Currimao is Actually Beautiful

The name of the town Currimao (Ilocos Norte, Philippines) to me sounded like a name of a folklore monster. According to my research, its name was derived from what the locals used to call pirates who frequently came by during the Spanish regime.

And unlike its name, Currimao is a actually beautiful and scenic place. It's worth a side trip on your way to the church of Paoay and to Laoag should you plan to visit Northern Luzon soon.

Loving Lea

Last night I saw the Lea Salonga Concert "Lea, My Life On Stage". I have never missed any concert of Lea Salonga in Manila for the past seven years. And I must say this one is really memorable for a Lea Salonga fan like me.

This show is a tribute to her 30 years in show business. And here, she was candid enough to admit some of the biggest failures in her life: her not being a Filipino pop star and the two month stint of Flower Drum Song in New York. Lea admitting to these failures, is inspiring especially for someone who always saw her as the benchmark of success for a Filipino artist.

Some songs moved me to tears as they were beautifully re-created by Gerard Salonga and Filharmonika: "Two Words" and "I Still Believe in Love". Some numbers were heart pounding: Miss Saigon segment and Les Miserables Encore number. Some numbers were quite personal and would require genuine interest on Lea's personality for one to appreciate.

All in all, the night encapsulated all the best of Lea Salonga's unparalleled career. And it was such a treat to a fan like me.

The Majesty of Paoay Church

The Paoay Church (Ilocos Norte, Philippines) has an imposing beauty on anyone who sees it for the first time. Built by the Augustinian friars in the 19th century, this structure is a unique combination of Gothic, Baroque and Oriental design. Don't forget to try the native delicacies right in front of the church!

Silent Boracay

If one craves for silence in Boracay, Fairways and Blue Waters is the perfect place in this island. An exclusive and gated community, it is complete with a golf course, lovely pool and for me the most important, a beach sanctuary, where one could enjoy the fine white sand and clear water without the crowd -- A perfect setting for a yoga practice.

The Kiltepan Trek

The Kiltepan Point is one of the highlights in a Sagada trip. It's about an hour and a half trek from the town hall. The kiltepan peak offers an awesome view of rice terraces. Unfortunately, I only have a point and shoot camera, so my camera could barely capture the wonderful details of this view. I'm sharing some of the views on my way up.

The Lighthouse at Punta Malabrigo

This lighthouse in Punta Malabrigo is located in Lobo, Batangas (Philippines), a 20 kilometer rough road travel from the city of Batangas. One thing that struck me as I first visited this place is the silence amidst the vast land and sea that borders this area. This is the first lighthouse that I have ever visited, and I was amazed how time and history have been painted slowly all throughout this structure. Just a warning though, you would need an SUV to get to this place. (Photography by Jay Altarejos)

The Lights of Julia Vargas

Before the renovation of Megamall (Ortigas, Philippines), I enjoyed sitting at the Sugarhouse overlooking Julia Vargas st. while eating my favorite cake. The silent movement of the cars below me was a very relaxing sight. I captured this "juxtaposition" of light through the glass beside me. And the result was quite interesting.

Vigan in the Evening

Max's Restaurant was the only place in Vigan (Ilocos Sur, Philippines) that had wi-fi. It was way past ten, the place had to close and there was barely anything that we can do. So before we went to our inn, I snapped this photo of the famous Crisologo street as the street lights gently illuminate our way.

Sagada Sanctuary

Sagada (Mountain Province, Philippines) is a place one would love to call home. The climate is cool. The sceneries are splendid. People are warm. The food (especially, vegetables) are fantastic. I have never tried vegetables this good in my whole life. And the living expenses are quite cheap.

It is one of the best getaways from the urban stress of Manila.

Asleep in Vigan

It wasn't hard to fall asleep in Vigan. A tourist could barely do anything when the night falls. But the inn, where we stayed was quite interesting. It was a preserved old Spanish mansion called "Grandpa's Inn". And even if you barely knew who grandpa was, you could easily sense his "spirit" with the ancient furniture and memorabilia within the place.

Here's a beautiful window right across the grand stairs of the inn.

Nature as a Painter

Staying at El Rio y Mar Resort in Palawan is like waking up on a huge and beautiful painting whose colors change every hour. Each villa has a view of neighboring mountains outlined by the calm Maricaban Bay.

This first photo above is our villa. And the photo of the mountain below it is the exact view from our villa, once you step out of the room.

Paradise Found

True to its name, Club Paradise in Palawan is an island where nature has reached its perfection. A few minutes before we reached the shore of this island, I was amazed with how so much beauty can be encapsulated in this small island. Buffet was excellent. And the resort's pool was fun.

I can't wait to to have another opportunity to visit this resort again.