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🇵🇭 CAOAYAN • Caoayan Bridge: of Scooter Stroll and Night Walking Tour

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Edmar del Castillo Guquib at Monday, November 19, 2012 4

Stories of town explorations.

"I think it is safe enough to tell that I am not overrating the bridge because as I see people passing through the bridge, they too, stand amazed."

It was a motorbike stroll to Caoayan, a very small town south of the city of Vigan. My target is to see the Caoayan Bridge. I don't have any idea how it looks like but just because the RHU Physician of the said town suggested that I have to see it and photograph it, I waited for the sun to go down to finally see what the RHU doctor was telling me.

A Grand Entrance!

Caoayan Bridge was undoubtedly stunning.

The road I have to take while driving the scooter was not as bright as the scene I saw in the town. So upon making a left turn going to Caoayan poblacion, the boring night turned magical!

I can't resist my self to ride off the scooter and to just park it along the bridge and decide to just walk and enjoy the magic of the dark night!

The lights of the bridge made the dark night so bright.

It was indeed a grand entrance to the town. The ordinary bridge becomes extraordinary at night. Even some motorists and vehicle owners driving to Caoayan can't help but be amazed and to get off their rides and cars to take photos.

Quick Walking Tour

The inviting bridge has made me decide to just walk.

I think it is safe enough to tell that I am not overrating the bridge because as I see people passing through the bridge, they too, stand amazed. They get off their rides and take a photo while staying for a while to feel the magic it brings.

Caoayan Town Hall (Sorry for the wrong photo label)

I have crossed the bridge and the scooter-stroll-turned-walking-tour lead me to the Caoayan Municipal Hall. The town poblacion was really quiet. Some barbecue stalls around are still open. I was glad to see that a big investment has come to town when I saw a super-mart chain standing at the middle of the small town.

The municipal hall has been finished too! It's been a while since the last time I visited this town. The once small, old and not-so-good-looking municipal hall has transformed to a beautiful building!

Light reflections in my scooter's side mirror

It's nice to be back here. I discovered it has something new to offer aside from the popular barbecue stalls that are attracting foodies from the town and nearby towns.

The quick night walking tour in town was a quick reminder that I don't need to ride an airplane just to see great places because some of the great places are just actually near you.

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

[Tagudin] All Happy Posts HERITAGE Ilocos Ilocos (Region 1) Ilocos Sur Lighthouse Luzon Philippines Serious Post Tagudin Traveling Solo

🇵🇭 TAGUDIN • Farola Lighthouse: How Ilocos is Linked to Belgium

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Edmar del Castillo Guquib at Tuesday, November 13, 2012 3

Stories of town explorations.

"Appreciation of our great history and heritage does not need to be embodied to grand structures because the greatest parts of the past were built from small details."

Yes, it is really my first time to see a lighthouse, in person. I have never seen one even in my dreams. Good thing there is TV and internet. At least, they made me realize that lighthouses are not really the upscale type of houses -- and not really a house, nor the bright luxurious part of an exclusive mountainside subdivision.

First Time to See a Lighthouse

I wanted to maximize my time in the town of Tagudin. So what I did was to go to the municipal hall and meet the tourism officer. Honestly, the tourism officer was accommodating and nice.

What I just wanted was information about places to see in Tagudin until it leveled up! Whew! I was asked to meet the Mayor!!!

Hmmm... I was already in queue, but since I only have limited time and the wait has been too long, I decided not just to meet the mayor. Outside the office, I saw a picture of a lighthouse and that was the start of the Amazing race (solo version).

Below the municipal hall is a line of yellow tricycles waiting for passengers. I was able to grab one.

And finally! For the very first time in my life, for the 24 years of my existence, through thick and thin, through all the struggles, typhoons and floods, elementary, high school, college, post graduate school and all that (LOL!), I will be seeing a lighthouse!

History (A Connection to Belgium)

Farola Lighthouse shares a slice of the history of the town. The existence of this lighthouse traces its roots from Belgium in Europe.

The story started when a group of missionaries from Belgium landed on the shore of Brgy. San Roque (present-day Brgy. Farola) by boat.

The group was headed by Sister Marie Louise de Meester and they set foot to San Roque on June 21, 1910. The lighthouse has been standing about 100 years now!

As a symbol of their landing in the Philippines, they built a PAROL (Lighthouse). Later on, the small Parol became famous to all fishermen and this has served as their guide when they go back and forth to the sea.

This group is called the CICM Missionaries -- the group who is responsible in the foundation of the famous institution in Baguio City, St. Louis University, the St. Louis College in San Fernando City, La Union and the At. Augustine School of Tagudin.

Climbing the Lighthouse

FAROLA LIGHTHOUSE OF TAGUDIN, ILOCOS SUR

I did not let the opportunity to pass without climbing the lighthouse. When I arrived there, it was not a grand lighthouse like what I am seeing on TV and Internet. But why be fooled by a grand lighthouse if the history and story is not as sweet and juicy as the history of this small lighthouse?

Appreciation of our great history and heritage does not need to be embodied to grand structures because the greatest parts of the past were built from small details. I asked my guide if I am allowed to climb the lighthouse. The tricycle driver (my guide) had no idea. So what I did is to ask the residents near the lighthouse if I can do it. One lady said it's OK.

The lighthouse is located within the residential community and there was no stunning seascape background to see unless you go near the beach... or climb it instead.

The old lighthouse is already rusty. As I step my foot to the first steel in the ladder, there was hesitation. I wasn't sure why I still care to do it. Huh, what am I doing? The steel feels like it can be detached anytime. Actually, some have been in fair condition. But I still continued to climb it.

Before I reached the top, I again, was reluctant if I will continue it because of the possibility of electrocution. I am really eccentric this time that I was so compelled to climb it. Thank God I was safe!

At the top of the lighthouse are solar panels and an amazing view of the sea. I won't recommend you to climb this. But if you want, let it be. But be cautious. A white paint concealed the old rusty steel ladder. It is medyo delikado.

Well, it was fun! What made this place worth the visit is the fact that I again learned a new lesson in history. It was not about the place itself but it was about the great event in our history that happened in that soil where I personally set my feet on. (end)

Map of Tagudin (via Wikipedia)

______________________________________________

You are reading the Part 3 of our Tagudin town series

Prelude | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Up Next

I Visited an off-beaten destination in the town called Ambalayat Hanging Bridge. This is a great place for adventure-seekers in Tagudin.

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[Batac] All ARTS Batac Happy Posts Ilocos (Region 1) Ilocos Norte Luzon Philippines Traveling Solo

🇵🇭 BATAC • (Ilocos Norte) A Parade of Colorfully Painted Carabaos

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Edmar del Castillo Guquib at Friday, August 17, 2012 9

Stories of town explorations.

"They were beautifully and colorfully painted and everyone has its shining moment"

They deserve a break I think. We (non-farmers) usually think of them as slaves in the field. But for the farmers, these carabaos are their heart and soul, a best friend that could be considered or even a family member to note. I have once witnessed a carabao painting and parade in Vigan via the annually celebrated Karbo Festival and it was absolutely a no-time-wasted event seeing those carabaos. I never thought that there is an art festival like this for another city up north the Philippines and I accidentally discovered it in Batac City in the province of Ilocos Norte.

This event is still a part of festivity called the Farmer's Festival where the farmers of the city of Batac become the superstars of the day.

One of the busiest streets of Batac called Washington Street was closed to give way for the very special crowd-aggregator -- the carabaos. They are the main reason why the people of the city and of nearby towns gathered in big number.

They were beautifully and colorfully painted and everyone has its shining moment. All eyes to them, with cheers from the crowd, sight focused to them as they take the emptied street especially prepared for them.

Some animal rights activists and private individuals regard this form of art as violative to the animal rights and to balance things, I am now telling beforehand that this post was not made to promote this kind of art. I am just sharing it the way it was celebrated in Batac and majority of the people enjoyed it.

The Philippines is indeed a country where almost everything is "more fun." In Batac City, they have celebrated this event with full of fun!

So what is your stand about art festivals like this? Does it jeopardize animal rights?

Batac #TownExploration Series

Map showing the Location of #Batac

Click this map to view all posts about #Batac

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

All Batac FOOD TRIP Happy Posts Ilocos (Region 1) Ilocos Norte Luzon Philippines

🇵🇭 BATAC • Batac Empanada: So What Makes it Special?

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Edmar del Castillo Guquib at Friday, August 10, 2012 27

Stories of town explorations.

"I have to say that I was so tired and had no breakfast at all but this 30-peso empanada gave me the energy."

A visit in the city of Batac in the province of Ilocos Norte is not complete without tasting their version of Empanada. In fact, several cities and towns in Ilocos provinces have their own version of empanada. Each version is undeniably delicious but this time, let's give the limelight to Batac Empanada.

To tell you, this empanada served as my lunch during a walking tour in Batac. I have to say that I was so tired and had no breakfast at all but this 30-peso empanada gave me the energy.

Some might think that I am just fabricating a story but this is true. The reason why this served as my lunch is because I ran out of money and I have to budget it so that I can still go home without walking, LOL! And it was a good choice for a 30-peso budget for lunch.

THE ORANGE COLOR AND WHY

You might notice that Batac Empanada looks bright and inviting because of its orange color. Would you believe me if I'll say that the food color used in this empanada is all natural?

Atsuete (atchuete)! That is the name of the natural food color. That plant bears reddish fruits (closely similar to rambutan). Inside the fruit are seeds that have a concentrated dark orange to red pigment. That natural pigment is then extracted to give Batac Empanada that bright inviting color!

SO WHERE TO EAT BATAC EMPANADA?

(eat along the riverside)

Now let me tell you where to eat this famed Batac Empanada. The local government has constructed a food court where Batac Empanada is served. Note, there are several stalls in that food court but the most famous of them is the Glory's Empanada.

It is officially called as the Batac Riverside Empanadaan. It is accessible and located within the center of the city close to the Batac Church, Marcos Museum and few meters from the city hall and Ricarte Shrine and Museum.

As the name implies, it is located along the river, thus Batac Riverside Empanadaan.

What makes Batac Empanada interesting is that it has a lot of variations. There you have to choose what variety you want to eat. Each variety has different price from others.

Now let us see where is the river?

Uh! There you see it. Ayun ang river oh!

HOW TO MAKE THE BATAC EMPANADA?

I am not an expert in terms of making Batac Empanada. But I will show a series of photographs on how the locals make an empanada. I hope these photos will give you the idea. I won't be telling you the whole process in detail because I personally do not know how to make one but I have taken several photos on how they make Batac Empanada, and the process here is the same with other empanada makers from the rest of Ilocos.

The first process is of course preparing for the crust. The crust is usually made up of flour (Tagalog: Harina; Ilocano: Arrina or Arrena).

But in some versions like the Vigan Empanada, some innovations have been made. So they use pure ground rice for the crust making it crispy and closer to Filipino palate.

For the crust, they take a piece from that processed flour and a rolling material (e.g. bottle, PVC pipe) is then rolled over to flatten it like a wrapper for lumpia.

After the crust-wrapper has been flatenned, a ring of vegetables is set on it. Batac Empanada is usually made up of papaya and bean sprout. So why there is a space at the middle since this is not a doughnut? (LOL) Ok, that space is reserved for the longanisa and the egg.

The empanada maker has placed the egg and on her hands is the longanisa ready to be mixed with the egg.

After placing all the ingredients, the crust-wrapper will now be folded to contain the filling.

That's how they fold it and a plate is being rolled at the edge to cut the empanada and to turn it in shape.

Then the Batac Empanada is ready to be cooked on a boiling oil!

The Empanada will stay there for about 10-15 minutes. After it, that'll be ready to eat.

Final Thoughts: So What Makes Batac Empanada Special?

I asked one of the owners of a stall at the Batac Empanadaan if what makes their version different from others. She has given me some good reasons.

First, what makes their Batac Empanada different from others is that they (Glory's Empanada) manufacture their own longanisa unlike others, they buy from third-party traders.

What else? She also mentioned that the orange-y color of the empanada gives Batac Empanada a distinct appeal, although empanada from Laoag and Sinait also have the same color.

At eto ang malupet, these empanadas are now being tasted abroad. They are already exporting this empanada overseas where a big Ilocano population is present (like in Hawaii).

How about you? Have you tasted Batac Empanada? What makes it special to you?