The Taste of Pangasinan

Top 3 Food to Die for @Ilocos Sur

3. Pigar-Pigar

'


Pigar-pigar is made out of really thin slices of carabeef a meat that comes from carabao or also called water buffalo and liver quickly deep-fried and served with fresh slices of onions. 
Its a very popular street food in Dagupan, Pangasinan, it’s so popular it has its own festival.










2. Tupig

In the Municipality of Balungao in Pangasinan, tupig has been known to be the town’s best delicacy. Tupig from Pangasinan had a lot of coconut strips and slightly sweeter.
Tupig is a mixture of glutinous rice (malagkit) soaked over night, finely grind and grated coconuts wrapped in wilted banana leaves and cooked over artificial grill made of roof top like  metal on a lit charcoals.




1. Puto Calasiao

"White Gold"
A rice cake that originated in Calasiao, Pangasinan,
it is considered as the town’s “white gold.”
Puto Calasiao is a type of rice cake or what Filipinos commonly know as Puto. Puto Calasiao is shaped in small bite-sized portions and it is made out of semi-glutinous rice that is fermented in earthen jars. 

Sources:
Puto Calasiao. http://angsarap.net/2012/10/10/puto-calasiao/
Tupig. http://www.kusina101.com/2013/06/tupig-recipe.html
Pigar-pigar. http://angsarap.net/2014/05/12/pigar-pigar/

The Taste of Ilocos Sur

                         Top 3 Food to Die for @Ilocos Sur

3. Longganisa

Comes from the Spanish word "longaniza" referring to a type of spicy cold pork sausage.

Easy as 1, 2 ,3 steps to make it!
1. Mix all the pork, pepper, garlic, wine and others you prefer thoroughly then stuff into sausage casings. 
2. Tie up the casings at intervals of four inches to create "links" in the sausage. 
3. Hang in a cool place for two to three days for curing. 

2. Pinakbet

"Pakbet"

Pinakbet is a tasty vegetable dish made-up of different fresh vegetables, pork, and shrimp paste. It is comprised of different vegetables such as eggplant (talong), squash (kalabasa), sting beans (sitaw), ampalaya (bitter melon), okra, and others.

1. Dinengdeng

"Abraw" or "Inabraw"

Aside from being healthy, this dish is also easy to prepare.   It is a "bagoong" based soup dish made primarily of vegetables, where bagoong is a sauce produced from the fermention of fish or other types of seafood.

How to prepare?
Simply boil water in a pot, season with bagoong sauce and then add the vegetables followed by the grilled or fried fish or meat. Easy right? The taste is what's unforgettable with Dinengdeng!



Sources:
Longganisa. http://tagaloglang.com/Filipino-Food/Meat-Dishes/longganisa-filipino-pork-sausage.html
Pinakbet. http://panlasangpinoy.com/2009/09/09/filipino-food-vegetable-dish-pinakbet-pakbet-tagalog-recipe/
Dinengdeng. http://www.myfilipinorecipes.com/vegetable/dinengdeng-ng-ilocano-recipe.html

The Taste of La Union

Top 3 Food to Die for @La Union

Surf in the day and eat your heart out after. What gets better than that?

3. Grilled Seafood

Best Grill Houses:
Urbiztondo Grill House, along the National Highway in San Juan

Midway Grill, San Fernando La Union

Kahuna Beach Resort and Spa, National Highway, Brgy Urbiztondo, San Juan La Union. 


2. Sinampalukang Manok

Sinampalukang Manok is a sour soup dish composed of chicken , vegetables, and tamarind leaves, a sour tamarind based soup but there are other ingredients used to make the soup sour such as guava, kalamansi or unripe mango. But be reminded that sinampalukang manok is not a variation of sinigang

1. Go Loco with La Union's Halo Halo de Iloko

Heavenly perfect halo-halo for summer season is here at La Union!

The notable ingredients of  HALO-HALO de ILOKO are the UBE SAN GABRIEL which is the ube used is of the round variety and is cultivated from the town of San Gabriel, La Union, SAGIN from AGOO, PASTILLAS made of carabao’s milk and the delicious HOMEMADE ICECREAM.

Here is one good thing about this Halo-halo that makes it more tastefully unique, all ingredients came from different towns of La Union so as to help local farmers and for the awareness of local products in the province.

Where to find?
#12 Zandueta St., San Fernando City, La Union


References:
Taste La Union. http://www.choosephilippines.com/eat/restaurants/57/taste-la-union/

The Taste of Ilocos Norte

Top 3 Foods to Die for @Ilocos Norte

3. Batac Empanada

Batac's empanada has a distinctive taste! It has a very healthy, mouth-watering ingredients, a filling grated young papaya, mung bean sprouts, chopped Ilocano longganisa, and whole egg, and is best eaten with sukang Iloco as its sawsawan (sauce).This empanada is characterized by an orange crust due to the use of achuete leaves which is the yummy dough that serves as a crispy wrapper and is made of rice flour that is deep-fried rather than baked.

2. Bagnet

No visit to Ilocos would be complete without eating bagnet, the signature dish in Ilocos Norte!

Bagnet is crispy fried pork belly where the lean meat is crispy but not dry and the pork skin with all the pork fat is fried to a crisp.


Though its compared to Chicharon and Lechon Kawali. It is not like them, not like Chicharon which is merely crispy pork skin nor a Lechon Kawali where a whole liempo is fried and cut into cubes so the only crispy portion is the pork skin,  bagnet is crispy from the skin, fat and the lean meat! It is usually served with a dipping sauce of Fish Paste (Bagoong Isda) with chopped red or white onion, tomatoes and green onions. 

1. Ultimate Fusion Pizza

Pizzas topped with a mouth-watering specialties of Ilocos Norte!

References:
Batac Empanada. http://doonposaamin.ph/stories/food-to-eat/batac-empanada-in-ilocos-norte#.VEp3Rha6_YE
Filipino Food Recipes. http://www.filipino-food-recipes.com/bagnet.html
Bagnet. http://www.pepper.ph/8-reasons-why-bagnet-is-better-than-a-boyfriend/
Fussion PIzza. http://www.ivanhenares.com/2009/05/pinakbet-pizza-dinuguan-pizza-poque.html

Hundred Islands, Hundred Wonders

Hundred Islands (Alaminos, Pangasinan)

How difficult it is to choose which of the 7,107 islands of the Philippines to explore first but if you’d like to hit roughly 100 islands in all at once, the Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos is the place to go.

Islands of all shapes and sizes.There are 123 islands covering 1,844 hectares. Many of them have attention-grabbing names such as “Devil’s Island” and “Kissing Island.” The water is an exceptional hue of blue-green and holds fantastic coral reefs. 

• Kayak the islands with HIETA– the Hundred Islands Eco-tourism Association.
• These two-million-year-old islands are dotted with plenty of caves so come on and nip your way into the caves.
• Dare  to jump off a 70-foot drop and swim to the underwater cave lovingly called “Imelda.”
• Check out the secret lagoon in Shell Beach, Camantiles Island.

Famous Islands:

Governor Island

Quezon Island

Children's Island

Marcos Island

Pack and Go!
There are several bus lines that go directly to Alaminos, but you can take buses to the neighboring towns such as Bolinao. The routes all pass through Alaminos. Once you’re in the city center, take a 10-minute tricycle ride to the Lucap Wharf.  Provincial buses have their own bus stops, so make sure to stick to one so you don’t get confused.

Source:
Alaminos. http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/alaminos-pangasinan/how-to-get-there/?page_id=3145

"Boracay of the North".

Saud Beach (Pagudpod, Ilocos Norte)

Saud Beach white-sand and crystal-blue water makes it a haven for tourists. Be entertained by the view and get a restful vacation on your check!  Go down the beach and witness the sunset. See the incomparable beauty of sunset in this side of the island.

It is said to be  Boracay due to its white sand beach stretching in a kilometer long. But this beach creates a huge difference especially on the experience that it can offer. Saud beach is one of the best beaches to go for a summer vacation or travels when you aim to experience the best taste of rustic Philippine water. Saud caters a long white beach with no colored stains of garbage from end to end, green blooming coconut trees aligned the entire coast, local home cooked food that will let you taste the culture and the local’s way of living, lesser crowd and an affordable accommodation that offers nothing but a tranquil traveler experience.

Truly there is a golden white sand beaches where you can swim, snorkel, scuba dive, ride bancas, wind surf, play beach volleyball and badminton to your heart's content. Beach huts and beach lounges are provided in the area as well.

Go now!
By private car: It’s a 10 to 12 hour land trip from Manila to Ilocos Norte.
By bus: Hop on a bus from the main terminals at Cubao. Any bus liner will do—the ride from Manila to Pagudpud is pegged at P700.
By plane: It’s a 45-minute flight from Manila to Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

References:
Saud Beach, Pagudpud Ilocos Norte. http://www.senyoritalakwachera.com/2013/03/saud-beach-pagudpud-ilocos-norte.html

Electric Fans of Ilocos Norte

Windmills (Bangui, Ilocos Norte)

Take a peek of these notable man-made mechanical structures.  Everyone can wander upon this beautiful place, take photos, and breathe-in such magnificent sight.

Bangui Wind Farm is a wind farm in Bangui, Ilcoos Norte, Philippines. The wind farm uses 20 units of 70-metre (230 ft) high Vestas V82 1.65 M wind turbines, arranged on a single row stretching along a nine-kilometer shoreline off Bangui Bay, facing the West Philippine Sea.

Did you know that?

There are 20 beautiful windmills or wind turbines which resemble giant electric fans. They lined up along an arc manner following the shoreline of Bangui Bay facing the West Philippine Sea at the northwest tip of Luzon island.

Going? Here's how...

The Bangui Windmills can be reached from the city of Laoag, Ilocos Norte by taking the Laoag-Cagayan route. A directional marker provided at the left side of the road about 5 minutes from Burgos town proper will guide you to Bangui Bay. This leads to a gravel road with a downward slope leading to the beach. You will be amazed by the sight of the windmills right after the initial turn.

Reference:

Bangui Windmills. http://www.philippinetraveldestinations.com/bangui-windmills.html

La Paz Sand Dunes

La Paz Sand Dunes (Ilocos Norte, Philippines)

Morocco and Dubai are famous for their natural sand dunes. But did you know that the Philippines have its own 52 square mile of this God-given wonder? The place was picturesque. 

To start your Paoay Sand Dunes Adventure, hire a 4x4 Rough Riding vehicle at the base of the site. A fleet of these 4x4s are at your disposal and a professional driver will be your guide to the vast sand dunes. For a more adventurous type, rent the 4x4 for an hour which will then include sand boarding and thrilling drops on steep sand ridges that will make you scream in excitement. Hold on to the steel bar while standing on the 4x4 for the most exciting adventure in Paoay. The sand ridges can go as high as 10-20ft at the most, while the most thrilling ride is the “rollercoaster”, where a series of sand hills will make you hold on to that bar of steel for dear life. 

Don't miss you chance and try sand boarding where a plank of wood is your equipment to slide over sand folds in the vast landscape.

Heading a trip?

La Paz Sand Dunes are easily accessible from the city. The sand dunes are just 15 minutes away by either motorized tricycle or public jeepney. It is also possible to walk to the La Paz Sand Dunes from Laoag, although it may take a trek of more than an hour in order to traverse the entire stretch of the beach. A rugged 4-wheel-drive vehicle may be used to drive over the sand.

Source:
Paoay Sand Dunes, A Thrilling Ride. http://www.choosephilippines.com/do/adventures-and-sports/76/paoay-sand-dunes-thrilling-ride/

Lover's Rock: Bantay Abot Caves & Timmangtang Rock

Bantay Abot Caves & Timmangtang Rock (Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte)

Bantay Abot Caves & Timmangtang Rock are also called as “Lover’s Rock”.

The Timmangtang Rock is the male rock and the Bantay-abot Cave the female.

A. Bantay Abot Caves

Eye of the needle. Bantay Abot Caves from afar. In Ilocano, bantay = mountain, abot = hole, so there you go - mountain hole. That hole's diameter is pretty wide, maybe 2 storeys tall, or a bit more. Bantay Abot is just by the road in Sitio Gaoa, Barangay Balaoi in Pagudpud.  It's about 1.5 kilometers away from the Blue Lagoon (Maira-ira), when you're headed back to the highway.

From the inside of the hole one can see the blue waters of Maira-ira beach or Blue Lagoon and on the other side of the hole is the Timangtang Rock - a bell-shaped rocked in the coast of Barangay Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. More of,  one could also enjoy the melodious sound of the swallow birds chirping and the echoing waves as it hits the shore.

B. Timmangtang Rock

A bell-shaped rock located along the seacoast of Sitio Gaoa, Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

How to meet the Lover's Rock?
Head to northwest on Laoag-Sarrat-Piddig-Solsona Road then to Magsaysay St then to Gen. Luna, turn left at Riza, right onto Pan-hilippine Highway then to Buran Bridge. Turn left then you now at Bantay Abot Cave.

"Lover's Rock"

Source:

Pagudpod Sightseeing. http://www.tsinelaschronicles.com/2013/01/pagudpud-sightseeing-bantay-abot.html#ixzz3GNpHRscg

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation (Poblacion, Burgos, Ilocos Norte)

Reminds us of a huge ivory that looks like a boat at the top of that spot. How nature and years and years of forces of the water, current and waves formed that amazing rock. Actually the rocky coast of that beach is totally beautiful. Every part of it tells different story and speaks magical history of the place and time from then and till now.

In Ilocano, “Kapurpurawan” or "puraw" means white. Most of the rocks formations are shaded by sparkling white in color. This beautiful tourist spot was created by forces of wind, water and waves from the ocean. In Science, it is a sedimentary rock formed by sedimentation, where the deposition of particles carried by fluid flow, created rocks on diff. shapes and formations.

Aside from taking a picture, other activities include horseback riding and mountain climbing.

How to see the formation?

Just drive along the main highway of Pan Philippine Highway in Burgos Ilocos Norte, once you reach Bangui and Cape Bojeador, it’s easy already. If you’ve been to the famous Bangui Wind Mills, wow you’re minutes away from this landmark. See map below.

Source: 

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation Jewel in the North. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/feature/2013/05/24/kapurpurawan-rock-formations-jewel-orth

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation Ilocos Norte Philippines | Amazing Rock and Beach. http://philpad.com/kapurpurawan-rock-formation-ilocos-norte-philippines-amazing-rock-and-beach/

SUU-UURF - The Union

San Juan, La Union Beach

A peaceful Philippine beach resort with beautiful sunsets, palm trees swaying in the breeze, the waves breaking gently on a pristine beach.

A coral reef extends about 100 yards from the shore, an ideal place for both young and old to explore the wonders of nature, particularly at low tide. The sea is crystal clear, ideal for snorkelling. A short walk along the beach and the reef disappears giving way to open sea ideal for swimming.

Relax in the lush tropical gardens. The garden is a place for relaxation, with sun loungers, sun shades and kubos , whilst for the more active, there are walks along the beach, exploring the coral reef with its many facets of sea life and creatures.

How to get there

Drive. The road trip from Manila to La Union used to take five to six hours. With the new Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX), travel time goes down to under four hours.

Fees:

Beginners’ lessons cost: Php 400.00/session

Board Rental: Php 200.00

Reference:

Surf's Up. http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/339312/newstv/biyahenidrew/surf-s-up-a-biyahe-ni-drew-itinerary-to-la-union

THE PAOAY LAKE

Paoay Lake (Paoay, Ilocos Norte)

The lake area is characterized of interbedded sandstone and silty shale with limestone. Sand dunes and sandstones and sale are the rock components. Also available minerals are dental quartz and magnetite. There is no known waste or garbage deposits inside or beneath the lake that are threats to its resources and water quality.

The lake is a natural body of fresh water without tributary. It has a depth of about six (6.0) meters. The water source is from ground water flow and surface run-off from its surrounding hills. Aquatic plants can be seen along the shallow and muddy portions of the littoral zone,

Did you know that?

 According to such legendary account, Paoay Lake was formed as a punishment to the early settlers thereat who used to be immensely religious but turned wicked and preoccupied by material things later. Their wicked acts earned the ire of their gods, thus submerged the place , turning it into a body of water, while the people were made into fishes with their fancy adornments, such as jewelries, still attached with them. These stories say that, seated in Paoay Lake’s location was a group of three villages called Gumura, Siduma and Sintapuli. The first two villages were much like those communities, Sodom and Gumorrah, which according to the Holy Bible, were submerged in water as a form of punishment by God to the People who turned wicked.

      Other sources suggest that the lake was a result of gigantic geological displacement that hit the Ilocos area in January 1641. A shattering earthquake preceded by loud thunders and lightning, swallowed down the place, then burst back into the sky, thus left a body of water. Later studies theorized that Paoay Lake was formed geologically as a result of formation of the earth’s crust during the Miocene Epoch 2 million years ago.

How to see Paoay Lake:

Drive to N Luzon Expy. Drive from Subic - Clark - Tarlac Expy, Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expy, MacArthur Hwy andManila North Rd to Batac. Drive to your destination in Paoay. Continue to Currimao-Paoay-Suba-Balacao Rd

Source: 

DENR Paoay Lake Protected Landscape. http://r1.denr.gov.ph/index.php/86-region-news-items/179-paoay-lake-protected-landscape-in-ilocos-norte