"Dagupan's chaos and hot weather have become a charm for me throughout the years because the city elements I just mentioned have made Dagupan the sweet madness that it is now."

[PANGASINAN, PHILIPPINES] ► The year 2017 came rushing like a wildfire but my travel spirit was still stuck in 2016. My 2016 blog backlog was a heavy problem to deal with. I don't know how could I finish it now that 2017 travel opportunities are starting to paint my 2016 travels 50 shades darker. It's hard to ignore the vibrant shades of my 2017 travel calendar which started on 01.11.2017.

[PANGASINAN] ▬ AFTER THE BIRTH OF 2017 IN PANGASINAN PROVINCE Photos taken by Edmar Guquib on 11-January-2017 in Pangasinan Province, Ilocos Region, Luzon Group, Philippines Camera: Canon 1200D

[PANGASINAN] ► HELLO! WELCOME TO PANGASINAN!

Exactly 11 days after the birth of 2017, I was in Pangasinan to continue my search for truth. The year was young in this good old destination of mine. I entered the province via San Fabian town with youthful enthusiasms to grow more as an individual and a student of the universe.

Mangaldan

I passed by the town of Mangaldan. It was bustling. It was busy. It's following the footsteps of its neighbor Dagupan as a commercial hub.

[MANGALDAN] ► HELLO! WELCOME TO MANGALDAN!

Approaching the Mangaldan Public Market means a worsening traffic. Vehicles slow down. Road becomes congested. Mangaldan, being a lowland town that is close to the sea (not a coastal town but yeah, close to Lingayen Gulf), the heat added more discomfort to me. But yeah, I don't complain. Each town in the Philippines is beautiful with different qualities to inspire you depending on what you are passionate about.

Anyway, the economic growth of Pangasinan towns is impressive. Mangaldan is one of them. Actually, I've explored Mangaldan's quieter side in the past years but I haven't blogged them since. Shame on my laziness.

Dagupan

Remnants of the past Christmas season were still decorating the busy streets of Dagupan when I visited the city for the first time in 2017. In front of the city museum was a tall Christmas tree.

[DAGUPAN] ► HELLO! WELCOME TO DAGUPAN!

It's same old, brand new. Old city, new year. Dagupan's chaos and hot weather have become a charm for me throughout the years because the city elements I just mentioned have made Dagupan the sweet madness that it is now.

It's overpopulated during the day yet you have the opportunity to learn and be inspired by the people you might meet somewhere, over there. The busy streets with hundreds of jeeps that emit enormous dark smoke are noisy and stressing but you would learn that every commuter with body-squeezing skills could endure the commuter-congested jeep during rush hour because he/she has a mission to accomplish.

Jeeps are part of the lives of every Pangasinense and they use these transport vehicles to achieve their dreams, to empower people, to educate the youth and to be responsible parents. Professionals, students, working moms, the rich and the poor all join the chaos of Dagupan to improve their lives. The thick crowd inside the jeeps and in the markets of Dagupan is the reason why the busy Dagupan I have known is alive and awake and each soul therein consider Dagupan as their home and a provider of opportunities for their lives to improve.

[DAGUPAN] ► ZAMORA STREET FOOD STRIP

[DAGUPAN] ► PANTAL BRIDGE

[DAGUPAN] ► PANTAL RIVER + STAR PLAZA HOTEL

But Dagupan is not just about the stressful heat and noisy streets (in my case though 'cause I live in a less commercially-developed smaller city which still has rice fields). It also has its peaceful side that I personally love. The city plaza is a good place to relax for me. Near the plaza is the equally peaceful and relaxing premises of the new Saint John the Evangelist Cathedral.

[DAGUPAN] ► THE NEWER SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHEDRAL

Zamora Street played its rightful role during this visit as a street for foodies. Every time I visit this street, I usually see a food strip. As usual, it's a favorite place for the locals.

The bridge over the Pantal River was still decorated with Christmas-related stuff during my visit and the spirit of Christmas in Dagupan continued to be felt 11 days after the birth of 2017.

On my walk around the downtown of Dagupan, I noticed that the bibingka vendors near the corner of Burgos Street and AB Fernandez Avenue are back; so with their tupigs.

I also noticed horse-drawn carriages running on the streets of the city. I'm not sure if this is a recent addition or not. If not, I probably haven't noticed them before.

Dagupan was a perfect city to kick-off my 2017 travel calendar. Hoping for more fruitful travel line-up this year. Minus my laziness, I have more stories to tell from this trip. | end |

11 JANUARY 2017: PANGASINAN
PANGASINAN PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES

[PANGASINAN] ► HELLO! WELCOME TO PANGASINAN!

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

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

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

[3] All photos are mine.

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