Ilocos Sur: How to get to Vigan City: Bus Fare, Commute, Directions, Tours

This is for those of you who are looking for information on how to get to Vigan City – one of the most beautiful places in Ilocos. Vigan is a UNESCO world heritage site, and has also been voted as one of the New7Wonders cities of the world.

Vigan is really rich in culture and full of attractions. I recommend spending at least 2 nights there, so you have enough time to try everything. You can also check these Vigan vacation packages for some nice deals and promos.


How to get to Vigan:

there are a few different ways to get to Vigan from Manila, but the easiest is of course taking a flight to Laoag. Once there, you'll need to endure 2 more hours on a bus, so total travel time should be around 3 hours assuming there are no delays.

If you want to do it backpacker style though, you can definitely catch a bus going from Manila directly to Vigan, or take a connecting line in Baguio.

Commuting from Manila to Vigan directly:

1. The following companies operate the Manila-Vigan line: Partas, Dominion Lines, Maria De Leon, RCJ Bus Lines, Fariñas and Viron.

2. Buses leave from Cubao, Pasay and Manila City (Sampaloc). You should arrive there early to make sure there are tickets left. Both aircon and regular buses are available.

3. Prices range from 600 to 800 depending on bus choice and departure hour.

4. Partas have the best buses, and they also offer a night trip. The night trip takes only 8 hours instead of 10, and it's easier since you can quite comfortably sleep on the way there.


5. You can check Partas bus schedule and book tickets here.


Bus from Baguio to Vigan :

You can follow this post as it's just the reverse way and should still be relevant and up to date.

Generally speaking, there are buses all day long – both aircon and regular. It'll take around 6 hours to get to Baguio from Manila, then another 3-5 hours going to Vigan from there. Exact travel time really depends on your departure time, since traffic can be quite rough in both Manila and Ilocos.

Bus rates are between 350 and 400, depends on your exact choice.
The Bus terminal in Vigan is near the Public Market – just a short tricycle ride from anywhere in the heritage city and Calle Crisologo.

Labels: Ilocos Region, Ilocos Sur, Vigan

"Buwis buhay" aptly describes this Pangasinan trip straight from Zambales where almost all ingredients of Murphy's Law were present: unplanned trip, wrong turn due to unreliable information provided by a local, twenty kilometers of very rough road, vehicle was trapped on the sand of the beach and had to be helped by three locals who helped Tutubi push Scarlett back on the road then an almost empty gas tank with the nearest gas station many miles away, it's getting dark where 24/7 gas stations may not be present.

Osmena Beach and Tambobong White Beach are the hidden gems of Dasol, Pangasinan, unreachable by the usual tourists and where you can find only one beach resort (you can pitch a tent on the beach though if you're adventurous enough as a small community of fishermen lives around the area)

The unplanned adventure road trip to Osmena Beach and Tambobong White Beach in Dasol, Pangasinan in pictures:

after twenty kilometers which took more than one hour from the main highway, Tutubi and Scarlett reached this road fronting Tambobong Beach. It's past 6pm and the sun's about to set

Scarlett got trapped on the sand of the beach. Backing up didn't get it. Luckily, three locals in two motorcycles passed by and helped pushed her back to the road.

Osmena, Dasol, Pangasinan written near the bow of the banca. Notice the fine white sand?

one end of nice secluded beach with coral stones and small caves, pointed out by some locals as the location shoot of several teleserye like GMA7's Dyesebel starring Marian Rivera

it took Tutubi more than an hour to get there but he stayed for just about fifteen minutes to take pictures. This sunset though is priceless!

Coming Up:
How to Get to Dasol, pangasinan,
Beach Resorts in Tambobong
Travel tips et al

Notes:
Tutubi truly knows Scarlett well. He can go running empty from his office in Makati to Quezon City endure heavy EDSA traffic and gas up at his favorite gas station offering EuroDiesel 4.

The wrong turn was due to right direction but very bad information by a local. Tutubi should have driven to the next town where the road is so much better even if longer.

The beach is open to the public, no entrance fee, you can actually pitch a tent there to camp overnight.

Labels: Beaches, Ilocos Region, Pangasinan

Want to visit Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos, Pangasinan on a tight budget? Here's latest information on how to get there plus standard price of island-hopping/boat ride rentals for day tour or overnight tours.

UPDATED: November 2015

Travel Guide to Hundred Islands National Park:

One of the large boats for hire for island-hopping in Hundred Islands, Alaminos, Pangasinan

Hundred Islands Rates/Fees (to be booked at Lucap Wharf in Alaminos, Pangasinan)

Entrance Fee and Island-hopping rates are standard, no worries against overcharging here

Day Tour:
Entrance Fee: PhP40.00
Small Boat (1-5 persons): Ph1,000.00
Medium Boat (6-10 persons): PhP1,300.00
Big Boat (11-15 persons): PhP1,500.00

Overnight Tour:
Entrance Fee: PhP80.00
Small Boat (1-5 persons): PhP2,000.00
Medium Boat (6-10 persons): PhP2,500.00
Big Boat (11-15 persons): PhP3,000.00

A bit of spelunking/caving on one of small islands



How to get to Hundred Islands National Park:

How to Commute to Hundred Islands

from Manila, take a bus to Alaminos, Pangasinan

Bus to Alaminos, Pangasinan:
Victory Liner
Cubao to Alaminos, Pangasinan via Camiling, Tarlac
Fare: PhP393.00
Trip Schedules: 4am (first trip), 5:30am, 6am, 7am, 8am, 9am,
10am, 11am, 12nn, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm
10:40pm, 11:50pm (last trip)
Travel time around 5 hours

Five Star Bus
Cubao to Alaminos: PhP393.00 (air-conditioned) PhP300.00 (ordinary)
Pasay to Alaminos: PhP403.00 (air-conditioned) PhP308.00 (ordinary)
Trip schedules: please call Five Star hotline +63.927.712.4349 for the latest bus trip schedule


Driving Directions to Hundred Islands:

From Manila, head to EDSA then NLEX and SCTEX all the way to Tarlac then take the road going to Camiling, San Clemente, Mangatarem (Pangasinan), Aguilar, Bugallon, Labrador, Sual, and Alaminos

Activities:

swimming, snorkeling, diving, beach bumming (some beaches have lots of jelly fishes (dikya) if in season), rappeling

Coming Up:

Hundred Islands Beach Resorts, Hotels, Accommodations

Labels: Ilocos Region, Islands, National Parks, Pangasinan, Travel Guides

Note: What we have in bangui are not really windmills but wind turbines (used to generate electric power) and collectively as a wind farm. It should be promoted more as Bangui Wind Farm

When Tutubi went to Pagudpud in 2002, there was no Bangui Windmills yet, only the gray beach of Bangui was there.

The information provided on this post was supplied to Tutubi by a friend who went there recently, including the image of Bangui Windmills, err, Bangui Windfarm

Bangui Windmills..err...Bangui Windfarm in lomoish color

How to Get to Bangui Windmills from Pagudpud:

First, you can browse this very detailed map of Bangui Windmills here made by the cool guys of OpenStreetMap Philippines

Map of Bangui Wind Farm

How to commute to Bangui Windmills (backpacking way):

1. If you're in Saud Beach, take tricycle ride to Pagudpud poblacion (travel time 15 minutes)
2. At Pagudpud Public Market, take a bus bound for Laoag (travel time: around 30 minutes, bus fare: PhP20 (forgot the exact fare))
3. Request conductor to drop you off to the drop-off point to Bangui Windmills in Brgy. Baruyen, Bangui, Ilocos Norte
4. Take a tricycle to the coast of Bangui where the wind farm is located (fare: PhP100.00 to the elevated viewdeck)

Note: you can actually hire a tricycle in Pagudpud to tour you around Pagundpud town proper, Bangui Windmills to Cape Bojeador Lighthouse and
Kapurpurawan Rock Formation in Burgos Ilocos Norte for about PhP200.00/person (tour rate depends on your haggling skills as always)

Driving Directions to Bangui, Ilocos Norte:

It's best just to follow this route indicated on the detailed map of Bangui.

How far is Bangui from Pagudpud? With the distance of Pagudpud from Manila, the kilometer count does not matter anymore as when you get to Pagudpud, you're pagud na, pudpud pa ;P

Related Posts on Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte:
How to Get to Pagudpud
Beach Resorts in Pagudpud
Travel Guide: Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Labels: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Region

Tutubi gathered this list from the Internet with most beach resorts in Pagudpud now have official websites, unlike the time when Tutubi went there in 2002, there were only three beach resorts including Saud Beach Resort on Saud White Beach.

At least Tutubi was able to visit Pagudpud back when it was still serene and not as popular like today, when the only restaurants on Saud beach were the one inside Saud Beach resort and another turo-turo eatery cooking fresh seafood on order (paluto style). herewith is the list of Saud Beach Resorts in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte:

The white sand beach of Saud, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte (Picture courtesy of a friend who went there just recently

Arinaya White Beach Resort
http://arinayawhitebeach.pagudpodshore.com/

Pannzian Beach & Mountain Resort
Villa Del Mar Ivory Beach Resort

Apo Idon Beach Hotel
Polaris Beach Resort

Evangeline Beach Resort
http://www.evangelinebeachresort.net

Hannah Beach Resort and Convention Center
Official Website: http://www.hannahsbeachresort.com/
Telephone Number:
Room Rates: PhP4000.00 (peak period room rates)
Entrance fee for swimming (day tour rate): PhP50.00/person

Jun & Carol Beach Cottages
http://juncarolbeachresort.com/

Kapuluan Vista Resort
http://www.kapuluanvista.com/
Telephone Number: +63.920.952.2528; +63.920.928.5273
Email address: kapuluan_vista_resort@yahoo.com
Location: Sitio Baniaran, Barangay Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Polaris Beach House
http://polarisbeachhouse.wordpress.com/

Punta Garvida Beach Resort
http://puntagarvidabeach.pagudpodshore.com/

Saud Beach Resort & Hotel
http://www.saudbeachresort.com/

Terra Rika Beach and Dive Resort
http://www.terrarika.com
Remarks: online booking using credit cards, BDO, and Paypal available

Villa Del Mar Ivory Beach Resort
http://www.villadelmarpagudpud.com/

Blue Lagoon Resorts

Punta Azul
http://www.punta-azul-pagudpud.com/

Note:

if you're looking for the cheapest accommodations in pagudpud, homestays are your best options with fan beds and communal shower rooms and toilets for PhP250.00/person

ATV Rental rates in pagudpud is PhP250.00
Kitesurding rates: PhP2,300.00 1 hour kiteboard/kitesurf

Tutubi is not in any way affiliated with any of these resorts, please contact each resort via their published contact numbers, official websites for room reservations, inquiries, room rates, surfing rates, swimming pool, infinity pool, facilities, promos and discounts even sample menu on their restaurants. no information too on which resort accept online bookings or credit card payments.

Related Posts:
How to get to Pagudpud
Pagudpud Travel Guide

you may also be looking for saud beach resorts, blue lagoon beach resorts
pagudpud beach resorts, ilocos beaches, white sand beach, beachfront resort pagudpud
cheap beach resorts in ilocos norte for company summer outing, where to stay in pagudpud accommodations

Labels: Beaches, Hotels and Resorts, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Region

One of Tutubi's first adventures when he got "itchy feet" ten years ago was a tour of Ilocos from Vigan, Laoag and Pagudpud in 2002 when Pagudpud was not as commercialized as it is now.

Just last week, some of his officemates asked him how to get to Pagudpud from Laoag Airport as against the longer "how to get to Pagudpud by bus from Manila" as they're taking a Manila to Laoag flight. Here's the information he gave them

How to Get to Pagudpud from Laoag Airport:
(fresh pictures to follow once supplied by Tutubi's friends (hope they're of publishable quality too)

Manila to Laoag by air

Flights from Manila to Laoag are available from Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines (Tutubi's officemates took PAL with only two flight schedules to choose from: early in the morning and late in the evening)

From Laoag Airport, board a jeepney (or alternatively a tricycle) to take you to Laoag City proper (jeepney fare is PhP60.00) request the driver to drop you off where the Claveria, Cagayan-bound bus/van passes by.

(Tutubi's officemates eventually had contacts with a van-for-hire/van rental in Laoag who took took for a tour of Ilocos Norte by visiting Paoay, Bangui Wind Farm (no, they're not windmills) up to pagudpud)

Take the bus with signboard Claveria and request the bus conductor to drop you off in Pagudpud side of the national near the white beach (locals call this Centro, near Pagudpud public market and Pagudpud Town Hall)

In summary:

Laoag Airport to Laoag City proper jeepney fare: PhP60.00
Laoag to Pagudpud fare: PhP70.00
Laoag to Pagudpud travel time: just about 1.5 hours

note: due to the sheer "how log does it take to travel from Manila to pagudpud" by land (commute by bus or private car, Tutubi knows why it's called Pagudpud: pagod na, pudpud pa! :P

How far is Bangui from Pagudpud? With the distance of Pagudpud from Manila, the kilometer count does not matter anymore as when you get to Pagudpud, you're pagud na, pudpud pa ;P
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perhaps Tutubi will write Pagudpud guides on the following someday once he gets his blogging groove back:

Pagudpud Travel Guide

How to Get to Pagudpud from Vigan
How to Get to Pagudpud from Manila
How to Get to Pagudpud from Baguio
How to Commute to Pagudpud by bus

Labels: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Region, Pagudpud

The location shoot venue of the popular movie "No Other Woman" starring Derek Ramsey, Anne Curtis and Christine Reyes sporting blue and white motif set on the beachfront of Poro Point, San Fernando, La Union.

Tutubi was able to briefly visit this luxurious resort with pricey rates to "inquire" and order clubhouse sandwich, green mango shake and just enjoy the view of one of the playgrounds of the rich and famous in the north.

Pictures of Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point, San Fernando, La Union:

the signature white and blue motif of Thunderbird Resorts symbolizes the colors of the sea

the spacious lobby and viewdeck with giant "sun shield"


the empty swimming pool of Thunderbird Resorts at around lunch time

clubhouse sandwich

green mango shake, anyone?


Tutubi's lunch actually was at a frugal roadside restaurant somewhere in Bauang with sinanglao and bulalo :P

Information on Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point, San Fernando, La Union:

No Entrance Fee in Thunderbird Resorts, no information though on the Thunderbird resorts day tour rate to include use of swimming pool. An order of clubhouse sandwich, 2 green mango shakes and a can of soda costs PhP750 just to give you an idea of sample menu prices. the bar is open with a 32 inch LCD TV showing an English Premiere League football match between Chelsea and Fulham FC. Not too many people around lunch, though there are people having lunch. Noone's using the swimming pool at this time of day.

Labels: Hotels and Resorts, Ilocos Region, La Union, la Union Resorts

Just some sort of drive-by Visita Iglesia in Pangasinan on the way to Bolinao town, you can see two old churches along the way

These are just two drive-by photos, you can see the effect of the car tint plus some slight blur and poor composition :(

St. Raymund the Peñafort Church, Mangatarem, Pangasinan (Mangatarem Church)

Mangatarem church features a large green dome, technically called the apse, common in baroque style churches of old

St. Joseph The Patriarch Church Aguilar, Pangasinan (Aguilar Church):

the church has similar architecture and facade with the churches of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte but not the earthquake baroque style of siblings up north

these two churches are easiest to visit should you decide to do a Visita Iglesia Pangasinan in Holy Week, particularly on Holy Thursday where Catholic faithful visit seven churches.

related posts:
Bolinao Church
Visita Iglesia Ilocos Sur

Labels: Churches, Ilocos Region, Pangasinan, Visita Iglesia

A hidden gem of Bolinao, Pangasinan unknown to ordinary people is the presence of a long fine white sand beach in barangay Patar, less than a kilometer from Cape Bolinao Lighthouse that is a perfect spot for backpackers and travelers with a shoestring budget.

Patar Shite Beach's stretch of fine white sand, with Treasures of Bolinao Beach Resort on the background

fine white sand, clear waters, no hecklers and pesky vendors in sight unlike...it's more fun here than...

Patar Beach Resorts, hotels, accommodations and camp site:

there are really two "Patar Beach resorts" here on Patar White Beach, there's the 5 star Treasures of Bolinao Beach Resort and the bundget travel-friendly cottages for rent on the beachfront.

Cottages for rent rates are pegged at PhP200/cottage for a day. Backpackers can pitch tents on the beach but camping rates for PhP200 to be paid at barangay Patar for them to provide security and for the use of public restrooms/washroom/toilets.

Tutubi asked around for overnight accommodations, he got quotes for as low as PhP1500.00/cottage good for 15 people (backpacker or dorm type) not for the squimish but very cheap beachfront accommodations.

the public restroom near the service road to Patar White beach

open cottages for family picnics/company outings for only PhP200.00/cottage/day

Next...cheap souvenir shirts and shellcrafts

Related Posts on Bolinao, Pangasinan:

Bolinao Beach Resorts
Puerto del Sol beach Resort and Spa
Enchanted Cave Bolinao Pangasinan
Cape Bolinao Lighthouse
Bolinao Church
Binungey

Labels: Beaches, Ilocos Region, Pangasinan

Standing 101 feet high, Cape Bolinao Lighthouse is the second tallest lighthouse in the Philippines, next only to Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. Located in Patar, Bolinao, Pangasinan, it guides sailors and fishermen from the coast of Cape Bolinao. It was built by the Americans some time in 1903 (thus it's not really an old Spanish Lighthouse)

Like most lighthouses in the Philippines, it's operated by the Philippine Coast Guard and now running on solar power.

Cape Bolinao Lighthouse with Scarlett, Tutubi's new travel buddy in view




a crude attempt at framing the shot behind a flower with the camera held so low without even looking at the viewfinder...turned out fine though

Cape Bolinao Lighthouse offers a sweeping view of Cape Bolinao passage, the iconic Treasures of Bolinao beach resort with its lighthouse logo and the backpacker-friendly white sand beach of Patar.

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Cape Bolinao Lighthouse
Coordinates: N16 18 25.6 E119 47 07.8

Labels: Ilocos Region, Lighthouses, Pangasinan

A few hundred meters from Puerto del Sol Beach Resort and Spa, along the road going to Cape Bolinao Lighthouse and Patar white beach, are several underground caves with natural swimming pools where tourists go to after beach bumming on the white sand beach of Patar.



One of the more popular, and promoted by Bolinao Tourism people, is the so called Enchanted Cave, a privately-owned resort/park with the underground cave and a natural pool of cold, refreshing fresh water.

On the way to the cave entrance, near the parking lot are coral stones, testament to the fact that Luzon Island, not just Bolinao used to be underwater (did you also notice this in Sagada? way up in the mountains of the Cordillera?)

these rocks are actually dead corals, proof that at least this part of Bolinao used to be submerged under the sea

fossilized giant clams probably millions of years old though no carbon dating of scientific way to verify the claim

the underground natural swimming pool of Enchanted Cave beckons to swimmers

Review and Comment on Enchanted Cave:

This cave reminds Tutubi of Bohol's Hinagdanan Cave, something overrated and bordering as a tourist trap with expensive entrance fee plus the fact that it's being promoted as something enchanted or mystic just to lure tourists. Near Enchanted Cave are other pseudo-spelunking attractions e.g. Wonderful Cave then Cindy's Cave.

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Enchanted Cave:
Contact Numbers: +63.928.783.9890; +63.939.5709907
Coordinates: N16 20 35.5 E119 48 13.6

Enchanted Cave Entrance Fee:

Entrance Fee: PhP50.00
Swimming: PhP70.00 (PhP50.00 + PhP20.00)

Parking:
4 wheel vehicle: PhP25.00 (cars, jeeps, vans)
3 wheel vehicle: PhP15.00
2 wheel vehicle: PhP10.00

How to get there:

Ride a tricycle from Bolinao town proper. Bolinao is a bus ride from Manila (e.g. Victory Liner) and about 1 hour from Alaminos, Pangasinan

Labels: Caves, Ilocos Region, Pangasinan

A visit to the local market is always recommended by Tutubi for first time visitors to a place. There you can see various delicacies and local specialties unknown to Manila denizens that locals are not aware are sought after by "intrepid" explorers like Tutubi always on the lookout for something fresh and new. In front of Bolinao town hall and Bolinao church, there are several stalls chanced upon by Tutubi selling Pangasinan's version of suman: binungey



Similar in manner of cooking to the tinubong of Ilocos, binungey recipe involves cooking sticky rice and coconut milk inside bamboo tubes roasted in fire. Prices range from PhP20.00 each to PhP33.00 (3 for PhP100.00) depending on size of the bamboo tube container.



How does binungey taste like? It's something similar to the sinaing sa gata of Paete, Laguna without the chocolate dip. Binungey though has the slight taste of bamboo, unlike sinaing sa gata cooked in metal cookware and dipped in hot chocolate, often served for breakfast at Paete Public Market.

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How to make Binungey (Source: Alaminos government website):

"1. Soak glutinous rice in coconut extract for a few hours.
2. Then, fill the bamboo tubes with glutinous rice, ¾ full.
3. Top the glutinous rice either with a banana leaf or the coconut shavings that was extracted for the coconut extract.
4. Arrange bamboo tubes in a row in an upright position. Then, lit up a fire on each side, using either wood or coal, just near enough to allow the heat to reach the tubes.
5. Let it steam for a few hours. Then, you can either top it with sugar, nuts or milk upon serving"

Related posts on Bolinao, Pangasinan:

Bolinao Catholic Church
Puerto del Sol

Labels: Ilocos Region, Pangasinan, Pasalubong

Just two drive-by pictures of two landmarks in Bolinao, Pangasinan: The old stone church of Bolinao, formally called St. James the Great Parish (same with Paete, Laguna making July 25 the date of Bolinao town fiesta) and the red brick Bolinao town hall.

The Bolinao Church was built by the Augustinians in 1609 and still stands to this day. Behind the church is Bolinao Public Market where you can buy danggit at just PhP250.00/kilo (similar danggit in Cebu costs around PhP750.00) but at limited supply. There several hotels, bars, restaurants and hotels in town, and a 24 hour eatery.



Across the church is the red brick Bolinao town hall. In between the two structures is the main road where you can also see stalls selling binungey. Near the town hall are several banks (one of them with an ATM), and a handful of bus companies going to Bolinao either from Manila, Alaminos or Dagupan: Boltex Express, Bolinao Express, Mhel Ben, Dagupan Bus Company, Victory Liner, Santrans, et al.



Related posts on Bolinao, Pangasinan:

Binungey
Puerto del Sol

Labels: Churches, Ilocos Region, Pangasinan

With his family in tow, comfortably seated in a shiny, new red Toyota Innova, which he christened Scarlett, Tutubi went to visit the tip of Pangasinan peninsula north of Manila on a roadtrip to celebrate his nth birthday. His destination, one of the three high-end resorts in Bolinao, Pangasinan: Puerto del Sol, Punta Riviera and Treasures of Bolinao. He chose Puerto del Sol (meaning: "gate of the sun" in Spanish) for this one though he intends to visit the latter two resorts in the future.

Located about an hour drive from the Hundred Islands city of Alaminos, Bolinao stands at the tip of Pangasinan peninsula with a string of resorts in Barangay Ilog Malino up to Barangay Patar (with it's white sand beach). Welcome to Puerto del Sol: Tutubi's home for 3D/2N for his birthday with loved ones.

Pictures of Puerto del Sol Beach Resort, Bolinao, Pangasinan:

the comfy room of mansion villa where Tutubi spent 3D/2N in

no other people using the pool as it's a weekday and few guests besides Tutubi. In fact, Tutubi had the resort entirely on his own the first day he was there

guests gamely pose for pictures with picturesque palm trees inside the resort

Review of Puerto del Sol Beach Resort:

Facilities: excellent and family-friendly. Large swimming pool with a lighted jacuzzi you can enjoy for a few hours everyday.

a washroom featuring clams, just hope they're not the endanged tridacna gigas. this room, near the beachfront, needs maintenance

Room Rate: Expensive. You get your money's worth but not fit for backpackers who opt to explore places, not stay in expensive resorts. Tutubi rented two rooms for 3D/2N and imagine how much he spent for his family (9 in all including his sister and nephew) but family bonding time is simply-- priceless!
Parking: free parking in front of the resort, open yet guarded by resort security

Food: nothing to rave about, breakfast is ok but the food is so-so. Restaurant menu prices will easily cost you about PhP300/person. Tutubi went out of the resort to enjoy cheaper meals for his big entourage.

Beachfront: Ilog Malino Beach is nowhere near Patar White Beach in terms of sand quality but the presence of a breakwater makes it safe even for children to play around (though they still have to closely guarded)



Lastly and as always, this is not a sponsored post and thus an independent review of Puerto Del Sol Beach Resort in Bolinao, Pangasinan.

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Puerto del Sol Beach Resort
Coordinates: N16 21 18.1 E119 48 46.1

Booking Office is on Meralco Avenue at Rennaisance Towers, Pasig City

PLease contact Puerto del Sol Beach resort directly through their published contact numbers or visit their official website for promos, bookings, events, current room rates and other inquiries (like: No, you can't bring food and drinks inside the resort)

Related Posts:
Directions to Pangasinan
Bolinao Beach Resorts
Pangasinan Beach Resorts
Enchanted Cave Bolinao Pangasinan
Cape Bolinao Lighthouse
Bolinao Church
Binungey
Patar White Beach

Labels: Ilocos Region, Pangasinan, Resorts

Several baluartes (watchtowers) can be found on the coast of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and La Union built by the Spanish authorities to guard and warn coastal communities of any suspicious ship coming to shore and thus warn people of impending danger from marauders, usually Moro or Chinese pirates slave traders, snatching young girls and women during summer. The watchtowers were mostly constructed about 400 years ago, made of adobe blocks and coral stones joined by lime and egg whites, typical construction styles of Spanish churches.

Watchtowers: the sentinels of the sea against marauding pirates and unwelcome visitors

Tutubi already visited and posted several of the watchtowers and this one, located in the town of Luna, La Union (formerly called Namacpacan and now named after one of the towns famous sons, Gen. Antonio Luna (brother of Juan Luna)) is no different but in such sad and forlorn state, just waiting for a strong typhoon, tsunami or apathetic humans to topple it down to oblivion. The watchtowers foundation is already eroded probably due to seepage of seawater making it look like the leaning Luna watchtower that urgently needs restoration, if there are still people out there who appreciate heritage.


the ruins of the Luna Watchtower sits on a pebble beach, where people make a living of gathering pebbles to be sold to traders and exporters of white, gray or sometimes colored pebbles for use in landscaping, construction and aquariums here in abroad

the leaning watchtower, held in check by crude wooden planks, children nearby add scale to the photograph

the watchtower has been split in two due to cracked foundation and a tree further poses risking damage to the heritage structure

Other baluartes in La Union province can be found in Carlatan, San Fernando (a small town formerly known as Pindangan), Balaoan, Bacnotan and San Juan, all yet to be visited by Tutubi.

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Luna Watchtower,
Barangay Victoria, Luna, La Union
GPS Coordinates: N16 51 24.8 E120 22 22.0

Related Posts:
Bateria Watchtower
Santa Watchtower
La Union Beach Resorts

Labels: Ilocos Region, La Union, Watchtowers

Tribute post to Gabriela Silang's 248th death anniversary

Just along the national highway in the town of Santa, Tutubi chanced upon a billboard marking the historic pass occupied by Ilocano fighters under the command of Diego Silang, then later succeeded by his wife Gabriela.

Gabriela Silang Park occupies a strategic location overlooking the sea on a promontory, beside Imelda Park (yeah, listed as a tourist attraction in Ilocos Sur website but actually badly maintained with very few people, mostly locals, present).

What can you see in Gabriela Silang Memorial Park? Just a billboard, empty tables and benches for picnics, there's Imelda Park, also with picnic tables (mostly empty), beach nearby, huge trees (probably centuries old or at least heritage ones 50 years or more) and across the highway is Northern Luzon Heroes Hill National Park





a marker nearby states (in Filipino): "dating Pideg at ginawang Diego - Gabriela Silang noong 1976. Ipinagawa ng mga Pransiskano noong 1600. Ginamit noong 1600 sa pag-aalsa nina Andres Malong at nina Diego at Gabriela noong 1762 pagkamatay ni Diego noong May 28, 1763. Ang pag-aalsa ay pinamunuan ni Gabriela, pagkaraan ng ilang sagupaan as sinalakay ng mga kastila and pasong ito. Nadakip si Gabriela at ipinabitay noong setyemre 20, 1763"

The Gabriela Silang Monument near the entrance of Imelda Park (in silhouette) due to late afternoon stop by Tutubi, with the heroine astride on a horse.




the Gabriela Silang Monument at Gabriela Silang Carpark at the corner of Makati Avenue and Ayala Avenue, Makati City

Have you ever wondered if it's really correct to depict Gabriela Silang on a horse with two feet off the ground? Monuments with persons on a horse have meanings :P

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Location: Santa, Ilocos Sur
GPS Coordinates: N17 27 53.0 E120 26 06.2

Labels: Ilocos Region, Ilocos Sur, National Heroes, Parks, Philippine History

Another Ilocos delicacy, besides Candon Kalamay, peddled on the streets of Vigan is the tinubong, so called as it derives its name from the container, a bamboo tube with an opening at one end and a node at the other, which locals (Ilocano) call tubong, thus the name tinubong. The tinubong comes stuffed inside bamboo poles of about an inch or two in diameter and about a foot in length.

Tinubong beside Candon Kalamay offered by hawkers outside Baluarte

Tinubong is a sticky, sweet delicacy made from glutinous flour, sugar, coconut milk, small strips of buko (young coconut flesh) and sometimes cheese and margarine inserted into the bamboo tube then roasted over charcoal embers (traditionally) or in ovens (in commercial quantities).

tinubong with the sweet stuff exposed when you split the bamboo tube.

You can buy tinubong sold by peddlers, near the Baluarte, city plazas, and other Vigan pasalubong shops in the old heritage city for about PhP20.00 per tube depends on size and your haggling skills.

Related Posts:
Royal Bibingka
Candon Kalamay
Vigan Longganisa
Hidden Garden

Labels: Delicacies, Ilocos Region, Ilocos Sur, Vigan