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Architecture and Structures Bulacan Philippines

Malolos Historic Town Center: A Walk Through Kamistesuhan District

The Barasoain Church
The Barasoain Church

They say seven is a lucky number. If it is, I consider myself lucky to be part of the 7th edition of Lakbay Norte. The annual familiarization tour of the north Luzon is made possible by North Philippines Visitors Bureau (NPVB) under Convention and Visitors Bureau. If you have been following Ironwulf for quite sometime, I had participated in several Lakbay Norte tours including the first one which set the foundation of the succeeding tours. Lakbay Norte 7 continues the tradition of a fun whirlwind sightseeing, gustatory and adventure filled trip of the north. We didn’t have to go far from Manila to jump-start the tour. Our first stop in Bulacan has us stretching our legs to walk through the Malolos Historic Town Center and marvel at the ancestral homes, age-old churches and its history.

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Misamis Occidental Philippines Travel

Misamis Occidental | Jimenez: An Old Mystical Heritage Town

Casa de Ozamiz, one of the old heritage structures in jimenez
Casa de Ozamiz, one of the old heritage structures in jimenez

Having one of the oldest monuments in the Philippines in the form of the impressive San Juan Bautista Church, I wasn’t surprised that there were more to discover in this predominantly Catholic municipality of Jimenez, Misamis Occidental. We met with our local guide from the DOT office to give us a tour of the town. Visiting the church, it was a good idea the tourism installed a few boards showcasing the other attractions in town. Particularly noticeable were the heritage houses, a cemetery and a mysterious tree by the river.

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Benguet Museums Philippines Travel

Baguio City | Into the Laperal White House: Bamboo Art and the Haunted

The stairway to the upper floors of Laperal White House
The stairway to the upper floors of Laperal White House

Five years after my first visit to Laperal White House in Baguio City, there was a movie (which I haven’t seen), an iWitness Documentary and thousands of searches referred to my old post. There were even several invites to guest or talk about the house and a number of inquiries from researchers. I guess Filipino love horror stories. Something to scare themselves sometimes. It was only five years after when I got to revisit the place again. Now open to the public as a Bamboo Art Exhibit, visitors can now indulge themselves and unravel the mystery of this famous White House.

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Lanao del Norte Philippines Travel

Iligan City | Refreshed at Timoga Cold Springs and Side-trip at the Macaraeg-Macapagal Ancestral House

The natural flowing pools at Sitio Timoga, Iligan City
The natural flowing pools at Sitio Timoga, Iligan City

Mid-day in Iligan City. The sun was blaring, the wind feels humid and after walking around the city streets to chase the Dyandi festival performers, it was a day begging for some nice cool dip. I guess the people at Iligan Bloggers Society (IBS) had foresight of what participants want for that day as we were scheduled to visit the Timoga Cold Springs in Buru-un. Iliganons seem so enthusiastic whenever I mention we’re going there. They said it’s a place of “flowing swimming pools”.

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Philippines Travel Zamboanga del Norte Zamboanga del Norte

Zamboanga del Norte: Tracing Rizal in Dapitan

A replica of Rizal's Clinic at the Dapitan Shrine
A replica of Rizal's Clinic at the Dapitan Shrine

“This is one of the cities I could probably live in” were my first thoughts exploring the streets of Dapitan City. A city found in Zamboanga del Norte, declared a city not because of its population nor its economic stature but because of its rich heritage. The country’s National Hero, Jose Rizal, lived in this region after his exile in 1892. The mark he left with the place and the people was like an eternal echo surviving through the times. I was in Zamboanga del Norte initially for work teaching a group about photography, but I had time to retrace Rizal’s footsteps and discovered some wonderful places in the process.

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Philippines Sarangani Sarangani Travel

Sarangani: Visiting Glan’s Ancestral Houses

Glan Adarna House
Glan Adarna House Entrance Hall Window Details

When it comes to colonial or ancestral houses in the Philippines, the Luzon areas first comes to mind, particularly Vigan in Ilocos Sur then there’s also the Taal Town down south of Luzon. So I was pleasantly surprised to know there are few ancestral houses that can be found around the main town of Glan municipality in Mindanao. The group decided to do a mid-day visit to Glan from Gumasa White Beach and have our lunch there as well. Coco Beach was kind enough to drive us up to Glan with their pick-up truck.

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Batangas Travel

Batangas: The Gift that is the Villavicencio House of Taal

Villavicencio House Mesa de Altar

Villavicencio House Mesa de Altar

Gift is such as special word. And in this holiday season, gift giving even becomes a more popular practice. From small items, to shiny gadgets or expensive clothes, people have different ways to express their gratitude or love by giving gifts. And for a man during the Spanish times like Eulalio Villavicencio, it is giving a house was the perfect gift for his bride Gliceria Marella for their wedding. Built in 1871, the symbol of their love surely stood the test of times.

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