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Dear Candy gals and guys,

So here I am at the last part of my Ilocos Road Trip Series. (If you missed the first two parts, just click here for Part 1 and Part 2.) Today, allow me to take you to Laoag and Vigan—beautiful historic cities just two hours apart! I already showed you the churches, now I want to show you the other special sites.

This is the late President Marcos’ birthplace in Sarrat (a small town near Laoag). Ilocos Norte is Marcos’ hometown so there are a bunch of museums dedicated to him, including one where you can see his body. Creepy!

Now what post would be complete without food? These are the specialties of Laoag found in Cafe Herencia, a resto across Paoay church.

Even veggie-haters will love the Pinakbet Pizza. This one’s all mine! YUM!

Other signature dishes are the Poqui-poqui (eggplant with scrambled egg) and Crispy Dinuguan!

Bagnet is another Ilokano specialty. It’s like their version of Lechon Kawali. This one is from La Preciosa restaurant in Laoag. Delicious but sinful!

Another awesome site one can only see in Laoag—the La Paz Sand Dunes.

It’s a dessert overlooking the sea!

We were fortunate enough to catch the sunset and it cast the dessert in an ethereal glow.
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Now, we go to Vigan! We stayed at Villa Angela. It’s a beautiful old mansion-turned-hostel. Oh and guess who stayed there before? No less than Piolo Pascual and Tom Cruise!

Knock, knock!

Check out the beautiful interiors of the mansion.

Here I am trying my hand at Pottery. It’s a delicate art but a dirty hobby!

Here is the famous Calle Crisologo by night. I love the cobblestones and the whole 18th century feel.

With my travel buddies!

The best way to go around Vigan is by Calesa. (Notice my horse’s name!)

Calle Crisologo by day—here I am enjoying some ice cream on a hot summer day!

What food must you try in Vigan? They say the Vigan Longganisa is really good, but I say…

…it’s even better on a pizza at Cafe Leona!

Another must try: the Vigan Empanada

And before you head home, be sure to buy your pasalubong at Marsha’s Delicacies. Their bibingka is da bomb!

So that’s it for my Ilocos Road Trip. Thanks for taking a ride with me! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Looking forward to our next adventure,
Angel

Posted in Bond, Girl!, Candy | 7 Comments »

When I was younger, I remember not being too fond of the beach because I’d get bites whenever I wandered into the water. I felt uncomfortable with the sand and almost always preferred to stay by the pool.

When I was in high school, I remember my dad’s sister taking me and my cousin to Boracay. It was the first beach trip I went on that required a plane ride. I was excited but was not completely converted into a “beach person” just yet.

I think it was in college when I started going to the beach more frequently and fell in love with just sitting by the shore and soaking the sun. I loved the golden glow I’d have whenever I came home from the beach. I even attempted to learn how to surf (I swear, someday, I will catch my own wave!). I realized how relaxed I’d always be after a trip to the ocean.

Just last week, I took a leave from work to join my relatives, who were visiting from LA, on their trip to Boracay. (: Let me share with you five things I loved about this particular trip.

1. The Good Food

A lunch buffet at the hotel welcomed us when we got to the island. We walked over to D Mall to have some burgers and ice cream the next day. I fell in love with the strawberry croissants in Boracay Regency. (: I wish I could have one for breakfast every morning.

2. Family Time

Although my brothers and dad couldn’t join us on the trip, I got to hung out with my cousins. We rarely get to see each other (some of my cousins I see only once a year because of our family reunion) and it was fun to sit by the beach and catch up with each other. Chia just graduated from high school and is moving to the US soon, Abigail works for WB in Burbank (she’s Facebook friends with Zachary Levi!!! Ahhh!), Chi is married to Huy (pronounced as Hwee) who’s Vietnamese.

3. Some well-deserved Me Time

Whenever I’m on the beach, I like to lie on the sand, plug in my earphones and listen to my “Melody That I Love” playlist. These are all the songs I’ve “loved” on last.fm and listened to over and over. One of my favorite songs to play on the beach is “Everyday Is a Holiday With You” by Esthero.

4. Nice and cozy hotel rooms

When I first went to Boracay, we stayed in a nipa hut type of resort and we only had an electric fan and a tiny bathroom. I didn’t really find anything wrong with it since we barely stayed inside the room—we just went there to sleep and take a bath. So when I went this time, I was surprised (happily!) with the hotel that my relatives booked. We could’ve stayed in the hotel (what with its three pools within the area) and it would still have been awesome!

5. This spectacular view

If I could bottle this up and take it with me everywhere I go, I’d be a very happy girl. (: I love how the blues and the greens of the ocean soothe me. I can just stare at this the whole day and I’d be stress-free!

I’m going on another trip—two actually—this weekend. Some of the Candy Girls and I are heading to Tagaytay for a holiday break. (: Then, I’m going to this beautiful place on Sunday with one of my good friends who’s celebrating her birthday on Friday. I’ll have more pictures and stories to tell, I’m sure.

Until the next trip,
Macy :macy:

Posted in Reality Bytes | 3 Comments »

Dog nut that I am, I was overjoyed when my guy pointed out a banner announcing Eastwood City and PCCI’s (Philippine Canine Club, Inc.) collaborative project called The Weekend Dog Soiree. It’s a series of seminars and activities for dog enthusiasts, all taking place every weekend this summer (except for Labor Day weekend) at Eastwood’s Central Plaza.

They’ve already kicked it off with a Pitbull seminar last April 19, but I am beyond grateful that I was able to make it to yesterday’s (are you ready for this) Tzu-rrific Grooming Seminar: The How-Tos of Shih Tzu Grooming. My Shih Tzu-crazed self would never have forgiven my whole self if I had missed it! Which explains why my guy and I were outdoors yesterday, lugging around two heavy Shih Tzus and doggie paraphernalia in the sweltering heat.

Everywhere I looked, I saw one fur kid after another, and every last one of them was a Shih Tzu. In my guy’s words, I was in “Mia Heaven.” I also loved that top breeders and Shih Tzu experts were on hand to explain the breed standard and demonstrate proper grooming. Registration and entrance are free, they gave us two goody bags (one for each of my fur kids!), and two VCDs with grooming tips.

For fellow dog nuts out there, here’s the sched for upcoming Soiree weekends:
May 10 German Shepherd Seminar 330 pm
May 17 Chihuahua Seminar 330 pm
May 23 Manila’s First Dog Agility Fun Olympics 230 pm
May 24 Pug Seminar 330 pm
May 31 Labrador Retriever Seminar 330 pm

Check out some of the Tzus I fell in love with yesterday!

Posted in Candy | 5 Comments »

Hey, Candy Girls!

What do you get when you put three bankable stars (namely Glaiza de Castro, Dino Imperial, Empress Schuck), one creature-friendly channel, and an ecologically aware clothing line together?

You get an impressive campaign by Animal Planet and BUM aimed at protecting animals through the conservation of the planet’s resources. The rockin’ limited edition “Wear Me, Save Me, Live with Me” shirts worn by the stars above are already available in selected SM outlets, just in time for Earth Day!

And since we’re on the subject of saving our one and only home, pledge to go green simply by posting these Candy buttons on your site. You can get them all here!

Always proud to be an earth maiden,
Mimi

Posted in Candy, Reality Bytes | 3 Comments »

Hi, Candy guys and gals!

I’m back and this week, I’m going to take you to some of the beautiful sights on the way to Pagudpud.

This is the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse in Burgos, Ilocos Norte. Lighthouses really fascinate me. I love how they serve as a beacon of light and hope for those at sea. This one was built in 1890 and continues to operate today!

Another view of the lighthouse. You can actually climb to the top, but we weren’t able to because there were too many people lined up. It’s okay though, ’cause the view was still great from where we stood!
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A few minutes after we left Cape Bojeador, we saw a decrepit sign that said “This way to Kapurpurawan White Rock Beach.” We had no idea what was there but we decided to take a gamble and go there anyway. After about 10 minutes of driving on rocky, unpaved road, then going down several steps to get to the beach, this was the sight that greeted us:

Our jaws dropped in awe and surprise—it was a natural white rock formation!

The long walk, the burning noon day sun, and the fact that we hadn’t eaten lunch—none of it mattered. We were just so happy we found this place.

Kapurpurawan White Rock up close. I thought it looked like the place where Abraham offered his son Isaac to God. My friend thought it looked like a spaceship.

Kapurpurawan’s jagged, rocky coastline. It’s like being in another country!
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After exploring and taking photos of White Rock for about an hour, we drove on, had a quick stop for lunch, and proceeded to the Windmills in Bangui, Ilocos Norte.

These beautiful windmills generate electricity for the town.

A shot of the windmills against the afternoon sunlight.

A “lomo-dified” shot that shows the windmills and water in motion.
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That night, we headed to Pannzian Beach Resort in Pagudpud where we camped by the beach.

Chillaxing and goofing around at one of these huts by the beach.
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The next morning, we headed to one of the best beaches in Pagudpud known as the Blue Lagoon.

Compared to other beaches in Pagudpud, the waves here seem calmer and the water bluer.

Twin peaks in front of Kapuluan Vista Resort. Mimi told me she and her friends stayed here before so we decided to stop by. It was definitely worth the trip!

By the pool in Kapuluan Vista Resort. Man, I wish we stayed here! Will definitely do that next time.
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Soon, it was time to say goodbye to the beautiful beaches of Pagudpud. But before heading back to Laoag and Vigan, we had to make one more stop:

At the Patapat Viaduct, an elevated concrete highway near the northernmost roads of Ilocos Norte. It was constructed to prevent vehicular accidents caused by landslides in the area.

A spectacular view of Pasaleng Bay

Uh-oh, roadkill! Haha!
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So that’s it for now. Next week, I show you the must-see spots and must-try foods of Vigan and Laoag.

Hoping you’re all having a happy summer,
Angel

Posted in Candy | 8 Comments »