Hundred Islands National Park

HUNDRED ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK

The Hundred Islands National Park is in the province of Pangasinan in northern Philippines. It is located in Alaminos  City, Pangasinan. The islands (124 at low tide and 123  at high tide) are scattered along Lingayen  Gulf and cover an area of 18.44 square kilometres (4,557 acres).  They are believed to be about two million years old. Only three of them  have been developed for tourists: Governor Island, Quezon Island, and  Children’s Island. The islands are actually ancient corals that extend  well inland, in an area previously comprising the seabed of an ancient  sea. Lowering sea levels have exposed them to the surface and the  peculiar “mushroom”-like shapes of some of the islands have been caused  by the eroding action of the ocean waves.

Read More

Our Lady of Manaoag Church

OUR LADY OF MANAOAG CHURCH

Our Lady of Manaoag is located in Manaoag, Pangasinan. It was given it’s canonical coronation in 1926 though the church was built in 1610. Our Lady of Manaoag is a religious shrine with with countless miraculous tales and healing powers. It is considered the pilgrimage shrine of northern Philippines.  The Pilipino Catholics consider Our Lady of Manaoag as the revered patroness of the sick, the helpless and the needy.

Read More

Umbrella Rocks

UMBRELLA ROCKS

The town of Agno is a home of Sabangan Beach, Aloleng – Bunga Beach and the Famous Umbrella Rocks. The town’s attractions are very relaxing place perfect for people who’s looking for places where they can release stress from work. You do not prevent yourself to jump and feel the coolness of the clear ocean waters, feel the fragrance of fresh air, play with the white sand, and taking some pictures of beautiful and gigantic umbrella rocks in the coast of Agno, Pangasinan.

The area is rich in natural resources and their lands are very productive in rice, magoes, vegetables and root crops. Bamboo and coconut are also abundant in this idyllic town. It is also possesses a vast fishing ground of milkfish “bangus” fry and big fish like tuna and blue marlins.

Read More

Thunderbird Resorts

THUNDERBIRD RESORTS

Thunderbird Resorts (Philippines) or Thunderbirds Resort-Hotel is the only five-star hotel-resort in Northern Luzon, Philippines. It is owned by an international property developer, anchored by casino and providing hospitality services in Asia and Latin America. It has other branches in Costa Rica, India, Nicaragua and Peru. It is located at VOA, Pennsylvania Avenue, Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone, San Fernando, La Union, fronting the finest beaches and facing the Lighthouse beside Wallace Air Station, a United States Air Force (USAF) facility located in the Philippines.

The Resort is surrounded by the Thunderbird Residences that were inaugurated in October 2010. A model unit, Athena is one of the 10 beach homes-Villas (under a rental contract) facing the main lobby of the hotel. Chloe, Selene, Alexa and Aphrodite homes are also in the Resort, which has 80 lots (within 15 hectares).

The Mediterranean-inspired architecture of the hotel has an active boardwalk inside a seaside landscape, including a golf & beach club (amid white-sand beaches built upon a scenic cliff/lake-view course standing upon a peninsula of 65 hectares of prime property). Its Fiesta Casinos features slot machines and table games near the Cabana Bar. 

The Resort overlooks the edge of a headland into the South China Sea

Read More

Surfin' Philippines

SURFIN' PHILIPPINES

 

If you are looking for a surfing destination in the Philippines, especially for beginners, then head off and hit the waves at San Juan, La Union. Here, you can get a lesson from trained surfers. Surf rental is also available. Although they have a standard price for the lesson and the rental of the surfboards, you can actually haggle for a better price especially if the beach is not too crowded with surfers. Don't expect to haggle on a summer weekend though.

Try the in and outs of surfing at San Juan Surf School. They offer affordable surfing lessons and they also encourage the kids to learn this very cool water sport.

Surf! I went to two beaches where you can surf. I don't remember what the name of the beaches were but it's something you can take note of when you're around the area and waves are too high in one beach; you can move to check the other beach. Around 15-20 minute drive to each other. 

Read More

Christ the Redeemer

 

 CHRIST THE REDEEMER

In grateful thanksgiving to the City of San Fernando and Province of La Union, Congressman Victor F. Ortega and Former Mayor Mary Jane C. Ortega and their family personally commissioned the 25 foot statue of Christ the Redeemer at Reservoir Hill, overlooking the city proper and San Fernando Bay.

This was inspired by former Undersecretary Jose “Peping” Mabanta and wife Belle Campos Zita, who put up in their retirement home in Pililla, Rizal a statue similar to that in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Ortega family thought it would be good to have a similar statue at Bacsil Ridge but Mr. Mabanta suggested that it is better to put up the statue near the city proper. When Mr. Juan Go heard about this, he offered his lot for free. Mr. Juan Go and family donated the 100 sq. meter area on which the statue stands. Having a common dream, a dream of leaving a landmark that would express their gratitude for the love and support from our community, the Ortega and Go families joined hands to have the project realized.

Since then, on Good Friday, a procession called "Mary's Way" starts at the St. William's Cathedral and the devotees walk barefoot, praying the rosary and when they reach the place of the Christ the Redeemer, they follow the Stations of the Cross donated by Gov. and Mrs. Manoling Ortega, and they recreate Christ's suffering and ending at the Christ the Redeemer statue, just when the sun rises.

Read More