ISLA RETA DAVAO: The Charm is in the Talisay Trees

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Davao is definitely a beach country! In the city alone, the shoreline of Matina Aplaya at the back of SM Mall has a lot of different beaches from raw to themed, developed or not. [Check my post of a city … Continue reading →

Panagbenga 2010: Baguio Flower Festival

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According to the Department Of Tourism, Panagbenga Festival have set the bar for festivals all over the country! February is a month of festivals up North! “Pamulinawen” for Laoag in Ilocos Norte and “Panagbenga” for Baguio. Panagbenga is the local … Continue reading →

Pamulinawen Festival 2010

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The Pamulinawen Festival is held every 10th day of February in Laoag City. Last month, it celebrated its 14th-year which coincides with the Feast Day of Saint William the Hermit, the City’s  Patron Saint. A finalist for Best Tourism Events … Continue reading →

HAKKA HAT. Hakka What?

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Streets sweepers are familiar, they can be found anywhere. Street sweepers with distinct headpiece are not, it’s rare. They wear Hakka Hats. It’s complicated. It’s efficient. It’s ingenious. Street sweepers in Hongkong wear an unusual peasant hat tracing back its … Continue reading →

Too Sexy II – Sarrat

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This is a follow up to a previous post of the same title ( See it here.) There was this lady who was going to every cottage in the river resort in Sarrat (ilocos Norte) which we have visited recently, sporting … Continue reading →

On the road to Tuguegarao, Cagayan

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It was already past 12 noon when we reached the first town of Cagayan Valley, Sta. Praxedes. We were relieved to know that we’re already within Cagayan and sooner, we are now in our destination. That’s what we thought. In … Continue reading →

Power Walk Tour – Binondo

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Days before classes will start and before the streets of Binondo/Chinatown shall become super-hyper-mega-ultra congested, I had the pleasure of conquering it by foot in a 4-hour power walk tour through “Old Manila Walks.” Thanks to our tour guide, Ivan … Continue reading →

His name is Ron, but they called him “Joe”

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Here’s another post by a guest blogger. It is the personal account of Ron Scott, my brother-in-law, of his visit to the Philippines particularly in Ilocos. He was amazed by the culture of the Ilocanos especially when he came to … Continue reading →

Creativity floats – Piddig

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One thing which you may enjoy in Ilocos is the parade (“parada” in Ilocos) of interesting little prince/princesses and little kings/queens aboard their equally exciting floats that go around town in the heat of the sun. This is usually a … Continue reading →

Ilocos…a history class that’s not boring – Pagudpud, Pansian

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I have invited another guest blogger to share his personal account of his visit to Ilocos. He is Bong Sare, a wedding videographer, who first came to Ilocos “single” and wants to go back with his own family soon…Read on… … Continue reading →

Life’s a Beach – Pasuquin

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I have published a couple of pictures reflecting Ilocanos’ love of the beach. Here’s another one. I was thinking if there was a disaster that just hit Ilocos when I took this image. They took the pain of building a shelter … Continue reading →

“A taste of Laoag” in SM Mall of Asia

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A day after SM Mall of Asia opened to the public last May 20(I was in “viaje del sol” that time, besides I was not lucky to get an invite from Henry Sy!)I was able to roam around the biggest … Continue reading →

The dear meat of a deer!

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This is how a (Philippine) deer looks like when still alive: And this is how it looks like when sold in the market! The deer meat (“ugsa” to Ilocanos) is indeed dear. It’s quite expensive. The last time I have … Continue reading →

Whose bum it kissed – Batac

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Hard wood furniture that comes from Ilocos are often referred to as “Vigan Furniture” even if they are not actually from Vigan. This kind of furniture may have been referred to as “Vigan” because of its distinct style inspired by … Continue reading →

The Ilokano Hospitality and their “Kasilias”

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This is another post by another guest blogger. I’ve known him since college with then girlfriend, Benz.They have travelled to Ilocos several times and he constantly helps in the layout of this blog. He is a friend, he is John … Continue reading →

It’s not in the size (or smell), it’s in the taste – Pasuquin

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When you stop by this hut, all you need is your meat or fish then you’ll have a sumptuous dish! You have your salt to taste, (sugarcane) vinegar, red onions and garlic to spice it up. A little advice though, … Continue reading →

Pebbles – Pasuquin

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There are people who find tranquility in pebbles, stones and rocks. I am not an exception. I don’t know, I can’t explain, but every time I see piles of stones, pebbles and rocks, it has a calming effect on my … Continue reading →

Too Sexy – Sarrat

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For my first month of blogging, I have invited my first guest blogger to write an article of an image I have sent her. She has been living in Alberta, Canada for almost two decades now and like me, she … Continue reading →

Something fishy – Solsona

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To those who may not know and to those who may have forgotten, let’s have a guessing game. The two men below are transporting what appear to be dried branches: Question: What do you think will they use it for? … Continue reading →