LAKWATSA

One year ago, I discovered this new destination in Ilocos Norte. I wrote about and was featured in the December 2007 issue of People Asia Magazine. Here it is . . .   SITIO REMEDIOS: A STEP BACK IN TIME   “Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makararating sa kanyang paroroonan.” (He who does not look back from where he came from will not reach his destination.) A Philippine Proverb. Time-locked Ilocos Norte is blessed with impressive and magnificent architectural landmarks such as the world ... Read More

I have recently arrived from an exhilarating 11-day sojourn. For eleven days, we hopped between 3 countries: from Philippines to Thailand (en route to Kathmandu and back), to Nepal, back to the Philippines and on to Bohol province. In this trip, our “new-found sport” of “hotel and resort-hopping” (tee hee!) have been put to the test once more. It took us hopping between a total of 9 hotels and resorts combined in the 3 countries. Will post a detailed entry soon. But for now, ... Read More

Last Sunday, the 3rd of September, we started the day early by visiting the chapel at the Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes. By mid-morning, we were at Every Nation across Market! Market! in Bonifacio City. After the service and while having breakfast at Heaven and Eggs, our friend Loida Rapal called and invited us to hear a special mass [held every first Sunday of the month] at the Church of Manaoag in Manaoag, Pangasinan. By twelve noon, a convoy of two ... Read More

While at The Forest Camp, we took control of six all-terrain vehicles [ATV's] for some adventure trailing. Since I am the biggest dumb when it comes to any driven mode of transport, I had Jonathan Alerre [ Antulang's PADI dive instructor ] drive me for the trail up to the Japanese Shrine in the dormant Mount Talinis. The 30-minute ATV-ride to the Shrine was an exhilarating experience in itself. We traversed rough terrains passing through a serene montage of quaint little villages, rolling ... Read More

On our last day in Dumaguete, we checked out early from Antulang Beach Resort and drove to The Forest Camp to check out their facilities. Owned by the Vicunas [ Florante & Melba ], Forest Camp is located eleven kilometers west of Dumaguete in Valencia Town. The 2.2-hectare facility is an oasis of natural wonders and offers the best in outdoor experiences like nature and adventure treks to Casaroro and Mount Talinis, camping, and horseback riding among others. Apart from two large nipa guesthouses, ... Read More