Blogs from Tarlac Province, Philippines, Asia

Tarlac Philippines has always been known as the “Gateway to Northern Luzon and Metro Manila”. You will always have to pass by it in order to arrive at Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos and Benguet Provinces, to name a few. It’ll always be the road in between but not anymore. Over the years, much has changed with the infrastructures of Tarlac, it has progressed and developed a lot and could now be compared to our Metropolitan Cities like Manila, Cebu and Davao. I have heard of one of its popular tourist spots, right in the heart of Tarlac City, it is named “KART CITY”. A GO KART RACING TRACK, the first in Northern and Central Luzon. The best thing about Kart City, compared to Metro Manila’s price, it is way cheaper! For ten rounds, you only ... read more

Rolf Dunder’s stories about the Aetas started in his van, cruising through the relatively new Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). Dawn rains had just poured in Metro Manila and there was apprehension that foul weather might dampen what would be a long hike to the Aetas’ village in a mountain in Tarlac. But the sun was nicely shining as soon as we left the capital and the general ambiance inside the vehicle – Rolf, Pri, Björn Borchers, his wife Ute, and me – was pure excitement. We were on this trip with the Rotary Clubs in Paco and Capas, Tarlac, for the second annual visit to Peter Borchers School in Bilad village up in the mountains near Mt. Pinatubo. Peter was Björn's cousin and Rolf’s friend. Together with Rolf, Peter dreamed up the school to provide education for ... read more

Emo Months after a heavy bump in my life, all I still want is to be alone. It was totally hurting but I’m not bitter anymore, I’m happy and lucky that things have happened. A long time has passed but still I’m thinking I am so much capable of hurting people close to me, that no one could ever understand me, and that I am not good for anyone. From then I do things on my own, discover things myself, watch movies and go malling alone. Alone. Alone. Alone. For a while I thought I will be secluded in my own hermit kingdom. And I’m totally fine with it. Travel That time I discovered something that I want to do - to travel. Not to meet new friends (I’m actually a snob) but to explore new ... read more

I, in fact, make a pretty terrible rice farmer. I don't do 5 am happily, I am allergic to the bugs, and as my parents will tell you, I never was willing to help weed the garden. However, I discovered this week during my peasant exposure, that there are also openings for rice farmer/political organizers, I might do alright as one of those. I spent this past week living with a couple of different families in the infamous Hacienda Luisita. Though it is almost unheard of in Canada, this might be the most well known piece of land in the Philippines. The Hacienda is a 7000 hectare piece of land in Tarlac Province which lies in Central Luzon. The history of Hacienda Luisita is long and complicated. Even those people who tried to explain it to ... read more