A Mother’s Stuff

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Monograms. All opinions are 100% mine.

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Visit the various “horno” (kiln) sites in Tuguegarao, Piat, Camalaniugan, and Rizal, which were used to manufacture bricks for construction of churches around the province (the religious and social focal points during the Spanish era). Today they are no longer used, but the old churches still standing today bear witness to the materials quality as well as to architectural traditions.

You may still come across an old Ibanag custom where some local living masters chant the verso, an oral literary tradition, accompanied by the kuribao, a native bamboo musical instrument.

In summer or after harvest time, you may witness lively ceremonies during Ibanag weddings, such as the maskota, a fun-filled community dance where the bride, groom, relatives and guests dance as a way to pitch in their gifts.

Your experience will not be complete without tasting the local “pansit” (fried noodles) with your choice of toppings. There are many pansiterias (noodle houses or counters) which serve pansit with many combinations of toppings, such as ground pork, corned beef, shrimp, quail eggs, and so on. Try the special bali-patong, Cabagan or Tumauini noodles, with egg soup.

Take a leisurely joy ride around Tuguegarao city on a “calesa” (horse-drawn vehicle) which seats 6 to 10 people (and which uses actual mag-wheel tires!).

For a glimpse of craftsmanship from olden times, see the blacksmithing work still being done in Larion Bajo, Tuguegarao where the sounds of hammers on metal can be heard from early morning. Or visit the pottery makers in Iguig who work on the clay pieces with their hands.

To see where it all began, drop by the Provincial Museum at the Capitol of Tuguegarao or other local museums to see artifacts of ancient stone tools, ornaments and pottery which show that pre-historic people who lived in the Cagayan area had already a settled way of life.

A more modern devotional site is Calvary Hills, located in Iguig, about 16 km. from the capital city, is on an 11-hectare site of rolling hills. It features larger-than-life concrete statues in tableau settings of the 14 Stations of the Cross, depicting Jesus Christ’s suffering and death on Mount Calvary .

St. Hyacinth Church (or San Jacinto Chapel) is an elevated church whose construction dates back from 1604, or more than 100 years older than St. Peter’s Cathedral. Used as American headquarters in the Filipino-American war of 1899, it was reconstructed afterward by the Americans.

The oldest bell in the Far East is in San Jacinto Polona Parish Church, in Camalaniugan. Forged in the year 1595, it was brought to Manila in 1937 as part of the attractions during the 33rd International Eucharistic Congress.

Alcala Philomene Church, built in 1881, is the widest church in the province, measuring 30 meters wide by 90 mtrs. long, yet is made principally of bricks.

St. Peter’s Cathedral is the biggest Spanish-built church in the Cagayan Valley region. Its construction was completed in 1767; it suffered massive destruction in World War II but was rebuilt and is now considered one of the most beautiful works of art in the country and the world today.

Lal-lo was one of the first four cities in the Philippines (the others being Manila, Cebu and Naga). The first bishop of the Lal-lo diocese, Miguel Benavidez, O.P., was also the founder of the University of Santo Tomas.

The Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat, in the western part of Cagayan, houses a statue and image of Mary which was first enshrined in Lal-lo in 1604 (then known as Nueva Segovia). The image is credited with miraculous cures.

Through the Earth or Over the Waters

Cagayan’s natural attractions include its numerous cave systems where you will find wonders of nature formed by tiny drops of water over millions of years. Feel the subtle energy of the earth in underground canals, rivers and lakes good for swimming, photography and even cave-diving. Explore the different cave systems: Callao with its 7 chambers, the 12-km-long Odessa-Tumbali, the 115-mtr-deep Jackpot, the underground river of Duba Cave in Baggao, and more. Learn the art of cave-crawling through various peculiar rock formations, and spelunking (rappeling/climbing).

If you want to find out your limits, let your spirit fly with a kayak or raft ride through white-water rapids in the Pinacanauan and Chico tributaries.

Or you may take a calm boat ride at dusk in Mororan, where you may see the awe-inspiring sight of thousands of bats streaming into the fading light of sunset.

Hiking, Fishing, Swimming

The long winding coastline of Cagayan harbors many spots for water-oriented activities like sports, fishing, swimming and snorkeling.

The famed Palaui Island, with its windy undulating hills is in Sta. Ana, famous worldwide for its abundant marine life and the site of national and international game fishing competitions. Explore its old Cape Engaño lighthouse, which dates back to the Spanish regime and is still the only operational lighthouse in the northeastern coast.

Numerous beach resorts within the coastal municipalities provide comfortable casual lodging and facilities for enjoying the sea. Take your choice of fine black sand beaches in Sanchez Mira, Sta. Praxedes, Claveria, Pamplona, Abulug, Buguey, Aparri, Ballesteros and Gonzaga, or fine white sand beaches in the coastal island town of Calayan.

Food

Enjoy a variety of seafood prepared in truly natural settings.

Whatever experience you choose, you will go home refreshed and reinvigorated by the magic of Cagayan.

Below are hotels and resorts you can find in the province of Cagayan:

HOTELS

VILLA BLANCA HOTEL
Address : PATTAUI ST UGAC NORTE TUGUEGARAO CITY
Classification : ECONOMY
Tel. No. : (6378) 8441819 • (6378) 8445167

HOTEL LORITA
Address : 67 RIZAL ST.,TUGUEGARAO CITY
Classification : ECONOMY
Tel. No. : (6378) 844-1390 • Fax. No. : (6378) 846-2179

HOTEL IVORY & CONVENTION CENTER
Address : BUNTUN,HIGHWAY TUGUEGARAO CITY
Tel. No. : (6378) 844-1275 • Fax. No. : (6378) 846-2179

VILLA VICTORIA HOTEL
Address : 11-A HI-WAY PENGUE-RUYU TUGUEGARAO CITY
Tel. No. : (6378) 844-0436

HOTEL ROMA
Address : LUNA CORNER BONIFACIO ST., TUGUEGARAO CITY
Tel. No. : (6378) 844-1057 • Fax. No. : (6378) 844-7678

HOTEL DELFINO
Address : GONZAGA CORNER BONIFACIO ST., TUGUEGARAO CITY
Tel. No. : (6378) 844-1952

HOTEL CANDICE
Address : COR. BLUMENTRITT & LUNA STS. TUGUEGARAO CITY
Tel. No. :(6378) 844-2001/2002 • Fax. No. (6378) 844-2003

CASA LUDIVINA TOURISH INN
Address : NATIONAL HIGHWAY, LEONARDA, TUGUEGARAO CITY
Tel. No. :(6378) 844-1568 • Fax. No. (6378) 844-1565

NEW CROWN LODGE AND RESTAURANT
Address : LUNA ST. EXT. UGAC HIGHWAY, TUGUEGARAO CITY
Tel. No. : (6378) 844-1739

HOTEL CARMELITA
Address : DIVERSION ROAD NATIONAL HIGHWAY TUGUEGARAO CITY
Fax. No. : (6378) 844-7027

TESDA HOTEL
Address : MAURA, APARRI, CAGAYAN
Tel. No. :(6378) 822-8270 • (6378) 822-8306

CEZA GUEST HOUSE
Address : CENTRO, STA ANA, CAGAYAN
Tel. No. : (6378) 585-1021

HOTEL APARRI
Address : NATIONAL HIGHWAY, MACANAYA APARRI, CAGAYAN
Tel. No. : (6378) 822-8744 • (6378) 888-2150

RYAN HOTEL
Address : RIZAL ST., MAURA, APARRI, CAGAYAN
Tel. No. :(6378) 822-8210 • (6378) 888-2369

ST. PATRICK GARDEN HOTEL
Address : NATIONAL HIGHWAY, MACANAYA APARRI, CAGAYAN
Tel. No. :(6378) 822-8545 • (6378) 888-2288

RESORTS

Resort: CLAVERIA AGRI-BASED MPC RESORT
Address : CENTRO 1, CLAVERIA, CAGAYAN
Tel. No. : (6378) 866-1084 • (6378) 866-1085
Fax No. : (6378) 822-9319

Resort: CABICUNGAN BEACH RESORT AND RESTAURANT
Address : CENTRO 6, CLAVERIA, CAGAYAN
Tel. No. : (6378) 866-1011

Resort: CLAVERIA BAYVIEW INN AND BEACH RESORT
Address : CENTRO 6, CLAVERIA, CAGAYAN
Tel. No. : (6378) 866-1071

You can go by air or by land in visiting the province of Cagayan.

Cagayan province is serviced by Air Philippines three times a week with the following schedules:
MNL-TUG 11:20am - 12:10pm and TUG-MNL12:40pm - 1:30pm
Fare is Php2,388.00 one way plus Php250.00 Insurance Fee and Php15.00 Aviation Security Fee. Students, senior citizens, children, and military personnel are entitled to discounts. Below are the contact details for reservations:

• Air Philippines Tuguegarao City Office
• Telephone No: (078) 844-1201 / 846-7199
• 24-hour Reservations:
• Telephone No: (02) 855-9000
• E-mail: reservations@airphilippines.com.ph

The following companies provide the transport requirements for the Cagayan Valley Region: Air Philippines; CHEMTRAD Aviation Corporation (TUG); SEAIR; MV Ivatan Princess; GV Florida Transport Inc.; Royal Eagle; DANGWA Transport; Baliwag Transit; Victory Liner; EMC Bus Corporation; Auto Bus Corporation; Aladdin Bus Company; Dagupan Bus Company; Deltra Bus Company; and Nelbusco

If you are planning to travel by land, Tuguegarao is about 485 kilometers north of Metro Manila and can be reached by air-conditioned bus. Independent motorists may take the North Diversion Road and exit at Sta. Rosa Exit.

Myspace Happy New Year Comments

Myspace Happy New Year Comments

Myspace Happy New Year Comments

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of DiscoverLosAngeles.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

Holidays are here and people around the world are busy with the preparation and planning of what to do and maybe where to go to celebrate the holidays. Some relatives are going for a short vacation here in the Philippines while others will make a trip to relatives abroad. Batch of relatives from Manila will visit relatives in Los Angeles so most probably the trip is scheduled next week.

Hubby went to LA twice already both are business trips but he was able to visit some places with the help of our relatives there. One of the things hubby finds amazing is the los angeles hotels. Now that holidays are here we are pretty sure that it even looks magnificent plus of course not to forget the exciting promos.

The hotels in los angeles vary profoundly to cater the different preferences of tourists and travelers. Some might like spending the holidays on the beach so LA Beachfront Hotels will be perfect for them. To many any occasion calls for a party and this is where LA Hotel Bars offer a unique atmospheres and great drinks. But of course for families out there who want to spend holidays having each other and make memorable moments those Family Friendly Hotels will sure make one for them.

LA being the entertainment capital of the world will surely offer nothing but great stuff, memories that last a lifetime and experiences to go over and over again. These holidays, there are LA new year’s eve hotel specials to check on for the family, friends, co-workers or with a special someone. Discover Los Angeles this special time of the year. Happy Holidays!

Travelers might get annoyed of people pushing this RFID project of certain government agencies. Thanks to those people fighting to stop this unobejctive and corruption-source project.

Various petitioners like Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, etc. urged the Supreme Court (SC) to stop RFID project and declare it unconstitutional which is set to be implemented on January 2010. Also, the groups are asking from SC to issue a TRO to the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) to hinder the implementation of the said project.

Stradcom Corporation will supply the RFID tag which is intended to last for 10 years and cost a one-time fee of P350. There are various violations being pointed by the petitioners aside from the fact that there is no previous approval from NEDA for the said project. Some critics are claiming that this could be a source of corruption and that the objective of the project is unrealistic.