It was June 14, 2013 when I and my friends Verna, Carl,
April and her boyfriend Kurt left for our planned escapade in Pagudpud, Ilocos
Norte. The trip had flimsy preparation and lack of travel know-how’s. It was
entirely young adventurer’s burning desire to feel the most sought after
destination in the Northern Philippines.
It was around 7am
when we met up at downtown Roxas (Isabela). Since we are already too late for the GMW trip
straight to Ilocos, we had no choice but to ride a van bound to Tuguegarao City
in Cagayan. It was 9am when we reached the GMW Terminal in the city, and left
at around 9.30am.
We had our stop-over/lunch in Gattaran, Cagayan and then
continue travelled the rest of Maharlika Highway through the municipalities of Lal-lo,
Alcala, Abulug and Camalaniugan. It was quarter to 2 when we reached the
municipality of Claveria and had a taste of their yummy ‘bibingka’. The view in
Claveria is the first peek of what you will experience up north; it was amazing
to see the Babuyan Channel and mountains packed with coconut trees and Anahaw,
our national leaf. We were able to reach Sta. Praxedes by 3pm, a town where
Cagayan and Ilocos Norte meet each other. As soon as we enter the first town of
Ilocos Norte which is Pagudpud, we pass by through the Patapat Viaduct, a
landmark which serves as a boundary between Region I and II.
(Lhea, Verna and April)
We were
dropped off at Baduang Market in Pagudpud pass 3PM but the person we made
contact with didn’t show up. He is supposed to take us to a public house we
reserved and tour us around. Because of that we ended up checking-in at an
expensive tavern at Casa Victoria Hotel along Saud Beach. The room has an LCD
TV, double-decked bed and it is pretty spacious for us. We changed our clothes
right away and had a taste of their pancit and fruit shake. To finally start our adventure, we roam
around the nearest beach at night and had some alcohol shot. There were line of
hotels and resorts along Saud Beach but there were only few tourists that time
because summer has already ended.
(Pancit and fruit shake)
15th
JUNE, 2013th
An ensemble of strapping winds and unruffled
waves extending towards the shores, with
the tender brushing of trees, all together, played a melodious ambient tune which
greeted us a good morning at Casa Victoria Hotel. We woke up at around 5 in the
morning because we want to see the sunrise. Only to find out that you cannot
witness the sunset and sunrise in the beach because of its location, but there
is the view of Bangui Windmills which is a great replacement. Theatric cloud
formations seen from the horizon contrasted the stunning hues of blue
dominating the open sky. The morning was full of colors, sounds, and energy. It
seemed like a perfect day for a Pagudpud day-out so off we went
(Pagudpud welcome arc)
It was 8AM when the two tricycles who will tour us,
arrived. Our first destination was the PATAPAT VIADUCT, a long highway at the northernmost
tip of Luzon Island. It is a snaky 1.3 kilometer concrete bridge that follows
the outline of the northernmost mountains of Cordillera, elevated 31 meters above sea level, and the 4th longest bridge of the Philippines was
strategically built to avoid accidents in this landslide prone area.
(Patapat Viaduct)
Next was the AQUA GRANDE PICNIK PARK. According to our
tour guide, the park also serves as an alternative source of electricity. The
place is very good for people with problems because it is so breezy and so
relaxing. Our third destination was the
PARAISO NI ANTON. According to our tour guide, they do not have any idea why
they call it that way. It is a twin falls which the locale believed is
miraculous. I also noticed those buses coming from Cagayan were dropping by to
drink its blessed water. So, to maximize our Ilocos experience, we also had the
chance to drink its water. Beside the falls is flight of stairs leading to a
Virgin Mary sculpture.
(Aqua Grande Picnik Park)
On
our way to Hannah’s beach, we passed by the TIMMANGTANG ROCK and BANTAY ABOT
CAVE. We went first in Timmangtang Rock, which according to our tour guide is
synonymous to a male cock. On its left side is the Bantay Abot Cave but we
needed to ride a tricycle first in order to reach it. Well, our world is full
of tales, and these two tourist spots also have its own. According to our tour guide, a long time ago
there were two lovers who went to the sea but unfortunately, were drown. Then
suddenly, the Timmangtang rock which is the male and Bantay Abot Cave which is
the female appeared in the area. Strong Pacific waves relentlessly pummeling
the coastline of Pagudpud since the dawn of time could’ve punched the huge hole
into the mountain that made Bantay Abot truly a sight to see.
(Timmangtang Rock and Bantay Abot Cave)
(Timmangtang Rock signage)
(Bantay Abot Cave)
Next is the HANNAH’s BEACH. There were lot of
establishments within its vicinity such as Convention Center, Hotels, Resort, Resto’s
and Bar’s which I think is very-Bora. J
According to my research it is the most sought after place in Ilocos Norte
because it is where you can experience the wonderful scenery of the Blue Lagoon
Beach. It is a place perfect for adventure seeker, there is the longest Zip
line and of course the Banana Boat experience. It was my first time to ride a
Banana boat, and I got so excited so I really screamed at my loudest all
throughout the ride.
(Hannah's Beach from afar)
(Blue Lagoon Beach)
(Hannah's Beach Resort Convention Center)
(Getting ready for the boat ride)
(Banana Boat!)
After 10 minutes of travelling, we were able to reach the
entrance of KABIGAN FALLS. The entrance
costs 10 pesos per head and a hundred pesos minimum fee for the tour guide.
Beside the entrance is a restaurant where you can order foods they are going to
cook for you. :) In
front of a small chapel was a grass-covered parking space which also marks the
jump off point for the 1.8 kilometer hike to the falls. We went hiking for 30
minutes, and we pass by a really forested area and a brook similar to that of
Flatrocks in Los Banos, Laguna. The
trail was easy and entrenched. Flatland covered most of the hike leading deeper
into the forest. Improvised bridges built from fastened tree trunks or wooden
planks enable easier crossing of the streams. On a relaxed pace, Pagudpud’s
waterfalls is in sight within 30 minutes. According to Ate Chona, the tour
guide, the two people who discovered the said falls are friends who ended up as
lovers. “Magkaibigan na nagka-ibigan”, and that is where its name Kabigan was
derived. Surges of water plus the greenest of green welcomed us atop. We were
amazed on the breathtaking view the falls has to offer. I admit that it was
tiring to go hiking, but it seems like our effort was shelved off because of
the reward. The 80-foot falls was
surrounded by luscious green forest vegetation, and at the bottom was a basin
of freezing water. I and my friends went on swimming and the water was so
wintry and the cool mist felt in the air was refreshing, and a dip into the
pool will kick tiredness and weariness out of your system. The local government
bans any use of shampoo and soap on the falls because they are preserving its
natural exquisiteness. When we got back to the restaurant, our Tilapia and
Liempo were already cooked. Perfect! We were already hungry at that moment. We went back to Casa Victoria
after eating to change our wet clothes.
(Kabigan Falls signage)
(Balete tree)
(Lhea)
(After 30 minutes of hiking, finally...)
(Kabigan Falls)
Thirty minutes away from Pagudpud comes the KAPURPURAWAN
ROCK FORMATION in the municipality of Burgos. The rock formations has been a
shooting place for various movies such as Suddenly it’s Magic, Panday and Si
Agimat, Si Enteng Kabisote at Si Ako. The rock is made up of limestones, with a
sand-like texture and dirty white color. They used to allow tourists to climb
up the limestone formations until it was becoming thinner because of human
activity.
(Kapurpurawan Rock Formations)
It was 4PM when we were brought to our next destination,
the CAPE BOJEADOR LIGHTHOUSE. Because it was already late, the lighthouse was
already closed but we managed to beg for the caretaker to open it for us. Cape
Bojeador Lighthouse, also known as Burgos Lighthouse, is a cultural heritage
structure in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, that was established during the Spanish
Colonial period in the Philippines. It was first lit on March 30, 1892, and is
set high on Vigia de Nagpartian Hill overlooking the scenic Cape Bojeador where
early galleons used to sail by. After over 100 years, it still functions as a
welcoming beacon to the international ships that enter the Philippine
Archipelago from the north and guide them safely away from the rocky coast of
the town.
(Cape Bojeador Lighthouse)
Our last destination for the day was the BANGUI
WINDMILLS, located in the municipality of Bangui. Arranged on a single row stretching along a nine-kilometer shoreline off Bangui Bay, facing the South China Sea, it is the first power generating windmill farm in Southeast Asia. At first, I got so scared of
coming near the windmills because it is so massive. But as soon as we came accross the mills, i began to appreciate it :)
(Bangui Windmills)
It was 7PM when we got back to Casa Victoria Hotel. Knowing
that it is already our last day in the province, we went out to the sea, left
our camera in the room and enjoyed the place as it is. We experienced the fine
sand, felt the coldness of the sea and watched the moon shining over us. Forget
about trying to capture everything, record everything, because in the first
place we went there to enjoy the magnificent paradise of the North.
Our trip in Ilocos Norte was full of tiresome activities,
but it’s definitely worth it. The people were accommodating and more friendly
than its counterpart province. Wandering around the place will lash out stress
and negativities out of your physical body. The province is highly recommended
especially for family gatherings because of various attractions it offers. The
place is also perfect for nature lover and adventure seekers because it’s full
of exciting tricks. Ilocos Norte will leave you breathless with its sundry
topography that persuades you to come back again and again…
OTHER PHOTOS:
ILOCOS NORTE:
Hidden Paradise of the North
by: LHEA VENUS DUQUE
photos courtesy of: CARL ALLAN TARUN
narration by: JOHN MARK FRANCIA