Ilocos Norte

The first stop was the lighthouse in Cape Bojeador, Burgos, Ilocos Norte. The structure, the caretaker said, is the tallest lighthouse in the country and it is still functional. Our group tried to go up the spiral stairs leading to the top of the tower but I just contented myself with the view 10 feet below the top.

Next are the famous windmills of Bangui. I told myself that the next visit to Ilocos would definitely include Bangui and Pagudpud. Well, there I was. It was fascinating to see the 15 giant structures standing tall and energizing the province by harnessing wind power.

Pagudpud is next. We stopped for some photo ops along the stretch of the coastal highway and proceeded in the area which is part of the Pagudpud-Adams forest reserve where there are small waterfalls near a grotto. The driver said that we were just some kilometers away from the northernmost part of Cagayan. 

On our way back, we dropped by Villa del Mar for more photo ops at the beach. It's not as impressive as Boracay (I'd still prefer Burot). We did not take a dip but I could sense that the sea floor is steep because of the scouring waves. I just don't know how it looks during the peak season. Next stop is Malacanang Ti Amianan (Malacanang of the North) in Paoay. It was the official residence of the Marcoses in Ilocos. We were guided through the different rooms and nooks in the house, the back of which faces a man-made lake. Then, our last stop was Paoay Church, a UNESCO world heritage site.

 

Trip to Ilocandia

The PC Recycling Training Management Team of Cavite State University conducted its post-training evaluation at the Mariano Marcos State University in Batac, Ilocos Norte on May 29-31. Before ending the first day of the activity, we rushed to the Marcos Museum because it closes at 5 p.m. The door sign says the museum is open until 4 p.m. but the guide was forced to let us in. It was my third time seeing the place but every visit gives me a different kind of experience. 

After several camera poses, we trooped to the riverside eating place to have a taste of Batac. Of course, there's the famous empanada, cooked in a different way. I challenged Cyd to have a taste of it. I ended up eating half of the piece. My friends opted for pork barbeque and chicken mami. Well, more of Ilocos in the next two days.

Relaxing in Burot

The place was recommended by Lina and without much preparation, our family went to Calatagan, Batangas yesterday morning. Driving to the place was smooth except for the 2 km rough road from the town proper going to Sitio Burot in Barangay Tanagan. The area, we were told later by the caretaker, is privately owned by the Elizaldes.

With just a few plain nipa huts, toilets, and shower rooms, the beach has nothing more to offer. No electricity. No stores. But there's fine white sand and sparkling sea waters just like in Boracay minus the maddening crowd (especially during the peak season). If you want serenity while relaxing, this is it! We truly enjoyed the waters but we could not stay out in the sun too long because we didn't bring any sunblock with us due to haste. At half past nine, we devoured what I just prepared for the trip: plain rice, fried bangus daing with matching fresh tomatoes, and two small cans of Mega sardines. Everything was gone in a few minutes! I'll see you again, Burot.

Election 2010

I woke up this morning with a different kind of excitement. Today's special. The first ever automated election in the country.

Who wouldn't be a bit anxious as to what could happen? What if? Hope not.

I wanted to be in the precinct early to exercise my right and witness the event. This time I switched on the TV to know what has been going on. People started to line up and public elementary schools began to get crowded with the early birds.

Bobby and I were supposed to leave after breakfast but a colleague warned me through SMS that the queue was too long and she advised us to come later. It was almost two hours before noon when we decided to go and true enough, the lines were still long. We found our precinct, got our number, and waited at the friend's house. It was past noon when we went back just in time for our batch to be accommodated inside the precinct.

Finding our names in the master list was easy but when I was handed the ballot and proceeded to a desk near the entrance, I became a bit nervous. What if I over-shaded the egg-shaped figures? What if I smudged the ballot? My hands were tense. Good thing I brought my list. But when it was time to feed the ballot to the PCOS machine, my heart started to beat fast. What if the machine would not accept my ballot? A few seconds later, I read the message. "Congratulations! Your vote has been registered." What a relief.

Casting my vote was easy after all. And I'm glad to have participated in the first-ever automated national and local elections.

13 Martyrs of Cavite