Wild Life : Avilon Zoo

"Wild Life : Avilon Zoo"

Far away from Manila is a place or rather a zoo and/or wildlife conservation called Avilon. It is located in Montalban Rizal far beyond expected distance. You’ll pass by rough, dusty and muddy roads to get here. I suggest that you take Commonwealth avenue then turn right to sandigan bayan right after the wet markets. Go straight then turn right to Litex road or formerly known as Payatas road. Take this road up to San Isidro up to the Ultramega supermarket. Just around the right corner of Ultramega is a tricycle terminal where you’ll turn right to this road.  Just follow the road and take mostly right turns and exit the Eastwood Residences. There you’ll find signs of Avilon Zoo and find it until you reach the offroad again.

When you reach the zoo, there will be an entrance of Php400 per person. If you’re bringing you cameras, you’ll have to register it with the guard on duty. You can eat lunch in the area right after the entrance. Pack lunch starts @ Php150 and there are group lunch that costs @ Php1,500. From here you’ll see different kinds of ducks, goose and the infamous supersized fish called the “arapaima” I don’t know if I spelled it right but the mere sight of this fish will definitely make you remember their name. It is about 1 meter long and 1 foot wide big meat eater fish, the ones that you can see in the discovery channel.

Moving on to the inner park you’ll see the big sign of Avilon Zoo with its slogan “Celebrating Life”. You have a choice on what to see first, wheter go to the birds, aquatic animals or the more “domesticated” animals. In my watch, you can roam the whole park in around 2 ½ hours depending on your excitement on each animal you see.

I took some shots of the much known animals alive and wished I had the skills of a wildlife photographer. Though I enjoy taking pictures of them, what I failed to do is list their names / types of families they belong to. Well, I’ll probably go back here since there are places in the zoo that are still being renovated and built for a bigger and more animals to inhabit.

I’m pretty sure that if you love animals or your kids do, you will definitely enjoy going here. Just be sure to bring a big car with plenty of gasoline because it is not your ordinary zoo that’s lying around the corner. What to bring? Water, towel, camera, tripod, and power bars. Enjoy!:)

Northbound : Pangasinan getaways

Beach. Food. Love. Life.

Pangasinan is around 4 hour drive from Manila. Take up NLEX and SCTEX to reach this big province that bridges the way to far north provinces like Baguio, La Union, and Ilocos etc. You can take the Camiling way or the usual highway to Baguio to reach this place.

When I think of Pangasinan, I think of these things: Food trip, Bangus, Puto (rice cake), and Beaches. One of the famous restaurants and personally recommended are Matutina’s and Kuya Max. But to tell you my story what I really enjoyed in Pangasinan are two particular beaches, the one in Lingayen and the other in Bolinao.

Lingayen Gulf is relatively shorter distanced than Bolinao. It’s around 4.5hr drive straight from Manila. We stayed in a place called El Puerto Marina. The resort was very welcoming. It has cottage rooms and cemented rooms both fully air-conditioned with television. Activities are fishing, kayaking, pool, badminton, billiards, ATV, and of course swimming. There’s an available pool if you don’t want to swim in the beach. Besides, the beach is another 300m walk from the resort. When you reach the beach front, large nipa huts are awaiting rooted in the fine light brown sand of Lingayen Gulf. Winds are a breeze and waves are gentler compared to beaches on the farther north. Food and cold beer are also served in the resort. If you want to relax and veer away with the hustles of the city and the parties I recommend this place.

Another beautiful but far place to go to in Pangasinan is the Puerto del Sol in Bolinao. You’ll know you’re in Bolinao if you see welcome signs of lighthouses. This resort is around 450km away from Manila. The resort has rustic designs ranging from Spanish to Italian architectural taste. There are also activity place such as darts, billiards and kayaking. The beach is not so great but don’t worry because there’s a big pool if you don’t like to swim on the beach. With not so much to talk about, you will enjoy the serene atmosphere thru eating plenty of bangus dishes, take lovely sunset photos and relax with the nature inspired ambiance of the place.

Northbound : Ilocos Tour

Sinking Bell tower in Laoag

What will you do or perhaps where will you go if there is a long weekend, you have money to spare, and company to bring? I’d say, go up north. Go to the farthest northwestern part of Luzon. Land travel to Ilocos Norte is about 12hours straight and there are buses namely Farinas that goes there on a regular basis. There are also flights to Laoag for 40mins for about Php3-Php4k per trip. If you’re up to it, drive your own car to explore most of the wonderful sightings in the Ilocos region.

It is usually advisable to leave Manila very early in the morning so the passengers (poor driver) can enjoy the sleep and come arrival will appreciate the beauty of Ilocos better. Ilocos bound is just a straight driving, mostly follow the highway and you’ll be on track. Take NLEX and SCTEX going to Tarlac. Exit in Tarlac then bound to where Baguio is. In about five to six hours you’ll be in La Union and in another 3-4 hours you’ll reach Vigan.

First stop in Ilocos is Vigan. Vigan is rustic, rich in heritage, and an amazing city. I’ll leave the details of Vigan in the Wikipedia website. Vigan is where you’ll see the cobbled-stone street of “Calle Crisologo”. There you’ll see a lot of souvenir shops ranging from antique sculptures, mugs, hats, shirts, wood sets, and their famous longganisa, chichacorn, sukang iloco (vinegar) and bagnet. Bring a couple of thousands for your family souvenir, because for sure you won’t be able to resist the charms of the local sellers here. You can also ride the kalesa (horse ride) @ around Php300 for a historical tour around Vigan city. This may take you around 1 – 2 hours depending on your trigger happy fingers allotted for photo ops.


After which, if you get hungry try to eat at the famous “Café Leona” just located near the Max restaurant in the center of the plaza. Try their Bagnet, pinakbet and their pizzas. Though I haven’t tried, I’ve heard that breakfast in “Coffee break in Vigan” is also a delight just along Calle Crisologo.  Hotels are also available within the vicinity that ranges from Php1,200 to Php5,000.

Now we carry on to Laoag, which is another 2 ½ hour drive from Vigan. You definitely won’t miss it because of the big sign welcoming tourists and locals warmly in the vicinity of Laoag city. If you’d arrive at night, stop over at the fluorescent lit sinking bell tower just about 600m from the sign of Laoag. Bring your tripod and take photos of the one of the wonders of the Philippines.

Where to stay in Laoag, Java hotel is the most popular place to stay in. Rates are slightly higher compared to other provincial hotel rates starting at Php2, 500 for Java’s deluxe room. There is cable TV, air-condition, and the food is good. Stroll around the city of Laoag at night and people will be mostly travelling by tricycles. Try the Ilocos empanada at Dap-ayan just around the corner in front of the plaza. Dine in saramsam” where pizza and pasta recipes done by Ilocanos will make you want some more @ very affordable prices. Then have your photo ops of the Museo, the plaza and other churches within the city.

Next on our itinerary, which we allocated a whole day for, were Cape Bojeador light house, Kapurpurawan rock formation, Bangui wind mills, and Paoay church. All the ones listed are farther north bound except for the Paoay church. The light house is a 30min drive from Java hotel, then another 20mins to Kapurpurawan rock formation. Last 30-40mins to Bangui windmills to see one of the World heritage sites here in North Luzon.

Everything is amazing. The rock formation and the wind mills are almost surreal. It is so grand and majestic from nature to man made. Being there is a treat.

Kapurpurawan rock formation

 After taking many photos of the places we’ve been, we went back to Paoay which is south bound of Laoag. It’s a 1 ½ drive from Bangui windmills, but feast yourself to the delightful sightings of Paoay church @ sunset and delicious menu of Herencia restaurant just in front of the church. We were lucky enough that there were no tourists / visitors that were roaming that much in the area.

Bangui windmills

Paoay Church

 After our late lunch we tried to see the sand dune but unfortunately, will be more fun if you’re in a group. So what we did, we just visited the Malacanang of the north wherein Marcos has lived with his family during the vacations of his presidency. It closes at 4pm but we’re fortunate that the guard let us in after 5pm and captured the majestic sunset on the house.

Last stop, last day Pagudpud bound. This is one of the last towns of the North. It is a 13 hour straight drive to Manila. We just visited the Patapat viaduct before sunset for our safety (there were no street lamps, curvy road). We almost regretted that we did not stopped by in the blue lagoon, but our place in Saud beach resort was also as good from the stories that I’ve heard. Rates ranges from Php3,000 per night, food are also served and a visual treat of rich blues and creamy white sand sits in front of you.

Patapat Viaduct

During my first visit, I went to Marcos palace in Batac. It’s a town after Laoag wherein you’ll see his works, his wardrobe, writings and especially his preserved body. It’s a Php50 entrance fee where you’ll taste a bit of Philippine history. 

My Ilocos trip will always delight me and will always be treasured. This is one of my trips where I saw so much beauty in the Philippines. It is one way of celebrating your vacation, be of relaxation and rekindling of one self. I'd truly say that, it is more fun in the Philippines.

Marcos Palace in Batac

Angono Rizal : Art and Food

Nemiranda's House

Angono Rizal is home to a number of artists, great food, and festivities. It also was a home to me when I was a kid. It was just on the recent years that I have appreciated my hometown. I would talk about my recent trip here to the famous, talk of the town art gallery and restaurant, Balaw Balaw.

Balaw Balaw Facade

Balaw Balaw is known as a specialty restaurant and an art gallery as well. The place is rustic, cozy, air-cooled and very antique. Many forms of art decorate the whole place. Colorful masks made from paper mache, large  sculptures of various religious personalities and different concepts and styles of paintings creates an artistic atmosphere where you may say that Filipino artists especially in Angono are undeniably talented.

Sculpture in Balaw Balaw

Sculpture in Balaw Balaw

Balaw Balaw Menu

Not to forget that Balaw Balaw is a specialty restaurant not just an art place or simply a work of art. Balaw Balaw is known for its exotic Filipino dishes. There are food made from frog legs, bayawak (monitor lizard), and snake. If you're not into these kinds of dishes, normal Filipino foods are also being served. Food are served w/ true Filipino ambiance, on banana leaves, and palayoks (clay pots). My recommendations are sinampalukang manok (chicken in a tamarind soup), Halabos (buttered shrimps), and bicol express (pork with extracts of coconut milk spiced with red and green hot pepper). Taste surpasses and justifies the price, normal dishes costs at an average of Php250.

Ensaladang Mangga & Halabos

Nemiranda's Gallery & Restaurant

Right around the corner, another famous art gallery / house now converted to a restaurant owned by Nemiranda greets us with the higantes (giants) on their front gate. These higantes are used during the higante festival on the 3rd week of November. I admire how Nemiranda designed his house/place thru his art. Walls and posts screams his artistic sculptures. He has his own gallery which displays his craft in painting. The entrance is converted to a restaurant called the Atelier Cafe. Food served are also somewhat exotic. Price and ambiance are no different with Balaw Balaw. It's a just a matter of choice on where to eat in these "artistic" restaurants.

Higante

Atelier Cafe

Atelier Cafe's K Shop

Nemiranda exhibit

Inside Nemiranda exhibit

"Small" Higantes

I bet that there are a dozen or more places to see aside from these art galleries in Angono. The well known Thunderbird resort is also found in the area. The place itself is very rural. Weather is humid but the winds are fresh and the whole atmosphere is very laid back. This place will always be a part of me. The place known as "Arts capital of the Philippines".