Welcome Yuro

He came on June 9 after several weeks of waiting. After Babsy died in December (we miss her) and the robbery incident in the house took place in February, we decided to have another dog in the house. I named him Yuro because Amyel started her work with Euro-Med Laboratories a day before he came. By the way, Babsy and Yuro have the same mother.

   

Tibo seemed to like Yuro. Their first meeting was not typical of a cat and dog encounter. It was definitely the opposite of the relationship that existed between Babsy and Tibo. May the first impression last.

Aborlan, Palawan

My trip to Aborlan, Palawan was on official business. Our team from STARRDEC was there to evaluate the candidates for the Best FITS Center and the Outstanding Magsasaka Siyentista. Aborlan is 69 km south of Puerto Princesa City. A sumptuous lunch of seafood and fruits welcomed us on the first day. The visit was short but I enjoyed it because of the hospitality of our partners there.

Vigan, Ilocos Sur

We left Batac early in the morning so we could visit some tourist destinations in Vigan. The first stop is the Vigan Cathedral, built in 1641. Next is the Burnayan where clay pots are made the traditional way. The Hidden Garden has awesome collections and arrangements of various tropical plants. We enjoyed having our pictures taken with some of the birds at Gov. Chavit Singson's Baluarte which also has tigers, ostriches, and others. Our group also visited the Crisologo Museum before we explored the shops in the Heritage Village.

  

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.