NORTHERN EXPLORATION: Discovering Ilocos Sur Part I

The towns of Ilocos offer good food, astounding scenery, and remarkable historical sites. The itinerary I made had led us to 8 towns in 3 days. Sounds like an amazing race. These 3 glorious days have fulfilled us with impressive information of our history and filled our stomachs with heavenly delicacies. Join us as we travel from Vigan to the top of the Philippines, Pagudpud.

VIGAN. We left Manila through Fariñas Transit at 10:00 pm. The bus drop us at Bantayan, which is the entrance to Vigan proper, at 5:00am. We took a tricycle and drop us at Burgos Plaza. Since everything is still close, we take a stroll around the plaza. Locals of Vigan are health buffs, there is a free aerobics class near the church, teenagers playing basketball, people jogging in groups around town. While waiting for the Crisologo Street to open, we visit the Cathedral of Vigan which was built in 1641 and take pictures of the old houses around town. The Crisologo St. will bring you back in time of its old houses made of bricks in European design and cobblestone pathway complete with horse drawn carriages "kalesa". The houses are now used as souvenir shops and hotels. Here, you will feel how it's like to live hundred years old from now.

Crisologo St. at 6:00am

The oldest house in Crisologo Street.

The grumpy old woman's store. So far we have encountered kind and accommodating Ilocanos, except for the old woman who owns this store. Masungit!
Ilocos is in unity to campaign for Bong Bong Marcos.

Eating hopia while waiting for the souvenir stores to open.

There's nothing to do this early. Eastley tried to knock on this old house, daring himself to see a ghost!

It is extremely hot in Vigan so keep hydrated.

Finally, someone opened his souvenir shop!

While waiting for the Crisologo Museum to open, we pass by a carenderia where they serve sinanglao. Though it is really hot, I eat a bowlful of it!Of course with rice!

The carinderia beside Crisologo Museum serve this authentic Ilocano cuisine which they call "sinanglao" in Manila we call it "papaitan". Very good! Especially if you put sukang Iloco!

Then at 8:30 am, the Crisologo Museum is finally open. This was the house of Floro Crisologo, the former congressman of Ilocos Sur. He was also the father of SSS (Social Security System). The former statesman and was veteran was assassinated while attending a Sunday Mass at Vigan Cathedral. It was believed that his political rivals made the hideous murder. Crisologo's widow Carmeling, then the province's governor, promised she wouldn't exact revenge and she didn't. But her distraught eldest son Bingbong did, infamously burning down a village occupied by followers of their family's political opponents. He went to jail for that and became born-again. A movie was made about his life. Some years after his release, Bingbong was elected to congress to represent Quezon City.
The family wanted the people to remember how he was murdered that they converted the family mansion into a museum which houses his memorabilias and personal belongings. Crisologo's supporters volunteer to run and clean the museum. Entrance is free but donations are welcome.

The Crisologo Museum is located at Liberation Blvd.

Floro Crisologo was a WWII Veteran.

The family's enormous book collection.

Governor Carmeling Crisologo (wife of Floro Crisologo) was ambushed but survived in this car on May 10, 1961 at Bacsil, San Juan, Ilocos Sur.

This carriage was used in Jose Rizal movie of Cesar Montano.

The former congressman's desk at his law office.


Eastley was thrilled to see this toy jeepney. He has the same toy when he was young.

The second floor of the house.

The master's bedroom.

Carmeling Crisologo's shoe collection.


Potty

to be continued... up next Pres. Elpidio Quirino's Mansion

The Adventures of a SAH (stay-at-home) Mom

Liam

Vince

After having two kids, my life is a chaos. It is now impossible for me to go out alone. Time alone is a privilege I always dream of. I have a three-year old toddler and a nine month old baby, both are boys. So, my house is naturally filled with chaos and noise of shouting and crying. Tough though, i couldn't imagine my life without my boys.

Being a SAH mom was not even in my plan. I told my husband after I gave birth, I want to go back to work. I'm a school teacher, I love my career and I believe teaching is my passion. But then, after I found out the benefits of breastfeeding and closely attached parenting to my baby I didn't go back to work at all. I was able to breastfeed my first son for eight months and brought him up on my own until he's 15 months old. Being SAH mom has given me the opportunity to bond with my baby and train him while growing up. My second baby too, I was able to breastfeed him up to 8 months.

I thought a SAH mom could be boring and all. I never knew it was more challenging than an 8 hour office job. Being a mom never ends in 8 hours, this is a 24/7 job. No breaks, no weekends, no holidays. I said to myself, working as a school teacher is stressful, but being a mom and wife is really tedious.

Not all my three years as a mother is about baby rearing. I am thankful because I found a job that is very flexible with my time as a mother. I get to teach again by tutoring some British students and open my own business. I was able to go back to school and continue my graduate studies. Teaching is still my passion and I want to pursue my career but maybe when the kids start going to school.

It is also a blessing that I stay at home to see the milestones of my babies. Their first smile, first word, first step. I never get them second hand. I realized how important for them to see me beside them and know that I am always there to assist. I teach them new words, read them books, fix their food, listen to their baby talk. I just love those moments.

These are all impossible without the help of my husband, Eastley. He has been my consistent help in raising the boys. He is a hands on father, from changing diapers to lulling them to sleep. He supports me all the way especially in making decisions. He is always there giving me a pat on the shoulder whenever i feel down and frustrated. I am very thankful to have a partner who stands with me through good times and tough times.

I know life is no bed of roses. The only thing that makes me strong is the faith I have that God is with me all the time. When I pray, I always say "thank you, Lord" and I never ask. What I have now is more than enough and God has provided everything for me.

As a SAH mom, I sometimes feel underestimated or understated. What the others don't know SAH moms have the hardest job in the world. Disciplining the kids, balancing checks, supervising the household chores, deciding what to cook! Haha... that's tough! I'm lucky my husband do the cooking. Managing a house is like running your own company.

Boredom is never entertained in being SAH mom. I've got all the hobbies I have to keep me busy, and one is continue studying. Just writing to share how crazy it is to be a mother all role in one.

A Date with Grace U. and Grace C.

I'm very happy that Grace C. had finally joined the networking society and found me and Grace U. We last saw her about 7 years ago?! We (ma and Grace U.) was so thrilled to see her yesterday. Surprisingly, she didn't looked different at all after all those years. Instead, looking hotter that ever, a hot mama of two! And of course Grace U, lovely and sexy in her haltered top. Unfortunately, Pam can't join us on that day, she had a trip.
Though it was just a few hours of bonding, we were so happy to finally get together with Grace C.
So its four of us now, Me, Grace U., Pam., and Grace C. That's exciting! I'm looking forward on our next meeting!
Well, check out our pictures from Greenbelt.

A Holy Week Tagaytay Escapade

My friend Yum asked me to do her wedding. She's in Qatar together with her family and fiance. It's really an honor for me to be her wedding planner since we've been good friends for more than 20 years. We live in the same building at Bliss and grew up together like sisters.
Since I love doing events, I am very happy to give her my services. It started from family reunions, my own wedding, my son's birthday, friends' wedding, or hosting somebody else wedding had become my diversion aside from teaching.
Anyway, it was a thrill for me to go around and look for a wedding venue for Yum at Tagaytay. It is now the wedding capital of the Philippines because of its romantic scenery and fresh ambiance. Fortunately, we have a house there so it is also a chance to visit my mom. We stayed there for 4 days. The 4 glorious days of rest!
It doesn't seem to be a "Holy Week" were every one should be in solemnity to remember Jesus' death. People from Manila swarmed Tagaytay to take advantage of this long days of no work. The main road is in heavy traffic going to Batangas where people want to take a break by the beach. While the others relaxed and enjoy the cool breeze of Tagaytay. By the way Tagaytay is also a haven of delicious cuisines, and restaurants which serves different delicacies.
First stop, Tagaytay Japanese Garden. It is located just beside Picnic Grove. It is usually rented for Christian weddings. Enough to hold 200 guests. Most plants, of course, are Japanese. Dominated by Bonsai and Pine Trees. You'll love the fresh air and the smell of fresh pines. The grass should be green, unfortunately we found it dry and dusty. I've talked to the caretaker, she said it is the effect of El Niño. Yes, even Tagaytay is getting warm nowadays. Only at night time you'll feel the cold air. But she said, as the weather shifts to colder months the garden will revive its green and flowers and will soon be blooming. So right in time for Yum's wedding, the garden will be spectacular!


We tried to avoid the main road because of the traffic. As we headed back, we turned to SVD road and saw "Moongarden". I was intrigued by its marvelous gate. So I asked my hubby to stop so I can check out the place. My mom went with me inside and we were surprised to see such a lovely garden. A pavement with hanging colorful flowers which leads to this serene parlor where wooden antique chairs and tables is facing a glorious pond. I am not very much familiar with different plants and flowers but whatever that floats on that pond is truly a grand site. We can't help but take pictures of us together with magnificent portraits of flowers hanging on the wall. It offers a comfort away from home, it is a place you can repose and recharge. We've talked to the owner, Peter, a Belgian with gray eyes. We were laughing to find out that he is very fluent in speaking Tagalog yet at first we tried to speak in English. He lives in Tagaytay for 20 years now. He is nice and accommodating. A place like this costs P40,000. Yum wants to have the wedding with live band and Peter said it would be impossible to do that because Moongarden is just beside SVD, a religious house, I thought Japanese Garden maybe best for the wedding ceremony and reception and Moongarden will be their honeymoon spot. I reserved a room for Yum and Erwin because I want to them to experience the serenity of Moongarden. This is still of course under the couple's approval. If they want they could stay here during their wedding day. Room is only P2000 per night.

Last stop is Bag of Beans. I love kapeng barako so I take this moment to stop at the famous coffee shop in Tagaytay. The smell of brewed coffee is a haven as you enter the premises. We took the steps going down
and surprised us with the zen inspired restaurant. Must try of course it their kapeng barako. Nothing beats it! Then order their cinnamon roll, perfect combination with your coffee.We also tried the raisin bread loaf and their lasagna. Truly a sumptuous meal! Bag of Beans offers the best coffee in the world and of course expensive which is the roasted Coffee Alamid which has a sweet, chocolaty aroma that heightens the senses -- light and naturally sweet. What makes this amazingly expensive is that the coffee beans are digested by the Philippine civet (a cat) which ferments the coffee beans and excreted as whole beans. Interesting! Maybe next time I'll try the Alamid coffee. We didn't notice it was already getting dark because we were so engaged with our conversation and the place is very relaxing that you don't want to leave yet. There's still next time. Well, I'm really excited to tell my friend about my discoveries today. That's what I like about wedding preparations, there's always adventure and new discoveries.