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Published: June 15th 2012
A Collector's Dream
Somewhere in Bagac, Bataan lies this collection of re-assembled ancestral and heritage houses. The project invited controversy. Some think the heirloom houses should stay "in situs" while others think they are better preserved here in this collector's village.
If you don't want the city and long for nature or culture, here are some one day itineraries for you. My earlier blog includes a list of day trips SOUTH of Manila. This one lists those you can visit NORTH of Manila. You can always leave early then head back to Manila for some nightlife and still catch that early morning flight the next day.
One Day Itinerary #1: Bataan's Ciudad Acuzar
Zoofari, anyone?
There is the Zoobic Safari and the Zoo. There is also the Ocean Adventure. Take your pick. Or you may do both in a single day. Plus some skywalking?
It isn't all volcanoes. There is also this collector's "heritage town" where old, ancestral houses from all around the country were dismantled and reassembled in this otherwise obscure town in Bataan. Not many Filipinos have even visited nor heard of this "collection". But you may want a glimpse of our past so check out my blog on this "collector's village" here .
One Day Itinerary #2: Your Kids May Like Subic
My "elves" liked it here. Swim with dolphins, skywalk, hit the beach, meet the tigers, etc. You may have to choose among all these activities if you only have a day. Read my blog : Subic's Dolphins, Tigers, Monkeys and More
One Day Itinerary #3: A MOMA , Just in the Suburbs
Not exactly north of Manila. More like EAST of Manila.
If you want to check out contemporary art, there is this Pinto Art Museum in the suburbs. To be exact, this is in Antipolo. Not easy to find, as it is a private collection. But def worth a visit. Taxis are cheap here, but be sure to have the Seriously, a Museum In The Suburbs
It is a private collection of Dr. Cuanang. Yes, the same doctor who owns Sitio Remedios up North. The Museum and Gardens are worth a visit. Hail a cab and go! meter running or at best, negotiate a flat fee of P500 max (about US$12). Or take the MRT up to Ortigas Center and grab a taxi cab from there. Your taxi fare should be lots cheaper. Maybe half that.
But if you were able to hire a car or taxi for the day to drive you all the way to Pinto Art Museum, it will do well to max out the rental to drop by more local museums in the next couple of towns in Angono, Rizal. Many local painters hail from Angono and a few of them were enterprising enough to set up restaurants and art galleries.
One Day Itinerary #4: Trek to Mount Pinatubo?
I have been lining up to join the trek to Mount Pinatubo, but each time the rains would prevent us from pursuing the 2.5 hour trek. There is a tour group which runs this volcano trek, and they must be growing tired refunding us our payments for the cancelled treks.
Just to give you an idea.......the tour meets very very early in the morning. Like 3:30 am. Off Razon's Palabok and Halo Halo
Palabok is a local noodle dish, quite unlike its Chinese equivalent. Halo Halo is a summer favorite with tropical fruits served with ice shavings soaked in milk. to Capas, Tarlac north of Manila in time to join the early morning trek to the famous volcano. You should be done and ready for a mud spa by noontime. Then head back to Manila for that nightlife!
An update: I finally made the trip to Mount Pinatubo. Just click on this link (Cheating My (Sky) Way to Mount Pinatubo) for more photos and details.
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One Day Itinerary #5: Pampanga, the Culinary Capital of the Philippines
It is said that when the Spaniards came, the royal Muslim family ruling Manila were expelled and settled in the province of Pampanga. With their kitchen staff in tow, the royal household continued to churn out gastronomic delights for the ex-royalties. Another version is that Another version of Pancit Palabok
Garnished with boiled eggs and pork cracklings, this noodle dish is a local favorite everywhere! the Spanish friars who supervised the building of lovely 16th - 17th century churches here brought their own artisans and cooks who then passed on their skills to the locals. For sure, those churches and local cuisine survived wars .... And even the Mount Pinatubo eruption and lahar flows.
A number of local chefs set up dining places here, but most require reservation. The meals don't come cheap too, but the food quality and excellent service make it an experience to remember. Pampanga gave birth to many local dishes like sisig, which has since churned out many versions in Manila's many restaurants. Exotic dishes like fried crickets and deep-fried frogs find their way to the dining table in this part of the country. Eating these exotic dishes would be an adventure by itself. But don't get me wrong. It's not all about food here in Pampanga. For sure, a culinary trip should be coupled with visits to Betis Church in Guagua and the lahar-buried San Guillermo Church in lahar-affected Bacolor, Pampanga. Will add more, as I find the chance, or log in more out of town trips. Meanwhile, you may care to follow me on Facebook for more tips. Mabuhay!
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Willie
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Missed and missing ...
Some places I've missed to see, the ones I've seen then are now being missed ..... great travel blogs!