Tondaligan Blue Beach

Tondaligan Blue Beach is one of the most accessible beaches in Pangasinan and is located in Dagupan City which is also known as the Bangus (Milkfish) Capital of the Philippines. It may not have a white sand like that of Tondol Beach in Anda, but it's close proximity from the city proper plus the fine grey sands and pristine clear waters make it one of the most popular beaches in the said province.

Tondaligan Beach is cradled by the 72-hectares Tondaligan People’s Park, the local government has tried to restore the beach to its former glory. It is a common picnic area for local tourists: tables and cottages for rent are available, however, the cottages are not for an overnight stay,  there are also a number of simple kiosks selling cold drinks and grilled foods.

How to Get There:

1. Ride a bus bound to Dagupan.

2. From Dagupan, ride a jeep bound for Bonuan/Tondaligan.

Campus Boulevard

With a wide variety of food cuisine and dining options, "Campus Boulevard" may well be the ultimate food haven in Los Banos. A food court that uses a computerized food selection menu will let you select from different food choices that includes: Japanese, Chinese, Ice Cream & Drinks, BBQ Grilled and Pizza.

The place is great with a lot of space to spare, a spacious atmosphere to hang out with friends. Ideal if you are in a big group with different cravings but you all want to eat together, a food court style solves that situation. While waiting for your order (they are self service, always be aware of your order number that is flashed on the screen), one can enjoy playing with Giant Chess and Soccer Board.

We ordered  Seafood Teppandon, Chicken Barbeque Pizza, California Maki, Marble Potato Salad and Special Halo Halo. The food tastes great for it's price except for their "Special Halo Halo" which I give a 5/10 rating - it lacks certain ingredients, perhaps im just to picky for that one. The place has great variation of food and soothing music, a nice place to hang out with.

Rating:

7 out of 10

Trampoline Park (Greenfields)

Europe's phenomenal Trampoline Park is now in the Philippines, and is one of the first trampoline park in the country which opened last February 2016. The park is a great place to unwind, workout and experience something different after a busy day from work- some of my colleagues and I decided to try Trampoline Park in Greenfields, Mandaluyong City.

The whole warehouse was converted into a trampoline park with several activities which includes:  Basketball (dunk), Gravity Dodgeball, Air Volleyball, Zumba, Plyometrics (explosive jumps) and fitness classes for adults and kids are taught by professional instructors. 

It was said that a trampoline workout burns more than any normal workout because you’re required to use more energy, all the while strengthening your muscles– I can personally attest to that, my sweat was drifting as if I ran 21 km.

Personal safety and caution should be exercised when in Trampoline park, I was guilty of not following safety guidelines, thus I had a slight sprain. It was a great experience, I just hope they will have an available water dispenser, because their bottled water is way too expensive.

How to Get There:

1. Located in Greenfields, Mandaluyong you can alight in Edsa Shaw and ask for Trampoline Park.

2. You can also buy promo vouchers from Metrodeal which my colleague did.

Exploring Vigan On Foot (Part 2)

Vigan's  full name at the time of its Spanish foundation was Villa Fernandina, or "Town of Ferdinand", in honor of Prince Ferdinand, the firstborn son of King Philip II of Spain. As the city grew, and the seat of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia transferred to Vigan, it was later renamed Ciudad Fernandina de Vigan ("Ferdinand's City of Vigan").

The city was a coastal trading post long before the Spaniards arrived; Chinese traders sailing from the South China Sea came to Isla de Vigan (Island of Vigan) via the Mestizo River that surrounded it. 

This is the continuation of my previous blog: Exploring Vigan on Foot about the historical and cultural landmark that sets Vigan apart from other cities.

Bantay Bell Tower

The famous Bantay Tower is actually not a part of Vigan but is located in the nearby town of Bantay along the National Hi Way. It was built in 1591, and was said to be the people’s watchtower, part of the city’s defense that helps to alert against possible enemies. The tower is situated on top of a hill beside the San Agustin Church and stands approximately 40 ft. tall which offers a 360 degree view of Vigan City and some part of Ilocos Sur.

Dancing Fountain in Plaza Salcedo

One of the best place in Vigan to stay during the evening (7:30pm onwards), where a display of world class feature that showcase the dancing fountain- lasers and lights are synched to popular music tune and illuminates the fountains jetting all through the plaza.

Abel Weaver

The Abel Iloko is one of the oldest traditional craft in Vigan which is known throughout the country for their design and ingenuity. The Abel loom weaving still thrives to this day in five barangays namely Camangaan, Bedeng Daya, Mindoro, San Pedro and Cabaroan Daya.

Baluarte

The residence of former Governor Chavit Singson features an interactive mini zoo, souvenir shops, skeet shooting range, butterfly garden, pony ride, function hall and musuem. Visitors are given free admission and free use of facilities in the picnic area.

How to Get There:

1. Located in Ilocos Sur, you can ride a bus bound for Vigan City (Dominion, Partas, Viron Transit)

Exploring Vigan On Foot (Part 1)

Vigan City is the capital of Ilocos Sur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the few Hispanic towns left in the Philippines where the structures remained intact. It is well known for its cobblestone streets and unique architecture that fuses Philippine and Oriental building designs and construction, with colonial European architecture.

The area of Vigan was originally a settlement of traders coming from the Fujian Province, China. At the time of Spanish colonisation, the Chinese settlers, whose language was Southern Fujianese referred to the area as Bee Gan which means "Beautiful Shore." The Spanish conquistadors interchanged V and the B to refer to the /b/ sound and they spelled the Hokkien Chinese name "Bee Gan" as Vigan, which is the name that is used to this day.

(The old Quirino Bridge)

The Pinoy Solo Hiker explored the city of Vigan on foot and was astonished to see the picturesque historical and cultural landmark that sets Vigan apart from other cities, among which are the following:

Calle Crisologo (Mena Crisologo Street)

The major attraction of Vigan is the mestizo district which is filled with Spanish-style houses, cobblestone streets that evoke a bygone era when its people lived prosperously because of the Manila-Acapulco maritime trade. For visitors who want to experience being transported back to this period in Philippine Spanish  time, a walk or a calesa ride through Vigan’s Calle Crisologo or Mena Crisologo Street is a must.

Hidden Garden

It started as a private garden by an innovative nature-lover way back in the 80's, it had grown as a garden with so much to offer and of course a little bit hidden from the main road, thus why it is called Hidden Garden.

Syquia Mansion

The mansion belongs to a wealthy Filipino-Chinese family in Vigan - the Syquia clan. The late President Elpidio Quirino married Alicia Syquia in 1919, thus the mansion was called the first "Malacanang of the North". It now operates as a museum that showcase that lifestyle of rich and famous in the early 1900's including the memorabilia of the late President.

Pagburnayan (Jar Factory)

The traditional earthen jar-making industry in Vigan is believed to have been introduced by the Chinese traders in the 14th century. These terra cotta (earthen jars) were used for fermenting vinegar, basi and salt. The pagnurbayan workshops was established in "Pagbantayan" because of it's accessibility to rich clay deposits.

How to Get There:

1. Located in Ilocos Sur, you can ride a bus bound for Vigan City (Dominion, Partas, Viron Transit)

2. You can check the Part 2 of this blog Exploring Vigan Part 2