Ilocos Sur: Pagsanaan beach

Just few minutes away from Magsingal's public market lies their pride -- Magsingal's Pagsanaan. Although it's not as breathtaking as the fame Philippine beaches, it still is something to look forward to in case you want a short ride and an affordable place. Since Magsingal is small town (not saying this with conviction), one can stroll around it without worrying of lacking the time. It's pretty obvious reality though, that this town is no popular to you, or to many, but Magsingal has beauty which will surprise you. It has three beaches namely Bantay Boneng, Pagsanaan, and Miramar; and I've come across a site saying there's also a batis or a stream in the town. Surely, these are the benefit of being an island country, and the benefit of being near South China Sea. Two of which I've seen: Pagsanaan and Bantay Boneng. Now I'll bombard you with photos I took.

Magsingal, Ilocos Sur

Since my cousins celebrated their Thanksgiving in Magsingal, I grabbed the chance of taking photos of my Father's hometown. Back in Manila, I've already "arranged" my itinerary for the coming days in Ilocos (I planned to stay longer than 3 days) so I  can go over the town more and do a little history taking. Unluckily, my family didn't allow me to stay so I'll just give credits to Google for taking over what I should have known there.

Magsingal gets its word from an Ilocano term Managsinggal, which surprisingly, means "wanderer". The term was a nature of Itnegs or Tingguians, who migrated in the place some time 200 to 300 years before Spanish Era. In time, it underwent some changes, thus the current name is. Source: IlocandiaRealtor 

However, according to Wikipedia, the municipality's name was originated from Mayisingal an Ilocano term as well, which means "to be moved". Whichever of the two is the real one, I get that feeling that these two words imply the same.

Magsingal Town Hall

Bantay Belfry and St. Augustine Parish Church

My childhood summer(s) were always almost revolves in Magsingal; Vigan; or Santo Domingo, Ilocos Sur. Why not just in one area? The perks of having a family scattered in one province. Since this post is about Bantay's Church, which is a town adjacent to Vigan, the church should not be new to me. It was.

When I said I spent my summer in Ilocos, particuarly in Vigan, I meant it to be long vacations. The longest I could stay was weeks to a month and a half. Basically, I spent my almost entire (2 months) of elementary and high school vacation there. I can even ditch having Christmas and New Year's Eve with my family in Manila for my relatives in Ilocos. But this only happened twice if my memory serves me right. Perhaps that's how I learned to speak their languange despite someone teaching me, despite not being brought up there. 

So okay, have I seen this Bantay's tower then? Not yet. I've just noticed it in my late HS or early college days. Maybe because we, my cousins, only stroll around the premise of Vigan. Or maybe because I was not so into with historical landmarks yet then. More so, I am happy to say finally.

Our Lady of Manaoag

The first and last time I've been to Manaoag was five years ago. The visit was brief I can hardly remember what I did then, how the vicinity looks like. I only remember two spots. The front of the church, where the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag is (uh-oh, isn't is everywhere?) and the bench where my family smiled for a photograph. This second visit should have been more
detailed, unfortunately, it's not.
 
Could have taken more considerable photos, but I didn't notice that I'm on totally manual which means the dial is in manual mode and lens is also in manual focus. For someone who is just learning and without tripod for support, I find totally manual, challenging. 

Go Baguio in One Day

When a friend of yours told you he/she had a vacation in Baguio, it would not leave you so interested curious.

Baguio has earned the most visited parts in the country thus named as Summer capital of the Philippines. One can opt to spend a day or two or some more days here to escape the busy city, especially when sun is at its best. Since it's a city on top of the mountain, its environment teem with cool set of air; its pine trees play a major factor to it.

Baguio for me is like a walk in the park. You can find most of its tourist spots in one full day. Or if it's possible with your time, you can stroll around in two days and have better a grasp of it.

Excuse me for overwhelming you with photos. Anyhow, these were sites where you can wander for few minutes and head right after to your next agenda.

Scary Night in Baguio

You'll know you're in Baguio when you get stuck in traffic.

Baguio is 6-7 hours away from Sagada, likewise going from Manila to Banaue, the road is steep, but the reward your eyes get is amazing.

The difference I've noticed between Mountain Province (Manila to Sagada) and Cordillera (Sagada to Baguio) was that the latter have more towns, or so I thought.

It rained midway our destination. If you seldom go to such areas (just like yours truly), raining in a cliff area with fogs elsewhere would be a fright. But somehow I was over with my oh-not-again moments. The perks of laughing with your friends and being on the second row of a mini bus do.


Baguio welcomed us with small drops of rain at past 3 o'clock pm. Kuya Mike needed to be back in Manila on that day, so it's the three of us again. With the aimless people walking around, with no maps nor people/number to contact to, with the city in front of us, we found ourselves hitting for another adventure.

Sagada

It was a drizzling afternoon when we arrived in Sagada. I included umbrellas in my bag while I was back home packing, but since it would make my bag heavier, I abandoned to bring it. Luckily, Sagada's Municipal Hall was only steps away. 

I saw a man who looks familiar upon heading their municipal. Ah! He's the Filipino guy (all of the other tourist there were foreigners) we saw in the place where we ate in Banaue. But why was he not with us in the van was my bubble thought.

He was just done talking to other Filipino tourists (there were also foreigners) when my friends and I approached him. This was the conversation we had:

Kami: "Hello, Kuya. Kayo po 'yung sa Banaue, di ba? Saan po kayo sumakay?"

Siya (Kuya Mike): "Oo, ako 'yun. Nag jeep ako."

Kami: "Nako, sayang! Dapat dun lang din kami eh. Naloko pa tuloy kami."

Siya: "Yayain ko nga sana kayo kaso baka magalit 'yung sa van. O baka magaway pa sila nun sinakyan ko."

Then we shared to him all of our frustrations, and as he quote, "Hayaan niyo na lang. Charged to experience."

We were happy to have finally met someone who we can talk to, someone who we can share our room expenses (at first we thought, a larger group will lessen the price, but learned that price remains same regardless of people) and yeah, we're stoked to share our adventures with him, too!

Kuya Mike is on vacation from Dubai. He's a first timer in Sagada as well. People who go to other places solo, is a real traveler for me. Going with my friends to places we haven't been, also is considered one, but going alone is something else.

We walked and searched for the Canaway Inn. It's not really far from the municipal, but with the rain drifting, it was. A month before the trip, I did research and also contact the people we need to. I want it to be polished. Better prepared than be surprised, right? But again, plans, won't go as expected (happens almost always). I tried to reserve room a month ahead, however due to changes in our trip, my friend and I decide not to pressure ourselves too much and just let time do its talking.

Affordable guesthouse rates in Sagada range from 250 to 350/pax and it could go higher than that depending on the inn or hotel. "Ay wala ng vacant eh. May darating din kasi bukas na nagpa-reserve na," said Ate from Canaway. I am eager to get the room for it's one of the afforadable yet has good service to offer (thanks to travel trips advises online). Then suddenly, these two friends of mine made goofy signals telling me to back off the idea. Kuya Mike and I followed them and said they were offered lower rate in George Guest House for only 200/head. Inclusives are hot bath, towel, and wifi! So glad towels are included! Not any of us was able to bring one. And with wifi is just cool stuff. We took a rest for a while. Snacks, shower, and get ourselves prepared for unexpected. Did I just say prepared? Let's see. 

Heading back to Sagada's municipal was easier; thanks to gravity. It's also where one registers (Fee is around 50php, I think. It's for the betterment of the town) and where one can arrange their tour: tour guides, fees, places to go, map, and things you want to ask. Every tour requires a different fee, depends on the place. Maximum of 10 pax. The more, the merrier, the lesser the fee. If you'll travel solo or with a small group, fret not. Tour guides are there to help you find group to fit in. Tour guide IS A MUST, especially in places which requires professional guidance.

Our initial plan was to hike first at Echo Valley, then late afternoon was to try Cave connection (Lumiang to Sumaging or vice versa). But because it rained, tour guides won't allow people to trek for trails could really be slippery. Of course, I don't want to risk my life just yet, so it's a no for that. And because we met not-so-good on the way, budget went limited. We agreed with Kuya Mike together with the others to head on caving. We were on a group of 7: 4 Filipinos, 2 Belgians, 1 Korean. Plus our 3 tour guides. 10 all in.

A little later a mobile service arrived to picked us. I was doubtful in bringing camera 'cause Kuya tourguide said we would have to go in small areas and even plunge ourselves to chest-deep water. Buti na lang they allowed me to drop by in our inn so I can leave my cam. We also had the chance to see Hanging Coffins from afar.

Photo credits to photo owner thru myspace. Same view where we saw it.

 

Banaue

 

Banaue Rice Terraces is quite a view from the place we ate. Hurrah!

I barely slept the whole trip. As soon as I saw light (considerable amount to wake up my senses) my eyes and ears didn't rest: my eyes for the wonderful view, my ears for the sound trip care of the dear driver. It was a bright idea that all, if not most, of the trips going to Banaue, Mountain Province, particularly, scheduled in the evening. For just when passengers wake up, they will see the beauty of the place, and won't see much of the hilly trail -- uh-oh, so I thought at that moment.

I was on a mixed emotion. Every town we came to pass, I surmised, was the unloading area. Likewise every mountain, I thought, was where I can see the renowned Rice Terraces. I kept my eyes on the window, not wanting to missed the chance. One hour had passed, two hours came, still no avail.

During sight-seeing, I can't help but be amazed on how infrastructures were done. Imagine, how steep mountains are. Not to mention the danger. And to have it done well is really commendable. Oh, I am not forgetting the dearest driver. Driving on place such is more than a skill. It's a talent.

Way Up Mountain Province

Our Banaue-Sagada-Baguio experience, though well planned, one can't really decode what's going to happen. Here's ours:

My time was reasonably stiff at that time. Why? My father was only in a 21-day vacation, I ditched going with him on Ilocos and when he arrived back in Manila, I'll be leaving the next day for the trip. What's sweeter was the day that I'll be heading home, was the day of his flight back.

Anyhow, blame me not. I needed and wanted to do this. So... :)

Am I prepared? In all honesty, not yet. I've had these strange feelings beforehand. Or was it because my childhood memory going to Isabela (somewhere in the mountain as well) was crystal clear. I can recall how steep the road (mala-bangin), how the bus moved every snake-like route. That pessimist part in me, yeah. Not to mention, the rainy season and simply the thought of going to place I'm not familiar with. But yes, there's also this inquisitive side of me wanting to be like Dora. :))