ILOCOS TOUR Itinerary 2017

ASEAN Summit Holiday well spent..very well spent by #TeamRYCE

Day1:
SUBIC
-Nike Factory Store
BAGUIO
-check in at Prince Plaza Hotel

Day 2:
BAGUIO
-Burnham Park
-Session Road
-Lunch at 456 Restaurant in Session Road
-back at Prince Plaza hotel for check out
-Start our Journey going to Vigan

ILOCOS SUR
VIGAN
-Eat dinner at Tapa King Narvacan
-Check in at OveMar Resort Hotel
-Experience nightlife in Calle Crisologo


Day 3
ILOCOS SUR
VIGAN
-Explore Ovemar Resort Hotel
-Visit San Vicente Beach near The resort
-Check out at the hotel
-Lunch and tour at Hidden Garden
-Tour at Baluarte
-Check in at Casa Teofila Lodge
-Visit Saint Augustine of Hippo Parish Church
Shrine of Our Lady of Charity
-Explore Bantay Church Bell Tower
-Checked out Chapel by the ruins
-Visit Plaza Salcedo
-Try Vigan's famous empanada at Plaza Burgos
-Eat dinner at Jollibee Vigan
-Watch dancing fountain at Plaza Salcedo
-Tour Calle Crisologo by Kalesa
-Back at the hotel


Day 4
ILOCOS SUR
VIGAN
-Eat breakfast at Casa Teofila Lodge
-Checked out at the hotel
-Pray and Visit the Cathedral of Vigan
-Tour via Kalesa
-Visit the National Museum's Padre Burgos house
-Try pottery making at Pagburnayan Jar Factory
-End of Kalesa tour at Calle Crisologo
-Back to Calle Crisologo for pasalubong search
-Picture taking at Vigan arc
-Go to Marsha's Delicacies for pasalubong treats (but wasn't able to bring it home since their products can only last for hours)
-Extreme ride at Ilocos Sur Adventure Zone
-Photo Op Quezon Bridge
-Back again to Vigan Capangpangan to buy Bagnet and Vigan Longganisa at Carl Louie's Vigan Longganisa and Bagnet
-Back to Road driving going to Ilocos Norte


ILOCOS NORTE
-Eat dinner at Mang Jose's Eatery
-Check in at Northview Hotel in Ilocos Norte


Day 5
ILOCOS NORTE
-Swimming at Northview Hotel
-Eat complimentary breakfast at Northview hotel
-Checked out at Northview hotel


LAOAG ILOCOS NORTE
-Visit Church of Laoag - St. William’s Cathedral -Photo Op at Sinking Bell Tower
-Photo Op at Aurora Park
-Visit Museo Ilocos Norte


BACARRA ILOCOS NORTE
-Visit Museo de Bacarra
-Visit BACARRA CHURCH(Bacarra Church & Bell Tower Ruins
-Bacarra Domeless Belfry


BURGOS ILOCOS NORTE
-Go to Cape Bojeador Lighthouse Burgos
-Burgos Wind Farm
-Horseback riding at the beach going to Kapurpurawan rock formation
-Picture taking at Kapurpurawan White Rock formation


BANGUI ILOCOS NORTE
-Bangui Windmills
-Late lunch in an eatery along the road.


PAOAY ILOCOS NORTE

-Malacañang of the North (but it's already closed a few minutes before we came)
-Paoay church at night.
-Dinner at Herencia Restaurant (home of the pinakbet pizza)
-Drive back to Manila



Day 6
BAUANG LA UNION
-Rest and checked in at China Sea Beach Resort Bauang La Union
-Eat breakfast at China Sea Beach Resort
-Buy dried fish at La Union McArthur Hi-Way


QUEZON CITY
-Watch Justice League at SM North Edsa
-End of tour

Golden Beach of Patar in Bolinao Pangasinan 2012

This is actually our first time traveling to a province other than Baguio City. It is also our first time going to the beach🏖 as a family👪and planning our trip without a tour guide. And it is our first time in an unknown place to us with no one to accompany us but only us 3. At first, it was a bit scary, especially we have with us our 3yr old son then Erky. But we want to take the chance.

#TeamRYCE in Patar Golden Beach in Pangasinan

I have already previously blogged some of the places we've visited in our Bolinao Tour 2012.

Cape Bolinao Lighthouse

St.James the Great Parish

Golden Beach in Patar Bolinao 

Now we will share our experience and photos in the famous Golden Beach in Patar Bolinao Pangasinan. As mentioned on my previous blog we've commuted🚌from Manila going here. While touring we hire the tricycle driver who has brought us to Bing's Beach Resort the night we arrived in Bolinao. Let me just share that the people here are so accommodating and very kind. The fear we had while traveling going to the resort since it's super late at night then was changed the moment we arrived at the resort when we have already had a talk with the people there as well as our driver.


Going back to the Golden Beach, after Cape Bolinao we head directly to the public beach which is the Golden Beach in Patar. The moment we saw the sand from the tricycle where we are, we were already amazed! Then Manong driver brought us nearer to the shore. And that is when our hearts almost fell with the scenery. Our first time falling in love with the ocean. What we first thought when we saw it was "God was really good.". For he made an excellent place on earth like this. This may not be the most beautiful beach in the universe but this is a piece of heaven on earth.




We were owed, amazed, shocked and at the same time thankful that we get to see and experience this place. This is the best public beach for us. You can swim and roam in the place for free. But if you need a shady place to take a rest you can rent a cottage for a minimal price of 150 or rent a cottage type room with air condition for 2500/night. Way back in 2012, there's still no resorts or hotels near the public beach.

Cottages for Rent. 

Since we're having a tour with our Manong driver we just took pictures, stay for a while in a Bangca near the shore. We really want to experience the beach and have a dip but the problem is the waves when we arrived there was a bit high and since we have a 3yr old kid with us we prefer not to swim for safety. We just have our feet experience the waves and the sand. But it was a great feeling really even if we weren't able to swim. The view was amazing!








Let me also share that before Patar Beach was still not that crowded. In 2012, it is still one of those beaches not normally explored by beachgoers. Only a few have discovered it way back then.


The shore was clean.

Footprints in the sand.

Not crowded.




The waters are clear and you won't see any floating garbage's.

crystal clear waters of Patar 

No one is littering.

Can you see how clear the water and shore was? 

And the place was a real beauty.




Here are more pictures on our Patar Golden Beach tour in 2012.

Me, playing like a kid in the water. 

The happiness in my husband's face. 

Looking back now, we are so much thankful and feel really blessed that we were able to experience the beauty of this once undiscovered place.





I will soon blog more of our Patar Beach visit.

You may check it out soon:



Thank you for reading.

Enjoy exploring with #TeamRYCE.

Photo Vlog: Beautification Project 2017

NLEX project WE should APPRECIATE.

Another long weekend has passed, first because of the ASEAN Summit held in Manila that's why a Non-Working holiday was declared for April 28, 2017, for Metro Manila peeps only and another holiday for May 1, the annual Labor Day.

It was really an unplanned getaway since before we left in the morning of April 28, I even worked from Night Shift, ended my work at 7 am and my husband woke up and asking are we all set? Can we leave? Tada! Me? Clueless. 🤣🤣🤣

I thought we've agreed we're not leaving for the weekend since my family has already left the night before to Pangasinan.

So to make the long story short, we've packed our things, and leave the house as fast as we could so we could catch up with the group who's already swimming at the beach.

Then off course, heading to the Northern province of the Philippines, you won't get there easily unless you pass by the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) or you take the service road and get to Pangasinan for 4 to 5 hrs if you're lucky enough to not encounter heavy traffic. 👊


This is one "BIG POGI POINTS" for the NLEX team. While crossing the road the other week, we were amused by the sight of beautiful flowers in the middle of the road, North Luzon Expressway to be exact. We have never seen this before, colorful and beautiful flowers in the middle of the street and in the middle of the stressing traffic. Thumbs up for whoever think of making this possible.


We hope that they'll get to have the long stretch of NLEX as well as all the expressways in the Philippines to have this beautiful flowers in the middle of the street. It was really inviting, de-stressing and we're loving it.

Video captured! 

Why are we so amazed at seeing this flowers? The last time we've checked and traveled this road was not over a year ago. And that long stretch in the middle of the road was once a dusty, construction workers and diggers all over and it wasn't nice at all.

You'll be upset before because you were driving a heavy traffic and all you can see was dust and all.

But now, we're really excited about this. We're hoping that they get to have more and more flowers, trees and a more positive North Luzon Expressway in the future, including less traffic, though it is way lesser than the traffic in the Metro 😜





I'm hoping to see sunflowers next time hahaha 😁 Surprise me NLEX as you did now.

Photo Vlog: Enchanted Cave Bolinao Pangasinan 2012

Traveling up north? Visiting Bolinao Pangasinan? Before heading up to Patar Beach or after sunbathing in their golden sands, try exploring this Amazing cave. "Nakatago pero hindi nagtatago."

One of Bolinao's hidden treasure. The Enchanted Cave.

Photo Vlog: Cape Bolinao Lighthouse 2012

Photo Vlog: St.James the Great Parish in Bolinao Pangasinan 2012

Photo Vlog: The Old Diplomat Hotel

Photo Vlog: ISDAAN Floating Resto Fun Park in Gerona, Tarlac

Photo Vlog: Bing's Beach Resort Bolinao Pangasinan

Photo Vlog: MC Hotel Novaliches Quezon City

Manila Mango Vanilla from Kuya Jun's bakeshop

Now, this is my favorite, of all the 3 cakes we've ordered from Kuya Jun's Bakeshop for my son's 8th Birthday.

See related post below:
Kuya Jun's Bakeshop
Yummy Yema White Lace Cake
Choco Kisses & Caramel Squiggles Chiffon Cakes

Manila Mango Vanilla by Kuya Jun's Bakeshop

Well, actually when I call to order, the only flavor in my mind is the Yummy Yema cake, because my son loved yema cake so much and a chocolate cake, whatever chocolate cake since my husband will only like chocolate cakes, he may eat some and take a bite of cake flavors that is not chocolate but that's it ONLY a BITE.

So how was I able to decide for the Manila Mango Vanilla? Because I have already inquired too much and the phone is hot already? Well sort off, but not quite. My son and husband loved Mango, the fruit, yes the fruit, that sweet mango. And the name of the cake got me to order it. Since we do not want to have 2 cakes similar in flavor, and we would also like to try different cakes and for our guest too, why not try something new. Something we haven't tried buying before even in other bakeshops.

The question is, why Manila? When their place is in Quezon City and Taguig? Or why not the Philippines? Hmm, I haven't dared to ask, but I guess because it sounds better with that name and it rhymes as well. Would you fall for Quezon City Mango Vanilla or Taguig Mango Vanilla or PH Mango Vanilla? Those name wouldn't be too attractive right?

I am not a fan of vanilla in any desserts, be it a cake even I loved cake so much or even in ice cream. The taste is too basic for me, #MyOpinion #MyTaste. But what really caught me was the mango icing! I swear, first time I dipped my finger on the cake and tasted that yellow or orange-like color on this cake, it melted my heart. That really got me. It really tastes like mango, it feels like I tasted a ripe and very sweet mango freshly picked from the tree. Aside from the outside taste of mango, in the middle of this chiffon cake lies a layered of those mango taste. It complements the simplicity of vanilla and provides a not too sweet, not too basic taste of a mango and vanilla cake. But I would love this more if they added more of that mango taste. The mango flavor is a bit short for my taste, they should have added more.

By the way, did I already mention that this is only 550 pesos? For that elegant taste, I think this is worth the price.

So try this one out. And have a taste of that delightful Manila Mango Vanilla cake.

Location: G/F Metrolane Complex, P. Tuazon Blvd corner 20th Ave, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines
Facebook page: Kuya Jun's Bakeshop

Choco Kisses & Caramel Squiggles Chiffon Cakes from Kuya Jun's Bakeshop

                                                                

For all the 3 cakes that we ordered for my son's 8th birthday, this was the only one that he keeps on eating. this is the only one he likes by the way. If my nephew liked the Yummy Yema, well my son loved this cake so much. My husband just had a few bites for this cake and everything else was eaten by my son. Less than 1/4 of the cake tasted by others and the remaining was for him ALONE!

But let me clarify that he doesn't eat it in one seating 😁, we're still able to take this home from our dinner and since it was Friday when we celebrated his Birthday, all weekend long when he asks for something to eat he'll always ask for the chocolate cake.

R stands for Rafael for my son's 2nd word on his first name, just stating facts 😁.

As stated on this cakes name Choco Kisses, it is obvious that it has chocolate kisses on top of the cake, but sadly, what you see on top are ALL the chocolate kisses this cake have. There are no chocolate kisses inside as well, so sad 😞. I would assume it has between 20-30 mini chocolate kisses in all.

For the Caramel Squiggles, just like the chocolate kisses what you see outside is what you get. That gold like spirals on the four corners of the cake where the caramels. But in all fairness, the caramel taste good. But sadly that is all you can get.

But this cake redeemed it's greatness for the "Chiffon Cake" on its name. Obviously, everything inside is chiffon, with layered cream or icing in the middle. And this is a proven truth with their tagline that their cakes are 25% less sweet. Yes, it is less sweet, but it tastes good! You can't imagine how my son keeps on coming back for more of this cake.
We all know that most kids have sweet tooth and they were fond of anything sweet, call it a dessert. And cakes are one of them, but I can be sure that even diabetic adults would love to try this. The sweetness isn't overpowering.

Ask me if I would buy this cake again? Well definitely Yes, because my son loves it. I am just a bit disappointed with the name. The name says too much, you'll expect much but the name doesn't deliver. I would prefer a simple name for this so when someone tried it they'll be surprised with the taste they will get from trying #JustSaying.

To show how much my son loved the cake, check out the video below.

All in all the rating was good, giving this a 4 star, cause it tastes good, my son loves it, the sweetness is just great, and diabetics would love it too. Minus one for the name that doesn't deliver much.

So try this now. I'm sure your kids would love it too.

Price: 550 Php
Location: G/F Metrolane Complex, P. Tuazon Blvd corner 20th Ave, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines
Facebook page: Kuya Jun's Bakeshop

Kuya Jun's Bakeshop

It was my son Ethan Rafael Kent's 8th birthday last January 27, 2017, and since we just had a big party on his 7th birthday and even from his 4th, 5th, and 6th, we've decided we want it simple this year but we still want my son to enjoy it.

Not like on the previous year, I really didn't plan well for his 8th birthday, due to time constraints and maybe also because I just gave birth to my 2nd child last October and still hasn't recovered yet from my C-section. That's why a party is really a No no this year. I've started planning for his birthday two weeks before the big day, so the plan was only to eat out for dinner with our family, from my side and my husband's side, get him a gift, and of course, the cake will always be a part of every birthday.

At first, I was thinking of getting him a fondant cake designed with Minecraft and Superman, since we won't be spending much for a simple dinner it would be best if we still get him the best cake since he loved his cars/transformers themed cake last year, see my Decobake post. I already saw the best deal for it with our previous cake supplier from his 7th birthday and was even able to get the best price for it, but upon inquiring the deal for a 2 layer cake would cost 3999 pesos but the upper layer would only be a styro with design, meaning it's not all edible and we only have the lower layer to be eaten and that changed my mind. I even message my college classmate who's running a cake business but unfortunately, he wasn't able to accommodate my order as they have already booked a lot of order for the same week of my son's birthday.  And another one messages me if I would like to order from them, but I didn't like cake designs from them.

So while browsing on facebook I saw a post/page liked by a friend, those were yummy looking cakes and looks so adorable too. And so I clicked on the page of Kuya Jun's Bakeshop, checked out on photos and of course the reviews for this bakeshop.

Captured from Kuya Jun's bakeshop FB page

What first captured my eyes was their rainbow dedication cake which I thought would be nice for my son's simple dinner and since my son loves YUMMY YEMA WHITE LACE cake so much, the picture below. Actually while browsing and reading the reviews the first time, I was sure that I will get the cake from them already. The reviews were overwhelming. Most of the reviews were 5 stars.

Captured from Kuya Jun's bakeshop FB page

And to my excitement, I dropped a comment on one of their photo, the one which I really liked and was already thinking that I would also get that for my 2nd child's 3rd-month celebration on January 30. Those were the LETTER, NUMBER & SYMBOL cakes. They were rapid enough to answer my queries on Facebook. The 8" x 8' X 2" Letter Cakes price is 550 Php per letter or number or symbols. And you have 7 flavors to choose from their popular and bestselling YUMMY YEMA WHITE LACE, to Pandan Latik, Ube Yummm, Tsok Nut, Manila Mango Vanilla, Mocha Espresso, and Choco Kisses & Caramel Squiggles Chiffon Cakes.

Captured from Kuya Jun's bakeshop FB page

The next day, after discussing it with my husband, I already dialed Kuya Jun's Bakeshop number and placed my order. I ordered 3 letter cakes since my son's first name composed of 3 words, Ethan Rafael Kent,  for E, I ordered their bestseller YUMMY YEMA WHITE LACE Cake, for R, I choose Choco Kisses & Caramel Squiggles Chiffon Cakes and for K is the Manila Mango Vanilla, so we will have a variety of flavors to taste and choose from. I also requested to have the name of my son written on each cake and a Happy 8th Birthday as well and everything was possible and I am glad because all my request will be granted. The lady who answered my call and received my order was so kind, she is very accommodating with all my questions. And a thumbs up for that.

After we finalized my order she had texted me the total amount and I was a bit confused because I am just expecting that my total bill will be 1650 Php since I have ordered 3 cakes that cost 550 pesos each, but the total amount sent to me was 1890 Php, though she mentioned in her text that the 240 pesos included in my bill were for a bigger board for my dedication. That makes me a little sad because they didn't mention it when I inquired on facebook and when we are talking over the phone, to me it was like hidden charges. And then I replied back if it would be ok if we don't get a bigger board instead have it written on top of the cake because if in case we weren't able to consume all the 3 cakes we'll still be able to keep it on the refrigerator. This may be one of the downsides from them, I've texted them on Jan 24 and text them again in the afternoon to follow up on their reply so I could deposit my payment already. But I still have to call them again to verify, and their explanation is they cannot allow having it written on top of the cake because they have intricate designs and it was for copyright. Explanation accepted. I understand that since they really have a beautiful cake design and it's really a work of art that's why I am ordering right? Actually, it wouldn't be an issue at all if they were transparent about it right. 

Another downside is that, for meetups you need to pay 10% of your total amount which they say is for the handling fee, again, this is for meetups, not delivery since they mentioned that they don't deliver in Novaliches Quezon City. My question is why? when we have to meet halfway, I am paying my order and would also travel to get the cakes I ordered to them. They even reasoned out that half of the 10% that I will pay, let says I'll be charged 300 pesos, they will give me back 150 pesos if I came on time. Though given, time is gold I understand but it seems they charged more than the leading bakeshops in the country would bill for delivery. So we opt to pick up the cake in their Cubao branch instead.

Oh well enough of that, what matters is the cake looks really yummy and beautiful. And I don't want to ruin my mood as it is done already. Yet I wanted to share to my readers my experience. The same day I deposited my full payment on their BDO account.

On January 27, the day for us to pick up our most awaited cake. I was surprised that the bakeshop isn't that big as I've expected it would be. But it was clean and their staffs were really accommodating and they're all smiling and all. Five stars for their staffs. But there is one thing we've noticed when we mentioned that we'll have to pick up on the ERK letter cakes, they don't even ask us for our deposit slip or receipts. They didn't even bother asking our names to verify. OMG, if the customer is bad enough they'll be fooled already. So it makes me think twice, that if I order again I shouldn't pay in full anymore. 

Here are our letter cakes by Kuya Jun's Bakeshop. As you can see, the design of those cakes was beautiful. Especially the design of the YUMMY YEMA WHITE LACE cake, 2 thumbs up for their designer/baker. They deserved a standing ovation for their design. I am writing a separate blog for the cakes so I can share with you our experience for the first time with Kuya Jun's Bakeshop.

Yummy letter cakes with my birthday boy ERK.

YUMMY YEMA WHITE LACE Cake Letter E
Choco Kisses & Caramel Squiggles Chiffon Cakes flavor
K with Manila Mango Vanilla

Aside from the cakes, we also bought Pande Adobo, Tunapay, Cinnamon Rolls and of course the Number candles.

My husband loved Cinnamon bread of any type and shape. That's why when he saw the 2 Cinnamon Rolls he didn't hesitate to grab it. I haven't tasted it, but according to my husband this was SOOOOO delicious 😋, well I think I wasn't able to taste it because he didn't offer it to me 😒. My god, he finished the 2 cinnamon rolls in an instant.

Grabbed from Kuya Jun's bakeshop FB page

TUNAPAY. We were so hungry that day as we haven't eaten our lunch yet and it's already past 2pm, then I saw the bread on Buy1 Take1 when we picked up the cakes so I grabbed 2, since I love tuna sandwich why not give this one a try. I know I am starving but I know what I've tasted, their Tunapay was sooo good! Actually, I would want to re-heat it as I like it better when it's hot but I can't wait to get another bite of it and so those 2 Tunapay's didn't reach our house anymore. The tuna was somehow your typical type of tuna in a can, but what I really loved about it was the white horizontal glazed on the bread. It was like a sweet cream and it complemented with the taste of the tuna. This is really a Must try! But I would recommend to re-heat it first, I know it will be more delicious when reheated. Btw, this is only 25pesos for a buy one take one that time.

Grabbed from Kuya Jun's bakeshop FB page

PANDE ADOBO. Luckily this is also on a buy one take one that afternoon, but unfortunately, there is only one left. So we bought it for only 13pesos for a piece. After my husband finished the 2 Cinnamon rolls he then attacked this one. I bet he is really hungry! And because of that, all he can say is "MASARAP". And then again, I wasn't able to give it a try. My husband was so hungry and I didn't bother asking him for a single bite.

Grabbed from Kuya Jun's bakeshop FB page

All in all our experience are remarkable. If I could rate them 5 being the highest, I would give them 4 stars, as they really exceeded my expectations. Minus 1 for the hidden charges. So the next time you will have an event, why not try something new? And if you decide to try it out, I've provided their contact numbers below and how you can place your order.

Grabbed from Kuya Jun's bakeshop FB page

Happy Reading, Happy Eating!

Location: G/F Metrolane Complex, P. Tuazon Blvd corner 20th Ave, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines
Facebook page: Kuya Jun's Bakeshop

YUMMY YEMA WHITE LACE cake from Kuya Jun's Bakeshop

As mentioned in my previous post, I'll be writing a separate blog for Kuya Jun's letter cakes.

The first time I've checked out on Kuya Jun's FB page and upon checking the reviews most of the praises are for their YUMMY YEMA WHITE LACE cakes, and that made me curious and for that the first flavor that I ordered for my son's 8th birthday was the YUMMY YEMA WHITE LACE cake for letter E, which stands for my son's first word of his first name Ethan.

YUMMY YEMA WHITE LACE cake by Kuya Jun's Bakeshop

As you can see in the picture, the design was carefully made and the intricate design shows that it was a work of art and the baker's hard work makes it more special. It was in every detail, every dot beautiful, every icing squeezed shows love for their cakes.

And that is the reason they don't allow writing the dedications on top of the cake. And as mentioned on my previous post on Kuya Jun's Bakeshop, if you want to have a dedication for their cakes but are NOT their dedication cake itself, you will have to pay an additional 80 pesos for a larger board so they can write your dedications on the extra board and not on top nor at the corner or any part of the cake. Just like the one below.

captured from Kuya Jun's FB page

Yummy Yema cake is a chiffon cake coated in Yema frosting and designed with Vanilla icing incorporated together to create a Yummy as the name implies, and delicious dessert for everyone. As claimed by Kuya Jun's Bakeshop their cakes are "25% less sugar added than standard recipes", and I believe they are true to their claim. Not your typical "known" Yema cake, with Kuya Jun's their cakes, are not too sweet, Yes I said it right, this is the Yema cake that is not too sweet. The sweetness is at its right blending and not overpowering. In other words, "Hindi nakakasawa".
You'll never know how much the kids love it like one of my nephews keeps on coming back for more.

Though there is one thing I've noticed, there are some parts, though not all as to my sense of taste (not really sure if the other's notice it, especially the kids who loved it) some parts of the chiffon cake inside was a bit dry, because I choked on my first bite. Or I just ate bigger parts that's why?

Oh well, all in all, this cake was really good. I swear the kids loved it!

Kuya Jun's Bakeshop, you nailed it!

Price: 550 Php
Location: G/F Metrolane Complex, P. Tuazon Blvd corner 20th Ave, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines
Facebook page: Kuya Jun's Bakeshop