February 2011

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You have to eat while standing. It felt cool while viewing other people walking into rush. I think that this was another way to relax.

• It was my first time to eat a one-day-old chick.

• I went to the city plaza and I rediscovered foods that were already familiar to me.

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ DAGUPAN, PANGASINAN
DAGUPAN STREET FOOD

I know that these street foods are very common in the Philippines, but it was my first time to eat most of them. I was in Dagupan that day, and I ate a lot of bangus (milkfish). Guys out here (my Dagupan-based relatives) have always cooked bangus for us, but I realized that it was not all about bangus here.

I went to the city plaza, and I rediscovered foods that were already familiar to me. They smelled good, cheap too. I was hungry! Surprisingly, of all of the food displayed there, the only street food I have tried in the past was tokneneng. At that moment, I decided to taste everything.

DAGUPAN STREET FOODS
๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ DAGUPAN • THEY CALLED THIS CHICKEN NUGGETS HERE, BUT THIS WAS ACTUALLY CHICKEN INTESTINES. / IMAGE 1
DAGUPAN STREET FOODS
๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ DAGUPAN • FIRST TIME TO EAT A ONE-DAY-OLD CHICK / IMAGE 2
DAGUPAN STREET FOODS
๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ DAGUPAN • CHOOSE, PICK, PUNCTURE. / IMAGE 3
DAGUPAN STREET FOODS
๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ DAGUPAN • ORANGE IS THE COLOR OF TOKNENENG. / / IMAGE 4
DAGUPAN STREET FOODS
๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ DAGUPAN • THIS IS WHERE ALL THE FOODS ARE DIPPED. / IMAGE 5
DAGUPAN STREET FOODS
๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ DAGUPAN • A CHUNK OF PIG LIVER AT 3 PESOS PER PIECE. / IMAGE 6
DAGUPAN STREET FOODS
๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ DAGUPAN • I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE THIS PHOTO WAS PLEASANT, BUT I NEEDED TO CAPTURE A SOUVENIR SELFIE ANYWAY. / IMAGE 7
I noticed the chicken nuggets. I didn't know why it was called nuggets. However, it was delicious at only 10-12 pesos (2010 price). This was really fun.

In this part of Dagupan, there were no tables. You have to eat while standing. It felt cool while viewing other people walking into rush. I think this was another way to relax. If want to try, don't worry. A lot of people there stand while eating with you, so don't be ashamed. You're not alone. Just make sure it is about 4pm to 7pm where the peak hour peeks in. Just feel free to eat and relax alternatively! •

— END OF STORY —


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• 2011-February-25: This post was published.
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I didn’t ask for the price at first, because I expected a lower price. However, we have opened the drinks; and there’s no way of turning back.

• My brother and I decided to have a road trip using my scooter on a sunny Saturday.

• There would be regrets for us without the souvenir photos.

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ NARVACAN, ILOCOS SUR
SULVEC, NARVACAN

My brother and I decided to have a road trip using my scooter on a sunny Saturday. Unfortunately, I thought that my digicam was fully charged. It was not. Of course, there would be regrets for us without the souvenir photos. As we stepped on our last spot—the most important one—my digicam’s battery drained.

I planned to look for a store with high hopes that I could charge my battery. Of course, buying items were part of the plan, then we would ask a favor from them to charge my battery.

In a store in front of the beautiful Sulvec Bay in Narvacan, we chose a store; and I didn’t know its name. We bought C2 Green Tea (the small one); and to my big surprise, it was 25 each (this was in 2010).

I didn’t ask for the price at first, because I expected a usual price. However, we have opened the drinks; and there’s no way of turning back.

SULVEC NAY BUS STOP AND EATERY
๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ NARVACAN • UNFORGETTABLE STORE: JUNE 06, 2010
SULVEC BAY, NARVACAN
๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ NARVACAN • BLUISH LAGOON: PARAISO NI JUAN
One thing more that made me bitter was the store owner's unapproachable vibe, and they even turned their faces angry when I asked a favor to charge my battery! I felt bad. They could have just said no politely without reacting that much.

Luckily, I was still able to take one photo of the bay before my battery totally drained.

That was the beautiful Sulvec Bay I almost missed to capture because my battery got drained, and the reason I bought an expensive C2 without consumating the plan I crafted. I got a stomachache instead drinking a cold, expensive tea. •

— END OF STORY —

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• 2011-February-24: This post was published.
NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.

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"The sun was scorching hot, and the sky was clear that time. There was no time for rain drama; but even if it was summer, it was cold at Bessang Pass."

๐Ÿ️ We are not bad people, but we had to tell lies to pursue this adventure. ๐Ÿ️ If you're at a higher altitude, the road below may look like the Great Wall of China!

[Cervantes, Ilocos Sur Province, Ilocos Region, Philippines]
▼ COVER PHOTO
BESSANG PASS
[CERVANTES] ► I ASKED MY BROTHER TO TAKE A PHOTO OF ME, WHILE I LAID MY BACK ON ONE OF THE ROAD SHOULDER BLOCKS. AT THE BACKGROUND WAS THE BEAUTIFUL PINE VEGETATION OF THE CERVANTES HIGHLANDS.

Oh yes... I'm from Ilocos Sur, and I have heard about the town of Cervantes several times. I always had the urge to go, but there's been no chance; besides, it's too far from the city where I live.

I have always heard that the road going to Cervantes isn't good. It's between life and death! Roads were too narrow with falling rocks from the mountain. Roads were unpaved; and a few steps away, it's KABOOOOOOOOOOM! You're falling into that cliff! If it rains, the town is literally isolated!

BESSANG PASS
/ 1 / [CERVANTES] ► MY BROTHER ALSO LAID HIS BACK ON THE CONCRETE BLOCK, EMULATING WHAT I PREVIOUSLY DID. USING A CHEAP DIGICAM I BORROWED FROM MY LATE AUNT, WE WERE ABLE TO DOCUMENT OUR FIRST TIME EXPERIENCES IN CERVANTES.
...that was before, but traveling through this road now is as smooth as silk. It is a beautiful winding road. If you're at a higher altitude, the road below may look like the Great Wall of China (as what I have seen in photos at least). You may say, "I'm at the Great Wall of Ilocos!"

The highway was not busy. Most of the time, it was only me and my brother who were traveling along this highway. This scenario may change though, who knows? Cervantes might boom later, and the road will become busy. Lucky me, I have witnessed it this way.

BESSANG PASS
/ 2 / [CERVANTES] ► I LOVE TAKING PHOTOS OF MYSELF. SOMETIMES, MY SELF PHOTOS BECOME MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE VIEWS. I TOOK ALL THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE MY PHOTOS TAKEN FROM EACH STOP WE MADE.
BESSANG PASS
/ 3 / [CERVANTES] ► THE FIRST TIME I SAW THIS MARKER OF CERVANTES, WHICH WAS IDENTICAL TO THE REST OF MARKERS IN ALL THE TOWNS IN ILOCOS SUR THAT YEAR (A PROJECT OF THEN GOV DV SAVELLANO), I WENT ON THE HAVE MY PHOTO TAKEN.
BESSANG PASS
/ 5 / [CERVANTES] ► IT WAS MY FIRST TIME TO SEE A MOUNTAIN OF PINE TREES INSIDE MY PROVINCE.
Although ▼ BAGUIOLATEST STORIES COVERING BAGUIO
has given me this kind of sights, it felt different to see pine-clad mountains for the first time in my own province. It was something I did not expect. This was in 2010, when I was still new to this kind of traveling.

 ►  Unexpected Journey

Going to Cervantes that day was an accident. I just asked my brother to join me in a joyride. We reached Cervantes unexpectedly. We never thought we could.

We are not bad people, but we had to tell lies to pursue this adventure. We told our parents we're just going to a resort nearby, because we know they wouldn't let us traverse the highway. They said it was risky. One thing more, we're the only good looking boys-nextdoor in our village. The whole village was afraid its boys will face an accident (this is my secret, keep it between you and me, lol, enough for day dreaming).

BESSANG PASS
/ 6 / [CERVANTES] ► ME AND MY BROTHER STOPPED AT NAKAYANG VIEWDECK, WHERE WE SAW THE BEAUTIFUL VALLEY OF CERVANTES.
BESSANG PASS
/ 7 / [CERVANTES] ► MY BROTHER WAS ENJOYING THE VIEW OF BEAUTIFUL CERVANTES VALLEY FROM NAKAYANG VIEWDECK.
It was a hot day in Vigan where we came from. We just decided to go to ▼ CANDONLATEST STORIES COVERING CANDON
City, only to find ourselves already reaching the remote town of Cervantes with our scooter. That day was hot, and the sky was clear. There was no time for rain drama. But even if it was summer, it is cold in Bessang Pass.

See the images below. The ambiance was really cold. It was so romantic for lovers to hug each other while driving (Huh? That sounds crazy). This time, it was my younger brother with me whom I love; but hugging him while riding on a scooter was a suicide! BRAGGGG!

BESSANG PASS
/ 8 / [CERVANTES] ► LOOKING AT THIS PHOTO, IT REMINDS ME HOW CHILLY THIS SPOT WAS.
BESSANG PASS
/ 9 / [CERVANTES] ► WE WENT FURTHER, UNTIL WE ALREADY STARTED TO DESCEND. THE ROAD WENT ZIGZAGGING DOWN TO THE VALLEY. THE COLD BREEZE WAS REPLACED WITH HOT AIR.
BESSANG PASS
/ 10 / [CERVANTES] ► MY HONDA BEAT JUST MADE IT!
We weren't able to see the must-sees of Cervantes, because we had no tour guide. We didn't know where to go. In fact, Cervantes is so historical. It was where a battle during World War II happened.

The town has the Yamashita Cave, McArthur Tunnel, Bessang Park National Park, Gambang falls, etc which are all part of the history of the Philippines! For us however, the scene we saw along the Cervantes highway was already a must-see, and the romantic freezing breeze and ambiance of the town was a travel bonus! Into my surprise, there were pine trees! It was an awesome view. It felt like I was in Baguio minus the crowd and commerce.

POBLACIO, CERVANTES
/ 11 / [CERVANTES] ► WE SPOTTED THIS RICE FIELD IN THE VALLEY.
While on our way, there was a bike race [going up] to Bessang Pass. Bessang Pass is the highest point traversed by any highway system in Ilocos as of now. It is foggy and cold.

Cervantes is the crossing for the four provinces of Ilocos Sur, ▼ ABRALATEST STORIES COVERING ABRA
, ▼ BENGUETLATEST STORIES COVERING BENGUET
, and ▼ MOUNTAIN PROVINCELATEST STORIES COVERING MOUNTAIN PROVINCE
. Rice terraces are present in Cervantes too! | END OF STORY |

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BESSANG PASSBESSANG PASSBESSANG PASSBESSANG PASSBESSANG PASSBESSANG PASSBESSANG PASSBESSANG PASSBESSANG PASSCERVANTES CROSSING

[MAPS SHOWING CERVANTES]

MAP OF CERVANTES, ILOCOS SUR
► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

๐Ÿ️ This post was filed under the category "Motorcycle Diaries." See more posts related to this below.

๐Ÿ️ The maps I used on this post are from Wikipedia.

๐Ÿ️ All photos are mine.

๐Ÿ️ The insights, condition, and name of places or properties I mentioned here are based on the facts and situation on the day of my visit. Take note that you may have a different experience when you try or see the properties or places mentioned here. Names of places and properties may also change by time, so it's not my responsibility to update all the information on this blog because once published, I already consider it as an archive. I don't necessarily update my narratives, because I want them to become my references of what have happened in the past. I'm very particular of the dates, because I want my amazing readers to understand that I am writing stories based on my perspective and insights on the day of my visit. You can see dates almost everywhere on this blog. Exempted from this rule are my travel guide posts that need to be updated.

UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST
► 19-February-2022: Separator line added in between the two sub-headlines. Paragraph 3 transferred below the image / 1 /.
► 06-February-2022: Page lay-out overhauled. Copyreading applied. Sub-heading lay-out modified. Additional scripts added.
► 24-January-2011: This article was published.


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NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.
Photos, videos and stories of town explorations.
Although I and my brother didn't plan to visit Suyo, it suddenly became an interesting place the first time we entered the town. I said, "Suyo is awesome!"

• The inviting scenes along the winding mountain trail is a breath of life. They're all free.

• A motorbike stroll along this serene Mountain Trail made me realize it was a blessing being able to experience the wonders made by God!

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ SUYO, ILOCOS SUR, PHILIPPINES
EDMARATION

I started this journey without any idea what Suyo town has to offer. But I have heard about the Suyo Mountain Resort from a common friend who lives there and happens to be studying here in ▼ VIGAN
.
An Unplanned Visit
When I was still a campus journalist back in college, my senior editors wanted me to go to Suyo to feature their coffee plantation as an industry. Anyway, my trip to Suyo was an accident.

1234
| 1 | ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ SUYO • First times are memorable. This is one of my earlieset travel blog photos.

TAGUDIN-CERVANTES-SABANGAN ROAD
| 2 | ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ SUYO • Entering towns for the first time is as nostalgic as childhood memories.

TAGUDIN-CERVANTES-SABANGAN ROAD
| 3 | ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ SUYO • You welcome me. I'll come in.

TAGUDIN-CERVANTES-SABANGAN ROAD
| 4 | ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ SUYO • Being welcomed, whether it's verbal or not, always feels good.

TAGUDIN-CERVANTES-SABANGAN ROAD

Although I and my brother didn't plan to visit Suyo, it suddenly became an interesting place the first time we entered the town. I said, "Suyo is awesome!" It's very beautiful! It is a must-see stop-over on your way to ▼CERVANTES
.

Like ▼BAGUIO
and Cervantes, pine trees also abound in this town. The inviting scenes along the winding mountain trail is a breath of life. They're all free. You will surely enjoy. You have to take the ▼TAGUDIN
-Cervantes-Sabangan Highway (Mountain Trail) to reach Suyo. The latter road will connect you to Halsema Highway of the ▼CORDILLERA
Region.

56
| 5 | ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ SUYO • This is the Suyo countryside. Welcome to Brgy Baringcucurong!

BARINGCUCURONG, SUYO
| 6 | ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ SUYO • Nature's refreshing welcome is a love untold.

BARINGCUCURONG, SUYO
A Cool Town
The air is cool. Bring some jackets, long-sleeves or sweat shirts because you will need it. This is the first time I saw a highway with this kind of scenery so don't think I'm over-hyping the place because this is really what I felt the first time I traversed this road. A motorbike stroll along this serene Mountain Trail made me realize it was a blessing being able to experience the wonders made by God! Bessang Pass in Cervantes is the highest elevation of any highway system in ▼ILOCOS SUR
.

In Brgy. Man-atong is a municipal resort. Sadly we were unable to get inside because an event was going on. You have to step onto several stairs to get to the resort. It is located atop a hill.

78910
| 7 | ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ SUYO • Our faith should be like mountains. Big.

TAGUDIN-CERVANTES-SABANGAN ROAD
| 8 | ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ SUYO • Mountain peaks remind us that we are small. Stay humble.

URZADAN, SUYO, ILOCOS SUR
| 9 | ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ SUYO • When roads and mountains meet, there's civilization.

TAGUDIN-CERVANTES-SABANGAN ROAD
| 10 | ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ SUYO • My brother Edison was with me this time.

BARINGCUCURONG, SUYO, ILOCOS SUR

Well, the joyride was really fun. I suggest you have to use either a bicycle or a scooter to feel the cool breeze and see fully the likable view! Our scooter has gone too far. ◄ END OF STORY ►

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UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST
• 2023-July-31: Motorbike emoji replace with "•" symbol. Related contents lay-out/format and cover photo (replaced) were patterned in the post "๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ STA CRUZ • (Ilocos Sur) Why Did I Visit their Public Market?".
• 2022-February-06: Subtitle line design height modified from 7px to 1 px. Airplane emoji replaced with motorbike emoji.
• 2019-January-29: Twitter metadata added. Lay-out Modified. HTML and Javascript configured to show related posts covering the labels 'Ilocos Sur', 'Travel Diaries', and 'Adventure'. Linear visuals of every subheading replaced. Old Wikipedia map replaced with Google maps.






NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.