October 2012


LATEST TOWN STORIES

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at 27
Stories of town explorations.
No... not many call it a yellow town except unless you already heard someone telling you who is not from the Land of kuripot (but hot, yummy and smart) people na itago natin sa pangalang Ilocos (I belong, just so you know :p)! But before you believe that the yellow town is Tagudin, can you please check you teeth first? LOL! It is not actually the real title of the town. Actually it a first class municipality in Ilocos Sur with a lot of major major titles that can steal the crown of Venus Raj. It is indeed a title holder town but I just want to coin a new title and I will call the town as "Yellow Town" :p Some acceptable titles are The Gateway to Ilocos, Malunggay Capital of the Philippines, and the Pearl of the Amburayan River.

Tagudin,
Ok, I will show you some reasons why the town of Tagudin is the yellow town. But before anything else, Tagudin is not a cold town (yelo). LOL!

The Yellow Town


Yellow Tricycles. One of the lame reasons why I call the town as a yellow town is the tricycles. All public tricycles are painted with yellow. It doesn't matter if it is dark yellow, light yellow or a new wave golden brown yellow (uh?), what is important is that you can recognize them as yellow. blahh >.<

The yellow tricycle above is the same yelow tricycle that toured me around the town. They virtually make the road (especially in poblacion) as the official dumpsite of fresh peelings of yellow bananas (those that aren't banned in China).

Yellow Market, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur
Yellow Market: There you are! -- the yellow market that sells yellow roses (not the real one, the plastic type made in China), yellow bikinis and yellow flip flops that will make you look like a walking mango shake (kidding, uh, please bear with the things I am saying because mango trees can bear yellow mango fruits when ripe :p).

Yellow People: Yes! They are yellow people because they are wearing yellow clothes that glare me. I have no photos because I saw them inside the municipl hall. Oh my! Taking a photo inside requires that you must be wearing a yellow underwear #fiction :p

Yellow Mangoes: I know yellow mangoes are almost everywhere, so what? I want to include it here to make this post super yellow! LOL!

Yellow Leaves: Uh? What about that? Well Tagudin is in the making as the "Malunggay Capital of the Philippines." Seriously. But I want to leave a trivia. Malunggay leaves become yellow when their life is nearing it's end. Do you know that?

Yellow Juice: Aside from malunggay, Tagudin has also adopted calamansi as their OTOP (One Town One Product). The town produces calamansi juice and other products from calamansi. Oh uh. Please take note that the juice needs to be yellow, please erase black gulaman in your mind because calamansi juice that is black in color requires food coloring. Oh well, the town produces healthy food for everyone :)

Ok, I hope I did not convince you that the town is the yellow town of Ilocos because once I convinced you, I am convinced too. LOL!

Interesting Trivia about Tagudin

The first 7-11 store in Ilocos provinces. While the Ilocos Sisters (Sur and Norte) have sprawling touristy cities like Vigan, Laoag, Candon and Batac, Tagudin is the first town in Ilocos to have a 7-11 store, whew!

Tagudin, Ilocos Sur Sundial
The first sundial in the Philippines. Because I do not know how to use a sundial, I also don't know what is this for honestly. But based on the context of the word sundial, this has something to do with the sun. This is the oldest surviving sundial in the whole Philippine archipelago from Aparri to Jolo (more about this sundial for my upcoming posts in this series).

First town. It is the first town in Ilocandia when you are coming from Manila either by bus or by a bicycle when you are taking the Manila North Road, lol. It is also the last town in Ilocandia when you are coming from the north either by a calesa or simply alay-lakad walking up to sawa... Indeed the first and the last.

Tagudin Map Points of Interests

Tagudin Map

So are you excited for the upcoming discoveries I discovered in Tagudin? Well this is just the prelude and we will spend 1 whole month or more (like 10 years, lol) to blog some details of the town of Tagudin that only me can observe the weird way, lols!

See you for the next post #TownExplorers!
_____________________________________________
You are reading the Prelude of the Tagudin town series of the #Town Explorer 

 Prelude | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
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at 62
Stories of town explorations.
"Yes, some unexplained encounters happen but my conviction is that one should not be afraid if you have the Words of God in your heart."

They are there. They are really there. They exist and that is Biblical. But you should not be afraid if God is with you because they won't harm you. So you love traveling or immersing yourself to adventure while being watched by ghosts or supernatural beings? Hey! Look at your back, no one is there but someone is actually watching you. You just can't see them. For this post, I will be featuring some popular and not-so popular travel and adventure destinations tainted with ghosts stories from urband legends, stories from town folks and even actual encounters of mine. Yes, I experienced "them."
Pindangan

For the first stop, this is an actual encounter of mine. It was a hot afternoon (but it is about to go dark) when I reached a creepy place called Pindangan Ruins in the city of San Fernando, La Union. I was riding on a tricycle and I was alone. I entered a narrow road that connects to the main highway. A huge acacia tree was very notable that time. The air moves, mmm... it was cold that made me doubt if it was really a hot afternoon.

All I know that time is that I was enjoying that city tour. There were no ghost things inside my head because it was a bright sunny day and those things never came to my mind at all. At first I didn't enter the ruin and I was just enjoying the dilapidated structure since it is again a new destination for me with historical value. I finally decided to enter the ruin and I suddenly felt uneasy. I didn't know why.

Inside the ruin seemed like it was a different dimension. It feels like it is not a part of the place where I was standing. The feeling was strange. It was hard to explain. I set my camera  into self-timer mode and I removed the flash since I don't want the outcome of the photo if there is too much light. For my first shoot, the camera flashed. I rechecked the camera if I really removed the flash. It was set on a flash mode. For the second time, I removed the flash but after the 10-second timer, it produced light again.

That time I was not thinking about any ghosts because it really didn't come in my mind and I was thinking that I may have mistakenly set the camera. But for the third time, I removed the flash and I made myself sure that I really removed the flash but the camera still produced a light.

After I took my own photo inside that "new dimension," the tricycle driver who drove me there told me that people around the area are seeing a priest inside that ruin without a head (pugot) and a lady dressed in white with a face that is hard to recognize. My body hairs got stiff and I told the driver, "Kuya please paki-bilisan, umalis na tayo rito." I didn't tell the driver about my experience there but the moment he told me about those ghost stories, I knew by myself that the glitches of my camera were not of human error.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse of Ilocos Norte


The next creepy destination is the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse of the town of Burgos in Ilocos Norte. It is an old lighthouse that has turned to be a national treasure and heritage. It is situated atop the hill. There are no other houses near the lighthouse. As you approach it, it looks very vintage.

Reaching the lighthouse was not easy. If you have no rides, you need to climb the hill. After that climb, the lighthouse seemed like to be reluctant to visitors because there are more steps to take before reaching the lighthouse itself.

I went up, some metals from the windows and other parts are rusty. It was very silent. But it gives you a marvelous view of the West Philippine sea and the mountains of Ilocos Norte and a different feeling that you are in a different world @.@.

There a lot of old stuff and you don't know if the persons who made those are already dead now that their ghosts are taking care of them. Some locals tell that a white lady is residing in that lighthouse.

The Antique Sta. Maria Colonial Cemetery Ruins

For some reasons, I visited a Spanish-era cemetery in the town of Santa Maria with two awesome bloggers Estan Cabigas (Langyaw.com) and Eric Cabalda (HReric.com).

Maybe you would ask me. Why you bother to visit a cemetery? Well, that is an interesting question. I wanted to visit the place because of its historical value. It is as old as the World Heritage Church of Sta. Maria which is also made up of bricks and few is known about it. Going there would at least give me an idea about how beautiful the cemetery chapel in that cemetery was. It has intricate designs with evident European influence. You can see the designs in some of the remaining structures.

The cemetery ruins are now filled with a lot of trees, vines, shrubs and other plants. Inside is like a mini-forest that will transport you to another realm within the walls of that antique cemetery chapel.

Burgos Ancestral House and Museum

It is one of the famous museums in Vigan being the birth house of Padre Jose Burgos of the famed GOMBURZA. The house is now a National Museum.

The ghost story started when a visitor of the Provincial Capitol visited the museum. The government officials toured that man. Unknown to those officials, their visitor has a third eye. Let's just give him a pseudo name "Mark." As other tourists are enjoying the old stuff they see inside, Mark felt uneasy. Being a person with a third eye, he was seeing "many" other tourists inside the museum that it was only he who can see them. They are dressed in an old-fashioned way in barong and old gowns just going around. They ascend and descend the stairs and they are everywhere the house. The story has spread in Vigan and employees of the provincial capitol may have known about the incident.

Mystery and Ritual-Filled Burayok-Pinsal Falls of Nagbukel Mountain Town

Actually, I will have another set of posts that will tackle my experiences in this mystical waterfall but I want to include it now for this post. However, this will only serve as a teaser. The whole story will be written in a series since it covers a huge realm of different stories that require thorough analyses for each event and encounters.

What made this waterfall mysterious and creepy is the fact that of all the waterfalls cascading in the mountains of the town of Nagbukel, this one "kills" visitors if you will not submit to the "requirement" of the unseen spirits.

The most common requirement is to offer a blood on which our group just did (I will talk more about that blood-offering ritual for my upcoming series for this waterfall). Our guide told me that people who come here without blood-offering to the unseen spirits will die. Several deaths have happened here and the residents and town folks have learned that those are the visitors who did not offer a blood. From that time on, every first  time visitor who goes there is already advised to offer a blood.

The waterfall itself is an image of a white lady. Notice the photo. At the rocks are different symbols like lions and a huge image of soldier who seems to be taking care of the waterfalls (I will show the images soon).

Final Words

Note that these are just ghost stories and it depends upon your conviction. Personally, I believe in ghosts, I believe in hell and I believe that this world will be ruled by the evil and by the Anti-Christ. But the rule will be temporary because Jesus will come the second time around to save the believers (as stated in the Bible).

About the rituals I discussed above, I personally don't believe it but my guide still did it because it was their belief. But I am not bothered should there have been no  blood-offering rituals that happened.

So we should not be afraid. Yes, some unexplained encounters happen but my conviction is that one should not be afraid if you have the Words of God in your heart. That will be your protection. Ghosts won't harm, they will just give fear. Real humans both give harm and fear.
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at 6
Stories of town explorations.
"I am thinking, when should I do it? When I become old? No, I should do it now that I still have the chance and the strength."

That day marked another milestone in my life. It was a hobby turned into a necessity, a basic need. I think about it daily. It always occupies a part of my daily life thinking for my next journey. I keep looking at my map everyday and I keep researching for tourist attractions in town. I am obligating myself that it is my role to encourage everyone to appreciate our towns and not just to focus more on the popular tourist attractions.


And yes, this was the day that I took a greater leap of faith. I decided to start a solo motorcycle journey. It was  a test of courage and faith. I found out that I can make it!

Some are against with this and I understand their rationale. But I can't resist it. I am thinking, when should I do it? When I become old? No, I should do it now that I still have the chance and the strength.

It took me about 170 kilometers. It looks risky but that is all in mind. I learned new tricks, and the more I do it, the more I mastered the art of driving solo with a motorbike along the highway. It felt good.

Suba Sand Dunes of Paoay, Ilocos Norte
I think this is just a teaser for a greater adventure waiting for me. I know I am now quite ready to do a longer motorbike backpacking around Luzon, but yes, that solo motorcycle journey gave me confidence to go. Suba Sand Dunes is just one of the stops. I went beyond that, I went far. It felt good.

I know I am not yet fully equipped, but this first solo motorcycle journey of 170 kilometers is a signal that I can make it and I will pursue the "dream" in due time.
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at 17
Stories of town explorations.
The town maybe new to you but I just want to introduce an itinerary the town explorer way. I would mean that this travel guide would not fit every traveler (because each traveler has a style and preference). The things I am going to introduce are not good for senior citizens unless they can ride a motorcycle with ease. If you are a rider or a thrill-seeker, this itinerary would fit you but I just want to clarify that this is only applicable to the town of San Quintin in Abra and you can still visit other towns in the province after doing this.

San

For those who want to spend an ample time exploring the town, I hope this would help. I actually encourage everyone to explore our towns in the Philippines wholeheartedly and that would include understanding the history and the pulse of the town. I believe a town can offer us new discoveries only if we try to explore them.

I also recommend using a motorcycle if you do it because it is easier to do the task but it will still depend on you if you want to use a truck, a bicycle your ferrari or simply alay lakad to death :p.

For the mean time, let's focus first to the town. Before we begin, I would want to first show you where San Quintin, Abra is located just in case you haven't read the previous posts of this series where I also placed this map. For the suceeding map, it will be more specific where in San Quintin those points of interest are located.

San Quintin, Abra Map
Take note that you can still make your own itinerary by including other towns so I am reiterating that this is specific to San Quintin only.

Although I will be making a comprehensive Abra province Itinerary after I will be able to blog all the towns I have explored in Abra, I want to be town-specific first then I will come to compile them all for my upcoming province-wide comprehensive travel guide for the province.

San Quintin, Abra Travel Itinerary and Tourist Spots Map
If you have followed my San Quintin Series, you will learn later that this post will just be a compilation of all the places I discovered in San Quintin. Ok let's begin:
Tangadan
Tangadan Tunnel is I think the most notable landmark in the province of Abra. This will always be the first on the list for the itinerary if you are reaching Abra via the Maharlika Highway then turning to Ilocos Sur-Abra Road because this serves as the welcome arch (no, not really an arch, it is a tunnel). Take your photo here and appreciate the structure. For more information about the historical value of this tunnel, read more...
Pay homage to the greatest heroine of Abra. She is Gabriela Silang, born in the town of Santa in Ilocos Sur but claimed by the people of Abra that she was born in the town of Pidigan in their province. Beside the Tangadan Tunnel is the Abra Welcome Park where this monument is standing. Learn more about Gabriela Silang and the history of this monument: Read more...
Well, there is nothing special about this town hall but it is important that you know where it is because it serves as a guiding landmark. Anyway, when I go to every town, I always make sure to see how their town hall looks like. It mirrors how wealthy a town is (most of the time) and it will give you an idea. The town hall is about 30-40 minutes from the Tangadan Tunnel. Just ask some people along the way where the town hall is located. The town hall requires you to turn left from the main highway so ask some people. Don't worry, they don't bite! Immersing with the local residents is part of the adventure. Read my experience inside the town hall here...
Visiting the Abra River is a must since it offers you a raw beauty. Take note that there are many towns where this river flows and San Quintin is just one of them. This site is located at the back of the town hall. Take a left turn from the road near the town hall (refer to the map above).

Possible activities you can do at this part of the Abra River are picknicking, fishing, swimming and why not do kayaking if you have the equipments, right? Oh no, not surfing, even though you have equipments, no surfing please if you don't want to surf your life, LOL!

If you won't try crossing the Abra River, your San Quintin experience won't be complete. This river crossing is free you know. It is funded by the provincial government of Abra to assist the residents in crossing the river - because there is no bridge to connect the communities. Wondering where to see the boatman? Just focus your eyes to the other side of the river and make a big wave. Be sure the boatmen are looking. They will come to fetch you.

So live like a local resident. But mind you, this is not a cruise ship that all you need is comfort. You need to adjust for the situation and act like a local resident. You can also act like a visitor if you want, that's not a problem but be sure you know how to adjust while on board the boat because it is not all about the comfort, but I would say it is an enjoyable experience. Read my river crossing experience here...
After the river crossing, try to look and identify the footprint of Angalo. Angalo is a mythical giant that forms one of the most popular legends in Abra. From this side of the river where the boatmen have lead you, you can actually see the footprint because it is gigantic.

I was not able to see it up close because you need to take a longer boat ride to reach the actual place. Learn more about this footprint here...

[7] The Cabaruyan Falls Challenge


I was not able to see the Cabaruyan Falls, also called the Hidden Falls in Brgy. Labaan but I will leave this to you as a challenge to explore it, the challenge to find your direction here and the challenge to share a travel guide here. To give you an idea how this natural wonder looks like, I have found a video here.

That's it! I hope you'll enjoy your town exploration in San Quintin soon! Please inform me if you have seen the waterfalls. As of now, I am still planning to go there for me to update this post.

How to Go to San Quintin, Abra


From Manila: Take Partas Bus or Viron Busline, they have daily trips from Manila to Abra. These bus companies pass through San Quintin. Travel time is about 8-9 hours.

From Vigan: Go to Vigan Bus and Jeepney Terminal. Take a Vigan-Bangued bus. Most buses that take that route are non-AC and are most of the time old-type mini-bus. Travel time is approximately 1 hour.

Narvacan Junction: If mistakenly took a north-bound bus that goes directly to Laoag or Vigan, drop at Narvacan Junction. Abra-bound buses all enter in this junction.

Travel Notes


The river crossing is available only from 8am to 4-5 pm. Once you crossed the river, be sure to be back before 4-5 pm if you have nowhere to sleep or else you're stranded and wait for tomorrow's schedule.

Staying here overnight is not recommended unless you have relatives or friends you trust where you can stay the whole night. Day tour is recommended. Accommodations near San Quintin are located in Narvacan (Ilocos Sur) and Bangued, Abra.

For a more comprehensive list of tourist attractions in the whole province of Abra, follow the following link: [ABRA] Tourist Spots, Attractions and Must-See Destinations

[ABRA] Tourist Spots, Attractions and Must-See Destinations

TEASER: "To those people who are afraid to visit Abra, think twice. Abra is the place with real best-kept secrets."
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Stories of town explorations.
As I left this town, I knew myself that I would cherish all the memories it gave me. I don't know when I should be back, but I am sure San Quintin has been written on my heart.

» I saw that hill (or possibly a mountain) projecting itself as the background of a white structure sitting on a platform overlooking the mighty Abra River.

» ...it has allowed me to experience, and I think that it’s worth a space on my online diary.

🇵🇭 SAN QUINTIN » ABRA
SAN QUINTIN, ABRA TOWN HALL

It is a town with hopes and dreams for its people, teeming with great natural wonders that can set you free. It’s an unhurried town, laid back, quiet, and simply beautiful. I am referring to the town of San Quintin in Abra. My posts about the town may have seemed to be endless. Forgive me for that. I just couldn’t keep myself from writing many stories about the town because of the many experiences and beautiful encounters it has allowed me to experience, and I think that it’s worth a space on my online diary.

As I crossed the Abra river back to where I came from, the other side of the river revealed another wonderful scene. On both sides of the river, beautiful views displayed. Actually, a 360-degree rotation is a paradise unknown.

 ►  Backstory

Swipe/drag to left or right to view more vertical photos. Tap or click the photos to enlarge.
SAN QUINTIN, ABRA TOWN HALL
SAN QUINTIN, ABRA TOWN HALL
SAN QUINTIN, ABRA TOWN HALL
▲ ▲ ▲ You may also click/tap the circles above to navigate the photos.


This town exploration in San Quintin is part of a larger scheme of things in 2012. From Vigan, my brother and I rode our Honda Beat 2009 model to Abra, and this moment forms a portion of that scooter adventure.

As I entered Abra, we visited several locations before arriving to this area—the Abra River.



 ►  Best Location



I saw that hill (or possibly a mountain) projecting itself as the background of a white structure sitting on a platform overlooking the mighty Abra River. The structure did not look special, but its location was unusual. The fact that it situated itself at this magnificent location gave me big smile.

SAN QUINTIN, ABRA TOWN HALL
🇵🇭 SAN QUINTIN » (2012) We crossed the Abra River back to where we came from, and the town hall of San Quintin presented itself a beauty from different vantage point.
SAN QUINTIN, ABRA TOWN HALL
🇵🇭 SAN QUINTIN » (2012) San Quintin town hall looked grand and mighty in its location.
Of all the hundred towns I have visited, this town hall is located in the most beautiful location I've ever seen—per the subjective judgment of my naked eyes. Most town halls are located along the main road or highway, but this one is located at the end of the road with the Abra River as the backyard—at the foot of those lovely mountains.



 ►  Everything has an ending



I would say that this moment sealed the finale of my San Quintin town journey, but the mountains appeared like they're expecting me to be back soon. This separation anxiety made me want to stay here longer, but this last river crossing that faced the beautiful location of the town hall marked the end of my adventures here.

As I left this town, I knew myself that I would cherish all the memories it gave me. I don't know when I should be back, but I am sure San Quintin has been written on my heart.

SAN QUINTIN, ABRA TOWN HALL
🇵🇭 SAN QUINTIN » (2012) San Quintin town hall looked grand and mighty in its location.
If you have followed the series, you know how San Quintin captivated my soul; but everything has an end—and needs to end. In every single journey, there is always an end; but the memories will make the journey to last forever in your heart. ■ END OF SERIES

This is Part 7 of the series: "My First Abra Ride Adventure in 2012"

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7

LATEST STORIES COVERING SAN QUINTIN • SEE ALL IN A SEPARATE WINDOW


MORE BLOGS YOU MIGHT LIKE. SEE TABS BELOW.

▼ ABRA ▼ LANDMARKS ▼ TOWN HALLS

 ►  More 'Abra' Blogs



MORE STORIES COVERING 'ABRA' | SEE OLDER STORIES

 ►  More 'Landmarks' Blogs


MORE STORIES COVERING "LANDMARKS" | SEE OLDER STORIES

 ►  More 'Town Halls' Blogs


MORE STORIES COVERING "TOWN HALLS" | SEE OLDER STORIES

MORE TOWNS OR LOCATIONS YOU MIGHT LIKE TO EXPLORE:
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UPDATE HISTORY FOR THIS BLOG POST

2025-April-11:
• The article was rewritten, proofread, and revised (injecting both 2012 and 2025 perspectives). 2025 lay-out update applied.

2012-October-17:
• This post was published.
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