An event entitled “Kulay ng Siglo” [Color of the Century] was organized on 11-18 Nov 2018 and displayed at Dominican Hill Heritage Site in a bid to ensure Baguio City as one of UNESCO creative cities.
The following are the images I was able to capture.
The Dominican Hill Heritage Site is otherwise known as Diplomat Hotel. This is a one of the favorite sites of tourists looking for creepy buildings.
Bauang, La Union is living up to its name as the fruit basket of the north. In fact, grape farming [yup, we have vineyards in the country], takes the lead in agri-industry in the municipality. With decades of experience in grape farming, Bauang vineyard owners are now maximizing it to include grape picking to the delights of the visitors.
Address: Bauang, La Union, Philippines
Map:
Dubbed as the ‘fruit basket of the north’, Bauang has leveled up their game with their vineyards. For years, this humble seaside municipality have been producing dragon fruits, papaya, guavas and grapes. Of these, strolling under the grape vines and picking fruits looks more appealing to tourists.
Contrary to common belief that we only import grapes, this municipality in the North do have several vineyards. Accordingly, Bauang had been the original home of grape farmers and had been popular among grape producing towns in the country since the 1970s (1).
There are several surviving vineyards in the municipality, some are new. Googling “bauang + grape + farms” would return your query Gapuz Grapes Farm, Lomboy Grapes Farm, Manguerra Grapes Farm, Calica Grapes Farm, Gapuz/Ancheta/Salino Grapes Farm, Danny Acheta Grapes Farm, Lombor Farms Resort, Acosta Grapes Farm, Orpillano Abando Grapes Farm, Cleorpilla Grapes Farm, and others.
Learning from their strawberry farmer counterparts in La Trinidad, Benguet, grapes farm owners in Bauang opened their vineyards to tourists who want to enjoy picking fruits (2).
There are a lot of hotels and resorts nearby if you want to spend more time and see nearby attractions in La Union. Surfing is quite popular in Bauang as well as in San Juan and it is an interesting activity to try.
You can also ride a jeep to San Fernando City and eat the best shaved ice in Halo-Halo de Iloko then continue up north and see Bahay na Bato in Luna. Further towards the Cordillera range, taking a dip in the fresh water of Tangadan Falls in San Gabriel is also feasible within a day.
(1) Manila Bulletin. (2015 Jan 04). Bauang: Fruit basket and beach capital of the North. Available at: <https://ph.news.yahoo.com/bauang-fruit-basket-beach-capital-north-171425906.html.> [Accessed 14 March 2020].
(2) Cimatu, F. (2018 July 21). In La Union, Farmers Let Tourists Pick Grapes. [online] Rappler. Available at: <https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/travel/ph-travel/207698-farmers-let-tourists-pick-grapes-bauang-la-union> [Accessed 14 March 2020].
BenCab Museum, located in Tuba, Benguet, showcases the works of Benedicto Reyes Cabrera and other artists, different galleries, exhibitions, and has an outside farm and garden. This house of art is the most popular museum nearest Baguio City.
Address: Km. 6 Asin Road, Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet, Philippines
Coordinates: 16.4107° N, 120.5504° E
Map
Tel/Fax: (+63 74) 442 7165
Web Page: http://www.bencabmuseum.org
Email: bencabartfoundation@gmail.com
BenCab Museum, located in Tuba, Benguet, showcases the works of Benedicto Reyes Cabrera and other artists, different galleries, exhibitions, and has an outside farm and garden. This house of art is the most popular museum nearest Baguio City.
The BenCab Museum, a 15-minute drive away from Baguio City, houses the works of Benedicto Reyes Cabrera, a conferred National Artist for Visual Arts. Contrary to the common notion, it is located in Tuba, Benguet, a neighboring municipality of Baguio City. Also, the BenCab Museum houses the permanent collection of Philippine National Artist Benedicto Reyes Cabrera in several galleries (1).
Like other private museum, it also has an admission fee. General admission costs Php150.00 while students, PWD and senior citizens need to pay Php100.00 after discount, provided that they present a valid ID (school ID, PWD card, senior citizen ID). They also have special rates for organized group tours with minimum of 30 pax. Outside the museum, guest can also have an Eco-trail tour.
Some of my favorites are depicted in the following images.
The museum offers the following parts:
Other notable tourist spot in Tuba includes Aran Cave, Asin Hot Springs, Cafe in the Sky, and Hydro Falls.
(1) Museum and Galleries (n.d.). In BenCab Museum website. Retrieved from http://www.bencabmuseum.org/museum-galleries/
(2) Figure of a Male Rice Deity (Bulul) 19th century or earlier (n.d.). In The Met 150 website. Retrieved from https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/626371
A few minutes walk from the national road, this halo-halo house have been tickling the taste buds of locals and tourists alike. From the national road, you can either walk or hail a tricycle to the resto. While the city temperature is quite hot during high noon, a serving of their all-time favorite halo-halo can easily lower down your body temperature.
Address: #12 Zandueta St., San Fernando City, La Union
Coordinates: 16.6172° N, 120.3198° E
Map:
A few minutes walk from the national road, this halo-halo house have been tickling the taste buds of locals and tourists alike. From the national road, you can either walk or hail a tricycle to the resto. While the city temperature is quite hot during high noon, a serving of their all-time favorite halo-halo can easily lower down your body temperature.
Their signature halo-halo is what draws people to flock this establishment. Because of this shaved ice, I have been to this restaurant, maybe, once a year since it is far from my home base. Price starts at Php70.00 up to Php180.00, depending on the size.
They also offer other Filipino dishes such as “sinalamagian/sinampalukan” (tamarind soup), “nateng” (vegetable), “lames ti baybay” (seafoods), “inapoy” (rice meals), local desserts, etc.
Aside from the luscious local foods, the restaurant itself is instragammable. It features old wares as well as different parts of La Union.
1. Halo Halo de iLoko La Union. (2019 March 24). “BUKO HALO HALO” Halo Halo de iloko La Union, Philippines 🇵🇭 magpasarap ka muna! 🤗. Retreived on 2020 March 05 from https://www.facebook.com/magpasarapkamuna/photos/a.1792028314229403/2062550637177168/?type=3&theater
2. Halo Halo de iLoko La Union. (2019 April 08). summer life’s saver! Halo Halo de iloko La Union, Philippines 🇵🇭 magpasarap ka muna! 🤗📸whatdietph Retrieved on 2020 March 05 from https://www.facebook.com/magpasarapkamuna/photos/a.1792028314229403/2084327508332814/?type=3&theater
3. Halo Halo de iLoko La Union. (2019 March 20). Halo Halo de iloko La Union, Philippines🇵🇭
📸hungryandrestless [Facebook status update]. Retrieved on 2020 March 05 from https://www.facebook.com/magpasarapkamuna/photos/a.1792028314229403/2057531994345699/?type=3&theater
Loneprowler 