Santa Maria Church (Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion Church), Ilocos Sur

WHERE: Santa Maria Church (Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion Church), Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur
DATE OF TRAVEL: September 21, 2007
WHY YOU SHOULD GO:
1) The Santa Maria Church is an architectural marvel.
2) It is one of the four churches in the Philippines that is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

FEES: Free

DESCRIPTION:
The Santa Maria Church was built on 1769 in the town of Santa Maria in Ilocos Sur. The church was built for Our Lady Of The Assumption and it was built on top of a hill. They say that they built the church there because a long time ago a statue of the Virgin Mary from another place would disappear and find itself perched on a guava tree which was on top of this hill.

To get to the church you must climb 85 steps of piedra china, but the short climb is worth the sweat. On top of the hill you will see the church, the convent and the bell tower. The church with its thick buttresses for reinforcement is considered as an earthquake baroque church. The bell tower which was built on 1810 is pagoda-like in appearance and is built distance away from the main church to protect it in case the tower falls during an earthquake.

All in all, this is a must see, not only for its religious significance but also its architectural beauty. It is one of the four UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

HOW TO GET THERE:
There are buses from both Manila or Vigan that you can take to reach Santa Maria. The town of Santa Maria is on the way from Manila to Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

TIP: Walk around the church including the other side where you'll see steps going down to what seems to be an endless path leading to "The Secret Garden". If you have time, go down the steps and explore the nature that sits just next to this wonderful church!

Plaza Salcedo and Calle Crisologo, Vigan, Ilocos Sur

WHERE: Plaza Salcedo and Calle Crisologo, Vigan, Ilocos Sur
DATE OF TRAVEL: September 21 & 23, 2007
WHY YOU SHOULD GO:

1. The old houses built in cobblestones you see in pictures of Vigan is actually just in one street called CALLE CRISOLOGO. You can say that is IS the epitome of Vigan!

2. Plaza Salcedo is the largest plaza in town surrounded by Vigan Cathedral, the City Hall and the Provincial Capitol. This plaza is a perfect example of how the Spaniards set up their towns during their colonization in the Philippines. Right on this plaza is Jose Rizal's statue and a large relief of the Philippines on water.

FEES: Free (Calle Crisologo is home to antique shops, souvenir stores, inns, food kiosks and several restos so make sure to bring cash)


NOTE: Calle Crisologo does not allow modern vehicles. Only kalesas are allowed to roam along this long road.

DESCRIPTION:
Calle Crisologo (Calle is the Spanish term for Kalye which is the Filipino word for street so Calle Crisologo simply means Crisologo Street) is the most famous street of Vigan. It is a long stretch of cobblestone (about half a kilometer) that displays 18th century Filipino-Spanish houses. As our friend slash mentor Professor Felipe de Leon Jr. would say, it is wrong to call the houses in Vigan "Spanish" houses. "Go to Spain and see if the houses are like the ones we have!", he would say, and true enough, they are way different. Undoubtedly, there is a Spanish influence as seen in the lower levels where the houses are built with stone. It is the Spaniards after all, who taught Filipinos to use stone in building structures. However, a lot of the designs are very Filipino most especially seen in the upper levels where there are big windows to make up for the humid weather and the use of capiz shells for design (Capiz Shells were then only found in the Philippines and not in Spain).

Today, Calle Crisologo still has that old, rustic charm but with a modern twist. While the houses are relatively preserved, most of them double as souvenir and antique shops, pension houses, inns, cafes, etc. According to one local we talked to, the outer parts of the houses are preserved because there is a law that prohibits house owners to destroy the structure of their houses. However, there is no law that protects the interior of the houses thus a lot of the interiors have been destroyed and sold to collectors/ sellers. There is also word that the cobblestones of this street are no longer original because a powerful politician sold the original ones long ago.

Moreover, to our dismay, a branch of a local food chain called Max's Restaurant is already here, too. From what we know, food chains and anything very "commercial" are not supposed to be built on this street hence the non-existence of Mcdonald's and Jollibee.

The other thing one should watch out for are the "tourist" prices. Since the influx of tourists are fairly high, the prices of items on sale have gone up, too. Antique collectors should also watch out for replicas that are passed as authentic antiques or antique items with ridiculous price tags. Make sure to haggle and ask for a discount. If you like antiques, make sure to do a lot of research on antiques before buying here.

Plaza Salcedo is the largest plaza in town and is surrounded by the main Cathedral which is the Vigan Cathedral (built in 1541) and the City Hall. Back then and until today for most provinces, the plaza IS the most important place in the city or town. A plaza, a structure built by Spaniards, is always composed of the most important structures of the town -- Church and City Hall. Today, banks, parks, concert halls, statues, etc are also found in the plaza. This is also where the most prominent people of the town lived and built their houses and today, this is where their descendants live. Plaza Salcedo takes pride in its relief map of the Philippines near Jose Rizal's structure. Around the plaza are several restaurants - both commercial and local as well as stores, museums and numerous kalesas.


HOW WE GOT THERE:
By private bus: From Manila, we joined a field trip and headed up north via a hired bus.

On our second trip, we traveled from Baguio to Vigan and got there in 4 hours via a private vehicle. Partas Bus Lines also ply the Baguio-Vigan route for about P230 per head.

Once in Vigan, just hail a tricycle and ask the driver to take you to Plaza Salcedo or Calle Crisologo. You can walk from Plaza Salcedo to Calle Crisologo or vice versa.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
Airconditioned Buses leave from Manila to Vigan daily. The trip takes about 8-9 hours. For a list of buses, click this.

You can also fly for an hour from Manila to Laoag City via Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines or Zest Airways. From Laoag, you can take a bus to Vigan City. The trip takes about 1.5-2 hours.


HELPFUL LINKS:
http://www.dotpcvc.gov.ph/Destinations/vigan.htm
http://www.ayeenonline.com/travel/vigan.html

Padre Burgos Museum, Vigan, Ilocos Sur

WHERE: Padre Burgos Museum, Vigan, Ilocos Sur
DATE OF TRAVEL: September 21-23, 2007
WHY YOU SHOULD GO:
1) The Padre Burgos Museum, built in 1788, is the ancestral home of the Philippines' martyr-priest Father Jose Burgos.
2) It is one of the last few remaining Spanish-era houses in the country with most of its' original furniture still intact.
3) It contains a collection of Burgos family photographs, jewelries, antiques and memorabilia which includes a copy of Noli Me Tangere, written by a student of Father Burgos - Jose Rizal, which was given to Father Burgos as a gift.
4) The museum also contains dioramas of local history and displays of Ilocano and Tinggian archeological artifacts.
5) There are 14 paintings by Esteban Villanueva depicting the events during the 1807 Basi Revolt.

FEES: P10 entrance fee

DESCRIPTION: Built in 1788 by the grandparents of Father Jose Burgos, Don Juan Gonzales and Dona Florentina Gascon, the ancestral house still stands intact with most of of its original furniture.

Father Burgos was born in this house in 1837, he started his studies in Vigan and then continued in Manila in San Juan de Letran and the University of Santo Tomas. During his priesthood, he exemplified courage by fighting the Spanish friars for equal rights for the Filipino clergy. Because of this he was marked by the Spanish and he was later tried and executed along with two other martyr priests, Father Gomez and Father Zamora. The three were known as the GOMBURZA martyrs, they served as an inspiration to the Filipino revolutionaries. Jose Rizal's second novel, El Filibusterismo, was dedicated to Father Jose Burgos. The novel was written after the execution of the GOMBURZA.

In the museum, you will also find 14 paintings by Esteban Villanueva depicting the Basi Revolt. In 1786, the Spanish colonial government took over the manufacturing and sale of the Ilocanos beloved basi, sugarcane wine. The private manufacturing of the wine was banned by the Spanish which forced the Ilocanos to purchase the wine that they make from government stores. On September 16, 1807, the Ilocanos rose up in revolt which lasted for weeks. Eventually, the Spanish government was able to subdue the revolution with much casualties.

HOW WE GOT THERE:
By private bus: From Manila, we joined a field trip and headed up north via a hired bus.

On our second trip, we traveled from Baguio to Vigan and got there in 4 hours via a private vehicle. Partas Bus Lines also ply the Baguio-Vigan route for about P230 per head.

Once in Vigan, just hail a tricycle and ask the driver to take you to the Padre Burgos Museum. It is also just walking distance from Plaza Salcedo and Calle Crisologo.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
Airconditioned Buses leave from Manila to Vigan daily. The trip takes about 8-9 hours. For a list of buses, click this.

You can also fly for an hour from Manila to Laoag City via Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines or Zest Airways. From Laoag, you can take a bus to Vigan City. The trip takes about 1.5-2 hours.

Sarrat Church (Santa Monica Church), Sarrat, Ilocos Norte

WHERE: Sarrat Church (Santa Monica Church), Sarrat, Ilocos Norte
DATE OF TRAVEL: September 21-23, 2007
WHY YOU SHOULD GO:

1) It is the largest church in the Ilocos region.
2) It is the church with the longest center aisle in the Philippines (137 meters).
3) It is a beautiful baroque church made from baked brick.
4) It still has ruins of a torture chamber used by the Spanish to hang and torture Filipinos during the Spanish colonial period (and right above it was a terrace where the Spanish priests would watch the "torture").

FEES: Free

DESCRIPTION:

Santa Monica Church or Sarrat Church is the largest church in the Ilocos Region, it can be found in the town of Sarrat, Ilocos Norte (7 kilometers from Laoag City). This church was built in 1669 along with its bell tower and a convent by Augustinian friars and named it after the mother of Saint Augustine; Saint Monica. The church, the convent and the bell tower are all made from baked bricked thus making the color of the church red. It has buttressed walls, a staircase and bridge that connects the church and convent. The bell tower is built at a distance from the main church to protect the main church from damage in case an earthquake would topple the bell tower down. The church also has the longest center aisle amongst all the churches in the Philippines, it is 137 meters long.

Furthermore, the church has ruins of a torture chamber where you will find two brick pillars. This is where Filipinos, who were against the Spanish, were hanged and tortured by the Spanish during their colonization of the Philippines. During the Japanese time, the Japanese used this also to torture Filipino guerillas. Other memorabilia and photographs can be found displayed in the convent.

Sarrat was the hometown of the late President Ferdinand Marcos. It was in this church, last June 1983, where his daughter Irene Marcos was wed to Gregorio Araneta. The wedding brought about the reconstruction of the church since it was damaged through time, wars and two major fires. Unfortunately, after two months, an earthquake struck (intensity 7.6) and the altar and bell tower was damaged.

HOW WE GOT THERE:
By private bus: From Manila, we joined a field trip and headed up north via a hired bus.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
There are airconditioned buses that leave from Manila to Laoag. For a list of buses, click this.

You can also fly for an hour from Manila to Laoag City via Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines or Zest Airways.

Once in Laoag, just hail a tricycle and ask the driver to take you to the Sarrat Church or Santa Monica Church. You can also take a jeepney to the church.

Santa Monica Park, Sarrat, Ilocos Norte

WHERE: Santa Monica Park, Sarrat, Ilocos Norte
DATE OF TRAVEL: September 21-23, 2007
WHY YOU SHOULD GO:
It is a nice serene place near the Sarrat Church or also known as the Santa Monica Church

FEES: Free

DESCRIPTION:
The Santa Monica Park by the Santa Monica Church is a very serene and quiet place. It is a place where you can relax and enjoy the fresh provincial breeze.

HOW WE GOT THERE:
By private bus: From Manila, we joined a field trip and headed up north via a hired bus.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
There are airconditioned buses that leave from Manila to Laoag. For a list of buses, click this.

You can also fly for an hour from Manila to Laoag City via Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines or Zest Airways.

Once in Laoag, just hail a tricycle and ask the driver to take you to the Park by the Sarrat Church or also known as the Santa Monica Church. You can also take a jeepney to the church.

Paoay Church (San Agustin Church), Paoay, Ilocos Norte

WHERE: Paoay Church (San Agustin Church), Paoay, Ilocos Norte
DATE OF TRAVEL: September 21-23, 2007
WHY YOU SHOULD GO:
1) It is one of the four churches included in the Unesco World Heritage list
2) It is beautiful and impressive, you can get a great photo especially in front of the church

FEES: Free

DESCRIPTION:
Paoay Church or also known as San Agustin Church took 90 years (from 1704) to build and is made from lumber, coral stones, baked brick and limestone mortar with sugar cane juice. It is an architectural marvel influenced by gothic, baroque and oriental styles. It is the best known "earthquake baroque" church in the Philippines with 24 immense side buttresses to support the structure and 1.67 meter thick walls. It is said that this is the most photographed church in the Philippines.

The Paoay Church is also a historical site since its bell tower (built 1793) served as an observation post for Filipinos during the wars against the Spaniards and the Japanese.

HOW WE GOT THERE:
By private bus: From Manila, we joined a field trip and headed up north via a hired bus.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
There are airconditioned buses that leave from Manila to Laoag. For a list of buses, click this.

You can also fly for an hour from Manila to Laoag City via Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines or Zest Airways.

Once in Laoag, just hail a tricycle and ask the driver to take you to the Paoay Church.

Museo Iloco, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte

WHERE: Museo Iloco, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
DATE OF TRAVEL: September 21-23, 2007
WHY YOU SHOULD GO:
1) The museum provides a window into the culture of the people in the Ilocos region.
2) It showcases an ancestral house that you can enter inside the museum.
3) The museum has a section to house featured exhibits. For the latest featured exhibit, visit http://www.museoilocosnorte.com.

DESCRIPTION:
The Museo Iloco structure used to be a Tabacalera tobacco building built in 1878. The structure was converted into a museum in 1999 with the aim to become a repository of GAMENG (meaning treasure), the vast cultural heritage of the people of Ilocos Norte. It is to provide a sense of pride and awareness to the people of Ilocos Norte by showcasing their legacy and ancestry.

The Museum houses various exhibits on the Ilocos region including a life size furnished ancestral home that visitors can enter and roam around in. Other exhibits showcase the Abel Iloco (Ilocos Textile and Weaving), Baskets, Farms, Markets and Commerce, Musical Instruments, Theater and more.

All in all, I think this is a good museum to visit. You will definitely learn a lot about the people (Ilocanos, Yapayaos, Isnegs and Igorots) in Ilocos Norte and have some fun at the same time.

HOW TO GET THERE:
You can fly from Manila-Laoag via Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific fly to Laoag daily.

You can also take a bus to Laoag (Ilocos Norte). Fariñas Transit, Partas, RCJ, Philippine Rabbit, Maria de Leon and Florida ply Manila-Ilocos Norte and vice versa regularly. There are airconditioned buses that leave from Manila to Laoag. For a list of buses, click this.

If you're coming from Manila by private vehicle, head to NLEX and SCTEX, exit at Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac and follow the National Highway all the way to Ilocos. Once in Laoag, ask around where Museo Iloco is.

CONTACTS:
Museo Iloco
Gen. Luna corner Llanes Streets, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines 2900
(+63-77) 770-4587
(+63-77) 770-3836

Marcos Museum and Mausoleum, Batac, Ilocos Norte

WHERE: Marcos Museum and Mausoleum, Batac, Ilocos Norte
DATE OF TRAVEL: September 21-23, 2007
WHY YOU SHOULD GO:
FEES:
NOTE:

DESCRIPTION:
HOW TO GET THERE:
CONTACTS:
HELPFUL LINKS:
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:

Java Hotel, Laoag City

WHERE: Java Hotel, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
DATE OF TRAVEL: September 21-23, 2007
WHY YOU SHOULD GO:
1. It's a nice place to stay at when you're in Laoag City. It has a homey ambience and comfortable rooms.
2. While it may have Balinese-Moroccan atmosphere, there is still an Ilocano touch. Check out the roofs and the intricate spiral architecture! And check out the fields at the back, too.

NOTE: It's easy to get to the heart of Laoag City from this hotel.

DESCRIPTION:
Java Hotel is a 50-bedroom accommodation in the heart of Laoag City. Aside from rooms, it also has a swimming pool, a tennis court, a gym, a function hall, a souvenir shop and restaurant. It offers tours around Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur and there is free WiFi at the lobby. Because of the hotel's theme, it is also a great place for photo or video shoots.

HOW TO GET THERE:
You can fly from Manila-Laoag and arrange pick-ups with the hotel. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific fly to Laoag daily. You can also take a bus to Laoag (Ilocos Norte). Fariñas Transit, Partas, RCJ, Philippine Rabbit, Maria de Leon and Florida ply Manila-Ilocos Norte and vice versa regularly. From the bus terminals, you can take a tricycle (around P10/ head) going to the hotel. If you are riding Fariñas Transit, their bus terminal is right beside the hotel. Apparently, the owner of the bus and the hotel is the same.

If you're coming from Manila by private vehicle, head to NLEX and SCTEX, exit at Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac and follow the National Highway all the way to Ilocos Sur. Once in Laoag, ask around where Java Hotel is (or ask where the Fariñas Bus Terminal/ Caltex Station is)

CONTACTS:
Java Hotel - +632 2461010 (Manila office)/ +6377 7705996-97 (Ilocos office)/ +63910 877 6849/ +63921 6109910/ +63906 383 8838/ frontdesk@javahotel.com.ph/ javahotel@gmail.com/ java_hotel@yahoo.com.ph

HELPFUL LINKS:
http://javahotel.com.ph/java/

Bus Companies & Contact Numbers

Itinerary: Ilocos Trip

ITINERARY: Ilocos Cultural Trip
DATE OF TRAVEL: September 21-23, 2007

*This trip was a field trip organized by Professor Felipe de Leon Jr. (University of the Philippines Diliman - Asian Institute of Tourism) with the help of Kuya "A" Navida, our tour operator and guide.
* We moved from one place to another via our tour bus.
* We paid P3,500 per head for the whole trip inclusive of food except for our "side trips" to Museo Iloko and Dap-ayan ti Ilocos Norte (trike from our hotel).

You may contact Kuya "A" Navida at +632 4336366/ +63919 5111610/ aantours1997@yahoo.com

DAY 1: September 21, 2007

9:00 pm University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD)
10:00 pm Leave UPD for Ilocos

DAY 2: September 22, 2007

1. Sta. Maria Church (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
2. Vigan Cathedral
3. Plaza Salcedo, Vigan
4. Burgos Museum, Vigan
5. Crisologo Museum, Vigan
6. Laoag Plaza: Provincial Capitol
7. Museo sa Ilocos Norte, Laoag
8. Dap-ayan sa Ilocos Norte, Laoag

our hotel: JAVA HOTEL, LAOAG CITY :)

DAY 3: September 23, 2007

1. Sarrat Church, Sarrat
2. Santa Monica Park, Sarrat
3. St. William's Church (Sinking Bell Tower), Laoag
4. Cape Bojeador/ Burgos Lighthouse, Burgos
5. Aglipayan Church (Batac)
6. Marcos Resthouse/Mausoleum (Batac)
7. Batac Church (Batac)
9. Malacanang of the North (Paoay) and Paoay Lake
10. Paoay Church (Paoay)
11. Vigan Heritage Village (Crisologo Street- World Heritage Site)
12. Shopping around Vigan City
13. Go back to Manila

Dap-ayan ti Ilocos Norte, Laoag City

WHERE: Dap-ayan ti Ilocos Norte, J.P. Rizal Street, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
DATE OF TRAVEL: September 22-23, 2007
WHY YOU SHOULD GO:
1. It is a favorite hangout of the locals!
2. Ilocano's famous food, EMPANADA (deep fried meat pie that can be "vegetarian") among many others, is available here!
FEES: less than P30 for an Empanada

DESCRIPTION:
Dap-ayan ti Ilocos Norte is a food court in Laoag City that houses the different Ilocano food as well as souvenirs like abel iloko (woven cloth), pottery, rattan, metal craft, garlic, cornik and more!

ADDRESS: JP Rizal Street, Laoag City (near Museo Iloko and the Ilocos Provincial Capitol)

Crisologo Museum, Vigan

WHERE: Crisologo Museum, Vigan, Ilocos Sur
DATE OF TRAVEL: September 22-23, 2007
WHY YOU SHOULD GO:
The ancestral house of the Crisologo family is about a century old and is very well preserved by the family. An antique kalesa, library and other furniture and artifacts are displayed in this mansion.

FEES: Free

DESCRIPTION:
The Crisologo ancestral house and museum used to be the residence of Floro Crisologo. He was a congressman who worked toward the establishment of the Social Security System, abolishing the death penalty and more. It was on October 18, 1970 that Floro Crisologo was shot while standing on a communion line in the Vigan Cathedral. To this day, his murder remains unsolved. It was in Floro Crisologo's memory that his family converted their ancestral home into a museum housing the memorabilia of the Crisologo's.

HOW WE GOT THERE:
By private bus: From Manila, we joined a field trip and headed up north via a hired bus.

On our second trip, we traveled from Baguio to Vigan and got there in 4 hours via a private vehicle. Partas Bus Lines also ply the Baguio-Vigan route for about P230 per head.

Once in Vigan, just hail a tricycle and ask the driver to take you to the Crisologo Museum.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
Airconditioned Buses leave from Manila to Vigan daily. The trip takes about 8-9 hours. For a list of buses, click this.

You can also fly for an hour from Manila to Laoag City via Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines or Zest Airways. From Laoag, you can take a bus to Vigan City. The trip takes about 1.5-2 hours.


HELPFUL LINKS:
http://www.dotpcvc.gov.ph/Destinations/vigan.htm
http://www.ayeenonline.com/travel/vigan.html

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Burgos

WHERE: Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Burgos, Ilocos Norte
DATE OF TRAVEL: September 22-23, 2007
WHY YOU SHOULD GO:
FEES:
NOTE:

DESCRIPTION:
HOW TO GET THERE:
CONTACTS:
HELPFUL LINKS:
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:

Malacañang of the North, Paoay

WHERE: Malacañang of the North, Paoay, Ilocos Norte
DATE OF TRAVEL: September 21-23, 2007
WHY YOU SHOULD GO:
FEES:
NOTE:

DESCRIPTION:
HOW TO GET THERE:
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Laoag Church (St. Williams Cathedral) and Sinking Tower, Laoag City

WHERE: Laoag Church (Saint William's Cathedral) and Sinking Tower, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
DATE OF TRAVEL: September 21-23, 2007
WHY YOU SHOULD GO:
1) It is known to be the largest cathedral in Southeast Asia.
2) It has a sinking bell tower.

FEES: Free

DESCRIPTION:
St. William's Cathedral or also known as the Laoag Church is the largest cathedral in Southeast Asia. It is older than the Paoay Church since it was built in 1590. Originally, the church's walls and posts were built using stone, lime and molasses. It's roofing was made out of wood and dried grass. The church also experienced a lot of damage due to hurricanes, earthquakes and a major fire in 1843. It was restored in 1880.

Another must see in the church, well actually it is not inside the church but 85 meters away from the church, is its belfry. It is known as the Sinking Belfry or Bell Tower. It is a 45 meter high tower that looks massive and heavy and it sinks at a rate of an inch each year due to its weight and the sandy foundation it sits on. Currently, the tower has sunk so much that the entrance is already half buried whereas a man riding on a horse could enter its doors before. Despite all this, the belfry is still functional and is still being used today.

The sinking bell tower is currently the tallest in the Philippines, I wonder how long will it still keep this record... :)

HOW TO GET THERE:
You can fly from Manila-Laoag via Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific fly to Laoag daily.

You can also take a bus to Laoag (Ilocos Norte). Fariñas Transit, Partas, RCJ, Philippine Rabbit, Maria de Leon and Florida ply Manila-Ilocos Norte and vice versa regularly. There are airconditioned buses that leave from Manila to Laoag. For a list of buses, click this.

If you're coming from Manila by private vehicle, head to NLEX and SCTEX, exit at Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac and follow the National Highway all the way to Ilocos.

Batac Church, Ilocos Norte

WHERE: Batac, Ilocos Norte
DATE OF TRAVEL: September 22-23, 2007
WHY YOU SHOULD GO:
FEES:
NOTE:

DESCRIPTION:
HOW TO GET THERE:
CONTACTS:
HELPFUL LINKS:
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:

Mount Banahaw, Quezon

WHERE: Mount Banahaw, Quezon
DATE OF TRAVEL: September 1-2, 2007
WHY YOU SHOULD GO:

1. This is considered a spiritual mountain by many hence the different spiritual beliefs everywhere - from the waters to the caves to the mountains! Mt. Banahaw is full of "holy sites". Some actually believe that if you get out of Husgado (judgment) cave with bruises and scratches, you ARE sinful!
2. It's very interesting to meet Rizalistas (people who have so much belief in the life and works of Dr. Jose Rizal and at some point believe that he is a divine being!) who actually reside in this area.
3. Even though you are not religious, this site proves to be a destination for the adventurous! The caves are actually challenging, and the hike to Kalbaryo is anything but easy.

FEES: For this trip, we paid around P1,500 for the whole overnight trip inclusive of the public bus line that brought us to Quezon and the 3-hour jeepney ride from Quezon all the way back to UP Diliman!

NOTE: We joined our friend JP's field trip for PI 100: Rizal. It's probably cheaper to do this on your own but we're not sure how the do-it-youself (DIY) groups plan their itinerary. ;) There is an eco lodge here called Kinabuhayan Bed and Breakfast and homestays are also available.

DESCRIPTION:

Mt. Banahaw is located in Dolores, Quezon. This trip was actually done at the foot of Mt. Banahaw because a lot of things can be done on this religious site. Called "holy mountain", hundreds of people flock here during the lenten season. Banahaw supposedly got its name from the Tagalog words "banal" which means sacred and "daw" which is a term to suggest doubt in something that is supposed to be a fact. Put together, "banal daw" means "supposedly sacred".

In 2004, Mt. Banahaw's hiking trails were closed for restoration and is scheduled to open again in 2010.

There are a lot of things to do in Mount Banahaw. Whether you're religious, adventurous or simply curious, there is something exciting and new to learn here. Even just at the foot of the mountain, adventurers would surely be delighted. From challenging mini-caves to cold rivers to waterfalls to steep boulders on the way to Kalbaryo, Mount Banahaw will not disappoint you. A trip to the residences of the Rizalistas is also interesting and enlightening. We do not want to spoil more details because it would ruin your experience. You will find out later on that no words can describe the experience of Banahaw, and you will begin to finally understand why a lot of field trips are done there.

Overall, there's something about this place that is magical. Whether it's the beliefs or the environs that does that to you, it surely succeeds in doing so. This place is a wonderful weekday or even weekend getaway, especially if you're looking for an adventurous connection with nature.

TRIVIA:
Legend has it that Banahaw was the headquarter of a group headed by the famous local hero, Apolinario de la Cruz or Hermano Pule sometime in 1840-43. He was the person who named places in Banahaw such as Jacob and Kalbaryo. In an offensive against Pule, he and his wife was killed wherein his head, stuck to a pole, was displayed at the road to Tayabas to warn all rebels. Pule promised to return as the Santong Boses. (trivia from this site)

SITES IN BANAHAW YOU SHOULDN'T MISS:
Holy Water Falls & River, Husgado Cave, Sto. Jacob, San Pedro and San Pablo, San Isidro, Kalbaryo, Rizalista House (at least one)
HOW TO GET THERE:
1. Ride a bus from Manila (JAM Liner) to San Pablo, Laguna (P135 aircon bus).
2. Ride a jeepney to the palengke and ask for directions going to Mount Banahaw.
CONTACTS:
JAM Liner - +632 9251758 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              +632 9251758      end_of_the_skype_highlighting (terminals: Cubao (EDSA), Buendia LRT)
TIPS:

1. Prepare to get "wet" and "dirty". Bring extra clothes, water and towels to dry you up.
2. If you can, bring a waterproof camera.
3. Respect the beliefs of the people. Insulting any of their beliefs is a big no-no!
4. Prepare yourself for some physical activity. You cannot just sit down and see the beauty of Banahaw. You have to feel the waters, explore the caves and trek all the way up for a scenic view!

HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR TRIP: (Dedicated most especially to our group: The Filubusteros
--Forgetting to bring our usual digital camera FOR THE FIRST (and so far, only time). Forgive our pics cause we just took them using our phones (Nokia N70 and N92! We stole some pics from Em's Ericson phone cam, too. Thanks dear!) This part was really a sad one...Wish we could've taken pics of every activity we did. Hmp!!
--The interview with "Tya Pasing!", a Rizalista.
--The super small and very challenging caves (not advisable for claustrophobics, haha!)
--The cave that made us feel how it is to be a worm, and the pitch-black cave!
--The hike up to Kalbaryo (if only because of the singing, the laughing and our groupmate, Clarence:p)
--The falls, the rivers, the clear waters!
--The uber cold water!!! And the uber cold floor where we all slept!
--The race to be the first in line in the shower area!
--JP's (our friend) caving experience!
--Jericho (our groupmate) the almanac!
--JP threatening Jericho!
--"3 and a half lang ang sampung utos ng Diyos!"
--The question "Sino po ba talaga si Rizal para sa inyo?" by JP at "Ano po ang ibig sabihin ng Kristong Tagalog?" by Paula
--"So what kung uno ka? Eng'g ka ba?!" vs "So what kung Eng'g ka? Other colleges ka naman!!!" (probably, only UPD students will get this!)
--The song "Man in the Mirror!"
--JP calling Ina "Tin" and Paula asking "Sino si tin?" then JP asking back "Ano na nga ba pangalan niya?" (referring to Ina who was right in front of him!)
--The FILIBUSTEROS namely Ina, JP, Em, Aya, Clarence, Paula and Charlie :D
--The rollercoaster ride on the jeepney roof
--The conversation about posers with Ina. (Ya know, we're climbers already kasi we climbed once eh!!!! Bwahahahaha!!!)
--The jeepney ride from Dolores, Quezon all the way to UP Diliman!:)