A STORMY TRIP TO CAGAYAN VALLEY

Despite the typhoon hitting the Cagayan valley I pushed through with my plans of travelling the north. I was in the middle of traffic jam along EDSA boarding a bus going to Victory Liner terminal in Kamuning QC when my officemate texted me what she heard in the news. I replied to her to pray for my safety and my bahala na si Batman attitude rules.

It was raining when I left Manila that evening. After 8 hours of traveling I safely reached Santiago City in Isabela. I eat in one of the fast-food there to fill my stomach for the rest of the day adventure. I strolls the city even if it’s raining. I don’t want to waste a single minute of my time.

Places I visited:

•         Balay Santiago
•         Magat Dam
•         Callao Cave
•         Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral
•         Lady of Piat Church
•         Buntun Bridge
•         Cagayan River

Food I eat:

•         Pancit patil-patung
•         Pawa
•         Chicharabao

I stayed at Hotel Candice.

My original plan is to navigate the northern Luzon loop, from Isabela to Cagayan down to Ilocos Norte and back to Manila. But due to the typhoon some of the bridges that connecting Cagayan valley and Ilocos region were damaged so I have no choice but to go back to Manila boarding a bus from Tuguegarao.

Spending two days in Cagayan Valley is a memorable trip that I will try again soon. Hopefully the weather would cooperate with me the next time! :)

HIGANTES FESTIVAL

Finally the long wait is over. It’s been a year that I’d been waiting Higantes Festival. I was in Ilocos last year that is why I was not able to witness this gigantic fiesta. I invited my good friend Miko to join me to attend and have fun in Higantes.

Higantes Festival highlights the annual celebration of the people of Angono, Rizal. This festival features a larger than life paper-mache. It is also pays tribute in honor of San Clemente, the patron saint of the fishermen. Those higantes depicts image of famous personalities and some local farmers and fishermen. The streets of Angono are filled with locals and tourists waiting for the grand parade of the higantes, majorettes, bands and floats. The higantes were wearing a colorful costumes and dance gracefully in sync with the drum beats of the musicians that following them. After the parade there is a cultural presentation by different schools of Angono.

Angono Rizal is also the hometown of the two great national artists Carlos “Botong” Francisco and Professor Lucio San Pedro.  Francisco is a famous painter while San Pedro is music genius. Along the Dona Aurora St. in Baranggay Poblacion Itaas displays an array of mural/sculptured walls depicting the famous paintings of Francisco. Most of the murals are pictures of rural life.  The walls show the creativity and love for the arts of the townspeople.

The town of Angono is dubbed as the art capital of the Philippines.

How to get there:

From MRT Shaw Boulevard / EDSA Central ride a jeep bound for Angono or Binangonan. Fare is P30.00.

Know more about Angono, Rizal by visiting there website angono.gov.ph.

THELMA

LIGO NA U LAPIT NA ME

MT. ROMELO