Manaoag Basilica Minor Church

Manaoag is a first class municipality in Pangasinan bordered by Pozorrubio in the north, Urdaneta City and Mapandan in the south, Laoac in the east, and San Jacinto in the west. Manaoag came from the Pangasinan  word "Mantaoag" which means "to call". The town is a popular local pilgrimage site for Catholics as it enshrines a 17th-century ivory statue of Mary under the title of Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Manaoag.

All sorts of Pasalubongs, religious relics and local delicacies are sold outside the church's premises such as Tupig - a popular native delicacy which is made out of ground glutinous rice and coconuts strips wrapped in banana leaves then cooked over charcoal  &  Patupat - an Ilocano version of suman, a glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk and sugar then wrap in banana leaves and steamed.

Eventhough I am not a Catholic, but as a traveler and photographer I admire the picturesque facade of the church - it is  comparable to European renaissance structures. 

(Patupat)

(Tupig)

How to Get There:

1.) There are buses bound for Manaoag from Cubao.

2.) It is a popular stop over from Baguio.

Revisiting the Philippine Military Academy

On May 20, 1950 the Corps of Cadets went to occupy the current site of the Academy in Fort del Pilar, Baguio City near the Loakan airport.

"I came from the land of kings where everyone can do what he wishes, I hiked the plains of Luzon and hurdled the mountains of Baguio just to reach my precious destination, the Philippine Military Academy." Now I'm here not as a Plebe but as a Traveler and Blogger.

If a cadet is a larva, the Philippine Military Academy is his cocoon where transformations take place, where the larva slowly develops into a beautiful butterfly. PMA is the cocoon that molds a young boy into a man of character and wisdom. The Academy with it's mission: "To instruct, train and develop the cadets so that each graduate shall possess the character, the broad and basic military skills and education essential to the successful pursuit of a progressive military career", equips him the necessary  skills and attributes he needs to be able to face  the many uncertainties of life as he performs the multifaceted role in the society as a soldier.

The cadet's training starts the moment he is received as a plebe. Throughout the  four-year stay in the Academy, he will undergo rigorous physical training to develop stamina to continue even if he feel like quiting, the endurance to withstand pain even if he is pushed to the limits. It is demanding but he has to take it all because he knows that there are more difficulties in the future and he needs all the preparations he can get to be able to meet the demands of an ever-changing environment.

(wordings are excerpt from Peemayer and Gray Notes) 

How to Get There:
1. Once in Baguio City, you can ride a PMA bound jeepney with signboard PMA - Kias

2. Sandals and slippers are not allowed inside the academy, be sure to wear proper shoes.

Urbiztondo Beach of San Juan, La Union: Surfer's Paradise of the North

Located in the town of San Juan in La Union, Urbiztondo Beach is the closest surfing spot from Manila (6 hours). Urbiztondo Beach may not have fine grain and white sand, but what makes it special are the powerful waves ideal for surfing. It is the entry point of surfing spots in the Ilocos region and  surfers, most especially beginners loves this area which is  known for its peeling waves and short rides. 

Learning to surf here is very inexpensive compared to other surf spots around the world. The town’s surfers have organized themselves into a club, and they give lessons to everyone who are interested to learn surfing. 

How To Get There: 

1. From Manila, ride a bus bound for San Fernando, La Union.

2. Once in San Fernando, you can ride a jeep/bus bound for San Juan (Bacnotan, San Juan, Candon), tell the driver to drop you off in Urbiztondo Beach.

Ma Cho Temple in La Union

I visited San Fernando, La Union and was fascinated by this wonderful Chinese  architecture known as "Ma Cho Temple", which is actually the biggest Taoist temple outside China. The wordings are not mine, taken from the historal artifact of the temple.

Nestled atop a hill overlooking the beautiful San Fernando bay of the town of San Fernando, La Union, the MA-CHO Temple was constructed in honor of Ma-cho hailed from the scenic island of Moichow, province of Fukien in Southeastern China. In the Philippines among christians Ma-Cho is known as the virgin of Caysasay. The image of the Virgin of Caysasay first appeared in Taal, Batangas in 1603.

It was constructed on September 11, 1975 through the initiative of then Tourism Minister Jose D. Aspiras and cooperation of the Chinese community, this majestic Taoist Temple is located on a hill 70 feet above sea level at Barangay II, San Fernando City, facing the China Sea. Here, people form all walks of life come and pray for change of luck from Ma Cho, a Chinese deity, whose eight inch wooden image surprisingly has a counterpart in the Roman Catholic faith known as the “Virgin of Caysasay” who is enshrined at the Basilica of Saint Martin in Taal, Batangas.

According to Chinese history, Ma Cho was born in 960 AD during the sung Dynasty. According to legend, she did not cry at all during her first month of infancy, thus, she was first named “Mo”, meaning keeping silent. Intelligent, gifted with a photographic memory and blessed with healing powers, she became a monk at the age of 10. Growing up in the fishing village of Meizhou in the province of Fu Jian, she actively participated in rescue operations for fishermen during typhoons. It is also believed that she can accurately predict the weather in upcoming days in the sea, earning for herself the titles “Dragon Girl”, “Goddess of the Sea” and “Queen of Heaven”. Dying at the young age of 27, it is believed by Chinese sailors and fishermen that her spirit, dressed in red, continues to save the lives of those who are in distress in the high seas.

Devotees offer incense, food and money at the shrine. Every other week, a “Buyong” session is held where temple elders read or interpret Ma Cho’s message to the faithful. 

How To Get There:
1. Once in San Fernando, La Union ask the locals for the direction of Ma Cho Temple.

Tondaligan Blue Beach

Tondaligan Blue Beach is one of the most accessible beach in Pangasinan and is located in Dagupan City - also known as the the Bangus (Milkfish) Capital of the Philippines. It may not have a white sand like that of Tondol Beach in Anda, but it's close proximity from the city proper plus the fine grey sands and pristine clear waters makes it one of the most popular beach in the said province.

Tondaligan Beach is cradled by the 72-hectares Tondaligan People’s Park, the local government has tried to restore the beach to it's former glory. It is a common picnic area for local tourists: tables and cottages for rent are available, however the cottages are not for overnight stay,  there are a also a number of simple kiosks selling cold drinks and grilled foods.

How to Get There:

1. Ride a bus bound to Dagupan.

2. From Dagupan, ride a jeep bound for Bonuan/Tondaligan.

Umbrella Rocks of Agno

The town of Agno is located on the Western portion of Pangasinan, which is characterized by rolling terrains and ricefields on the way to the town proper. It is the home of Sabangan Beach, it may not have white sand, yet it offers a different attraction popularly known as the Umbrella Rocks. These massive rocks has a diverse marine eco-system showcasing beautiful corals, different sea creatures and is surrounded by crystal clear water facing the West Philippine Sea. Even with the recent aftermath of typhoon "Lando" one could still see the picturesque view of the place.

The dazzling beauty of umbrella rocks is a work of the natural elements through a number of geological periods, some experts says that the rocks are actually corals and were formed by the incessant lapping of tidal waves against the shore through the centuries.

Aside from the famous Umbrella Rocks, Sabangan beach also has an old lighthouse wherein you can see the panoramic view of the beach. It will take less than hundred steps to the old light house.

How To Get There:

1.) Ride a bus bound to Alaminos City (Pangasinan)

2.) Once in Alaminos you can then ride a Jeep bound for Agno.

3.) Another option is to ride a bus bound for Agno (only Dagupan Bus) has direct trip to Agno and only 4 trips daily.

Tondol White Beach

Located on the island of Anda in the North Western tip of Pangasinan. Tondol White Beach is the most beautiful beach in the said province, it lies in the stretch of Lingayen gulf on the northern part of the Hundred Islands. Also known as the "Little Boracay of the North", it offers a fine grain of white sand, clear and unspoiled waters that offers a paradise like setting. Even with the recent aftermath of typhoon "Lando", it only proves that Tondol Beach is one of the must visit places in Pangasinan.

A nearby island can also be found along Tondol beach,  "Tanduyong Island" which is almost a kilometer away and can be reached by a boat. It takes a minimum of 10 passengers for the boat trip to the island (100 pesos per person). It's just unfortunate that when I visited the place I was the only one around and I could not afford to pay 10 shares. Some locals said it can also be reached by foot when the tide is low, and in my opinion it is the closest thing to Boracay.

How To Get There:
1. Ride a bus bound to Alaminos City in Pangasinan.
2. Once you are in Alaminos, ride a jeep or mini bus bound to Anda.
3. You can then ride a Trike bound for Tondol Beach.