Wednesday, November 19, 2014

MARCOS MUSEUM IN SARRAT

The Marcos Museum is located in Brgy. San Agustin, Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, the place where the late President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos was born on September 11, 1917 to Mariano Marcos and Josefa Edralin, both school teachers from well-to-do families. The records and pictures shown inside the museum reveal that Marcos had lived here until he was 8 years old since they (their family) moved to Batac.

Our group at the facade of the Museum


Visiting this museum was an enriching experience for one somewhat travels back in time and see what is the typical house of well-to-do family in the early 19th century pictured in a traditional 2-storey “bahay na bato” constructed in a red brick ground floor for storage and the wooden upper level, with its hardwood floor, reserved for the living quarters.

Old photographs inside the museum


The posters and old photographs displayed in the museum can tell what has transpired in the life of the Marcoses like the Marcos family tree, musical instruments, license plates of Marcos used for his cars, the furniture and fixtures used, various documents and the deep well at the back of the house on its second floor.

The deep well at the back of the second floor of the museum


This would not have been equipped as a museum had it not with the initiative of former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos to renovate it in 1977 during his husband’s (Pres. Marcos) 60th birthday. However, this has been abandoned when the Marcos were exiled to Hawaii and was restored back after that.

The deep well gives a clean water


If you want to visit this museum, then observe the time and days it is open to the public for viewing which is specifically during Mondays to Saturdays from 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon and 2:00 to 5:00 P.M.

The town of Sarrat is only 30 minutes drive west of Laoag City and is known also its exquisite old church of Santa Monica Parish Church where its belltower stands separate from the main church structure. Almost adjacent to it is a parish convent which looks very interesting.

KAPURPURAWAN ROCK FORMATIONS

Location:  Agno Road, Burgos, Ilocos Norte, Philippines

Updated:  November 2019

This is such a geological wonder located along the beach where the guests can have the option of visiting the place through trekking or horseback riding.  If there is Biri Rock formation in Northern Samar, then Ilocos Norte has its very own Kapurpurawan rock formations.

The creamy white and streamlined limestone formations of Kapurpurawan

Visiting this place in the afternoon is not recommended.  It is very hot here.  As you approach the place,  its entry is almost blocked by makeshifts selling souvenir items.  Then, you have to walk down.  There is no need to have a guide, the place is not so big.

The windmills at the background

I was amazed to know that windmills are not only installed in Bangui town but also here in Burgos near the Kapurpurawan.  Since it was so hot in the afternoon of my visit, some of my colleagues did not even bother to go down from our chartered van.

Capturing the rock formation with intimacy

The entrepreneurial locals offering horseback riding were offering us a ride for a fee just to roam around which I also liked, but riding a horse would even  exposed you to the searing heat of the sun and you can not just simply hide from the shady parts of the rock formations.

The access road going to Kapurpurawan rock formations

As this one is located in the municipality of Burgos where the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse is located, then, both should be scheduled one after another to save time.  The municipality of Burgos, was named after the martyred priest, José Apolonio Burgos y García, a Filipino mestizo secular priest, accused of mutiny by the Spanish colonial authorities in the Philippines in the 19th century. However, a little background would suffice for my reader’s delight. 

The statue of the epic of Ilocos Biag ni Lam-ang

Since its exact location is along Bangui Bay, then it is also close to the Bangui Windmills. On the other hand, the term “kapurpurawan” means white since all the rock formations you will see there are all white.

This part has been closed to the visiting public

From the early times, tourists can get closer on its rock formations. However, with some people leaving marks and vandalism on these rock formations, the local tourism management has now restricted some parts of it to be at the close encounter by the tourists. They can only be viewed or taken with pictures at a distance. But you don’t have to worry since some parts of it are still open to tourists to get close and experience its natural beauty through a natural touch.

The other part of this destination

As a consolation, there is no entrance fee charged here. However,  some said some locals are collecting entrance fees as some locals would approach the guests and charge an entrance fee.  But in my observation,  Ilocos tourism would give you a ticket if you will pay an entrance fee.  In my case, nobody approached me to ask for an entrance fee. Just be reminded that since it is an open with no shades of trees around, you must take with you some covering like an umbrella and equip yourself with wrench quenching drinks since it is really hot in here. It is open from 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. in a daily basis.  Horseback riding fee is P100 for an hour.

This is the trail going to the rock formations

Captured from the elevated part of the rock formations

In case you want to try horseback riding

HOW TO GET THERE

First, from Cape Bojeador, take the Pan-Philippine Highway/AH26. Make a left turn at Kapurpurawan Rock Formation Access Road and drive straight ahead  heading to its drop-off point.

Alternatively, from Burgos City proper via Pan-Philippine Highway/AH26, turn left onto Pres. Ignacio Street.  Make a right turn at F. Garcia Street. Drive straight ahead until you reach the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation Access Road heading to its drop-off point

Friday, November 14, 2014

THE SAND DUNES OF ILOCOS NORTE

Location: Barangay Masintoc,  Paoay, Ilocos Norte, Philippines

Updated: November 2019

A 4 x 4 service vehicle is provided for guests at Culili Point sand dunes adventure

On my third time of visit to Ilocos Norte, I was able to set foot on this sand dunes attraction.  So, it is obvious that on my first two visits, our group were not able to visit this since our hectic time of 3-day 2-night Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte package were to hectic.

The vast expanse of sand dunes ready boarding a 4 x 4 for an exciting adventure 

On this third visit to this place, it was closed and has not been in operation for more than three weeks already.  It means that still, I was not able to have my adventure on this exciting sand dunes.

Just a part of the sand dunes attraction

When I featured this tourist destination the first time, I had posted from two different sources as you will read it below.  And the specific location was the sand dunes of Suba, also a part of Paoay.  But the pictures I  posted in my actual visit is in Culili point of Barangay Masintoc in Paoay. Since I did not have the actual adventure, I still retain my first blog post. This was the time when I was still dreaming to visit the  place.

Read my previous post below:

Visiting the Sand Dunes of Ilocos Norte will remain a dream for me. For the four times that I have visited Ilocos Norte, limited time has barred our group from visiting this site. Unfortunately, my travel buddies were either too tired that they wanted to go back to Laoag City for a rest or simply time was not enough to include this destination in our trip. The Sand Dunes of Ilocos Norte is just one of the two must-see destinations I missed to visit during my Ilocos trips.

Enjoying the sand dunes of Paoay picture courtesy by The Huffington Post


Though I have not visited this place, I included this in my post for a one-stop reading of my blog followers about the Ilocos Norte trip package. So that, they will know that this one is another must-see attraction of Ilocos Norte.

Sand boarding at the Sand Dunes courtesy by Owen Ballesteros


As a background, the Sand Dunes of Ilocos Norte stretches widely from the municipality of Currimao in the north and curves it’s way to La Paz in Laoag City then to Suba in Paoay and lastly in Pasuquin in the south.

The home of Ilocos Norte’s Sand Dunes in Paoay is located in Suba. Suba has the most extensive and unbroken stretch of coastal sand dunes compared to the other towns of Ilocos Norte. With an extensive stretch averaging to 800 meters wide, one will fell he is like in a real desert.

A land travel from Manila up to this point is a total of 13 hours. It is recommended that tourists will also try to catch sunset here. Reading from the testimonies of some bloggers, the Sand Dunes of Ilocos Norte offer the most beautiful sunset one may ever see in his whole life. Try it for yourself.

LAOAG CITY TRIP

Location: Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines

Updated:  November 2019

Below is the updated post of my second visit:

Ilocos Norte Capitol Building

There is something good I feel whenever  I am in Laoag City.  I feel like I am in a city but there is still an aura of a province. The city plaza, the capitol building, the cathedral and the main thoroughfares are connected.  

An ideal Spanish-town design

In our history class, it has been said that the Spaniards would normally construct the important structures at the center of the town with government building, school, plaza and church in adjoining locations and the private houses are just located around these structures.

The sprawling town plaza

Early in the morning, the senior citizens and the joggers can be seen occupying the open plaza either to get the heat of the sun, have a healthy walk, do exercises routine, or jog around.

Capturing the Capitol Building at a distance

The open town plaza in most cases is being used as a venue for senior citizens having discussion or  endless chat where you can hear that they are sharing with each other their experiences and the most I hear is about politics and world wars of their times.

The Sinking Bell Tower of Laoag

This structure is believed to be constructed after 1707 earthquake which has a foundation of 90 meters (300 feet) which sinks into the ground at a rate of an inch a year. It is reinforced with four massive columns on each corner and a winding stairway leading to the belfry.  It used to have a large clock on the tower's western face.  Unfortunately, it is already closed to tourists.   This is just a few blocks away from the capitol building.

Saint William's Cathedral of Laoag City

This cathedral is just a walking distance from both the capitol  building  and the sinking bell tower.  This was built in 1612 by the Augustinian friars and serves as the seat or central church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Laoag.

Below is the original blog post of my first visit

My first visit to Laoag City dated December 3, 2001


Laoag City is a first class city in Ilocos Norte, the northernmost city of the Philippines. The municipalities of San Nicolas, Paoay, Sarrat, Vintar, and Bacarra form its boundaries. The foothills of the Cordillera Central mountain range to the east, and the South China Sea to the west are its physical boundaries.

A photo taken at the main gate of Fort Ilocandia dated December 3, 2001


Enjoying our moment in Fort Ilocandia


Early Christmas at Fort Ilocandia


What makes Laoag City accessible to tourists is its international airport which aside from having daily flights from Manila, there are also direct flights to/from Hongkong and Mainland China. Bus travel from Manila to Laoag is approximately 12 hours.

Inside Fort Ilocandia Resort and Casino


The first time I visited Laoag was in December 2001 as part of my Ilocos Sur-Ilocos Norte Trip and after that I repeated this trip package for thrice including this recent one. I had good memories of these trips and I find Laoag such a good place to stay for a vacation as it serves as the springboard to visit other tourist attractions of the province of Ilocos Norte. In fact, I stayed overnight in Laoag the day before my flight to Batanes trip.

The garden and fountain inside Fort Ilocandia


Group tours will find it easy to rent for a service vehicle to hop from one destination to another in Ilocos Norte for a minimum of two days covering all its major tourist destinations, namely: Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel and Casino, Laoag’s Sinking Bell Tower and Saint Williams Cathedral, Paoay Church, Paoay Lake and the Malacanang of the North, Paoay Sand Dunes, Marcos Mansion and Maoseleum in Batac City, Marcos Museum in Sarrat, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, Bangui Wind Mills, Paraiso ni Anton, Patapat Viaduct in Pagudpud, Saud Beach of Pagudpud. One needs to have a good haggling skill to get a chartered vehicle for a day or two. For backpack travelers, a jeepney would be cheaper where you can find them in queue in bus terminals.

The facade of Java Hotel


The 18 hotels of Laoag city as you can see in this link can be a useful guide for the reservation of accommodation of visiting tourists. This link can be of great help to tourists who wish to stay in the city. Of course, the best of them all is the 5-star Hotel of the Fort Ilocandia Resort and Casino located in Barangay Calayab which is outside the city proper. Within the vicinity of Fort Ilocandia is a picturesque “lagoon”. A beach is also near outside Fort Ilocandia with cheaper accommodation facilities and restaurants where backpackers will find it a better alternative.

Saint William Cathedral's altar


Another hotel in Laoag which impressed me was the Java Hotel located at Bacarra Road, Brgy. 55-B Salet Fariñas Caltex Station, Laoag City but as backpack travelers, we opted to stay at Texicano Hotel located at the corners of  Giron and Rizal Streets of the city.

The city itself showcases a taste of rich history which can be seen through its Sinking Bell Tower. The structure of this bell tower is claimed to be the most solid and tallest bell tower in the Philippines. It has a massive 45-meter (150 foot) bell tower which was built by the Augustinians in 1612. Located almost a hundred meters away from the St. William's Cathedral, the tower has sunk to the ground and leans slightly to the north.

Laoag Cathedral, canonically known as St. William's Cathedral was built in 1612 by Augustinian friars to replace a wooden chapel. It is known for its Italian Renaissance design and its Sinking Bell Tower, which sinks into the ground at a rate of an inch a year.

Thursday, October 30, 2014

BANGUI WINDMILL FARM

Location: Municipality of Bangui, Ilocos Norte, Philippines

Updated: November 2019

Taken from Bangui Wind Mills Viewdeck


Bangui Wind Farm has 20 wind turbines erected in a single row along nine-kilometer stretch of shoreline located along Bangui Bay where Bangui is also one of the municipalities of Ilocos Norte. I was amazed to know that we have this kind in the Philippines.

The 9-kilometer stretch of shoreline where windmills were erected


These windmills face the sea from where the wind blows towards the land. Its location along the shore is optimal in removing windbreaks and has a terrain roughness of 0. The site is free of any trees and vegetation, and stretches approximately 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) long and 100 metres (330 ft) wide. The area is undeveloped and uninhabited making it ideal as a site and poses no threat to the environment.

My second visit in May 2018


The wind mills use 20 units of 70-metre (230 ft) high Vestas V82 1.65 MW wind turbines. These 20 units were constructed in two separate phases of which the first 15 units were finished and inaugurated on June 18, 2005 under the Phase I project as developed by a Danish firm, Northwind Power Development Corporation and the units are similar to those already found in Denmark. The other 5 units were completed in June 2008.

The access road going to Bangui windmills

The open accommodation platform connected to the restaurant

The restaurant's facade

Taken from the guests accommodation platform

Another glimpse of the windmills

The pictures below were taken during my first visit

A photo of my first visit in October 2014


Prior to the finalization of making this project a reality, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in 1996 has conducted a wind resource analysis and mapping study. It concluded that various areas in the Philippines are ideal for wind power installation. These areas include Bangui and Burgos towns in Ilocos Norte, Batanes and Babuyan Islands, which are north of Luzon and the higher interior terrain of Mindoro, Samar, Leyte, Panay, Negros, Cebu, Palawan and Eastern Mindanao.

Beware of the strong waves for it might take you off the shores


This project is really a big help to the region as they are its immediate beneficiary owing to a cheaper supply of electricity. This is considering that each capable of producing electricity up to a maximum capacity of 1.65 MW, for a total of 24.75 MW. The 20 on-shore turbines are spaced 326 metres (1,070 ft) apart, each 70 metres (230 ft) high, with 41 metres (135 ft) long blades, with a rotor diameter of 82 metres (269 ft) and a wind swept area of 5,281 square metres (56,840 sq ft).

The giant turbines dwarfed the guests


The beach alone is not ideal for swimming for its strong winds also cause big waves. Just as a sort of advice, tourists should keep off the sea water as its waves are strong enough to pull human bodies even those with big frame. Unofficial reports revealed two who died because they drawn by the strong current of the waves. We also have this experience during our tour when our 6-year old girl joined this jump shots. Unfortunately, when she jumped she landed to the rushing waves and she was drawn to the deeper part of the shore and so we pulled her ashore and we really felt how strong the current as we were almost carried by it despite our combined force. The waves are even treacherous, all the while you will see they are not there and without any warning, they would come rushing to take you away.

HOW TO GET THERE

This tour package is a part of my Ilocos Sur - Ilocos Norte Trip, just refer to my earlier post of Paoay Church for it will be a big help.

MALACANANG PALACE OF THE NORTH AND PAOAY LAKE

Location: Barangay Suba, Paoay, Ilocos Norte, Philippines

Updated:  November 2019

Note: The original post of this blog has been pushed down presenting the most recent on top pages.

The spacious living room at the second floor of the mansion

The Malacanang of the North is famous as the official residence of the family of the late Ferdinand Edralin Marcos, when he was still in power, who is the 10th president of the Republic of the Philippines with his term covering the period from 1965 to 1986.  It was now maintained by the local government as a presidential museum.

The main entrance to the palace

This structure is a two-storey mansion built facing the magnificent Paoay Lake, with a total of seven spacious rooms with high architectural value where each room marvelously showcases of a specific theme of historical events from the Marcos era:  Study, Agriculture, Diplomacy, OFW (overseas Filipino workers), Culture, Nation Building and Family.

The serene Paoay Lake as viewed from the mansion

The presence of the Paoay Lake near the mansion provides a soothing feeling for any guest who will visit the place, accentuated by the evergreen spacious lawn fronting the mansion.

The mansion's facade

The mansion's facade may seem odd and old at a distance, but once you get inside and see its interior, you will be amazed of how magnificent the designs are ranging from the paintings, chandeliers, ceilings, mirror-like shiny wooden floors, furniture and fixtures and other interior elements.

Outside the mansion is the Centro Mart convenience store where guests can buy their personal needs like refreshments and snacks, condoms, pampers, ladies' napkins, etc.  There is also a cart waiting just next to the main entrance selling buco fruit.

The following pictures are the palace's interior design:

The spiraling wooden stairs to the second floor

The large capiz window overlooking the lake at the second floor

A conference hall or a dining room

Another angle picture of the room with the Paoay Church painting on the wall

This is one of  the rooms in the mansion

The living room of the mansion

The living room captured connecting to the balcony at the right overlooking the lake

Another spacious bedroom in the mansion

Still a part of the function hall

The function room taken in another angle with emphasis on the posts leading to the living room

Another bedroom of the mansion

Refreshing myself from the cool breeze coming from the lake

Our whole group headed by my boss, Mrs. Lucia Llego at the living room

Not willing to leave the mansion without a picture in this magnificent Paoay Church painting

Touring around and inside the palace would make one realize that there is a gem in this part of the Philippines showcasing a rich culture, history and architectural masterpiece.

Just a short drive away, we dropped by on the Paoay Lake's Terrazas, where this establishment have boats for rentals in case guests wanted to cruise the lake with a choice of boat pedals or kayak. 

Pedal boat and Kayak are available for rental

Savor their local specialties Ice cold halo-halo and the piping hot empanadas

Souvenirs and other local delicacies are available also can be bought here

Let's try to go down and see what is in store for us

And yes! the pedal boats and kayaks are waiting for guests to board

I think early mornings and late afternoons would be the best time to do these stuff

Below is the original blog post:

The spacious guests' lobby of the palace

Malacanang Palace of the North is also called Malacanang ti Amianan, located in Barangay 15 of Suba in Paoay of the province of Ilocos Norte, the former official residence of the President Ferdinand Marcos and his family when they are in Ilocos Norte though Marcos was born in Sarrat and they have a house in Batac. This 5-hectare property nestled partly near the banks of Paoay Lake. From its wide windows, the magnificent and cool scenery of the lake can be viewed in all its glory. When Marcos was still in power, the province was dubbed to be a “Marcos country”.

The main door of the palace turned museum


This is just one of the 29 houses the former First Family built when they were still in power till Marcos was deposed in 1986 and a few years later, this palace was transformed into a museum as part of his memorabilia.

The magnificent Paoay Lake as viewed from the palace's veranda


This palace has consistently been considered by tourists to be a part of their itinerary when visiting the Ilocos region. To maintain this museum, it is being managed by the Department of Tourism where entrance fee is charged at P20 and P10 for adults and children, respectively. It is open from 9:00 to 11:30 A.M. and 1:00 to 4:30 P.M. daily except for Mondays. Opposite this museum is restaurant and convenience store also selling souvenir items. Few local vendors are selling buco and few variety of local fruits just outside its gate.

The convenience store and souvenir shop fronting the museum


HOW TO GET THERE

This tour package is a part of my Ilocos Sur - Ilocos Norte Trip, just refer to my earlier post of Paoay Church for it will be a big help.