"...no modern restaurant in Dagupan could ever take the place of these local food in the hearts of Dagupeños and visitors like me."

[DAGUPAN, PANGASINAN, PHILIPPINES] ► Bangus (milkfish) has somehow become synonymous with Dagupan. However, the city of Dagupan is more than the bangus recipes and the expanding presence of fusion dishes and contemporary food innovations that can be found in its ever growing inventory of restaurants and cafes.

[DAGUPAN] ► HELLO! WELCOME TO DAGUPAN!

Earlier this year, I did a walking tour in the downtown district of Dagupan and I found out that the local tupig and bibingka vendors are back near the city plaza!

As far as I'm concerned, I think they were gone for a while. On my last visit, I found out that the local vendors stationed at the corner of Burgos Street and AB Fernandez Avenue near the Dagupan City Plaza are back!

Tupig and Local Bibingka

Tupig is basically popular in Northwestern Luzon and in some Ilocano speaking towns in Central Luzon. Although Dagupan is not technically an Ilocano city, this city takes pride of its Dagupeño tupig.

[DAGUPAN] ► A TUPIG VENDOR NEAR THE CITY PLAZA

Tupig is made of ground glutinous rice and coconut strips (or grated coconut in some cases) wrapped with banana leaves.

Some of the tupig vendors I saw were stationed near the AB Fernandez Avenue and Burgos Street corner of the Dagupan City Plaza.

[DAGUPAN] ► TUPIG IS A LOCAL DELICACY HERE IN DAGUPAN.

[DAGUPAN] ► TUPIG IS MADE OF GLUTINOUS RICE WRAPPED WITH BANANA LEAVES.

Moving on, I think it was my first time to encounter these bibingka makers and vendors in this part of AB Fernandez Avenue located near the city plaza.

Bibingka, like tupig, is also made of glutinous rice and coconut strips cooked with a banana leaf too. Unlike tupig, bibingkas are not rolled and wrapped with banana leaves. They're like cup cakes.

[DAGUPAN] ► THIS IS DAGUPAN'S LOCAL BIBINGKA.

The bibingkas of Dagupan are cooked over charcoal. Bibingka makers cook them right in the streets. They put their bibingkas inside a can then cover it with a coconut shell.

[DAGUPAN] ► COOKING A BIBINGKA, DAGUPAN STYLE.

[DAGUPAN] ► THESE LOCAL RICE CAKES WERE PLACED INSIDE THESE CANS.

[DAGUPAN] ► THE CAN WAS COVERED WITH COCONUT SHELL.

Ending Words

Dagupan's local food (well, aside from bangus) are usually not the highlights of its food scene but they're here to stay.

The city has evolved (and continues to evolve) so fast with the mushrooming of new restaurants and cafés but the local food that make up the foundation of its local culture couldn't be replaced by any modern and posh restaurant.

Tupig and bibingka are insanely cheap yet it's jam-packed with calories to keep you going and strong. It's even healthier with less grease or fats. Indeed, no modern restaurant in Dagupan could ever take the place of these local food in the hearts of Dagupeños and visitors like me. They're here not because vendors need to earn by selling them but because Dagupan's intangible spirit is not complete without these local food, hence, part of their identity. | end |

11 JANUARY 2017: TUPIG AND BIBINGKA
DAGUPAN, PANGASINAN PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES

[DAGUPAN] ► HELLO! WELCOME TO DAGUPAN!

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] This post was filed under the category "Food and Cuisines." There is a section below where you can see other related posts from this category.

[2] The maps I used on this post are from maps.google.com.ph.

[3] All photos are mine.

[4] The insights, condition and name of places or properties I mentioned here are based on the facts and situation on the day of my visit. Take note that you may have a different experience when you try or see the properties or places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time so it's not my responsibility to update all the information on this blog because once published, I already consider it an archive and I won't update my narratives because I want them to become my references of what have happened in the past. I'm very particular of the dates because I want my amazing readers to understand that I am writing stories based on my perspective and insights on the day of my visit. You can see dates almost everywhere on this blog. Exempted from this rule are my travel guide posts that need to be updated.

Map Showing the Location of #Dagupan

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Latest Contents Covering 'Food and Dining'

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EDMAR GUQUIB, Travel Blogger
EDMARATION #TownExplorer

| This is the latest post.

[SAN VICENTE, ILOCOS SUR PROVINCE, ILOCOS REGION, LUZON ISLAND, PHILIPPINES]

Vigan's food and dining scene has expanded greatly the past few years. In fact, even its neighboring towns are benefiting from the mass tourism in Vigan.

In the town of San Vicente, I discovered a restaurant there called FG Resto Bulalohan that offers authentic Ilocano dishes. Yeah, the restaurant name signifies that it's home for bulalo but trust me, this restaurant is more than the bulalo.

The Search for Ladek

Ladek is a local Ilocano food but it's not as popular as bagnet. If you're not from Ilocos, you probably might never heard about this food. In Vigan, this food is not a mainstream tourist food in restaurants. Honestly, the first time that I tasted this food was just last February 17. I am aware that there is a food in Ilocos Sur called ladek but I didn't know what it was like. As I said, it is not common in Vigan because it's not actually a Bigueño food. Ladek is a specialty of the town of Bantay.

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[SAN VICENTE] ▶ FG RESTO BULALOHAN Photo taken by Edmar Guquib on 17-Feb-2017 in San Vicente, Ilocos Sur Province, Ilocos Region, Luzon Island, Philippines Camera: Canon 1200D

I've always been curious about this food but I didn't know where to find this in Vigan. Some of my relatives advised me to go to Bantay instead but I had the same problem. I didn't know where to see it.

My search for ladek finally ended when I accidentally saw the menu of FG Resto Bulalohan which is located in the town of San Vicente, not in Bantay. However, it's location is actually near the San Vicente-Bantay boundary and it's walking distance away from Bantay poblacion. So for the very first time in my life, I ate ladek and learned what it was.

Ladek is actually like a sisig. Some of my friends who know this food also call it the 'Ilocano sisig.' Just the other day during my duty at the hospital, one of my co-nurses-on-duty brought her own dinner. To my surprise, it was a home-cooked ladek! My nurse workmate is a resident of Bantay by the way and she agreed when I said that ladek is a Bantay food, not a Vigan food.

According to my workmate, ladek is made of ngiwngiw and cartilages chopped into small pieces like sisig cooked using its own oil. So it's really a sinful food. Some add a little meat though.

FG Resto and Bulalohan Offerings

Aside from that elusive ladek and their bulalo, I also found out that this restaurant also offers lots of Ilocano food like miki, poqui-poqui, bagnet, Vigan longganisa and more. In the event that you're tired of Ilocano food, they also have other options that are not-so-Ilocano. Just check their menu and speak your heart out.

One thing that I think is interesting here is their malunggay juice. The mere fact that it's made of malunggay is intriguing. I tried it and it tasted great. There was no distinct malunggay taste though but you're not eating dinengdeng-a-marunggi anyway so expect that the taste was suited for a restaurant beverage.

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Arts and Craft

If you're a fan of artworks and handicrafts, you will love this place. Abstract paintings, locally-inspired fixtures, bamboo walls and wall arts made the interior ambient, pleasing, relaxing and appetizing.

FG Resto Bulalohan is located along the National Road in Brgy Bayubay Sur, San Vicente, Ilocos Sur. Take note that the restaurant is located BEFORE the welcome arch of San Vicente. Opening time is 3 PM. Closing time is 12 midnight. | end |

Map Showing the Location of #SanVicente

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] This post was filed under the category "Restaurants." There is a section below where you can see other related posts from this category.

[2] The maps I used on this post are from maps.google.com.ph.

[3] All photos are mine.

[4] The insights, condition and name of places or properties I mentioned here are based on the facts and situation on the day of my visit. Take note that you may have a different experience when you try or see the properties or places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time so it's not my responsibility to update all the information on this blog because once published, I already consider it an archive and I won't update my narratives because I want them to become my references of what have happened in the past. I'm very particular of the dates because I want my amazing readers to understand that I am writing stories based on my perspective and insights on the day of my visit. You can see dates almost everywhere on this blog. Exempted from this rule are my travel guide posts that need to be updated.

LATEST STORIES COVERING #SANVICENTE | SEE ALL #SANVICENTE STORIES »

MORE STORIES COVERING ILOCOS SUR PROVINCE | SEE OLDER STORIES »

Map Showing the Location of #Paoay

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] The above story is Part 01 of a blogserye (blog series). Come back soon for the Part 2.

[2] This post was filed under the category "Travel Diaries."

[3] The maps I used on this post are from maps.google.com.ph.

[4] All photos are mine.

[5] The insights, condition and name of places or properties I mentioned here are based on the facts and situation on the day of my visit. Take note that you may have a different experience when you try or see the properties or places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time so it's not my responsibility to update all the information on this blog because once published, I already consider it an archive and I won't update my narratives because I want them to become my references of what have happened in the past. I'm very particular of the dates because I want my amazing readers to understand that I am writing stories based on my perspective and insights on the day of my visit. You can see dates almost everywhere on this blog. Exempted from this rule are my travel guide posts that need to be updated.

LATEST STORIES COVERING #PAOAY | SEE ALL #PAOAY STORIES »

MORE STORIES COVERING ILOCOS NORTE PROVINCE | SEE OLDER STORIES »

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SVDVSFLNSLBT

Walking on the laid-back, groovy and traffic congestion-free streets of Paoay would allow you to get fascinated by this recurring symbolism that's everywhere—that, if you're a curious soul and observant with purpose to learn.

[Paoay, Ilocos Norte Province, Ilocos Region, Luzon Island, Philippines]

I was enjoying the chill room temperature inside my hotel while my physiologic status was on deep sleep until I woke up hearing a voice inside the room. I woke up seeing Berniemack Arellano and another man. Bernie introduced to me that he was BJ and I realized he's one of the officials of the Paoay LGU. Well, it's almost 12:00 PM and the activities would start soon.

Without taking a bath, I left the room with confidence and feeling fresh (from sleep). Fellow bloggers (all were my first time to meet in person except Bernie) were already waiting at the hotel lobby.The walk started with BJ describing everything we saw along the way.

BJ, OUR TOUR GUIDE SLASH TOURISM OFFICER OF PAOAY

It felt good especially that I was with people with the same interests as mine covering blogging, traveling, heritage and culture. I wouldn't mind the high noon sun if this walk would mean enriching my humanness and knowledge. I've wished it could improve sex appeal and six-pack abs too though but that's another story.

Revelation 1: The Spirals

Now, the end is near. The end of my longing for answers to my questions and enlightenment to my curious self about the mysterious symbolism was near with BJ revealing everything he knows about Paoay just before I asked about it. Actually, one of the things that boggled my mind was the series of spirals in town. Well, seeing it reminds me of the massive buttresses of the Paoay Church but that's just the surface. There's a deeper meaning.

THIS TALIKOGENIC GIRL STOOD WITH GRACE BESIDE A POST WITH A SPIRAL.

Walking on the laid-back, groovy and traffic congestion-free streets of Paoay would allow you to get fascinated by this recurring symbolism that's everywhere—that, if you're a curious soul and observant with purpose to learn. I said "with the purpose to learn" because some people might just see these symbols as mere decorations or designs for aesthetic or artworks ranging from stupid to Michelangelo-worthy. Otherwise, they wouldn't care.

For someone who occasionally overthinks (well, occasionally), I find this symbol interesting. Well, I wasn't really looking for some deep meanings as unfathomable as the Philippine Trench. Knowing the reason why it's there was just a little curiosity I had to satisfy so I wouldn't mind if the purpose was for fun, for random decoration or was a result of an art-design contest.

But because I am aware that these spirals could be seen at the Paoay Church, I know they were suggestive of some cultural and historical events.

THIS BOY SHOWED ME THE CHILL WAY TO SPOT YOUR CRUSH WHILE SITTING INSIDE A SHADE WITH SPIRAL ACCENTS.

My thoughts about it was correct when BJ told us that the spirals are cultural symbols. It's reminiscent of the paganism practices of the people of Paoay (and most likely many parts of the Philippines that time—'cause I also noticed some spirals in Tayum, Abra and Aguilar, Pangasinan).

When the Spaniards came, they found out that the locals have indigenous practices and belief with the sun god. On why these spirals were incorporated with this Roman Catholic church is a story I'm gonna write soon. Sorry but I have to cut the details and stories here because I have another post in mind dedicated for this topic. So in the meantine, revelation 1 is about the spirals and my thoughts that these are cultural symbols were confirmed.

We continued our walk and BJ showed us more of these spirals carved on the walls of the Paoay Church.

Spirals are very evident on Paoay Church. It's reminiscent of the sun god of the ancient people.

Series of spirals were carved on the big buttresses of the Paoay Church.

Beside the church was a modern-day cobblestone street that complemented very well with the classic and old-world feel of the massive Paoay Church.

It was a pedestrian-friendly street with locals randomly walking and children playing with their bikes. It was so local!

These youngsters from Paoay were enjoying their playtime with their bikes pass the modern-day cobblestone segment of the street beside the Paoay Church.

PAOAY, ILOCOS NORTE

Old Paoay souls randomly walking on a street beside the Paoay Church.

PAOAY, ILOCOS NORTE

The high noon walk continued with BJ passionately sharing his knowledge of the very soul and history of Paoay. We went in front of the Paoay Church and it felt good to see it again, now with more fascination and awe because of the amazing stories I just learned associated with it.

I appreciated Paoay Church more than ever.

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Blocks of letters were placed in front of the Paoay Church.

PAOAY, CHURCH

A stage was set up in front of the Paoay Church for the night's activity.

PAOAY, CHURCH

Beside the buttresses is a stair overgrown with grasses and shrubs.

PAOAY, CHURCH

BJ didn't mention about this (maybe because it was already very obvious) but I personally noticed that the spiral was also present on the lawn in front of the Paoay Church. Indeed, this symbol has branded Paoay this way and I think it was a clever idea.

THIS HUGE SPIRAL COMPLEMENTED WELL WITH THE PAOAY CHURCH.

The first revelation I just learned was the best thing I learned in this trip. However, there are equally wonderful revelations I learned that time.

The story continues.

Revelation 2: The Perimeter Wall

The perimeter wall of the Paoay Church, oftentimes, gets unnoticed. It's equally beautiful though. If you try to examine the walls, you'd see fourteen (14) cross carvings in all.

A CROSS CARVED ON THE PERIMETER WALL OF PAOAY CHURCH

These cross carvings may actually suggest the stations of the cross (aka Way of the Cross, Way of Sorrows or Via Crucis).

It may signify that during the old times, the people of Paoay practiced the Via Crucis tradition just around the Paoay Church.

*******************************************

Above are the first two revelations I learned in Paoay and I swear there's more to be told later on this series.

CHILDREN RANDOMLY WALKING AROUND TOWN

We continued the walk and I noticed some new improvements around Paoay. One of them is the application of cobblestone on the streets surrounding the Paoay Church. It was pleasing to see.

On the other side of the church was a crowd. A table about 50 meters in length was put up. Hmmm... This was the moment I was waiting for. | to be continued... |

✈ BLOGSERYE 3: ILOCOS NORTE TRAVEL DRAMA - FEBRUARY 2017

| PART 2 |

« BLOGSERYE 2 BLOGSERYE 3 BLOGSERYE 4 »

Map Showing the Location of #Paoay

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] The above story is Part 2 of a blogserye (blog series). Come back soon for the Part 3.

[2] The stories I told above were actually technical. If you think there were some errors on the facts or theories I mentioned, do not hesitate to correct me because I stand corrected. But please, cite the basis of your argument.

[3] I would like to thank Mr Bernard Joseph Guerrero of the Paoay tourism office for hosting us in Paoay as well as to the Paoay LGU for welcoming us in your beautiful town!

[4] This post was filed under the category "Travel Diaries." See more posts related to this below.

[5] The maps I used on this post are from maps.google.com.ph.

[6] All photos are mine.

[7] The insights, condition and name of places or properties I mentioned here are based on the facts and situation on the day of my visit. Take note that you may have a different experience when you try or see the properties or places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time so it's not my responsibility to update all the information on this blog because once published, I already consider it an archive and I won't update my narratives because I want them to become my references of what have happened in the past. I'm very particular of the dates because I want my amazing readers to understand that I am writing stories based on my perspective and insights on the day of my visit. You can see dates almost everywhere on this blog. Exempted from this rule are my travel guide posts that need to be updated.

LATEST STORIES COVERING #PAOAY | SEE ALL #PAOAY STORIES »

MORE STORIES COVERING ILOCOS NORTE PROVINCE | SEE OLDER STORIES »

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SEE OLDER STORIES COVERING 'TRAVEL DIARIES'»

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SVDVSFLNSLBT

I thought twice. It was so expensive for me. I checked out the time and it was running so fast. I was tempted to go because of the time constraint but I tried to haggle down the prize again...

[Luzon Island, Philippines]

It was very early in the morning when I left home to catch the early-bird bus ride at the Viron Bus Station. My hometown Vigan was just waking up when I reached its poblacion.

Vigan's Early Morning Charm

Vigan's main road was empty except for fellow early birds who need to wake up for different reasons. Me? My reason was to reach Cubao on or before 3 PM 'cause I have a flight at 07:20 in the evening.

VIGAN'S SIMBAAN-A-BASSIT LOOKS PEACEFUL AT 6 AM.

While waiting for the bus, I was able to see the face of Vigan that's not so familiar to me—its early morning look. I said it's not so familiar to me because I'm normally a nocturnal person that waking up early is a great achievement.

I discovered that the early morning charm of Vigan was the charm I used to see when I was a little kid—when tourists were not yet here, only us, locals.

THIS IS QUEZON AVENUE, VIGAN'S MAIN (AND BUSIEST) STREET AT 6 AM. YEAH, 'BUSIEST' STREET.

Vigan's early morning charm was—it's a travel blogger cliché but—nostalgic. It brought back the good, sweet, old memories of being a kid and a dreamer.

Quezon Avenue, Vigan's main street was a deserted road lined with mid-rises. Stores were closed. No economic activity yet. It was like a ghost town. However, at 7 AM, this road transforms fast like a wildfire.

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This is a typical scene in Vigan before the tourists came rushing in. Uh! Childhood memories also came rushing in this moment.

QUEZON AVENUE, VIGAN

This is Viron Bus Terminal located along Quezon Avenue.

VIRON BUS TERMINAL, VIGAN

Quezon Avenue is deserted at 6 AM.

QUEZON AVENUE, VIGAN

Fast forward, I reached Cubao 9 hours after.

The Cubao Drama

I reached Manila from Vigan 9 hours after. I asked the conductor of Viron how to go to Pasay. They suggested I'd take a taxi because I might get late for my flight. The time then was 4 pm and just thinking alone that I might be left by the plane was haunting me like a ghost, creepy.

I haggled with a taxi driver because I wanted a cheaper fare. It wasn't a good idea probably but my hope was high for a discount. He charged me with 500 pesos. I asked if his cab was metered but he answered me that if he would use the meter, I'd add 150 pesos. I thought twice. It was so expensive for me. I checked out the time and it was running so fast. I was tempted to go because of the time constraint but I tried to haggle down the prize again to 400 but to no avail. He reasoned out that the traffic would cost him more than what he would earn. Haaaay. Welcome to Manila!

A security guard from Viron asked me where I was going while haggling with the taxi driver. I said, "Pasay. NAIA."

Then he told me, "Just take a bus." He asked the time of my flight.

I said. "7:20 PM."

"You might get late. Take a cab instead." He replied. I asked him how much should be the justifiable fare for a taxi ride from Cubao to NAIA. He told me at least 300 pesos. So now I'm at least more confident to haggle more. I ditched the first cab.

When a new cab arrived, the kind guard assisted me to deal with the driver. The driver charged me with 450 pesos. The guard haggled for me down to 350 pesos. The driver didn't agree. "I said 400 please", while I put my palms together in front of my chest and took a bow as if I was begging. The driver agreed. I thought it was already a good deal. Yey!

EDSA Notes

On the road, I asked the driver how far NAIA is when there is no traffic. He told me it's normally 1 hour. Wow! For me, that was still a slow drive considering Cubao is two cities away (Pasig, Makati) from Pasay via EDSA (I hope I was right). I was thinking that the Vigan to Laoag route which are 12 towns away via the Manila North Road could only cost me an hour if there is no traffic so I concluded that EDSA would always be a traffic-congested road, at least for now. I asked the driver if we could reach NAIA by 7 PM. He shook his head sideways. Oh no! Creepy.

He didn't answer me instead he made a way to make it faster by using his driving skills in EDSA. I didn't talk. I didn't want to think negative. OMG, I didn't want to be left in NAIA. But you know what, when we were in Ortigas, EDSA cleared. Miracle! Thanks universe! Thank God! On the road, I saw the Newport City performing center and it was my first time to see it. I knew it because I saw it on TV. Then I noticed this Marriott Hotel and Solaire. The latter is famous because it is the venue of some ABS-CBN shows that I watch at home. OMG, I'm so promdi, so overwhelmed to see landmarks that are so "normal" for Manila residents. Newport city looked elegant and neat. I love the building designs. They were so Romanesque.

Reaching NAIA

I finally reached NAIA. A security guard asked me which airline. So I told him the airline where I booked a very cheap flight. It was 5 PM! If I should have known it could be that fast, I should have taken a bus so that I could limit my expenses. 400 as fare was expensive for me. But what could I do? I've done the deal. Anyway, at least I arrived safe. So I have to wait for more than two hours more which I could have used to commute the cheaper way.

This was my first solo backpacking using an airplane. My previous solo backpacking trips were all land trips so this one is a bit different. Did my promdi-ness made me stupid inside the airport? Was I able to follow the airport procedures (first time to do it by myself)? What happened inside the airport while I was waiting? | to be continued...

✈ BLOGSERYE 4: MY FIRST SOLO BACKPACKING USING AN AIRPLANE

PART 01 |

« BLOGSERYE 3 BLOGSERYE 4

Map Showing the Location of Luzon Island

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] The above story is part of a blogserye (blog series). You can bookmark this if you wish to follow this series..

[2] This post was filed under the category "En Route Stories." See more posts related to this below.

[3] The maps I used on this post are from maps.google.com.ph.

[4] All photos are mine.

[5] The insights, condition and name of places or properties I mentioned here are based on the facts and situation on the day of my visit. Take note that you may have a different experience when you try or see the properties or places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time so it's not my responsibility to update all the information on this blog because once published, I already consider it an archive and I won't update my narratives because I want them to become my references of what have happened in the past. I'm very particular of the dates because I want my amazing readers to understand that I am writing stories based on my perspective and insights on the day of my visit. You can see dates almost everywhere on this blog. Exempted from this rule are my travel guide posts that need to be updated.

LATEST STORIES COVERING LUZON ISLAND | SEE ALL LUZON ISLAND STORIES »

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PSVDVSFLNSLB

If you loaded this page expecting for tourist attractions to see in less than 24 hours in Kuala Lumpur, I'm sorry to disappoint you but this is not a story of tourist spots but tourist stops. Yeah, stop here, stop there, stop everywhere.

[Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory, Peninsular Malaysia, Federation of Malaysia]

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Kuala Lumpur was the first national capital city I visited outside . , on the other hand, was the first country I visited outside the . If you loaded this page expecting for tourists attractions to see in less than 24 hours in Kuala Lumpur, I'm sorry to disappoint you but this is not a story of tourist spots but tourist stops. Yeah, stop here, stop there, stop everywhere.

For a Kuala Lumpur first timer doing it solo, getting lost is probably pretty common. I didn't care about the tourist spots. I prioritized to reach my ultimate stop—a place where I could rest.

Entering Kuala Lumpur

My portal of entry in Malaysia was the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2). Actually, I thought the location of KLIA2 was an area that was under the jurisdiction of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. I later found out that KLIA2 is outside Kuala Lumpur (palá). I discovered it when I checked-in on Facebook. Facebook's database showed me that it was in town of Selangor state. So there. Sepang was the first town/city I've stepped onto outside the Philippines, not Kuala Lumpur.

[SEPANG] ▶ KUALA LUMPUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 2 Screenshot from Facebook in Sepang, Selangor State, Peninsular Malaysia, Federation of Malaysia

Since Sepang is not a part of Kuala Lumpur, my story bank covering Sepang isn't included in this post because this one only covers Kuala Lumpur. (Sorry Sepang, you are KL's front line in the aviation industry but in this story, you're a pitiful backstage, charaught!)

Anyway, due to my delayed flight, I reached the city of Kuala Lumpur later than expected. Compared to my very own national capital city of Manila, Kuala Lumpur has less traffic congestion. There is actually, but not as hardcore as Manila.

I was able to sleep inside the bus. When I woke up, Kuala Lumpur's flyovers and skyscrapers welcomed me. Wow! Welcome myself to Kuala Lumpur.

On the flip side, I didn't notice the Petronas Towers maybe because we had a different route or maybe because we've already passed by it or maybe because I was sleeping when it was ready to be seen from the bus window.

One of the interesting things I noticed in Malaysia is the effect of the timezone. The Philippines and Malaysia have the same timezone but since Malaysia is less closer to the east than the Philippines, I was still able to see the sun at 7 PM (already dark in the Philippines).

We entered the very heart of Kuala Lumpur when it already started to become dark. Lights glittered in the city. The most memorable area I saw was the Kuala Lumpur's Little India. It brought me to another world really. The culturescape was new to me. It reminded me so well to wake up from daydreaming. Indeed, I was physically present in a city outside the Philippines.

First Tourist Stop: KL Sentral Bus Stop

I rode a bus from KLIA2 to KL Sentral. Obviously, the terminal was at the KL Sentral. KL Sentral is a centralized transportation hub in Kuala Lumpur. It also has rail stations.

KL SENTRAL BUS STATION IS A POPULAR TOURIST STOP FOR TOURISTS STARTING TO GET LOST.

KL Sentral was my first stop in Kuala Lumpur as a first time tourist. Being unaware on how the building design of KL Sentral works, I asked for people around how to go to the Monorail Station. My asking strategy worked.

I used the elevator to reach the floor I was targeting until I entered a corridor leading to an office. So I had to stop walking to prevent myself from entering that office. I entered another corridor and I almost entered an office again. Ulkkkk! How could I exit this maze!!!

After several stop here, stop there and stop everywhere drama, I found the right place. I saw fellow tourists looking for their way to the station they wanted to reach.

Second Tourist Stop: KL Sentral Atrium

I had big sigh of relief when I reached the atrium of the KL Sentral. With my heavy backpack threatening my spinal column and trapezius muscles, I wanted to exit all of these tourist stops quick! I'm done with the first. I'm on the second tourist stop. I wanted to stop seeing these tourist stops. I wanted to see a tourist spot for real!

PHOTO BY WAYNE LIEW: LINK SOURCE HERE: http://www.kuaby.com/kl-sentral/

KL Sentral was actually more than just a transportation hub. It was also a shopping center and a great tourist stop if you're tired. It was air-conditioned so you could stop all you want. You could stop to eat. You could stop to unload at the restroom. Indeed, it was one of the greatest tourist stops in Malaysia for those tired tourists hungry for rest and comfort.

I again applied my asking strategy and this time, it didn't work. Some people I asked either couldn't speak English or had an accent I couldn't understand. I just searched for the Monorail station on my own way.

I followed some white tourists in trolleys where they were heading. I realized later on that there were many stations in KL Sentral. Uh! I wanted to stop this excruciating search for tourist stops. This unplanned itinerary covering tourist stops in KL was not really fun.

Where's the monorail station!!!???

After several minutes of figuring out which is which, I finally reached my third tourist stop, the monorail station.

Third Tourist Stop: Monorail Station

I was not enjoying this instant unplanned itinerary covering the beautiful tourist stops in KL. I was so desperate to get out of this concrete maze and put an end to this itinerary. My hopes came back when I finally reached the monorail station.

KL SENTRAL MONORAIL STATION, KUALA LUMPUR

KL SENTRAL MONORAIL STATION WAS A GREAT TOURIST STOP. DUH!

However, upon reaching the counter, there was no personnel! I waited like a stupid duck in front of that fiber glass and stopped for few minutes. Ok, confirmed. This tourist stop was the greatest... the greatest tourist stopper in KL.

After stopping for few minutes, an Indian woman came to say that I had to get my monorail token at the self-service machine beside the counter and stop again and again to watch the people how they did it—such a great tourist stopper.

I was able to continue moving though. I thought I was gonna stop here until the date of my return flight. Duh!

Fourth Tourist Stop: Berjaya Time Square

Berjaya time square is a favorite place for tourists to stop for a while if they wanted to take a break from fooling themselves. It was already almost 10 in the evening and this search for tourist stops was not yet over!

PHOTO BY WAYNE LIEW: LINK SOURCE HERE: http://www.kuaby.com/berjaya-times-square-shopping-mall/

I stopped here for few minutes to check out my Google map screenshot because Berjaya Time Square was an important landmark for me to finally see my final stop.

I was confused of my direction. I stopped here and there. At some point, I about-faced like a soldier after sinking in to reality that I was taking the wrong direction.

Thanks to these three policemen who were standing that time. I approached them but they didn't know where was the place I was pointing on Google map in spite of the fact that Berjaya Time Square was well identified on the map. Uh! Thanks for stopping me more. This fourth tourist stop made my instant tourist stops itinerary even more excruciating.

Because I couldn't decipher the direction, I checked all the directions until I finally reached my favorite tourist stop in this tourist stops itinerary for less than 24 hours.

Fifth Tourist Stop: The Hostel Where I Would Sleep. Yey!

Yehey! The misadventure was over when I found my ultimate stop—the where I would be sleeping that night. It was the greatest tourist stop I experienced in Kuala Lumpur in this less than 24 hours itinerary.

THE MOST DESIRABLE TOURIST STOP IN THIS ITINERARY WAS MY HOSTEL ROOM!

Reaching my ultimate stop was a show-stopper 'cause finally, I gotta stop here not to punish myself but to pamper my body with this pleasure called rest.

Near this hostel were signs that I was already experiencing the true tourist spots that I really wanted to stop for pleasure (not for pressure) where I could take time to feel, see, taste, smell and learn their warmth, beauty, flavors, aroma and history.

Malaysian food were served in local restaurants. I experienced for the first time the warmth of the restaurant staff for a tourist stopper and spotter like me. I ate my —such an achievement. After these series of tourist stops, I can't wait to see the tourist spots. Welcome to Kuala Lumpur! | end |

BLOGSERYE 03 SUMMARY: | This blogserye was divided into several chapters with several episodes under each chapter.

CHAPTER 01:CHAPTER 02

CHAPTER 01 ► Five (5) Tourist Stops (Not Spots) to Spice Your DIY Itinerary Below 24 Hours in KL. | The story above is the summary of this Chapter 01. To read more stories, insights and details arising from this chapter, check out the episodes below.

✈ EPISODE 01:

✈ EPISODE 02:

✈ EPISODE 03:

✈ EPISODE 04:

✈ EPISODE 05:

✈ EPISODE 06:

Coming Soon!

Map Showing the Location of #KualaLumpur

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] The above story is the Chapter 1 of Blogserye 3.

[2] This post was filed under the category "#TownExplorer Collections." See more posts related to this below.

[3] The maps I used on this post are from maps.google.com.ph.

[4] Some photos are owned by Wayne Liew of www.kuaby.com.

[5] The insights, condition and name of places or properties I mentioned here are based on the facts and situation on the day of my visit. Take note that you may have a different experience when you try or see the properties or places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time so it's not my responsibility to update all the information on this blog because once published, I already consider it an archive and I won't update my narratives because I want them to become my references of what have happened in the past. I'm very particular of the dates because I want my amazing readers to understand that I am writing stories based on my perspective and insights on the day of my visit. You can see dates almost everywhere on this blog. Exempted from this rule are my travel guide posts that need to be updated.

LATEST STORIES COVERING #KUALALUMPUR | SEE ALL #KUALALUMPUR STORIES »

MORE STORIES COVERING PENINSULAR MALAYSIA | SEE OLDER STORIES »

MORE FROM THIS CATEGORY (#TOWNEXPLORER COLLECTIONS)
SEE OLDER STORIES COVERING '#TOWNEXPLORER COLLECTIONS'»

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PSVDVSFLNSLB

I learned from them that physical deficiencies are practically non-existent. It's all about how you maximize your life to the fullest. No one is really handicapped. We could live as a normal being if we choose to.

[Pasay, National Capital Region, Luzon Island, Luzon Group, Philippines]

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Entering the airport solo for the first time without the help or instruction of a frequent flier was a little bit memorable for me. I'm not an airport virgin but entering the facility solo for the first time had a share of anxiety in me. As usual, I observed first what the other people did before I entered the first x-ray scanner. I removed my belt with metal, my sunglasses, my bonnet and my personal doubts. I placed my things in a tray and my presence of mind in my heart.

Pre-Departure Area Drama: The People I Met, Observed and Lessons I Learned

Inside the pre-departure area, I purchased a chicken siopao—58 pesos—that didn't really taste like there was a chicken ingredient, an expensive beef tapa rice meal (120+ pesos) and the cheapest drinks (25 pesos). Whew! Airport commodities are the price of gold.

Then, someone announced that our flight was delayed. This was also my first delayed flight experience: from 7:20 PM to 10:30 PM. Uh!

While waiting for the arrival of the delayed aircraft, I met a woman from Kalibo named Maricel. She told me she has two children studying in Manila: one in De La Salle University and one in Centro Escolar University. She told me she got pregnant at the age of seventeen (17). Her youngest is in high school in Kalibo. Her husband is a UN volunteer in Sudan but according to her, earns 200,000 pesos monthly.

The latter goes home every three months. She told me there are a lot of things she did not experience and enjoy because she married early. She said I am lucky because I am doing what I love now, still single and looks 24 (according to her), a 'very' little difference compared to my actual age that time.

Whenever she goes to Manila, she attends parties and she even revealed that she could spend ten thousand pesos in one night with her relatives, and even her Ex-BF. She told me she wants to enjoy her life too. It is not yet too late.

I told her, "Yes, money is meant to be spent. If you have a lot of money but you're not spending it for your personal fulfillment and happiness, what's the use?" She agreed.

She asked me my about my job. I said "I'm a nurse."

She told me "You're rich!" I disagreed and I explamied the reason why I could afford to travel. I told her that it's a matter of prioritization. I also shared my insights about the sad situation of nurses in the Philippines like the low salary. She asked me my salary. I disclosed it. She was shocked (because it was very low).

She asked me where I came from. "Vigan." I said. She told me Vigan is a beautiful place although she has never been there.

I agreed. I said, "Yes, I am from there and I'm proud of my city. But I am not telling it is beautiful because it is my city. I am telling it is beautiful because it deserves the hype."

I also told her I've never been to Boracay which is a few minutes/hours away from Kalibo. She told me I should visit soon.

The pre-departure area was full of people while we shared personal stories of hope, dreams and frustrations. I sat down in a corner—on the floor near a massage service room ran by blind people who already know where they were going even though they could not see their way.

[PASAY] ► ME, SITTING IN A CORNER INSIDE THE TERMINAL 3 OF NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

I thought these blind men already calculated how many steps they should execute to reach their destination inside the airport. It was just amazing how they reached a place they desired accurately while they made turns with precision.

I learned from them that physical deficiencies are practically non-existent. It's all about how you maximize your life to the fullest. No one is really handicapped. We could live as a normal being if we choose to.

Ate Macel had to go. My flight was later. I learned something from her that people have regrets in the end. So I conclude that decision-making is a crucial element of future-building. It could change your life forever. We should focus on the things that we love and the people we care for.

Fast forward, it's 10:00 PM and I had to be on board. I was both nervous and excited for my first solo backpacking using an airplane. Where am I going? | to be continued... |

This is the Episode 02 of Blogserye 05.

✈ BLOGSERYE 05: MY FIRST SOLO BACKPACKING USING AN AIRPLANE

My 20-something spirit wanted to explore the Philippines without riding an airplane. I wanted to visit as many towns as possible in the Philippines via land and sea travel only. However, some airlines' cheap fares were just irresistible, hence, I traveled solo for the first time by flying. Blogserye 05 is a series of narratives and stories about my first solo backpacking using an airplane.

Chapter 01Chapter 02

Chapter 01: Flying Solo for the First Time

This chapter is a series of narratives and stories about my experience of flying solo for the first time.

✈ EPISODE 01:

✈ EPISODE 02: ► Ninoy Aquino International Airport: Notes from My First Solo Flight

✈ EPISODE 03: (Up Next)

Coming soon!

✈ BLOGSERYE 05: MY FIRST SOLO BACKPACKING USING AN AIRPLANE

◄ BLOGSERYE 04 BLOGSERYE 05

Map Showing the Location of #Pasay

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] The above story is the Episode 02 of Blogserye 05.

[2] This post was filed under the category "Airport Tales." See more posts related to this below.

[3] The maps I used on this post are from maps.google.com.ph.

[4] All photos are mine.

[5] The insights, condition and name of places or properties I mentioned here are based on the facts and situation on the day of my visit. Take note that you may have a different experience when you try or see the properties or places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time so it's not my responsibility to update all the information on this blog because once published, I already consider it an archive and I won't update my narratives because I want them to become my references of what have happened in the past. I'm very particular of the dates because I want my amazing readers to understand that I am writing stories based on my perspective and insights on the day of my visit. You can see dates almost everywhere on this blog. Exempted from this rule are my travel guide posts that need to be updated.

LATEST STORIES COVERING #PASAY | SEE ALL #PASAY STORIES »

MORE STORIES COVERING NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION | SEE OLDER STORIES »

MORE FROM THIS CATEGORY (AIRPORT TALES)
SEE OLDER STORIES COVERING 'AIRPORT TALES'»

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Joining the Paoayeños in their boodle fight made me feel that I was part of the big family. I washed my hands and joined the crowd of hungry people. I grabbed some "tinuno nga tilapia" and opened its belly with my hands like a surgeon.

[Paoay, Ilocos Norte Province, Ilocos Region, Luzon Island, Luzon Group, Philippines]

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The time has come that the community spirit had to manifest. A long table was set up beside the magnificent church of Paoay loaded with food and flavors that Ilocanos love to eat.

It was high noon and a ceremony was pre-planned to recognize the dignitaries. That time, some officials form Maguindanao were present to witness the rich culture of Paoay and I had the chance to meet and greet them.

Back to the long table, the fantasy I was wishing to happen that time happened. Yup. I wished for a big meal but I was given a boodle fight with a heart. It was with a heart in the sense that it was prepared to celebrate the richness of the culture of Paoay. Actually, this big meal marked the start of Guling-guling Festival 2017.

[PAOAY] ► 'TINUNO NGA IKAN' FOR LUNCH!.

With a tummy ready to handle a big volume of food (ulkkk!), I joined the table exclusive for guests, visitors and dignitaries—us, bloggers, included. At the other tables were the locals and some more visitors and officials.

Many of the food served were the food I grew up eating with—pinakbet, saluyot (my favorite), tinuno nga ikan with KBL. It was so Ilocano!

[PAOAY] ► KBL: THE ILOCANO HALLMARK SAUCE (BAGOONG SAUCE WITH TOMATOES AND ONION).

Joining the Paoayeños in their boodle fight made me feel that I was part of the big family. I washed my hands and joined the crowd of hungry people. I grabbed some "tinuno nga tilapia" and opened its belly with my hands like a surgeon. Heavenly, just in time for the peak of my hunger.

123

Appearance of the boodle fight table after less than an hour.

PAOAY GULING-GULING FESTIVAL

The youth of Paoay were also with us.

PAOAY GULING-GULING FESTIVAL

Eating in bare hands is fun in Paoay!

PAOAY GULING-GULING FESTIVAL

After this great lunch, I regained an amount of energy enough to fuel me for the next activities here in Paoay. There were dancing under the sun. The streets were filled with colors and cool lures. I was seeing Paoay differently—more than the Paoay church. This town is indeed enriching. | to be continued.. |

This is the Episode 03 of Blogserye 04.

✈ BLOGSERYE 04: THE AMAZING REVELATIONS OF PAOAY AND BEYOND

Blogserye 04 is a series of narratives and stories about the fascinating things and information I learned + activities I experienced in Paoay and beyond in February 2017.

Chapter 01Chapter 02

Chapter 01: The Fit Sunday Before Fat Tuesday

This chapter is a series of narratives and stories about the things I learned and activities I experienced on my first day in this Paoay trip.

✈ EPISODE 01:

✈ EPISODE 02:

✈ EPISODE 03: ► Boodle Fight Experience with the People of Paoay

✈ EPISODE 04: Up Next

◄ BLOGSERYE 03 BLOGSERYE 04 BLOGSERYE 05 ►

Map Showing the Location of #Paoay

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] The above story is Part 3 of a blogserye (blog series). Come back soon for the Part 4.

[2] I would like to thank Mr Bernard Joseph Guerrero of the Paoay tourism office for hosting us in Paoay as well as to the Paoay LGU for welcoming us in your beautiful town!

[3] This post was filed under the category "Experiences." See more posts related to this below.

[4] The maps I used on this post are from maps.google.com.ph.

[5] All photos are mine.

[6] The insights, condition and name of places or properties I mentioned here are based on the facts and situation on the day of my visit. Take note that you may have a different experience when you try or see the properties or places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time so it's not my responsibility to update all the information on this blog because once published, I already consider it an archive and I won't update my narratives because I want them to become my references of what have happened in the past. I'm very particular of the dates because I want my amazing readers to understand that I am writing stories based on my perspective and insights on the day of my visit. You can see dates almost everywhere on this blog. Exempted from this rule are my travel guide posts that need to be updated.

LATEST STORIES COVERING #PAOAY | SEE ALL #PAOAY STORIES »

MORE STORIES COVERING ILOCOS NORTE PROVINCE | SEE OLDER STORIES »

MORE FROM THIS CATEGORY (EXPERIENCES)
SEE OLDER STORIES COVERING 'EXPERIENCES'»

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PKLSVDVSFLNSL

It's a testament that the Bigueño culture is so rich that we have to look for alternative outlets to express and unleash the overflowing love for our culture that we have safeguarded in our hearts, sealed with passion, enforced by community awareness.

[Vigan, Ilocos Sur Province, Ilocos Region, Luzon Island, Luzon Group, Philippines]

COVER PHOTOYOUTUBEFACEBOOKTWITTERINSTAGRAM

[VIGAN] ► Abel clothe is the very spirit of Vigan's weaving culture. This building has an abel Iloko-decorated façade. #TownExplorer #Vigan pic.twitter.com/L9Ps0kPIJF
— #TownExplorer (@edmaration) May 8, 2017

Tweets by edmaration

[VIGAN] ► I live in a city that's so rich in culture that we have to decorate our building façades with our traditional loomwoven fabric called Abel just to have an outlet of expression of our overflowing love for our culture. ◾ #TownExplorer #Vigan #IlocosSur #Ilocos #Luzon #Philippines #SouthEastAsia #Asia / #AbelIloko #Culture #Heritage #BinatbatanFestival #Travel #Adventure #Adventurer #Traveler #TravelGram #InstaTravel #Ilocano #IlocanoIGers #IGersIlocos #ChoosePhilippines #Blogger #TravelBlogger #Edmaration #VisitPH #VisitPhilippines . More photos, videos and stories of town explorations at www.edmaration.com.
A post shared by #TownExplorer (@edmaration) on May 17, 2017 at 7:49am PDT

In Vigan, the abel Iloko (locally made traditional woven fabric) is not just for clothes, blankets, table covers and Binatbatan Festival costumes. It's also for building façade decoration.

I live in a city that thrives in the richness of its culture and heritage—overflowing, overwhelming, deeply-rooted, deeply-founded.

On how our ancestors birthed a culture that's so rich is like a magic—now a reality for us. Our ancestors created a civilization for them, now a great heritage of the present Ilocanos.

[VIGAN] ► THE PROVINCIAL TOURISM OFFICE OF ILOCOS SUR DECORATED THEIR OFFICE WITH THESE ABEL FABRIC.

Every year, the Heritage City of Vigan has a Binatbatan Festival that primarily showcases the abel Iloko fabric. The festival features diverse Bigueño arts and culture but the abel fabric is the superstar.

The façades of buildings and ancestral houses in Vigan are also decorated with abel during this festival. It's a testament that the Bigueño culture is so rich that we have to look for alternative outlets to express and unleash the overflowing love for our culture that we have safeguarded in our hearts, sealed with passion, enforced by community awareness. When we could no longer contain the great love in our hearts enforced by our beautiful culture, it bursts with meaningful colors, songs, dances, literary pieces, performing arts, fashion and creativity. When that happens, the people are happy.

[VIGAN] ► THE VIGAN PLAZA HOTEL IS A CONSISTENT PARTICIPANT FOR THIS ABEL HOUSE DECOR EVENT.

On April 29, 2017, I walked around the city center to witness the early birds for this abel decoration event. Some buildings have already finished the decoration, some were still decorating, some haven't started yet. Among the early birds were the UCPB, Vigan Plaza Hotel, Plaza Maestro Convention Center Building (formerly CAP building), EastWest Bank and the Ilocos Sur Tourism Office.

During my walk, the following were still finishing their decorations: BDO - Quezon Avenue Branch, Dunkin' Donuts and Mercury Drug. Please see my video blog above under YouTube tab to watch the other buildings not posted here. Later in the first few days of May, there were many participants more than I expected.

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Plaza Maestro Convention Center Building was the first building I visited for this documentation.

Abel fabric with floral design is for the Plaza Maestro Convention Center (formerly CAP Building).

PLAZA MAESTRO CONVENTION CENTER BUILDING

Vigan Plaza Hotel is a consistent participant of this abel house decor event.

The Vigan Plaza Hotel is one of the early birds to finish this task.

Vigan Plaza Hotel's huge windows were decorated by abel fabric.

The Vigan Plaza Hotel is a consistent contender.

Lamps and Abel.

VIGAN PLAZA HOTEL

Burnay and empanada plates served as designs for the abel fabric.

VIGAN PLAZA HOTEL

The Vigan spirit of safeguarding and displaying our heritage is alive until now. The evidence could be seen 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

The abel fabric decorations are colors that define the ingenuity of the Ilocanos. Their presence are the little things that once shaped (and continue to shape) our culture. Their absence would not complete our identity as present-day Bigueños.

As long as people outside Vigan patronage our Vigan products, abel weaving will continue, hence, you are helping Bigueño millennials find themselves, their identity. For the modern-day youth, abel may seem passé, but deep in my heart, I would like my future kids and grand kids to still embrace the beautiful culture and heritage our ancestors have enjoyed—and I am enjoying now. | end |

ABEL HOUSE DECOR THROUGH THE YEARS

BLOG TIMELINE: | | ► 2017

Map Showing the Location of #Vigan

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] The above story is Part of the Viva Vigan Binatbatan Festival of the Arts 2017.

[2] This post was filed under the category "Customs and Traditions" See more posts related to this below.

[3] The maps I used on this post are from maps.google.com.ph.

[4] All photos are mine.

[5] The insights, condition and name of places or properties I mentioned here are based on the facts and situation on the day of my visit. Take note that you may have a different experience when you try or see the properties or places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time so it's not my responsibility to update all the information on this blog because once published, I already consider it an archive and I won't update my narratives because I want them to become my references of what have happened in the past. I'm very particular of the dates because I want my amazing readers to understand that I am writing stories based on my perspective and insights on the day of my visit. You can see dates almost everywhere on this blog. Exempted from this rule are my travel guide posts that need to be updated.

LATEST STORIES COVERING #VIGAN | SEE ALL #VIGAN STORIES »

MORE STORIES COVERING ILOCOS SUR PROVINCE | SEE OLDER STORIES »

MORE FROM THIS CATEGORY (CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS)
SEE OLDER STORIES COVERING 'CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS'»

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PPKLSVDSFLNSL

No destination is unworthy. All places, touristy or non-touristy, are destinations that could help enrich your life, understanding and perspective.

[Bangkok, Central Thailand Region, Thailand]

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[BANGKOK] ► MIllennialling in #KhaoSan Road. / #TownExplorer #Bangkok #Thailand #SouthEastAsia #Asia pic.twitter.com/B3W0xrs5iw
— #TownExplorer (@edmaration) May 29, 2017

Tweets by edmaration

[BANGKOK] ► Because of that head turn, you're now on Instagram. :D :p . #TownExplorer #Bangkok #Thailand #SouthEastAsia #Asia / #ASEAN #Travel #Adventure #TravelBlogger #Ilocano #IlocanoIGers #IlocanoBackpacker #KhaoSan #KhaoSanRoad ThailandIGers
A post shared by #TownExplorer (@edmaration) on May 30, 2017 at 5:09am PDT

First night in Bangkok: I bought that tank tops in Siem Reap but I wore it in Bangkok.

Anyway, I intentionally skipped Bangkok in my past Thailand visits because I became too judgmental. It turned out that I enjoyed this city and it put me into realization that experiencing the real Thailand is not just about exploring its less visited provinces. Actually, that's a wrong notion. You also have to visit Bangkok and its other popular destinations to witness its amazing twists and evolution as a result of successful tourism. All the old, new, traditional and modern things in Thailand are all part of Thailand's bigger picture. Thailand now is not Thailand without its not-so-Thai modern addition as a result of massive tourism. So whether it's an old town or a modern city shaped by tourism, it's still the real Thailand.

CONCLUSION: No destination is unworthy. All places, touristy or non-touristy, are destinations that could help enrich your life, understanding and perspective. #TravelNonStop

These were my thoughts on my first night in Bangkok. I would love to share more stories in the future. | end |

Map Showing the Location of #Bangkok

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] This post was filed under the category "Thoughts". See more posts related to this below.

[2] The maps I used on this post are from maps.google.com.ph.

[3] All photos are mine. Some were photographed by Rosalie Angala.

[4] The insights, condition and name of places or properties I mentioned here are based on the facts and situation on the day of my visit. Take note that you may have a different experience when you try or see the properties or places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time so it's not my responsibility to update all the information on this blog because once published, I already consider it an archive and I won't update my narratives because I want them to become my references of what have happened in the past. I'm very particular of the dates because I want my amazing readers to understand that I am writing stories based on my perspective and insights on the day of my visit. You can see dates almost everywhere on this blog. Exempted from this rule are my travel guide posts that need to be updated.

LATEST STORIES COVERING #BANGKOK | SEE ALL #BANGKOK STORIES »

MORE STORIES COVERING CENTRAL THAILAND REGION | SEE OLDER STORIES »

MORE FROM THIS CATEGORY (THOUGHTS)
SEE OLDER STORIES COVERING 'THOUGHTS'»

MORE TOWNS YOU MIGHT LIKE TO EXPLORE:

VPPKLSVDSFLNS

This was a day of smile and positivism. Each face exuded a positive aura. Dancers smiled their best while the audience enjoyed a positive moment of their lives.

[Vigan, Ilocos Sur Province, Ilocos Region, Luzon Island, Philippines]

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[VIGAN] ► The Binatbatan Festival smile: Smile because it's infectious. / #TownExplorer #Vigan #IlocosSur #Ilocos #Luzon #Philippines #ASEAN pic.twitter.com/LEBdbY0FAx
— #TownExplorer (@edmaration) June 10, 2017

[VIGAN] ► Binatbatan Festival is just one of the six festival happening in Vigan yearly. Guys from La Union joined the recent one. She/He's one of the La Union team members. #TownExplorer #Vigan #IlocosSur #Ilocos #Luzon #SouthEastAsia #Asia / #BinatbatanFestival #ASEAN #VisitPhilippines #Festival #Traveler #IlocanoBackpacker #TravelBlogger #Blogger #Ilocano #Adventure #IlocanoIGers #SureIlocosSur #ChoosePhilippines
A post shared by #TownExplorer (@edmaration) on Jun 10, 2017 at 9:36am PDT

As much as I can manage, I do my best to document all the important events in Vigan. This post you are reading now was held last month (May 2017) but it's only now that I could write/blog about it. There were important transitions in my life that I need to prioritize.

Anyway, here's my Binatbatan blog coverage in photos. I started taking photos in front of the Simbaan-a-Bassit, the location my family have always stayed since when I was young everytime we watch street parades.

[VIGAN] ► BINATBATAN FESTIVAL 2017 Photo taken by Edmar Guquib on 06-May-2017 in Vigan, Ilocos Sur Province, Ilocos Region, Luzon Island, Philippines Camera: Canon 1200D

The south end of Quezon Avenue where the Simbaan-a-Bassit was located became crowded with people who value and appreciate much their culture and heritage—they are called the Ilocano people.

Perpendicular to the Quezon Avenue is the Liberation Boulevard—part of the traditional street dancing route that has been used since these festivals were born.

Liberation Boulevard could offer a different beauty and scene. Houses along this busy street are equally gorgeous mansions. The beautiful mansions here that were decorated with Abel Iloko fabric were just beautiful backgrounds for the street dance that was happening.

Some of the ancestral houses that made the setting heartfelt were the now Crisologo Museum and the mansion-turned-hotel Vigan Heritage Mansion/Hotel.

Calle Crisologo was where the bulk of the crowd stayed. Street dancers graced the cobblestone street (with passionate dances) lined by centuries-old houses, each with stories to tell.

[VIGAN] ► BINATBATAN FESTIVAL 2017 Photo taken by Edmar Guquib on 06-May-2016 in Vigan, Ilocos Sur Province, Ilocos Region, Luzon Island, Philippines Camera: Canon 1200D

This was a day of smile and positivism. Each face exuded a positive aura. Dancers smiled their best while the audience enjoyed a positive moment of their lives. This was Binatbatan Festival 2017. This was Vigan on an early May. | end |

BLOG TIMELINEBINATBATAN FESTIVAL 2017

BINATBATAN STREET DANCING THROUGH THE YEARS

2011:

2012:

2013:

2017: ► Binatbatan Festival Street Dancing 2017 Blog Coverage

MORE POSTS COVERING VIVA VIGAN BINATBATAN FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS 2017

► Binatbatan Festival Street Dancing 2017 Blog Coverage

Map Showing the Location of #Vigan

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] The above story is Part of the Viva Vigan Binatbatan Festival of the Arts 2017.

[2] This post was filed under the category "Festivals." See more posts related to this below.

[3] The maps I used on this post are from maps.google.com.ph.

[4] All photos are mine.

[5] The insights, condition and name of places or properties I mentioned here are based on the facts and situation on the day of my visit. Take note that you may have a different experience when you try or see the properties or places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time so it's not my responsibility to update all the information on this blog because once published, I already consider it an archive and I won't update my narratives because I want them to become my references of what have happened in the past. I'm very particular of the dates because I want my amazing readers to understand that I am writing stories based on my perspective and insights on the day of my visit. You can see dates almost everywhere on this blog. Exempted from this rule are my travel guide posts that need to be updated.

LATEST STORIES COVERING #VIGAN | SEE ALL #VIGAN STORIES »

MORE STORIES COVERING ILOCOS SUR PROVINCE | SEE OLDER STORIES »

MORE FROM THIS CATEGORY | SEE OLDER STORIES COVERING 'FESTIVALS'»

MORE TOWNS YOU MIGHT LIKE TO EXPLORE:

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I also have personal biases and my favorite moments were spent with ordinary people who are extraordinary on their own ways (without them knowing they're extraordinary).

✈ Because of travel blogging, my network of friends and professional connections expanded greatly like unreal and the new friends I met were not the friends I was accustomed growing up with.

✈ Seeing them appreciate the place where I grew up was beyond compare. It made me value my heritage more—now that's more than any surreal place I've been.

[Ilocos Region, Luzon Island, Philippines]

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[SANTA MARIA] ► Two generations beside the UNESCO World Heritage Church of Santa Maria

TownExplorer #SantaMaria #IlocosSur #Ilocos pic.twitter.com/hvRTycZkRX
— #TownExplorer (@edmaration) June 24, 2017

MY LATEST TWEETS (FOLLOW ME!)

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[VIGAN] ► Motorbike surrounded by beautiful elements. TownExplorer #Vigan #IlocosSur #Ilocos #Luzon #SouthEastAsia #Asia / #CalleCrisologo #ASEAN #VisitPhilippines #Festival #Traveler #TravelBlogger #Blogger #Ilocano #Adventure #IlocanoIGers #SureIlocosSur #ChoosePhilippines
A post shared by #TownExplorer (@edmaration) on Jun 24, 2017 at 1:03pm PDT

Traveling and blogging have brought me to distant and unexpected places I never imagined. I've met different people who made me realize that there is beauty in diversity. At some point in my life, being able to travel while doing a writing or blogging assignment was surreal. It's one of my little dreams that came true.

Because of travel blogging, my network of friends and professional connections expanded greatly like unreal and the new friends I met were not the friends I was accustomed growing up with. I became acquainted, did some collaborations and have worked with politicians, TV hosts & celebrities, amazing people in the blogging, travel & tourism industries and more people from different cultures and beliefs. I believe fellow travel bloggers who started from scratch like me would be able to relate with the foregoing insights.

Of course, I would like to mention that I also have personal biases and my favorite moments were spent with ordinary people who are extraordinary on their own ways (without them knowing they're extraordinary). These people include those witty tour guides, welcoming local hosts and some random people that I became friends with because of common interests.

Two years ago, I was invited to cover a tourism event in where I met new friends. Those new friends were extraordinary on their own way but when I was with them, I felt like we were the ordinary guys on the next neighborhood. I just felt carefree and I could stay by myself without any major issues or what. Well that's just me at the very least.

Anyway, three of the guys I met there came to Ilocos. One works with the mayor's office of City. The other one works under a tourism department of the same city. The other is a fellow blogger who was also invited in Puerto Princesa that time. This time, I'm the host. Pressure? Yes it was.

✈ Domingo Ramos in Vigan

On the 9th of April, the first one to arrive in Ilocos was my blogger friend Kira Ramirez from . She stayed in San Nicolas (near ) though but she made an effort to travel to immediately after her arrival. It was Sunday—Domingo Ramos to be exact—when we met in Vigan. I fetched her at the Partas Terminal of Vigan.

[VIGAN] ► CALLE CRISOLOGO Photo taken by Edmar Guquib on 09-April-2017 in Vigan, Ilocos Sur Province, Ilocos Region, Luzon Island, Philippines Camera: SJCAM 4000

[VIGAN] ► WALKING BY NIGHT AT CALLE CRISOLOGO WITH FELLOW BLOGGER KIRA

It's Kira's first time in Ilocos so I took charge of everything. I brought her at the Calle Crisologo where we searched for an available space to eat. Unfortunately, all the restaurants were already fully-booked, if not closed.

It was around 10 PM and we were so hungry. Being desperate for food, I ditched to dine at Calle Crisologo. It could have been good to let Kira experience dining al fresco at Calle Crisologo but we just couldn't find a space to eat comfortably. So I decided to bring her to the town of for the dinner.

[SAN VICENTE] ► FG RESTO AND BULALOHAN Photo taken by Edmar Guquib on 09-April-2017 in San Vicente, Ilocos Sur Province, Ilocos Region, Luzon Island, Philippines Camera: SJCAM 4000

[SAN VICENTE] ► DINNER AT FG RESTO AND BULALOHAN (VIDEO SCREENSHOT)

Thank God, FG Resto and Bulalohan is relatively away from Vigan's busy tourist zones so we all had the space for our selves. With a hot bulalo soup + delicious conversation over coffee with the owner Annalisa Pascasio, we called it a night.

✈ Tricycle Tour in Ilocos Norte

The next day, I was the one who traveled from Vigan to Laoag to meet the other two—real-life couple Arles and Heather. Both are from Puerto Princesa. However, Heather has Ilocano roots. She speaks Ilocano too.

Using public transportation, we explored as many destinations as possible in that we could cover within the day in a pace we were comfortable with. We stopped in Pagudpud and we hired a tricycle. Unfortunately, the standard tricycle tour fee has changed so we had a hard time deciding where to go. To cut the story short, we ditched the northern attractions of Pagudpud and just decided to drop at the welcome arch for photo and selfies.

[PAGUDPUD] ► OUR TOUR GUIDES NEAR THE PAGUDPUD WELCOME ARCH

The windmills of Ilocos Norte have grown in number these past two years so they were basically everywhere but I wanted them to see the birthplace of 's first windfarm—that's the town of Bangui.

Showing them the giant windmills left them in awe. Kira said it's postcard-worthy while Heather thinks that these mega-projects were the products of a visionary Ilocano leader, that's coming from someone who is not from Ilocos.

[BANGUI] ► THE WINDMILLS SOARING HIGH ON THE BEAUTIFUL COAST OF BANGUI

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse was next in line. Heather said she wished Palawan has historical and cultural landmarks like that but I was quick to point out that Palawan has beautiful gems that couldn't be found anywhere else in Ilocos. Bottomline, the is just beautiful and diverse.

[BURGOS] ► HEATHER AND ARLES AT CAPE BOJEADOR LIGHTHOUSE

Meanwhile, in Laoag, I brought them to the Dap-ayan, a place for Ilocano food for our mini-dinner. One day is indeed not enough to explore Ilocos.

It was already dark when we arrived in where we witnessed the Paoay Church's glory under the moon before we called it a night.

[PAOAY] ► THE GLORIOUS PAOAY CHURCH UNDER THE MOONLIGHT

✈ Motorbike Ride from Vigan to Santa Maria

On the 11th of April, my three Ilocos guests had a taste of the other side of Ilocos—Ilocos Sur. Touring the traditional southern realm of the Ilocano people had a twist—we did it using motorbikes.

I brought them first to some of the cultural destinations in Vigan such as the National Museum Ilocos Regional Complex that takes charge of the Padre Burgos ancestral house and the old provincial jail, the birthplace of Elpidio Quirino—one of the presidents of the Philippines. We also did a quick walking tour around Vigan. I showed them the Vigan Cathedral until Kira saw something that made her scream, "I want bibingka!"

With our motorbikes, we visited Vigan's Damili Village, specifically the Hidden Garden in Bulala Centro, the Pagburnayan (jar factory), Crisologo Museum and Baluarte Zoo and Park.

was part of the itinerary so we visited one of the country's most popular watchtowers--the centuries-old Bantay Watchtower and the Shrine of Apo Caridad (Saint Augustine Church).

We started to drive our way southward and took the national highway. Our first stop on that long ride was the old Quirino Bridge between the towns of Bantay and where I showed them the scenic Banaoang gap and the mighty Abra River draining to the West Philippine Sea.

[ILOCOS SUR] ► THE ABRA RIVER SEPARATES THE TWO CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS OF ILOCOS SUR

[SANTA MARIA] ► BESIDE THE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE BAROQUE CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA

[SANTA MARIA] ► WITH HEATHER AND ARLES + THE SUNSET AS SEEN FROM THE SANTA MARIA CHURCH

On our way to , I lead them to the beautiful Sulvec Port Road, a lovely coastal road in Ilocos Sur located in town. We ended at the UNESCO World Heritage baroque church of Santa Maria where we enjoyed the beautiful sunset. It took us around one hour to reach Santa Maria from Vigan.

We went back to San Vicente and a free dinner was offered for us by no other than our lovely sponsor FG Resto and Bulalohan. However, a Board Member of the second district of Ilocos Sur (Hon Gina Cordero) discreetly paid for our food that night!

[SAN VICENTE] ► DINNER AT FG RESTO AND BULALOHAN

[VIGAN] ► TOURING CALLE CRISOLOGO AFTER THE DINNER

One of the highlights of this reunion was the wedding proposal at the said restaurant. Of course, Heather said a big "Yes!" I'm so glad that I've been a part of their heart journeys.

✈ Ending Thoughts

This is the summary of our reunion in Ilocos and more specific stories and insights will be written by me later from each destination we visited.

As I mentioned above, traveling has brought me to distant and unexpected places I never thought it would happen. Eventually, I met great people from different parts of the world. But you know what was the most surprising effect of these journeys and my ever expanding network of friends and connections? That day when I became an ambassador of my own hometown with extraordinary people choosing to meet me and become their tour guide over anyone else. Seeing them appreciate the place where I grew up was beyond compare. It made me value my heritage more--now that's more than any surreal place I've been. There's no better feeling to make people happy by offering them the taste, feel, sight, sound and smell of my own undying culture and heritage. | end |

▼ BLOG TIMELINE

MY ILOCOS ADVENTURES THROUGH THE YEARS

▼ 2016

[ILOCOS] ► Vigan-Pagudpud Motorbike Ride and Challenges Along the Way
Sandwiched by the Ilocos-Cordillera mountain ranges and the West Philippine Sea, the result is a breathtaking landscape of the ocean, the narrow plains and the mountains.

AYUSAN SUR, VIGAN

▼ 2017

[VIGAN] ► Reunited in Ilocos After Two (2) Years
You are on this page.

Map Showing the Location of Ilocos Region

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

✈ The above story is a summary of an upcoming blogserye.

✈ This post was filed under the category "Experiences." See more posts related to this below.

✈ The maps I used on this post are from maps.google.com.ph.

✈ All photos are mine.

✈ The insights, condition and name of places or properties I mentioned here are based on the facts and situation on the day of my visit. Take note that you may have a different experience when you try or see the properties or places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time so it's not my responsibility to update all the information on this blog because once published, I already consider it an archive and I won't update my narratives because I want them to become my references of what have happened in the past. I'm very particular of the dates because I want my amazing readers to understand that I am writing stories based on my perspective and insights on the day of my visit. You can see dates almost everywhere on this blog. Exempted from this rule are my travel guide posts that need to be updated.

LATEST STORIES COVERING ILOCOS REGION | SEE ALL ILOCOS STORIES »

MORE STORIES COVERING LUZON ISLAND | SEE OLDER STORIES »

LATEST STORIES COVERING THESE CATEGORIES | SEE OLDER STORIES »

MORE TOWNS YOU MIGHT LIKE TO EXPLORE:

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When I visited Poipet, I noticed those huge and fancy buildings that are popping out everywhere so I realized that there's something driving the economy of this city. What would it be?

✈ For tourists, Poipet is somehow notorious for its scammers who would trick you by voluntarily helping you to fill out forms at first then asking a fee later.

✈ Its strategic location has actually transformed Poipet into a boomtown because of border trades and gambling that have attracted both locals and tourists.

[Poipet, Ou Chrov District, Banteay Meanchey Province, Cambodia]

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[POIPET] ► Here's a daily-life scene at the Cambodian immigration center here in Poipet. Patience is a virtue. #Poipet #Cambodia #Asia pic.twitter.com/zdVBQNK611
— #TownExplorer (@edmaration) June 30, 2017

[POIPET] ► Here's a Cambodian woman doing life hacks to survive Cambodia's grueling poverty. Though Poipet looks fancy or its casinos, the real life unveils outside the huge casino buildings. #Poipet #OuChrov #BanteayMeancheay #Cambodia #Indochina #SoutheastAsia #Asia / www.edmaration.com
A post shared by #TownExplorer (@edmaration) on Jun 30, 2017 at 10:01am PDT

Poipet is a Cambodian boomtown located in Ou Chrov District of the province of Banteay Meanchey. It's located at the Thailand-Cambodia border and it's usually a transit point between Bangkok and Siem Reap. Below are the things I learned and discovered based on my personal experiences, actual observation and research.

1 - Poipet is a Gambling City

When I visited Poipet, I noticed those huge and fancy buildings that's popping out everywhere so I realized that there's something driving the economy of this city. What would it be? It was impressive for me. I later found out that it's actually the gambling industry that's changing the landscape of this city.

[POIPET] ► BOTH LOCALS AND TRAVELERS PASS IN BETWEEN THESE FANCY BUILDINGS STANDING IN SPITE OF A POOR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE. THIS ROUGH ROAD SPEAKS MORE.

The demand for gambling is really high, as evidenced by the numerous casino hotels/buildings here. Here's the interesting side of the story. Gambling is illegal for Cambodians but the rule gets loose when foreigners enter the casinos. The market mostly serves the Thai gamblers and Poipet seems to be the best option to gamble. It's at least 3 hours drive from using private car. In Thailand, gambling is illegal so the nearest choice is Poipet.

2 - Both Extreme: Luxury and Poverty Have Glaring Presence

While Poipet seems to be posh and luxurious because of the lucrative gambling industry, the contrary is very present. Poor Cambodians doing life hacks to win the battle against poverty were here to stay.

[POIPET] ► HERE'S A CAMBODIAN WOMAN DOING LIFE HACKS TO SURVIVE CAMBODIA'S GRUELING POVERTY. THOUGH POIPET LOOKS FANCY WITH ITS CASINOS, THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN IS THE OTHER FACE OF POIPET.

This scenario is somehow the same with some of the places in my country so I won't judge. The wide gap is just obvious and... glaring. Here's the good news. Cambodians, however, were employed by these gambling facilities.

3 - It's the Main Entrance/Exit Point Between Cambodia and Thailand.

Poipet is the most popular portal of entry to and from Thailand so expect that there would be long lines at the immigration office. Patience required.

[POIPET] ► THERE'S ACTION AT THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE. BE WISE.

Its strategic location has actually transformed Poipet into a boomtown because of border trades and gambling that have attracted both locals and tourists. Its local population has doubled in a span of 10 years from approximately 40,000 in 1998 to approximately 80,000 in 2008. It's currently the fourth most populous town in Cambodia. Real quick!

4 - The Border Gate Arch is the Most Photographed Landmark in Poipet

This is a personal discovery. The border gate arch of Poipet with traditional Khmer carvings seemed to be the most popular and most photographed landmark in town.

[POIPET] ► BOTH LOCALS AND TOURISTS WHO CROSS THE BORDER TO THAILAND WILL DEFINITELY SEE THIS LANDMARK.

It's the reason why I made that border gate as the cover photo of this article. Search "Poipet, Cambodia" on Google, Yahoo and Bing and you'll see an overwhelming presence of this landmark.

5 - Tourist Scam is Common in Poipet

For tourists, Poipet is somehow notorious for its scammers who would trick you by voluntarily helping you to fill out forms at first then asking a fee later. Others are agents of overpriced buses who would bring you to a terminal with an overpriced restaurant and let you wait there for a considerable length of time so that you'll get hungry and buy their food.

[POIPET] ► TOUTS MAY OFFER HELP AND IT'S THE MOST OBVIOUS SCAM YOU COULD GET. MINE WAS DIFFERENT. THE IMMIGRATION OFFICER ASKED ME FOR A FEE SO THAT HE WOULD ALLOW ME TO EXIT.

I, myself, was also scammed. As a Filipino, exiting Cambodia doesn't require me to pay. However, during my turn at the immigration office, I was asked to pay fees which unfortunately I did because of lack of knowledge being it was my first time to cross the border that time. Lesson learned.
__________________________________
The stories above are some of the few interesting things I learned and discovered during my short stay in Poipet. | end |

Map Showing the Location of Poipet

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

✈ This post was filed under the category "Travel Learning and Discoveries." See more posts related to this below.

✈ The maps I used on this post are from maps.google.com.ph.

✈ All photos are mine.

✈ The insights, condition and name of places or properties I mentioned here are based on the facts and situation on the day of my visit. Take note that you may have a different experience when you try or see the properties or places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time so it's not my responsibility to update all the information on this blog because once published, I already consider it an archive and I won't update my narratives because I want them to become my references of what have happened in the past. I'm very particular of the dates because I want my amazing readers to understand that I am writing stories based on my perspective and insights on the day of my visit. You can see dates almost everywhere on this blog. Exempted from this rule are my travel guide posts that need to be updated.

LATEST STORIES COVERING POIPET | SEE OLDER POIPET STORIES »

MORE STORIES COVERING OU CHROV DISTRICT | SEE OLDER STORIES »

LATEST STORIES COVERING THESE CATEGORIES | SEE OLDER STORIES »

MORE TOWNS YOU MIGHT LIKE TO EXPLORE:

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The food park has an open square enclosed by cargo containers piled into two layers with food stalls and restaurants occupying the cargo container spaces.

✈ It was a welcome treat for me after staying away from my hometown longer than the usual.

✈ This was more than just a dinner, of course. It's a moment of reminiscing the eight-year relationship we had as colleagues in the nursing services of our hospital. I realized I missed my old job badly that I had this emotional surge of wanting to go back.

[Vigan, Ilocos Sur Province, Ilocos Region, Luzon Island, Philippines]

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[VIGAN] ► Tapa or beefsteak, whatever you call it, it's CHON for muscles. / #TownExplorer #Vigan #Ilocos | https://t.co/MaPBZ13yp7 pic.twitter.com/RoZCViJ65L
— #TownExplorer (@edmaration) July 6, 2017

[VIGAN] ► Millennial rituals are here to stay. It's either you offer them edgy space or a food with great presentation. Otherwise, you won't get the free advertising and hashtag in social media fed by these millennials. #SitioFoodPark #Millennials #Restaurant #FoodPark #Tamag #SureIlocosSur / #TownExplorer #Vigan #IocosSur #Ilocos #Luzon #Philippines #SoutheastAsia #Asia
A post shared by #TownExplorer (@edmaration) on Jul 6, 2017 at 6:38am PDT

There's a great new addition to Vigan's ever growing food, dining and tourism industries. A food hub just opened last April in Tamag called the Sitio Food Park with the claim of being the first urban food park in Northern Luzon.

A Welcome Treat from My Colleagues

The food park has opened about three (3) months ago but I had no enthusiasm to join the hype that time. It was maybe because I'm tired and sick of all these first-day hypes with the opening crowd that could no longer handle the curiosity and excitement. I know it would be hard for me to achieve a relaxing moment if I'm gonna join a frenzy of crowd that couldn't wait to post an update on social media. I opted to let the force subside so that I could have my own moment when everything has returned to normal. So yes, that's the reason I never visited the food park.

[VIGAN] ► WELCOME TO SITIO FOOD PARK!

I'm no longer staying in Vigan often because of some life hacks that I applied and career twists that are so inviting after I resigned from my nursing job in Vigan about 10 weeks ago so the opportunity to visit the said food park was rare until last week when my former chief nurse invited me to have a dinner with them. It was a welcome treat for me after staying away from my hometown longer than the usual.

Reaching the food park was a drizzly welcome followed by a sudden heavy downpour that didn't last for long. The food park isn't waterproof obviously but if you would use your common sense, you could still have a sumptuous meal without getting wet.

What we did was to climb the stair and stay at the second level. The rain didn't stop yet but we were able to secure a place that would allow us to stay dry.

My colleagues chose to bring me to the Rustic Box Steak House. I didn't know why they chose it but I was more than grateful that someone paid for my meals that night.

They ordered a porterhouse for me and it was so juicy, tender and big—perfect for building my muscles since I've returned to chiseling my body at the gym after random comments and soft bullying that I'm so thin.

1234

1 | [VIGAN] ► This life will offer you many choices and you could never tell which is the best unless you tried them all.

2 | [VIGAN] ► This is the mess of happiness.

3 | [VIGAN] ► If you make things complicated, then it's complicated. Use your hands. Eat the food. Enjoy as simple as that.

4 | [VIGAN] ► The steak that would help me fight bullies away. :-)

This was more than just a dinner, of course. It's a moment of reminiscing the eight-year relationship we had as colleagues in the nursing services of our hospital. I realized I missed my old job badly that I had this emotional surge of wanting to go back.

On the other hand, I learned that one of my colleagues who was also with me that night has pursued her plan to work in Saudi Arabia. Her reason? I don't know and I believe it's a personal decision she has to make. It's the same thing with me. I left my old job because of personal decisions too. How I wish to stay there longer but it's human nature that we want to achieve more. Me, I just wanted to grow and pursue my passion and goal of traveling the world.

The rain has stopped but not our conversations. The sky dimmed but the food park lightened as bulbs, lamps and smiles brightened up the space once consumed by darkness.

A New Food Park for Ilocanos and What to Expect

The Sitio Food Park is located in Barangay Tamag of Vigan, just along the Quirino Boulevard after the Ilocos Sur Provincial Hospital-Gabriela Silang. As far as my memory is concerned, the present location of the food park was the same location proposed for the construction of a fancy hotel with the perspective already on display. However, the proposed project has gone in the wind. After more than a decade, this project came out—the Sitio Food Park.

The location used to be a green space I've always adored everytime I passed by this area. It was surrounded by lush thick vegetation of trees, shrubs and maybe herbs that made me felt like I was so close to nature. The green space is already gone upon the birth of the Sitio Food Park.

The food park has an open square enclosed by cargo containers piled into to two layers with food stalls and restaurants occupying the cargo container spaces.

12345

1 | [VIGAN] ► Innovation is here. Sitio Food Park is said to be the first of its kind in Northern Luzon.

2 | [VIGAN] ► Lush thick green vegetation surrounds the Sitio Food Park. The area used to be an open green space.

3 | [VIGAN] ► Rainy days are young. We can still consume our chilled overprized juice.

4 | [VIGAN] ► One layer of courage is safer yet seemingly dispassionate. Double layer of courage is more adventurous and commanding.

5 | [VIGAN] ► Images and colors could speak a thousand words.

In the middle is like a concert ground with a performance stage at the western part of the park. It opens from 10:00 AM up to 2:00 AM the next day. The center square is an open space. The ground was designed with adorable tiles of pleasing patterns with dining tables and chairs on it.

The Sitio Food Park is near the Baluarte Zoo of Chavit Singson and less than 1 kilometer to the next municipality (Caoayan).

For first-time visitors, get an extra cash since the prices here were marked-up higher than the average. Party drinks are available and you have a wide array of choices in terms of what food to it.

There is also a concert stage for live band performances so expect that this food park would have a party atmosphere starting 10:00 PM onward.

Night and Rain

The light faded, creeped to oblivion. The chatter, laughter and occasional silence made time ran so slow that we didn't notice it was already dark. More people gradually occupied the spaces of the food park from the ground to the structures.

1234567

1 | [VIGAN] ► Oh night sky. Why so full of soul?

2 | [VIGAN] ► Collective beauty exists. See the tiles.

3 | [VIGAN] ► The sky masterpiece is incomparable.

4 | [VIGAN] ► There's up. There's down.

5 | [VIGAN] ► It was a rainy night at Sitio Food Park

6 | [VIGAN] ► Millennials are everywhere.

5 | [VIGAN] ► Sitio Food Park has a concert ground.

How to Go or Commute?

The tricycle terminal for Tamag (UNP TODA) is located in front of the Vigan Public Market near the Jollibee Vigan Market. Fare should be 10 pesos per head if there are at least two passengers but since this is a trike terminal, they will wait until the trike is full (four heads) unless you will pay for the other slots.

Vigan is known for infamous tricycle drivers who would charge you more than what the city ordinance mandates. Inside the tricycle is a sticker with the schedule of fares in Vigan. If you are wise, don't negotiate with the driver. Just ride and pay after based on the schedule of fares. If they insist you to pay more, you might opt to report them at the Vigan City Hall.

Basically, you can get a trike anywhere from Vigan. The same fare applies when you get a trike anywhere as long as it's inside the poblacion. However, if you took a trike from the residential districts of the Vigan poblacion, they might charge you higher and it's your choice if you're going to agree or not with the amount. As I said, you could just ride and pay after based on the schedule of fares posted inside the trike. Some trikes might not post it though so beware. You may request the schedule of fares at the city hall. Proceed to the information desk and tell them you're a tourist.

If you came outside from the poblacion or from another town (say for example Bantay), this is outside the scope of the ordinance. Normally, if you came from a point that is just near the Vigan border, fare should be from as low as 30 pesos up to 50 pesos per trike if you're alone. If there are at least two of you, fare should be at least 15 pesos to 25 pesos each head.

Take note that night fare is more expensive than what I mentioned here.

Ending Insights

For me this is a great addition to Vigan's roster of restaurants & food hubs and... I would claim this as an additional tourist attraction. It's a millennial-savvy destination I think.

More than that, I would like to believe that this food park will serve as a stimulus to that area—I'm referring to economic activity. The area is a dead economic zone and I hope other investors would follow soon so that this area will also develop economically. What do you think?

Above all, this experience for me is more personal. It felt good to catch up with old friends who became part of my life journeys. | end |

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Map Showing the Location of #VIGAN

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

✈ This post was filed under the category "Urban." See more posts related to this below.

✈ The maps I used on this post are from maps.google.com.ph.

✈ All photos are mine.

✈ The insights, condition and name of places or properties I mentioned here are based on the facts and situation on the day of my visit. Take note that you may have a different experience when you try or see the properties or places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time so it's not my responsibility to update all the information on this blog because once published, I already consider it an archive and I won't update my narratives because I want them to become my references of what have happened in the past. I'm very particular of the dates because I want my amazing readers to understand that I am writing stories based on my perspective and insights on the day of my visit. You can see dates almost everywhere on this blog. Exempted from this rule are my travel guide posts that need to be updated.

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PBPPKLSVDSFLN

I couldn't help but to also spend my last few hundreds for the week to purchase cheap pop jackets still with pricetags in dollars. Virgin.

✈ This is not a place for early birds and for early-bird-promo fanatics. This is a place where becoming a late-comer is the governing rule.

✈ The sun was still shining in this part of the hemisphere and we had no choice but to wait for the night to arrive.

[Laoag, Ilocos Norte Province, Ilocos Region, Luzon Island, Philippines]

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Edmaration #TownExplorer

[LAOAG] ► May all the feet who will wear these footwears reach their destinations with joy in their hearts. | https://t.co/HuWTw1t2aH pic.twitter.com/d7IR5atI0N
— #TownExplorer (@edmaration) July 27, 2017

[LAOAG] ► Turning your back isn't goodbye. It could be a hint of going back. Welcome back home soon, son of this town. #Church #Cathedral #LaoagCathedral #LaoagChurch / #TownExplorer #Laoag #IocosNorte #Ilocos #Luzon #Philippines #SoutheastAsia #Asia
A post shared by #TownExplorer (@edmaration) on Jul 27, 2017 at 6:40am PDT

The Gilbert Bridge panorama that effortlessly owned the night view from my vantage point awakened my senses that were previously dampened by physiologic energy depletion and that lonely day. I was in the Laoag Night Market, along the Padsan River, under the consistently changing sky, near a historic square, between my personal expectations, and above my human pride.

Too Early

It was Friday. I was invited by a friend (who is also from , specifically form the town of ) to join her. It's her first time to visit Laoag's night market. As far as my memory is concerned, it was also my first time.

[LAOAG] ► NIGHT MARKETS, USUALLY, ARE NOT FOR EARLY BIRDS. SPOT THE PADSAN RIVER.

We rode a jeep from the Valdez Center in San Nicolas and I requested the jeep driver to drop us in a place along his jeep route that is nearest to the night market.

The night market opens as early as 5 in the afternoon. However, if you are early, there would be limited vendors and stalls so it's best to visit later. This is not a place for early birds and for early-bird-promo fanatics. This is a place where becoming a late-comer is the governing rule.

▼▼▼▼▼

[LAOAG] ► There are lesser options for a night market shopper who arrives before nighttime.

LAOAG NIGHT MARKET

[LAOAG] ► There's a reason for this preparation. There's a preparation for this reason.

LAOAG NIGHT MARKET

[LAOAG] ► May all the people who will buy these footwears reach their destination with joy in their hearts.

LAOAG NIGHT MARKET

[LAOAG] ► There were some stalls available, but still, choices were limited this early.

LAOAG NIGHT MARKET

[LAOAG] ► Early birds try to choose the best from the new-arrivals.

LAOAG NIGHT MARKET

We were here too early, before 6 PM. The sun was still shining in this part of the hemisphere and we had no choice but to wait for the night to arrive. It's night market after all. It made sense.

One Hour of Break: McDonald's Laoag and the Cathedral

Vendors and stall owners started to dominate the space suited for them. Unfortunately, my friend Jovi wanted to purchase "ukay-ukay" clothes which were still very limited that time. She also wanted to choose the best dominating wear so we decided to wait for about an hour by joining some bystanders at the back of McDonald's Laoag in front of the Saint William Cathedral.

[LAOAG] ► THE LAOAG CATHEDRAL HAD A FRESH NEW LOOK BEFORE MY EXPRESSIVE EYES.

I noticed that the façade was new. Some details became more prominent. I thought those silver accents were either a new addition or newly-highlighted. It wasn't so noticeable before. I think it is much better now. Whatever the case, I don't mind. I believe the result was cool. I, thank you.

While consuming my McFreeze, I was videoing my self for the vlog (check my vlog for this story above, under the YouTube tab) which made some waiting time productive while some people around think I was an Ilocano-Hawaiian vacationing back home (take note: Hawaii is an extension of Ilocos because of the big community of Ilocanos there [85% of Filipinos there are Ilocanos], one of them became a governor of Hawaii).

Equipped with stories to share, me and Jovi got no time to spare as I personally watched the sky turn from purple to blue over the Saint William Cathedral. We stayed at the back of McDonald's.

[LAOAG] ► BACKDOOR, MCDONALD'S LAOAG

Previously in my memory, the façade of the Saint William Cathedral was undergoing some facelifts and I think this is the result now—beautiful! The McDonald's drive-thru has a beautiful background and that was the Laoag Cathedral.

After an hour, we decided to go back to the night market and the primary target of Jovi was the "ukay-ukay" section.

First Time to Shop Ukay-Ukay

No, not me. It was Jovi. Yes, it was Jovi's first time to shop an ukay-ukay and like a little kiddo who is about to taste a popsicle for the first time, she was amazed at what she saw; and on how cheap the items were.

[LAOAG] ► JOVI SHOPPED AN UKAY-UKAY FOR THE FIRST TIME. SPOT THE GILBERT BRIDGE.

We turned to the other road and I was also somehow surprised to see the long array of ukay-ukay stalls. I never imagined that it could be like that.

Without too much plenty overthinking (verbose, I know), I was defeated by temptation. I couldn't help but to also spend my last few hundreds for the week to purchase cheap pop jackets still with pricetags in dollars. Virgin. My budget managed to purchase two brand-new-never-been-sold ukay-ukay. They were just lovely with the brand print over my chest.

▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼

[LAOAG] ► This is the ukay-ukay section of the Laoag Night Market.

[LAOAG] ► Being choosy is a right, not a choice.

LAOAG NIGHT MARKET

[LAOAG] ► Diversity is a blessing. If there's variety, you could choose what's more personal for you.

LAOAG NIGHT MARKET

[LAOAG] ► I think Jovi enjoyed her first experience here at the night market in Laoag.

LAOAG NIGHT MARKET

[LAOAG] ► Sometimes, being alone is not boring.

LAOAG NIGHT MARKET

[LAOAG] ► You know, I love that bridge there. I think it's so beautiful at night.

LAOAG NIGHT MARKET

[LAOAG] ► Meanings change when you omit even a little. Parang love life. Kung walang "S" boring. I'm referring to the sweetness.

LAOAG NIGHT MARKET

[LAOAG] ► If you're wise, there's a diamond in the field of bronze.

LAOAG NIGHT MARKET

[LAOAG] ► Jovi was enjoying her first ukay-ukay experience.

LAOAG NIGHT MARKET

[LAOAG] ► Life is like shopping. There are many choices. Your task is to choose the best choice.

LAOAG NIGHT MARKET

Jovi was able to purchase four pairs of pants at 200 pesos. She couldn't believe what she got. She seemed satisfied—surprised that her two hundred pesos could make her appear an extravagant, compulsive shopper in no time.

About: Laoag Night Market

The Laoag Night Market is located at Juan Luna Street and is open from as early as 5:30 PM up to 10 PM twice a week (Wednesdays and Fridays). It opened in 2004 and said to have mimicked the night market in Hong Kong. | end |

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► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

✈ This post was filed under the category "Night Markets." See more posts related to this below.

✈ The maps I used on this post are from maps.google.com.ph.

✈ All photos are mine.

✈ The insights, condition and name of places or properties I mentioned here are based on the facts and situation on the day of my visit. Take note that you may have a different experience when you try or see the properties or places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time so it's not my responsibility to update all the information on this blog because once published, I already consider it an archive and I won't update my narratives because I want them to become my references of what have happened in the past. I'm very particular of the dates because I want my amazing readers to understand that I am writing stories based on my perspective and insights on the day of my visit. You can see dates almost everywhere on this blog. Exempted from this rule are my travel guide posts that need to be updated.

Map Showing the Location of #Laoag

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

✈ This post was filed under the category "Thoughts." See more posts related to this below.

✈ The maps I used on this post are from maps.google.com.ph.

✈ All photos are mine.

✈ The insights, condition and name of places or properties I mentioned here are based on the facts and situation on the day of my visit. Take note that you may have a different experience when you try or see the properties or places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time so it's not my responsibility to update all the information on this blog because once published, I already consider it an archive and I won't update my narratives because I want them to become my references of what have happened in the past. I'm very particular of the dates because I want my amazing readers to understand that I am writing stories based on my perspective and insights on the day of my visit. You can see dates almost everywhere on this blog. Exempted from this rule are my travel guide posts that need to be updated.

Map Showing the Location of #Burgos

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

✈ This post was filed under the category "Farms." See more posts related to this below.

✈ The maps I used on this post are from maps.google.com.ph.

✈ All photos are mine.

✈ The insights, condition and name of places or properties I mentioned here are based on the facts and situation on the day of my visit. Take note that you may have a different experience when you try or see the properties or places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time so it's not my responsibility to update all the information on this blog because once published, I already consider it an archive and I won't update my narratives because I want them to become my references of what have happened in the past. I'm very particular of the dates because I want my amazing readers to understand that I am writing stories based on my perspective and insights on the day of my visit. You can see dates almost everywhere on this blog. Exempted from this rule are my travel guide posts that need to be updated.

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[DAGUPAN] ► A TUPIG VENDOR NEAR THE CITY PLAZA

[DAGUPAN] ► TUPIG IS A LOCAL DELICACY HERE IN DAGUPAN.

[DAGUPAN] ► TUPIG IS MADE OF GLUTINOUS RICE WRAPPED WITH BANANA LEAVES.

[DAGUPAN] ► THIS IS DAGUPAN'S LOCAL BIBINGKA.

[DAGUPAN] ► COOKING A BIBINGKA, DAGUPAN STYLE.

[DAGUPAN] ► THESE LOCAL RICE CAKES WERE PLACED INSIDE THESE CANS.

[DAGUPAN] ► THE CAN WAS COVERED WITH COCONUT SHELL.

[DAGUPAN] ► HELLO! WELCOME TO DAGUPAN!

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