Cabugao, Ilocos Sur

Cabugao is a first-class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur. It is 30 minutes away from Vigan.

Under the administration of Dr Diocaesar Suero, Cabugao has emerged as the top-ranking town in Ilocos Sur for its achievements, from a merely second-to-the-last rank during the previous administration. It has became the Cleanest, Greenest, Healthiest Town of Ilocos Sur. It also became part of the prestigious sisterhood of the cleanest and greenest towns in the country, lining up with Los Baños, Laguna and Marikina City. It boosts also its recognition as having the highest literacy rate in Ilocos Sur. From the Hall of Famer market to being the most improved municipality in Ilocos Sur, no wonder that the father of the municipality is continuously being awarded as Distinguished Public Servant.

A -- the Presidencia, the seat of mayorship
B -- the path to divination (the patron is St Mark the Evangelist)
C -- the Northern Ilocos Sur Trade Center, Hall of Fame awardee for the Cleanest and Healthiest Market in Region I
D -- the dam
E -- now you might be wondering why there are red letters there (that's the nickname of the Mayor)
F -- the town's motto! (in English, Let's Go, Cabugao!)

Where to go / What to do in Cabugao?

The town can offer its white sand for a complete beach experience. The most popular is the beach in barangay Pug-os, also known as the Boracay of the North. Surfers can go to barangay Sabang for great choices in waves.
There are also waterfalls at the eastern portion of the town. Or, eat your heart out with famous Ilocano dishes, like pinakbet, dinengdeng, dinakdakan, among others.

Traversing Mt Cinco Picos to Silanguin Cove

Mt Cinco Picos is one of the popular mountains in the coastal province of Zambales. There are ongoing protests in the mountaineering community regarding the expensive entrance and guide fees required by the Aetas living in the area. Read the related article here.

When we went there last April, I asked one of the guides why there are sights of burnt grasses and trees. He told me that they intentionally do it to attract deer and clear the area for wild boar hunting. Though this is not environmentally-sound, the people who do this are indigenous. They do not have other source of income, but this should not justify their slash-and-burn activities in the mountain. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the local government of Zambales should tighten their grip over these areas to avoid further destruction. They can issue ordinances that allow the indigenous people in the area to continue with their rituals, traditions and other perennial activities but not at the expense of the mountain.

Tips:
Make sure to take the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), take the exit leading to Subic, then exit to Zambales.

1. Secure permits first from the police station. Guides will take you to the jump-off point. Register and secure guides (900pesos per guide good for the whole trekking; porter is also 900pesos.)

2. Trek early (eg 4:00AM) to avoid the scorching rays of the sun. Expect that during summer, heat comes from above and below. Pack a lot of water.
3. After reaching or exploring the surroundings through the visible 3 peaks of the mountain, you can go directly to the nearby Silanguin Cove.
4. Silanguin Cove is more serene than the popular Anawangin Cove. Lesser people go here so you can have the beach on your own. Softdrinks are sold from 55pesos to 80pesos. Ice is supplied every afternoon via the banca "Kambal."
5. You can arrange for sidetrips to Anawangin Cove and Capones Island (for its jade water and lighthouse) before proceeding to Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales.
6. For the budget: 2,000pesos is enough to go through Mt Cinco Picos and Silanguin Cove, including Anawangin Cove and Capones Island.

Traversing Mt Makiling

Mount Makiling is probably one of the most enchanting mountains in the Philippines. With the legend of Maria Makiling at its helm, this mountain could surprise in so many different ways. Ridges and gullies are covered with thick vegetation. Pitchers and Rafflesia are amazing and would astonish you.

How to traverse the mountain?
1. If you are coming from Manila, take any Batangas-bound bus and get off at Sto Tomas Public Market. Take a trike to the barangay hall of San Bartolome (fare is 14pesos or less) and pay a registration fee of 20pesos.
2. Be cautious as some parts are confusing. Be careful if you are doing it on your own. Lipang kalabaw, scientifically known as Dendrocnide meyeniana (Walp.) Chew, abounds near Peak 2.

3. Exit through the traditional trail at the University of the Philippines Los Baños College of Forestry and Natural Resources (UPLB-CFNR). There are ladders and ropes installed in the area that makes trekking in this part a lot easier than before.

4. According to pinoymountaineer.com, this is a major climb with 6/9 difficulty and trail class of 3 with roped segments. Be prepared when the weather gets nasty (read: rainy) as trails become really slippery.
5. According to a professor of UPLB-CFNR, traversing the mountain is prohibited as it is classified as forest reserve.

Pug-os Beach

Pug-os is known as the "Boracay of the North" for its powdery, white sand. Locals can also be seen making fine salt along the beach.

How to get here?
1. Take Ilocos-bound buses (Florida in Pasay or Cubao, Fariñas Trans in España area). Tell the dispatcher to drop you at Cabugao (Pug-os/Cabugao Beach Resort). If you are taking the plane (Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific) from Manila, then you need to take a trike/jitney from the Laoag International Airport to Laoag City proper. Then, catch a 1-hour bus ride to Cabugao. SEAir offers direct flights to Vigan.

2. There are only few resorts/B&B in the area. You can opt to stay in Vigan (just a 30-minute bus ride) where more hotels are available. You can also roam around the UNESCO World Heritage Site (Vigan) if you would like to have a break from being a beach-bum.

The Heritage City of Vigan

Vigan (old name: Ciudad Fernandina) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its ancient Spanish houses and cobblestone streets.

How to get here:
* By air: From the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, you can take Philippine Airlines or Cebu Pacific Air to Laoag International Airport in Laoag City (capital of Ilocos Norte). From the airport, take the trike or jitney to downtown Laoag. Ask the driver to bring you to any bus terminal (eg Partas). Fare from Laoag City to Vigan is ca 120pesos.
* By land: There are buses from Manila bound for Vigan. Partas in Aurora Boulevard, Quezon City and Dominion Bus Lines along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) are the only two buses that go inside the city of Vigan. If you are taking other buses like the comfortable Florida Bus Line, then you can tell the driver to drop you at Bantay near the arch entrance to Vigan.

Where to go / What to do in Vigan:

1. Casa de Padre Burgos. This is the original house of one of the three martyr priests during the Philippine Revolution against the Spaniards. This has been made into museum by the National Museum of the Philippines. Some of the exhibits inside include the original dining area, famous Ilocanos who have made history and other significant artifacts.

2. Vigan Cathedral. The distinction of this church is its separated bell tower. According to literature, the separation is done to avoid massive damage during earthquake. The posts of the church served as tombs of early Ilocanos like the famous poetess Leona Florentino.

3. Pagburnayan. This is a small village known for its earthen jars. You can ask for a demonstration of jar-making.

4. Ride a calesa. Rate: 150pesos for an hour.

5. Eat sinanglao. This is the traditional hotpot made of beef innards. It costs ca 45pesos per serving. Check this out in Plaza Salcedo.

6. Eat empanada. This is the best empanada in the Philippines. Also in Plaza Salcedo. (Photo credit: adlaw's flickr)

7. Eat Vigan longganisa (sausage). The taste is just so wonderful. It just makes me want to go home and have a feast of this sausage. (Photo credit: PV Sandrino)

8. Walk and be seduced with the night lights of the Heritage Village.

Other places of interest: Syquia Mansion, Crisologo Museum, Bantay Bell Tower (old Vigan bell tower) and white sand beaches in Cabugao and other nearby towns.