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[Manila] ► Sincerity Restaurant, Binondo: Thoughts, Review & Narratives

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I have always believed that if you surround yourself with people of common characteristics, you might become like them.

► Change is constant so I know I have to brace myself with these changes so that I could become change-proof.

► Every blogger is important. Each has a significant contribution to the internet.

[Manila, National Capital Region, Luzon Island, Philippines]
SINCERITY RESTAURANT, BINONDO
| 1 | [MANILA] ► OUR TEMPER IS LIKE A SOUP. IT MAY HURT WHEN NOT COOLED DOWN. BEFORE WE STRIKE LIKE A HOT SOUP TO A TONGUE, COOL DOWN AND YOU'LL NEVER REGRET MAKING A DECISION IN A CALM SOUND MIND.
It's been a long time since I wrote my last restaurant review (March 17, 2017) and here I am again reviving my "Restaurant" blog label. I don't know but I feel so unmotivated to blog this past few weeks. I used to be on a blog hiatus for more than a year but my drive to blog was resurrected last November when I backpacked Singapore and Indonesia for almost 10 days. The first quarter of 2019 is about to end and I'm losing my motivation once again. I'm not sure what's going on inside me but I think the gradual exit or hybernation of fellow bloggers whom I regularly follow has also affected me.

I have always believed that if you surround yourself with people of common characteristics, you might become like them. I've surrounded my online self too with passionate bloggers so I was influenced by their passion but as time went by, they gradually left the blogosphere and many of them started another life. Some have used another platform. Some opted to join the "influencer" wave and put less focus on traditional blogging. Some just left blogging permanently. Some were gone too soon. 😔 A lot has changed in the internet in the past few years.


I'm back to writing personal restaurant reviews



Change is constant so I know I have to brace myself with these changes so that I could become change-proof. I would admit though that the decrease of passionate bloggers (that I follow) in the internet has also affected my motivation (because I'm also gradually losing my roster of inspiration) but as time went by, I learned to admit that nothing is permanent so I tried to look for another ways to motivate me again.

I'm back to doing restaurant reviews. I'm not really good in writing reviews but I need to also resurrect my review-related labels because I'm pretty sure blog readers are diverse. There are people who would appreciate bloggers if they create review contents. Some would love narratives too. Some would look after travel guides and itineraries. See? Every blogger is important (except those who spread lies, violence, and hate). Each has a significant contribution to the internet.


In Focus: Sincerity Restaurant of Binondo



For the first time, I experienced the Sincerity Cafe and Restaurant in Binondo. Before I write my lousy review, let me tell you how I've come up trying this restaurant.

So it was a busy day when after our 11-hour shift, we decided to visit a recruitment agency in Ermita (you can see my Blogserye 006 for the full story). My workmate Lourdes, in her 50s and an old-time Metro Manila dweller suggested we should go to Binondo to eat at Sincerity Restaurant.

Lourdes, being so passionate in culinary, has the "say" where we should eat because she knows the restaurants that offer the not-your-ordinary-food. Tired and hungry, we endured the exhausting traffic jams of Manila just to reach Sincerity Restaurant in Binondo.

We alighted near the Santa Cruz Church and walked all the way to Binondo. We just followed Lourdes because we didn't have any idea where to. We explored Ongpin Street while Lourdes was trying to figure out where was that restaurant. She didn't use GPS but she used her old-fashioned instinct to search for that restaurant.

We turned to Yuhengco street after few wrong turns and we've found out that this was the correct street we were looking for. The street has this old commercial district feel. The street is lined with hardware stores and Chinese-owned business establishment. The Sincerity Restaurant is part of these old trading spot.

It wasn't easy to search for the restaurant because there were so many cargo trucks parked in a row along this narrow street so the signage was not easy to find. Anyway we were able to find it. We were welcomed by a Filipino crew wearing Chinese clothes.

I let Lourdes do the responsibility of choosing what food to eat because I'm not really good in picking. Besides, when I pick a food, I would choose something that looks inviting even though that food may seem to be something that I eat everyday. Yes, I'm that person who may say "I don't care" about the menu. I choose what I think would satisfy me. So to let this restaurant experience special, Lourdes chose what she thought was the best food—something we could not find anywhere.

SINCERITY RESTAURANT, BINONDO
| 2 | [MANILA] ► USING MY PHONE CAMERA, I TOOK THIS PHOTO TO REMIND ME HOW THE INTERIOR LOOKED LIKE.
SINCERITY RESTAURANT, BINONDO
| 3 | [MANILA] ► ME AND ALEX WERE SO HUNGRY YET WE PERSISTENTLY WAITED FOR THE ORDER. IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT.
SINCERITY RESTAURANT, BINONDO
| 4 | [MANILA] ► THIS WAS A SOUP DISH FROM THE ARCHANGELS, HEAVENLY..
SINCERITY RESTAURANT, BINONDO
| 5 | [MANILA] ► THESE WERE SOME OF THE FOOD WE ATE. THEY WERE SO DELICIOUS. THEY WERE COOKED BY GOD!
SINCERITY RESTAURANT, BINONDO
| 6 | [MANILA] ► THIS POST-APOCALYPSE SCENE WAS VERY EXPECTED.
SINCERITY RESTAURANT, BINONDO
| 7 | [MANILA] ► WE LEFT BINONDO WITH A HAPPY HEART, AND TUMMY.
After a few minutes of waiting, they served the food. Well, I didn't know what were the names of the food they served but I sure took a photo to remind me how they looked like.

Lourdes was the best! The food she chose were something that brought me to heaven—shereeeeep! I was able to try THE best siomai since birth! I also had a taste of a certain chicken menu that was so heavenly as well. I also experienced this delicious noodle soup that's making me feel so hungry right now (while writing this post).


Ending Notes



Yehey! I've just written my first "blog review" (I wish I wrote a blog review well because I think it was more of random blabs) in more than 2 years. One thing more, I survived writing this post without running out of words to say (because my creativity level tonight is low).

I consumed two cups (large) of 7-11 City Blends coffee and another cup of custom coffee from other brand (I put two sachets, the twin pack one) just to stay awake and motivated in finishing this post tonight.

7-11 city blends coffee
| 7 | [QUEZON CITY] ► I STAYED WIDE AWAKE WITH THESE CUPS OF COFFEE, NO REASON TO PROCRASTINATE THIS BLOG POST.
7-11's City Blends Coffee has always been my go-to whenever I want a quick coffee fix. Tonight I took a cup of French vanilla and another cup of Mochaccino. Follow 7-11 on instagram via @711PH.

Super ending notes: Now, I'm still slightly sad for the gradual disintegration of the once happy and well-connected blogging community. There's still a kind of bond now but it's a different story before.

While writing this post, I wish the old blogging community that I loved will also resurrect. I became friends with many of the bloggers of the old era though and some became my travel buddies at least once but I would say it's much different now.

With sincerity,
Edmar Guquib
| end of story |

Maps Showing the Location of #MANILA

MAP OF MANILA
► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

✈ This post was filed under the category "Restaurants". 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 the activities or see the properties/places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time.

UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST
► 29-March-2019: This post was published.


LATEST STORIES COVERING #MANILA | SEE ALL IN A SEPARATE WINDOW


MORE STORIES COVERING METRO MANILA | SEE OLDER STORIES


LATEST STORIES COVERING THESE CATEGORIES | SEE OLDER STORIES








MORE TOWNS YOU MIGHT LIKE TO EXPLORE:
QCVSDBPBPPKLSV

[Manila] ► At Night: Binondo/Sta Cruz, the Double-Edged Sword

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You have infinite reasons to make anyone else cry but you also have unending reasons to be loved sharply.

► That night, I call it a double-edged sword because the contrast was sharp.

► You know there's something wrong but at the same time, there's nothing wrong with it.

[Manila, National Capital Region, Luzon Island, Philippines]
ONGPIN STREET, BINONDO
| 1 | [MANILA] ► YOU CAN STAND OUT WITHOUT PULLING OTHERS DOWN.
Hey Manila!

My old self has always thought that walking on your streets at night would creep me out. Heck, the media has always branded you as such—kidnapping here and there, buy-bust operations, and poverty among others. But you've always been that double-edged sword. You have infinite reasons to make anyone else cry but you also have unending reasons to be loved sharply.


Last January, I saw you once again wearing both the glamorous and unromantic faces of yours. The streets that kept your heart beating were struggling to find its way to your peace of mind. Your sons and daughters had no choice but to be resilient. You know, they indeed are resilient. How come many of them are still energetic and motivated to work and make a difference?

The sampaguita vendors near the Santa Cruz Church were unshaken. Is it fulfilling to sell sampaguita? Why I've been seeing them here all these years? They never made a change of heart. Is there no other choice for them? The fishball vendors at Ongpin Street seems to enjoy what they were doing. The young man out there several years ago has now his kids with him in tow selling street food. Would I say life is hard? Your sons and daughters were still there, still doing what they [probably] love doing.

SANTA CRUZ CHURCH, MANILA
| 2 | [MANILA] ► IF YOU WANT TO STAND OUT, MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
The barker never lost his voice. How come he is louder now and appears more passionate? As I walked along Ongpin Street, the sugarcane vendor appears like he has no plans yet to go home and watch his favorite teleserye. By the way, I saw people watching Coco Martin's 'Ang Probinsiyano' inside a Chinese-owned store—and yes, they were Chinese!

Everyone seemed energetic except this tired lady who was excited to go home after her shift from that well-lighted Mercury Drug Store that's illuminating the post of a fruit stall owner in front of it. The lady made its way through the street that has become narrower than ever because of the expensive-looking cars parked alongside with the sidewalk. Near these posh cars are expensive-looking restaurants too. Everyone seemed to enjoy the great ambiance inside.

So these are some of my observations in Binondo and Santa Cruz at night. That night, I call it a double-edged sword because the contrast was sharp. Both ends could either create a wound or sharpen a diamond. You know there's something wrong but at the same time, there's nothing wrong with it.


Binondo at Night



Hey Binondo, why are you so lovely? I had a taste of your best dishes and it blew my mind away. But you know what? You never failed to give me many options because I can still have that cheap, dirty (they say) 'palamig' that I'm accustomed with just across the street. I could hardly do that in BGC or in Eastwood. You're so versatile. I paid a lot of money from that restaurant yet you proved me that my 10 pesos were able to bridge my childhood cravings to my present self. I was satisfied! How cool is that? You're linking my past when I still had no money to buy expensive food and to my present where I could now afford to shell out some extra hard-earned money for a single meal.

Tall buildings have made their room in the home you created for centuries and it's so fascinating to see that you still preserved your homey traditions in spite of these newcomers. They looked awesome at night because as I looked up to decipher their towering height, Chinese lanterns hovered with grace stealing the spotlight of the night.

It's glad to see that the fruit stalls never left your side. They are truly homegrown and they seemed to stay forever in your care. One thing more, the Chinese merchants never left you all this time. They have made your home foundation strong. They fortified your existence. You see? You couldn't be shaken. Your identity as a family of diversity was never wiped out by pop culture.

ONGPIN STREET, BINONDO
| 3 | [MANILA] ► THE 'BASIC' WILL NEVER LOSE ITS RELEVANCE.
ONGPIN STREET, BINONDO
| 4 | [MANILA] ► IF PEOPLE PAUSE FOR A BREAK JUST TO LISTEN TO YOU, CONGRATULATIONS! YOU'RE RELEVANT TO THEM.
I just felt sad that your historical canals were still struggling to find their way to sanity as they've been congested by garbage. The waters are murky. I didn't like the smell too. I just feel mad that there are people who wanted to mar your glory and beauty.


Santa Cruz District at Night



Hey Santa Cruz! We meet again at night. I've seen you several times at night and you've never changed. Santa Cruz Church is just very near your neighbor Binondo so it's hard to ignore an old friend. I'd be rude if I wouldn't get to visit you whenever I visit your neighbor. You'd probably call me a snob.

SANTA CRUZ DISTRICT, MANILA
| 5 | [MANILA] ► BE LIKE A SHINY SILVER JEWELRY THAT COULD STAND OUT EFFORTLESSLY IN THE MIDST OF CONFUSING COLORS.
SANTA CRUZ CHURCH, MANILA
| 6 | [MANILA] ► DON'T BE AFRAID TO LOVE BECAUSE THERE'S TIME FOR EVERYTHING. IF YOU GET HURT, MOVE ON. THE UNIVERSE IS SELF-HEALING.
SANTA CRUZ CHURCH, MANILA
| 7 | [MANILA] ► DON'T BE AFRAID TO BE ALONE BECAUSE THERE'S A TIME FOR EVERYTHING, INCLUDING LONELINESS. THE UNIVERSE IS CONSPIRING FOR YOUR UPCOMING HAPPINESS.
I love how your playground Carriedo Fountain maintained its poise in the middle of the busy road. I would applaud the work of your maintenance team. They're doing great. Same with your church facade, you seemed to be well-taken care of your team.

By the way, I do not have a lot of things to say because unlike your neighbor Binondo, you've always been boring for me because you've never brought me to your backyard. I still have to see your true color. But well, congratulations for surviving the dark smoke around, the facade of your church speaks a lot.


Ending Notes



You know what Manila, it has always been good to talk to you. It's now 05:53 in the morning and I'm about to finish this letter for you. Your edges are both a danger and a savior, if you know what I mean.

SANTA CRUZ CHURCH, MANILA
| 8 | [QUEZON CITY] ► I TOOK THIS SELFIE FEW MINUTES BEFORE I FINISHED THIS BLOG ARTICLE.
It's Sunday and I'm going to the dentist later. I'm going to sleep in a bit after I publish you. I will have a quick breakfast too. I hope to discover you more Manila. 💚 | end of story |

| ► MORE POSTS COVERING MY BINONDO-SANTA CRUZ VISIT (JANUARY 2019)
| ▼ BINONDO AND SANTA CRUZ VISIT 2019

[Manila] ► Binondo & Sta Cruz Visit 2019



| ▼ SINCERITY RESTAURANT, BINONDO: THOUGHTS, REVIEW, AND NARRATIVES

[Manila] ► Sincerity Restaurant, Binondo: Thoughts, Review & Narratives





Maps Showing the Location of #MANILA

MAP OF MANILA
► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

✈ This post was filed under the categories "Night Explorations" and "Night Life". 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 the activities or see the properties/places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time.

UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST
► 01-April-2019: This post was published.


LATEST STORIES COVERING #MANILA | SEE ALL IN A SEPARATE WINDOW


MORE STORIES COVERING METRO MANILA | SEE OLDER STORIES


LATEST STORIES COVERING THESE CATEGORIES | SEE OLDER STORIES








MORE TOWNS YOU MIGHT LIKE TO EXPLORE:
QCVSDBPBPPKLSV

[Insights] ► How the Competitive Blogging World Personally Affected Me?

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...if you compete to prove to others that you are better, you may fail; but if you compete because you want to prove yourself that you could do more, then you're winning.

► While I don't really compete with fellow travel bloggers, we have to admit that many bloggers these days give their best shot. If you do not level-up your game, your blog will go unnoticed.

► For the past two years, my emotion and mind were battlegrounds until I made up my mind to set aside blogging in the meantime.

[Special Feature]
NASUGBU, BATANGAS
| 1 | [NASUGBU] ► BLOGGING IS BOTH FUN AND TIRING, EVEN YOUR BIG SELFIE BECOMES AN ISSUE FOR OTHERS.
Lately, I've been more interested in writing personal experiences and moments in my life than writing the adventurous travel tales. Having written hundreds of stories that highlight my probably cutting-edge and unique travel experiences (that I'm sure, every traveler possesses), I've come to the point of becoming thirsty of writing random light moments without the YOLO and buwis-buhay travel plots.

To begin this random musing, the blogosphere is an awesome but a competitive space. While I don't really compete with fellow travel bloggers, we have to admit that many bloggers these days give their best shot. If you do not level-up your game, your blog will go unnoticed. While some bloggers who do it "because of passion" may not care about the metrics or the opportunities blogging could put to the table, I think it would be safe to say that when people notice your blogs, that's a validation that you're passionate about it; and that you're giving your best shot.

Speaking for myself, I have always been a competitive person; but for the right reasons. I compete not to be recognized but to trigger my inner drive to give its best shot. In the long run, it's not the prize nor the recognition that I'm after to, but the self-improvement and the motivation to be the better version of my self that I am looking forward. As a conclusion, if you compete to prove to others that you are better, you may fail; but if you compete because you want to prove yourself that you could do more, then you're winning; because it's your old self whom you are competing with.

When it comes to blogging, the stories and experiences of fellow travel bloggers are really mind-blowing. Did I experience pressure to write? The answer is yes. Many bloggers use the best cameras or drone footage to capture the best view, offer their out-of-this-world writing skills worthy of a magazine gig, bring out their natural charisma that's worth a TV show, and name them all. The blogosphere is full of bad-ass super-talented individuals. Because of these, I looked down to my self. I didn't have the best gadgets. I didn't have a huge travel fund to afford an adventure to unconventional travel destinations. I didn't have the English degree to be able to write stories flawlessly without grammatical or punctuation errors. I had many limitations. I'm a nobody in this space saturated with somebodies.


When I started blogging



I started from scratch. I didn't even have a personal computer when I started blogging. After my work from the hospital, I spent my hard-earned money at the computer shop where I could rent a computer to blog. To be honest, a huge chunk of my meager salary goes to the computer shop where I stayed until closing time.

When I started my travel blog, it wasn't about being a blogger. I used this free platform to make my life easier. You know, I have a personal diary that I update every day. I realized, writing manually was very time-consuming for me; aside from that, the speed of my manual writing cannot cope up with the speed of the ideas that come out my mind. I thought doing an online diary would make my life easier, hence, this blog you are reading.

Having that interest for travel, I became curious if there are "travel bloggers" out there. That time I was not yet familiar of the basics of blogging. I didn't even know about these so-called blog niches. I wasn't even aware there were existing blogging communities. These curiosities led me to discover these "travel bloggers" who took my breath away. Gahhh! They looked so cool. They looked so rich. They looked so hip. They looked so awesome! I instantly became an avid follower. I was constantly 'fanboy-ing' of their existence.

You know, my mindset that time was, these cool travel bloggers were the rich kids of my generation and I was amazed on how they could maintain a lifestyle like that. As I browsed their blogs, they've been everywhere! I was mind-blown of these possibilities—that you could make traveling constantly as your lifestyle. I was a HUGE fan because I know I couldn't do what they were doing.

Being a fanboy would lead me to stalking their profiles. I yearned to know more about them personally. I stalked their Facebook profiles and other social media accounts. Until one day, there was a trend going on in the travel blogosphere. From writing the luxurious and seemingly unending stress-free life of these bloggers, the tone turned more personal. I didn't know how it started but there was a point where bloggers became more open of the realities they were facing. The travel blogosphere became a little personal.

I started to learn that not all of these bloggers were born heirs (although some are "legit" hipsters and born privileged). I found out that some of them were also like me. I learned about their stories that motivated me to do the same, to be the same. Armed with a childhood motto of "If others can, why can't I?", I confidently registered a subdomain under a free blogging platform and started writing my travel stories.

Fast forward, I gained some followers and readers (not too much, sakto lang). Random people popping out from my inbox would surprise me with their words of admiration and gratitude.


How Blogging Affected Me Negatively?



I've come to a point where my "blogging" became my priority in life. I used to be stuck inside my room creating contents all day. I even skipped meals and utilized my "time for sleep" just to improve my blog. I was like a zombie—but a happy and fulfilled zombie. I was very hooked. Even my personal life was affected. I didn't even join the family meal because I was busy. I went to work sleepy because I stayed wide awake until dawn just to blog. Yes, this is very embarrassing to admit but it really happened to me.

The reason why I've come to that point was because I was enjoying all the attention and the positive feedback I was receiving. I loved it when people tell they admire me. It was a great feeling when people see you as extraordinary. With all these accolades, I was addicted with the attention and the positive feedback I was receiving. My ego was soaring high. I got TV guestings. I appeared in the local news. People in my place started identifying me as "the blogger" and no longer as the dark, skinny, poor boy from Brgy Ayusan Sur who came from a humble beginning.

People thought I was very rich because I used to post travel photos daily and they expected more. I was pressured by the demands of the people, so I gave in—because the attention I was receiving was addicting (lakas maka-artista, feeling lang! haha). I didn't know I was already on that crucial point because no one re-oriented me to reality. I was just enjoying the moment until one day, I realized my professional career (nurse) was not moving forward. Yes, once in my life, I wanted to become that "successful blogger" who would rake fortunes and opportunities. I kept pushing for that goal. I made my self believe that "I was happy" doing this. Just a clarification, I was indeed happy and contented with my life when I was hooked to blogging. I was genuinely happy, but behind the happiness is a feeling of fear and uncertainty. I wasn't sure where would this happiness lead me.

PIKKANG FALLS, SAN JUAN, ILOCOS SUR
| 2 | [SAN JUAN] ► THIS IS A PHOTO TAKEN AT PIKKANG FALLS (FROM MY MOST RECENT TOWN EXPLORATION PRIOR TO THIS BLOG POST).
Fast forward (this was actually in 2017), my father turned 60, now a senior citizen. That was the turning point in my life. I woke up from a long delusional dream that I would become successful in the path that I wanted to take. I started blogging in 2011 and 6 years has passed (in reference to year 2011-2016), I realized I was already left behind (as a nurse). Although I cannot deny the fact that blogging gave me a lot of opportunities to bring out the best in me and to do the things I never imagined I could do, the blogging career that I wanted to have was probably not yet for me. I think I was deluded by social media posts like "quit your job and travel the world." While it worked for some people, it surely will not work for everybody because each of us has different callings.

Now I've learned a lot. For the past two years, my emotion and mind were battlegrounds until I made up my mind to set aside blogging in the meantime. The passion is still there. You know, it is still burning. Writing my stories online is always in my mind but I'm wiser now. I've learned to balance everything. Two years ago, after my father turned 60, I decided to grow my professional career. I took a leap of faith, took the risk, and changed my previous perspective. From being self-centered, I've transformed myself to becoming a provider for my family. My parents are not obliging me to give, but I'm making my family as my motivation to become the better version of me. Being the eldest, I grab opportunities to give back. During the peak of my activity in blogging, I didn't have the sense of responsibility. I only cared about the likes and shares, and on the fortune blogging could give me. However, after that turning point, I realized that it's more meaningful to have a sense of responsibility. For me my family is now my greatest responsibility. It's no longer my blog readers whom I've always wanted to please.


Ending Thoughts



I've actually written this piece a month ago; because I procrastinate a lot, it took me a month before I decided to publish this. It's now 12:58 AM as of this writing and I'm here on my bed writing these ending thoughts. I'm currently here in Makati while writing this post. With my green hangers, I made it to the last paragraph! I'm on my "bed mode" while writing this which explains the real time photo below.

EDMARATION BLOG
| 3 | [MAKATI] ► REAL TIME: THIS WAS ME, AT THE MOMENT I WAS WRITING THIS POST.
My journey in blogging was colorful and meaningful. I never regretted being a blogger, I only learned life lessons from it. Should I continue blogging? The answer is a BIG YES! I will continue blogging because I am excited of the new lessons it may teach me today, and in the future—the same life lessons it taught me in the past that molded who I am today. Happy blogging! 💚 | end of story |

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

✈ This post was filed under the categories "Special Features". See more posts related to this below.

✈ All photos are mine.

UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST
► 03-November-2019: This post was published.


LATEST STORIES COVERING [INSIGHTS] | SEE ALL IN A SEPARATE WINDOW


MORE STORIES COVERING FEATURE STORIES | SEE OLDER STORIES


LATEST STORIES COVERING THESE CATEGORIES | SEE OLDER STORIES


MORE TOWNS YOU MIGHT LIKE TO EXPLORE:
MQCVSDBPBPPKL






[Hong Kong] ► Is HK Safe to Visit as Tourist, Amid Protests/Riots?

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So what happened? They asked me many questions and requested me to present my company ID, the contact number of my friend in Hong Kong (which they attempted to call), my YouTube channel, and my work.

► Here's my personal account of the current situation (civil unrest) in Hong Kong as a tourist.

► When the rioters invaded Mongkok and burned a university... I was inside a MTR station...

[Hong Kong, China]
EDMARATION
| 1 | [HONG KONG] ► AS A TOURIST, IT'S MY RESPONSIBILITY TO FOLLOW THE RULES.
Geopolitical issues are complex and complicated topics for an overnight discussion. Sadly, issues like these are everywhere in the globe; and the fact that sharing your views about these issues would potentially offend or hurt someone, communication or freedom of speech is apparently not the best solution to reconcile differences. Each person has his/her own opinion or interpretation of these issues which make it even more complicated and dividing. Even Hong Kong, the progressive and freedom-loving city we knew, was not spared from the chaos of geopolitics and of opposing ideologies. Here's my personal account of the current situation (civil unrest) in Hong Kong as a tourist.

Before I start writing my main narrative, let us define "safety" first. Oxford dictionary defines it as "the state of being safe and protected from danger or harm". For this blog post, I'm not going to use the Oxford definition because I believe everywhere in the world is unsafe, which would make me easily lead to the conclusion that Hong Kong is unsafe (the riot alone is already enough to say that there is an impending threat or danger). For the purpose of this blog post, I'll contextualize safety as "being able to visit and experience the tourist attractions of Hong Kong without an actual encounter with the rioters and sustaining physical/mental harm or death from such encounter."

I visited Hong Kong from the 16th to the 18th of November 2019 and what I will share to your are my personal encounters and experiences in Hong Kong. I hope it may give you an idea of what's happening there. By the way, some of the information I shared here were based on the actual observation and insights of someone who has been living in Hong Kong for more than 5 years whom I had the chance to talk with.


Tourist Safety at the Hong Kong International Airport



My port of entry in Hong Kong was the Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). I landed at the airport at around 10:00 AM. The airport seemed to be under normal operation.

HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
| 2 | [HONG KONG] ► THE AIRPORT SEEMED TO BE UNDER NORMAL OPERATION.
My experience at the airport was not smooth though as I underwent a second-level assessment at the Hong Kong immigration department. They did not exactly tell me what was the problem but I thought they didn't like the idea that I would exit Hong Kong via the Central Ferry Terminal and eventually, Macau Airport. One thing more, I was supposed to enter Hong Kong via Macau, but I canceled it because of a sudden more important appointment that came along with my flight to Macau the same day; so I had to book another flight but this time, to Hong Kong. I think the immigration officer got confused of the conflicting flight itineraries I presented with two flights landing either in Macau or in Hong Kong.

So what happened? They asked me many questions and requested me to present my company ID, the contact number of my friend in Hong Kong (which they attempted to call), my YouTube channel, and my work. Basically, the questions they asked were based on the documents I presented and on my answers to their questions. It was like an endless domino. They seemed to generate questions based on every single answer I gave them; and it went on and on.

Anyway, I could not blame them if they were very strict because as a tourist, it's my responsibility to follow rules and undergo the process. Speaking of safety, the airport was probably one of the busy places in Hong Kong you would less likely encounter rioters; and I think the Hong Kong/China government will not allow riots to happen there, as it may greatly affect the aviation operation of one of the world's busiest airports.

Aside from my interrogation experience at the immigration office (which is not actually a threat, it was a security measure), I felt very safe and secured at the Hong Kong International Airport.


Safety for Commuters (Airport to Tsim Sha Tsui)



I left Hong Kong International Airport via the airport bus terminal. Everything went well. There was no special or additional security checks other than the routine. I easily purchased a ticket, boarded the bus, and left the airport peacefully.

HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
| 3 | [HONG KONG] ► I LEFT THE HONG KONG AIRPORT VIA THE AIRPORT BUS TERMINAL.
NATHAN ROAD
| 4 | [HONG KONG] ► PROTESTERS IN HONG KONG TARGET CROWDED AREAS; AND THAT INCLUDES THE NATHAN ROAD, A POPULAR SHOPPING LANE IN HONG KONG. THERE WERE NO PROTESTERS DURING MY STAY HERE.
TSIM SHA TSUI
| 5 | [HONG KONG] ► I TOOK THIS PHOTO FROM INSIDE THE BUS. TSIM SHA TSUI LOOKED EXCITING, NO RIOTERS SEEN.
The travel was smooth and seamless. I didn't see any rioters along the way. I didn't see special checkpoints. I reached Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui full of friendly people, not rioters.

Although Nathan road is one of the places where the rioters stage a mass protest, they don't necessarily control the area. They organize protests at different parts in Hong Kong. I enjoyed my stay at Nathan Road because the location was very convenient for travelers.


How Safe is Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui?



Protesters in Hong Kong target crowded areas, and that includes the Nathan Road, a popular shopping lane in Hong Kong located in Tsim Sha Tsui. There were no protesters during my stay; however, there were "signs" showing that protesters once brought fear and threat to certain areas. I saw one MTR station (subway system in Hong Kong) that was closed because it was burned by the protesters, hence, causing public inconvenience in this particular part of Hong Kong that time. Some parts of Nathan Road were also hideous because the rioters left a tasteless and cheap marks by vandalizing the once orderly and nice-looking public facilities of Hong Kong.

Aside from the tasteless remnants of the protesters, I didn't encounter any problem during my stay here. By the way, the rioters usually organize a rally during weekends. At Nathan Road, I did not witness any problem during my weekend stay there. Everything seemed peaceful.

| 6 | [HONG KONG] ► THIS IS THE MINDSET OF THE REBELLIOUS CLASS. THEY THINK THEY ARE THE ENSLAVED.
| 7 | [HONG KONG] ► TSIM SHA TSUI, HONG KONG'S VIBRANT OLD DOWNTOWN, IS UNSHAKEN BY THE SO-CALLED MASS PROTEST WHICH IS MEDIA-AMPLIFIED TO APPEAR BIG AND TO APPEAR SUPPORTED MY MAJORITY OF HONG KONGERS.
| 8 | [HONG KONG] ► MODY ROAD IN HONG KONG WAS NEVER MOODY. HONG KONG TRADE CONTINUES, BUSINESS AS USUAL.
What is shown by the huge profit-oriented media companies of the West and their allies in the East is that Hong Kong is doomed. Their plot shows us that Hong Kong seems helpless and that the rioters are significant enough to control everything in Hong Kong. In fact, some Hong Kongers don't even care about them. Some give them the middle finger and a laugh. They are free to exercise their freedom of speech; but one thing is for sure: China, with its power and seemingly different perspective of human right, could easily wipe them out if they become a threat to general public safety and security of Hong Kong.

Although I'm against a government that oppresses its people, what I wanted to convey is that Hong Kong is still a part of China (though they have two different political systems, for now); and with China's policy on National Security that is frowned in the West, stopping the protesters is an easy task if they want to sans the human rights consideration. What I mean is, the mass riot is an insignificant scene of the wholistic Hong Kong. The news I'm seeing on TV is actually very interesting, but don't expect to experience that drama when you go to Hong Kong as tourist (unless you would intentionally join the rioters to experience that drama yourself then go ahead). Tourist who will use their common sense will most likely get rid of the rioters.


Is it Safe to Commute via MTR in Hong Kong?



As I said, everywhere is unsafe. Paris, New York, Sydney, and Shanghai are even less safe compared to Hong Kong. In fact, according to the Economist, Hong Kong is the 3rd safest city in the world (2019) in terms of personal security. Aside from the closed MTR stations destroyed by the freedom-loving protesters, Hong Kong administrators (and I'm pretty sure China oversees it) would make it sure to keep its populace safe and secure from the hands of the protesters. If there are threats from the rioters, the MTR administration would close "threatened" stations and quickly inform the public about the closure as heads-up. I experienced this my self.

NATHAN ROAD, Hong Kong Protest
| 9 | [HONG KONG] ► ALTHOUGH THE PROTESTERS DESTROYED SOME MTR STATIONS (SEEING THE GENERAL PUBLIC SUFFER SEEMED TO BE THEIR GOAL, WHAT A CONSCIENCE!), TRAIN TRANSPORTATION IN HONG KONG WAS NOT NECESSARILY PARALYZED.
When the rioters invaded Mongkok and burned a university as part of their freedom of expression in expense of the same rights and freedom their fellow Hong Kongers have, I was inside a MTR station in Hong Kong when I heard a public announcement informing the commuting public that the train would not stop at Mongkok station because of the public disorder caused by the rioters who consider themselves "politically woke". Apparently, the awakening that they have is something that projects public disorder, fear, and suffering.


Other Places in Hong Kong



Near the guesthouse where I stayed in Hong Kong is a historical place called the Signal Hill or the Blackhead Point. The hill features a >100-year-old tower which was used to monitor incoming vessels into Hong Kong harbour.

HONG KONG SIGNAL HILL/BLACKHEAD POINT
| 10 | [HONG KONG] ► THIS PLACE WAS VERY SILENT AND PEACEFUL YOU'LL FORGET THERE'S A SPORADIC PROTEST HAPPENING IN HONG KONG.
Aside from the tower, Signal Hill also has a park with a view of the Hong Kong Harbour. If getting rid of the rioters is your concern, then this is a safe haven. It was indeed a very peaceful place.

During my experience here, I saw some Caucasian people reading a book or just relaxing. There were also Hong Kong couples having the romantic time of their lives. I only saw about less than 15 people here during my 2-hour stay. Forget the rioters, they only target crowded areas where they could garner maximum publicity and visibility.


Is it Safe in Hong Kong at Night?



Like what I mentioned above, everywhere is unsafe because danger is everywhere; but for this context, it's about getting rid of and avoiding physical harm from the rioters.

I roamed around Tsim Sha Tsui until 11 PM without encountering the rioters. Again, it's common sense. Do not go where the rioters go. I was enjoying my time in Tsim Sha Shui viewing the Hong Kong's night skyline and the Avenue of Stars while the rioters were busy burning a university near Mongkok. What I'm trying to say is, the rioters do not control everything that's in Hong Kong. Just avoid them and enjoy the places of Hong Kong without them.

HONG KONG PROTEST
| 11 | [HONG KONG] ► FOR THE RIOTERS, THEY ONLY HAVE UNFORTUNATE LIMITED OPTION: LIBERTY VS DEATH. MAJORITY OF HONG KONGERS WHO DO NOT SCREAM THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION DRAMA WOULD PROBABLY CHOOSE LIBERTY AND LIFE. WHAT A POSITIVE OUTLOOK WOULD THAT BE! IF YOUR SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM IS ANOTHER PROBLEM, THEN THE RESULT WOULD BE ANOTHER PROBLEM.
HONG KONG VICTORIA CLOCK TOWER
| 12 | [HONG KONG] ► VICTORIA CLOCK TOWER, PLEASE ENLIGHTEN THEM.
I watched the Victoria Harbour light show and explored the Avenue of stars at night peacefully with the cold Hong Kong breeze. There were many tourists that time (although much less than the usual because of the fear of tourists to travel to Hong Kong).

Other popular public places like the central terminal, central district, and Victoria Peak seemed to operate normally; although you have to be mindful of the schedule and location of riots so that you could avoid them.


Safety Tips



1. Do not wear black or white shirt. These colors are what the protesters wear.

2. When exploring during the weekend, be mindful of the location of the protesters/rioters as they usually do it (burn schools, destroy MTR, etc) during the weekend. Weekdays are generally normal days in Hong Kong.

That's it! Happy travels and Happy New Year! World Peace! 💚 | end of story |

Maps Showing the Location of #HONGKONG

MAP OF HONG KONG
► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

✈ This post was filed under the categories "Special Features". See more posts related to this below.

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

✈ 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 the activities or see the properties/places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time.

► UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST
|2| 02-January-2020: Twitter metadata was added.
|1| 01-January-2020: This post was published.


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[Palawan] ► How I Recovered My 'Deleted' Travel Configuration?

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"This Palawan trip has indeed given me enough time to self-reflect and remember those beautiful and innocent moments in my life that I deleted. I'm definitely gonna check my old configuration..."

► I didn't expect that this time would bring me back to my old self. I miss those days of youthful fun, really. I just overdid it. I don't blame anyone though, not even myself. I was young and careless. Making a mistake was part of the process.

► It was my old self who didn't care how good I should appear in photos. Browsing my old photos, I realized how my self-esteem changed a lot since then. I'd swear, whenever I look back to those photos, it's cringeworthy. I wonder where on earth I gained that level of confidence to post those photos, and still felt good and proud about it. Today is a different story.

[Palawan Province, Mimaropa Region, Luzon Group, Philippines]
EDMARATION
| 1 | [BATARAZA] ► THIS CULTURAL PERFORMERS, DURING THE TOWN'S FOUNDATION DAY CELEBRATION, WERE SO AMAZED TO SEE A 'TRAVEL VLOGGER'. MORE THAN 5 YEARS AGO, REGULAR LOCALS DIDN'T EVEN KNOW/CARE ABOUT BLOGGERS/VLOGGERS.
The rising popularity of YouTube may have killed the traditional blogging style, but it has also given bloggers a new way to express themselves online (through videos). While video blogging (in short, vlogging), is an old stuff, its popularity skyrocketed just recently when YouTube opened its partnership program for video creators to publish ads.

The internet community today (mostly, if not all) thinks that being a blogger is also being a YouTuber. It's not actually a wrong assumption, but it's not always the case. There are also bloggers who thrive in their rich world of wordplay and poetry.


 ►  Flashback: A setback of my travel goals and style



I've reached that point of becoming too busy for my corporate career—too busy that I didn't even care about the dates of upcoming special occasions or national events. Indeed, when you enter a different season in life and decide to take the road to maturity and real adulthood, there are previous habits and lifestyles that need to be deleted in your life.

As I've become more career-oriented, I also became very conscious of my time—spending it for myself to become as productive as possible. One of those habits that I gradually deleted in my life is the utilization of my precious time for too much fun (including my leisure travels and too much social media). Don't get me wrong. Having fun and using social media are not really bad; however, danger comes in when too much attention are allotted for the aforementioned, hence endangering our balance (homeostasis) as a holistic human being.

So what's the connection of homeostasis to my recent travel to Palawan? I would answer this way. I went to Palawan without knowing I would celebrate the Chinese New Year there. Straight from work, I took my flight to Palawan. As I said, I've reached that point where I've become too busy that I already didn't care of these national or international events that I used to fervently track. I didn't know it was going to be the first day of the year of the metal rat!

Since I'm new to the world-of-too-much-work (another season of my life), I'm still learning how to balance it, again; or shall I say, re-calibration?

I was afraid to live another imbalanced life (before was too much fun, less career). I wanted to bring back the old fun and figure out how to balance it with my new world—a probinsiyano millennial doing corporate jobs in the big city.

An invitation of a friend to visit an isolated island in the Sulu Sea was an idea that I entertained. We've planned for this trip for several months; and that trip was the reason why I was in Palawan. I took this opportunity to undo and recover the deletion of "too much fun" in my life.

I reformatted my life recently, but I forgot to save a back-up copy of the configuration that once made me a very positive and happy man. Now, I want to recover those—not necessarily everything, but even a small portion of the data will do. I know I could develop those remaining data into creating a more complex yet life-changing (for good) existential algorithm.

After almost three (3) years of living in the busy world, it's now "been there, done that." I already have a first-hand experience of both perspectives—too much fun and too much work. I would say I'm wiser today than yesterday.

This Palawan visit would jump-start another season in my life—with new lessons learned as an adult. We should not stop improving ourselves, should we?


 ►  Puerto Princesa: Chinese New Year 2020



I didn't expect that this time would bring me back to my old self. I miss those days of youthful fun, really. I just overdid it. I don't blame anyone though, not even myself. I was young and careless. Making a mistake was part of the process. It's weird, but those times I made a mistake were seasons I didn't really consider myself to have committed a mistake. For me it was a learning curve.

Now that I've been exposed to more complex life processes, I could probably go back to the old fun with an army of wisdom and maturity in me.

Chinese New Year Palawan
| 2 | [PUERTO PRINCESA] ► IN EVERY SHOW, THERE'S ALWAYS AN INTRO. FOR ME, MY LIFE IS ALSO A REAL-LIFE SHOW WITH MANY CHAPTERS; AND THIS TRIP WAS THE INTRO FOR MY NEWEST SEASON IN LIFE.
Walking randomly in and around the downtown of Puerto Princesa allowed me to time travel to my old style—something I dearly miss.

I knew myself that my taste of a good travel is not really seeing the most popular tourist attractions. Don't get me wrong. I also love visiting the popular tourist spots; but I feel like I could level-up my appreciation for a destination when I walk (or simply sit still) solo while I introspect. I know this is an old story. Many travel bloggers have said that, but I will still say it because I mean it.

Chinese New Year Palawan
| 3 | [PUERTO PRINCESA] ► TRAVELING WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS IS VERY FULFILLING, BUT TRAVELING SOLO IS MY ORIGINAL STYLE. I TRAVELED WITH SOMEONE THIS DAY, BUT I MADE SURE TO HAVE AN AMPLE "ME-TIME."
Chinese New Year Palawan
| 4 | [PUERTO PRINCESA] ► VALENCIA STREET IS THE EPICENTER OF PALAWAN'S CHINATOWN.
I love these: observing people, looking at the trees, counting the fastood restaurants I saw, counting the lanes of a street to figure out how broad it is, stepping onto covered drainage manholes, searching for the tallest building in the downtown, counting how many floors that building has, and more.

Walking along the Rizal Avenue of Puerto Princesa made me discover that the city was going to stage a Chinese New Year event at the Chinatown Center Palawan (Valencia Street, near the public market). That moment, I realized I would be welcoming another lunar year outside my hometown Vigan. I immediately went back to the pension house where I stayed to take all my blogging essentials with me. You know, blogging and traveling were the most important duo of my old self.

I got back that enthusiasm to document and blog this event. I lost that enthusiasm, but I'm recovering it back.


 ►  Resurging the Travel Spirit



Admittedly, I gradually lost both the desire to travel and the desire to blog/write lately. For the past few years, there was also a sharp decline of blogs published daily. I don't know exactly the reason why that happened; but I surely know myself that I also became inactive in blogging not because I joined the bandwagon, but because I changed my priorities.

Majority of bloggers are millennials (indeed, this is a millennial thing). I believe, the reason why others set aside blogging in the mean is the same as mine.

I thought I was going to graduate as a travel blogger. Aside from the fact that I shifted to a different career (still related to health care though, but this is the hipper side of the nursing profession), I admit that my interest to travel also declined by time, probably because I've been to the places I once drooled to visit; and the travel satiety has taken me over.

One thing more, I don't have much liberty now like I used to do. Before, I could ask a vacation leave for a month—something that was easy-peasy for me to do when I was still hospital-based; not because my health care service wasn't needed, but because I had the privilege to ask for it with an army of supportive bosses and colleagues who support my life passions outside my nursing profession.

I thank God for this time. Visiting Palawan (and that island in the Sulu Sea) has caused the heavens to pour out the spirit of travel-joy for me. That emotion is something that I consider a spiritual experience—a personal moment when traveling changes your view of the world (in an affirmative manner) and of your existence (more on the motivational and anti-depression side). How cliché is that?

I could somehow say that I've just risen from the travel grave. On the third day, I resurrected. Yes, I just did. This was an 11-day adventure.


 ►  Bataraza: Visiting My Relatives



I'm beyond joyful to reconnect and be hosted by no other than my relatives in Bataraza, Palawan. Visiting my relatives in Bataraza allowed me to decode my genetic make-up. Reconnecting with my relatives and learning more about the history of our clan solidified my love for travel. I may have set it aside mean time, but I knew it's gonna haunt me back.

EDMARATION
| 5 | [PALAWAN] ► I TOOK THIS SELFIE INSIDE A VAN GOING TO BATARAZA FROM BROOKE'S POINT.
I had a great time chatting with my auntie about the diaspora of our clan. My father is as well part of the diaspora that happened every generation—from Mindanao, he migrated to Vigan (and many of his siblings too left their hometown in Kabacan, North Cotabato without losing their strong connection to their hometown).

Our clan has a long history of migration. However, we could only trace our forefathers 3 generations ahead of us through reconnecting with relatives and reconciling our family tree (a cousin of mine is active in tracing more though).

EDMARATION
| 6 | [BATARAZA] ► MY AUNT AND MY COUSIN TOURED ME AROUND THIS TOWN IN SOUTHERN PALAWAN.
EDMARATION
| 7 | [BATARAZA] ► MY COUSIN, WHO WORKS AT THE MUNICIPAL HALL, HELPED ME SECURE THIS VIP SEAT.
What enticed my paternal bloodline for continuous migration every generation is something that I'm still trying to figure out. One thing is greener pasture. My great grandfather went to Mindanao and acquired hectares of land. As a child going home to Mindanao, I was amazed to see those fields that were so huge and wide the eye can see. Mindanao was indeed a fertile soil for them to till. Me, my brothers, and my cousins under my Eteng lineage love traveling and going to new places. I could probably say that it's part of our genetic makeup to have that strong desire to explore new places and conquer new territories. You may challenge me to show a scientific evidence but I'm not going there. My intuition and guts are enough. It's natural. We love going places but we never forget where we came from.

Not all people love to travel; but my clan, majority of us, are vagabonds. Many of us are migrants too. We didn't settle in one place to form a tribe. We instead conquered new territories, from generations to generation.

Having born and grown in Vigan, I consider this city as my hometown by heart and spirit. I think we were tasked by destiny to repopulate or Eteng-ize Vigan. 😂

Kidding aside, I've just found new reasons to travel (to reconnect) as we (our clan) were spread (both Eteng and Guquib) from the flower farms of Benguet, to the valleys of Kalinga, to the rice fields of Isabela and Cotabato, to the towns of Palawan, and to the communities near the Agusan marsh! That's all I know for now. I'm excited to find more!

Note: We are of Ilocano-Cordilleran heritage and we speak Ilocano even some were from Mindanao (some millennials of our clan have adapted the local language though, but still could understand Ilocano).

This is just the story of my Eteng (my grandmother) lineage with roots from the land of warriors (then Kalinga-Apayao). My Guquib (grandfather) side is another story, but has the same migration plot.

From the three original old folks, the most ancient that we could trace (our ancestors), we spread like wildfire in the Philippines and in the world. 😂

Like a lost tribe, we now have a strong connection through social media. Most members of the clan were never seen by me in person. Annual clan reunion is also happening for many years now.

Now I got more reasons to travel far and wide with all these blood-connections.


 ►  Brooke's Point: How I Lost My Self-Esteem?



After visiting my family in Bataraza, I went back to Brooke's Point town where my travel buddies were waiting. We visited the downtown and enjoyed how idyllic it was. Few meters away was the market where I met fellow Ilocanos. I didn't expect I was going to meet one here. One of them was from Pangasinan, and they speak Ilocano at home. I learned that there is a significant Ilocano community in this town—like Ilocanos who haven't assimilated to the local language.

EDMARATION
| 8 | [BROOKE'S POINT] ► THIS FEELING IS SO FAMILIAR—LIVE JOURNAL AT PORTS, SLEEPING AT TERMINALS. YEAH, VERY TRADITIONAL 'POOR TRAVEL BLOGGER' STYLE.
I miss the old travel style that speaks, non-verbally, of who I really am—randomly meeting locals and learning their stories. Come on, it's so inspirational and interesting to hear the stories of these people. How cliché is that?

I admit I deleted these travel styles I used to embrace because some people called it superficial whenever I claim and write about it online. I was swayed to believing them. You know, I sometimes consider the comments of other people, for my self-improvement; but not all of them helped me improve.

Because my stories of immersing myself with the locals and appreciating the local way of life were things that were viewed as superficial in an attempt to romanticize my travel stories, I shifted to doing what I thought was a more acceptable travel trend—the instagrammy style: glossy, nice view, nice hotel room, aura, filtered photos, nice clothes, taking off my clothes to show my skin and body, choosing the best angle, and mostly unrealistic stuff. I'm not against the instagram travel style because I don't have the right to dictate what other travelers should do. I, myself, was influenced by that style and trend. I'd admit that I still do it now; and I liked it. The former replaced my old travel style of being dirty poor in my travel narratives and ugly in photos.

My visit to Brooke's Point made me remember my old self on the road: dirty, poor, ugly, sunburned, broke but happy, etc. It was my old self who didn't care how good I should appear in photos. Browsing my old photos, I realized how my self-esteem changed a lot since then. I'd swear, whenever I look back to those photos, it's cringeworthy. I wonder where on earth I gained that level of confidence to post those photos, and still felt good and proud about it. Today is a different story. I've been more insecure of my self when I was exposed to a new environment that's devoid of acceptance, saturated with unnecessary competition. I tried to blend in the new crowd, but I lost the true identity that defined who I am.


 ►  Ending Thoughts


This Palawan trip has indeed given me enough time to self-reflect and remember those beautiful and innocent moments in my life that I deleted. I'm definitely gonna check my old configuration, and extract the essential basic html codes of my life I used to replace (with a more complex process), leading my life to suffer the effects of a lower bandwidth. It was so complex, yet unnecessary—limiting my potentials and ability to develop a new better version of me.

I surely will undergo a travel reconfiguration by fusing the essentials of both my old and new versions. For my resurrected travel bug, I'll ctrl+alt+delete, switch user, trouble shoot, reconfigure, and reboot. I'm excited to travel more like I used to do. There is a saying clinging in my head now: "Old, but gold." I'm going back to my old style, mixed with the essentials of the new world. I can't wait to test-run my new, yet classic version.💚 | end of story |

I value your thoughts! The comment box is located at the most bottom part of this section, or above (in the beginning of this article). :)



Maps Showing the Location of PALAWAN

MAP OF PALAWAN
► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

✈ This post was filed under the categories "Travel Diaries" and "Feature Posts". 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 the activities or see the properties/places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time.
UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST
► 05-April-2020: This post was published.


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[Lucban] ► 2020 Lucban Church Blog with My Family

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"While Lucban continues to preserve the tangible and intangible remains of its past, the town also continues to embrace changes."

► I loved the changes... It did complement the past of Lucban, something that is still thriving in our present modern time.

► It was a gloomy day, but the mode of our family bonding was like sunny day!

[Lucban, Quezon Province, Calabarzon (Region 4-A), Luzon Island, Philippines]
▼ COVER PHOTO▼ YOUTUBE
EDMARATION
| 1 | [LUCBAN] ► LUCBAN CHURCH GRANDLY STANDS IN THE DOWNTOWN OF LUCBAN WITH THE CLOUD-CLAD PEAK OF MOUNT BANAHAW AT THE BACKGROUND.


I have a big fascination for old/historical things. In Ilocos, I grew up seeing big old churches. As a kid, the old churches in my province were nothing but a normal public place. As I grew up, I learned the rich heritage and culture of the place where I was born. Because these are part of my identity as an Ilocano, my appreciation for the old churches in Ilocos also bloomed.

Speaking of old churches, I revisited the Lucban Church. It's my third time to visit Lucban as a tourist (for leisure). I had the chance to visit this town for several occasions now because there is a tour coordinator in my hometown ▼ #VIGANLATEST STORIES COVERING VIGAN
targeting "religious older adults" for a pilgrimage.

While most joiners were our older aunts and uncles (titos and titas), millennials like me were also welcome.

LUCBAN CHURCH
| 2 | [LUCBAN] ► THE CHURCH OF LUCBAN FOLLOWS A STYLE OF BAROQUE ARCHITECTURE.
The organizer was not really marketing Lucban as a town to visit. She only offered a pilgrimage tour to Kamay ni Hesus. There is no real Lucban itinerary. The tour bus would leave Lucban for another pilgrimage site located in another province, after Kamay ni Hesus.

I've joined this pilgrimage tour for the third time now since 2014. For the succeeding tours, my main purpose was not really to visit the Kamay ni Hesus pilgrimage site anymore, but to explore the other side of Lucban—including the other towns of ▼ QUEZONLATEST STORIES COVERING QUEZON
province. While joiners spent several hours at Kamay ni Hesus, I have always drafted with me a personal itinerary covering Lucban and beyond, which I did with my siblings in 2016, and now (2020) with my parents.

LUCBAN CHURCH
| 3 | [LUCBAN] ► THESE COLORFUL SMALL HUTS WERE DISPLAYED ALONGSIDE THE FENCES OF THE CHURCH SQUARE.
As the tour bus reached the destination (Kamay ni Hesus), I immediately figured out how to commute to the downtown of Lucban.

For our convenience (my parents are getting old), we just hailed a tricycle driver and took the trike to make it easier for all of us. Taking a jeep would be cheaper, but less convenient. Somehow, the 10-peso difference was not a significant damage for a working adult like me.


 ►  What's New in 2020?


It's extremely interesting to witness the dynamism of a place. While Lucban continues to preserve the tangible and intangible remains of its past, the town also continues to embrace changes.

So what's new? My last visit to this church was in 2016. I noticed the red bricks installed around the church premises. The streets around were also changed into cobblestone (kind of, not sure but it looked like that).

LUCBAN CHURCH
| 4 | [LUCBAN] ► THIS STRUCTURE MADE OF LIGHT MATERIALS STILL STANDS BESIDE THE CHURCH, BUT IT'S NOW STANDING OVER RED BRICKS.
LUCBAN COBBLESTONE STREET
| 5 | [LUCBAN] ► THIS STREET IN LUCBAN HAS TURNED INTO A COBBLESTONE PAVEMENT.
I loved the changes. The changes applied, in my point of view as a non-historian/non-anthropologist, was pleasing to my eyes. It did complement the past of Lucban, something that is still thriving in our present modern time.

As a resident of a World Heritage City, I also noticed changes like these in my hometown; and they were very welcome.


 ►  Bringing my Parents to Lucban Church


It's my father's first time in Lucban. It's my mom's third visit; and it's my youngest brother's second visit.

Prior to this, my mom called to inform me that the tour coordinator organized another trip to Lucban. She told me she would like to join the tour again not because she wanted to revisit Lucban, but because she wanted to see me here in Manila (aww, she missed me). With that, I told her to secure a slot for the five of us (whole family) and considered this a family bonding. Unfortunately, my other sibling wasn't able to join us due to work commitments.

LUCBAN CHURCH
| 6 | [LUCBAN] ► WE TOOK THIS FAMILY PHOTO (INSERT EDISON) IN FRONT OF THE LUCBAN CHURCH.
LUCBAN, QUEZON
| 7 | [LUCBAN] ► EDISON WAS MISSING DUE TO WORK COMMITMENT.
LUCBAN, QUEZON
| 8 | [LUCBAN] ► IT FELT GOOD TO HANG OUT WITH MY FAMILY. I'VE BEEN WANTING THIS BADLY SINCE I WAS BASED IN MANILA.
We skipped the Kamay ni Hesus meantime. We had ample time to visit Lucban. I didn't want to just spend all our time at Kamay ni Hesus when we could explore the downtown to find new food destinations and visit historical sites.

There was a wedding going on when we visited the Lucban Church. Although it was gloomy that time (it rained a little), we were not stopped to marvel on its beauty.

LUCBAN CHURCH
| 9 | [LUCBAN] ► THE DETAILS OF THE WALL OF THE CHURCH CANNOT GO UNNOTICED.
LUCBAN CHURCH
| 10 | [LUCBAN] ► MARCH BRIDE INSIDE. BEST WISHES!
LUCBAN CHURCH
| 11 | [LUCBAN] ► IT WAS A GLOOMY DAY, BUT THE MOOD OF OUR FAMILY BONDING WAS LIKE A SUNNY DAY!
Sadly, the clouds covered the beauty of Mt Banahaw. It would have been much better if we were able to see the beauty of the mystical mountain from the church.


 ►  Taking Aerial/Drone Shots of the Church


I brought my drone in this trip with the eagerness to capture a different perspective of Lucban. At first, I was hesitant to bring out my drone because of the strong wind, but my drone managed to fly safely.

LUCBAN CHURCH AERIAL/DRONE SHOT
| 12 | [LUCBAN] ► CAN YOU SPOT US?
LUCBAN CHURCH AERIAL/DRONE SHOT
| 13 | [LUCBAN] ► MOUNT BANAHAW CONCEALED ITSELF FROM US.
LUCBAN CHURCH AERIAL/DRONE SHOT
| 14 | [LUCBAN] ► UP CLOSE WITH LUCBAN CHURCH'S FAÇADE
Prior to flying, I asked permission from the admin office of the parish if I could fly my drone. One of the personnel gave me an overwhelming positive response. I brought out my drone and launched its flight. Curious kids and some random individuals started approaching us. Curious kids were in awe. I knew they wanted to see what's on my screen but they seemed unsure what to do. I could see the amazement on their innocent faces.

I, too, was amazed to see the compact downtown of Lucban and to see the Lucban church serving as a majestic centerpiece of the town from the air.

This ends our family visit at Lucban Church. 💚 | end of story |


Maps Showing the Location of LUCBAN

If on mobile, tap map to reveal the color.
MAP OF LUCBAN
► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

✈ This post was filed under the categories "Heritage" and "Churches". See more posts related to this below.

✈ The maps I used on this post are from maps.google.com.ph and Mike Gonzalez and Eugene Alvin Villar (of Wikipedia).

✈ 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 the activities or see the properties/places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time.
UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST
► 12-April-2020: This post was published.

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[Feature] ► The wisdom of my Father helped me survive the pandemic

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"We lost the meaningful physical celebrations because of the pandemic. The annual summer vacation, the family reunions during the Holy Week, and now the Father's day, are celebrations of life hindered by the pandemic."

► This Father's day, I would like to honor my father because he never gave up on me.

► With the foundation of knowledge and wisdom he laid on my ground, pandemic is irrelevant.

[Special Feature]
▼ COVER PHOTO▼ YOUTUBE
EDMARATION
| 1 | [TAGAYTAY] ► A FAMILY THAT TRAVELS TOGETHER, STAYS TOGETHER.


As a child, we were not financially rich; but my parents were rich in wisdom and honor. I was that kid who was trained to be resilient and to embrace both the spiritual and secular wisdom. My mom was a full time mom. She was hands on in raising us, while my father was the breadwinner. For this post, I would like to honor my father during this year's Father's day, during the pandemic.

My father worked as the manager of the first and the oldest radio station in Vigan and one of the oldest in Northern Luzon. As a kid, I felt privileged. I felt that way because other kids in our barrio would walk at least a kilometre everyday to attend school; while my father hired someone to send/fetch me to/from our school—which was located not in our barrio, but in the town poblacion. I remember I also had a private tutor. My father would afford to send me to an esteemed private school in Vigan. Kids of the biggest businessmen in Vigan were my classmates and friends.

With the rising popularity of the television in the 90s, more Filipinos in the provinces would afford to buy television sets and preferred to watch television for entertainment. With the rise of internet in the 21st century, radio stations became less relevant; hence the drop of advertising revenues for these radio stations. My father's employer wasn't spared; eventually, his old company was taken over by another company that had to downsize later on. With internal problems in the new company, I saw my father's sadness and frustration of the internal corporate politics. My father was a man of honor. He didn't like politics. He chose honor over his former job.

Losing my father's job turned our world upside down. During those times, I still couldn't understand what was happening. I didn't know it was already an economic crisis in our family. It's no one's fault. It was an event that no one anticipated. We never wanted it; but my father was strong enough to protect and nurture his family despite the challenges he had to face.

LUCBAN CHURCH
| 2 | [VIGAN] ► SPOT ME! I WAS WITH MY COUSINS AND NEIGHBORS/PLAYMATES.
My father's loss of his job meant that we had no income. I was about to graduate in high school when this happened. I entered college with my father being jobless. To my father, if ever you are reading this, please don't think it was your fault. You were so good in managing the challenges we've faced. I'm just proud of all your sacrifices for the family. I'm sharing this testimony to inspire kids who have to undergo life challenges and to honor the sacrifices of their fathers.

My father ventured into business after he lost his job. With the lack of entrepreneurial skills, we were not able to sustain our business; hence our economic turmoil. Above is the story that inspired me to write my pandemic experience below.


 ►  My situation during the quarantine: What I did to get through the situation?



Looking forward, my father was able to raise me to become the best that I could be. My introduction above was just the tip of the ice berg, and there were even worse challenges that we had to face.

The current pandemic we are facing right now has caused the companies to close and the people to lose their jobs. The current economic crisis that this pandemic has caused was not unfamiliar to me. I, for one, have been through this in grassroots level in the innocence of my childhood.

I am/was locked down in Metro Manila because of CoVid-19 pandemic. During the lock down, I was forced to leave my apartment in Makati because I have a job to do. I walked daily from Makati to Taguig to do my job (and vice versa). I've been doing this since Day 1 of the lock down up to present. Did I complain? No. I've even experienced worse things in my life. Walking daily with the risk of catching the infection was a challenge that was not hard for me to face. I told you, I've experienced worse.

EDMARATION
| 3 | [TAGUIG] ► WORK MODE DURING THE PANDEMIC
The pandemic has caused many people to get sick. My current job is no longer the traditional bedside nursing job that I used to do. Although I'm office-based now, it is still a front line work. While the world is getting sick, more people need easier access to their health benefits; and that's what I am doing now—helping patients avail medical services during the pandemic.

I justify the medical necessity of their claims; so that they will have a free access to health care, and avail the procedures to help them further manage and evaluate their symptoms that may have been caused by the CoVid-19.

EDMARATION
| 4 | [TAGUIG] ► IT'S A HAPPY DAY WHEN THERE'S ZERO COVID-19 ENCOUNTERS.
This was my daily routine. I helped people avail the health care that they deserve.

My past experiences in life have become my guidance. The lessons I learned from these experiences became my motivation and solid ground to face my fear. I didn't want fear to control me. I instead used strategies to survive the madness and go on with my life instead of living in fear and become unproductive. I cancelledt fear and replacedt it with a sense of purpose so that during this tying time, I will still have an impact.


 ►  What has life taught me?



Growing up, I was stubborn; but my father did not give up on me. The wisdom he taught me have become my guiding light. I could still remember vividly the values he wanted me to embrace. I realized that the lessons my father taught me are the same lessons this pandemic is teaching me now. I would like to share the wisdom of my father that was very relevant during this pandemic.

No man is an island.

I remember doing my school assignments before. I didn't want to ask for help because I was confident that I could do it myself. My father would always tell me that I should ask for help. He wanted me to understand that the help of the experts would help me produce better results or output. 

I learned that you need other people to protect and develop your island. This pandemic reminded me of this wisdom. People needed me, and I also needed them.

EDMARATION
| 5 | [MAKATI] ► I'VE BEEN WALKING FROM MAKATI TO TAGUIG AND VICE VERSA EVERYDAY SINCE DAY 1 OF THE LOCK DOWN. I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS; BUT THIS GOES TO SHOW THAT LIFE IS EASIER WHEN SOMEONE IS WILLING TO HELP YOU. IN THIS CASE, A TAXI DRIVER WOULD HELP; BUT THEY WERE NOT AROUND. INDEED, NO MAN IS AN ISLAND.
EDMARATION
| 6 | [MAKATI] ► THIS EMPTY MAKATI NEIGHBORHOOD WAS THE RESULT OF BOTH FEAR AND ORDER OF LAW.

During the lock down, the restaurants closed. I actually lost weight of almost a kilogram. I couldn't get my favorite food. I was so desperate to see people who would prepare food that I could buy.

When the lock down was eased, my appreciation to the carinderia vendors that I used to ignore was amplified. We only realize the value of individuals when we lose them. I learned to value relationships and connections that help you grow.

We need each other. No man is an island. Dad, you were right.

Less words, less mistake

This was my father's favorite message for me. Sometimes there are things that may confuse us because we don't understand them. During this pandemic, I was a witness of the mental health threat that endangered the peace of mind of my family. My family was so worried of the things they read online. The sad thing is, the articles that they read were from people who were not really expert of what they were talking about.

As a campus journalist in college, I felt liberated to speak out my mind. I thought that my platform would amplify my thoughts and ideas because more university students would read my articles. While it was true that I had a louder voice, I admit that I used to speak things and issues that my young self didn't understand well. My tactlessness alarmed my father. My father would always remind me that there are fewer mistakes when you have less words.

When he said that, I knew he didn't mean that I should limit my voice in speaking of the issues that are close to my heart. He wanted me to understand that I should be accountable for every word that I say. As an adult, I realized that my father just wanted me to speak with wisdom and honor; and I have to limit my words if they would endanger my honor and credibility. When I lost that credibility, words will eventually lose its meaning; and no one would be willing to listen to me when it's the right time to speak. My father trained me to speak words with meanings and colors. He taught me when is the right time and where is the right place to speak.

This wisdom has taught me to speak in a way that will not cause fear and worry to others, especially during this pandemic. On the other hand, I'm spontaneous in speaking out my mind to people who are close to me; but learned to mince my words on social media to make it sure I won't hurt or confuse someone, during these trying times.

Live within your means

People who lost their jobs have struggled to survive the ill effects of the pandemic. I admit that I've done a lot of mistakes in my life in managing my income before. Even now, I'm still an imperfect financial manager of myself.

This wisdom from my father was something that he didn't expressly tell me. It was implied. Being a child, this concept was something that was hard to understand. I started to see the meaning of this wisdom few years after I got my first job.

The meager income that I received working at the hospital was never enough because I didn't live within my means. "Living within your means" was a concept that was not new, but seemed strange for me. It was a concept that I learned through time and experience.

Looking back, my father was not materialistic. He never dreamed of a big house. Yes, he always told me that a simple house is enough. He never dreamed to have a fancy car. He just wanted to live a happy life within his means.

I remember he would always bring us to the cinema with my other 2 brothers when we were young. He wanted us to have meaningful quality time. He would save and spend money not for a big house, but to invest in good memories and for our education.

My life as a kid was not lavish. My father was a great architect of my future. He guided me well by setting as an example. I never saw him complain of the life hardships, maybe because he could still enjoy life with the limited resources that he had.

As an adult, my father set an example on how to live within my means. My father's wisdom helped me cope up with the pandemic; and it became more profound when I realized that the expensive clothes, the unimportant gadgets I bought, my collections of shoes, and all the expensive coffees I sipped lost all their meanings.

These material things did not help me survive this pandemic. It was my core principles that my father taught me that saved me from demise.

Dad, you were right.


 ►  What makes me move forward?



We lost the meaningful physical celebrations because of the pandemic. The annual summer vacation, the family reunions during the Holy Week, and now the Father's day, were celebrations of life hindered by the pandemic.

If you were to ask me, everything that I have right now as a single professional is already more than enough; because my father taught me to live a simple life. When I started to have more, it became an excess. I've set a low standard for happiness and contentment. I have a low standard in appreciating things. I can be happy with my cheap phone. I can appreciate the taste of a cheap pancit canton. Now that I have more, what could I ask for?

But... what I do now is not all about me. I'm striving to move forward not because of me, but because of my parents.

They are not obliging me to give back; but I'm more inspired to give them a comfortable life that they deserve. They've sacrificed a lot of comfort and endured a lot of pain just to engineer a better future for me. This pandemic will not, and cannot, stop me to move forward; because my motivation is bigger than this pandemic.

EDMARATION
| 7 | [VIGAN] ► THEY ARE THE REASON WHY I KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

This Father's day, I would like to honor my father because he never gave up on me. I almost chose the wrong path; but you were quick to pull me back. Thank you for the wisdom you've imparted to me. With the foundation of knowledge and wisdom he laid on my ground, pandemic is irrelevant. I will always move forward. Thank you for molding me to think this way. Indeed, your wisdom was my defense to fight the challenges of this pandemic.

Looking back, gone are those days when we were challenged by economic crisis. I was in college studying nursing when we dove to the trough of the crisis. I remember the day when I marched to get my AHSE certificate, my pre-nursing proper program, during the commencement exercises. We couldn't invite our friends and relatives for a celebration because we didn't have the means.

Wearing my commencement exercises gown just after the ceremony, we rode a tricycle and went to a carinderia. We celebrated my achievement in a carinderia. Our budget was only 200 pesos. Every time I remember that day, it still gets me emotional. We didn't have much resources that time; but the celebration of my victory that day in a carinderia was the most luxurious moment in my life. When you've been living in the dark, a little candle light is a luxury.

We've been through the worse; but thanks to my father. He was the best life coach! It took us a financial crisis to master the art of economic recovery. I think my response to the current pandemic now would probably be full of worry and fear if I continued to be raised like a privileged kid. I have nothing against the privileged kids. I was also that kid before. It's just that I now have a more complex understanding on how people living in poverty are managing the situation. I got both perspectives.

If the same crisis will happen again, we already got the skills to survive. I both know how it feels like to be privileged and to have nothing. I acquired a wide range of wisdom from this wide range of experiences. Thanks to my father for being a good life manager, who set an example for me to emulate. This pandemic is nothing. This pandemic is irrelevant to our solid foundation of joy and survival. We got the lesson and skill to move on, no matter what.

Happy Father's Day papang Eddie! 💚 | end of story |



This story is an entry to ComCo Southeast Asia’s “Write to Ignite Blogging Project”. The initiative is a response to the need of our times, as every story comes a long way during this period of crisis. Igniting and championing the human spirit, “Write to Ignite Blog Project” aims to pull and collate powerful stories from the Philippine blogging communities to inspire the nation to rise and move forward amidst the difficult situation. This project is made possible by ComCo Southeast Asia, co-presented by Eastern Communications and sponsored by Electrolux, Jobstreet and Teleperformance.

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

✈ This post was filed under the category "Special Features". See more posts related to this below. For more stories under tis lable, see below.

✈ All photos are mine.

✈ This project is made possible by ComCo Southeast Asia, co-presented by Eastern Communications and sponsored by Electrolux, Jobstreet and Teleperformance.
UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST
► 20-June-2020: This post was published.

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[Ilocos Sur] ► Unusual Sunset Goes Trending, Ilocano Netizens Amazed!

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The sunset that pulled off a great sky show left the Ilocano netizens in awe as they posted their sunset photos on social media.

► An astounding sunset got the attention of Ilocano netizens.

► The phenomenon became a trending topic in the Ilocandia cyberspace.

[Ilocos Sur Province, Philippines]
▼ COVER PHOTO
EDMARATION
| COVER | [SANTA CATALNA] ► LOOK! A NETIZEN CAPTURES THIS SUNSET—ONE OF THE HUNDREDS OF SUNSET PHOTOS TAKEN BY ILOCANO NETIZENS ON 07-26-2020 THAT BECAME A TRENDING TOPIC IN THE ILOCANO CYBERSPACE. PHOTO BY EMERSON MELTZ GUQUIB.

Ilocos is situated at the west coast of Luzon Island. For this location, the region is blessed with daily gorgeous sunsets adorning the horizon. Ilocano netizens don't usually post sunset photos simultaneously in a day, not until the other day.

An astounding sunset got the attention of Ilocano netizens. The sunset that pulled off a great sky show left the Ilocano netizens in awe as they posted their sunset photos on social media. The phenomenon became a trending topic in the Ilocandia cyberspace.

ILOCOS SUR SUNSET
| 1 | [VIGAN] ► ILOCOS SUR SUNSET TAKEN AT BRGY BULALA, VIGAN BY ILOCANO NETIZEN (MY COUSIN)
KENNETH DEL CASTILLO TABIL.
The following photos are some of the sunset photos I spotted on social media—taken by random Ilocano netizens from different barangays/towns of Ilocos Sur.

All photos taken on 26-July-2020 from different parts of Ilocos Sur.

ILOCOS SUR SUNSET
| 2 | [SAN JUAN] ► ILOCOS SUR SUNSET TAKEN AT BRGY CAMINDOROAN, SAN JUAN BY ILOCANO NETIZEN AERONNE JOSEPH DELOS SANTOS.
I think this is one of the most beautiful beach sunset photos I've seen on social media the other day. It was captured by a netizen from Camindoroan, San Juan, Ilocos Sur. San Juan is known for its calm waters. The beautiful sunset was well-reflected by San Juan's pristine coves and bays.

ILOCOS SUR SUNSET
| 3 | [BANAYOYO] ► ILOCOS SUR SUNSET TAKEN AT BANAYOYO TOWN BY ILOCANO NETIZEN
AHMIE JHOY MANGIBAT.
Banayoyo has no beach. It's an upland town in the second district of Ilocos Sur, but look! The Ilocos Sur-wide sunset phenomenon also created a spark in the quaint interior town of Banayoyo. Netizen Ahmie Jhoy captured the sunset, painting the sky over the rolling hills of Banayoyo.

ILOCOS SUR SUNSET
| 4 | [SANTA] ► ILOCOS SUR SUNSET TAKEN AT BRGY MABILBILA SUR BY ILOCANO NETIZEN
ANGELA AMOR FEBRE.
Let's check out the sky in Santa! Ilocano Netizen Angela Amor Febre shared her photo of the fiery sunset at Brgy Mabilbila Sur of Santa town with a remarkable silhouette.

ILOCOS SUR SUNSET
| 5 | [SANTIAGO] ► ILOCOS SUR SUNSET TAKEN AT BRGY AMBUCAO OF SANTIAGO TOWN BY ILOCANO NETIZEN
ANNALIZA MOLINA DOLLENTE.
The Ilocano netizens of Santiago also witnessed this sunset phenomenon in the province. Annaliza shares her sunset photo taken at Brgy Ambucao in the town of Santiago. The gentle waters of Santiago mirrored the spectacular sky so well!

ILOCOS SUR SUNSET
| 6 | [SINAIT] ► ILOCOS SUR SUNSET TAKEN AT BRGY CABANGTALAN OF SINAIT TOWN BY ILOCANO NETIZEN ELHYSSE REYES.
I wonder what the jellyfishes of Cabangtalan were doing when this sky appeared over the Cabangtalan waters that they inhabit? While we avoid the jellyfish stings of Cabangtalan, fret not. I would say that Cabangtalan cove is still one of the best places to watch sunset in Ilocos Sur.

ILOCOS SUR SUNSET
| 7 | [VIGAN] ► ILOCOS SUR SUNSET TAKEN AT BRGY TAMAG OF VIGAN BY ILOCANO NETIZEN
ERWIN ROSARIO.
So the netizens in the residential-commercial barangay of Tamag also have their share. Look at this gorgeous photo of a house in Tamag with the beautiful rays by Erwin Rosario.

ILOCOS SUR SUNSET
| 8 | [SANTIAGO] ► ILOCOS SUR SUNSET TAKEN AT SANTIAGO BY ILOCANO NETIZEN
FLORO MAMACLAY.
I don't mind concentrating this collection with Santiago sunsets. I mean, who would ditch the popular and "sosyal" cove of Sabangan? If you are an Ilocos Surian, you know these beaches are somehow part of our memories and our lives. This Santiago sunset photo of netizen Floro Mamaclay is another dope!

ILOCOS SUR SUNSET
| 9 | [SANTA] ► ILOCOS SUR SUNSET TAKEN AT SANTA BY ILOCANO NETIZEN
GEMART FRANZ CARDENAS.
Wait. Is this in Pasungol or Rancho? It's been a while since I visited the island barangays of Santa situated at the mouth of Abra River. Regardless of its location, this photo of Ilocano Netizen Gemart Franz Cardenas was so creatively captured as he mixed three elements: sunset, bridge, delta waters—also the three things that Santa is also for (aside from 'ipon' of course).

ILOCOS SUR SUNSET
| 10 | [SINAIT] ► ILOCOS SUR SUNSET TAKEN AT SALLACAPO, SINAIT BY ILOCANO NETIZEN
IYANA JOYY.
Look at those huge and powerful light rays! What a grand display of art over Brgy Sallacapo! I'm speechless for this immense and thick fiery light.

ILOCOS SUR SUNSET
| 11 | [SANTIAGO] ► ILOCOS SUR SUNSET TAKEN AT SABANGAN, SANTIAGO BY ILOCANO NETIZEN
JACKIE AGBULOS.
Look! Ilocano netizen Jackie Agbulos captured the trending sunset at the most expensive beach cove in Ilocos Sur—the Santiago Cove, home to the Vitalis Villas. As usual, Santiago Cove doesn't disappoint.

ILOCOS SUR SUNSET
| 12 | [CABUGAO] ► ILOCOS SUR SUNSET TAKEN AT BACLIG, CABUGAO BY ILOCANO NETIZEN
JASMINE LUISA VENTURA NAVAL-CASTILLO.
Another inspiring 07-26-2020 sunset phenomenon was captured by a netizen from Baclig, Cabugao! The remarkable rays illuminated the rich neighborhood of Baclig.

ILOCOS SUR SUNSET
| 13 | [SANTA CATALINA] ► ILOCOS SUR SUNSET TAKEN AT PARATONG, SANTA CATALINA BY ILOCANO NETIZEN
JOANA RAGSAG RAFANAN
This photo captured by Joana was very similar to the cover photo I featured. The two photos were probably taken at the same time since both were taken at Santa Catalina's beach.

ILOCOS SUR SUNSET
| 14 | [VIGAN] ► ILOCOS SUR SUNSET TAKEN AT SAN PEDRO, VIGAN BY ILOCANO NETIZEN
JULIUS CESAR CUARESMA
Barangay San Pedro in Vigan belongs to the same line of black sand beach that extends up to Santa Catalina, so I expected that this photo would look the same compared to the cover photo (Santa Catalina beach sunset). They were taken from different places but with the same features. This sunset is omnipresent!

ILOCOS SUR SUNSET
| 15 | [CAOAYAN] ► ILOCOS SUR SUNSET TAKEN AT PANTAY TAMORONG, CAOAYAN BY ILOCANO NETIZEN
MARK ALLEN DEL PILAR
Let's go to Caoayan! In the fertile plains of Pantay Tamorong, netizen Mark Allen Del Pilar captures the trending sunset with this model on his motorbike. What a great opportunity to save great memories with the great trending sunset!

ILOCOS SUR SUNSET
| 16 | [SINAIT] ► ILOCOS SUR SUNSET TAKEN AT TEPPENG, SINAIT BY ILOCANO NETIZEN
RAINE MERYLL BRYNEE YADAO
The beauty of Teppeng, home to the beautiful Teppeng Cove of Sinait, also has its share for this sunset phenomenon that happened in Ilocos Sur the other day.

ILOCOS SUR SUNSET
| 17 | [CABUGAO] ► ILOCOS SUR SUNSET TAKEN AT SALAPASAP, CABUGAO BY ILOCANO NETIZEN
GRACE SEGUI SOMERIN
Here's another entry from Salapasap captured by Ilocano netizen Grace Segui Somerin. She framed the photo in a creative and magical way! Look at that amazing sunset rays! See you soon Salapasap!

ILOCOS SUR SUNSET
| 18 | [SANTO DOMINGO] ► ILOCOS SUR SUNSET TAKEN AT PUSSUAC, SANTO DOMINGO BY ILOCANO NETIZEN
CHEVETTE MACALMA
I'm not yet done. Check out this photo by Chevette Macalma taken at Brgy Pussuac in Sto Domingo. I also picked this photo to give you a perspective on how Ilocano netizens saw the trending sunset from the comfort of their home. This photo shows as the subtle beauty of the sunset as Chevette watches it decorate the sky while chilling at home.

ILOCOS SUR SUNSET
| 19 | [CABUGAO] ► ILOCOS SUR SUNSET TAKEN AT BACLIG, CABUGAO BY ILOCANO NETIZEN
CHRISTIAN BRYLE FRIALA
Here's another one from Baclig, Cabugao captured by my friend and college classmate Bryle. He was also able to document the amazing sunset that amazed the Ilocano netizenry. Here's his version of the sunset taken in their home at Baclig, Cabugao.

ILOCOS SUR SUNSET
| 20 | [VIGAN] ► ILOCOS SUR SUNSET TAKEN AT AMIANANCE, VIGAN BY ILOCANO NETIZEN
SALVADOR SANCHEZ
To end this listicle, let's go back to the laid back Vigan! During the pandemic, Vigan reclaimed a long rest from the tourist crowd. Devoid of tourist crowd, netizen Salvador Sanchez shared his photo of Brgy Amiance in Vigan. Brgy Amianance is home to several dozens of ancestral houses in Vigan outside the popular Calle Crisologo. What's amazing in Amianance is that the ancestral houses are occupied by real residents, not by commercial stores. The beautiful sunset made this barangay in Vigan even more nostalgic and meaningful.

How about you? Were you able to document the sunset in your town? 💚 | end of story |



Maps Showing the Location of ILOCOS SUR

If on mobile, tap map to reveal the color.
MAP OF ILOCOS SUR
► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

✈ This post was filed under the categories "Sunsets" and "Natural Wonders". See more posts related to this below.

✈ All photos taken by Ilocano Netizens on 26-July-2020.
UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST
► 29-July-2020: This post was published.

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Rural Life Hacks: Entering a War and Winning the Battle

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"Every battle I've faced pre-pandemic seemed to be easy-wins; but when the virus started to show its arsenal, the battle—although winnable—seemed to be a challenging one."

► The war isn't over yet, but I have my fortress and my safe haven.

► The foe seemed so hard to defeat; but then again, I needed to study its game and strategize a defense.

[Featured Story: Disclaimer—I run ads on this blog to help fund its maintenance and contents. Intra-article ad placements were automatically placed, and were system-generated and optimized by Google.]
▼ COVER PHOTO▼ YOUTUBE
EDMARATION
| 1 | [VIGAN] ► HARVESTING BANANAS IN MY RURAL DWELLING: WHEN I WAS STILL IN MANILA, I PURCHASED THEM. IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, I CAN HAVE MY BANANA SUPPLY FOR A MONTH FOR FREE. HAVE A GLIMPSE OF MY "RURAL LIFE" AS PART OF MY QUEST FOR SURVIVAL THROUGH THE VIDEO POSTED UNDER THE YOUTUBE TAB.

Dear Survivor Self,

Do you still remember me?

I've written so many dramatic posts on this blog, because my blog is a reflection of my personality: emotional, dramatic, vulnerable, and sentimental. This blog has been a memory vault of my past struggles, victories, and whirlwind of emotions. For this piece I'm writing now, I would like to highlight the little victories I gained during this hard time. That's a swift change of heart. With all the depressing news I hear everyday, I conditioned myself to wake-up everyday with a happy "count-your-blessings" survivor mindset. Here's my story, a highlight of my simple "rural life" in Ilocos in my quest for survival.

I was in Metro Manila when the CoVid-19 virus started to infect people in the Philippines. I was based in Manila since 2017 due to work commitment. Living in the big city changed my lifestyle and health-related habits. Prior to the pandemic, I've seen a doctor about 5 times since 2017. When I was still living in the province, the last hospitalization I remember was about 20 years ago—that was due to dehydration secondary to food poisoning.

With the intention to earn more money for my future and for my family back in the province, I made myself a superhuman—someone who could survive all the plot twists in this real-life movie I'm in—a true-to-life story where I play the role of "captain" of my own ship. I worked hard a lot that I forgot to safeguard my health.

Then the pandemic came. Thousands died. I realized that all of my earnings would turn futile if I would get the virus. Many have survived the virus, but my fear stems from the question of, "what if I'm one of those unlucky ones?" I've read news of people dying due to the virus. Some even went to the ICU, spent a million for expensive life-support system, only to die after spending all their money for their survival.

This phenomenon slapped me on the face, waking up to the reality that I've compromised my health a lot in exchange of money. With the stressful and unhealthy lifestyle I chose for my convenience, I realized I may have prepared my self to lose a future warfare—and it came: the CoVid-19 pandemic, the scary villain in this war for survival. I've started to lose one war arsenal due to wrong decision in life—that's downplaying my health and immune system by being workaholic.

Our survival for this trying time is a daily battle. Everyday is a subtle war. Everyday, we fight for our lives. Everyday is a daily quest for survival, whether we like it or not. Every battle I've faced pre-pandemic seemed to be easy-wins; but when the virus started to show its arsenal, the battle—although winnable—seemed to be a challenging one.

For this pandemic, I've used the metaphor of "war" to describe the events. I remember when I was in college, a professor of mine told me these words of wisdom: "If you enter a war, you should learn the strategy of your enemy for you to counter it, and eventually win the war."

Those words resonated well to me, since I've just faced this challenging war in the game of survival. So what's next? I've studied the strategy of my enemy (the virus). Its strategy is to destroy your mental health, attack your body physiologically, and eventually ruin a society (or a country, or humanity).

The foe seemed so hard to defeat; but then again, I need to study its game and strategize a defense. I studied the greatest weapons of this villain and I have to address its three powerful offenses in its arsenal: attack bodies with poor immune system, take away your survival tools, and fire shots in crowded areas. Being in this war, I have to create my defense by boosting my immune system, countering its effects on my survival, and avoiding the crowded city.

About 8 months of persistently fighting this war for my survival, I have to put my defense into reality. I escaped the war hotspot zone of Metro Manila to go back to my rural roots where most of the people are winning.

Although many jobs were lost, the people in my rural community are natural survivors. We may have lost our monthly salary to sustain our daily battles, but our cannons of hope and arsenal of ingenuity have made us survive the hardest wars that attempted to destroy our community.

As a rural dweller, I realized that this is a strong defense itself. The villain virus has taken our jobs in the city, but it will never defeat the greatest fortress we have in our rural community—that is our ingenuity. My monthly pay checks in the big crowded city was an easy victim/casualty of the war, but my inherent daily survival skills I learned in my province was a strong weapon—powerful enough that it is CoVid-19 resistant.

EDMARATION
| 2 | [VIGAN] ► FLEXING MY SAFE HAVEN IN THE COUNTRYSIDE OF LOWLAND ILOCOS.
Part of our survival is to sustain our daily needs. With my survival skills being dormant for years, I re-activated them as defense for this global pandemic and recession. I was confident that my weapons of ingenuity would help me survive this. In terms of our daily fuel for survival (food to eat), the rural community where I live could sustain life.

For the longest time, I've never visited our river in our barrio until this pandemic came. With our ingenuity of traditional fishing through "mud pools" in the river, we can catch dozens of mudfish and tilapia for our alternative protein needs, shrimps, and even unlimited supply of "kangkong" for our daily fiber needs in our diet.

EDMARATION
| 3 | [VIGAN] ► THIS WAS A GREAT CATCH USING TRADITIONAL FISHING TECHNIQUE!.
EDMARATION
| 4 | [VIGAN] ► DON'T JUST DEMAND FOR FISH. TO SURVIVE THIS PANDEMIC, LEARN HOW TO CATCH FISH. IN MY COUNTRYSIDE DWELLING, I EMPLOYED A TRADITIONAL FISHING TECHNIQUE TO GATHER THE FISH FROM THIS RIVERSIDE MUD POOL.
Our backyard is also blessed with bananas, cassava, papaya tree, and other vegetables suitable for our green-leafy rural Ilocano diet.

By re-activating our ingenuity and utilizing the resources in my community, the battle was an easy win for our survival. Not everyone is living in a rural community that is equipped naturally with survival resources and skills, so I consider myself lucky.

EDMARATION
| 5 | [VIGAN] ► OUR BANANA SHRUB/TREE IS BEARING FRUITS!
EDMARATION
| 6 | [VIGAN] ► OUR VEGETABLE GARDEN WAS ESSENTIAL FOR OUR SURVIVAL THIS TRYING TIME.
EDMARATION
| 7 | [VIGAN] ► WE COOKED THE EGGPLANT THIS WAY
FOR OUR ILOCANO DISH CALLED "POQUI-POQUI.".
The second defense is to boost my immune system. Pivoting to my old traditional rural life was actually a redirection to my "healthier" life. I've started to eat organic food again and working "manually" was equivalent to my gym work-out in the big city. The fresh air in my province was also therapeutic. The calmness and beauty of my countryside life were instant mental health therapies.

EDMARATION
| 8 | [VIGAN] ► THESE FIREWOODS WERE GATHERED BY US FOR COOKING.
EDMARATION
| 9 | [VIGAN] ► I'M LIVING A BASIC, SIMPLE LIFE IN RURAL ILOCOS. I'M PROUD OF MY SIMPLE LIFE. I'M PROUD OF MY SAFE HAVEN.
EDMARATION
| 10 | [VIGAN] ► WE CALL THIS "KATUDAY." WE PREPARED THIS AS SALAD..
EDMARATION
| 11 | [VIGAN] ► THIS IS MY YEAR-ROUND SUPPLY OF PAPAYA.
EDMARATION
| 12 | [VIGAN] ► CLIMBING A TREE WAS ESSENTIAL FOR MY SURVIVAL TRAINING THAT STARTED SINCE CHILDHOOD.
EDMARATION
| 13 | [VIGAN] ► MORINGA LEAVES ARE PRETTY BASIC IN ILOCOS. YOU NEED TO HAVE THIS IN YOUR BACKYARD. DURING CRISIS, JUST PICK A STEM; GET THE LEAVES, MIX IT WITH BAGOONG, AND YOU'LL HAVE A DAILY SUPPLY OF VITAMINS AND MINERALS FOR FREE.
EDMARATION
| 14 | [VIGAN] ► I DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR LAUNDRY, MY MOM WOULD VOLUNTEER TO DO IT.
EDMARATION
| 15 | [VIGAN] ► NO VIRUS CAN STOP THE FISH TO REPRODUCE. ALL YOU NEED IS THE SURVIVAL SKILL TO CATCH THEM IN TIMES OF NEED OR CRISIS.
EDMARATION
| 16 | [VIGAN] ► TO SURVIVE A CRISIS THAT TOOK AWAY OUR LIVELIHOOD, WE MUST LEARN HOW TO EAT KANGKONG, LOL. HERE ARE MY TWO AUNTS HARVESTING A GREEN-LEAFY INGREDIENT FOR OUR NEXT MENU.
EDMARATION
| 17 | [VIGAN] ► HEALTHY, FRESH, AND ORGANIC FOOD OPTION DURING THE PANDEMIC.
EDMARATION
| 18 | [VIGAN] ► MY LIFE DURING THIS CHALLENGING TIME MAY NOT BE THE MOST CONVENIENT LIFE, BUT I'M PROUD OF MY SIMPLE LIFE.
EDMARATION
| 19 | [VIGAN] ► WE ARE A BIG FAMILY EQUIPPED WITH SKILLS TO SURVIVE WHEN LIFE GETS ROUGH. THE FACT THAT WE ARE NOT BOTHERED LIVING A "ROUGH" LIFE AND STILL FIND JOY IN IT IS ALREADY A SURVIVAL ESSENTIAL YOU WISH YOU HAVE. 😆
EDMARATION
| 20 | [VIGAN] ► LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: FLEXING OUR COUNTRYSIDE COMMUNITY. THIS IS HOME TO RESILIENT SURVIVORS.
EDMARATION
| 21 | [VIGAN] ► MENTAL FORTITUDE IS A FOUNDATION FOR SURVIVAL. THIS RELAXING VIEW OF OUR COUNTRYSIDE COMMUNITY NOURISHES MY SOUL AND SPIRIT, BEARING HEALTHY FRUITS OF PEACE OF MIND.
EDMARATION
| 21 | [VIGAN] ► WITH BROKEN CHAIRS AND RECYCLED TABLE, REAL SURVIVORS CAN STILL PULL-OFF AN AL FRESCO SUNRISE-VIEW BREAKFAST.
When I was still in the big city thinking daily how to survive the war, I was stressed and seemed to lose the battle with empty hands. Now that I went back to my home in the countryside, I went back to basic with productive hands.

I couldn't believe that living simply was the greatest weapon I could ever use to defeat the enemy. The war isn't over yet, but I have my fortress and my safe haven. It may sound strange, but I survived this war by going back to the basic. I'm winning this battle daily by going back to my old, humble, and simple life.

This is my story of survival. In this pandemic that left millions of casualties, redeeming my simple and basic way of life was a survival victory that's so small yet so big. Real survivors celebrate their every victory; and finding my armour to shield my self from the effects of our battle against an unseen enemy, I call this a celebration. We will not allow the virus to cripple us mentally, economically, and physically. I am a survivor, because I should. Flex your weapon. Win this war.

Love,
Edmar | end |

EDMARATION
This story is an entry to ComCo Southeast Asia’s “Write to Ignite Blogging Project Season 2: Dear Survivor”. The initiative continues to respond to the need of our times, as every story comes a long way during this period of crisis. The initiative aims to pull and collate powerful stories from the Philippine blogging communities to inspire the nation to rise and move forward amidst the difficult situation.
The “Write to Ignite Blogging Project” Season 2 is made possible by ComCo Southeast Asia, with Eastern Communications and Jobstreet as co-presenters, with AirAsia and Xiaomi as major sponsors, and with Teleperformance as sponsor.

INSIGHTS • Overcoming Depression and Debunking Toxic Positivity in 2023

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My mom sure had to endure a lot of pain with all the painful words I said to her when I was undergoing my battle against depression.

• The signs that happened to me from physiological symptoms, my anger management issues, chronic lack of sleep, my chronic dirty room, and lack of self-care all led to signs of depression.

• I am not a bad person. I was just very vulnerable to commit mistakes—mistakes that built my character by teaching me great lessons.

🇵🇭 INSIGHTS • FEATURE
▼ COVER PHOTO
EDMARATION
🇵🇭 VIGAN • I DON'T KNOW WHAT COVER PHOTO SHOULD I USE TO BEST DESCRIBE THIS POST. I RANDOMLY PICKED ONE AND MADE THIS ONE THE COVER PHOTO.

I feel delighted; because when the new year came, I suddenly got this writing/blogging magic power manipulating both the creative and introspective parts of my DNA. I didn't know how it was triggered, but I think contributory to this is my fondness for new beginnings. I tend to love starting projects, because the rush of overflowing ideas being put into a real work is very fulfilling; but they usually end up unfinished. I hate that I have a bad habit of not finishing what I started. I also think that my gradual escape from depression had made me cross the demarcation line. I hope there's no turning back to that depressive territory—an evil element that makes you numb and unmotivated from doing something you love. It sucks all your energy. I hope there will be no relapse. I cross my fingers.

I think that getting that motivation in the beginning of the year was a good sign of coping. I think I have stepped out from the depression zone. You know, my social media posts were full of pretentions lately. I usually post the good moments there; because I don't want to ruin the newsfeed of someone by posting things that might be seen as toxic, unnecessary, or dramatic. For my blog, it's an exception. I am most of the time transparent about my feelings on my blog; because as I always say, this is both my travel and personal diaries. Some critics and skeptics may find writing our personal stories inapproriate or "papansin"—maybe histrionic, and I find this a bad trigger for someone's mental wellness by their sheer lack of empathy, limited point of view of the world, or just ignorance.

Writing and journaling for me is a mental health therapy. It's a defense mechanism for me to unleash my tension through writing, securing my mental integrity. Just a little discussion, the defense mechanism I mentioned (writing/journaling) is an example of what Sigmund Freud called as sublimation. It's one of the many identified defense mechanism concepts recognized in psychiatric practice. This may not be applicable for some, but always remember that each individual has different ways of coping. If you've been reading this blog for a long time, you know I don't usually focus on writing about the tourist spot or the travel destination itself; but even if I write about a destination, I put more weight about my feelings, selfies, and personal experiences. It's relieving for me to see a picture of myself looking confident and happily enjoying a moment. Aside from that, it's a great tension release to unload into writing the overflowing ideas inside your head, whether it's a pleasurable idea or tensions arising from unfortunate moments.

 ►  Self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-confidence

You know what, self confidence anchored in self-awareness and self-acceptance is a sign of mental wellness. This healthy self-confidence is different though from the self-confidence of a narcissist—which is anchored in insecurity, lack of empathy, and intention to gaslight or hurt other's feelings to satisfy their impulses (you may want to see this article later from Mayoclinic as a helpful reference: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcissistic-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20366662). Let's also be kind to narcissist people though. They are also undergoing a different mental health condition. Both depression and narcissism are just two of the many mental health conditions affecting people and communities. It's just that narcissists won't easily recognize or validate they are undergoing a mental health condition, because this will hurt their ego integrity as a result of their psychological process.

By the way, not being self-confident is also OK. There's a saying it's OK not to be OK. The lack of self-confidence is also normal for some people, as long as their defense mechanisms are working well to protect their ego integrity. We don't usually identify our defense mechanisms, because our brain usually process them under our unconscious process. I would like to emphasize that when you feel confident based on the acceptance of your flaws and not solely based on your achievements and flexes, it's a beautiful healthy mind—because you no longer need to deplete your defense mechanisms just to be well internally. In this way, your self-acceptance is bigger than external validation.

External validation is also helpful though. External validations can also boost our inner well-being, especially if it was done genuinely. Let's also appreciate/validate our friends and family when you think they've done something good. This will boost their morale, so you are helping them too in maintaining their inner well-being. It also goes with the concept that your ability to genuinely manifest appreciation and validation to other people (instead of looking for flaws) reflects your inner well-being too—that your self-acceptance is bigger than the biggest achievements in the world, so you don't feel belittled by other's glory. This allows your brain to genuinely appreciate and accept the achievements of other people. Again, feeling belittled or inferior is also normal in a typical condition; as long as your defense mechanisms are working well to reorient you back to reality.

One of the good defense mechanisms that would turn insecurity to your benefit is sublimation. Example: You are envious of your neighbor's house. Instead of badmouthing him, you worked hard to earn more; so you were able to build a house that, in your point of view, is better than your neighbor. Another example is compensation. You are insecure of the social media flexes of other people which you consider you won't have in your entire life; so you focused on overachieving one area of your life where you are good at; until you've reached that point where you think you're better in that area of your life, subjugating your insecurity.

Apart from some obligatory travel posts where I needed to focus in writing about a hotel, a restaurant, or a destination; the rest are all about me, about myself, and about my personal view of even the most trivial things. Don't get me wrong. Writing about tourist spots, hotels reviews, tour agencies, or sponsored travels are NOT wrong. I also do it. I was just saying that we have different coping mechanisms, and it's writing about myself and its view of the world that helps me cope with impending internal tensions. I mean, there is no absolute rule in blogging, and there is also no absolute rule in coping that is applicable to everybody. I just needed to explain myself for a better context.

Unfortunately, the depression that affected me made my writing lost the battle—losing all the motivation I left to continue my love affair with writing. I am glad though that I am feeling a lot of recovery signs. I really feel better now.

 ►  2022 laid the blanket for my 2023 recovery

I have wondered why I lost my motivation and energy in the past few years. I also lost the motivation to travel. Truth to be told, even my self-care was afflicted. It may sound ridiculous, but I was so down I didn't feel the necessity to take a bath or brush my teeth. If you may find this gross or laughable, I hope you don't have to ridicule people undergoing this condition at least. More explanation below...

I am a nurse, and psychiatric nursing is my favorite until now. I have a basic know-how about psychology and some concepts that typical lawyers or accountants may not know in their practice. I am pretty much aware of gradually understanding my own situation. If you work at the psychiatric ward, self-awareness is actually a foundation for your psychiatric nursing practice. Even in basic nursing care, basic psychology is also needed especially in therapeutic communication. In psyche practice though, you need to learn and apply more advanced concepts.

EDMARATION
🇵🇭 VIGAN • I REALLY LOVE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. THIS WAS ONE OF MY POST-GRADUATE TRAININGS.
Speaking of self-awareness, it took me about two years to fully understand what's happening in me. In the past two years, I thought that my lack of motivation to take my happy pills to write, to travel, and to self-reflect was due to my busy and high-pressure job—wherein I need to review a certain quota of Oncology patient charts. For me, the quota was high in my case. Some people could actually hit the target; but in my case, 8 working hours were not enough to finish my daily job. I thought this was one of the reasons why I felt so unmotivated and depressed, but it was just the tip of the ice berg. I opted to apply as a clinical lecturer-trainer with the hope that my interaction with my trainees and other people would at least help me cope and divert my looming break internally, but my change of job was not also helpful. After 9 months of doing clinical training with better monetary reward, I still felt empty inside. I still felt unmotivated. I thought that more monetary benefits would cure me. I applied to other companies with a better pay. I was also transparent with my previous company that I wanted a salary increase. They were also generous to give me a long-haul break (vacation leave); but at the end of the day, better monetary reward was not helpful.

Coupled with some family matters I discovered in 2020 which lead me to crying for 1 week due to sorrow—including my mom diagnosed with a relatively rare disease among other more pressing personal, professional, and family matters; I started to feel down. Of course, I would like to mention that these challenges were NOT the sole reason for this depression. The external stressors were becoming very profound and powerful, strong enough that my defense mechanisms could not handle. I got irritated with simple things; and family members, especially my mom, have been affected too. I've made her my verbal punching bag, together with my other brother. I wanted them to behave under my rules, so I have to yell at them and throw random objects when I got irritated. That time, I didn't care if I hurt their feelings. My mom sure had to endure a lot of pain with all the painful words I said to her when I was undergoing my battle against depression.

There have been more serious problems in the past about my family (this was a legal battle which we eventually won) and my previous community (where I experienced humilation and bullying), but I was able to cope. I thought I was still coping with this recent episode. I thought I was just lazy. The recent turn of events was so overwhelming that my defense mechanisms were depleted—leading not just to mental health problems, but it also probably affected the neurochemicals or mood chemistry in my system. I know it, because I am the best person to know the skeletons in my closets. I have also done some things in the past that friends and family members would remotely expect. I am not a bad person. I was just very vulnerable to commit mistakes—mistakes that built my character by teaching me great lessons.

EDMARATION
🇵🇭 VIGAN • I was so demotivated and without energy to take care of my own surrounding. These are some of the files I kept due to personal reasons. Dusts have accumulated until they've stayed long enough to become soil strips. At the end of 2022, I recovered the energy to move and finish a goal.
Anyway, I could even hardly clean my room. I think I haven't cleaned it for more than a year. My mom did the job at times but not regularly, because it's my responsibilty. You know, a person with a dirty room may be labelled as lazy or gross; but it's more than that. In some cases, it is a result of depression. As I said, it took me 2 years to figure out that journey to self-awareness. All I thought was, I was so busy I had no time for self-care and cleaning my room. I even found taking a bath a taxing job. Please, this is something we should not laugh about. Depression makes a person look bizarre in the point of view of the outsider, but it's a hell journey for the one experiencing it. I also experienced chronic lack of sleep and unusual allergies appearing on my shin, inside my both ears, and probably in my lungs due to my unusual cough episode that has gone now (maybe stress-related allergic cough). Clinically speaking, allergies can be a result of stress (this is happening to many, but only a few are aware it's stress-related) or depression (I have encountered a patient with a depression-linked urticaria case in the past).

Speaking of my dirty room I haven't cleaned for a year, I finally understood why it happened—when I started to escape the depression enclave. You know, I also read something about depression—that your image inside is reflected outside. There were several case studies of people with really dirty room, and this was linked to depression. You may not understand this if you haven't experienced this, but you don't have to experience it. Let's be more understanding and non-judgmental, because a person undergoing depression creates an environment outside that reflects the self-worth or numbness he is feeling inside. Take note that depression is not all about sadness or sorrow, because these emotions are normal human responses for healthy individuals. Depression is more complicated than just emotions. That's why there are medications to treat depression, because it may also involve our body's neurochemistry. The signs that happened to me from physiological symptoms, my anger management issues, chronic lack of sleep, my chronic dirty room, and lack of self-care all led to signs of depression.

2020 was the critical part coupled with the onset of the pandemic. 2021 was a continuous battle, but 2022 laid down the carpet for my healing. For the last quarter of 2022, I found a lot of healing when I started to identify my suspected cause. I experimented to cut this source, and it worked! This led me to a conclusion that that was the major cause. In the middle of 2022, I started to feel the taste of victory which continued to embolden until the end of the year.

EDMARATION, BALBALAN, KALINGA
🇵🇭 BALBALAN • IN THE MIDDLE OF 2022, I TOOK A BREAK AND WENT TO THE REMOTE MOUNTAIN VILLAGE OF BALBALASANG—A PROTECTED BIOSPHERE IN BALBALAN, KALINGA. THERE WAS NO INTERNET AND PHONE SIGNAL HERE, BUT THEY HAVE A RICH UNLIMITED SUPPLY OF ICE-COLD FRESH WATER. THIS WAS MY FIRST TRIAL-AND-ERROR MANAGEMENT TO HEALING.
Now I'm here, excitedly writing my first blog post for 2023 full of motivation. In fact, I've been cleaning our house for 7 straight days now. I was very excited and motivated to organize my high scool and college files, books, clothes, and other mess around our house. I even felt the need to purchase a 1.80 meter long wardrobe rack, another clothes rack for my used clothes, one cabinet organizer, 10 shoe boxes, 12 storage boxes ranging from the very large ones to the smallest (80 cm x 50 cm), almost 200 pieces of hanger to organize my clothes, window cleaner, some industrial chemicals used to seal in between flooring tiles and house fixtures, and others; because I felt so motivated to clean my room and our house. I even became a silver member of Shopee because of this. I didn't realize I was already ordering a lot to organize and clean my room and our house. That's how motivated I am now. I'm feeling the recovery and the healing.

EDMARATION
🇵🇭 VIGAN • CLEANING UP THE LAST FEW MESS IN MY ROOM.
EDMARATION
🇵🇭 VIGAN • AFTER BEING SUBMERGED IN DUSTS, I'VE FOUND THE ENERGY TO CLEAN MY BOOKS AND TEMPORARILY PUT THEM INTO THESE BOXES. THE DANGLING WIRES/CABLES AND THE UNPOLISHED SURFACES ARE MY NEXT PROJECT.
EDMARATION
🇵🇭 VIGAN • AFTER ENDURING THE MOUNTAIN OF DUSTS; I'VE GIVEN MY COLLEGE ARCHIVES, MEMORABILIA, AND FILES A NEW HOME. PARDON THE PRICE TAG OF MY RUBBER BOOTS. I HAVEN'T USED IT. I PURCHASED IT IN PREPARATION FOR THE RAINY SEASON.
EDMARATION
🇵🇭 VIGAN • MY HEALING BROUGHT ME BACK TO MY ATTENTION FOR DETAILS. I GOT THE ENERGY AND MOTIVATION NOW TO FIX THE SMALL DETAILS, LIKE THIS SPACE IN BETWEEN THE TILE AND THE WALL. I APPLIED A SEALANT. 'GROUT' IS THE APPROPRIATE MIXTURE, BUT I USED THIS TO EXPERIMENT.
EDMARATION
🇵🇭 VIGAN • ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED! I'VE FINALLY ORGANIZED MY FILES FROM HIGH SCHOOL, FROM COLLEGE, IN MY PROFESSIONAL CAREER, AND OTHER ARCHIVES.
EDMARATION
🇵🇭 VIGAN • THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAD THE ENERGY AND MOTIVATION TO ORGANIZE SOME OF MY CLOTHES IN 2 YEARS. MY COPING TOLD ME THAT I DESERVE A ROOM MORE ORGANIZED THAN MY DEPRESSIVE EPIDOSE. I DID IT ON A CHRISTMAS DAY.
EDMARATION
🇵🇭 VIGAN • WHEN I FELT DOWN, ORGANIZING AND CLEANING WAS NOT AN OPTION. HAVING A SUSTAINABLY BRIGHT, CHEERFUL, AND ORGANIZED VIBE MAY REFLECT YOUR INNER WELL-BEING. THROUGH HEALING, YOU RESTART TO FIND THE VALUE OF PEOPLE AND OBJECTS THAT MEAN A LOT TO YOU. THE VALUE YOU PUT TO THEM MAY REFLECT THE HEALTHY SELF-VALUE YOU ARE FEELING INSIDE.
EDMARATION
🇵🇭 VIGAN • MY BOOKS WERE LITERALLY COVERED WITH DUSTS. ON MY HEALING, I STARTED TO SEE THE BEAUTY OF THE REAL BOOK COVER AGAIN. I DON'T WANT MY BOOKS TO BE NEGLECTED AGAIN. THEY DESERVE A BETTER SPACE AWAY FROM WATER AND DUSTS. IT COMES WITH MY INNER WELL-BEING OF NO LONGER FEELING I'M NEGLECTED. I FEEL VALUED MORE THAN EVER.
EDMARATION
🇵🇭 VIGAN • HAVING A GOAL AND FINISHING IT, HAVING THE ENERGY TO MOVE, APPRECIATING THE LITTLE PROGRESS, AND HAVING A POSITIVE OUTLOOK OF YOUR SMALL EFFORTS MAY ACTUALLY SIGNIFY A HEALTHY INNER SELF. I THINK I'VE WON MY BATTLE AGAINST DEPRESSION.
EDMARATION
🇵🇭 VIGAN • I ONLY USED 1 PAIR OF SHOES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS BECAUSE THE REST WERE ALL DIRTY. I HAD NO ENERGY OR MOTIVATION TO WASH THEM. OVERCOMING MY DEPRESSION FELT LIKE MAGIC, AS I SUDDENLY HAD THE TIME AND ENERGY TO ORGANIZE THEM.
I really hope there's no relapse. Some of the decisions I made helped me with my healing. I am so thrilled that I welcomed 2023 in high spirit.

For individuals who are undergoing what I've endured, I'd say it is important to cut the source. If an iron is rusty, do not just manage the surface with a paint; because underneath the paint is still rusty. Identify the reason or the root cause of the rust. You need to clean all the rusts, then isolate it from the cause by applying an insulating surface layer to protect its integrity. This is how I managed myself. I identified the source; but if coping was not enough, I had to cut the source.

If it is a relational problem lke your friends, family, or relatives; do not burn bridges; but you may set boundaries.

If it is an emotional abuse or gaslighting, run away from the source. They will suck all your energies. If you can't run away, you may set boundaries and limit your interaction to an extent you can tolerate.

If it is social media, cut your source. You may unfollow or snooze.

If you felt depressed after stopping a previous addiction from alcohol, drugs, gambling, or material things; you may want to consult a professional help. Depression arising from previous use of alcohol, nicotine, or drugs may need prescription medication; hence, professional help is required.

It is important that we identify the source. If you are not sure what is the source or unsure what to do, please consult the experts. You may want to check this mental health wellness hotline through this link. National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline

NCMH CRISI HOTLINE


 ►  Let's avoid misusing the concept of toxic positivity

Lastly, don't be fooled by the misuse of the concept called toxic positivity. This concept is not recognized in peer-reviewed studies or applied health science. This has been used in political discourse to gaslight and target a certain individual or group, with the intention to guilt trip or hurt their feelings. Some people would misuse this concept to manipulate people. For example, we label people with toxic positivity when they choose to enjoy the flood water that caused them suffering. Another one is when an unsuspecting aggresor questions the decision of people to invoke their faith in God or silence as aid in managing their sorrows or social status. We cannot label them as positively toxic when you lack the understanding of what they are processing inside their heads. Mental health management is health science. Politics is not a health science. Remember that mental health integrity is about coping. It does not stop or eliminate the source of suffering, because stressors and sufferings are always there; but mental health management is about helping people how to cope, avoid, or cut the stressors that may affect them. Labelling them with toxic positivity with the intention to stop them from being positive amidst crisis may actually cause more mental suffering than helping them. You become the unsuspecting perpetuator in that case.

Remember that each individual has different defense mechanisms. Defense mechanisms are unconscious psychological responses that protect people from feelings of anxiety, threats to self-esteem, and things that they don't want to think about or deal with. When a person you perceive to be suffering is smiling and cheering amidst the flood, that could be his way of coping. When a rape victim denied being raped despite medico-legal proof of rape, that's also a defense mechanism. Denial is actually a common defense mechanism (this is different from intentionally denying something to escape a punishment, law, order, or humiliation; or consciously telling a lie to manipulate people).

When the oppressed chose not to fight back against his oppressor, that could also be a defense mechanism. If you were able to fight back in your capacity during your darkest days, then be grateful that you have the willpower and coping mechanisms to manage your inner stress; but that method is not applicable for everyone. That's why understanding the situation of every individual is important, more so if you want to connect their positivity into toxic politics. Before labelling people as positively toxic, you may want to understand first—in Layman's term—where they are coming from (jargon: you may want to read some scholarly studies like the psychoanalytical theory of Freud which is one of the foundations of modern psychology). You may actually become the agressor or oppresor, when you misuse the concept of toxic positivity.

Under the psychoanalytical theory: my blogging, traveling, and writing (when unconsciously utilized to de-stress and to manage my anxiety) fall under the defense mechanism called sublimation. On the other hand, calling someone as positively toxic without understanding their coping process may actually fall under a defense mechanism called projection—meaning, you are the one who is toxic inside; you are just projecting it to other person as a way of coping with your emotional tension inside. For other examples of commonly used defense mechanisms that may be seen as toxic positivity (but a healthy response in mental health science as a way of coping under psychoanalytical theory), refer below.



Again, self-awareness of your own shortcomings, flaws, or mistakes; and self-acceptance of those shortcomings, flaws, or mistakes are fundamentals in keeping your ego integrity. Let us also accept the phenomenon that we are not right all the time. Let us accept the fact that we may also lost an argument or be proven wrong. Let's assess ourselves first of our own mistakes before pointing out the mistakes of others. We may correct other people, but let's be self-aware first to make our corrections helpful or therapeutic. You would not want to correct people of a mistake you are also committing but haven't corrected yourself, do you?

At the end of the day, we all need self-love—and that's what I am considering for 2023. 💚 | end of story |💚

 ►  ENDING THOUGHTS

Yehey! I'm done with my first blog post for 2023. Sorry if the theme was a sensitive topic like this. It was not my original plan to write about it.

edmaration
🇵🇭 VIGAN • I TOOK THIS REALTIME SELFIE, WHILE I WAS FINISHING THIS BLOG POST TODAY. WHAT AN ACHIEVEMENT IN MY POINT OF VIEW!
I was actually writing about my 2023 New Year family events and my thoughts about the new year, until I touched this topic. Because I supposed to write a flashback, I went with the flow of my thoughts until it became very long; so I decided to create this one as a single blog post.

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

• This post was filed under the categories "Feature Stories" and "FEATURE POSTS". See more posts related to this below.

UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST
• 2023-January-04: This post was published.

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🇵🇭 STA CRUZ (Ilocos Sur) • Public Market: Review, Updated Guide, History, & Blogs

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"This article features updates, guides, curated information, historical timelines, and significant events about Santa Cruz Public Market in Ilocos Sur."

• Personal insights from my actual visits were also included here, and this article will be updated periodically.

• My latest blogs about this place will also be added here when I write a new one.

🇵🇭 SANTA CRUZ, ILOCOS SUR, PHILIPPINES
SANTA CRUZ (ILOCOS SUR) PUBLIC MARKET
▼ BLOG REVIEW▼ GENERAL INFORMATION▼ LATEST UPDATES AND HISTORY

 ►  2023 Review: Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur Public Market

Why I visited this place?
On 2023-July-13, me and my brother were here. The reason why we visited this place was to look for a raincoat. We were on our way to BAGUIO City from VIGAN on a motorbike when the rain suddenly worsened. We were already in the town of Santa Cruz when it rained hard that time. Our goal was to look for any shopping establishment in search of a raincoat. The closest shopping establishment that time was the Santa Cruz public market; hence, we were here incidentally.

SANTA CRUZ (ILOCOS SUR) PUBLIC MARKET
🇵🇭 SANTA CRUZ• It was almost 05:00 PM when it rained hard. We went to this public market to look for a raincoat.
Thoughts, impressions about this property
At first, I was afraid that the dry goods section of this property has been closed, because it was already late in the afternoon. Nevertheless, we gave it a try. The property was still open, though. I noticed that there were a lot of closed stores that time, but I was glad to see that there was an open dry goods store at the ground floor. The raincoats were also displayed very visibly.

I purchased two sets of raincoats for me and my brother. I thought that the 380-peso price was fair enough, since market vendors really apply a significant mark-up due to the haggle culture in our public markets. The store was managed by a Muslim woman. I was able to haggle down the price to 325 pesos each, though.

SANTA CRUZ (ILOCOS SUR) PUBLIC MARKET
🇵🇭 SANTA CRUZ• These market shoppers walked in the market atrium.
SANTA CRUZ (ILOCOS SUR) PUBLIC MARKET
🇵🇭 SANTA CRUZ• Me wearing the raincoat inside the market premises
SANTA CRUZ (ILOCOS SUR) PUBLIC MARKET
🇵🇭 SANTA CRUZ• This public market has a spacious parking area for your motorcycle or car.
What I liked about this property?
• Accesibility: Like most public markets in the Philippines, the Santa Cruz (Ilocos Sur) Public Market is conveniently located along the National Highway (or the Manila North Road that runs from Laoag to Balintawak, Quezon City). I like the fact that this public market was able to provide us an immediate shelter and catered to our needs conveniently during this visit.

• Parking: The property has a wide parking space which provides additional convenience for market shoppers who bring their vehicles.

• Well-ventilated: The dry market section of this property is well-ventilated. It also has a spacious atrium. During this visit, it was raning; and the market was not crowded.

• Safe shelter: Like what happened to us, this property became our safe shelter when it rained. It is a public property, hence we can always drop by for a rest or shelter if caught in trouble along the road. While some public markets are crowded with limited "clean" space to take a rest or brief shelter, the atrium of Santa Cruz Public Market is a huge help to safely loiter around. I haven't tried dropping by here at night time, though.

 ►  General Information

Santa Cruz Public Market is a property of the municipality of Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur located at the National Highway, Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur. See embedded Google map location below.



Based on the 2012 COA report, 7,901,995.36 pesos were spent in the construction of this public market. A separate amount of 4,161,934.59 pesos were also spent for the concreting and continuation of this public market.

The public market features a spacious atrium in black and white tiles.

SANTA CRUZ (ILOCOS SUR) PUBLIC MARKET
🇵🇭 SANTA CRUZ • This public market's atrium was adorned with black and white tiles.
NOTABLE STORES AND TENANTS

• Landbank of the Philippines ATM (ground floor) | Status: active tenant.
• 7-Eleven Convenience Store (ground floor) | Status: permanently closed
• nmb RAGASA Pharmacy (ground floor) | Status: active tenant as of my 13-July-2023 visit

 ►  Latest Updates and Visit History Timeline



• 2023-July-13: On this day, I visited this public market while it was raining. I've noticed that the 7-Eleven store at the ground floor was gone. It has been replaced by another tenant. For the full story of this visit, check the "Blog Review" Tab.

•••••••

FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

• This post was filed under the categories "SHOPPING" and "Public Markets". See more posts related to this below.

UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST
• 2023-July-25: This post was published.

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🇵🇭 VIGAN • Typhoon Egay Blog: Stories during the Disaster

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"Mental fortitude is beneficial in situations that would test you in a psychological warfare, but Super Typhoon Egay was more than a psychological warfare."

• I almost lost my breath when I heard a sound that I didn't want to hear—the sound of a falling branch.

• ...an unsuspecting policeman almost had an accident when he was hooked by the low-dangling cables while his motorcycle was running on the road.

🇵🇭 VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR, PHILIPPINES
TYPHOON EGAY (DOKSURI)

It was 2023-July-25, Monday, when I felt the calm before the storm. Although it has been raining continuously prior to the onslaught of the super typhoon (ST) Egay, the preceding rain was something that I could still tolerate and love. In fact, me and my brother even did another rainy 4-day custom North Luzon loop a week prior to the landfall.

 ►  A Deep Calm Sleep, a Nightmare While Awake

On a Monday (2023-July-25), I still reported to work. By the way, I work at home. When I say I reported to work, I did my roles and responsibilities in my job while working at home.

After my work, I had a deep uninterrupted sleep because of the cold weather. Being tired from my 4-day North luzon Loop version 2 then going straight to work, I knew I deserved a great sleep. The chilly air made the sleep even better and sweeter. As I woke up, I went outside our house and found out that the rain was very heavy. Subsequently, there was a power outage. The rain and the wind became stronger. The power supply was not restored; hence, I told my supervisor that I would be absent due to force majeure.

TYPHOON EGAY
🇵🇭 VIGAN• From the window, I saw how the guyabano tree and the adjacent sapote tree tried hard to dance in the rain with the high-intensity wind.
The calm deep sleep that I just gained was quickly replaced by a nightmare while I was awake. It was a nightmare in my thoughts that there was a super typhoon coming. My mom has a chronic ailment, and I wasn't 100% ready to protect her in times like this. Some medicines in her medicine box have been depleted. I was worrying I couldn't purchase new medicines thinking that drug stores may have been closed.

With heaps of backlogs, it was also a nightmare not to be able to work online. This nightmare came swiftly. I would have traded a shallow sleep with a nightmare. At least, such a nightmare that would have happened in my sleep isn't true once I woke up. Sadly, the calming deep sleep was also reminiscent of the calm before the storm.

TYPHOON EGAY
🇵🇭 VIGAN• My dad's sapote tree has grown tall and strong—enough to withstand an extreme weather condition. I was thinking if my family also has the same resilience to withstand an upcoming threat.
TYPHOON EGAY
🇵🇭 VIGAN• The strong wind has caused some branches to fall. Some of the branches that fell were as long as 5-10 meters.

 ►  Why was I Afraid of Old Trees?

In the compound where we live, there are three mango trees that have grown so fat and tall. However, I was worrying about the almost century-old mango tree. That old tree has several thick, fat, super-heavy branches. Some of these branches have fallen, but there were still other bigger branches that remained.

With the strong wind, I had this fear that another branch might fall again. Below that old mango tree is the house of my uncle. It's a household of five.

TYPHOON EGAY
🇵🇭 VIGAN• We have a lot of trees at home. Trees are friends; but during the onslaught of the super typhoon, these trees became a threat.
At night, the super typhoon continued to smash the ground. I almost lost my breath when I heard a sound that I didn't want to hear—the sound of a falling branch.

I felt helpless. Did the huge branch fall to my uncle's house? It was a scary night. The next day, I learned that the huge tree branch fell to our neighbor's premises. The branch almost hit their house. Thank God. No one was injured. Below are photos of the huge tree branch that fell to our neighbor's premises, almost hitting their house.

TYPHOON EGAYTYPHOON EGAYTYPHOON EGAYTYPHOON EGAY

The photos above were taken by my neighbor. He posted photos of a huge tree branch that was as massive as the house in terms of net mass or weight. We didn't have the technology to prevent that massive branch from falling.

Later on, I learned that my uncle's family evacuated their house and sought a temporary shelter in my grandmother's house.

 ►  What were the struggles we had to endure? Our internet cable almost kiIIed a policeman.

• MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLE:

I'd say that my family has the mental fortitude to thrive and survive. However, the super typhoon Egay was a different story. Mental fortitude is beneficial in situations that would test you in a psychological warfare, but ST Egay was more than a psychological warfare. It was a quest for life and security with the powerful nature as your opponent with a home court advantage—the land, the air, and the sea.

The fear of the unknown and the uncertainty of what lies ahead were major triggers.

TYPHOON EGAY
🇵🇭 VIGAN• We didn't have the technology to prevent a flash flood. We were helplessly watching the rainwater until it flooded our front yard.
• POWER AND INTERNET OUTAGE:

The power outage has limited us to do our daily basic tasks. Cooking food, moving inside the house, and ensuring the preservation of our frozen food sources were all struggles.

Many power lines were cut off due to falling tree branches and collapsing posts. We had no power source for several days. This struggle prompted me to purchase our own generator set. However, as I looked for available stocks in several hardware stores in Metro Vigan, there were long queues of other residents yearning to have their own unit.

TYPHOON EGAY
🇵🇭 VIGAN• Without a power supply, candlelight was a luxury.
TYPHOON EGAY
🇵🇭 VIGAN• The leaves were green; the sky was grey, but inside our house was a blinding darkness.
All stocks have been sold or reserved, so I decided to go home with empty hands. However, as I drove on Quezon Avenue on my way home, I saw a generator set being set-up on the elevated sidewalk in front of the store. I stopped to ask if this hardware store had available stocks. Voila! This was like an oasis in a desert. They had several stocks. The name of the store was Fortune Lumber and Hardware in between Mercury Drug and EastWest Bank at Quezon Avenue.

I told them I would purchase a unit. They instructed me to wait because they were also waiting for their gasoline supply for the unit testing. Meantime, I told them I'd be back because I also needed to visit the Globe office in Vigan. I needed to get an alternative source of internet for my work after securing my own power source.

I spent about 2 hours inside the Globe office in Vigan considering I was the only customer that time who had an actual transaction. Some people who came in transacted with the machine, not with the CSR. They struggled in registering my LTE SIM. They also noticed some issues like the occurrence of intermittent 4G signal. To cut the long story short, I was happy that Globe was able to help me get an alternative source of internet after my Converge fiber connection was cut off.

Speaking of Converge, the swaying bamboo tree smashed the internet cable leading to our house. With a huge force, the steel tube that we put-up to receive the internet cable was uprooted and eventually collapsed.

The unexpected collapse of the steel tube caused the cables to block the road. This was a threat. According to my uncle, an unsuspecting policeman almost had an accident when he was hooked by the low-dangling cables while his motorcycle was running on the road. Because of this threat, my uncle cut-off the cable; hence, losing my direct internet supply.

TYPHOON EGAY
🇵🇭 VIGAN• We transferred the tubular steel post in front of my uncle's house who witnessed the accident that was caused by the low-lying dangling cables. This tubular steel post previously collapsed, causing the cable wires to dangle and block the road.
TYPHOON EGAY
🇵🇭 VIGAN• This generator set provided temporary power supply. It was very noisy, though. It could contain 10 liters of gasoline. The generator ran for about 10 hours. We were surprised how efficient it was. The remaining gasoline was still at about 70% after 10 hours of use.
TYPHOON EGAY
🇵🇭 VIGAN• This was the internet cable that dangled low. My uncle cut it off to prevent road accidents.

 ►  Ending Thoughts

It's 07:55 PM of 2023-July-30 as I write this post. I'm actively blogging again 5 days after the onslaught. My mamang (mom) and my papang (dad) are eating in the kitchen. My other brother is in his room resting. My youngest brother is with his workmates in front of our house having their "tagay" session.

It's another day to be thankful for. After that typhoon, the restoration of the power supply seemed like a luxury; and the fact that I can blog again felt like it's now a rare privilege. ◄ END OF STORY

You may also check out my vlog version below. You can also support my YouTube channel for free by subscribing and engaging with my contents.


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UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST
• 2023-July-30: This post was published.

🇵🇭 STA CRUZ • (Ilocos Sur) Why Did I Visit their Public Market?

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"At first, I was afraid that the dry goods section of this property had been closed, because it was already late in the afternoon. Nevertheless, we gave it a try."

• It was almost 05:00 PM when it rained hard. We went to this public market to look for a raincoat.

• Our goal was to look for any shopping establishment in search of a raincoat. The closest shopping establishment that time was the Santa Cruz public market; hence, we were here incidentally.

🇵🇭 SANTA CRUZ, ILOCOS SUR, PHILIPPINES
EDMARATION

On 2023-July-13, me and my brother were here. The reason why we visited this place was to look for a raincoat. We were on our way to BAGUIO City from VIGAN on a motorbike when the rain suddenly worsened.

 ►  Why Did I Visit This Place?



We were already in the town of Santa Cruz when it rained hard that time. Our goal was to look for any shopping establishment in search of a raincoat. The closest shopping establishment that time was the Santa Cruz public market; hence, we were here incidentally.

SANTA CRUZ, ILOCOS SUR PUBLIC MARKET
🇵🇭 SANTA CRUZ• It was almost 05:00 PM when it rained hard. We went to this public market to look for a raincoat.

 ►  Thoughts, impressions about this property



At first, I was afraid that the dry goods section of this property had been closed, because it was already late in the afternoon. Nevertheless, we gave it a try. The property was still open, though. I noticed that there were a lot of closed stores at that time, but I was glad to see that there was an open dry goods store on the ground floor. The raincoats were also displayed very visibly.

SANTA CRUZ, ILOCOS SUR PUBLIC MARKET
🇵🇭 SANTA CRUZ• These market shoppers walked in the market atrium.
SANTA CRUZ, ILOCOS SUR PUBLIC MARKET
🇵🇭 SANTA CRUZ• Me wearing the raincoat inside the market premises.
SANTA CRUZ, ILOCOS SUR PUBLIC MARKET
🇵🇭 SANTA CRUZ• This public market has a spacious parking area for your motorcycle or car.
I purchased two sets of raincoats for me and my brother. I thought that the 380-peso price was fair enough, since market vendors really apply a significant mark-up due to the haggle culture in our public markets. The store was managed by a Muslim woman. I was able to haggle down the price to 325 pesos each, though. ◄ END OF STORY

For an updated review and guide about Santa Cruz Public Market, check out this link for the separate article:▼ 🇵🇭 STA CRUZ • (Ilocos Sur) Public Market: Updated Review, Guide, History


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UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST
• 2023-July-31: This post was published.

🇵🇭 BANTAY • Submerged in MUD floods: a Face of Resilience

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"I saw the residents bathed in mud, while they tried to scavenge what's left. Their motorcycles, cars, appliances, and furniture were all flooded and fell into disrepair."

• The typhoon is over, but the cleaning needs to continue for few more days to weeks.

• Majority of the people in Metro Vigan were already dry, yet the residents near the Roxas Dike were still dealing with the mud and the disasters it caused.

🇵🇭 BANTAY, ILOCOS SUR, PHILIPPINES
EDMARATION

On 2023-July-28, I roamed around Vigan to document the aftermath of the typhoon Egay. My province was devastated massively, but I could only document some areas that were easier to access in my case. The first thing that came to my mind was the Roxas Dike in Bantay Ilocos Sur, a stone throw away from Vigan.

There are both residential and business areas at this dike. Unfortunately, the residential community here is situated in a low-lying location. Their residential community is a flood catchment and a floodway of the Govantes River.

 ►  Mad in Mud



It was disheartening to see the people of Roxas Dike suffering the aftermath. In their case, their aftermath was to deal with the mud that submerged their homes.

As I entered the Roxas Dike Bridge, I saw their houses wrapped in mud. While vehicles started to crowd the Roxas Dike Road (Rizal Street) again—slowly turning the busy street back into its usual function—the residents at the dike were still trying to figure out how to clean the mess caused by the super typhoon.

ROXAS DIKE, BANTAY
🇵🇭 BANTAY• The area I visited is wrapped in green borders.
This area is very much familiar to me. The growing economy of Bantay has given the residents with more options to grow their income—like putting up small to medium-sized enterprises that would cater to the growing business activities nearby that brought more daytime population in their area. This area is typically joyful yet fierce. It is the face of disaster resilience in Metro Vigan due to the existing living hazards that they can always shrug off. In this visit, the mood had a touch of despair; but the unwavering spirit was very evident.

I noticed that the road shoulders were filled with objects that looked like trash. As I approached the residential area, it was unfortunate to see that those objects dumped on the road used to be functional and useful materials pre-flood, until they were submerged in mud.

ROXAS DIKE, BANTAY
🇵🇭 BANTAY• Various objects submerged in mud floods were dumped beside the road after the typhoon.
ROXAS DIKE, BANTAY
🇵🇭 BANTAY• It seemed like there's no sense saving some of these objects anymore when the mud devalued them. Look at the house beside the road. The roof is almost at the same level as the road. Despite being a floodway, the residents at the Roxas Dike in Bantay were committed to stay.
I saw the residents bathed in mud, while they tried to scavenge what's left. Their motorcycles, cars, appliances, and furniture were all flooded and fell into disrepair.

I talked to some of the residents if I could take photos of them, and they agreed. I also took videos. Someone, a young gentleman, asked me where I will use these videos. He was busy sorting out and cleaning the materials they recovered. I said, "for my vlog." He asked the name of my vlog, and he agreed to appear in my video. You can check the YouTube vlog of this visit at the end of this article.

ROXAS DIKE, BANTAY
🇵🇭 BANTAY• The typhoon is over, but the cleaning needs to continue for a few more days to weeks.
ROXAS DIKE, BANTAY
🇵🇭 BANTAY• This must be traumatic if it happened to our own household. Thank God, we were spared from this kind of mud flood.
ROXAS DIKE, BANTAY
🇵🇭 BANTAY• This kid tried to scavenge what's left.
ROXAS DIKE, BANTAY
🇵🇭 BANTAY• Living near the dike and the Govantes River, these residents knew what they were facing. However, the supertyphoon was something they couldn't stop. Their survival techniques were not enough to shield them from the supertyphoon.
ROXAS DIKE, BANTAY
🇵🇭 BANTAY• The residents were able to save some useful stuff.
ROXAS DIKE, BANTAY
🇵🇭 BANTAY• Majority of people in Metro Vigan were already dry, yet the residents near the Roxas Dike were still dealing with mud.
ROXAS DIKE, BANTAY
🇵🇭 BANTAY• This man tried to save some materials that could still be recovered.

 ►  Check the YouTube version of this post.



You can also check the YouTube version of my visit in Roxas Dike in Bantay, Ilocos Sur 2 days after the onslaught of the supertyphoon Egay. You may help support my content creation by simply subscribing, leaving an inspiring feedback/comment, or liking my YouTube videos. 💚



 ►  Ending Thoughts



I'm writing this line on 08/04/2023 at 08:31 PM. Nine (9) days after the onslaught, I still haven't finished writing this one. I was very busy and tired from other commitments: family and professional.

The reason I was urged to finish this post is to move forward in blogging my other materials not related to typhoon Egay. I need to finish the typhoon Egay backlogs, so that I can move forward in blogging my other materials. I hope you liked my web contents. 😉😊 • END OF STORY


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UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST
• 2023-August-05:
   08:00 PM — Lay-out for the "More Towns or Locations You Might Like to Explore" was modified.
   09:58 PM — Twitter meta tagas added.
• 2023-August-04: This post was published.

🇵🇭 TAGUDIN • 2023 Top Tourist Spots, Attractions, Things to Do

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"Do you want to explore the town of Tagudin in 2023, and you don't have an idea what this town has to offer? You've landed on the right blog."

• Let me help you by writing this Tagudin tourist spots blog. I-share mo ma sa GC niyo, baka makatulong ito. :D

• This article has been updated to fit your 2023 travel goals.

🇵🇭 TAGUDIN, ILOCOS SUR, PHILIPPINES
TAGUDIN TOURIST SPOTS
TAGUDIN TOURIST SPOTS
TAGUDIN TOURIST SPOTS
TAGUDIN TOURIST SPOTS
▼ LIST OF TOURIST SPOTS▼ OVERVIEW▼ LATEST UPDATES INDEX

 ►  2023 List of Best Tourist Spots (Updated)



I have found some interesting tourist spots you may want to see as a visitor or tourist. If you are not a tourist, or if you don't want to be called that way, there are "interesting places" you might want to see. The details I'm going to discuss here are known facts; however, the insights I wrote here were based on my personal experiences, reviews, and perspectives. I hope they'll be helpful. So, here we go!

🟢 #1. BIO VIEW DECK AND CHAPEL • Attractions and Things to Do Here

TAGUDIN TOURIST SPOTS
Click on photo thumbnail to enlarge.
TAGUDIN TOURIST SPOTS
Let's start with the Bio view deck. Uh, please don't get confused if it is Bio deck or view deck; because it is actually Bio view deck, makes sense? :D The view deck is located in Brgy Bio. It also has a chapel perched on top of a hill overlooking the Amburayan River. Bio is the southernmost barangay in Tagudin along the Manila North Road. It is also the first barangay you need to enter in Ilocandia when you are traveling by land from the south. The chapel is located on top of the hill near the southern end of the Amburayan bridge—the bridge that connects La Union and Ilocos Sur.

What to do here?: Just stand the whole day! Kidding aside, this chapel would give you a great vantage point and a panoramic spot of the boundary of La Union and Ilocos Sur provinces. The beautiful Amburayan River and the Amburayan Bridge would make the view dramatic. If you love viewing a view (equation: view x view = view2), then this chapel with a view deck is the place for you. Few people coming from Manila or elsewhere from the south skip this place, maybe because they are not aware of its existence. Interestingly, this is a nice place to give the tourists a panoramic first glance of Ilocos Sur. Unfortunately, only a few know this. Ngayon, alam mo na ha?

• How to go here?: Just after you cross the Amburayan Bridge, which comes before the Ilocos Sur welcome arch if you are coming from the south, look at your right side. You will see this chapel. Just take the stair uphill. Coming from the north, look at your left, it is located before the bridge.

🟢 #2. AMBURAYAN RIVER • Attractions and Things to Do Here

TAGUDIN TOURIST SPOTS
Click on photo thumbnail to enlarge.
TAGUDIN TOURIST SPOTSTAGUDIN TOURIST SPOTSTAGUDIN TOURIST SPOTS
The Amburayan River is long in the sense that this river flows through several towns in Ilocos Sur, Benguet, and La Union. It originates from Benguet. Tagudin forms a part of the Amburayan river delta. Amburayan River has a huge potential for tourism activities. Sky is the limit for a creative and a pro-active LGU.

• Enjoy a panoramic View of the Amburayan River from the Bio Chapel and view deck: A walk away from this elevated chapel is the Amburayan River. As I mentioned above, this chapel atop a hill is a great vantage point to see a panoramic view of the Amburayan River as you enter the province of Ilocos Sur.

• Amburayan River in Ambalayat: I visited a remote barrio called Ambalayat. In that barrio, the Amburayan River has a different character. I'm not sure if you would consider this as a tourist spot, but I'd be glad to share to you my experience there. A foot bridge connects mainland Tagudin to Ambalayat. If the Amburayan experience at the chapel in Bio is for a panoramic view of the river, this one in Ambalayat is part of the way of life of the people. Villagers do fishing here. There are also islands in this part of the Amburayan River. You could hire a tricycle from the town proper to Ambalayat. That is the most expensive option, so I'd advice that you bring your own motorcycle, or hire one instead to maximize your exploration.

• Cross the River via the Amburayan Bridge: To legitimize your Amburayan River encounter, there's no easier way to do it than to cross this river from La Union to Ilocos Sur using the Amburayan Bridge along the Manila North Road. There is another bridge in Ambalayat that crosses the mighty Amburayan. There are several bridges that cross the Amburayan River in different towns; however, these two are those I've tried in Tagudin so far.

• River fishing: There are no tour operators or tourist facilities that would offer fishing experiences in Amburayan River. However, if you have a local contact here who do fishing, why not join them? Do what the locals do if you are well-versed of river fishing. It could be a cool leisure activity without doing a break dance or breaking the bank.

• Picnicking: You can also have a picnic at the riverbank. There are no officially designated public picnic areas here, but it takes a common sense to find one. You can fish at the river for your meal. If you don't know how to fish, probably because you are suffering from a carpal tunnel syndrome, then just bring your own food. Amburayan River is huge and long; so, in some villages along the river, there are picnic areas made by the locals. Unfortunately, I haven't seen one that is readily accessible and open to public.

• *Semi-censored: Swim nude: Urgh... Swim like you are in a nude beach, but be sure your body from the waist down should be submerged into the water :p Oh no! Please don't follow this advice, this suggestions is just a product of my playful mind.

🟢 #3. TAGUDIN SUNDIALS • Attractions and Things to Do Here

TAGUDIN TOURIST SPOTS

Tagudin Sundials are Spanish-era structures. The two sundials of Tagudin are the oldest sundials in the Philippines and the only sundial used during the Spanish regime.

• Tell the time using the sundial: The sundials are still working, so don't miss the chance to know what time it is by interpreting the shadows at the sundial. That would be your challenge.

• Don't touch the structure: Don't you ever dare touch the structure. This is part of our heritage and history, and it needs to be preserved. Touching may lead to vandalism. So, prevention is better than cure. If no one will touch it, there will be no vandalism.

• Find the sundials challenge: There are two sundials in town. The one is located in front of the municipal hall, and the other is inside the St. Augustine's School just beside the Tagudin Church. Don't forget to ask for directions from the locals. Do it DIY. Do not rely on your maps or apps. Test how familiar the locals are about a piece of history located in their town.

🟢 #4. SAINT AUGUSTINE CHURCH AND BELFRY

TAGUDIN TOURIST SPOTS

Tagudin Church is a must-see historical gem in Tagudin. It has a Baroque architecture and was completed by Fr. Juan Sorolla in 1832. It also has a belfry situated east of the church which was built few meters away from the church as caution for earthquakes.

• How to go here: The church is located at the heart of the town; so, it is very visible and accessible. Going to this church will be as easy as ABC.

🟢 #5. Farola Lighthouse

TAGUDIN TOURIST SPOTS

Farola Lighthouse is a historical landmark in Tagudin. It has built an Ilocos-Belgium connection, and it is about a hundred years old.

• How to go here: From the Tagudin town hall, get a tricycle; and ask the driver to bring you to the Farola Lighthouse in Brgy Farola. Fare costs about 50-100 pesos. Traveling in group would be much cheaper because of the benefit of sharing. If you have your own vehicle, Farola is located midway the Poblacion and Bitalag. You can ask from the locals for the direction along your way, or refer to your digital maps.

🟢 #6. Farola Beach

TAGUDIN TOURIST SPOTS

So you want a silent beach in Tagudin? There are several beaches, but it is only the Farola beach that I was able to see. It is located near the Farola lighthouse. This beach is the landing site of some Belgian missionaries a century ago. The beach has pebble and dark sand shorelines.

🟢 #7. Ambalayat Hanging Bridge

TAGUDIN TOURIST SPOTS

Go for an adventure and an off-road travel in Tagudin. As I extensively discussed above, this footbridge is located in Brgy Ambalayat, the last barangay in the town at the east separated by the Amburayan River.

🟢 #8. Ilocos Sur Welcome Arch

TAGUDIN TOURIST SPOTS

Legitimize your Ilocos Sur travel by dropping by Ilocos Sur Welcome arch. This is located few meters from the Amburayan Bridge.

 ►  Tagudin Overview

TAGUDIN TOURIST SPOTS

Tagudin is actually an interesting town that could give you history lessons and interesting trivia. It is the first town in Ilocos when you are coming from Manila via land travel.

GATEWAY TO ILOCOS:

Tagudin is the first town that you're going to enter in Ilocos Sur along the Manila North Road coming from Manila. Hence, the grand welcome arch is located in Tagudin.

ESTIMATED TRAVEL TIME AND DISTANCE FROM USUAL ROUTES LEADING TO TAGUDIN.

• From Metro Manila (Balintawak, Quezon City) — Tagudin is approximately 309 kilometers away from Balintawak, Quezon City via North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and TPLEX. Travel time is approximately 5-6 hours (private vehicle).

• From Baguio City — Tagudin is approximately 106 kilometers away from Baguio City via Naguilian Road (Baguio-Bauang) and Manila North Road (Bauang-Tagudin). Travel time is approximately 2.5-3.5 hours (private vehicle).

• From Vigan City — Tagudin is approximately 93 kilometers away from Vigan City via Manila North Road (Bantay-Tagudin). Travel time is approximately 1.5-2.5 hours (private vehicle).

• From Cervantes, Ilocos Sur — Tagudin is approximately 54 kilometers away from Cervantes via the Tagudin-Cervantes-Sabagan Road (Bitalag Junction-Cervantes). Travel time is approximately 1.5-2.5 hours (private vehicle). Note: Bitalag junction is part of Tagudin.

• From Bontoc, Mountain Province — Tagudin is approximately 130 kilometers away from Bontoc, Mountain Province via the Halsema Highway (BOntoc-Sabagan) and the Tagudin-Cervantes-Sabangan Road (Sabagan-Bitalag Junction). Travel time is approximately 4-5 hours (private vehicle).


 ►  Latest Updates and Visit History Timeline



• 2023-July-13: I passed through Tagudin on this date. So, I took photos of some of the places mentioned in this article. The most recent photos were added including the welcome arch, Bio view deck and chapel, and town proper marker. Distance in between Tagudin and some places were also added.


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▼ ILOCOS SUR▼ LISTINGS AND DIRECTORY▼ UPDATED GUIDES AND REVIEWS

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UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST
• 2023-August-07: This post was overhauled and updated. Blog lay-out and format was patterned on my v.2023.1-07/31. Recent photos of Ilocos Sur welcome arch, Amburayan Bridge, and Tagudin town proper marker were added. Information about the Bio view deck was updated. Distance of Tagudin from other places added.
• 2012-December-06: This post was published.

🇵🇭 PHILIPPINES • The Story of the Most Traveled Pinoy

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"He is the first Pinoy to successfully visit all the law-created 1634 municipalities and cities in the Philippines."

• Marco told me that his most expensive trip was in...
• "Tanggap ko na, na hindi ko siya magagawa noong..." Marco recognized the possibility that he may no longer do this goal in his lifetime.

🇵🇭 FEATURE STORY • Note: Ads may appear in this post. Google may automatically place them in between paragraphs.
EDMARATION

I think it's safe to say that he is the most traveled person in the Philippines today based on the number of towns and cities he visited. He is the first Pinoy to successfully visit all the law-created 1634 municipalities and cities in the Philippines. He recently completed his "1634 PH" project this year by landing to his last town—the Kalayaan town in Palawan, a Philippine-settled sovereign territory in the contested Spratlys archipelago.

 ►  How Did I Meet Marco?



This is a 10-year project that he started in March 2013. I first met Marco in 2014 when we visited some towns in Abra. Our first meet-up was virtual when we had a conversation about some towns in Abra online. This followed our Amburayan towns and Southern Ilocos Sur towns project, and continued with our epic Mapun island adventure in the Sulu sea. During our first meeting, I thought he was just joking when he told me that he had a crazy idea of visiting all the towns and cities around the Philippine archipelago. About 9 years ago, I was with this man who would become the first Pinoy to visit all the towns and cities 9 years later from that moment.

LANGIDEN, ABRA
🇵🇭 LANGIDEN• The first time I met Marco Puzon in person was in 2014. The first town we explored together was the town of Langiden in Abra.
Last night (08/12/2023), I called Marco. I asked him if I could feature his story on this blog as an entry to this national blogging conference. I didn't want to call this a competition, because every story is a winner on its own merit. I wanted Marco to feel that his story is feature-worthy with or without winning.

Marco did not hesitate to share his story on my platform. We had almost an hour of phone calls. I know it was not enough. His collection of 1634 towns and cities is definitely an endless story to tell. So I asked him questions that he has also answered in many of his interviews, but I will continue to re-echo his answers in my platform for his story to be heard by more people.

 ►  Where and How 1634 PH Came to Be?



I was curious why he was doing this. What was his motivation? We had a long chat about this, but let me share to you the reason how and where he started this project based on his own written words.

MARCO: “Was I going to tick off an entire province for just going to a single town that was far from the capital?” On July 17, 13 years ago, the idea to visit all the towns and cities came to be. I had the opportunity to facilitate a workshop in the town of Barobo in Surigao del Sur BUT thanks to a flight delay of several hours, I had no opportunity to see more of this town aside from the seaside resort venue. Given the tight schedule, I also had zero chances of even seeing the provincial capital Tandag City. I knew that there must be more to it than just ticking off an entire province without seeing a lot more than it could offer. I credit Barobo as the birthplace of 1634 PH - the dream to see all of the towns and cities of the Philippines. I revisited Barobo in July 2017, registering it as No. 1434/1634, marking the start of the last 200 towns and cities.

BAROBO, SURIGAO DEL SUR
🇵🇭 BAROBO• Photos of Barobo, Surigao del Sur.
Although he considers Barobo as the birthplace of this travel project, Marco officially started his goal in the town of San Ildefonso, Bulacan which he tagged as town #1. I asked him why he chose San Ildefonso, Bulacan. He told me that he used to pass through this town via NLEX going to Manila. With a curious spirit and after 30 years, he wanted to discover this town—beyond its generic image associated with the NLEX. He packed his bags and traveled to San Ildefonso, Bulacan. He registered this town as his town #1. That moment was a history in the making.

 ►  Worst Experience Among All the Towns



I asked Marco about his worst experience in this 10-year project. Marco responded: "I have no worst experience." In his point of view, unfortunate things that may have happened in pursuit of this grand travel goal were not about the town per se but due to "unfortunate circumstances." He did not want to blame the town and its people. It was just an unfortunate timing that could happen to any of us. He did not want to put these towns in a bad light just because he had these unfortunate circumstances.

 ►  Challenges Encountered Along the Way



There was a time when Marco wanted to give up. He was very firm when he was sharing this story, but my heart was pretty pierced during this conversation—because I understand the effort, the time, and the resources he spent to achieve this goal, only to feel hopeless because of the pandemic. It was too close, yet so far—only 6 towns left that time.

He was down to his last 6 towns when the pandemic came. Marco said to me, "Tanggap ko na, na hindi ko siya magagawa noong pandemic." Marco recognized the possibility that he may no longer achieve this goal in his lifetime during the pandemic years.

I have also shared my survival story during the pandemic on this blog. Like me, Marco is also a pandemic survivor. He mentioned to me how his resources were depleted—including his life goals that were set aside due to the pandemic.

BUTIG, LANAO DEL SUR
🇵🇭 BUTIG• Featured are: the historical marker commemorating in 2002, the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Bayang between Meranau defenders and invading American forces, and the man-made lagoon and ruined mosque at the Butig Eco Park, Camp Darul Iman in Sandab, Butig.
Another challenge that he encountered was on how to reach the far-flung towns safely. Marco believed in good karma. He relied on the kindness of the people to overcome logistic and accommodation challenges. There are towns with no accommodation facilities, so he coordinated with the LGU for recommendations. Hence, he slept with the locals, met new friends, and gained new stories to share.

 ►  His Most Expensive Travel in PH



Marco told me that his most expensive trip was in Mapun, Tawi-Tawi. Mapun is an outlying island town in the Sulu sea. Its closest mainland port is Sandakan in Sabah which is 8 hours away by boat. It's around 12 hours away from Brooke's Point in Palawan, 16 hours away from their provincial capital in Bongao, and around 24 hours away from Zamboanga City.

MAPUN, TAWI-TAWIR
🇵🇭 MAPUN• This was taken during our courtesy call at the Mapun tourism office.
I traveled with Marco in Mapun, and I do understand why. A big chunk of our budget was spent with our chartered private flight from Mapun back to Palawan and the boat expenses that we spent for the island hopping activities, apart from being stuck in Palawan for 1 week while waiting for our boat schedule.

Below is a travel vlog on how we traveled to Mapun based on my personal perspective.



 ►  What's Next for the Most Traveled Pinoy?



After landing to his last town, Marco shared these insights about completing his 10-year project:

I began this journey on March 27, 2013 and before the 1634PH goal reaches its’ 10th year, I managed to visit Pag-asa Island along with two other islands, Lawak and Likas, as part of the Great Kalayaan Expedition, completing all the 148 cities and 1486 municipalities of the Philippines.

“How far will I go?” My post in 2013 asked; and on its first day, I clocked three provinces, four cities and 11 municipalities. I have gone way farther than I imagined, and as the news of the completion of my travel goal spread, I feel grateful to have finally reached 1634/1634. I am thankful for each of the congratulatory messages that I received, for every assistance and acts of hospitality received since Day One.

“Which is your favorite city or place? Do you have a top ten list?” These questions have been asked, but I will not answer them as I really find it difficult to squeeze all 1634 to just 10. I chuckle at the different natures of the comments by netizens, some cynical, bitter, happy, proud… but I hope all of them reach their dreams too, travel goals included. The 1634PH goal formally ends tomorrow, and I graciously and quietly close this part of my life, but with travel updating to be done should a municipality votes for cityhood in a plebiscite or if a new town or province is created. A day to a full decade tomorrow, the record fiercely stands at 82-148-1486, reached after 116 sorties (29 work-related, 87 leisure) of 480+ non-consecutive days in a span of 10 years. Follow your dreams. I wish you all the best.
🇵🇭 KALAYAAN• Marco completed his 10-year 1634 project this year by visiting his ultimate town located in the West Philippine Sea.

 ►  Mainstream Media Recognition



The completion of this travel project was noticed/picked-up by the mainstream media.

Marco's story is indeed very interesting and historic. This blog entry is not enough to share all his best experiences. The last town that he visited was the Kalayaan town in Palawan, a sovereign territory of the Philippines in the Spratlys archipelago.

His inspiring story was featured in a morning show "Kada Umaga" hosted by Pia Guanio in the segment: "Pinoy Inspiring Amazing Story." View the interview on YouTUbe.

🇵🇭 QUEZON CITY• Marco had a photo with host Pia Guanio in a show where he was entitled "Pinoy Inspiring Amazing Story: Unang Pilipinong nakalibot sa buong lungsod ng Pilipinas"
🇵🇭 PASIG• A radio station in Pasig introduced Marco this way: "Kilalanin ang ating Ehemplo na si Marco Puzon. Siya ay isang Manunulat, Community Developer, at ang kauna-unahang Pilipino na nakalibot sa 1,634 na bayan at lungsod sa buong Pilipinas. Tunghayan at alamin ang kuwento sa likod ng makulay na paglalakbay ni Marco Puzon sa inyong himpilang 702 DZAS FEBC RADYO TV.
🇵🇭 FEATURED• Marco was tagged by GMA Network as the "Ultimate Pinoy Adventuer."

 ►  Ending Thoughts



For a millennial like me, I constantly look for inspiration from amazing and inspiring people. Being a millennial, travel blogging is the online niche that I have discovered to best represent myself. Marco's story definitely ignited more fire in me. I may not be able to duplicate his achievement, but Marco told me to never compare myself to him. He said that each person has a travel goal that is unique from the others.

During his interview with Pia Guanio, the host asked what was the highlight of the completion of his 1634 project as he landed on Kalayaan islands located in the geopolitical hotspot of the West Philippine Sea. Marco said: "I feel proud when I got there. I'm proud that I was able to sing our National Anthem when I was there."

🇵🇭 KALAYAAN• Marco: "I feel proud when I got there. I'm proud that I was able to sing our National Anthem when I was there."
Landing to his last town, Marco posted a photo of a marker on Pag-asa island with the Philippine flag on it and a banner showing that the Philippines has 1634 towns and cities; and Kalayaan town is part of the Philippine sovereign territories that he visited—his 1634th town.

More than everything, Marco traveled to many towns and cities with a purpose. He traveled as a community developer and researcher, helped war-torn towns, facilitated psychological interventions to women and children of communities affected by disasters, and did a lot of social works in far-flung towns despite the danger and the risks.

This is the story of Marco Puzon: the most traveled Pinoy in the Philippines, a fellow Ilocano, and a proud Filipino. • EDNAR OF STORY



This story is an entry to COMCO Mundo’s “UNMASKED: The COMCO Mundo Write to Ignite Season 3”. The initiative aims to pull and collate powerful stories from the Philippine blogging communities. “UNMASKED” aims to explore how each mask is a person brimming with hope and wonders to share with others, as well as why it is important to tell their inspiring journeys in life. The “Write to Ignite” Season 3 is made possible by COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises, with airasia, Babyflo, PHILUSA Corporation, Century Tuna, Licealiz, Lamoiyan Corporation, Rémy Martin, and Uratex Monoblock as brand partners.

🇵🇭 VIGAN • Dunkin' Donuts Store Guide and Review

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"This article features updates, guides, curated information, historical timelines, and significant events about Dunkin' Vigan store."

• Personal insights from my actual visits were also included here, and this article will be updated periodically.

• My latest blogs about this place will also be added here when I write a new one.

🇵🇭 VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR
DUNKIN VIGAN
▼ BLOG REVIEW▼ GENERAL INFO▼ HISTORICAL TIMELINE AND UPDATES

 ►  What did I like about this store?

Located inside a popular tourist zone: If you love to dine in a Dunkin' store and you are looking for a rustic old world feel at the same time, then this store is for you. It's located at Calle Bonifacio, but the store is few steps away from the famous Calle Crisologo.

Note: This blog page will be updated regularly once I get new information about this store. I have only seen its exterior as of now, but I haven't dined in yet.


 ►  Blogger's Feedback

Limited parking space: Calle Crisologo and its crossroads are very narrow, Hence, there is a limited parking space near the store. I don't blame the store, though. It's not their fault. This old part of Vigan was not originally designed to have wide parking spaces. This is just a reminder that if you want to dine in this store, leave your cars somewhere. It would be better to walk towards the store because it's located in a typically pedestrian tourist area.


 ►  General Info

• Location: Calle Bonifacio, Vigan (near Mang Inasal Vigan-Calle Crisologo)



• Store Hours: (To be updated)

• 798th Store in the Philippines: The Dunkin' Vigan is the 798th store of the brand in the Philippines which opened on 2023-Aug-13. This store opened along with other 12 branches in the Philippines including the 799th store in Robinson's Ilocos (San Nicolas) and the 800th store in Laoag.

 ►  Historical Timeline and Updates

• 2023-14-2023: After hearing the news that Dunkin' was officially back in Vigan, I visited the store to take photos of the new returning location. The store is located in a restored ancestral at Calle Bonifacio. Unfortunately, there was a long queue when I visited ths store; so, I decided to just revisit the place some other day. The people of Vigan are probably curious and excited; hence, there was a long queue.

LANGIDEN, ABRA
🇵🇭 VIGAN• Here's a photo of Dunkin' Vigan taken on 2023-Aug-14.
• 2023-13-2023: Dunkin' Donuts made a comeback to Vigan on 2023-August-13 as it opened its news store at Calle Bonifacio. Dunkin' Philippines made a 13x13 celebration by opening 13 new stores in the Philippines on the 13th day of August 2023. Vigan was part of this historic event for the brand. Vigan was tagged as Dunkin' Philippines' 798th store. This day also marked the brand's milestone in achieving their 800th store in Laoag.

LATEST STORIES COVERING [VIGAN] • SEE ALL IN A SEPARATE WINDOW

MORE RELATED BLOGS YOU MIGHT LIKE. SEE TABS BELOW.

▼ ILOCOS SUR▼ LOCAL GUIDES AND REVIEWS▼ UPDATED GUIDES AND REVIEWS

 ►  More 'Ilocos Sur' Blogs



MORE STORIES COVERING 'ILOCOS SUR' | SEE OLDER STORIES

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MORE STORIES COVERING "SHOPPING DIRECTORIES" | SEE OLDER STORIES

MORE TOWNS OR LOCATIONS YOU MIGHT LIKE TO EXPLORE:
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UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST
• 2023-August-14: This post was published.

🇵🇭 VIGAN • Dunkin' Donuts' 798th Store in the Philippines

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I backed out. I couldn't stand what I saw.

• I sneaked a peek at the store, and what I saw made me decide not to enter.

• I do understand the situation. Putting up a business in that area means you have to...

🇵🇭 VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR
DUNKIN' VIGAN

I think that I've been so invested in this Dunkin' Donut store lately; and to give light to that wondering, my motivation to blog has its peak and low points. It just so happened that I got motivated to blog again the past few weeks. Co-incidentally, Dunkin' Donuts store returned in our laid back provincial city. That is probably the reason why I've created more contents about this store than the usual. It became my subject at the momentary height of my blogging mojo.

In another angle, I love browsing Google Local Guides. I love reading people's review there. I am also an avid contributor in that platform. Inspired by the Local Guides concept, I got this idea to do it in my own platform—edmaration.com. I started this idea with the Dunkin' Donuts store in Vigan. I have just published ▼ MY REVIEW

🇵🇭 VIGAN • 2023 Dunkin' Donuts Store Guide And Review

This article features updates, guides, curated information, historical timelines, and significant events about Dunkin' Vigan store.
of that store, but I decided to create a separate post of my narratives. So, here I am, writing this story while Typhoon Goring is flooding us.
DUNKIN' VIGAN STORE
DUNKIN' VIGAN STORE
DUNKIN' VIGAN STORE

 ►  How Did I Learn About the Opening?

I've already heard about the return of Dunkin' in Vigan in our SSC forum, but I didn't know the exact date. I randomly saw a post from a Facebook friend who shared about the opening of the 800th store in Laoag. Curious about what happened, I checked the timeline of Dunkin', and I found out that the brand opened 13 new stores in the Philippines. Their Vigan store was part of the 13x13 event that happened on the 13th of August 2023. I only learned about the opening, though, on the 14th.

At the height of my blog writing mojo, I rushed to check the newly opened store. I was so motivated to create a content that I even planned to make a vlog—though it did not materialize due to some circumstances.

LANGIDEN, ABRA
🇵🇭 VIGAN• The Vigan store of Dunkin' is located inside an old house under the concept of adaptive reuse.
LANGIDEN, ABRA
🇵🇭 VIGAN• The Vigan store of Dunkin' is located inside an old house under the concept of adaptive reuse.
I rode my scooter and searched for the store. Actually, it was relatively hard to find the store because of the limited signage. There were also no "opening decorations" or signs of store opening nearby, although I saw a post of the ribbon cutting of the store where they displayed some opening decorations.

Well, I do understand the situation. Putting up a business in that area means you have to comply with the rules. As far as I know, you cannot display random balloon decorations or just any random ornaments for an extended period of time in the area. It's a highly regulated historic tourist zone. You cannot even display a huge sign board for your business. This is the main reason why it's hard to locate a store in this area if you are a first-timer or a non-resident of Vigan.

 ►  Why Didn't I Enter the Store?

Upon locating the store, the surrounding area was so quiet. It was around 2 PM, a siesta hour. I wondered why people who are eager to visit the newly-opened store were not around. Didn't the people of Vigan hear about it? I sneaked a peek at the store, and what I saw made me decide not to enter.

LANGIDEN, ABRA
🇵🇭 VIGAN• The Vigan store of Dunkin' is located inside an old house under the concept of adaptive reuse.
LANGIDEN, ABRA
🇵🇭 VIGAN• This is the only sign board that gives a hint of the existence of this store in the area.
I backed out. I couldn't stand what I saw.

In contrary to the situation outside, inside the store was a tightly-packed crowd. Oh well, the quiet cobblestone street outside was deceiving.

The queue was long; so, I decided not to enter the store. I didn't want to stress myself with the "opening high" when I could revisit the store in another day.

What I did was just to take photos of the location of the store, and I decided to return some other time to dine inside and to check the store interior.

This blog is about my first encounter with the new Dunkin' store. Welcome back to the heritage city of Vigan, Dunkin'! • END OF STORY

For the updated review of this store, check this link: ▼ 🇵🇭 VIGAN • Dunkin' Donuts Store Guide And Review

🇵🇭 VIGAN • Dunkin' Donuts Store Guide And Review

This article features updates, guides, curated information, historical timelines, and significant events about Dunkin' Vigan store.
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UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST
• 2023-August-28: This post was published.

🇵🇭 VIGAN • Typhoon Goring: Floodwater Musings

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Stuck inside our house with floodwater encircling our now-island house, I was ironically enchanted by this hardship to write down my musings.

• The flood lake stays at the vacant lot near Ayusan-Paoa boundary for...

• 10 years ago, I only had to think about my self. It's amusing how time flies so fast. I'm now in a crossroad where I have to...

🇵🇭 VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR
TYPHOON GORING

I find it interesting that instead of blogging about my previous travels, I've found myself again blogging about a super typhoon. This is the second super typhoon to hit my hometown in a span of a month. Stuck inside our house with floodwater encircling our now-island house, I was ironically enchanted by this hardship to write down my musings.

I'm that type of person whose spring of ideas and introspection disgorge when I'm faced with challenges. From an idle pool of thoughts that occasionally oozes out of random triggers, some serious events that break normalcy give me mental diarrhea of words and introspections.
DUNKIN' VIGAN STORE
DUNKIN' VIGAN STORE
DUNKIN' VIGAN STORE
DUNKIN' VIGAN STORE
DUNKIN' VIGAN STORE
DUNKIN' VIGAN STORE
DUNKIN' VIGAN STORE

 ►  Habagat Season and the Airport Road

I'm trying to compose my thoughts, while I am watching ASAP Natin 'to. Regine Velasquez-Alcasid is singing while I'm typing these words. The rain has stopped momentarily, but the flooding continued. How long?—that, I don't know. The floodwater has never left us for more than a month now since the onslaught of super typhoon Egay.

The habagat season is also the flood season in our residential area. I said "in our residential area" because we are victims of a particular circumstance that involves the road and our location.

It seems like this will continue for months—our annual problem every rainy season. Well, we've been used to it. I just wish that a public engineer would assess our situation. I don't know whose jurisdiction is this. I'm not sure who is tasked to study our problem. Is it DPWH or our City Engineering office?

The Vigan airport road running through Ayusan Sur was elevated, and it followed that the accumulation of rain water east of this road gets stuck with no quick escape route. The elevated road has obstructed the natural flow of water. Our barangay's name "Ayusan" means "channel or a place where water flows." Rain water from the hills of Tamag and Paoa (Mira Hills and Silang Hills) flow through Ayusan on their way to the Pantay River. Our barangay is a gentle slope between the hills and the river.

TYPHOON GORING
🇵🇭 VIGAN• A month after super typhoon Egay, typhoon Goring followed.
This situation is no longer reminiscent of being an "Ayusan." It's now "Layusan." Only fellow Ilocanos could understand the latter quoted word.😅 The flood lake stays at the vacant lot near Ayusan-Paoa boundary for weeks to months; but during rainy season, it becomes a permanent lake. It overflows when there is habagat or a new typhoon, then enters our residential compound—affecting 7 households and about 40 people who are all my relatives (from 3 month-old pamangkin to my 80+ year-old lola).

We only wait for this flood lake to dry through "evaporation." It's the only escape route of the floodwater—natural means, no engineering intervention. 😅⛅️

 ►  Egay versus Goring

What makes typhoon Goring different from Egay is the heavy rainfall. Typhoon Egay was stronger and abrupt. Typhoon Goring was slower but with heavier rainfall.

Fortunately, we didn't have to deal wih power and internet interruptions for typhoon Goring. The only challenge was the overflowing of the floodwater from the flood catchment few steps away from our back door. Floodwater enters our residential area when the catch basin could no longer handle the volume.

TYPHOON GORING
🇵🇭 VIGAN• The floodwater that entered our residential area was above ankle deep.
TYPHOON GORING
🇵🇭 VIGAN• This photo shows the flood lake that was created since typhoon Egay's onslaught. This flood lake never emptied since. The entry of typhoon Goring made the situation worse.
TYPHOON GORING
🇵🇭 VIGAN• Flooding in our area (east of the airport road) has been our yearly encounter for as far as I can remember.
TYPHOON GORING
🇵🇭 VIGAN• Our front yard literally looked "dinaanan ng bagyo."
TYPHOON GORING
🇵🇭 VIGAN• The floodwater has already entered our terrace with random floating objects.

 ►  Ending Thoughts

On this day, I would say I was dead tired from family responsibilities: looking after my sick mom on dialysis, braving the strong rain to buy food supplies from the market and medicines for my mom, and dealing with floodwater.

I started writing this blog earlier at 12 noon while I watched ASAP Natin 'to. I had a lot of stories to write that time, but the momentum was cut when I realized that we've run out of food supplies and medicine stocks for my mom. You know, I plan my mom's diet. Her situation is delicate, so I have to purchase foods that are suitable for her. I also do the cooking. I'm hands on in nursing my mom, but the continuous rain has made me unable to buy for supplies.

As I write this line, it's now 10:51 PM. I have lost all the things I wanted to say, but I'm glad that I was able to write one blog entry tonight.

10 years ago, I only had to think about my self. It's amusing how time flies so fast. I'm now in a crossroad where I have to plan the future ahead of me while looking after my ageing parents. It's a reality that I am not yet ready to face. However, I have the moral duty to face this. Bagyo man ng buhay o bagyong may dalang ulan, kailangan kong kayanin 'to! • END OF STORY

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UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST
• 2023-September-03: This post was published.

🇵🇭 VIGAN • Steak to Juan—2023 Restaurant Guide and Review

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This article features some updates, guides, curated information, historical timelines, and significant events about Steak to Juan Vigan branch.

• Personal insights from my actual visits were included here, and this article will be updated periodically.

• My opinions and reviews are my subjective views during the time of my visit. My opinions and reviews may change by time depending on the circumstances. My opinions don't represent the opinion of my readers and friends.

🇵🇭 VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR
STEAK TO JUAN VIGAN
STEAK TO JUAN VIGAN
STEAK TO JUAN VIGAN
STEAK TO JUAN VIGAN
▼ BLOG REVIEW▼ MENU AND BEVERAGES▼ GENERAL INFO▼ HISTORICAL TIMELINE AND UPDATES

 ►  Blogger's Review and Suggestions

• Customer Service: On 2023-August-28 around 5 PM, I dined inside this store for the first time. I noticed that there were two members of the floor crew and one inside the order booth. There were also crew members inside the kitchen, but I wasn't able to count them. The set-up of this restaurant had a self-service portion on it. In my case, after I found an empty table and chair, I was waiting to see if they would entertain me. However, I also had this idea in me that it should be common sense on my part to take the initiative. Instead of waiting for someone to entertain me, I picked the menu list all by myself. I think that's fair enough. It was self-service on that part. It was not super-expensive fine dining anyway that I had to be self-entitled.

When I asked for a service water, they also directed me to an area where I could get a glass of water. The condiments were also located there.

The crew members were respectful and courteous, though. My only suggestion to them is to be more proactive of the needs of the customers, especially to the senior citizens (like my mom who was with me that time).

Overall, I have no complaints. The situation was manageable. Even though there were a lot of guests that time, they were able to smoothly manage the crowd. Good job!

STEAK TO JUAN VIGAN

• Location and Parking Space: The restaurant is located at Liberation Boulevard. It's very accessible. There is also a wide parking space suitable for both 4 wheels and motorbikes.

This street (Liberation Boulevard) tends to become congested during rush hour. The in-property parking of this restaurant is a great help, since roadside parking can further worsen the traffic during peak hours. The presence of a reasonably wide parking space is a great convenience for the customers. Good job!

STEAK TO JUAN VIGAN

• Interior: The restaurant is not fully-enclosed. Its style is like an al fresco type with open air—but with a main gazebo. It's suitable for people who want open spaces. The walls were decorated with an artful display of prominent personalities. I wasn't sure if these were paintings-on-the-wall.

I love the high ceiling which gave me a perception of a breathable atmosphere and wide space. In my case, such an impression is more relaxing compared to a closed space. Generally speaking, the restaurant is very spacious.

As far as I know, all Steak to Juan branches nationwide have this theme. In my view, the interior is very punky. If this restaurant was about music, it's genre would be rock 'n roll. \m/

STEAK TO JUAN VIGAN
STEAK TO JUAN VIGANSTEAK TO JUAN VIGANSTEAK TO JUAN VIGAN


• Reason to Go Back: I haven't tried their burgers and sandwiches yet. If there would be one reason to go back, that would be to try their burgers and sandwiches.

If you are the owner of this property and would like to add additional information for this page or would like to send an invitation to try your other products, don't hesitate to reach out to me via admin@edmaration.com.

Note: The content of this blog page will be updated once I get new information about this store. You may scroll back to the top to check the contents of the other tabs above.

 ►  Food Review

(1) Beef Steak

Review• Their beef steak has 5 variants. I was able to try their Porterhouse on 2023-August-28. I don't want to sound bad for this restaurant. I will not criticize their food, but I'm going to share my preferences. This is due to the fact that food review is subjective. Each restaurant cannot please everyone. Also, there is a part of an acceptable margin for human error where services cannot perfect the preference of the guest all the time.

In my experience, the crew member inside the cashier booth asked me for the doneness of the food. The options she gave me were medium rare and well-done. I chose the latter. I want well-done meat because I gravitate with a tender consistency.

The food served was appetizing. It was served with radish + carrot salads. I'd just like to add my preference. The reason why I chose the well-done option is because I wanted to get rid of some uncooked blood. The serving given to me was very delicious, but I believe it would have been more delicious in my preference if it was so much well-done with only minimal taints of uncooked blood.

I don't want to sound like a perfectionist, though. My order was "sulit." I swear I was "busog," and I enjoyed the food. In addition to my preference—and definitely this is very subjective—I would have enjoyed it more if the meat was more tender. I admit that I had a little struggle biting and chewing the meat. I think that I should work on my biting and chewing skills. I believe that my biting and chewing skills could be enhanced if I'd start from a softer meat that could be achieved if it was well-cooked or had a longer exposure to heat/fire without getting overcooked.

Next time, I will make sure to bring my eating skills. Mapapalaban na talaga ako next time. The beefsteak I ordered was big enough for me to get fully-charged.

Highlight • I'd like to mention that this serving comes with unlimited rice.

STEAK TO JUAN VIGAN

Price (as of September 2023) • 185-255 pesos

Variations • Ribeye (255), Porterhouse (235), T-Bone (225), Burger Steak (155), Sizzling Beef Mushroom (185).

Star rating •★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ • 6/10

(2) Chicken BBQ

Review • My mom and I also tried their chicken barbecue. I ordered their quarter leg. The chicken serving was very good! The consistency was excellent! 😍 The skin was optimally cooked, suiting my personal preference. This chicken was the main highlight for this eating session for me. I'd prefer this more than the Mang Inasal's version. The price was 135 pesos only with unlimited rice. It was very satisfying mentally and gastronomically.

Highlight • Unlimited rice, tender meat

STEAK TO JUAN VIGAN

Price (as of September 2023) • 135-155 pesos

Variations:• Chicken Teriyaki (155), Chicken Steak (155), Chicken Quarter Leg (135)

Star rating:★★★★★★★☆☆☆ • 7/10

(3) Brewed Iced Tea (Pitcher)

A cold pitcher of brewed iced tea is perfect for their steaks and barbecues. I have nothing much to say about this beverage. It's typical and familiar—something that we all love and are accustomed to.

STEAK TO JUAN VIGAN

Price (as of September 2023): 90 pesos

Star rating:★★★★★★★☆☆☆ • 7/10

This section will be updated once I get to try another product.

How do I rate the food? I rate the food based on the average of these three parameters namely:
• Price to quality: 10/10
• Price to srvice: 10/10
• X-Factor, uniqueness: 10/10

 ►  General Info

• Location: Liberation Boulevard, Vigan City



• Store Hours: 9 AM to 8 PM

• The Vigan branch is their 4th store in the Philippines.

• The store opened on 2023-August-08 (soft opening).


 ►  Historical Timeline and Updates

• 2023-August-28: 28 days after its opening, I visited this store for the first time with my mom. This visit is also the basis of my first review for this restaurant.

STEAK TO JUAN VIGAN
🇵🇭 VIGAN• Here's a photo of Steak to Juan dining area with my mom on my first visit.
• 2023-August-08: This store softly opened on 2023-August-08.

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UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST
• 2023-September-05: This post was published.
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