Manuroyta!

             I know I'll be exploring Ilocos Region but I never thought I will be there anytime soon. What makes Ilocos famous for me it's because of the following attractions: the mega structure of Bangui Windmills - featured in National Geographic channel; Paoay Church - one of UNESCO heritage site; Calle Crisologo - remnants of Spanish descent of Filipinos in Ilocos; and Vigan longganisa for food lovers.  These reasons may not be wrong but diffinitely not totally right.  Ilocos is not just a location of a mega-structure, a place of old churches, and a site for Spanish fossils - there's more to it than what are featured in magazines and travel channels.               I already knew it'll take too much of our time to travel from Manila to Ilocos, so to save time and energy - we decided to travel at night.  This is also to avoid travelling at noon when it gets really ho...

                    It is being said that Vigan is the center of tourism industry and the gateway of the artistic world of Ilocos Sur.  So, to start our Ilocos region tour - we first enter the 'gate of awesomeness' as one of my friend says - Vigan!                    Arriving at 5am, we actually have the opportunity to enjoy the               

            It all started when I first laid my eyes on the un-glossy and black and white picture of my history book.  This was in primary school.  I was amazed how the terraces was created and maintained and how beautiful it became year after year.             Backpackers being drown to Baguio City forget to move forward to the North.  Don't take it against me, I don't have against Baguio City.  It is one of my favorite place, during summer, that is. He-he!  Seldom knows the capital of Benguet is not Baguio but La Trinidad and seldom risk to travel up North where La Trinidad and the main province of Benguet is located at, Banaue - the home of Ifugao Rice Terraces.                 Banaue Rice Terraces is also known as the "Eighth Wonders of the World".  It was also named UNESCO...

             It all started when I laid my eyes to the black and white picture of Banaue Rice Terraces of my history book.  This was when I am still in primary school.  I was amazed how the terraces were maintained and how beautiful it became year after year.  Since then, its been my hidden desire to see the terraces in close range.             Last week, I was given a chance to visit two of the widest and famous terraces in the country: Banaue and Batad , both are located in Ifugao, Mountain Province.            Travelling to the northern part of Ifugao may seem risky for some because of the underdeveloped  infrastructure that has been featured in different website, several magazines and on TV.  I will not sugarcoat it, travelling to Ifugao, especially to Batad is definitely not a walk in the park experi...

              A self-confessed history vultures would go to museum and municipal/city library to satisfy their artistic needs.  A traveler would drive long and pack her bag to get away  and satisfy her needs.  Well, if you are a combination of both, no need to stay seated for a long time at the back of your steering wheel and waste your fuel to get this ecstasy - Intramuros is enough to get the same high .            Known to Manilenos as "The Walled City" , this unbelievably awesome place stands historically beautiful despite of the evident modernization  and high-technology showing in every corner of the site.  The place is located in Metro Manila.  Its surrounded by different and equally historical tourist destinations such as: Rizal Park (Luneta); Manila Hotel ; Manila Ocean Park ; Manila Zoo ; Manila  Botanical and Zoological Garden ; Carfel ...