A Taste of Ilocos

More than the famous bagnet, royal bibingka and chichacorn, Ilocos region has more to offer. 

My friends and I visited Ilocos region few weeks ago. We literally did a drop-by-and-go kind of thing because we had very limited time. We had to visit 8 spots in Ilocos Norte and a few in Ilocos Sur. [Thanks for the jampacked IT B!=P]

We arrived Saturday morning in Ilocos Norte. And who would not stop by the Ilocos Norte arch? Picturesque as it is, I love taking pictures here. (No vanity shots please!)

After a few minutes of rest at B’s house, we went out to eat Empanada de Batac. It was my first time and I was delighted. It went very well with the “Sukang Ilocos.” (Oh Sorry J, I need to post pictures of the Empanada again. Better luck next time. :P)

I will not bore you with the usual blog post. No chronological order this time. I just want to exhibit places in Ilocos. I believe pictures can paint a thousand words so I’ll let them speak.

Marcos Museum

Paoay Church

Bangui Windmills

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

Cape Boejador

Sinking Bell Tower of Laoag

Patapat Bridge

Maira-ira Beach (Blue Lagoon)

Bantay Bell Tower

Calle Crisologo

Empanada de Vigan

Baluarte

Hidden Garden

Pottery

Team Injury Independence Day Manila City Tour (Part 3) Last na!

After Manila Zoo and National Museum, the team went to Intramuros for “a change” from our usual spots. 

We paid 70Php just to see where Rizal’s dungeon was. I hope the government will give it for free during Independence Day just like what they did with the National Museum. 

I was here a few years ago so this did not excite me more than the Manila Zoo and National Museum trip. But they say, there’s always something new. And there was. I saw Carlos Celdran and was able to listen to his talk about Philippines and how it would be better without the Spanish colony. Oh well. I guess that’s how he understood the Philippine History. 

Here are some great photos from Paul. Hope you enjoy them.

~Till next time!

Team Injury Independence Day Manila City Tour (Part 2)

Our second stop was at the National Museum to see the famous (replica of) Spoliarium by Juan Luna himself. On usual days, a visitor has to pay 100Php to see the artifacts and the paintings here in National Museum but since it was Independence Day, they treated the visitors with a FREE visit not just in the first building but in the second building also. (National Museum has 3 buildings including the Planetarium.)

They allowed our cameras inside the museum but we were forbidden to use flash. 

Other paintings can also be seen at the different wings of the first building. After immersing ourselves in the paintings, we went to the second building to see artifacts. 

We were guided by Bhrian - the BrainB;ajndksahan apprentice.  Hi Bhrian! He toured us around and showed us the artifacts from our ancestors including the skeletons of a whale shark. (Yay! So big.)

I encourage everybody to visit the national museum. The things are not just for field trips for the kids but also for the kids at heart. 

~Till then.