"We played the same game. We sang the same song. We dreamed the same dream."

Not everything written on this blog is about leisure travel and adventures. I also tend to write personal things here about life. For me, life is also a travel, a journey. As I have mentioned in my old posts, this blog is a diary and I'm writing this now because I want to save memories. I want to pen down how and what I feel right now that a major event concerning my significant others and good old friends just happened. My cousin married our old friend.

[LEGAZPI] ▬ WITH MY COUSIN IN LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY

Time flies so fast. It seems like it was only yesterday when we were kids. My cousin Honey, me, and Toots (her husband now) are kids who grew up in our local church. When we were young, no one of us ever thought that these two will become a couple. You see? Destiny is unpredictable.

My cousin Honey is my kababata. Since we only have 1 year as age gap, we grew up together as kids. We went in the same school. We played the same game. We sang the same song. We dreamed the same dream. So we studied hard even though we are both less in life because we knew how it feels to become a poor kid. Education for both of us is very important because we are both the eldest kids in our families and we felt the need to succeed in order to help our families.

I know her personality. I know if she has a problem. I know if she is happy. And whenever I see her feeling worried or sad, it breaks my heart. Our relationship is so close that since childhood, we only had one serious quarrel. As far as I remember, it only lasted for 2 days. It was my cousin who first approached me then the quarrel is over. After that, no more serious misunderstanding came.

In the church, we have this little boy named Toots. His older sisters are actually our close friends with my cousin. Toots just seemed to be an ordinary boy back then. He is the youngest of 10 children. We knew him but he wasn't a part of our circle of friends by which her two sisters belonged. Until we entered the music team of our local church. We became adults. Yes, we grew up in the music ministry. We played the guitar, the keyboard, the drums and we sang too with live band. From there, the rest was history.

[BAGUIO] ▬ WITH TOOTS IN BAGUIO CITY

We consider Toots as an old friend. But never in my imagination that they will end up in marriage. Love really moves in mysterious ways and I think God was the reason for everything because He was writing their love story.

Few days before the wedding, my cousin slept in my room. That was the last time she slept in my room as single. We are so much close that each of us knows where our stretchmarks are located. But there is nothing permanent in this world. It will never be the same again because she'll soon get married. This is the reality. It's mixed emotions. But I am happy because I never felt this fear when I learned that she is marrying Toots. I know she'll be in good hands.

[VIGAN] ▬ JUST MARRIED!

[VIGAN] ▬ CALLE CRISOLOGO

I saw how my cousin changed when she had a relationship with Toots. That weak girl became mature and I thank God for being the best matchmaker.

Well, I was encouraged to write this post when Michelle, Toot's sister (who happens to be one of my closest friends) posted a comment on facebook saying, "My brother married my best friend." This line I think is full of beautiful meanings and memories. How I wish I owned the line.

Maybe this is just a separation anxiety. That feeling when you know it will never be the same old time again. You know you already have the limitations because my cousin is Toot's personal property now (haha!). However, I am very glad that we enjoyed our time together as cousins. So I have no regrets. We cried together. We laughed together. We dreamed together of traveling the world someday. However, this is the reality God has designed. And I know somewhere in my heart, it will still exude the old memories.

I can't actually express myself how happy I am for both of them. So I am writing this now to unload the emotions. I really thank the Lord big time for giving the forever. Toots and Honey will be united as one forever. But no one is a loser. God also made it sure that Honey and I will always be my cousins forever! No matter what! ▬ end

[OLONGAPO] ▬ THE HONEYMOON: HOT COUPLE RIGHT?

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

___________________________________________________

Honey Lynn Antiporda and Toots Atinaja (real name is a secret, LOL) tied the knot on 08 My 2015. Congratulations to both of you! Best wishes! Thanks to Rhea Atinaja and to the newly wed couple for some of the photos I borrowed here.

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Map showing the Location of [N/A]

YOU MIGHT LIKE: RECENTLY UPDATED ENTRIES

[BANGUED] ▬ KIDS WEARING TINGUIAN TRADITIONAL COSTUME

Prior to the start of the cultural night I observed what's going on around. I am seeing many Tinguian people representing proudly their sub-tribes. I know how hard to reach some of their villages but they're all here with one purpose - to showcase their beautiful culture and heritage.

Armed with dances and rites they inherited from their ancestors, I know this will penetrate my soul. I don't want to appear OA but whenever I see cultural rites and dances depicting the identity of the people, I have this tendency to cry because I treat traditional dances as a pure form of love of the people's culture and heritage whenever they do it.

[BANGUED] ▬ SOUVENIR PHOTO OUTSIDE THE GYMNASIUM PRIOR TO THE START OF THE SHOW

I took the opportunity to see the cultural dancers up close. They all looked beautiful. They have this batek placed on their heads. Some male performers are wearing the baag too. There are also Ilocano performers. You know, Abra is the land where both the Ilocanos and Itneg tribes live in harmony.

[BANGUED] ▬ A YOUNG GENERATION OF THE BEAUTIFUL ITNEG PEOPLE

I photographed them after asking permission. The female Itneg young people all looked beautiful with their costumes. I was somehow happy to see that the culture continues to be practiced by them. Kawayan Festival has become a medium to showcase this for the world to know.

I went inside the gymnasium and waited for the show. The first performers came. I thought it would just be an ordinary cultural show. It was extraordinary! How come I underestimated this? Shame on me!

The lights on the stage set the house on fire. Lively. Colorful. State-of-the-art production was revealed by the lights and sounds I was witnessing that time.

[BANGUED] ▬ THE START EVEN GAVE ME GOOSEBUMPS

[BANGUED] ▬ REPRESENTING THE ITNEG CULTURE

[BANGUED] ▬ REPRESENTING THE ILOCANO CULTURE

[BANGUED] ▬ INDUSTRIOUS ILOCANOS ILLUSTRATED THROUGH DANCE

[BANGUED] ▬ THIS IS THE SAKUTING RITE FROM DOLORES TOWN

[BANGUED] ▬ SAKUTING DANCE ILLUSTRATES THE WAR OF FAITH BETWEEN THE ILOCANO AND ITNEG PEOPLE IN ABRA. THE TWO GROUPS OF PEOPLE EVENTUALLY ACHIEVED UNITY WHEN THE TRIBES WERE CHRISTIANIZED.

[BANGUED] ▬ THIS GROUP PERFORMS ILOCANO CULTURAL DANCE.

[BANGUED] ▬ THIS GROUP MADE THE STAGE COLORFUL.

[BANGUED] ▬ AN ILOCANO COURTSHIP DANCE

[BANGUED] ▬ THIS GROUP USED PROPS VERY WELL

[BANGUED] ▬ A TINGUIAN COURTING AN ILOCANA

[BANGUED] ▬ LIFE IN THE FARM SHOWN IN ART

[BANGUED] ▬ PERFORMERS FROM BUCAY TOWN

[BANGUED] ▬ TINGUIAN DANCE MOVES

[BANGUED] ▬ A TRIBAL RITE

[BANGUED] ▬ TINGUIAN FEMALE DANCERS CARRYING EARTHEN JARS

[BANGUED] ▬ GRACEFUL MOVES

[BANGUED] ▬ THEY DANCED WELL WITH THE JARS

There are many groups who performed. Some came from Abra's far-flung municipalities. There are courtship dance, sakuting dance, tribal rite and dance in asking rain from the gods and many more.

I was surprised even more how rich the culture of Abra is. Very rich. Very unique. Their identity and culture make Abra a very interesting province to love and take care. ▬ to be continued...

[UP NEXT] ▬ WE WOKE UP VERY EARLY FOR THIS. WHAT'S THIS?

► ABRA MARCH 2015 TRAVEL SERIES

We woke up early because we heard that there is an interesting place in town that closes early too on the same day. So what we did here? Hang on for Part 7.

___________________________________________________

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] This experience was made possible through Vice Governor Chari Bersamin who invited us to witness the Abra Kawayan Festival. With me is fellow travel blogger Estan Cabigas of langyaw.com.

[2] The map I used below is courtesy of Eugene Villar on Wikipedia.

Source:
[1] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3APh_locator_map_abra.png
[2] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ph_locator_abra_bangued.png
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Map Showing the Location of #Bangued

CLICK TO DISPLAY LATEST ENTRIES COVERING ABRA. MAP © EUGENE VILLAR — CLICK MAP TO DISPLAY LATEST ENTRIES COVERING ABRA.

CLICK MAP TO DISPLAY LATEST ENTRIES COVERING ABRA.

"I observed how they prepare this popular soup dish. They just prepare everything right before your eyes. I saw bones, mainly skulls, in a stainless basin."

[BANGUED, ABRA, PHILIPPINES]▬ Our host said we have to wake up early to be able to experience what this soup dish found in Brgy Patucannay has to offer the best way. I already have an idea what is this. But somehow, the feeling is different whenever I experience it in Abra.

[BANGUED] ▬ STEAM COMING OUT FROM THE HOT SOUP

With the determination to wake-up early, I set my alarm, took a deep breathe then allowed my body to sleep. I should have become more nocturnal a li'l bit but yeah, I'll be in Patucannay tomorrow so I have to be an early bird. Uh, thanks conscience. You are a great driving force made by God, not science. At least my conscience has to remind me that I can ruin the whole day if I have to let others wait for me.

Anyway, challenge accepted. You know, if you are a social media type of guy or the cool-er blogger type, you'll love to take advantage of the faster internet connection later at night when this bunch of some freakin' high school facebook users posting crying selfies of not being able to buy ticket for One Direction concert are asleep! Deymn! Imagine? You have to sacrifice for them just to get rid of these young freakin' facebook generation? That's just my idea anyway. Let's go back to Patucannay.

[BANGUED] ▬ GOOD MORNING ABRA VALLEY!!!

Then the next day came. "Good morning Abra!", my conscience squealed. I made it. The magnificent view of Mt Bullagao triggered these neurochemicals to give me that excitement and the rush. The view from the hotel terrace was really an effective stimulus to make me sing the high school rhyme/song, "I'm alert, awake, alive, enthusiastic (repeat 2x). I'm alert, awake, alive (repeat 3x) enthusiastic"! Pak!

Suddenly, the service car is there. We're ready to go to Patucannay!

[BANGUED] ▬ HOW THEY PREPARE THIS SOUP DISH

We reached Patucannay still hearing some cocks crowing. Our guide-hosts asked where is that house serving that soup dish. Then we saw a house.

"So, a house?" I said to myself. It seemed like there are no restaurants here, let alone a carinderia. But this house went out of the norm. You do not need a fancy restaurant if you got that kick-ass recipe. Confirmed. This house is the Baldera's pansitan.

In Abra, they have this soup dish they call as pansit or miki. In Patucannay, Baldera's pansitan is the house to find. As early as 6 AM, people are here. Maybe this house offers the best miki in town.

[BANGUED] ▬ SWINE SKULL, COULD ALSO BE CATTLE'S

I observed how they prepare this popular soup dish. They just prepare everything right before your eyes. I saw bones, mainly skulls, in a stainless basin. They boil this to extract those tasteful bone marrows. The water becomes a part of the soup.

Usually, the most common ingredients for this miki are the noodles (usually home-made, made of flour) and pork. Egg is an option. It can be boiled, or just mixed in the soup.

[BANGUED] ▬ MIKI NOODLES

[BANGUED] ▬ PORK

[BANGUED] ▬ WITH THE EGG

[BANGUED] ▬ LEFT: MIKI WITHOUT SOUP, RIGHT: MIKI WITH SOUP

[BANGUED] ▬ CHILLY ADD-ON

[BANGUED] ▬ MIKI NOODLE SOUP IS READY TO EAT

[BANGUED] ▬ MIKI EATERS QUEUEING

Atchuete is the reason for the color of the soup. It's not miki anymore without the identifying color. I can't remember the cost of one big bowl. But usually, it ranges from 30-60 pesos depending on the ingredients and the size of the serving.

The reason why we have to come here early is because they run out of supply fast. So at noon, the miki house is already closed because of these great number of miki eaters that come here.

This was as good as breakfast. Now we have the energy to continue for the next activities of the day. ▬ to be continued...

[UP NEXT] ▬ TAKING SELFIE BEFORE THE START OF THE GREAT CULTURAL ACTIVITY.

[UP NEXT] ▬ I TOOK A SELFIE NOW THAT THE STREET IS STILL EMPTY.

► ABRA MARCH 2015 TRAVEL SERIES

With a tummy solved and a body energized, we went straight to the provincial capitol of Abra. The street is still empty so I took a selfie because later on, this place will be crowded. What will happen here? Hang on for Part 8.

___________________________________________________

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] This experience was made possible through Vice Governor Chari Bersamin who invited us to witness the Abra Kawayan Festival. With me is fellow travel blogger Estan Cabigas of langyaw.com.

[2] The maps I used below are the works of Mike Gonzalez and Eugene Alvin Villar on Wikipedia. Source: 1 | 2

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Map Showing the Location of #Bangued

CLICK TO DISPLAY LATEST ENTRIES COVERING ABRA. MAP © EUGENE VILLAR MAP © MIKE GONZALEZ — CLICK MAP TO DISPLAY LATEST ENTRIES COVERING ABRA.

"No million-dollar dance show can ever fathom the depth of the meaning of the dances their ancestors wanted them to execute."

[BANGUED, ABRA, PHILIPPINES]▬ That great day in Abra came. There was no Hollywood star, no pop icon, no charismatic political figure, no teen superstar but there are simple people. They wrapped themselves with the glory of their heritage, looked good. They wore their best smile. Their colorful clothes shone with greatness. The greatness turns to fire. The fire turns to clarity. The spirit of peace is manifesting. The simple people became timeless treasures themselves!

[BANGUED] ▬ THIS ITNEG TRIBE CARRIES WITH THEM THE KAWAYAN OR BAMBOO

No chart-topping hit song can ever parallel the timelessness of their traditional music. No million-dollar dance show can ever fathom the depth of the meaning of the dances their ancestors wanted them to execute. This day is simply ethereal, divine. This is the province of Abra. Welcome to the cultural paradise!

Although this festival is a big picture of the rich culture of the province of Abra, the creators of this festival made it sure that at least one product shall receive the attention that it deserves. It is the bamboo(kawayan in Ilocano) which gained the prime spot.

[BANGUED] ▬ BAMBOO IS A STAR IN THE POOL OF LOCAL PRODUCTS IN ABRA.

[BANGUED] ▬ THE TRIBE'S MARCHING IN.

The people of Abra have come up with many products made from bamboo. The resiliency of this tall grass reflects the resiliency of the people of Abra too. In spite of the hardships in life some of our brethren in Abra are experiencing, they still survive without sacrificing the values their ancestor taught them. They used bamboo, a natural resource linked to their culture, for them to survive, to create music and to build a community. These bamboos are not simply about the local products that some businessmen are marketing for profit. Bamboo is one big plant that has helped mold the culture of the people.

For the Kawayan Festival, street dancers have with them these bamboos while they dance and sing from the heart. With them are bamboo products that speak deep to the soul. The geometric patterns on their woven baskets made of thin and floppy bamboo sticks signify that their inherent artistry is so alive.

[BANGUED] ▬ THESE STREET DANCERS SMILE FROM THE HEART.

[BANGUED] ▬ HUGE BAMBOOS

[BANGUED] ▬ THE BAMBOO PROPS ARE JUST LOVELY.

[BANGUED] ▬ FORMATION IN FRONT OF THE CAPITOL

[BANGUED] ▬ AND YES, THEY CAN DANCE.

[BANGUED] ▬ THE HUT COMES.

[BANGUED] ▬ PULLING THE HUT

But not everything is bamboo here. If the creators of the festival made it sure to highlight their bamboo products, the universe conspired to equally highlight the culture and heritage that define who they are.

I observed keenly from the heart and I noticed that every move that they make is a passion. It seems like they're not just doing it for a show. I feel like they are doing this because they are obligated to preserve the good traditions that they can be proud of.

From the mountains to the valley, there's an inheritance that can't be touched. However, this inheritance can touch your heart. You can't see it but your can feel it.

[BANGUED] ▬ THE MOVES THEY MAKE IS AN INHERITANCE.

[BANGUED] ▬ THE CHEERFUL HEART EXPRESSED IN HUGE SMILE

[BANGUED] ▬ RAISING THE BIGA-O MADE OF BAMBOO

[BANGUED] ▬ NO HOT WEATHER WAS ABLE TO STOP THEM.

[BANGUED] ▬ THE STREET NEVER BECAME DULL.

[BANGUED] ▬ THE ABRENIAN SMILE!

[BANGUED] ▬ IN FRONT OF THE ABRA CAPITOL IS A VISUAL FEAST OF ARTS.

[BANGUED] ▬ ANOTHER CULTURAL TROUPE RAISING THE BIGA-O AS PROPS

[BANGUED] ▬ LABBA CONTAINING A FABRIC WOVEN IN ABRA

[BANGUED] ▬ THE FESTIVAL FEET

[BANGUED] ▬ FESTIVAL GIRL

[BANGUED] ▬ THE TRIBES ARE COMING.

Kawayan Festival happens on the foundation day of Abra as an independent Philippine province.

The festival features the culture and heritage of every town including the Ilocano people who co-exist with the Itneg tribes. Expect that there is no common dance steps and traditional sounds playing on the street. In fact, it is very diverse. You'll see that each town has an identity to share. Indeed, in Abra, there's unity in diversity.

[BANGUED] ▬ THE SAKUTING DANCERS OF DOLORES TOWN

[BANGUED] ▬ A GIRL FROM THE SAKUTING DANCERS

[BANGUED] ▬ DOLORES IS KNOWN FOR THE SAKUTING DANCE.

[BANGUED] ▬ THE ILOCANOS ARRIVE!

[BANGUED] ▬ THE ILOCANO DANCES HAVE SPACE IN THIS FESTIVAL, IN FACT, HUGE.

After a fulfilling experience, Elric, a friend from Abra and I went straight to the Abra grandstand where the grandest show will happen.

[BANGUED] ▬ SELFIEING WHILE ON THE ROAD TO THE GRANDSTAND

[BANGUED] ▬ GROUFIEING WITH FESTIVAL DANCERS FROM LANGIDEN TOWN

[BANGUED] ▬ THEY'RE HERE FOR THE FINAL GRAND SHOW.

[BANGUED] ▬ THIS IS THE ABRENIAN CHARM.

After the street dancing, all the festival delegates went to the Abra grandstand for the final showdown. It was more like a field demonstration which is as impressive as the street pageantry.

[BANGUED] ▬ THE FIELD DEMONSTRATION

All ended up in the Abra grandstand. They gave their best shot. The grandstand became a kingdom of life, love and unity. ▬ to be continued...

[UP NEXT] ▬ THIS IS THE FESTIVAL FINALE. WHAT'S THIS?

► ABRA MARCH 2015 TRAVEL SERIES

This long series is almost done. So do you want to see the colors of the festival finale? Hang on for Part 9.

___________________________________________________

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

This experience was made possible through Vice Governor Chari Bersamin who invited us to witness the Abra Kawayan Festival. With me is fellow travel blogger Estan Cabigas of langyaw.com.
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Map Showing the Location of #Bangued

"They have proven that the province of Abra is a sterling destination for mountain culture lovers."

[BANGUED, ABRA, PHILIPPINES]▬ This series is very long. This is the 9th and the last installment. I think I've already poured out all the words from my heart since Part 1. I don't know what to say now. I think I've said everything I want to say. I think. But yeah, still, this is Abra. Its great surprises have actually put many words in my mind. That maybe the reason why this experience last March ended with 9 long articles. Without such surprises, it would definitely be hard to squeeze out the creative juice.

[BANGUED] ▬ BAMBOO FLOAT PARADE IS THE FINALE EVENT FOR THE KAWAYAN FESTIVAL 2015.

Today's highlight is the parade of Bamboo floats. The towns in Abra participated in the event. Some towns joined together to create just 1 float while some towns have their own float each.

I was in front of the Abra Capitol. It was the hottest part of the area because it has no shade. The sunlight directly scorched my skin. The sunblock lotion wasn't enough. You know, no one ever dared to stay where I was staying because of the direct sunlight. But I endured it. Anyway, I knew I was at the best spot to take photos.

[BANGUED] ▬ FLOAT OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF LAGAYAN

The float from the municipality of Lagayan had its turn. Standing on the bamboo float are river fishermen showing proudly their catch—palileng and igat. Like the other towns in Abra, Lagayan is rich in water wonders and resources. Its rivers abound with fish they call as palileng and an eel they call as igat. So this is what the town of Lagayan showcased in their float.

[BANGUED] ▬ FLOAT OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF BUCLOC

[BANGUED] ▬ CULTURAL DANCERS FOLLOWED THE BUCLOC FLOAT.

[BANGUED] ▬ BUCLOC TOWN BROUGHT ITS YOUNGEST CULTURAL STREET DANCERS.

[BANGUED] ▬ YOUNG TRIBESMEN DOING THE RITUAL DANCE WITH THEIR GONGS

[BANGUED] ▬ THEY ARE THE PUBLIC SERVANTS OF BUCLOC.

[BANGUED] ▬ THEY ARE PERFORMING THEIR TRADITIONAL DANCE TOO.

The town of Bucloc, inhabited by the Masadiit sub-tribe, gave their best in this parade. Their float was followed by the dancing tribe which made their presence stellar. The public servants of the town also joined the parade. They wore pink clothes and they executed their traditional dance as they pass in front of the Abra Capitol.

[BANGUED] ▬ FLOAT OF THE TOWNS OF SALLAPADAN AND DAGUIOMAN

[BANGUED] ▬ SIDE VIEW OF THEIR FLOAT

[BANGUED] ▬ BAMBOO PRODUCTS AT THE BACK OF THEIR FLOAT

The towns of Sallapadan and Daguioman are adjacent to each other. The two towns joined together for this float.

The three towns at the west part of the province of Abra namely San Isidro, Villaviciosa and Pilar also have a common float.

[BANGUED] ▬ PILAQUIN: PIDIGAN, LANGIDEN AND SAN QUINTIN TOWNS

[BANGUED] ▬ PILAQUIN FLOAT WITH A WOMAN HANDLING A BOLO

[BANGUED] ▬ BACK OF THE PILAQUIN FLOAT

The float of PILAQUIN shows bravery. A woman handles a bolo. At the back of the float is the name of a heroine. Pidigan townsfolk claim that Gabriela Silang is from their town. Gabriela is a revolutionary hero who fought for freedom in colonial times.

[BANGUED] ▬ MUSLIM BRETHREN

[BANGUED] ▬ MUSLIM COMMUNITY OF ABRA

This day is not all about the bamboo floats. It also showed how Abra maintains harmony among the different cultures. When I saw these Muslim brethren, my heart melted. I did not expect that there is an organized community of Muslims in Abra. I thought that Abra only has the Ilocanos (mostly Christians) and the Itneg tribes. I was wrong. The Muslim minority live with the Ilocanos and the Itneg people with peace and harmony.

[BANGUED] ▬ THE FLOAT OF THE TOWNS OF LUBA AND TUBO

[BANGUED] ▬ SIDE VIEW OF THE FLOAT

[BANGUED] ▬ FEATURING THE TAGPAO FALLS FOUND IN THE HINTERLANDS OF TUBO

The two southern towns of Tubo and Luba also had their share. Their float featured the Tagpao Falls, probably one of the highest in Abra (I've been to this waterfall and it required us to hike at least 8 mountains/ridges for 3 days and 2 nights to reach it).

[BANGUED] ▬ THE FLOAT OF THE TOWNS OF LACUB AND MALIBCONG

[BANGUED] ▬ THE CHILDREN OF LACUB/MALIBCONG ON BOARD A FLOAT

[BANGUED] ▬ BACK OF LACUB/MALIBCONG'S FLOAT

Lacub and Malibcong are tribal towns. The latter is an ancestral domain of three tribes: Mabaka, Gubang and Banao while the former is inhabited mostly by the Binongan tribe.

Check out more photos below.

[BANGUED] ▬ THE FLOAT OF SAN JUAN TOWN

[BANGUED] ▬ THIS ONE IS FROM LA PAZ.

[BANGUED] ▬ FROM THE TOWN OF LA PAZ

[BANGUED] ▬ TINEG'S FLOAT FEATURES THE ENDANGERED AND EXPENSIVE LUDONG FISH.

[BANGUED] ▬ FROM THE TOWN OF BOLINEY

[BANGUED] ▬ BOLINEY'S COWBOY

[BANGUED] ▬ LICUAN-BAAY TOWN'S PIECE

[BANGUED] ▬ AS USUAL, DOLORES TOWN FEATURES THEIR SAKUTING FESTIVAL.

[BANGUED] ▬ SAKUTING DANCERS ON THE FLOAT

[BANGUED] ▬ SAKUTING DANCE STREET DEMO

My personal favorite here is the float from Dolores. Their bamboo float spewed smoke adding drama to their piece. The float also swayed like wave while the tribesmen do their dance rituals.

I intended to flood this post with photos because I want to show everyone the efforts made by each participant in giving us the idea what these Abra towns have to offer through the floats they made.

Each town did a great job. They have proven that the province of Abra is a sterling destination for mountain culture lovers. ▬ end of series

[END] ▬ THANK YOU ABRA FOR THIS WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE!

► ABRA MARCH 2015 TRAVEL SERIES

This is the end of the series. To all who followed this, my big gratitude. I hope you will follow again my next blog series. I have more to come.

___________________________________________________

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] This experience was made possible through Vice Governor Chari Bersamin who invited us to witness the Abra Kawayan Festival. With me is fellow travel blogger Estan Cabigas of langyaw.com.

[2] The map I used below is courtesy of Eugene Villar on Wikipedia. Source: 1 | 2

[3] Erratum: Pardon the photo watermarks. All photos here were taken on 08 March 2015.
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Map Showing the Location of #Bangued

[TV APPEARANCE] ▬ THE TRAVEL BLOGGER TAG ON SCREEN.

[TV APPEARANCE] ▬ SPEAKING ABOUT WHAT MAKES ILOCOS SUR TOURISM DIFFERENT

The screenshots above are from the video clip of PTV Ylocos Channel 4. It was aired in their local version of PTV's flagship news Teledyaryo. The news was reported by Seane Batin and was anchored by Michael Escobar. The news was in Ilocano.

My two blogs were shown in the news—Explore Ilocos and EDMARATION #TownExplorer. The former is the one I launched about 2 years ago dedicated for Ilocos travel, lifestyle and culture. My target audience for that blog are the Ilocanos especially those who are living abroad or living/working outside Ilocos. I put up that blog with the purpose to unite all Ilocanos everywhere in the blogosphere and inform them the latest trends of the place where they grew up in terms of lifestyle and culture. My ultimate goal is to transform that blog into an online community of Ilocanos from all over the world.

My latter blog is a travel blog I launched in February 2011. My early articles in that blog were all about Ilocos but it expanded eventually when I started traveling all over the Philippines from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. However, if you are a regular follower of edmaration.com, you'll notice that I don't have articles about Mindanao and I have few about Visayas. The reason is, I still want to focus in Northern Luzon especially Ilocos. But since I've already put-up my exploreilocos.com, I've started writing about places outside Ilocos but I'm doing it gradually. First in Northern Luzon then my travels and adventures in Visayas and Mindanao will follow.

[TV APPEARANCE] ▬ NEWS ANCHOR MICHAEL ESCOBAR GIVING LEADS FOR THE NEWS

[TV APPEARANCE] ▬ MY BLOG EXPLORE ILOCOS BEING FLASHED ON THE SCREEN

I learned that someone from PTV Ylocos stumbled upon my blog. After that, I received an invitation from the TV Network if I am willing to be interviewed. I didn't hesitate to say yes.

I am their featured guest for their program "Ilocano Achiever" which features exceptional Ilocanos who've contributed something in the society on their own way. On my part, I've been advocating for heritage preservation and tourism in Ilocos Sur through my blog.

To my surprise, aside from the said TV program I mentioned above, their field reporter who interviewed me made a story from our conversation so it was included in their line-up of news that day.

[TV APPEARANCE] ▬ TAGUDIN CHURCH FROM MY EDMARATION.COM BLOG SHOWN ON SCREEN

The news title says: "Maysa a Travel Blogger, Itantandudona Dagiti Tourist Spots ti Ilocos Sur: which means "A Travel Blogger Promotes/Takes Pride of the Tourist Spots of Ilocos Sur." Below is the clip courtesy of PTV Ylocos Channel 4. The translation is written below the video.

ANCHOR - MICHAEL ESCOBAR: A travel blogger from Vigan prioritizes the promotion of the beautiful destinations in the province of Ilocos Sur as well as in the neighboring provinces. Seane Batin for the report.

REPORTER - SEANE BATIN: A travel blogger takes pride of the beautiful province of Ilocos Sur because of the exceptional view of the tourist destinations of each municipality. There are paradise-like beaches, pleasing rivers and waterfalls of the upland municipalities and the kindness of the people of Ilocos Sur. According to Edmar Guquib, he has chosen to promote the place where he grew up because he knows that there are many places in Ilocos Sur that are as good as (or better than) the tourist destinations of the other provinces.

ME - EDMAR GUQUIB: Here in Ilocos Sur, it is really different [because the community has a participation in the promotion of tourism.] The community is aware of their heritage. They know that their heritage and culture are their asset. That's why it is not just a simple tourist destination... the tourist destinations that you see around are part of the life of every Ilocano and Ilocos Sur residents. It's part of our daily living so it is really hard to take away from them... from us, Ilocanos.

Reporter: The likes of Edmar as a travel blogger has a big help in strengthening the tourism in Ilocos Sur. As a result of a strong tourism, more opportunities will open for the businessmen of the province and for the economy. Also, one of the advantages of this (blogging) is to show to the world the continuous progress of the province of Ilocos Sur and the preservation of the culture and traditions inherited from our ancestors by those living in the upland municipalities. ▬ end

[END] ▬ BEHIND THE SCENE

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] The news clip uploaded herein is from PTV Ylocos Channel 4. I do not own the video.

[2] The news herein is just an excerpt from the whole interview that will be aired in a separate program called "Ilocano Achiever" also in PTV.

___________________________________________________|| Do you want to post a comment now? Click here to jump to the comment section.

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[BAGUIO] ▬ MY ROOM IN AZALEA RESIDENCES SLASH HOTEL

So today, I'm a guest of a hotel and a vacation destination called Azalea Residences. This is it.

I don't know how to go to Azalea so I just hired a taxicab and asked the driver to bring me there. This is the first day. Just before we reached the Teachers Camp and a few minutes after I saw the allegedly haunted Laperal House at my right, the driver made a left turn to Leonard Wood Loop. The latter road is narrower than usual. It was steep. The road entrance was lined with Korean restaurants and some business establishments. At the end of the road, it was like, whoah—pleasing, spacious dead end that made me forget the traffic jam downtown. There was peace. Relaxing. From here, a VIP vacation has began. I said VIP because it was what I felt—like a VIP guest.

[BAGUIO] ▬ BAR IN THE HOTEL'S LOBBY

[BAGUIO] ▬ MY WORKSPACE IN AZALEA

[BAGUIO] ▬ A CUP OF COFFEE FROM AZALEA

I proceeded to the front office and someone named JC talked to me warmly. I am the first blogger-guest to arrive. I introduced myself that I am one of the bloggers they've invited to experience summer in Baguio as well as staycation-ing in Azalea. My name was asked and my ID was checked. Then they've told me, "You're room is 311." While waiting, I was asked if I want coffee. I didn't think twice. I said yes. There is a bar in the side of the hotel lobby where I sat down comfortably and had a sip of coffee. I even tweeted these:

[BAGUIO] ▬ Good morning Baguio! Sipping a coffee c/o @AzaleaResidence pic.twitter.com/CcwEKAPmUI
— #TownExplorer (@edmaration) May 15, 2015

[BAGUIO] ▬ My workspace at Azalea! pic.twitter.com/Zysa6UGXGB
— #TownExplorer (@edmaration) May 15, 2015

Few minutes after, JC assisted and accompanied me to my room. JC opened the door for me. The lights turned on in sync with the ceiling fan. The room was spacious and inviting.

[BAGUIO] ▬ OH YEAH, I HAVE MY OWN KITCHEN

[BAGUIO] ▬ THE SALA BED. OH YES, THERE ARE OTHER TWO ROOMS INSIDE THIS ROOM.

[BAGUIO] ▬ THE BED FROM ONE OF THE ROOMS, LOCATED INSIDE A ROOM

[BAGUIO] ▬ LOOK AT THAT!

Inside the room, I felt like I'm a VIP again. This is probably one of the best rooms in Azalea. I felt privileged. This staycation kicks ass.

Suddenly, someone called me to ask if I want some lunch. How can I say no? But I asked for breakfast because I haven't taken my breakfast yet due to the 6-hour bus ride to Baguio. My wish was their command. So sweet, I even received a basket of fruits.

[BAGUIO] ▬ MY AZALEA BREAKFAST

The moment I opened my laptop, I tweeted this:

[BAGUIO] ▬ as of 2:30 PM, receiving the basket of fruits here at Azalea. So sweet! pic.twitter.com/Lgcp5BpNVn
— #TownExplorer (@edmaration) May 15, 2015

You know, there is a kitchen inside the room. There is a sala. There is a dining corner and there are two more bedrooms all inside room 311.

I picked some strawberries and an orange. I opened the television and had fun. All these things happened for a span of 5 hours. The succeeding hours (and days) are another story. I felt like a king. I'll stay here for 3 days and 2 nights. There are more stories to tell after this first 5 hours. This is just the beginning. ▬ to be continued...

[UP NEXT] ▬ FOUND OUT A PLACE FOR MY ILOCANO FOOD CRAVINGS

► BLOG SERIES: AZALEA SUMMER GETAWAY IN BAGUIO

Part 2 Teaser: After a pampering stay in Azalea for the very first day, I was informed that we'll be going somewhere. This must be for a dinner. Guess what. I felt like home. I've found my Ilocano comfort food here. Stories will be published in Part 2.

Part 1 |

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] This experience was made possible through Azalea Residences Hotel in Baguio City. I was invited to experience the Azalea hospitality. My big gratitude to Azalea management. More power!

[2] Special thanks to Paul, Therese, JC and Rachelle for their kindness and hospitality. The tourism industry badly needs people like you.

[3] I accept invitations from business establishments for promotional purposes or commissioned works as long as they are related to travel and tourism industries.

[4] The maps I used below are the works of Eugene Alvin Villar and Mike Gonzalez published on Wikipedia. Source: 1 | 2

Map Showing the Location of #Baguio

CLICK TO DISPLAY LATEST ENTRIES COVERING BENGUET. MAP © EUGENE ALVIN VILLAR AND MIKE GONZALEZ — CLICK MAP TO DISPLAY LATEST ENTRIES COVERING BENGUET.

MORE TOWNS IN 'CORDILLERA' YOU MIGHT LIKE TO EXPLORE

Thank you for visiting my travel blog!

EDMAR GUQUIB, Travel Blogger
EDMARATION #TownExplorer

"This restaurant highlights the Ilocos heritage and culture in spite of the fact that it's located in Baguio City."

[BAGUIO, BENGUET, PHILIPPINES]▬ The day was old. Neon lights start to brighten this chilly city in the mountains of Benguet. The rush hour congested the curling roads. The grey tourist van where I boarded brought us to an unfamiliar route in Baguio.

[BAGUIO] ▬ SINANGLAO, A FOOD ILOCANOS CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IS HERE.

▬ Thoughts on Board a Van ▬

BASED ON MY OBSERVATION, THE road is not a major artery. It winded up on a mixed-used hilly terrain dotted with both residential and commercial establishments. The site seemed darker compared with the bright streets of Session and Harrison. But the foregoing won't hinder our way to a restaurant called Kalapaw.

The first time I read the name of this restaurant on the itinerary given us, I knew this has something to do with Ilocano cuisines. I said so because kalapaw is an Ilocano word for hut. The owners of the restaurant, I think, won't take that brand name for nothing, for something unrelated.

The van stopped. On my left is an establishment with well-lighted interior. At my right is a vacant lot—sandwiched by concrete houses—where the tourist vans parked. My fellow bloggers rushed to get out of the van. They've brought out their cameras and that time, I knew that the establishment at my left is the destination. They've taken photos excitedly that the street in front of the restaurant turned crowded.

[BAGUIO] ▬ THE RESTAURANT HAS A LITTLE SIGNBOARD.

At first look, it didn't look like a restaurant—based on my standard of a typical restaurant with glass doors and big and colorful sign boards—but I knew this is already the Kalapaw Restaurant. The sign board was hiding that I didn't notice it immediately.

[BAGUIO] ▬ THE RESTAURANT INTERIOR

▬ The Interior ▬

THE RESTAURANT LOOKS DIFFERENT COMPARED with the other restaurants I've seen. Its name speaks for its design externally and internally.

The walls may have been concreted but you can see that the ceiling is made of light materials like bamboo and nipa leaves to name a few.

Glaring hangers in spherical form added elegance to this kalapaw-looking restaurant. Bamboos are also present. Piles of woven dried nipa leaves serve as ceiling while benches with calesa cartwheels are eye-catchy.

[BAGUIO] ▬ LONG TABLE UNDER A LIGHT-EMITTING SILVER SPHERE

[BAGUIO] ▬ CUSTOMERS WAIT FOR THEIR ORDERS WITH A NIFTY INTERIOR AROUND.

I walked near the buffet table and I noticed these capiz windows reminding me of the numerous ancestral houses in while the cartwheels remind me of the calesas of that are still running the streets for centuries now.

Old photos of Ilocos churches like the are framed and displayed near the buffet table. This restaurant highlights the Ilocos heritage and culture through food and art in spite of the fact that it's located in Baguio City.

[BAGUIO] ▬ ABOUT TWO PINTS OF SINANGLAO SOUP + INNARDS.

▬ The Ilocano Cuisines ▬

THE TABLE FOR BLOGGERS WAS set-up prior. Food too. The long table where our food was served was made of wood. Appetizing cuisines are hunger-stimulating but seeing the Ilocano cuisines I grew up eating made me want to get off my stylish seat and order for additional.

Fellow blogger, Bernie (habagatcentral.com), came to me excitedly telling me that he found out Ilocos empanada here. Bernie, a half Ilonggo, has Ilocano heritage and seemed to love everything under the Ilocos sun.

I looked at the plate he's showing me and I saw an . In Ilocos, orange empanada is a specialty of the . Afterwards, we decided to order sinanglao, the great soup dish of Ilocandia.

[BAGUIO] ▬ ILOCOS EMPANADA (LEFT, BACK); SINANGLAO (FRONT)

One serving of the sinanglao was good for three. It really tasted authentic. Cubes of clotted blood (from pig) were very present too. The soup? Gratifying! I didn't miss Ilocos this time. Ilocos is just around—on the plate.

Come the orange empanada. The price was twice as expensive compared with the empanadas in Vigan's Plaza Burgos food kiosks and of Batac's riverside empanadaan. I tasted it and I found out that it was not an authentic Batac empanada. The orange color might be deceiving but if you're familiar of the different empanada versions, you'll discover that this is more of a fusion of the different versions.

[BAGUIO] ▬ GINULAY NGA PACO (EDIBLE FERN SALAD)

[BAGUIO] ▬ GINULAY NGA UGGOT TI KARABASA WITH KBL. SO ILOCANO!

[BAGUIO] ▬ IT'S OFFICIAL. BAGNET!

I again encountered this edible fern I first tasted in we call as paco or pacpaco growing alongside healthy river ecosystems while the uggot ti karabasa, squash leaves salad, is a mainstay on my plate. Bagnet? What can I say more? You're not Ilocano if you don't like bagnet. Yes, I stereotype!

After this dinner, what now? ▬ to be continued...

[UP NEXT] ▬ LIFE IN THIS STREET STARTS AT DARK

► BLOG SERIES: AZALEA SUMMER GETAWAY

Part 3 Teaser: What about the frenzy? What about the fuss? This street becomes alive after sundown. Stories will be published in Part 3.

| Part 2 |

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] This dinner was made possible through Azalea Residences Hotel in Baguio City. I was invited to experience the Azalea hospitality. My big gratitude to Azalea management.

[2] The maps I used below and those appeared on tooltips are the works of Eugene Alvin Villar and Mike Gonzalez published on Wikipedia. Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Map Showing the Location of #Baguio

MORE TOWNS IN 'CORDILLERA' YOU MIGHT LIKE TO EXPLORE

Thank you for visiting my travel blog!

EDMAR GUQUIB, Travel Blogger
EDMARATION #TownExplorer

"The foot traffic is huge. Merchants shout to encourage passersby to purchase their products. But some are just hawkers."

After sundown, there is life. The city blossoms like a wild flower. There is crowd build up because a shopping Mecca is born nightly. In Harrison Road, you got the choice. If you have good haggling skill, consider it as an asset.

[BAGUIO] ▬ NIGHT MARKET IN HARRISON ROAD

▬ Harrison Road After Sundown ▬

PARTS OF THE HARRISON ROAD are closed to vehicles. The street becomes pedestrian-friendly. The night becomes a leisure time. For some, it's an opportunity to shop for cheap goods as Harrison Road becomes a night shopping Mecca.

It was around 9 in the evening when I (together with a group of bloggers) arrived in this road. The crowd was big. The right lane of the road is occupied by merchants who sell variety of things.

[BAGUIO] ▬ CLOTHES ARE LAID DOWN THE PAVEMENT

Clothes are laid down on the pavement. Some are hung though. In between stalls is a narrow aisle where people squeeze themselves to look for things to buy.

The foot traffic is huge. Merchants shout to encourage passersby to purchase their products. But some are just hawkers.

[BAGUIO] ▬ THIS VENDOR SHOWS HIS PRODUCT TO POTENTIAL BUYERS.

[BAGUIO] ▬ BUYERS HAGGLING FOR THE PRICE

[BAGUIO] ▬ THIS WOMAN LISTS DOWN HER SALE.

[BAGUIO] ▬ BURNHAM PARK IS JUST NEARBY.

[BAGUIO] ▬ THIS MERCHANT PLACED HER DREAM CATCHERS IN A NOTICEABLE SPOT.

The trade is vibrant. The night market draws crowd. In fact, there's a crowd shifting. Burnham Park is just nearby. So during the day, the crowd is in the park. At night, the crowd shifts to this part of Harrison Road. The interest of the people turns here.

Police officers do make some rounds to maintain public safety and security. The Baguio night market opens at 9 PM. At midnight, the night market closes. For a span of 3 hours, one can enjoy shopping.

▬ Ukay-Ukay Dominates ▬

BAGUIO CITY IS KNOWN FORukay-ukay, a term used to refer second-hand imported dry goods. In this night market, they dominate! In fact, ukay-ukay is one major reason why people love visiting this night market. Meticulous expert ukay-ukay buyers usually get the best items just before everyone will spot them.

[BAGUIO] ▬ AT 10 PESOS (AROUND 0.20 DOLLARS), YOU CAN OWN A SHIRT!

[BAGUIO] ▬ 50 PESOS CAN ALREADY PROVIDE YOU 2 SWEATERS

[BAGUIO] ▬ 50 PESOS FOR ONE THICK JACKET

The ukay-ukay have the cheapest price in this night market. And if you are good in choosing and matching ukay-ukay clothes, consider yourself lucky. Some ukay-ukay are top brands. If you find one, that's jackpot.

However, if you're not into second hand goods, this night market also has brand new clothes which are way more expensive than the ukay-ukay.

[BAGUIO] ▬ THERE ARE MANY CHOICES.

[BAGUIO] ▬ BRAND NEW CLOTHES ON DISPLAY

▬ Food Trip You May Love ▬

THIS NIGHT MARKET IS NOT all about shopping. Some people aren't here for the shopping, they're here to enjoy the traditional street foods that occupy the other end of this long stretch of night market.

[BAGUIO] ▬ THIS SWEET CORN VENDOR SMILES. HE WAS AWARE I'M TAKING A PHOTO OF HIM.

[BAGUIO] ▬ SWEET CORN IN A BASIN

[BAGUIO] ▬ CORN KERNELS MIXED WITH CHEESE POWDER

One of the street foods that caught my attention is the sweet corn. Its bright yellow color was so inviting.

Many more Filipino street foods are here. From one-day-old chick, tokneneng to chicken nuggets, they're all here.

The night was already old when we finished roaming around. Tomorrow will be another stories to share. ▬ to be continued...

INDEX: INSIDE THIS BLOG SERIES

[UP NEXT] ▬ WE'RE GOING TO THE VALLEY OF HEART-SHAPED BERRIES.

► BLOG SERIES: AZALEA SUMMER GETAWAY

Up Next: Strawberry Farm is not new to us. But what I've discovered is more than the strawberry. Watch out for Part 4.

| | Part 3 |

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

Map Showing the Location of #Baguio

MORE TOWNS IN 'CORDILLERA' YOU MIGHT LIKE TO EXPLORE

Thank you for visiting my travel blog!

EDMAR GUQUIB, Travel Blogger
EDMARATION #TownExplorer

"I know they need something that's why they need to do something. You see great hope in their eyes."

[LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET, PHILIPPINES]▬ For first time visitors, if we say strawberry farm, they'd think it's located in Baguio. Truth is, it's not located in Baguio but in La Trinidad. Anyway, that's another story. The point is, we think purely of strawberries. The strawberry farm of La Trinidad is more than the strawberries. Here, I'll tell you why.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ A TYPICAL TOURIST-DAY SCENE IN STRAWBERRY FARM

I'd say this farm gained popularity due to its proximity to the tourist-laden city of Baguio. It's a nice, accessible option for people who want to experience things outside Baguio. But from strawberries, more things followed, appeared then became a mainstay. The following are the other faces of the Strawberry Farm.

▬ [1] Strawberry Farm as a Tourist Zone ▬

POPULARITY OF A PLACE, MOST of the time, may lead to the influx of tourists/visitors. In the strawberry farm, the scenario applies.

Just before you get close to the entrance of the strawberry farm, you may experience traffic jam and see these numerous tourist vans and private vehicles parked along the way especially during the peak season.

Just before you enter the farm, there are vendors and hawkers alluring you to buy their products—all for tourists.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ THIS VENDOR ATTRACTS TOURISTS TO TRY HIS STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ HE FLIPS HIS STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM DOWN TO ENTERTAIN TOURISTS.

Yes, you'll see girls in their minis and shades and some people with their selfie pods, digital cameras and the whole family or friends in tow as their tour guide leads them the way.

▬ [2] Strawberry Farm as Commercial Zone ▬

THE TOURISM INDUSTRY IS A big business. But from that big business, there is a micro business. I am referring to the little merchants who rely on tourists for their little business to survive.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ SHE SELLS STRAWBERRIES FOR A LIVING.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ SHE PUTS THE PRODUCES IN SMALLER BOXES.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ A VENDOR LOOKS AFTER THE PRODUCTS SHE SELLS

In the tourism industry, there is an economic activity. Both macro and micro businesses benefit. So when you see an untidy looking woman coming close to you to sell her strawberry key chains or freshly fried turon and it so happened that you're not interested, refuse politely before you raise your eyebrows and shoo them away. Hey, without you as tourist, they're not here anyway.

▬ [3] Strawberry Farm as Home to Other Crops ▬

THE STRAWBERRY FARM IS NOT actually all about strawberries as I mentioned above. Other crops are also cultivated here.

The most common alternative crop for strawberries that I noticed is the lettuce. However, I even spotted some sunflowers! If we base the land use to describe this farm, it is definitely a strawberry + lettuce farm. Sunflower comes pretty far at third.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ SEEDLINGS NURTURED

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ LETTUCES GROWN UP

▬ [4] Strawberry Farm as Place for Regional Trade Fair ▬

THE STRAWBERRY FARM HAS EVOLVED rapidly from being just a farm to a trade space giving opportunity for other people to showcase their local products/produces. You'll notice that a plethora of local products are here. Some, like the wild honey that comes from the , have space here. This place is an unorganized, spontaneous trade fair.

I even encountered vendors who came from as far as Ifugao just to harness the huge tourist market in this touristy destination. With them is a basket of green rice they even offered me to taste for free. Some sell kakanins like banana cue, turon and others.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ GREEN RICE FROM IFUGAO

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ PASSION FRUITS ARE PASSIONATELY HERE...

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ ...EVEN MARBLE POTATO, AND THAT MARVELOUS GREEN THING THERE.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ PASALUBONG ALL YOU WANT!

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ SOUVENIRS NEVER RUN DRY.

▬ [5] Strawberry Farm as Place for Hope ▬

TOURISTS COME HERE TO SATISFY their curiosity; some to just have fun. But most of the non-tourists you see here aren't here just for fun. They have a purpose. They have a motivation.

Sometimes, you see these people tilling the fields and harvesting the crops. They're not doing this for a show but because they need to do it because it's their livelihood.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ FARMERS UNDER THE HOT RAYS OF THE SUN

Sometimes, we fail to appreciate what these people do. Some tourists are even disappointed if there are vendors chasing after them or if the strawberry farm has no good view, because there are farmers in the middle, for them to take selfies. The truth is, this is their land, not ours visitors.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ CHILDREN SELLING FRESH LETTUCE

As I walked around the farm, I saw a group of children selling fresh lettuce. What I saw melted my heart. The first time I saw them I already knew they are banking hopes in this tourist destination.

These children will not do this job for nothing. I know they need something that's why they need to do something. You see great hope in their eyes. They surely love meeting tourists because the more tourists they see, the more chances they can sell their fresh lettuce. You know, this is no longer about trade and commerce, this is already their chance to turn the hope into a bright future. At a very young age, they can now appreciate the importance of hard work. I'd say, these children will go far. And as tourist, we can bring hope and be part of their journey in life. ▬ to be continued...

INDEX: INSIDE THIS BLOG SERIES

[UP NEXT] ▬ THIS IS ANOTHER FARM BUT THE PLANTS CAN'T BE EATEN.

► BLOG SERIES: AZALEA SUMMER GETAWAY

Up Next: The next destination is also a farm. It is less touristy. There is less crowd and the plants/crops they cultivate can not be eaten. Soon on Part 5!

| | | Part 4 |

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] This experience was made possible through Azalea Residences Hotel in Baguio City. I was invited to experience the Azalea hospitality. My big gratitude to Azalea management.

[2] The maps I used below as well as those that appeared on tooltips are the works of Eugene Alvin Villar and Mike Gonzalez published on Wikipedia. Source: 1 | 2 | 3

Map Showing the Location of #LaTrinidad

MORE TOWNS IN 'CORDILLERA' YOU MIGHT LIKE TO EXPLORE

Thank you for visiting my travel blog!

EDMAR GUQUIB, Travel Blogger
EDMARATION #TownExplorer

"This is a do-it-yourself commuting guide to the strawberry farm located in the fertile La Trinidad valley of Benguet, about 3 kilometers away from Baguio City."

[BENGUET, PHILIPPINES]▬ From Baguio City, you can reach this destination easily. In this post, I also included some travel tips and guide for first time visitors.

HOW TO GO TO LA TRINIDAD STRAWBERRY FARM, BENGUET

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ THE DESTINATION: STRAWBERRY FARM OF LA TRINIDAD VALLEY

Getting to the strawberry farm is just easy as long as you follow these 3 simple steps. Let's begin!

▬ Getting There: Strawberry Farm in 3 Easy Steps ▬

STEP 1 ► Where to wait for jeep: For first time travelers to the strawberry farm, I suggest to wait for jeep in front of the Baguio City Hall. The reason why I am suggesting this is because the city hall is a prominent landmark in the city that is very easy to locate.

[BAGUIO] ▬ WAIT IN FRONT OF THE CITY HALL

The present terminal of jeepneys bound for La Trinidad is at the corner of Magsaysay and T Alonzo Streets. Of course, if this is your first time, you probably don't know yet where these streets are located, do you? So for convenience, stop in front of the city hall.

STEP 2 ► What jeep route should you take: Once you're in front of the city hall of Baguio, you'll see jeepneys passing here. Look for a jeep with a Baguio-Buyagan route. Ride on!

STEP 3 ► Where to stop or drop off: Once inside the jeep, you can simply ask the driver to drop you at the strawberry farm. To remind him, you may seat beside him in front (if the seat is available) or get the space just behind the driver's seat. In this case, you can communicate directly to the driver and remind him to drop you at strawberry farm.

Well, if you want a landmark, look for the Benguet State University which is located right of the road. The farm is located at left.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ BENGUET STATE UNIVERSITY

You can also alight in front of the Benguet State University. But you can directly request the driver to drop you at the junction road going to the strawberry fields. That's it!

▬ Travel Guide and Tips ▬

HERE ARE SOME INFORMATION AND travel guides I included to at least give you an idea what to expect in this destination. They might help you in planning your trip.

There is no entrance fee to the strawberry farm.
The La Trinidad valley is significantly hotter compared with Baguio's air temperature. You may not want to be sun burnt. I suggest go there early or bring umbrella if you wish to go there at high noon.
Regular travel time going to the strawberry fields from the Baguio city hall is around 30 minutes. That's around 3 kilometers. Tsk! Baguio traffic congestion is common.
There are no restrooms inside the farm. If the nature is calling you, there are restrooms outside with fee.
There are pasalubong centers in and out of the farm—so many of them!
You can also pick your own strawberries at 500 pesos per kilogram. Quite expensive though. You're paying for the experience.
Aside from strawberries, there are also other plants cultivated therein like lettuce. Commercial flowering plants are also present here especially if it's not strawberry season.
Fare from the Baguio city hall is around 12 pesos as of this writing. This may vary in the future.

That's it! This is a travel guide post for La Trinidad strawberry farm. ▬ end

[END] ▬ HELLO FROM STRAWBERRY FARM!

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] If you want to add something or correct an error, feel free to use the comment box below or email me at edmaration@gmail.com.

[2] All the information posted in this article may change in the future. So some information added here may become non-useful or outdated in the future. The information provided on this post are based on the circumstances on the day of the last visit of this blogger (16 May 2015). I am not obligated to update outdated information provided herein because I do not have the capacity to monitor all the changes of routes, amount of fare and other important details. However, the moment I receive new useful information, I will update this post as soon as possible for your guidance.

[3] The map I used below as well as those that appeared on tooltips are the works of Eugene Alvin Villar and Mike Gonzalez published on Wikipedia. Source: 1 | 2 | 3

Map Showing the Location of Benguet

CLICK TO DISPLAY LATEST ENTRIES COVERING BENGUET. Map © Eugene Alvin Villar — CLICK MAP TO DISPLAY LATEST ENTRIES COVERING BENGUET.

MORE TOWNS IN 'CORDILLERA' YOU MIGHT LIKE TO EXPLORE

Thank you for visiting my travel blog!

EDMAR GUQUIB, Travel Blogger
EDMARATION #TownExplorer

"...they will transform into beautiful, fully-bloomed flowers and that will be the end of their life because they will be cut and head straight to the flower shop."

[LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET, PHILIPPINES]▬ The province of Benguet hosts iconic farms. It is known for its vegetables stereotyped as 'Baguio vegetables' sold to as far as Manila. The strawberry farm is also popular. The latter farm's town host is now regarded as the strawberry capital of the Philippines. The same town is the host of Bahong flower farm, considered as the rose capital of the Philippines. By the way, the Philippines' summer capital is also located in Benguet. P.S. - Probably, ukay-ukay capital of the Philippines is also found in Benguet. Dog-eating is also popular here. But no, not a dog-eating capital please.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ FELLOW BLOGGER, JUSTIN, PHOTOSHOOTING IN BETWEEN STALKS

▬ Going to the Flower Farm Like a King ▬

GOING HERE DIDN'T REQUIRE ME to exert much effort. Remember that I'm a guest blogger of Azalea Residences Hotel this time and this is a complimentary tour. All I had to do is to seat back inside an air-conditioned service tour vehicle, relax and wait for my destination. Convenient isn't it?

You know, today, I'm not the pa-hardcore travel blogger. I'm pa-VIP. So I am ditching all the pains of commuting and walking. With us are 4 tour guides. I'm the pabebe tourist type this time! Pabebeeeee! Anyway, if you've met hyperbole once in your life, you'll know I'm not really a king.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ ROADSIDE VIEW: A TEASING VIEW

On our way to the flower farm, the beauty of Benguet is teasing me—teasing me to ditch the touristy itinerary, leave my comfortable seat, escape via the window of the van (which I think a stupid act done in romantic flicks but not in thriller films) and go on my own way. Pabebe no more!

Well, this is the downside of being with an organized tour group. You miss a lot of things not included in the itinerary. You miss the chance to talk with random locals, to buy local food in the carinderia and the beauty of discovering new things while you randomly ask people for the direction of your destination.

Anyway, I'm not complaining. I don't have to argue because I'm a tourist no matter what so I hope the tourist vs traveler labels will end soon because they're just the same!

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ THAT HELPFUL MARKER!

The beautiful mountain ranges made me feel I just escaped my sentimental hometown—yeah, I'm no longer in that hot coastal city with hundreds of ancestral houses.

It is while on board a vehicle where I introspect. Seeing the mountains while inside the tourist van transformed me into a thought bin. Deymn. It's so fvcking nice to have full of thoughts.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ THE BAHONG MOUNTAIN VIEW

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ MOUNTAINSIDE VILLAGE

From the main road, we turned to a narrower road, a little wider than a standard lane, that continually descended. I know we're now in Brgy Bahong and I'm seeing mountainside villages with enviable surroundings. Around their village are beautiful mountains. The air is fresher too. Just wow! What a lucky community!

The road led us to a valley—a valley of flowers.

▬ Rose Garden ▬

WE REACHED THE FLOWER PLANTATION with comfort. We didn't have to walk like there's no tomorrow because the service vehicles brought us right in the heart of the plantation. The sad part is, I wasn't able to enjoy the view of the flower farm from a higher vantage point, let alone capture a photo. We went to the farm directly and up close.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ UP CLOSE WITH ROSES

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ ROSES ARE GOLDEN, VIOLETS ARE BLUE

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ FELLOW BLOGGERS, SNAPPING A ROSE PHOTO FOR THEIR FB POST

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ RED ROSES, WHY YOU'RE SO BEAUTIFUL?

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ YELLOW ROSES: THEY LOOK HAPPY AND GAY!

▬ Other Flowers You See in the Flower Shop ▬

AFTER VISITING THE ROSE SECTION of this flower farm, I have to take a muddy portion of the trail that is leading me to another section of flowers. I do not know the name of these flowers but they look so familiar.

I saw how these flowers that are mainstays in bouquets are grown. Like most of the life cycle of flowers, they start as little buds then bloom into mature flowers!

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ FLOWER BUDS! THEY ALL START THIS WAY.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ FEW WEEKS MORE AND THIS WILL BLOOM.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ WAITING FOR THEIR TIME TO BLOOM

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ FELLOW WRITER, MARINETTE, TAKING PHOTOS IN THE FARM

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ A SECTION OF SEMI-BLOOMING FLOWERS

One step away from the bud section is an area of semi-blooming flowers. Few days more and they will transform into beautiful, fully-bloomed flowers and that will be the end of their life because they will be cut and head straight to the flower shop.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ ALMOST THERE

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ CUTTING SOON

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ FULLY GROWN!

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ HELLO FROM BAHONG! I'M IN THE ROSE CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES!

I've actually been wanting to visit this flower farm when I saw it on TV. It feels fulfilling to see the place where the flower I bought for the birthday of the special girl came from. Without this flower farm, I should've not brought her flowers. You see? This flower farm is part of everyone's love life and I'm one guilty victim. ▬ to be continued...

INDEX: INSIDE THIS BLOG SERIES

[UP NEXT] ▬ FOR LUNCH, WE ATE IN A RESTAURANT + IGOROT MUSEUM IN ONE.

► BLOG SERIES: AZALEA SUMMER GETAWAY

Up Next: For lunch, we went to this unique restaurant where Igorot culture and heritage are manifesting. It also has museum that lets you learn while dining.

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] This experience was made possible through Azalea Residences Hotel in Baguio City. I was invited to experience the Azalea hospitality. My big gratitude to Azalea management.

[2] The maps I used below as well as those that appeared on tooltips are the works of Eugene Alvin Villar and Mike Gonzalez published on Wikipedia. Source: 1 | 2

Map Showing the Location of #LaTrinidad

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Thank you for visiting my travel blog!

EDMAR GUQUIB, Travel Blogger
EDMARATION #TownExplorer

"This is my 3rd TV appearance this year and my 2nd in Teledyaryo."

[TV APPEARANCE]▬ Teledyaryo Ylocos is a local version of "Teledyaryo", the flagship news program of PTV Channel 4 owned by the Government of the Philippines broadcasting nationwide under the helm of the Presidential Communications Operations Office based in Quezon City.

[TV APPERANCE] ▬ I'M GIVING MY OPINION ON HOW SOCIAL MEDIA CAN HELP BOOST TOURISM.

This news clip features the role of social media in boosting the tourism industry in Ilocos Sur. The language used was Ilocano. The interview was done in the PTV office located in the Ilocos Sur provincial capitol.

For non-Ilocano readers, I placed the translation below the video. Watch me from 0:00 to 1:40

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Anchor► Bloggers are seen to lead the way in strengthening the tourism industry by using the social media especially in creating blog entries of the different tourist spots. Seane Batin, for the report.

Reporter ► Television, radio and other form of media are commonly used to promote a place in order to strengthen the industry of tourism. But one of the effective ways today to convince tourists to visit a place like the province of Ilocos Sur is through the use of the latest technology like cellphone, computer and ipad to learn about the latest news and updates especially in the tourism sector.

Me ► [Almost] all people now already have a connection online. So social media is a very effective tool to promote tourism in Ilocos Sur. They could also tap bloggers like me [and other bloggers] because bloggers have many followers, you know, they have many readers. If we invite a lot of bloggers and compile all their followers and readers, we can really promote Ilocos Sur.

Reporter ► The social media is more accessible especially to those who are living abroad searching for tourist destinations in the Philippines.

For Teledyaryo Ylocos, Seane Batin. ▬ end

[END] ▬ BEHIND THE SCENE: DURING THE INTERVIEW

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] The news clip uploaded herein is from PTV Ylocos Channel 4. I do not own the video.

[2] The news herein is just an excerpt from the whole interview that will be aired on a separate program called "Ilocano Achiever" also in PTV.

Map showing the Location of [N/A]

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Thank you for visiting my travel blog!

EDMAR GUQUIB, Travel Blogger
EDMARATION #TownExplorer

"Say anything you want to say and this cool restaurant along the main road in La Trinidad will still find its way to become superior."

[LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET, PHILIPPINES]▬ Its name proudly represents an identity. This restaurant is just badass that it is setting an extra cool standard in its circle so intimidating to beat. The Igorot culture and heritage are here. Non-Igorots should also experience this not just to satisfy the hungry tummy but also to feed the hungry brain on the brink of knowledge prostration. This place is a restaurant, museum and a piece of inspiration in one! How cool is that?

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ STARTING THIS POST WITH A CUP OF LEMON GRASS TEA

▬ A Dense Introduction ▬

THE LA TRINIDAD VALLEY WHERE the downtown and the famous are located is relatively denser in population and in concrete structures. The weather is slightly hotter too compared with the lower temperature of the villages outside the poblacion. But in these densities, there's this thing that stands out; probably by destiny and not by density.

One of the concrete structures I've seen here contains a world of arts, food, culture and inspiration. The concept of density is also here, mind you. Inside this structure generally called as the Jewel Igorot Building is densely equipped with fantastic things to enjoy and learn!

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ FAÇADE OF JEWEL BUILDING

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ FAÇADE OF THE STRUCTURE I'M REFERRING HERE

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ DOWNTOWN LA TRINIDAD: SHOWING THE MAIN ROAD

The exterior itself is already noticeable. It is a big building compared to others around. It is designed with stones plastered to appear stylish. The other unique feature of this building is the hut accentuated with light-greenish ferns which makes the façade look like a fusion of the past and the contemporary.

A portion of this building is a restaurant called Jewel Igorot Restaurant and here is where I've been.

▬ The Entrance Brought Me Somewhere Else ▬

SO I ENTERED THIS BUILDING, left side. Then how come the interior has bamboos? Hah. No it's not really funny. It's affirmatively great actually. It looks like the owner is someone who wants to try new things, adorable things.

Then you have the stones, not really pebbles, so shiny and smooth plastered altogether on the walls inside. The benches made of wood made the place to appear like a park inside a building.

The bamboos' presence with the stone walls made me think I am somewhere else like in a riverbank or those hills I used to see as a child now owned by a powerful politician. Darn wealthy politicians owning everything they can afford to buy—even the hills/land of my heritage!

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ THIS IS THE ENTRANCE LOBBY.

▬ The Interior ▬

THE INTERIOR IS NEVER INFERIOR. Say anything you want to say and this cool restaurant along the main road in La Trinidad will still find its way to become superior. My eyes turned to the left side but the stylish interior never left me; never left my interest at least. I was right in my first impressions. I walked straight ahead after.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ THE WOODEN STAIRWAY IS DECORATED WITH TRUE GREEN PLANTS.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ HERE COMES THE RED PLANTS OF THE SPIRAL STAIR.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ THESE DWARF BAMBOOS TURNED THE DULL STAIR REFRESHING.

So the restaurant where I'm going to dine is located at the third floor—just perfectly fine to let visitors step onto the spiral wooden stairs done so carefully creative.

The stairway is a showcase. Beside every other step are sculptures made from wood and clay. From here, the museum character of this restaurant is starting to appear. Well, as I've said, this restaurant is also a museum. I will write about the museum side of this restaurant on the next post.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ IF YOU NEED FRESH AIR....

The restaurant is not really fully enclosed to allow the cool breeze from the mountains to enter. However, should you wish to go al fresco, you got the choice.

▬ The Food ▬

The first food they served was a platter of brown rice. This brown rice is grown in the . Igorots eat this kind of rice and it is believed that it's much healthier compared with the white rice. Unlike its white counterpart, this brown rice is more organic.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ THE BROWN RICE OF THE IGOROTS ARE HERE TO STAY.

So these fellow bloggers started to bring out their gadgets and the brown rice became the star of the day. It was surrounded instantly by bloggers-turned-paparazzi capturing a photo for their instagram updates.

Anyway, damnit! How come this champorado-like rice is not a mainstream in the lowlands where lifestyle-related diseases are common? Dumb-ass commercialism. The oily meats and pesticide-grown white rice is making the pockets of the managers of the money economy healthy and bulging, not the consumers. I know a farmer who uses pesticide to grow rice in commercial farming. But they never eat what they sell. They instead plant another pesticide-free rice for their consumption; not of good quality but healthier. It's not for sale anyway. It's for their personal consumption. Also blame some consumers. They think that the whiter, the better. Hence, the demand for whiter pesticide-preserved unhealthier rice.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ FRUITS ARE PLENTY.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ WATERMELONS, LOVELY.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ CHOP SUEY NEVER GONE WRONG.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ I ALMOST ATE ALL THE GRAPES HERE!

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ THIS PINAKBET + BAGNET IS PROFOUNDLY GOOD!

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ BARANIW (LEMON GRASS) TEA

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ ENDING THIS WITH A HOT CUP OF BARANIW TEA.

They served mostly fruits but their chop suey, pinakbet and sinigang were all stellar. I can't say any single stupid word against the food. I know where to go the next time I'll visit La Trinidad.

I have described this restaurant the way I saw it. But the most interesting part is yet to be told. The owner of this building is a former domestic helper in Hong Kong. How come she now owned a 4-story building? No, she never married a wealthy guy. Her inspiring story is not the get-rich-quick scheme done in MLMs. This is a rugs-to-millionaire story. ▬ to be continued...

INDEX: INSIDE THIS BLOG SERIES

[UP NEXT] ▬ A DOMESTIC HELPER BECAME A MILLIONAIRE. INSPIRING STORY.

► BLOG SERIES: AZALEA SUMMER GETAWAY

Up Next: I said, this restaurant is also a world of inspiration and fascinating stories of ordinary people who became extraordinary. She is a proud Igorota and her key to becoming a millionaire is by becoming a domestic helper first.

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] Some important details about the Jewel Restaurant:

ADDRESS: KM 4, Balili, La Trinidad, Benguet

CONTACT INFO: (O74) 422-3258/(O74)422-9101

MENU: They serve breakfast meals, rice toppings, pork, goat, chicken and fish dishes. Solo orders start at 70 pesos up t0 110 pesos. Group dishes start from 210 up to 700 depending on the size of serving and type of dish.

[2] This experience was made possible through Azalea Residences Hotel in Baguio City. I was invited to experience the Azalea hospitality. My big gratitude to Azalea management.

[3] All maps I used on this post are the works of Eugene Alvin Villar and Mike Gonzalez published on Wikipedia. Source: 1 | 2

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EDMAR GUQUIB, Travel Blogger
EDMARATION #TownExplorer

"The beautiful landscape just let me think of positive things... I was blinded by the beauty of the village—blinded to see the not-so-good side."

[KABAYAN, BENGUET, PHILIPPINES] ▬ The people wear thick clothes. You know, it's cold in here. Children have pinkish cheeks maybe because of the low temperature. I am not sure. But they have lighter complexion and their eyes are relatively narrower. This is a high village engaged in farming and tourism as their primary industries inhabited by a tribe called Kalanguya.

[KABAYAN] ▬ SITIO BABALAK: A HIGHLAND FARMING VILLAGE

▬ A Short Introduction for an Upcoming Series ▬

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO say on this post really. I can't conceptualize how will I write this. I'm just writing here whatever thoughts running inside my head now. I'm thinking of writing several articles for this destination from my habal-habal experience up to that time I left the village with separation anxiety; so many stories to share actually. This post serves as introduction. If you're an avid follower of this blog, you probably know my style. Iwrite a lot that I have to divide my stories into series of posts to accommodate all the thoughts in my head.

As of this post, I haven't finished the current blog series I am writing (the trip organized by where I was invited) and I do not know when will I finish my Sitio Babalak series too. But at least, I've started now. I visited the village on 22nd and 23rd of May this year with my kababatas (friends I grew up with).

[KABAYAN] ▬ RAINY AFTERNOON: FOG COVERED THE VILLAGE

[KABAYAN] ▬ HARVESTING CARROTS

▬ Change of Plans, Misadventures Happen ▬

OUR ORIGINAL PLAN IS TO climb Mt Pulag, Luzon's highest mountain. But due to some circumstances we weren't able to anticipate, we ditched the climb and just enjoyed the village while reminiscing our childhood.

It rained prior to the planned climb. We prioritized our safety. Mt Pulag can wait. Accidents can't—they come instantly and unexpected.

[KABAYAN] ▬ PICTURESQUE FARMING FIELDS OF SITIO BABALAK

▬ A Farming Village ▬

WHAT ELSE? THE VILLAGE IS a village of farmers. Most of them depend on farming for a living. Some benefit from the tourism industry though by becoming guides for visitors wanting to climb Mt Pulag.

They have terraced fields—not really rice terraces at all. Most of them plant root crops like potatoes and carrots. Some grow vegetables. So it's more like vegetable terraces. They practice kaingin—that process where they cut and burn the trees in the mountains to clear the area so that they can utilize the soil for farming.

The terraced fields are changing the landscape. It's remarkable, undeniably beautiful. Some lands are communal but they still use the land for farming. The trees are gone but keeping the trees can't give them money for now unless they can think of ways on how to turn the forests into moola. I'm not sure if they are aware of the possible consequences of kaingin like landslides. Maybe they've known the drill. I really don't know. I never asked. The beautiful landscape just let me think of positive things and it is only now that I realize that cutting the trees can be a threat. I was blinded by the beauty of the village—blinded to see the not-so-good side.

▬ Mornings and Sunsets ▬

[KABAYAN] ▬ MY FRIEND MITCH ON AN EARLY MORNING JOGGING

[KABAYAN] ▬ WITH THE KALANGUYA KIDS OF BABALAK

[KABAYAN] ▬ GREAT SUNSET IN SITIO BABALAK, BASHOY, KABAYAN, BENGUET

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE TEMPERATURE HERE. Mornings are very cold. Temperature below 10°C is common. What we did was to climb a mountain near the village. It was not as high as Mt Pulag but just enough to keep our adventure spirit high. It was a great activity to fight the numbing cold.

Actually, it is cold 24 hours a day. But mornings and dawns register as trough in the temperature graph.

Sunset here is spectacular. It has quality. Pine trees on top of the mountains create a beautiful silhouette. As the sun leaves the day, the biting cold arrives.

The village is inspiring. The people can survive without the convenience we have in the city. They have a beautiful village how I wish I can visit often. They live simply. The mountains are their asset. Their way of life is very different from how I am living my life. I can learn something from them. The resiliency is there. This is the true wealth: fresh air, fresh food, beautiful abode, less expenses, less risks for lifestyle diseases, healthy community, happy children.

This is a short introductory post for an upcoming Sitio Babalak blog series. I do not know when will I finish all as I've mentioned above. But it's now on queue. More stories are to be told. For now, it's end of the story. No 'to be continued...' ending words yet. ▬ end

[END] ▬ HELLO AND GOOD MORNING FROM SITIO BABALAK, KABAYAN, BENGUET!

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] This is a personal leisure trip with my childhood friends on May 22-23, 2015. The descriptions written herein are based on my observations and experiences on the day of my visit.

[2] All maps I used on this post are the works of Eugene Alvin Villar and Mike Gonzalez published on Wikipedia. Source: 1 | 2

Map Showing the Location of #Kabayan

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Thank you for visiting my travel blog!

EDMAR GUQUIB, Travel Blogger
EDMARATION #TownExplorer

"Greatness does not only come from huge quantities and fat funds. My conviction is something is already great when you are able to put up that something from scratch with a purpose to educate and inspire."

[LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET, PHILIPPINES]▬ Sometimes there is luck. Sometimes it's pure hard work. However, hard work and luck can go together. You can see the fruits of luck and hard work in this building I'm going to feature. The museum here is a testament of love for her heritage and the people who became a big part in her journey called life.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ A WOMAN IS TAKING A PHOTO OF THE ARTIFACTS

▬ Bulol: The Rice-God of the Mountains ▬

BULOL IS A CARVED HUMAN FIGURINE. ON EVERY other step of the stair leading us to the , sculptures of bulol are displayed. You know, Igorots are so clung into their traditional beliefs. The modern world already had its way in their lives as mountain dwellers but the past made it sure to still exist in the future.

These sculptures have become a symbol of the Cordilleras. They believe that a certain kind of anito incorporate itself here when worshiped.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ BULOL WOOD CARVING

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ A CONTEMPORARY SCULPTURE IS DISPLAYED ON THE NEXT STEP OF THE STAIR

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ BULOL BESIDE A MODERN SCULPTURE

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ A PIECE OF MODERN ART FORM

▬ A Maid-Turned-Millionaire: The OFW Story and the Museum ▬

THE OWNER OF THE JEWEL IGOROT BUILDING as a whole is a woman named Daisy. I wasn't able to meet her but learning her story is already more than enough to stir my faith to humanity.

Each crew member in her restaurant is an Igorot who all take pride of their culture and identity as a group. Each of them knows the history and story of the place where they are working.

Daisy is an ordinary Filipina from Mankayan town, also in Benguet, who worked in Hong Kong for 10 years as a domestic helper. Her boss is a Portuguese businessman in Hong Kong. But because of her dedication to work armed with the motivation to help her family back in the Philippines, something good was in store for her. Her amo (employer) made a last will and testament transferring all his wealth to her when he dies. Wow!

Her employer eventually died due to heart attack.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ THE 4-STOREY JEWEL IGOROT BUILDING

She went back to the Philippines. From the wealth she inherited from her employer, she was able to construct a 4-storey building in La Trinidad. She leases the other rooms. Some parts of the 4th floor is her home.

The little museum is also at the fourth floor. The fourth floor is a spacious area with a long dining table, hanging spheres from the ceiling and elegant wood benches. Her collections are placed in one corner. In fact, she also took the collections of her employer: antique spoons, forks, glasses and plates. Everything was displayed here. Some of the delicate pieces are kept in the other parts of the building. This museum is both dedicated to her cultural bloodline and her former employer she now considers as foster parent.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ FOURTH FLOOR OF THE LEFT WING

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ STYLISH WOOD BENCHES

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ ANTIQUE WARES

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ CORDILLERAN ARTIFACTS

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ WELL-PRESERVED BULLHEAD

The Jewel Igorot Museum is not the fancy, lavish and grand museum you might be thinking. It's a humble home to some Cordilleran arts & artifacts and the legacy of her foster parents. What makes this museum great is the desire of the owner to showcase her heritage to all visitors. She is a proud Igorot woman and her love for her cultural inheritance and of her foster parents is very evident here.

Seeing her as a well-off woman, she once said in a TV interview aired on TV Patrol : "Don't totally rely on luck. You also need to work hard."

Greatness does not only come from huge quantities and fat funds. My conviction is something is already great when you are able to put up that something from scratch with a purpose to educate and inspire. For me, this little humble museum is great! It's the things that you learn and inspire you that matter—not the size, not the quantity. I will always give merit for the substance however small or simple would that be. ▬ to be continued...

INDEX: INSIDE THIS BLOG SERIES

[UP NEXT] ▬ MY 'AMAZING RACE' BAGUIO EXPERIENCE

► BLOG SERIES: AZALEA SUMMER GETAWAY

Up Next: So we visited around 10 destinations in Baguio for a span of 3 hours! How's that? And why we have to do it?

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] This experience was made possible through Azalea Residences Hotel in Baguio City. I was invited to experience the Azalea hospitality.

[2] All maps I used on this post are the works of Eugene Alvin Villar and Mike Gonzalez published on Wikipedia. Source: 1 | 2 | 3

Map Showing the Location of #LaTrinidad

MORE TOWNS IN 'CORDILLERA' YOU MIGHT LIKE TO EXPLORE

Thank you for visiting my travel blog!

EDMAR GUQUIB, Travel Blogger
EDMARATION #TownExplorer

"From longanisa, empanada, sinanglao, warek-warek and pipian to name a few, one can conclude that Bigueños are not Vegans."

Vigan is not just about the old houses, the calesa and its museums. The Ilocanos of Vigan and nearby towns are passionate for food. Vigan has versions of many food we already know.

[VIGAN] crispy bagis with suká from Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur

From longanisa, empanada, sinanglao, warek-warek and pipian to name a few, one can conclude that Bigueños are not Vegans. The Vigan diet is the opposite of Vegan diet since the former is all about meat... and uhmm, the cholesterol.

About the Food: Crispy Bagis

Bagis is the Ilocano term for intestine. The food I am featuring now is a pig intestine and this food (we call at home bagis-bagis) is one of my childhood favorites; even until now.

[VIGAN] This food is also called bagis-bagis (doubling the fun).

Eating pig intestines in Vigan is very common. You know, we love eating bagnet not to mention the plethora of Vigan dishes that are pork-based like longanisa, warek-warek, lomo-lomo, sinanglao (although beef and goat meat is used too), igado and many more.

So after the mataderos de Vigan (these are 'formally' trained butchers here) slaughter the pig for the love of bagnet and longanisa in Brgy Pagpartian (Pagpartian literally means a slaughterhouse), the intestines are saved and sold. Now every Bigueño can cook it all they want.

Where to Eat Crispy Bagis?

If you're in Vigan, this is a common food. If you're staying with the locals, you can just ask them to cook bagis. But if you want to try this in restaurants, Bistro Amarillo has it.

[VIGAN] The elegance is seen from outside.

[VIGAN] eye-catchy ceiling

[VIGAN] exterior of Bistro Amarillo

While roaming around Vigan, I went to Bistro Amarillo and rediscovered this old favorite. They deep-fried it and named it crispy bagis on the menu.

Bistro Amarillo address: Hotel Salcedo, General Luna corner Salcedo Street, Vigan City (just in front of ). They are open everyday from breakfast to dinner hours.

Ending Musings

I've been living here for 25 years now (since birth) and I realized I'm not expanding and enriching the knowledge I know about my hometown. I usually blog about the places and the food I discover outside Vigan (but not Vigan itself). Now I realized being a travel blogger doesn't necessarily mean you have to write about far-flung places or the 81 provinces and the 7 continents of the world. I've learned to appreciate what can be seen nearby. That and that. For me that is traveling. Traveling is learning.

Expect that I'll be posting more about Vigan and Ilocos Sur for the upcoming days and please vote Vigan for the New7Wonder Cities of the world. Vote here: http://www.n7w.com/en/cities/end

Vigan #TownExplorations Series

Map Showing the Location of #Vigan

Click map to view latest articles covering ILOCOS SUR

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"The Raniag Float Parade is one of the highlights of the week-long Raniag Twilight Festival in Vigan."

Better late than never. Here's my collection of photos from 2013's Raniag Twilight Festival in Vigan which I failed to blog due to some circumstances. Raniag Festival happens every last week of October and usually up to November 3. Enjoy these 31 images! Hover on photo to reveal the magic color (the hover effect only applies to Desktop browsers and it is best viewed through Google Chrome).

The Raniag Float Parade is one of the highlights of the week-long Raniag Twilight Festival in Vigan. This is how Vigan welcomes the Halloween. For the next part of this series, I'll be sharing to you another photo coverage for the Raniag Street Dancing which is yet another stellar festival highlight. /to be continued...

__________________________________
THIS POST IS PART OF A SUB-SERIES

[1] RANIAG TWILIGHT FESTIVAL 2013 PHOTO COVERAGE | 1 | | | |

[2] MORE... | | 2 |

Vigan #TownExplorations Series

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"This street dancing is one of the must-see events of the week-long Raniag Twilight Festival."

Darkness is an element that can never hide from the power of the light. So for the Raniag Twilight Festival Street Dancing of Vigan, street dancers wrapped themselves with lights, glowing objects and reflectors to stand out in the darkness. Calle Crisologo became vibrant. The bright neon lights were disregarded. The glowing street dancers owned the night. I've watched this event and below are the photos I took.

RANIAG TWILIGHT FESTIVAL STREET DANCING ► VIGAN

This street dancing is one of the must-see events of the week-long Raniag Twilight Festival. For the next part of this series, there will be a river involved and this river will shine bright like a diamond. Any idea what shall happen next? Keep posted! /to be continued...

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[1] RANIAG TWILIGHT FESTIVAL 2013 PHOTO COVERAGE | | 2 | | |

Vigan #TownExplorations Series

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[BANGUED] ▬ A NIGHT IN OVAL ERA HOTEL

I've been visiting this stretch of hills in Bangued for many times now but as the sun sets down with the silhouette of Mt Bullagao, west of the river valley, I leave the place. I never attempted to stay there after dark.

Sometimes, the best chances come in a flash. I was thrilled when I learned that I'm going to stay in this hill overnight. The great thing is, it would be a 4 consecutive overnight stays. The Provincial Government of Abra under the Vice Governor's Office booked me in Oval Era Hotel located in the lower portion of the national park together with another travel blogger.

The hotel has a wide terrace that makes you feel you're just chilling outdoor. The view of the Abra River valley with the towering Mt Bullagao behind can be seen from the terrace. But since I arrived here at night, the view can hardly be seen.

[BANGUED] ▬ THE INTERIOR OF OVAL ERA HOTEL

[BANGUED] ▬ THE RECEPTION DESK OF THE HOTEL

For the first time, I'm going to experience staying in this hill until midnight while housed inside a luxurious room. The first thing I did when I arrived was to look for my room then I had a dinner. It was already 9:30 in the evening when my dinner was served. What a nice life is this. How can I not enjoy?

Before my dinner, I took photos of the hotel interior. I just love how cozy it was. The Vice Governor has given us the best room and the best place to stay. Oh, I just love this. From here, I know I'm going to stay in the terrace chilling until midnight with my coffee on one side and my laptop in front of me.

[BANGUED] ▬ THE DINNER FOR THE DAY

[BANGUED] ▬ ALL SET. I'M READY TO GET FULL.

[BANGUED] ▬ BALATONG FOR DINNER

I just loved the food. I was satisfied. I continued chilling at the hotel terrace and I felt the wind touch my cheeks. The environment was dark. I can not see the view. I checked my watch and it was already past midnight. My first midnight in has just come.

I know the light is coming again the moment I wake up the next day and I'm pretty sure that there will be more vibrancy and vivid colors in the surroundings. At least, I've experienced what it got to chill until midnight in a hotel terrace situated in the hill. Tomorrow is waiting and I am excited for the big happenings that will be revealed by the daylight because this night is just the start of a 4-day fun and adventure this March 2015 in the exotic province of Abra. There will be rough adventures, a lot of local dishes to try and an overdose of culture and traditions that is really hard to describe. I'm just excited for these events. Everything is just perfectly wonderful. ▬ to be continued...

[UP NEXT] ▬ OH, WHAT ARE THESE ACCESSORIES? WHAT AM I DOING HERE?

► ABRA MARCH 2015 TRAVEL SERIES

I thought it would be another ordinary trade fair but I was wrong. The padaya gave me many answers on my search for truth and knowledge: reasons why I love traveling. Hang on for Part 2.

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► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

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[LEGAZPI] ▬ WITH MY COUSIN IN LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY

[BAGUIO] ▬ WITH TOOTS IN BAGUIO CITY

[VIGAN] ▬ JUST MARRIED!

[VIGAN] ▬ CALLE CRISOLOGO

[OLONGAPO] ▬ THE HONEYMOON: HOT COUPLE RIGHT?

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