Lake Pandin: A boon or a bane?

You probably read a lot about Lake Pandin in San Pablo, Laguna. I have heard so much about it too. Seeing great pictures online and positive reviews from different travel bloggers, I guess it's worth a try. So last Black Saturday, I decided to go to Lake Pandin tagging my friend along for company.

On how to get there click here.

I will not write about the background or history of the place since you will find it anywhere in google. I prefer to write something that will describe my experience.

Four days before Saturday which is Tuesday, I texted Ate Siony and Ate Tina as some other travel blogs say for raft reservation. Ate Siony wasn't able to beep me back but fortunately Ate Tina did the reservation. To my surprise, she told me that they will charge us 500php each instead of 360php because we were only two in the raft. In the end, I caved in. I just want to experience it and the 140php difference will be alright plus they will add inihaw na liempo to our food.

Then here comes Black Saturday and we go. We hired a guide to take us to the lake which was a kid and his name is Justin. He was entertaining. Giving us snippets of what awaits us in the raft ride. There is no fix price for guides during the trek so you're free to give them any amount you deem fit. For us, we gave him 20php. You have to trek for 10-15 minutes.

Contact Numbers:
Ate Tina: 0907 995 2983
Ate Siony: 0929 978 9565

with my guide Justin. (blurry picture as my friend is trying to figure out my camera)

Bamboo raft waiting to board

As we arrived, we were greeted by a lot of tourist docking on their rafts. We were approached also by some residents selling halo-halo and leche flan. As we were directed to our bamboo raft, I took the opportunity to take some pictures while waiting for the person in-charge to take us to somewhere.

About 20 minutes, a girl approached me and asked me if it's okay to have a family consist of 5 adults join us. They were walk ins and don't have any reservation. I said it's not okay, they should've contacted someone before coming right? And we were charge 500 pesos because the raft will be for 2 adults. (call me a bitch but I really am sometimes haha)

After another 10 minutes of waiting, a guy approached me again and asked if a family of four can tag along. He pointed to a mother smiling to me and a cute little boy staring at the bamboo raft. They were walk ins too. This time I said okay.

The man told them the price. I'm surprise again because they were charged 360 per head without the inihaw na liempo as an add on. So I think this Ate Tina tricked me, I don't know what's the real deal though.

Anyways, we started the tour and we ate a sumptuous meal plus Enzo, the cute kid is our entertainment.

No spoon and fork folks. Eat like a local.

What are you thinking little lad?

There's nothing really special about the tour. You get to ride a bamboo raft, eat like a local, see the view it is. For me though, I like the quite and serenity of the place with only the chirping of the birds as your music. The water is not as clean as it used to be because of fish kill incidents to the seven lakes. According to Justin, the water became cold. Its apparent that the change of water temperature affected the lake.

So to speak, is it a boon or a bane? It is both. You get to see how difficult it is to pull the raft through the ropes and how these women manage to pull it off without hurting there hands. Much to my experience, I enjoyed it mostly because of the locals. Watching them chat and make fun of one another is a boon and seeing their simple yet extraordinary duties. I'd consider it a bane to witness how climate change affected the community. There's a fish pen with tilapias in the lake. If the changes in water temperature continues and people wouldn't do something about it, this once beautiful lake that we still experience now will soon live in our memories.

Top 10 Things I Learned From Traveling

It's been a long time since I last posted something in my blog. Neither time nor laziness was the reason I cannot properly compose myself to write something. During those past months of lethargy and writing predicament, I've been busy traveling for work, completing my masters application requirements because I really do want to be back in school, reading and watching movies to rekindle my oh-so-sleeping-mind. Tonight, I thought I should right something I learned from my past backpacking and isolation tendencies. Here is my list which I think best to share with you.


1. PLANNING AND RESEARCHING

It's my number one tool before I go out and about for a travel. I once read a book that says "the pleasure isn't in doing the thing, the pleasure is in planning it" which is true at least to me. I always find it exciting to plan something and doing research of my to-go place. Then going to that place and experiencing it, makes the planning successful.

2. STRANGERS ARE GREAT COMPANIONS (This doesn't apply every time)

No man is an island. So when you are traveling alone, you need to talk to a stranger and oftentimes you can be friends with them. Locals are always helpful in some travel destinations. I always ask for directions and they are happy to help. I've made friends during my travels and they are great companions and tour guides.

My dearest Pagudpud tour guide Kuya Arnel. He's been featured to other travel blogs.

3. LEARNING HOW TO CHARM THE GUARDS

I have a weird fascination with rusty, old and dilapidated buildings and areas. Not because I want to ghost hunt but I find it mysterious and interesting. Just like the process of knowing a person. After you see the outside, you have to look into the inside and seeing them as a whole makes them beautiful with their imperfections. You know, that right kind of wrong.

Dealing with the guards can be tricky and at times irritating. But guess what? I always win them over. I tried sneaking into one private art deco building in Quiapo, Manila. At first the guard ask for a permit and refuse to compromise but at the end, I managed to convince him to let me and my guy friend in. Yey!

El Hogar Building Hallways

The Chinese Cemetery in Blumentrit, Manila experience was different. The guard only allowed me but not my guy friend in. Better than nothing. My best trick? Be persistent. Always throw punchlines and laugh with them. Find a way to connect with them and SMILE. My guy friends always tell me it's easier for women to trick the guards. I say it's a gift for badass women. LOL! :)

L-R Outside of the Mausoleum, Inside of the Mausoleum. Wonderful!

4. UNDERSTANDING WILDLIFE AND ZOO ANIMALS

I am not an animal lover. I've owned a couple of dogs when I was a kid and lovebirds which died because I cannot take care of them. I though animals in the zoo are better than those in the wild. But as I've visited zoo's, theme parks and rehabilitation areas, I soon realize the difference. Seeing those skinny horses used for livelihood in Tagaytay and Baguio breaks my heart. Those sea creatures exposed to camera flash from visitors in Manila Ocean Park concerns me. However, those in the wild are threatened by human activities to it's extinction. Seeing sea turtles released after being rehabilitated for months face the threat of being captured again by poachers and foreign fishers. We have read or seen animal exploitation around the world and we are aware that some of it, are endangered and some were nowhere to be found. Proper regulation needs better implementation. But how can we do it? If United States cannot regulate their own people, how much more my country who is foreign to it's own land?

5. FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE OF THE DESTRUCTION TO THE ENVIRONMENT

In relation to number 4, I've also seen destructed mountains used as mining sites. I've seen a dry river, a dying mountain, a 100 years old tree being logged, and breathing the polluted air. The sad thing about it, we've seen it's effect. We've experienced the rage of our nature and what are we doing about it? What it can still do and how much of it's brunt can we bare?

A dry river in Sta. Cruz, Zambales

2 days after Typhoon Haiyan struck Visayas. This was taken in Panitan, Capiz.

I have a friend who throws his candy wrappers anywhere and when I told him how wrong what he is doing, he just told me that's why there's janitors and highway cleaners to get it. If he won't do it, they will lost their jobs. What a douche! Manners should be a subject.

6. BEING INDEPENDENT

I've always been an independent one. Some of my friends praise me for going alone on a long trip and some will give me a raised eyebrow. Being independent doesn't mean I'm a loner or a hermit. I love being in a large group too while traveling. Some may not understand, but traveling alone gives me peace of mind. I can decide faster which way to go, what food to eat, how to get there and walk in my own pace. I can be whoever I want me to be.

Timubo Cave, Camotes Island in Cebu

7. LOVING THE MOTORCYCLE RIDE

I must say, I can't wait to try it in Bangkok. The experience of riding a motorcycle during tours thrills me than riding inside a comfortable car or whatever four wheel vehicle that might be. With the motorcycle ride, you can take in the view, the breeze of air and the most part the ride itself.

Camotes Island Tour

8. NIGHT MARKETS

While in Baguio, I experienced going into a night market and damn right it's addicting. You can get a really good bargain into almost everything. I bought a nice jacket which cost 50php. Good for the cold days. It's also amazing to observe people from locals to foreigners flock there and haggle. I should check night markets in Hong Kong. :)

9. WALKING ALONE DURING THE NIGHT

It can be creepy and unsafe so I chose where to go and I trust my intuition here. If I feel like it's not a safe place to roam around at night, I don't do it.

View from SM BAGUIO at 1am

and most importantly,

10. DON'T STOP TRAVELING

Traveling isn't just giving yourself a treat from your hard days work. It isn't about wasting your money and time. It's not just for the young and strong, for the rich and famous. It is about you discovering the world, seeing what you need to see, learning, experiencing, breathing, living.

Conquering Ilocos

Please check my posts on where I stayed in Pagudpud. Goodnight Sleep in Kapuluan Vista Resort

It took me a while to write something about my Ilocos trip. The reason would be I'm too lazy and my sched is too tight at the moment. But seriously, I don't know how to begin it with. There are so many things to say about Ilocos. I stayed there for 2 days and 1 night but it was one of the my best experiences so far... well, it was the farthest place I've ever traveled ALONE which is why. Good thing I have Kuya Edu, my ever dearest and bloggers favorite tour guide in Pagudpud.

For the lack of better way to put it into writing, I will note down the things which I enjoyed and noticed during my trip in Pagudpud and Laoag.


Let me kick it off with Pagudpud's Kapurpurawan Rock Formation.

I was interested to see this firsthand as it entices me with very good pictures online. Seems like a view from another country eh? But what amaze me most about this attraction is it's mysterious existence. I thought, because of the name that it was just a big white rock but seeing it up close made my jaw dropped. I'm in awe of this rock formation or should I say, sand formation. It is a fine white sand formation. I tried to answer my question how did it happened. Looking at the sand in the area, it isn't white. And it is really a big rock sitting in the area.

I'm not really fund of taking pictures of myself but Kuya Edu want's me to pose so here I went.

If my memory serves me right, Kapurpurawan in Ilocano means white so they called it like that.

Slowly decaying sand. Please do something about it.

The sad thing about it, people visiting the area is not cautious about the sand. They vandalize and sometimes throws trashes anywhere. The local government prohibited tourists to enter some areas because they are slowly decomposing. Adding to this is weather disturbances that contributes to ruin the formation.

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation is a must see in Burgos but I will not recommend it anymore if people will just destroy this natures wonder.

Second in my list is the famous Bangui Windmills

During my trip from Laoag to Pagudpud and with a John Denver song Country Road on radio, I got the chance to talked to the two remaining passengers in the bus. I thought they were locals but soon I discovered that it was their first time in Ilocos too. oh! just like me. But they were in Pagudpud for work. They will be the workers for the additional windmills which will be added in Burgos. According to them, there will be additional 50 windmills to be build in the area.

I know what to expect from this site already. Windmills supplies electricity for the people in Pagudpud. But the view is great so I took the opportunity to go there. While my tour guide was driving me there, I already saw it from afar and he told me to examine the windmills. Why are some of them thin and do not rotate, while others are rotating and seems thicker than others. And it picks my mind. So he schooled me that the reason was if it stops, there is already much electricity in it and it rotates its propeller so it will stop receiving. hmm?

Cape Bojeador


From the beautiful pictures aside, I expected more from this attraction. If you read my previous post, you will see my fascination with ruins and old structures. Not because I want creepy ghost stories but I wanted to know the history behind it. I thought visiting it would make my heart beat faster because of other blog posts I've read about it. But as I arrived in the area, you will be welcomed by this view.

It seems surreal since I only see this in Tim Burton movies (I am a fan)

So to speak, no goosebumps, no creepy stories and definitely not a scary place. The caretaker told me that the his co-worker who also works here is not in the area at that moment. He was the one telling scary stories to visitors even it's not true. Good for some, bad for me lol :)

Someday I will be able to film a movie like Tim Burton's :)

The fine white sand in Blue Lagoon

I have nothing much to say about the sand but the view is good for photographers and the water is inviting. I must say I'll still choose the sand in Mangodlong, Camotes Island.


Kabigan Falls

This was another first for me. My first time to see a real falls. So I paid 100php for a tour guide and were good to go. My personal tour guide and Kabigan falls tour guide accompanied me to trek for 30 minutes to reach the falls. While trekking, I was a bit exhausted with the heat from the sun. I can already see a tan line from my wrist watch.

View from up above

This is what you'll see during the trek

This is truly nature

And here it is.

This is what I like when travelling alone. I get to see what really needs to be seen. When we got there, I was like a kid smiling from ear to ear upon seeing the falls. Good thing I was the only visitor when we arrived together with my guides. The atmosphere there was so cold and the water was so clear. It's really inviting but I managed not to dip because they say it's deep and I don't know how to swim (which I will learn someday haha). Meeting locals like my tour guides is one of the best things about my travels.

View of Patapat Viaduct

The Patapat Viaduct is just a bridge but the thing is, it's not just a bridge. Usually bridges have water underneath. As you can see, there's none here aside from the water in the shoreline. Kuya Edu said that the local government constructed the bridge because the bridge there was once higher and a lot of accidents happen like some trucks fall off to the shore especially when the weather is not good. If going there, you can still see the road above it but it was already close so people won't try to take that route. The water on the area was also bluesh green.

Paraiso ni Anton

I didn't spend much time in here and didn't even took pictures of the Anton's, but I was intrigued with this structure. It used to be a townhouse of a former politician which I forgot the name . When he died, they abandoned the place and no one took credit for it. So here it is. Rusty, dilapidated and ruined structure. I want to go up but we don't have so much time so I missed it.

Bantay Abot Cave

The Bantay Abot cave was the one that surprised me. Seeing it in pictures was so ordinary and nothing much to expect from it. But when I was there, the rush of going down and climbing up to that whole was amazing. I got wet because of the strong waves plus the strong wind might carry you away.

Let's go to Laoag by kicking in UNESCO's Paoay Church


Marcos's remains

Inside the museum

The remains of Marcos wasn't on my itinerary. I never planned to visit it. Since I was already there, why not do it. During my short stay in Ilocos, I happen to speak with some locals and their loyalty to the Marcoses is apparent. They told me how the family developed Ilocos.

"For every tear, A Victory"

Anyway, picture taking inside Marcos's mausoleum is prohibited. But seeing it myself sends chills to my being. A dictator who once took the freedom of my country, a person who thought he was greater than life and stole the lives of my countrymen. Seeing his dead body, though lifeless and cold, still reminds me of the dark days of the Philippines.

AND Macy's Diner

To be honest I like it better than 50's diner in Baguio. I enjoyed the food much than I enjoyed the offerings in Baguio's. Among other places in Laoag, what I really wanted to visit was this restaurant. I can actually skip the Paoay Church, Sand Dunes and others alike but no way to miss this one. I am a fan of Americans 50's to mention the cinema and the icons in the limelight during those times. Being in this kind of place makes me experience a little bit of what it was like way back 50's.

I haven't watched Gone with the Wind cause its total running time was like 3 hours and I don't have the nerve to sit like that for three hours as of the moment

James Dean on the low

This is what I ate for about 200php

Ati-Atihan Festival: Once a Tradition, Always a Tradition

This post is already late but I think I need to share my experience.

Filipinos value tradition and culture. Being a probinsyana from Capiz, I am raised learning and practicing it. Though some I find absurd, I appreciate that a few concerned true-blue Filipino makes an effort to preserve our cultural identity.



Filipinos loves to celebrate. All sorts of celebration from birthdays to death anniversaries to whatever, just name it and we have it. Indigenous and Religious Festivals are the most watched for celebration in the country. Some of the well-known festivals that makes tourists stumble in the country are Kadayawan in Davao City, Sinulog in Cebu, Maskara in Bacolod, Panagbenga in Baguio City, Black Nazarene in Quiapo Manila and the Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan.

For my personal note, I am not a fan of these kind of festivals. You wouldn't want to deal with the aftermath. Yes it's fun, but people often forget what the celebration is all about. Also when travelling, I want a place where I can relax so I try to avoid going to a particular place where I know will be crowded.

During my vacation in the province last January 2013, my mother wants me to go with them for Ati-Atihan. I decided to try it since I have nothing to do and to experience it wouldn't hurt. Hotel prices doubles or maybe triples during the festival so we stayed at our aunts house near the city".

"Patapak sa Sto. Nino" is a belief that being touched by the Sto. Nino figure will heal the person

The festival is a week long celebration with different programs each day at the town plaza. We went there just before the final day of the festival. We roam around the plaza to join the parade and dance a little. It was really crowded. On my good note, I love how this festival celebrates indigenous culture. Our indigenous tribes are in danger of losing it's identity due to urbanization and a lot of aspects. They are not reproducing and their children wanting to be in the city. No one from their end wants to continue and preserve their tradition but the old folks. One example is in Banaue Rice Terraces were problems in preserving the "hagdan-hagdang palayan" is now a dilemma "we seriously" need to address. Celebrating and being proud of our culture, showing other nations how proud we are, and letting the younger ones appreciate it is a good note.

But there is a bad note. I've seen a lot of drunken foreigners with their Filipina partners (eh?). Some of the paraders were also drunk and smelled like sh**. Few guys were laid drunk on the streets just outside the church. Trash was all over the town plaza. Where is our discipline people? I thought we are celebrating being a Filipino here? Is this what we want our children to remember? It isn't celebration anymore my friend, because celebrating comes with responsibilities and limitations.

So to end this trip in a positive note, I forced everybody to do a side trip to Sampaguita Gardens just 30 minutes away from Kalibo proper which I googled already. hehe!

Accommodations

They have two pools. One for the kids and this one for adults.

Sampaguita Gardens Entrance

Ruin Ferris Wheel

This pretty much made my trip to Kalibo worth it. There's a lot of things you can do inside the area. A lot of doll collections. I never thought there's a Christmas village open year round in Kalibo. You can exchange your entrance fee inside for food or products they offer. For us, we exchanged it for food and we ate with the pool as our view. Therefore this trip ended in a good note.