Not only did they left us with the Filipino term for lighthouse, the Spaniards also left actual towers of beacon to forever remind us of their influence.

Group shot before we start trekking

The trek to Kabigan Falls was a relatively easy one. 

The path, interestingly, ranges from dusty to muddy to rocky. One moment, you're surrounded by thick rows of palay, next you're crossing a stream, then before you know it, you're walking under dense canopies that almost block out the sun.

Found in Sitio Maligligay, just at the other end of the famed Patapat Viaduct, is another popular Pagudpud stopover. A narrow runnel of allegedly miraculous water, Paraiso ni Anton provided a somewhat mystical aspect to my Ilocandia Adventure.

On the second day of my Ilocos Adventure, we visited the Blue Lagoon.

The words Bantay Abot is Ilocano for “mountain with a hole.” If you happen to be in the place, you'll find that there is indeed a "hole". So hooray for the no-nonsense naming of things and places!

According to Wikipedia, “The Patapat Viaduct is a viaduct at the municipality of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, a coastal resort town on the northernmost tip of Luzon Island in the Philippines.

The bridge is elevated 31 meters over sea level. It is a concrete coastal bridge 1.3 km long and connects the Maharlika Highway from Laoag, Ilocos Norte to the Cagayan Valley Region. It rises along the town's coastal mountains, which is the starting point of the Cordillera Mountain Range that snakes through Northern Luzon. It is the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines.”

Kapurpurawan is "kaputi-putian" (whiteness) in Tagalog. It is a fitting name for the rock formations found in the rocky coast of Burgos, Ilocos Norte. Created by the forces of wind and water, its distinctive white, almost chalk-like, surface serves as a testament to the irrepressible powers of Nature.

Malacañang of the North, or Malacañangang ti Amianan to the locals, served as the official Ilocos residence of the late former president Ferdinand Marcos and his family. Located in Paoay in the province of Ilocos Norte and built on a high point of land projecting into the sea right beyond the coastline of the legendary Paoay Lake, it now serves as a museum that showcases the life of the Marcos family. 

I shall begin this entry by saying I'm not really a big fan of empanadas. I couldn't understand why my companions were so eager to have the so-called Empanadang Ilocos. When I heard those two words, a picture of the usual empanada - light brown crust-like shell with an assortment of filling from cheese to tuna - came to mind.

Thus, I found nothing exciting about that mental image. I was stoic, which is to say, my hyperactivity was less pronounced. 

I can't exactly point out the day I stopped subscribing to a religion. I only remember a poem. It was some sort of prayer and it's ironic that it marked the end of me being a practicing Catholic. I don't pray. Not for me, no. I tell Whoever it is out there that I'm fine; He/She shouldn't worry about me. I pray only for others.

I haven't been inside a church for a very long time. It is a conscious effort. I believe I don't need a middleman to get to the Creator, but that's just me. My creed is simple: take care of myself so I can do good, be kind and make the most of everything.

Visiting the Vigan Pottery, locally known as "Burnayan", had been somewhat of a pleasant surprise. I initially had no idea what this place was about so I naturally didn't know what to expect. 

We trotted towards a fenced area where souvenir stalls were set up. The first thing I thought was I just bought souvenirs in Baluarte, I'm on a budget. I consequently took a deep breath, conditioning my mind to be contented by just looking at the various items for sale. 

I must say, I think this entry is very opportune. Pacman just won. And if those last two sentences do not seem to dovetail then allow me to clear things up: I've just been to Baluarte, and Baluarte is owned by Chavit Singson, and Chavit Singson is notorious for being a big-time Manny Pacquiao supporter (citation needed) - so big-time that he bets millions of dollars (?) on the pambansang kamao every time the latter has a match. There. Dovetailed. And like I said, very opportune.

If I haven't mentioned in my previous entry that it takes approximately twelve hours to get to Vigan from Cainta, well then, here you go. Believe me, that sort of car ride can not only give rise to hygienic issues (walang ligo, dre) but also to gastronomic concerns. So after our visit to the Bantay Bell Tower, we headed off to the Hidden Garden for breakfast.

Who's up for some local cuisine?

I'm determined to make my 2014 summer the best one yet. So when my friend Camille invited me to join her and some of my Mitsubishi Motors colleagues for an Ilocandia Adventure, my adrenaline level probably went off the roof. Although I wasn't able to say yes on the spot (because I was figuring out how to go about paying the tour fee), my mind was already made up: I'm going to Ilocos whatever happens. And I did. Hooray!