The Gorilla in Us! Climb the Balete Tree in Maria Aurora

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Sitting on top of this Balete Tree in Aurora is a wonderful experience.

A thirty-minute trike ride on concrete roads and somewhat bumpy streets brought us to a wonderfully exotic activity—a first and one-of-a-kind experience only in Aurora Province. So from the stunning views of lovely sunrise in Ampere Beach, Dipaculao, we headed to the Millenium Tree as the locals and tourists tag, probably the oldest of its kind in the whole Asia. A Balete tree that somehow transformed us from humans to gorillas.

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Paradise Found in Nambalan River, Mayantoc, Tarlac

Nambalan River, Mayantoc, Tarlac

I and my old good friends in high school decided to see each other and spend a day in of my friend’s place in Mayantoc, a small town in Tarlac Province. It’s been years now that we haven’t seen each other and more years since the last time we had our simple nature trip just inside the borders of the province. I thought Tarlac Province was just mere rice plains and concrete jungle called SM, but yes, there is a nature side of this province, particularly those barangays near the mountains, waiting for you to discover it.

Greet the Sunrise in Ampere Beach, Dipaculao, Aurora

Waves, rocks and sunrise in one of the most beautiful beaches in Aurora--Ampere Beach, Dipaculao.

A night in Sabang Beach in Baler did not stop us to pursue our next adventure which starts in a farther town called Dipaculao, still in Aurora. Organized chronologically, we took our trip as follows: Ampere Beach, Balete Tree, Ditumabo (Mother Falls), Ermita Hill, Cemento Beach/Cobra Reef, Lukso-Lukso Islets, Diguisit Falls, and Diguisit Beach and Islets. We woke up past three in the morning (that early!), prepared for our breakfast, ate our breakfast, packed our things and drove away a few minutes past four in the morning. The reason why we woke up that early is to greet the sweet sunrise in Ampere Beach.

A Night of Grilled Food in Sabang Beach, Baler

Sabang Beach in Baler, Aurora

The trike drivers brought us to Baler Market to buy some slices of pork and other ingredients needed for our dinner. After a few minutes of buying, we headed to Sabang Beach, where Jamjen’s transient rooms were located. The streets going to Sabang Beach are narrow, but growing opportunities are as wide as the ocean in this part of Baler, Aurora.

Short Glimpse Inside the Small Baler Church

Baler Catholic Church (Baler, Aurora)

One of the distinct structures built during the Spanish colonial times is the church. The church is believed to be the center of settlement and if you will visit most of the towns built during this era, you will get to see a church most likely in the middle of the downtown. Baler in Aurora is not an exception, with its small Baler Catholic Church in the middle of this capital town of Aurora.

Welcome to Quezon Ancestral House in Baler, Aurora

Dona Aurora Aragon-Quezon Ancestral House in Baler, Aurora

There are so many interesting ancestral houses in the Philippines, other than museums like Museo de Baler. For one, these old houses withstood the test of time, dating back to 1600s or even older. They had witnessed the worst of the catastrophes and even though they were part of it, they did not evaporate. Long live these ancestral houses as they are the strong proofs of one’s rich heritage. One of which is Aurora Aragon-Quezon Ancestral House in Baler, Aurora.

Walk through the Past of Aurora in Museo de Baler

Museo de Baler, Baler, Aurora

“My dearest Padre: My pulse is shaken and I am horrified in face of the burtal and atrocious acts of the night of the 4^th. Some insurrectos entered the town, it is said that coming from San Miguel de Mayumo and Binangonan, and they incited rebellion to the whole village in such a way, that none of them have remained loyal to us.” - Fr. Dionisio Luengo, Baler. October 6, 1897.

To know one’s history, you need to learn its background. One can see a short glimpse of everything a town has undergone by simply visiting one of its museums. In this case, Aurora has its Museo de Baler (Baler Museum), a short distance from other tourist spots such as Baler Church, Quezon Ancestral House and the so-called rolling stores. By visiting it, you will get to see a broader view of what Baler looks like in the past, and probably have the idea on how to preserve it for the next generations to see.

All the Way from Baguio to Baler—A Winding Story

You will find this view similar to another one enroute Baguio to Baler.

It was our treat for making it up that summer, for completing our school requirements just in time for the next semester. Summer class is fun, other than spending time with friends; we also get to explore other places when we plan trips outside Baguio. It was a dream come true indeed and it was our longest trip from Baguio. Baguio to Baler is story of memories—from the zigzag pavements of Benguet, rice fields of Central Luzon up to the winding roads of Aurora.

Baler-Aurora Trip: Tips and Guide

Surfing is what you wish for in Baler, Aurora--and you might just get it.

Baler in the province of Aurora is an emerging tourist destination in the country because of its popularity as a surfing spot. Other than this, Baler also offers a piece of historic memoirs and the nearby towns offer one-of-a-kind nature trip that you might not be able to experience in other places. It is exotic and different. Baler is one of my most favorite places that I have been to in the past.

Saud Beach in Pagudpud: The Last Stopover

Coconut and sunset in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

I couldn’t imagine anymore how tight our trip was. The most obvious proof was our last destination where we only spent like thirty minutes on the shores of Pagudpud. Yes. THIRTY minutes. On a white sand beach. Oh come on, are we even there yet?

Bangui Wind Farm: Where Wind is Life

Bangui Wind Farm in Ilocos Norte, Philippines

Tumultuous sweats linger on every foreskin I had as we continue our journey to my most wanted scenic spot in Ilocos Norte—Bangui Windmills. The last time we went to Ilocos we only reached up to the City of Laoag (where i tried its empanada). This time, we went all the way to Pagudpud, passing by the beautifully and technologically crafted power-producing windmills. The windmills are that efficient that people of Ilocos Norte are enjoying lower electricity rates than the other provinces in the region.

Laoag and That Version of Ilocos Empanada

Ilocos Norte Capitol in Laoag City

The City of Laoag in Ilocos Norte is one of the northernmost cities in the country and the fact that it stays the same the way it was before (it looks like Vigan less the famous Calle Crisologo and the other popular museums), the place has its own charm, and if only we have time to explore this place, we would have done it. Screw this one-day Ilocos trip, I swear, but at least we landed on one of the bustling regions in Northern Luzon.

Revisiting Paoay Church: That Old Piece of Awesomeness in Ilocos Norte

One of the earliest baroque churches in the Philippines is the Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte.

So that ala Amazing Race kinda tour in Vigan prompted us to further reach the north of the North—Ilocos Norte. Our last destination in Ilocos Sur was a zooey walk inside Baluarte. I said this was an Amazing Race-like of tour because this was my first ever, most haggard trip of the year (would I have an award?) because, imagine, we have to see many tourist spots in Ilocos Region that extends up to Pagudpud. In one day. Ilocos in one day. So just be it—at least for the next leg, I saw for another time the grandeur architecture of Paoay Church.

Animals and More at Baluarte in Vigan

Jurassic-themed part in Baluarte, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.

Hayuuuup! So it’s not just about visiting the heritage sites of Vigan. Vigan is also the home of “Baluarte”, a zoo owned by a politician whose roots were from this region. There is no entrance fee in Baluarte so when you are in Ilocos Sur for a trip, don’t miss this out.

Ride Our Way to Calle Crisologo, A Spanish Street in Vigan

Calle Crisologo is the main attraction in Vigan City.

One of the must see historical landmarks is the Bantay Church and Belfry. One of the must try activities is touring Vigan City on a kalesa. But then your Vigan City tour will never be complete unless you visit the most popular historical landmark where old ancestral houses and century old structures rest. This is also where you can buy pasalubong and souvenirs. It’s no other than a Spanish street under the ancient title “Calle Crisologo”.

Bantay Church and the Belfry: Reminiscent Structures of Ilocos

 

Bantay Church in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

When you hear the place “Vigan”, your mind automatically thinks of a place where old structures rest. Pieces of jigsaw are likened to the deep-rooted buildings and towers of this northern city which make up a heritage site. One reason of visiting Vigan City is to see its antique structures, such as the St. Augustine Church in Bantay District (or simply Bantay Church) and its famous Bantay Belfry. Who will forget a scenic bell tower that rose from a hilly part in Vigan?

A Kalesa Ride to the Past of Vigan

Kalesa in Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Vigan is never Vigan without a kalesa ride. A “kalesa” is a horse-drawn carriage and is an old mode of transportation. Kalesas are mixed with the present transport modes as tricycles and jeepneys. While it is not the main mode of moving from one place to another, the government of Vigan has preserved this type for tourists who want to experience a plain ride to the past of the city.

Vigan Cathedral: Another Church Story

Inside the Cathedral of Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

And so a few steps from Plaza Salcedo is one of the older churches in Ilocos Region—the Vigan Cathedral (St. Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral). I eagerly checked the church out because we did not have so much time to explore the city. Besides, I wasn’t able to recall already what it was like when I was still young. I once visited this church more than 10 years ago, and another visit about six years ago and all I remember was, it was just a part of the itinerary. Missing the church is a big mistake as it is in the center of the heritage city.

One Summer Breakfast at Plaza Salcedo, Vigan City

The past can be a mirror of the present. Photo @ Plaza Salcedo, Vigan City.

It all started one summer day in April 2013. I and my mom were excited for the nth time to visit Ilocos, but first time to see the windmills. The night before it, we went to the meeting place where our bus was supposed to fetch us and after a long seven-hour trip that seem so endless, at last, we arrived in the heart of Ilocos Sur—Vigan.

Ilocos One-Day Triple Combo: Tips and Guide

Ride to the past on a kalesa in Calle Crisologo.

Ilocos has many amazing tourist spots that both travelers and tourists keep coming back for. I am definitely one of those who love Ilocos the nth time, and even if I have been to this region already a few times, it’s as if I have never been to it like before. Old architecture churches, heritage sites, museums, zoos and more. Plus never forget the food. I am also an Ilocano, but it’s a different thing when you visit the original ones. It’s a slice of our own culture and being proud of being an Ilocano.

I have never been to the farthest known white sand beach in Region I. Before, we only reach up to Laoag City in Ilocos Norte. Two days have already been spent for this. This time, it’s an unbelievable one-day trip that hits three birds at a time—Vigan, Laoag and Pagudpud. Was that even possible?! Oh yes it was! Only I can say it’s the most exhausting trip after all and I just wished the trip was extended for another day or two! Interested in planning an Ilocos trip on a haggard one-day travel time? Keep reading this!