Our first trip to Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur

Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur 

My husband is working in a construction company in-charge in warehousing and always assigned to different Provinces .  This time,  he was assigned in Laoag ,  Ilocos Norte,  sometimes he can not go home because its a 10 hours travel (by land) from Ilocos to Manila and another 2 hours to our province.  It was indeed a very difficult thing for him to do especially his work is not so easy. 

It was a school break and he asked us to visit him in Ilocos Norte,  so we decided  to go ,  me and my 8 year old daughter.  At first I was hesitant because this would be my daughter's first flight and I can not imagine how to handle her,   hahhahahaha ,  actually I was more afraid than my daughter,  Heather Rose.

We book to Cebu Pacific ,  Manila / Laoag / Manila  Flight 404,  Ilocos please wait for us

Then come,  November  2-4,  via Cebu Pacific,  we will go to Ilocos Norte where my husband works.

When we were on the plane my daughter bought all the croissant that the Flight Attendant offered her,  because its one of her (hundreds) favorites hahahhaha. 

Ilocos Norte,  touch down,  rest for a while and then go ,  ate our lunch,  visited the churches in Laoag,  visited the parks , the hidden garden and many others , and then  we proceeded to Ilocos Sur,  its a 2 hour travel by local bus , (aircon and ordinary bus are available)  it was so easy to find and the locals are very accommodating though my husband already knew the place 

We visited the zoo of Gov. Chavit Singson, Entrance fee was free,  just register your name (on the logbook),   it was an amazing place,  the animals are well taken cared of and you can even played or touched them.  My family took some pictures with the Tigers (Php 100.00 worth- 1 shot 3x5 ) .

Gov. Singson in "Baluarte" has lots of Tiger and Animals

We even visited the Shrine of our Lady of Charity in Vigan, Ilocos Sur that was built in 1590 and 

the Bantay Bell Tower  where used by the Spaniards as a watchtower for invading enemy forces during the World War I and II,  Evidently,  the Bantay church and Bell tower are the monumental sign to various violence,  killings and revolt

We rode a calesa ,  150  for  2  hrs  but if you're a foreigner  they'll asked you for 300-500 

and then we have to go back with disappointment in our hearts because we were not able to go to Pagudpud where white-sand beaches and crystal blue water can be experience.

Anyways,  our visit is worthwhile because we were with our "daddy"

Vigan Products

Baluarte - Singson's zoo at Ilocos Sur

Don't forget to bring your camera and most importantly your pocket money because there's a lot that you can buy here in Vigan.

Fort Santiago and the Walled City, Intramuros, Manila

Intramuros, Manila a place that I will never forget because it is very significant to my life , I spent 18 years of  my time in Intramuros. I studied in Lyceum and lived as a dormitorian,  for 4 years  I explored the whole area, Puerta del Parian, Walled City, Kiosk, Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church,  Palacio del Gobernador and Fort Santiago actually including Carriedo ,  Fairmart, Isetann, Uniwide Sales and the 1st store of  SM in Carriedo. 

When I'm already working , still,  I chose to work along the area,  why?  because I love the place,  It gives me the feeling of yesteryears,  the struggle of  our heroes that gives me strength to worked hard.

Intramuros is the Spanish term for "within walls" or "Walled City".  It was located along Manila Bay and connected to Pasig River. It was built by the Spaniards as a defensive walls to protect the seat of Spanish Government from foreign invasions.

In 1951, Intramuros was declared as a Historical Monument and Fort Santiago as a National Shrine. 

Fort Santiago (Fuerza de Santiago or Moog ng Santiago) is one of the most important historical site in Manila .  Several lives were lost in its prisons during Spanish period  and Dr. Jose Rizal was imprisoned here before he was executed at the Bagumbayan in 1896.All his memorabilia  are displayed here including his embedded footsteps ( representing his final walk from his cell to Bagumbayan) on the ground made out of Bronze.  We are trying to count the footsteps but we lost count in the middle of it.

Jose Rizal cell

How to get there:
If you have your own vehicle :  from Makati
just take Buendia / Gil puyat Ave and turn right on Roxas Blvd. You will pass Rizal Park (on your right) and Manila Hotel (on your left) If you reach Anda Circle in Port Area turn right again,  landmark Palacio de Governador and Manila Cathedral on your right and on your left is Intramuros Fire Station just turn left and you will see Fort Santiago actually after CF Sharp Building.

from Quezon City:
just take Quezon Ave. and you will pass España , Lerma and Quiapo you will cross Quezon Bridge and then turn right on the riverside at the back of  Manila Post Office then straight ahead then turn right on the old Royal Savings Bank building then you will see Manila Cathedral and Palacio de Governador on your left  and you will see CF Sharp building so just turn right and you will already see Fort Santiago.

Manila Cathedral - just across Fort Santiago

Manila Cathedral

Beside Manila Cathedral is Palacio de Gobernador

How to commute to Fort Santiago by public transportation
from LRT   : take Caloocan bound train and drop off at Central station just take a walk up to the foot of Quezon bridge or Manila Post office,  you will see "Pier" sign and ask the driver that you will take off at  "Fort Santiago" or Manila Cathedral (across)  fare Php 8.00 per pax

from Baclaran : take FX taxi Divisoria sign and ask the driver that you will take off at Palacio de Governador , Intramuros just take a walk across it and you will see Fort Santiago
fare : Php 20.00 to Php 30.00 per pax

From Quezon City :  just take "Pier" sign and they will drop you off just in front of Manila Cathedral or Fort Santiago ,  fare Php 20.00 - Php 30.00 per pax

Entrance Gate of  Fort Santiago

Entrance Fee : Fort Santiago

When I'm still studying in Lyceum, entrance fee is around Php 10.00 per person that's why most of the students from nearby schools like San Juan de Letran,  Mapua and Lyceum this place is their secret hideout  together with their boyfriend or girlfriend and most of the time you can see families taking pictures.

Now,  entrance fee is a bit higher and you are not allowed to bring SLR/DSLR camera
Php 50.00   Students must present I.D.
Php 75.00   Adults
must bring  additional money cause it may change

seated at the cannon

"the Calesa"

An empty shell of Mortar - Spanish era and WWII

As you can see,  Fort Santiago was heavily secured because of its thick stone walls,  the entrance is quite small but 40 meters high. The surrounding walls are 22 meters high and 8 meters thick.

This site is now being used as a theater like what we did before

Fort Santiago was the site of the palace of Rajah Sulaiman, a muslim chieftain of pre-Spanish era, but it was destroyed by Martin de Goiti upon arriving from Cebu in 1570 and it encountered several bloody battles and destroyed the natives and built Fuerza de Santiago after the establishment of City of Manila under Spanish rule.

During WWII,  it also been used as prisons and dungeons  for hundreds of prisoners who were killed during the war.

Fort Santiago stands as a witness to the valor and heroism of the Filipino who fought against Spanish, Americans and Japanese invaders. It is now consider as part of the historical park including Plaza de Moriones and Rizal Shrine.

If you really want to take pictures just bring an ordinary digital camera because you may not be able to take pictures if you will bring SLR. Also, additional pocket money because they have a canteen or just in front of the Manila Cathedral there's a lot of restaurant there.