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

Join us at We are FUNtastic Philippines
More photos here :ILOCOS FUNLAKWATSA ALBUM 

HISTORICAL VIGAN Part 1

Have you ever wondered how is life in the 16 th century? You travel with a horse-drawn carriage, dress up into "Baro't Saya" and live in a Spanish stone house? I do! In fact I've been dreaming about this place for a long time.




Vigan, they say, used to be called "Bee Gan" by the first Chinese settlers, but the Spaniards change it into Vigan during their reign.
After a few attempts of coming for the last 2 years, I finally reached my dream. We arrived in Vigan at dusk and the place is beaming with Christmas decors and lights. The beauty of the place welcomed us as the car turned left infront of the municipal hall facing the plaza. It's a moment where one cannot grasp the scenery, consciously glancing in every corner and buildings that passes our view. We parked our car at a corner street and walked our way to our hotel located in the historical street, the Calle Crisologo.

Photo by Nina Raymundo Dumlao

Calle Crisologo is a street lined with cobble stone, old Spanish houses, Calesa, friendly faces peeking out of the large windows, antique shops, delicacies, restaurants and hotels. A UNESCO Heritage Site and recently declared as one of the New 7 Wonder Cities of the World. It felt like a step into the past. It is as mysterious and romantic like I expected it to be. There's a certain charm, from the lit up street lamps against the Spanish colonial structures and the stillness amidst the crowd of tourist doing the usual stuff. Wooden benches lined the street for people to sit and admire the beauty.





After a mesmerizing introduction of Calle Crisologo, it is time to locate our hotel, the Cordillera Inn. Located in the heart of Calle Crisologo, the hotel used to be an old house of the Crisologo 's turned into a hotel. Most of the main part of the house is still intact, except for the addition of the reception cubicle and hotel rooms. The place felt a bit eerie, as majority of the furnitures and interiors are more than hundreds of years old. I dare not look at my reflection in the mirrors around the place coz I feel like they belong to someone. The elegantly designed antique furnitures shows how well they lived in the old days. Our room is facing Calle Crisologo with the street lamp creating a subdued light on the curtain serves as a night lamp while we sleep, and the clacking of the horse shoe in the street outside, this whole place gives you the feel of history.






This article was published in HKLife News January 2015 Issue


Join us at We are FUNtastic Philippines
More photos here : ILOCOS FUNLAKWATSA ALBUM

Bacolod, The “City of Smiles” & Merriment

Masskara, one of the most colorful and upbeat festival in the Philippines. Celebrated on the 19^th of  October, during the charter day of Bacolod City . “Mass” meaning crowd and “cara” for face, originally coined by painter Ely Santiago. Masskara Festival was initially created to uplift the spirit of  the people during the tragic times in the 1980’s. Since then it became one of the most highly anticipated festival of the year because of it's  month long celebration.

The highlight of the festival is the street dancing competition and parade. Each team that represents a dance group wears a mask and costume originally designed for their specific dance moves.

A beaming face with a smile and laughing gesture is a must in every mask worn by performers as well as colorful and exquisite costume. 

I was lucky enough to be invited to witness the festival up close. Armed with our cameras and gears, we followed, danced and took photos of the happiest festival. We dance and groove to the beat and the electrifying energy of Masskara.

It was an amazing experience to witness the highly energetic moves in the midst of heat and heavy headgear they wore and not to mention the highly embellished and grand costume that takes us somehow to a fantasy world . It’s so lively, upbeat and at the same time a feast to your eyes. Kudos to the designers for they really are world class designs! Some of the highlights are Masskara Invasion @ Lacson Street, Lacson Street Night Party, Masskara Queen Coronation night, Dansskara, Electric Masskara, Masskara Fashion Week, Trade Fair, Boodle Fight at thePlaza, Masskara Street Dance Competition,  and countdown to Bacolod Charter Anniversary at the Municipal Hall.

  Absolutely one of the best party that everyone must attend!

 

By Jenni DunganThis Article was published in HKNews October 2014 Issue For more photos visit this linkshttps://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.362375577174009&type=1https://www.facebook.com/groups/we.are.funtastic.philippines/

The Mt. Pulag Experience

March 03, 2014

Monday morning.  Alarm beeps…UUUUrggh!  Waking up early in the morning is so hard to do as it is.  It is even harder when you feel like there’s a 200 pound sack on top of you! Trying my best to remember what happened this past weekend.  Flickers of trees, mountains, tents,  and narrow pathways flooded my vision.  I Remember hearing myself breathing hard.  Like chasing one’s breath. Why was I running?   Was there a zombie apocalypse? If there was, why am I still human??? As I was starting to get up, my backpack drops on the floor from my bed scattering our toothbrushes and other toiletries.  Oh Yeah! I remember…Mt. Pulag!

As I was in the kitchen having my morning breakfast of coffee and toast,  I started remembering that weekend…

March 1, 2014

 As I stepped off the victory bus coming from Manila to Baguio at around four in the morning I was surrounded by an army of mountaineers and tourists, a mixture of local and foreigners, running around searching for their next mode of transportation either by jeepney or by taxi.  It’s a good thing I was with a group called We Are FUNtastic Philippines (WAFP) together with another group Full Automatic Camera Klub Unlimited (F.A.C.K. Unlimited).  Yes, the WAFPers and FACKers united in conquering the country’s second highest mountain and one of the coldest place in the country, Mt. Pulag National Park. 
 

Leaving Baguio via Ambuklao rd. heading to Kabayan, Benguet, we  saw the views of the Ambuklao dam and it’s surrounding lake.  We stopped over to have breakfast and little bit of chit chat so that both groups will be more familiar with each other over a cup of five-peso coffee (thanks to the small vendo machine on the counter).  WAFP members are mostly new to mountaineering, while the other group is a mixture of newbies and regular mountaineers.  One member said that it’s his fifth time to climb Mt. Pulag and the other mentioned it is their second or third.  Some of us found relief knowing that we have with us people who are experienced and quite familiar with the place.

After breakfast, we rode our jeepney and went to the Department of Natural Resources (DENR) for required orientation and registration.  Of course, our first stop was for a group picture!!!  After that we headed to ate Gina’s for lunch and prepare for the climb , Ate Gina is your “GO-TO lady”, from transportation to food preparations. She also housed some of your belongings while we camp . 

   

The last stop before the climb is the drop off or Rangers station, where we start our 4 hours trek via Ambangeg Trail. 

You can request and pay for porters at the rangers station. (Yes! You read it right! Porters to help us with our gears and setting up…Do not be ashamed of asking one! The locals would encourage you actually because its part of their livelihood)

Passing thru different trails and terrains, along  the trek up to the campsite you will encounter three (3) kind of forests namely the pine tree forest, the mossy forest and the dwarf bamboo forest.  Inside the pine tree forest,  one side of the trail is covered by pine trees and the other side, a cliff that over looks the different vegetable plantations.  While walking along the pine tree trail, the trail becomes a bit muddy and cooler. 

The trail inside the mossy forest. I believe is the longest trail!  Here, the path becomes narrow such that we had to give way to those going back to the station and to those who would like to go ahead of us.  There are steep slopes and man made stoned paths (our trek poles usually get caught in-between stones!). Tree covered moss lines up this trail so much so that it makes you think that you are really in a forest.  We get to stop every once and a while to rest (Thank goodness!) About a minute or two for rest and water breaks…but NO bathroom breaks!

After more than an hour in the mossy trail there is a slope going up that leads to the grassy trail also known as the dwarf bamboo forest. The grassy trail is an open land with no trees and because it is high, it is sunny and yet, windy!

When we reached camp 2 extension there were a lot of other campers on the site already. This is where we decided to spend the night because it was getting late.  After we pitched up our tents and had dinner, we started to get amazed by the night sky.  The whole sky was virtually covered with stars! Lots of stars! We could actually see the milky way  because there is no electricity and the place was practically dark.  An avid fan of astronomy and photography would go gaga over this.  We decided to end our evening early for a very early trek the next day...planning to conquer the summit or peak 2 depending on how far our legs would carry us.

March 2, 2014

1:45 am… we woke up earlier than the alarm! Why??? It was too cold! The wind was blowing so hard!  We check the online weather to see how cold it is from up here…guess what? 4 degrees, Yes!  It’s really hard to move around! My fingers feel numb even though I’m already wearing gloves! Around past 2 am, we started to gather some of our hiking gear and important belongings (leaving our tents and other belongings at the site) for our 2 hour hike up to peak 2.  

The trail going to the high peaks was so dark that we needed headlamps and torches to light up the path.  It is so narrow that one slip you could spell a very bad day.  There were a lot of people walking on a single path that from a distance you could make out the whole trail leading to the summit!

We finally reach peak 2, others went ahead to tackle the actual summit…me, my knee was starting to object so I settled staying at peak 2. The sun is starting to rise and it was a sight to behold!  The sun was peeking through the clouds that it started to bring out colors of orange, yellow and some purple.  As the sun came up, we could see the clouds forming above the mountains.  It was not as thick as the others had experienced but it still left me mesmerized and thinking how beautiful the place is! It’s like a different world up here!  I would never think that the Philippines would have a place like this. 

After a few more hours on the peak, we decided to head back to camp to pack our gears and head home.  On our way back to the campsite, it felt like I’m one of the members of the “Fellowship of the Ring” in the movie The Lord of the Rings (I don’t know about the others but please let me not be the hobbit or the dwarf!).  When we reached the campsite, we ate our breakfast and then started the trek back to the ranger station where our jeepney service is waiting to bring us back at ate Gina’s place to freshen up, eat our lunch and grab the rest of our belongings.

We then proceed to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to log out our group and put WAFP’s own flag as proof of our journey to Mt. Pulag.  On our way back to Baguio, we passed by Ambuklao Dam and Lake.  Took pictures of the whole group.  We arrived in La Trinidad and paid a visit to another WAFP admin, Mr. Gaby Tinio, who welcomed us in his warm home and fed us dinner.  We stayed for a couple of hours refreshing our selves and enjoying each other’s company with a bottle of beer or a glass of wine and for the best part, a sumptuous feast provided by our host.  At around nine in the evening, we went back to the bus terminal to catch our 10 p.m. trip back to Manila.

Now as I contemplate this last weekend’s adventure I have gained realization about the Philippines.  It is diverse in so many ways.  When people talk about the Philippines, one would automatically describe it’s beaches and cities, but in reality, there is more.   It is like a simple dish with a hodgepodge of ingredients mixed and cooked together, making it delicious and unique from other dishes.  

That Friday when we first met at Victory Liner bus station,  most of us were complete strangers from each other.  In the process, we became friends.  No doubt, some of those friendships well fall along on the way side.  Some, though, will remain for life.  We bonded with each other during those 2 and half days. We all came to share a ride, a trek and passion climbing Mount Pulag and we ended up sharing our lives. 

WAFP and F.A.C.K. Unlimited Mt. Pulag Adventure March 1 – 2 2014

We Are Funtastic Philippines! or WAFP is a group of fun-loving Filipinos living worldwide assisted by friends from different countries spanning the globe! Our primary objective is to showcase the beauty of the Philippines and invite visitors to our 7,107 islands, and experience the fun and hospitality of Pinoys.
Written in collaboration with  Gelyn Pulayan, Desiree Panganiban & Juan Tamad

 This Article was published in HKNews September 2014 Issue For more photos visit this link https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.585568638188034&type=1

WAFP organizes photo shoots in various parts of the Philippines.  We welcome everyone to join our Facebook Group and FUNLakwatsa.
 Join us at  https://www.facebook.com/groups/we.are.funtastic.philippines/

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.

This is posted for http://wearefuntasticphilippines.blogspot.com/ !
You can join us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/we.are.funtastic.philippines/!

Cagbalete Island

A perfect place for a summer get away, a paradise waiting to be discovered. Located in the Lamon Bay fronting the Pacific Ocean in Mauban Quezon, with a total of  3 hours travel time from Manila to Mauban Quezon and another 45 minutes boat ride to the island.Mauban is a tranquil little town, where people live in peaceful simplicity. An island inhabited by peaceful and friendly people.The place is so relaxing, so peaceful, not crowded and not commercialized. Staying on the island for a few days is enough to get rest and recharged. There are six resorts in Cagbalete Island, Villa Cleofas, MVT Sto Nino, Pensacola Beach Resort, Dona Choleng Camping Resort, Joven Blue Sea Beach Resort & Villa Noe Beach Resort.The Sabang port is the main port where you can catch the boat or walk 0 mins to one of the chosen accommodation like Villa Cleofas. The cottages are so simple and the amenities are basic. There are no TV, just a few electric fans and beddings but don't worry you still have a very good night sleep. You have the option of bringing your own food to BBQ or ordering specific food for a minimal fee. There are two comfort rooms at the back of every cottage, for shower and toilet. By the way there is no electricity from 5am to 6pm. So recharge your gadgets during night time .Some of the activities that the island offer are camping, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, horseback riding, bird watching and fishing or you can just lay on the hammock to watch the sun rise and set on the horizon or sit in the sand and feel the beauty of the nature.
The highlights of the trip ….*Bonsai Island, only few steps from Cleofas Resort, is an islet that only shows up during low tide and disappears when high tide. It has small trees, rock formations and some white birds. Photo by Desiree Panganiban

*During low tide, the water recedes up to 1 km from the shore, exposing 3.6 km stretch of amazing white sand ripples.Photo by Say “Lakwatchera” Bernardo

*Experiencing Cagbalete’s dramatic sunset with Mt. Banahaw in the picturePhoto by Say “Lakwatchera” Bernardo *Villa Cleofas has the best view of the sunrise that will greet you beautifully in the morning. Photo by Say “Lakwatchera” Bernardo
*Exploring the river that connects to the sea - a brackish water w/c is a combination of fresh and sea water.*Cagbalete is home to several species of birds and even just in our resort we would see dozens of sand pipers, a few bright blue-colored kingfishers and the occasional migratory egret.*For divers and snorkeling fanatics, underwater exploration is a treat for it’s diverse and colorful marine life. What I love about this island is the calmness and serenity of the place. Cagbalete Island is nature at it’s purest form ….Another wonderful experience to cherish for a long time.Photo by Melvin Pulayan 
Article written by Say “Lakwatchera” Bernardo, photo hobbyist, choir president, coop chairman ap/ar controller - angel city logistics and an active WAFP and FUNLakwatsa member.This Article was published in HKNews June 2014 IssueFor more photos, follow this link FUNLakwatsa Cagbalete Island - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.604659426278955&type=1