Project BAKPAK PILIPINAS

bakpak aurora (120121-22) We arrived to baler on a Saturday...

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 01:56:58 +0800

museo de baler

sabang beach, baler

aliya surf camp, sabang beach, baler

surfing at sabang beach, baler

surfing, sabang beach, baler

600-year-old balete, maria

600-year-old balete, maria

trail to ditumabo falls, san luis

trail to ditumabo falls, san luis

ditumabo falls, san luis

bakpak aurora (120121-22)

We arrived to baler on a Saturday morning, after a 6-hour bus ride from manila. A tiring trip forced us to rest for a few minutes, that turned into hours of sleep. After a quick cheap lunch in one of the famous “rolling stores”, we started touring the city center.

Baler interested me after seeing the movie “baler”, showcasing the historic battle between the rebelling Filipinos against the ruling Spaniards. The battle took place in Baler Catholic Church. Seeing the church in its present condition frustrated me. A historic building, plastered and painted green.

Next stop is Museo de Baler. It has an interesting architecture with brick-cladded exterior, but the interior and its exhibits are mediocre.

A visit to the replica of the Aurora Aragon-Quezon’s (wife of President Manuel Quezon) house, will give you a hint of the simple lifestyle of the province’s former inhabitants.

We went surfing at Aliya Surf Camp, Sabang Beach. After a bottle of pale pilsen and a couple of strong waves for a beginner, I got washed out a lot. A bad day for me. But surfing is a sport that got me hooked and ought to learn. Aliya is a cool place to hang out.

The following day, we rented a tricycle to tour us to the 600-year old Balete Tree at Maria, and Ditumabo Falls at San Luis.

The Balete Tree, also known as the Millenium Tree, is the oldest tree of its kind in Asia. It is an imposing tree, with roots and branches that form a cave-like cathedral of leaves. It is a must and a challenge to climb it, either from inside or outside. Climbing it gives someone a sense of pride and satisfaction.

Ditumabo Falls is simple yet grand. Going there is an adventure for all ages. Be prepared for the road we call the “abortion road”. It is a bumpy trip leading to the base of the tour to the falls. A 30-minute uphill hike on boulders and streams is required before swimming at the torquoise blue water of the falls. Swimming on this cool water is reinvigorating after the tiring hike. A perfect reward.

Aurora is a simple yet energetic province. I would love to have a house there someday.

photos credited to katlin quinsay

corregidor trip (110911) we reached corregidor island via ferry....

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:17:00 +0800

corregidor trip (110911)

we reached corregidor island via ferry. the island, located at the mouth of manila bay, can be toured by foot or by a tranvia. it is an educational tour, a visit to our history, to have a glimpse of our past. this island witnessed a lot of wars, especially ww2. it is a heavy place to visit. your are being reminded of our darkest days in history. our forefathers fought here for our country. now, it serves as a memorial and a tourist destination. a plaque there says, ” DEDICATED TO THE FILIPINO WHO KNOWS HOW TO DIE FOR LOVE OF FREEDOM AND LIBERTY.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corregidor_Island

bakpak ilocos tour part 3 pagudpod (110424am) to vigan(110424pm)...

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 23:23:00 +0800

kat @ vigan cathedral.

me & glen @ vigan cathedral.

me, kat & glen @ vigan cathedral.

burgos residence/museum.

burgos residence/museum. from courtyard.

burgos residence/museum courtyard.

architecture tour.

architecture tour.

architecture tour.

socializing @ kalle crisologo.

bakpak ilocos tour part 3

pagudpod (110424am) to vigan(110424pm) via bus

we only have 4+ hours left to see vigan city. but i believe that the city is overrated. it is a case where city officials are literally trying to save its heritage to the point that it hurts itself. the architecture of the famous kalle crisologo is dead. it is usable but not livable. most of its buildings are dilapidated. the second level floor framing of most houses are inaccessible if not totally gone. it is dying. but of course, we ought not to touch them, we need to preserve their heritage. note that most of these houses are of no historical significance. it just so happen that they are old. old and heritage are two different things.

burgos museum, the former residence fr. burgos, a martyr and a hero, is an exemption. it is beautiful. its spaces are connected by an interior courtyard and a veranda, giving a sense of lightness in every room.

a few buildings are of note in vigan city. most of them have interior courtyards. it was quite an experience of seeing a courtyard that works. the light environment it gives and the pleasure of seeing it is fascinating.

photos credited to katlin quinsay & abi paglinawan

bakpak ilocos tour part 2 laoag (110422pm) to pagudpod(110424am)...

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 22:53:00 +0800

me. looking at 2 peaks.

me. off to the beach.

me & kat at kabayan.

local kids playing.

me. checking if the bridge is sturdy.

playing while the sun is rising.

cave. a short one.

me.

a teddy @ bangui windmills.

low tide.

bakpak ilocos tour part 2

laoag (110422pm) to pagudpod(110424am) via bus

make sure you check the schedule at laoag bus terminal. we almost missed the last bus leaving for pagudpod!

pagudpod has a long beach front, most of it is filled with sea urchins. the safest and nicest part is in front of hannah’s. we stayed at kapuluan, at the farthest end of the road along the beach. the food was great!

you should wake up early if you are in pagudpod, the sun rises at its beaches. it is best to swim at the afternoon if you hate the sun.

the bangui windmills are gigantic. they are such a site before arriving to pagudpod. you have a chance to see them at different angles.

photos credited to katlin quinsay & abi paglinawan

bakpak ilocos tour part 1 manila (110421pm) to laoag (110422pm)...

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 22:22:00 +0800

naia terminal 3.

me.

glen & kat. notice glen's shirt.

malacanang of the north.

paoay cathedral's buttress & bell tower.

paoay cathedral's bell tower.

corals.

paoay cathedral's buttress.

stairway to heaven. notice glen's shirt.

ruins.

bakpak ilocos tour part 1

manila (110421pm) to laoag (110422pm) via airplane

we arrived to laoag when the moon is closer than usual, seen at its biggest. we are welcomed by its reddish glow. too welcoming we thought it was a signage, and nobody bothered taking a picture. it was fascinating!

this is more of an architecture tour. the city, governed by the marcoses for ages, was designed in accordance with spain’s laws of the indies. there is a public plaza, surrounded by civic and institutional buildings. the buildings are formed with bricks and concrete.

the paoay cathedral is unusually built using corals, fortified by its beautiful buttresses. they say it is earthquake proof. its bell tower is my favorite, made of carefully cut corals.

thank you marcos for the malacanang of the north. it is beautiful. its spaces, ambience, detail are distinctly filipino. but you were a !@#$ing dictator!

photos credited to katlin quinsay & abi paglinawan

we are here. come visit PHILIPPINES. poster by Team Manila.

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 22:28:25 +0800

we are here. come visit PHILIPPINES. poster by Team Manila.