"My summer town exploration was concentrated in the Cordilleras and to some towns of the northernmost coasts of Luzon."

So you want to go off-beat during rainy season? Then go! But you can't compel me to do it because I would prefer summer to do town hopping or town exploration, to some degree. Chase the rain and I'll chase the sun. Anyways, any will do, as long as you are comfortable with it.

The towns and destinations I am going to feature in this post will just be the highlights of my recent summer escapades and a separate post is reserved for each. Anyway, I'll compile it here as a teaser. Let us start with the town of...

SAGADA (March & April)

So the first town is Sagada. For this year's summer, I went to Sagada twice. The first was before the peak season and for the second time, after the peak season. I wanted to get rid of the crowd and would you believe that Sagada's popular caves get crowded during the Holy Week? It is hard to enjoy if that is the case for me. The highlights of my Sagada tour are the following:

1st photo | Kiltepan Peak on a high noon: I have climbed the Kiltepan Peak twice--during high noon and before sunrise. When I and my brother climbed it during high noon, our clothes got wet, thus, the half-naked photos. We didn't bring extra clothes.

2nd photo | Bokong Falls (Small Falls): Part of our Sagada 4-hour adventure (more details of this 4-hour spontaneous adventure for the upcoming post) is Bokong Falls. It is the most accessible waterfalls in Sagada from the town center. This is not microscopic but definitely, it is small.

3rd photo | Sumaguing Cave: I entered the Sumaguing Cave without a guide. Call it suicide, then I have to agree. Details will be discussed for my upcoming Sagada #TownExploration Series where I used a small flashlight that can not even beat the flashlight of a Nokia 1200 phone.

4th photo | Lumiang Cave: This cave is sacred for the people of Sagada because it is the burial ground of their ancestors. It is mind-boggling how those coffins made of pine wood were placed at the edge of the cliffs inside the huge cave opening. Well, they might have employed a technology unrecorded in history?

5th photo | Kiltepan Peak before sunrise: They say the best time to climb Kiltepan Peak is during sunrise. But for me, it is just a hype. It depends on what you want to look for. If you are fascinated with sunrise, then go for the sunrise. But if your are sunrise-ophobic, then why go with the hype? The view you'll see during high noon would be a different worthy experience as good as, or could be better than the sunrise.

6th photo | Sagada Orange Plantation of Rock Inn. Rock Inn (I think is the nearest restaurant-hotel from Kiltepan Peak) manages an orange plantation. I was able to see an orange tree for the first time here. Unfortunately, it was not a season for picking.

7th photo | Hanging Coffins at Echo Valley: Probably the most popular destination in Sagada, the hanging coffins of the Echo Valley are those that you can visit up close. There are other hanging coffins, but you can not see them as easy and smooth close as those at the Echo Valley.

8th photo | Latang Underground River: Latang underground river has a wide opening with a cave ceiling of hundreds of meters thick that hotels and gasoline stations can be established at the top without making a chaos inside the cave. I also discovered that this underground river and cave is a good place to belt a Michael Bolton song with a touch of Gary V's dance moves. Your voice will reverb like a concert auditorium can offer.

MALIBCONG (Late February)

During this recent summer, I went to another town in called Malibcong. So where in the world is Malibcong? Malibcong town is the terminus town of to the east. One of the most remote towns I have ever been so far. This town is an ancestral domain to 3 mountain tribes. The following are the highlights of my Malibcong summer town exploration, although there will be more when I'll begin my Malibcong series.

1st photo | Malibcong Welcome Arch: The town's welcome arch is a must-stop. Why? Because this part of the town is one of the highest and definitely one of the most scenic spots. You'll be able to see the winding Kalinga-Abra road via pine-clad mountains to the west. The air here is a winter-chill. Bring jackets or sweater.

2nd photo | Sunset over the mountains: I left Malibcong before dark (I won't advise you to do this if you ever plan). The prize for this is the ability to witness the dramatic sunset over the mountains of the neighboring town of . This view is taken from the Malibcong Welcome Arch.

3rd photo | Banagan River: This river is located in Gacab, a tribal village of Malibcong. It also has a natural lagoon where you can dip your lower extremities up to thigh level. Some parts could be chest deep.

4th photo | Thrill Riding: Aside from the great natural wonders and amazing rice terraces of Malibcong (which I didn't see), this town could be a haven for thrill-riders whether you use a mountain bike, motor bike, trail bike or your 4X4. I don't advise low-clearance cars when going here if you don't want to cry over spilled milk thereafter.

5th photo | Experience the culture of the Itneg tribes: The hospitality of the Itneg tribes in this ancestral domain will make you appreciate the countryside way of living (remote town category). Here, they prepared a food for us that's why I witnessed the process on how they kill a wild or native pig before it will be cooked for a meal. That was a good experience.

DAGUIOMAN (March)

Daguioman is home to the Banaw Tribe. Banaw tribe inhabit this town, some parts of Malibcong and Balbalan in Kalinga. This town is home to wild deers hunted for their delicious meats.

1st, 2nd, 3rd photos | Banaw Tribe Experience: Another tribe I met in the Cordilleras is the Banaw Tribe. They have their own dialect although they are a sub-tribe of the larger Itneg tribe. Lucky me, they offered their beautiful dances and hit their traditional gongs. Chills to the bones. This experience was crazily awesome.

4th photo | "Insert Pronoun Here"Chapel: I don't know the name of this chapel but it is interesting because it changes the landscape of the town. I rarely see chapels like this in this town.

5th photo |Off-road backriding: Because unofficially I am the president of hitch-riding society, I hitched on that pick-up to see this remote town that only has a jeepney route once every other day. So how's that hassle? Riding at the back makes you enjoy the view. Note: Use sunblock, however, dust might replace your sunblock later.

BUCLOC (March)

Bucloc is a rice terraces town. The road leading you to this town will offer you a scenic river valley and an array of rice terraces that continuously follow the rough road.

1st photo | Bucloc Rice Terraces: The town of Bucloc has a long array of rice terraces that follow the river. You can see the beautiful view along the road.

2nd photo | Off-track hitch riding: Ok let's stop this fuss. I forgot to tell that summer is officially my season for hitch-riding.

BANAUE (April)

Banaue town in Ifugao is famous for it's towering rice terraces, the result of resiliency and ingenuity of the Cordilleran people. The rice terraces of Banaue are world heritage sites.

1st and 2nd photos | Banaue-Bontoc Road: This road is undoubtedly breathtaking. The road is carved at the slope of these steep Ifugao mountains. The road has minimal view-obstructing concretes. I think it is best to drive a motorbike here.

3rd photo | Batad Rice Terraces:Reaching Batad Rice Terraces requires lung and heart endurance. 2 hours of walking, hiking and trekking are required. Also called the "Amphitheater Rice Terraces," this man-made wonder is an engineering marvel that soars to thousand meters high.

4th photo | Tappiyah Waterfalls: Another 2 hours of hiking, trekking and walking from the Batad Viewpoint is the Tappiyah Waterfalls. The effort is sure, worthy.

LUNA (March)

Luna is the emerging political and commercial center of the province of Apayao. Luna town has cave systems and underground rivers.

1st photo | Capagaypayan Underground River: This underground river system has branches in Capagaypayan, a barangay in Luna. Above this subterranean river is a public park with a hole at the middle, an outlet of the cave.

2nd photo | Apayao Sports Complex: This sports complex was constructed when the province hosted the Cordillera Regional Athletic Meet.

3rd photo | Bat Caves of Luna: According to my research, there are 7 guano-filled bat caves in Luna. With a guide, we tried to look for the 7 but it was not easy. Also, some of the cave openings have been almost obstructed by soil. Some of the caves are not just suitable for spelunkers.

4th photo | Lovers Lane: Still, I don't know why they called this place as a lover's lane. They say, there is a lagoon down. Unfortunately, I never saw it.

PUDTOL (March)

The town of Pudtol is also in Apayao famous for it's ruined Spanish fortress church. The town is located south of Luna. The town has two ruined churches, one in Brgy. Emilia and one at Mataguisi.

1st photo | Welcome Arch: Yes, I make it sure not to miss every welcome arch as much as possible.

2nd | Pudtol Ruins at Emilia: Once a Spanish fortress church, now turned as a ruined structure. However, a new church has been built beside this one.

3rd photo | Swan Ogee Dam: I was intrigued by the name at first. It could be strange for a town like Pudtol. And one thing more, I saw real "swan" around when I went here.

SANCHEZ-MIRA (March)

The town of Sanchez-Mira in Cagayan Province may not be unique and appealing but in case you are looking for places to visit here without expecting too much, then check this out...

1st photo | Sanchez-Mira Parish Church: I visited this town on a Maundy Thursday and I witnessed how religious are some of the people here. Beside this church were carrozas of the saints' images ready for the procession.

2nd photo | Mascoop Resort: When I asked a police officer what place can he recommend me to visit in this town, he told me "Mascoop Resort." Well, not an exceptional resort but it can always give your leisure time a bang-for-the-buck. Located on a beach, you can enjoy the sunset here or simply go swim to the beach, though, there is a huge swimming pool inside the resort.

CLAVERIA (March)

Claveria town, the northernmost town in Luzon (based on the location of the poblacion) is my new favorite. It is a home to secluded beaches, and many natural attractions. It is also a gateway to the Babuyan Group of Islands. Claveria is also one of the reasons why my summer escapades this year is so complete. I reiterate, this is just a teaser of the highlights since there will be a more detailed and more insightful Claveria #TownExploration series for the upcoming weeks.

1st photo | View of the bay in Claveria: That view was taken from the Claveria view deck. A beautiful vantage point of enjoying this magnificent wonder.

2nd photo | Sentinela Beach: Seeing this beach for the very first time made me believe that the saying "Love at first sight" is oh-so-true.

3rd photo | Taggat Lagoon: Another love at first site, my heart is full of love in Claveria. Yes, I Love Claveria.

4th photo | Baybay Beach: Near this beach is the house of Journeying Pinay, a fellow travel blogger who calls Claveria as her hometown. When I went here, the beach is full of action. I also met a Belgian tourist here.

TINGLAYAN (April)

TInglayan town is the most memorable place for me this summer of 2013. I have done agaw-buhay adventures here I thought I can never do. There are about 10 stories pending for my Tinglayan series, but for now, I will just give 2 photos. Please do watch out for the series

1st photo | Bugnay Rice Terraces: Bugnay is the first ever village I stepped onto in Kalinga province. This village is also the village wherein I first saw a Kalinga tattooed woman. Whew!

2nd photo | Meet-up with Fang-od, a Legend: The woman at the picture is Apo Fang-od or Whang-od. She is the last authentic tattoo artist of the Butbut tribe of Tinglayan, Kalinga. What is the reason she got those tattoos and why and how she perform tattooing? These questions will be discussed more in detail for my Tinglayan series. I am also making a simple video documentary about this 92-year-old woman and I hope I can finish it soon.

BONTOC (April)

As of this post, I am currently doing my Bontoc #TownExploration series. If you want to read the series now, . But I would want to still include Bontoc here because this town is part of my 2013 summer escapades. My Bontoc series is actually composed of more than 10 articles but I will just place the highlights here.

1st photo | : Alab Village has a lot of things to offer. It is in fact a village with ancient past. My visit to Alab Oriente in Bontoc is the highlight of my Bontoc town exploration. It has interesting legends and burial caves.

2nd photo | Bayyo Rice Terraces in Bayyo, Bontoc is a worthy stop-over along the Bontoc-Banaue road. This breathtaking vista can be seen when going to Banaue from Bontoc. If you have your own car, much better because you can stop anytime. This view can be seen along the road. No need to hike or trek.

3rd photo |: If you want to understand more of the beauty of the Igorot culture, go to Bontoc Museum, a 15-minute walk from the Bontoc town hall.

4th photo | Kadchog Rice Terraces: Kadchog Rice Terraces is located across the Chico River in Bontoc. This towering rice terraces is located near the town center to the south.

5th photo | Mt. Gotong: The villagers require that you must have a guide when climbing here. For newbie mountain climbers like me, this is a good start. There is a 1000-step stair that will lead you to the top. But of course, you also need to hike on dirty trails because that stairway is just a part of the whole trail.

6th photo | Palali Rice Terraces: This view is seen from the top of Mt. Data, another mountain you have to reach after the Mt. Gotong if you choose to ascend via the 1000-step stair (part of the 4-5 hours of trekking and hiking)

7th photo | Alab Petroglyphs: These are rock carvings at the top of the mountain that have been carved sometime in 1500 B.C.

8th photo | Ganga House:Ganga house is a mysterious stone house made up of massive stones with pointed top and a space of about 3 feet from the groud to the ceiling.

9th photo | Ganga Burial Cave: Ganga Burial cave is probably the most interesting burial cave in the Cordilleras because of the presence of jars where the dead is placed.

Summer Festivals (April and May)

Summer is definitely a festive season in the Philippines. I was able to witness 3 festivals up north this year's summer. In Vigan alone there are three. One of the reasons why usually, I just stay in Vigan during summer to witness it's local culture.

1st photo |(May): Binatbatan Festival showcases the Ilocano fabric called "Abel."

2nd photo |(April): Another interesting festival of Vigan is the Karbo Festival. It showcases the heritage and culture in Vigan through Carabao painting and Boklan arts (seed mosaic).

3rd photo | (April): Vigan hosted this year's World Costume Festival wherein different costumes all over the world were showcased.

4th photo | (April): A festival of the whole province of Mountain Province showcasing it's unique culture and traditions.

So this is how I spent my summer this year.

This post is the #TownExplorer's entry for the Pinoy Travel Bloggers' (PTB) blog carnival for the month of May 2013.

Hosted and compiled by Jona Branzuela Bering of Backpacking with a Book under the theme: "Summer Epilogue."

Click the carnival logo to read previous compilations.