to emerge as the best among the best parols. And winning is not only about bagging the trophy, but more than that, it’s a matter of pride for the winning barangay and reputation for the parol-makers.

The Giant Lantern Festival is truly a remarkable tradition. But beyond the beauty of the parols is the message of hope that these parols bring. Just like the hpe that the star of Bethlehem brought when the savior was born. That amid the trials and struggles that the people are experiencing, beyond the problems and difficulties, there is still hope.
That’s the Lantern of Pampanga – the star of hope.
article written by Allan D. Miranda, Highschool teacher of Colegio de San Lorenzo in Pampanga and a hobbyist photographer
photos by Nelson Gonzales
article featured in HK LIFE Newspaper for December 2013 issue

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HKLIFE News December 2013 Issue 
The Star of Hope
Written by: Allan D. Miranda 
Photos by: Nelson Gonzales 

Hiking/Trekking in the Philippines.

My first hiking experience was during my scouting years in the late 70’s.   Los Baños Laguna was the center of all scouting activities during that time.  I was so excited to look at the lush greeneries of sugarcane plantations along the stretch of old SLEX that leads to Laguna.  Even more excited to learn that we will hike up on the mystique mountain of Mt. Makiling.  After the Makiling experience I never cease to dream of climbing a mountain.   

It is during my high school days in the early 80’s that I experienced the real hiking or trekking experience.   We are on a summer break when we planned to scale what I believe to be the blue mountain that I saw across the lake.  Just for me to find out that it was Mt. Irid a part of Sierra mountain ranges from the eastern side of Rizal. 

Sierra Madre Mountains

Crossing rivers and lakes
Rare Rafflesia Flower

 One of my trekking experience in the 80’s is climbing the mountains in Tanay Rizal. We boarded an old dilapidated jeep bound to Daraitan.  The trip was so exciting  we are on top of a jeep and  as I remember we crossed the river for more than 10 times before we reach sitio Daraitan, a Dumagat sitio. Our guide passed us to a Dumagat (local guide) wearing a G string,  a 3 feet hollow bamboo tube (buho) tucked in his behind and his native bow and arrow. It was a survival kit for drinking.  After locating a moist clay at the edge of a cliff he stucked his buho to a clay and a chocolate brown water runs.  In less than two minutes it becomes a clear water and he invited us to drink (or die without water while trekking).  After less than an hour of walking on a dense jungle we emerged on a miniature falls (spring) on a knee deep water.   We don’t have cameras then but the sight of a natural pool landscaped and encircled with variety of water plants is so enchanting.  Indeed, the Dumagat warned us that the place was enchanted so we move on until we reach our base camp at the foot of a limestone wall facing the mighty Agos river of Tanay. After several attempts, I finally scaled Mt. Irid last 2010.  Last March 2013 was my last visit to this place and I am at a lost due to its changing landscape.
Hiking/Climbing today are made easy with the advent of the technology and information. 
There are places that can be promoted as an Eco Tourism destination but there are some that is better left untouched with nature.   Mountains have their own capacity.  The most frequently visited mountain are the most vulnerable.   Mt. Pulag for example is accepting 25000 tourist a year (this info was based on 2010 data. Mt. Pulag is home to a diversity of a unique flora and fauna.  An indigenous dwarf bamboo and a cloud rat, slightly bigger than your average house cat, is a home on this mountain revered by the locals as the home of their ancestral gods.

Article Written by : Roberto Labaniego – A Mountaineer and an Admin of “We are FUNtastic Philippines”

Mt. Pulag by Raymond Medina

The most climbed mountains in the Philippines are Mt. Apo, Mt. Mayon, Mt. Halco, Mt. Mantalingahan, Mt. Hamiguitan, Mt. Guiting guiting, Mt. Kitanglad, Mt. Dulang dulang, Mt. Pulag and Mt. Kanlaon.
Article was published in HK LIFE News for November 2013 issue
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HKLIFE News November 2013 Issue
Written by: Roberto Labaniego