First Day
Let’s start our vacation…!
Yeaahh.. We had a field trip program as the part of the SEA TVET Program. Friday, 22 February 2019 we had day off of internship for fieldtrip. We would go to some tourism destination in Ilocos Norte. Before we went for the vacation, we met Mam Shirley C. Agrupis, PhD the President of Mariano Marcos State University because at the Welcoming & Send-Off program she couldn’t come. So, this day we had to come to meet her. She is a very kind person and so beautiful. I was very happy to meet her.
We started our trip at about 9:30 a.m. and our first destination was the salt production at Pasuquin. We were accompanied by Sir Quincy Savellano and Mam Sarah Jane Inay (they are CBEA’s Teacher of MMSU) Need about 45 minutes to go to the salt fabric. Pasuquin’s salt-making process is a little different from the one I know (where sea water is dried under the sun). First, they prepare dried husks, leaves and stalks and place it in the earth oven/cooking pit. Despite there being more advanced technology available, this is still the way to go for cooking large quantities of food in the provinces due to the scarcity of equipment. Next, they mix salt crystals imported from Australia with sea water and wait for it to boil. Once it’s “cooked”, they let the mixture cool down. As a law requirement, iodine is sprayed to the sea salt to help reduce the chance of iodine deficiency. Lastly, the let the salt dry fully and pack them in plastic bags, ready to be sold. Yeah… It’s very different with Indonesia, which only relies on solar energy. I think it’s a good way to make the production process doesn’t depend on something and still produce good quality of salt. The taste of the salt is good, but it’s not too salty as Indonesian salt.
After learning some knowledges about salt making of Ilocos Norte, we continued our trip to Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. It’s located on the rocky coast of Burgos, Ilocos Norte which took about 30 minutes from the Pasuquin salt making. The Kapurpurawan Rock Formation is an art of nature featuring a landscape of smooth ivory limestone produced by the natural process of sedimentation. The name is from word “puraw”, an Ilocano word which translates to “white” because of the alabaster rock formations. In front of the rocks is the view of the Bangui Bay’s crystal blue waters and the visually appealing sight of the waves dramatically thumping against the limestone formations makes the scene a picture perfect moment in every way possible. Also, the numerous towering windmills from the Burgos Wind Farm will drive towards the drop-off point of the rock formation.
The entry fee of Kapurpurawan is 10 pesos only. The Kapurpurawan’s drop-off point is about three kilometers away from the main highway. From the entrance, we have to go down a flight of stairs near the souvenir shops, then trek towards the rocky coast to reach the rock formation. The path is not too steep, but take note that it can be muddy. When arrived at Kapurpurawan, I hadn’t had my breakfast because I deliberately would eat it by enjoying the scenery of Kapurpurawan haha… It’s really worth!! My breakfast tasted more delicious with the scenery haha.. No wonder that Kapurpurawan has become one of Burgos’ best tourist attraction. Such a good start to explore the Ilocos Norte more haha… I still can’t move on from the beauty of this Kapurpurawan. Before we continued our trip, we bought some souvenir such as windmill miniature, keychain & magnet and a handmade bag. The price is affordable and the quality is very good.
Our next trip was the most beautiful white sand beach, Saud Beach, Pagudbud, Ilocos Norte. It takes about 25 minutes from Kapurpurawan with entrance fee 25 Pesos. Saud Beach has a wonderful fine white sand. The waters of the South China Sea are a magnificent blue and crystal clear all the time. This is bordered by spectacular multi-colored corals and iridescent fish. The beach is lined with overhanging coconut palms, creating a scene from a dream. A popular venue for fashion photo shoots. And the very best thing is that there are not too many people on the beach, so it’s not noise and also there’s no pollution. While people keep comparing it to White Beach on Boracay Island, it simply is what Boracay once was, and everything Boracay is not. It is not commercialized. We had our lunch there and then continued with enjoyed the beauty of the beach and took some pictures. It’s too bad if the beauty is immortalized. It’s a very comfortable place to refresh mind and calm down. I love it!
Our last destination was Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Burgos, Ilocos Norte. It is a cultural heritage structure that was established during the Spanish Colonial period in the Philippines. The lighthouse was set high on Vigia de Nagpartian Hill overlooking the scenic Cape Bojeador where early galleons used to sail by. After over 100 years, it still functions and serves ships that enter the Philippine Archipelago from the north and guide them safely away from the rocky coast of the town. Need about 45 minutes to go to the Lighthouse from Saud Beach. The drop off is a little far from the lighthouse (not really far, could be reached by walking) and we could ride the tricycle which cost 10 pesos. The entrance fee are 25 pesos and we get a guide to accompany us room round the lighthouse. There are a few service buildings in the courtyard and lots of staircases. But unfortunately, we couldn’t go upstairs to the lighthouse. We only could go to the middle ground of the lighthouse. I thought it was enough, because I really have already tired haha… the scenery from there was very beautiful and calm down. The guide also helps us to get some beautiful picture. They’re very professional in taking a picture. I like it!
After the last destination, we directly back to the mansion. We arrived at about 18.00. at the night we just had dinner and some rest to prepare next trip tomorrow.
Second Day
Let’s continue our trip…
23 February, 2019 was our second day of the field trip. Actually, I was not really happy with this second fieldtrip because 4 of our friends (SEA-TVET Participants) will back to Indonesia, so they couldn’t join the field trip. The first was Gloria & Via (State Polytechnic of Samarinda) back to Indonesia in the morning and second was Adel & Indah (PGRI University of Madiun) will back in the night. But, everything that would happen me and the other friends would still go for the field trip. We start our trip at about 08.30 a.m. and accompanied by Sir Byron Joseph Hallar & Sir Jonathan Rex Quirino (MMSU Lecturer). Our first destination was Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. It took about 1.5 hours from our mansion. Yes, it’s far because located in Ilocos Sur (different province with Ilocos Norte).
One of the oldest towns in the Philippines, Vigan is a Spanish Colonial fairy tale of dark-wood mansions, cobblestone streets and clattering kalesa (horse-drawn carriages) established in the 16th century. Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines and from China with those of Europe and Mexico to create a unique culture and townscape without parallels anywhere in East and South-East Asia. In fact, it is the finest surviving example of a Spanish Colonial town in Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage site. When we arrived there, it was very crowded with a lot of local visitors and also foreigner because the popularity and it was a weekend. There are many souvenir sellers & antique shops around the streets, and also full of aroma freshly baked empanadas. It’s very popular with the empanadas, but unfortunately I couldn’t try it because afraid of the oil that used to fry was same as the oil for the pork. The souvenirs sell in Vigan was very cheap, so it’s recommended for the one who want to buy souvenirs.
The other place that we visited in Vigan was Bantay Church Bell Tower, the most iconic symbol of vigan. First built in 1591, it served as the town’s watchtower before being turned into a bell tower of the nearby church in 1857. Located roughly 10 minutes from the town of Vigan, it’s located in the town of Bantay, Ilocos Sur. The bell tower is situated on a hill, making it the best vantage point for those who were assigned to watch over the towns of Vigan and Bantay. And again… it was as crowded as Vigan and full of students, which also had a field trip. We need to sign a guestbook just before the entrance to the location of Bantay Bell tower. We could also donate any amount you wish before entering to ensure the bell tower is taken care of. We also got to the top of the Bell Tower and it was not as hard as we might think. We only need to step up the stairs that are not too high. The structure of the tower was made of old bricks and limestone, the original structure remains with some concrete reinforcement and few restorative modifications. The view and wind up the tower are amazing… it was very beautiful view.
After that, we continued our way to the next destination which was Malacanang of the North. It took about 1.5 – 2 hours by bus from the Vigan City and we spent our trip by had lunch on the way and sleep haha.
Malacañang of the North served as the official residence of the Marcoses when their patriarch, Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., was still the president. It is a sprawling compound found on the shores of Paoay Lake. A frequent feature in any Ilocos tour, the house itself was a gift from former First Lady and current Representative of the 2ndDistrict of Ilocos Norte, Imelda Marcos to her husband. It was one of the many properties sequestered from the Marcoses after Marcos Sr. was removed from power. It’s a beautiful home, though it is described by some as “simple” when compared to other homes of similar size. It has views of Paoay Lake along with well-tended gardens. It also had its own reservoir designed to collect rainwater. This made the mansion self-sustaining in terms of its water supply. The entrance fee for this destination was 30 Pesos. It’s also very crowded there…
Our next destination was should be Paoay Sand Dunes (hills made up of loose sands often occur due to the wind and water flow. One of the many thirsty lands in Ilocos), but we skip it because we wouldn’t ride the jeep and we would to meet Adel & Indah before their flight to Indonesia. We would go home to the mansion as soon as possible. So, our last destination was San Agustin Church, or also known as the Paoay Church. Need about 20 minutes from the Malacanang of the North. The Paoay Church is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, having completed its construction in 1710. It was declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the Philippine government in 1973 and was then included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site’s collective group of Baroque Churches of the Philippines in 1993. Actually, I’ve already gone there before. So, I not really excited with this hehe… but before I couldn’t go inside the church, and that day was opened. I really want to see how was inside the church. Because of there was a wedding, we only could go inside until in front of the door. But I think it was enough for me to get rid of my curiosity. What makes the Paoay Church outstanding from other well-known churches around the country is its impressive pyramid-like structure considered as a primary example of the earthquake baroque style of architecture characterized by its thick walls made of coral stones and bricks. Its striking feature is the 24 heavy buttresses placed on the church’s sides and back, which serves as a strong foundation against natural disasters such as earthquakes. That is why the Paoay Church still remains strong for over three centuries now.
After we took some picture and bought souvenir there, we directly go to the mansion (only 15 minutes to the mansion). Luckily, Adel & Indah not yet went to the Airport so we could have a farewell with them. We also accompanied them to go the airport. We were very sad because the mansion would be very quiet without all of them…
After Field Trip
Long weekend…
As what I told before that I had already had the field trip 2 days ago and after that I still had 2 days of holiday.. Yes, It’s because of the National holiday on Monday, 25 February as the People Power Anniversary of Philippines (also known as the EDSA Revolution, the Philippine Revolution of 1986, EDSA 1986, EDSA I and EDSA People Power was a series of popular demonstrations in the Philippines, mostly in the capital city of Manila from February 22–25, 1986). So, Sunday – Monday, 24 – 25 February 2019 was my free day… I didn’t do many things these days, I just took a rest and done some homework like cooked, washed clothes and cleaned up my room. I also walked around the campus in the morning and afternoon with my mansion’s friends to get rid of boredom.
We have done everything together so I would not feel lonely here.. I was very happy to be here (Philippines) because there were lot of Indonesian friends even they were only for a month. But Filipino’s friends are also very nice, they are very kind and respectful to us.
SEAMEO SEA TVET 