Paradise Found

After being obedient and dutiful children, we were now off to enjoy some downtime in the Boracay of the North. On our way there, we stopped by a few important Ilocos landmarks for some kodak moments. First stop was the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, a very popular tourist spot that sits majestically on a hill overlooking the South China Sea. It was built in 1892 and is still impressively functioning. It is the highest lighthouse in the Philippines on top of a hill named Vigia de Nagparitan and it is located in the town of Burgos.



The lighthouse is said to be seen as far as 37 nautical miles. Does anyone know how far this is? So as not to appear ignorant, we pretended to be in awe as the caretaker seemed to think that it was indeed a feat. Heehee. The one thing I noticed about the place was that Filipinos just love to put their names all over the place. JUAN WAS HERE could be seen on the walls, the stairs, the doors, etc. and it of course contributed to the denegration of the said landmark. Sayang. How I wish people could exercise some discipline and restraint!

Our next stop was the Bangui Windmills found in the town with the same name. This extraordinary structure consists of 15 wind turbines found just off the shores of a secluded beach and it is arranged in a single row. These oversized wind fans were HUGE! Maybe as tall as a skyscraper! And you can actually hear the blades swooshing and howling as they turn. Incredible!







At the northernmost tip of Ilocos Norte, you will find the Patapat Viaduct. It is an elevated concrete highway constructed along winding and rocky paths which leads to the Cagayan North. Driver for hire Jaime tells us that the highway was constructed to solve the problem of landslides in the area which have caused many vehicular accidents in the past. The viaduct also provided a spectacular view of the Pasaleng Bay. Reymond loved the area--and to think, he was going to pass on it na kasi ang layo na daw! Heehee. Pero after Patapat, pagod at gutom na daw siya. Enough sightseeing! It was time to relax! We made a u-turn and headed back for Pagudpud, our home for the evening.



I think my smile is a dead giveaway. Pagudpud is dreamy. I think people who had the opportunity to see Boracay in the 80s would agree with me. The place is not crowded with commercial establishments, there are no tricycles by the side of the road, no vendors approaching you every 5 minutes and people go around minding their own business--hindi uso dito ang people watching! For people who want a peaceful and quiet vacation, I would highly recommend Pagudpud! Dont get me wrong though. I love Boracay and we have had wonderful memories in that place. But it has just gotten too crowded and 'busy' for us. This was a different experience.

We checked in at the Villa del Mar Resort at around 2:00pm. VDM is nothing compared to Discovery Shores or Seawind or Waling Waling -- those are 5 star accommodations! VDM is a very simple establishment pero ito na yung 5-star dito. Heehee. We stayed in one of their huts lined up along the shore. As you open the door, you are greeted by nothing else but the sun and the sand. Reymond and I stayed on the shore from 3:00 until sunset. We'd go for a swim then lay on the sand -- no towels or beach mats! When it got too hot, we'd go back into the water to cool down then lay on the sand again. The water was a clear blue color and the sand was (almost) fine and (almost) powder white. Reymond and I loved the beach! And this is coming from someone who hardly ever swims in beaches because I hate it when sand gets stuck in my suit! But this time, I enjoyed myself immensely.





There are no parties or clubs here so as soon as the sun sets, activities on this beach end as well. It was a tiring and exhausting day so we were happy to retire in our little hut by the beach. What a wonderful little paradise we discovered today. We are looking forward to sharing this experience with the girls soon.

Figure Eight

When Reymond and I first got together, it wasn't ideal at all. He had just come off a 7-year relationship and I was in the middle of a stormy phase in my life. Reymond was quite persistent and determined and I was of course drawn to him almost immediately. Ika nga, I was swept off my feet -- literally. It was truly a whirlwind romance that raised a lot of eyebrows and we had a number of critics who were sure our relationship would not last. I can't blame them. As I said, we didn't have the most ideal of beginnings. But Reymond and I withstood all the trials that were thrown our way and in the end, we remained together. I'm proud to say that we have been together for 9 years now, 8 of which as husband and wife. To celebrate, we flew to Ilocos--just the two of us! Primarily, it was to cover for my parents and stand in as principal sponsors for a wedding in Laoag. On the side, it was to celebrate 8 years of married life with, hopefully, more to come. As a treat, we get to explore and discover this side of the world together (although I have already been here once before).

We spent two nights at the huge and lavish Fort Ilocandia. We arrived very late and so we spent our first night just lounging so we would be ready for the long day ahead.




Since the wedding was still at 2:30pm, we spent the whole morning going around Laoag with our reliable driver for hire, Jaime.



The Malacanang of the North is found on the banks of the Paoay Lake. It is a huge palatial home that was actually used by the Marcoses in the late 70s until the early 80s. After the Edsa Revolution, the house was sequestered and was converted to a historical museum. Recently, the caretaker tells us that the house has been awarded back to the Marcoses although they have yet to take possession of the same.

Next stop was the Church of Paoay. Of all the images of Ilocos, this is the one that is most seen and photographed. With its massive buttresses used to support the church to its unique architecture, the church is a must-see when in Ilocos.







We move on over to Batac where the body of Marcos lies in a glass viewing case inside a refrigerated crypt. He is on perpetual view and a constant entourage of mourners and viewers come to pay their respects. His family refuses to bury him until he is allowed full military honors provided by the government. Around the crypt, you will find pictures of Marcos during his presidency. Truth be told, I admire Marcos despite his many flaws. He was highly intelligent, charismatic, charming and for some, inspirational. Despite his shortcomings, he has shaped a great part of our history.



Over at Sarrat, you will find the house where Dona Josefa Edralin gave birth to Ferdinand and the famous church where Marcos's youngest daughter Irene married Greggy Araneta. Since time was running out on us, we needed to go back to Laoag and have a quick lunch at La Preciosa before preparing for the wedding.



I had actually eaten here last year but I did not take note of the name of the restaurant. All I knew was that it was in front of La Elliana where the PATTS employees had stayed the year prior. I read it in Nena's blog and decided that it would be the perfect place to have our first lunch. The place did not disappoint! The old residence converted into a quaint bistro was homey, quiet and the service was great! We had the crispiest bagnet paired with an Ilocano dish called the puqui puqui. As the server said, mabaho man ang pangalan pero masarap naman. Heehee. The puqui puqui is actually eggplant mixed with scrambled eggs, tomatoes and onions and it complimented the bagnet perfectly. We also had their sisig but it was just regular. After a great Ilocano meal, we rushed back to the FIR to prepare for the wedding at 2:30pm.

Just a short background: Mom and Dad were on their first trip to Dubai last Feb. 2007 when they are met by a cheerful and pleasant lady at the lobby of Marriott. The lady recognized my parents as the owners of the school where she had graduated! She was a proud alum and she showed her gratitude by arranging for all the needs of my parents while in Dubai. She also organized the first get-together of PATTS alums which really warmed the hearts of my parents. That lady turned out to be Minvi, the bride to be. So when she called asking my parents to be her principal sponsors, they wanted so much to be there for her. But since it was physically impossible for them to make it (the sweethearts/my parents are on a month long South American cruise), they asked Minvi if it would be alright to send me and Reymond instead. She obliged and so here we were at the St. Williams Cathedral (otherwise known as the Laoag Church) to witness Minvi's union with Garry, her boyfriend of 11 years.

I love the Laoag Church! It was bright and beautiful and it served as a perfect backdrop for the young couple. As Reymond and I were walking down the aisle, we felt like we were getting married all over again. Heehee. We were both very giddy and it just seemed perfect as we were celebrating our anniversary too.

The reception was held at the FIR and since the new owners of the FIR were Taiwanese, Minvi arranged for a chinese lauriat dinner. It made sense! The chefs were authentic and the meal was oh so delicious! Ang sarap! Reymond and I could not stop raving about it! After the reception, Reymond and I had a few drinks at the lobby where a piano player/crooner was singing some romantic ballads. I tell you, talagang romantic! Perfect, perfect day.