altum viditur

Gayuma is a “Lifestyle Restaurant” originally located at Esteban Abada, Xavierville. It was a nice and cozy place. We shot the music video of Matilda’s Iyak ni Maria in Gayuma with Director Sherad Sanchez a couple of years ago. I have not been to Gayuma since after, because the place closed, rumors said that it caught fire that damaged the place.

There’s an empty building in Sikatuna that always got my attention because it looked like it’s going to be something soon. I think it was used as a campaign headquarters last election. And now, some construction seemed to be going on outside. I thought it was going to be a spa but I was pleasantly surprised to see a signage of “Gayuma ni Maria” in the building just last Sunday.

Gayuma Ni Maria, Lifestyle Restaurant in Sikatuna

Curious if it’s the same old Gayuma we knew, we went inside to check out the place. Yes, it was the old Gayuma. With some of its old menu. There’s always comfort in familiarity.

cozy dining place

wall of potion recipes

It is still a cozy place with mix and match furniture pieces and furnishings. A wall of love letters and potion recipes. Lace curtains line up the windows, and an alfresco area with a wall of painted rocks. I like the peacefulness of the place, it’s relaxing and the staff were very accommodating.

wall of painted rocks

Some improvements could be made though. I wish they change the tablecloths, and maybe they can loose the bright pink Chinese lamps in the alfresco area. I also wonder how the alfresco area would look like at night. I hope they have pretty lamps to lit up the place.

alfesco dining

When we were there, Beyonce and Justin Bieber were playing. Maybe they can play something that would enhance the ambiance. How about some mellow world music, or Kundiman perhaps?

crayola for doodling!

A lovely detail was the art-lovin’ happening in the place. There are crayons and manila paper on top of tables, as well as some paintings adorning the walls.

Chinoy in 7th Heaven

yummy avocado shake

Despite some imperfections, we had a lovely dining experience just the same. We had the delicious avocado shake, Chinoy in 7h Heaven (described as “fried chicken obra gently simmered in a concoction of Chinese herbs with a heavenly rice mix”) that has some delicious fries on the side. For dessert, we ordered the Beat Sex Any Day (BSA) cake, the new version of the Better Than Sex cake. We finished up with a cup of Arabica and Robusta coffee mix, with free refill! And we got a 10% discount, a promo for the dry run period.

Gayuma is currently operating on dry run and will fully open on July 28. Come and be in love with Gayuma ni Maria.

Gayuma ni Maria: Now Open!

Gayuma ni Maria is a few meters away from Save More, along V. Luna Extension in Sikatuna. There’s a huge (Acacia?) tree that’s decorated with yellow ribbon (yes, the Aquino branding) lanterns in front of Gayuma.

The Tagudin Sundial, famous for being the first sundial in the Philippines, is erected in 1814 by Father Juan Sorolla. It is also the oldest sundial in the Philippines, meaning it still stands proud until today.

Tagudin Sundial, Tagudin Ilocos Sur

We went on a very fulfilling (full and filling!) road trip in North Luzon, passing by Vigan, Bangui, Laoag, Pagudpud, Sarrat, Currimao, Batac and other places along the route, trying out the town’s specialties, buying pasalubong and souvenirs, visiting its natural and man-made attractions, and just enjoying the beautiful North. One of our first stopovers was in Tagudin to see the Tagudin Sundial.

the dial can be seen on both sides.

It was a little weird for us, seeing the ‘dial’ on both sides. The structure was not even grand, and one would think that there are far more better sundials to see than this. But remember that this sundial was constructed in 1814, and was said to be the only sundial used in the Spanish era, so to see this small sundial in the town of Tagudin is to visit a town’s pride in Ilocos Sur, and a historical landmark in the whole of the Philippines.

Although it says Wally World’s Homestay in the signage, the place is more popular as Wally’s World Homestay or Surf Homesstay, with its own recall due to pop culture, Walmart and London.

Wally's World a.k.a. Surf Homestay, Pagudpud Beach, Ilocos Norte

We went to Maira-Ira Point, to its more popular beach, Blue Lagoon, in Pagudpud on a Maundy Thursday night, knowing that new resorts have emerged, we hoped to be able to book a place to stay. Too bad, most hotels were fully booked, or could not accommodate the five of us. We searched the stretch and found nothing but home-stays. We chose the one at the end of the road that is Wally’s World.

Since we’re walk in guests, they did not have dinner ready to cook for us, so we had dinner at Kapuluan Vista Resort, just a few meters away from Wally’s World.

We were given a room with two big beds that’s near it’s communal comfort room. It’s a very simple and basic accommodation which was really fine by me. Besides, we were there for the great outdoors. The room had a flooring of crushed corals which extends the beach feel from the shore.

Tired from the road trip and happy with the food from Kapuluan Vista Resort, we all hit the sack before midnight.

The next morning, we were ushered by Kuya Wally himself to the beach, where make-shift tables and benches laid. It’s breakfast by the beach! Apparently, with home-stays, guests can request for food to be cooked and served at their preferred time. Fish was abundant in the area, of course. And I just love the breakfast they served us. Rice, eggs, vegetables and a bunch fresh catch! The best part is the view.

view from the dining table

We also had lunch and dinner here, some beer after dinner, and breakfast the next morning.

Breakfast on our last day in Wally's World

It was great having lived a day like this again. Simple life, simple pleasures. Away from the city. Home-cooked food served with matching soup and siding. Wally’s World took care of us like a mom. :)

Though it’s not a room of hotel convenience, everything else is perfect there. They have a store that sells almost everything. Halo Halo is available in the afternoon. The dining area is the perfect place. In front of the beach, with the cool breeze, sound of the wave crashing in the shore, the vast South China Sea that meets with the morning skies. PERFECT! I love it. I love home-cooked food. I love rice in the morning. I love enchiladas. I love the beach. I truly enjoyed it! Plus Kuya Wally’s puppies running around the shore!

I wish I could’ve stayed longer there.

Contact Kuya Wally at 0921-275-2340.

Related Posts:

Kapuluan Vista Resort, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
Vigan Heritage Village, Ilocos Sur
North Luzon Road Trip
Bangui Windmills, Bangui Ilocos Norte
What is the Best Empanada in Ilocos?

Our journey from Manila started at around 2AM. At dusk, we were somewhere along Zambales to take photographs of the beautiful sunrise. At lunch, we were at Vigan Heritage Village, eating Vigan Empanada at the Plaza in front of the Vigan Cathedral. By sunset, we were shooting the very awesome Bangui Windmills. Note, very awesome!!! As the sun disappeared from the horizon, we continued our journey to Pagudpud. Saud, a public beach was much closer to Bangui. But I insisted that we go directly to the Blue Lagoon.

I remember my first trip to Pagudpud. We went to Saud Beach, slept on the sand overnight, the next day, rented a van to Blue Lagoon. Blue Lagoon was really blue. And from afar, we could see some surfers. I really wondered if they were locals, or tourists who brought their own surfboards. They were about a kilometer away from Blue Lagoon. There were seldom waves waiting for someone to hitch. We walked from Blue Lagoon towards the surf but was not lucky to reach the tip of Luzon. Yes, I could really imagine then that the beach break was at the tip of the left of North of Luzon.

Kapuluan Vista Resort

And I was right. It was the tip of Luzon. And there’s a resort there. A beautiful resort, actually. It’s the Kapuluan Vista Resort. It was fully booked when we arrived, and so were most of the resorts. We couldn’t find a resort that could accommodate all five of us and our requirements, so we settled for a homestay accommodation in Wally’s World. Since Mang Wally, the owner of the homestay rooms, did not prepare dinner for night walk-in guests, we ate at Kapuluan Vista Resort. These were our orders:

Yummy chicken with salsa

Adobo

Tinola

The food was good and in generous servings for PHP 150-250 (+ 5 USD). While waiting for our food, we saw Bb Gandanghari. Of course, we did not pass the chance to have our picture taken with her!

i know i look a bit starstruck here, but this one's for the community! :)

The next day, when I got halo-halo from a store, the lady who sold me Halo Halo said Jericho Rosales was in Kapuluan, surfing. We were supposed to surf that morning, but was not able to wake up early. Then in the afternoon, we would have gotten to surf with Echo on the same beach (would have been my second time since someone told me that when I attended the Surf Clinic in La Union in 2008, Echo was also there, but I did not see him since the Urbiztondo beach is always jam packed at Surf Clinics) but the waves seemed to be lazy that afternoon with very short and seldom rides. So we passed up until the next morning.

View from the outside

longboard and shortboard just lying around

resting areas near the beach

The next morning, there’s a very wild Amihan and doesn’t look advisable to surf. Though not able to surf, we still enjoyed our breakfast by the beach and I took the chance to photoshoot Ananda Kanani’s Summer Earring Collection! :)

It was unfortunate that Kapuluan Vista Resort was fully booked then. But there’s always a ‘next time’.

Resort Photos by Amrei Dizon

Related Posts:
Wally’s World Homestay, Pagudpud Ilocos Norte
Vigan Heritage Village, Ilocos Sur
North Luzon Road Trip
Bangui Windmills, Bangui Ilocos Norte
What is the Best Empanada in Ilocos?

According to WikiPilipinas, the Vigan Heritage Village is a town in Vigan, Ilocos Sur that is considered the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. In November 1999, it was placed on the World Heritage List commemorating its cultural significance.

Calle Crisologo, Vigan Heritage Village

The village was established in the 16th century, when trade and community activity started to flourish along the Mestizo River, lasting up to the 19th century. The name “Vigan” was derived from a giant taro plant “biga” that grew abundantly along the riverbanks. Most of the materials — such as adobe, pebbles, bricks and posts — were brought from Europe through the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade. The construction work was done by Chinese laborers. Thus, the village’s architecture reflects a unique fusion of Spanish European and Chinese culture.

tourists love chillin’ at Vigan Heritage Village’s wooden benches

I think it was Easter Sunday of 2007 when I first appreciated the beauty of the place. There were but a few shops selling Vigan shirts and souvenirs that time, some shops are closed, and the beauty of the “village” was very apparent. I will post some photos from way back then here.

Now two years after, the streets of the Heritage Village seemed to be a big tiangge (bazaar) place. It’s getting hard to appreciate the thick walls of the Spanish houses clad with authentic Vigan tiles, the cobblestone road, olden pavements and nostalgic capiz windows. All I saw were tourists that were checking out what the stores were selling. I wish they’d either move the stores to another block, or centralize them in one place, so that there would still be areas that are not obscured by merchandise. So that there will be areas that will are easier to appreciate, and prettier in the photos. Also, keeping the village cleaner and less cluttered would help preserve the heritage, nowadays  a rare beauty.

history and architecture in Vigan Heritage Village

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According to Wikipedia, an empanada is a Spanish and Portuguese stuffed bread or pastry, also known as “impanata” in Italy. The name comes from the verbempanar, meaning to wrap or coat in bread. Empanada is made by folding a dough or bread patty around the stuffing. In Spain, empanadas are usually large and circular in shape and are cut into smaller portions for consumption, whereas in Portugal and South America empanadas are normally small and semi-circular (this type of empanada is commonly known as empanadilla in Spain).

In Ilocos, some towns, like Vigan and Batac, have popularized their versions of this Spanish pastry. Vigan’s version is a delightful mixture of Vigan longganisa, shredded cabbage and egg, then deep-fried to a crispy wrapper. Batac’s version, which is said to be Ilocos Norte’s Best Empanada, uses Batac longganisa, monggo sprouts (togue) and egg, then also deep fried. I think Vigan Empanada can claim that it’s the best in Ilocos Sur!

The Plaza, beside Vigan Cathedral, is where one will surely find the famous Vigan Empanada

deep frying Vigan Empanada

draining oil from Vigan Empanada

In both empanadas, a customer can request for “malasado” (egg is half-cooked). Both are really yummy, but some folks prefer one over the other. Depending on their taste for Longganisa. Vigan longganisa is a little sour due to the use of the famous Ilocos vinegar, and garlicky, Batac’s is not as sour. Preference also depends on a person’s like or dislike of cabbage or monggo sprouts.

Pricelist in Batac Riverside Empanadaan

Batac Empanada

Try both to know your preference!

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AWESOME!

I saw the famous Bangui Windmills in 2006 from the observation deck. Now, we drove all the way down to Bangui Bay to see the towering windmills in close up. They are spectacular, with the sun setting, it was the perfect photo opportunity!

Spectacular Bangui Windmills in Bangui Ilocos Norte

sunsets behind the windmills

According to Wikipilipinas,

The Bangui Windmills are located in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. The windmills, officially referred to as the NorthWind Bangui Bay Project, were a project by the NorthWind Development Corporation as a practice renewable energy sources and to help reduce the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. The project is the first “Wind Farm” in the Philippines consisting of wind turbines on-shore facing the South China Sea and considered to be the biggest in Southeast Asia. The project sells electricity to the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) and provides 40% of the power requirements of Ilocos Norte via Transco Laoag.

windmills face the setting sun and reflect the red skies

I am holding it against the sunset :)

Related Posts:

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Two days after arriving from Davao, I packed for a road trip to the North. I’ve been saying that there are two places that I want to visit again, Camsur and Ilocos Norte, particularly Vigan and Blue Lagoon. Since my sister and her husband, an avid photographer, have not been to Pagudpud, we started driving North at midnight of April 01, Holy Thursday, even if we’re not able to book a room in Pagudpud.

Of course, it’s a long drive there so we had to stop for rest rooms and food. We had breakfast at Tropical Hut Total, in Apalit Pampanga. Caught the sunrise somewhere in Tarlac, ate merienda at McDonald’s San Fernando La Union, and reached Vigan just in time for lunch. We took a couple of shots of the Plaza and the Cathedral, ate Vigan Empanada then headed back to our journey. I was asleep most of the time, maybe because I was catching up on sleep since Davao. We got to Bangui Windmills a little before sunset. The Bangui Windmills were awesome!!!

After taking hundreds of shots of the windmills, we continued our long journey to Pagudpud. We went straight to Blue Lagoon with the help of “Susan”, our Satellite Navigation System. It was a long and super dark drive to Blue Lagoon. It’s the side of a mountain and most of the route had no lamp posts. But of course, at the end of the tunnel, there’s light. Party lights, actually. We could see the resorts in Blue Lagoon from afar.

Fish eye shot by Amrei Dizon

www.amreidizon.com

I was a little disappointed to see how much the place has changed, there’s too many people, traffic was heavy, too many resorts and huts and cottages and activities by the shore. And this was around 7 PM, maybe I would appreciate the place better when the sun rises the next day.

Since all resorts were fully booked, we went ahead and booked a room at a ‘home stay’ place at Wally’s World. It’s the last home in the area, right before Kapuluan Beach Resort. Since we just arrived and Wally’s World did not prepare food for walk ins, we ate at Kapuluan Beach Resort, where I saw Bebe Gandanghari and Earl Ignacio. I had my picture taken with Bebe.

We stayed a whole day and two nights at Wally’s World before we started driving again. On the way back to Vigan, we took photos of the roads, the mountains and the seas. We went to Cape Bojeador to see it beautiful Spanish structure. We stoped at Shorestop Inn and Restaurant in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, for Merienda then straight to the Marcos Musueum in Batac. We also passed by Sta. Monica Church in Sarrat, and of course, tried out Batac Empanada in Riverside Empanadaan. Since it’s already getting late, we called a resort on our way so we can rest for the night. We saw a resort’s ad in a gas station and it looked really pretty. Lucky for us, it still has a room available for us. The resort is Playa Tropical, a pretty Bali-inspired resort hidden in Currimao.

We had breakfast at Playa Tropical then headed back to Vigan to eat empanada, buy souvenirs and pasalubong and take some last photos. We were to get dinner at Isdaan in Tarlac but since it’s Sunday of the long weekend-holiday, the place was jam-packed. The orders were on hold! It’s ok, we’ll try it next time.

Though we’re not able to get to the other destinations that I’ve been to the first time I visited Pagudpud, like the Patapat Bridge and the Aqueduct, I still enjoyed everything about Ilocos Norte! I think I still want to go back again, maybe on a peak season, for a change.

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What is the Best Empanada in Ilocos?
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From the Crocodile Park’s Website:

The Davao crocodile Park all started from the fascination of  the owner, Mr. Philip Dizon, to Saltwater and Freshwater Crocodiles. He did not think of it as a lucrative business until he learned that crocodiles are raised in United States not just for public viewing but as well as for production of leather purposes.  It was in November 1995 when the government has given the ownerthe accreditation and permit to operate the 1st Davao Crocodile Park. 10 years later , on August 18, 2005, the world-class Davao Crocodile Park was opened with the help of the consultant Dr. Gilbert Buenviaje. The Davao Crocodile Park Inc. is owned and operated by a group of businessmen headed by Mr. Sonny Dizon, a resident of Davao City.

The Davao Crocodile Park is an establishment that showcases a ‘state of the art’ crocodile farming system in the Philippines. It has the most recent crocodile farm design equipped with modern facilities and equipments.  The presence of other exotic animal species like raptors, monkeys, bearcats, snakes, birds, and other reptiles makes it one of the most desired tourist destinations in Davao. The purposes of this establishment are as follows:

1. tourism
2. public viewing and entertainment
3. venue for educational tours
4. promotion of public awareness through regular lectures
5. conservation of crocodiles and other wildlife animals and
6. acts as a field laboratory for students in Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine as well as for wildlife animal enthusiasts.

Here are some photos of the animals in the park.

the Philippine Eagle

Crocodile Park, Davao - a cute monkey

A big snake ready for its close up

colorful birds will greet you near the entrance

There were also shops outside Crocodile Park, they are the nipa huts near the parking lots. It’s also the way to Tribu K’Mindanawan Cultural Village. We have a ticket to the village that’s included in our white water rafting package, together with tickets to Maxima Aquafun, Butterfly Garden and the Zipzone. We’re not able to avail of the Zipzone and the Butterfly Garden because we did not have time.

nipa hut shops of trinkets

Tribu K'Mindanawan Cultural Village

Though we were in a hurry to get to Aldevinco Shopping Center, since we heard it closes at around 6PM, we still managed to pass by Tribu K’Mindanawan to see what it’s about.

Tribu K'Mindanawan Cultural Village - the ticket

Tribu K'Mindanawan Cultural Village's souvenir shop

We were not able to go around though, we just figured that it showcases different dwellings of the Mindanao people. It also  has shop that sells souvenir items.

Tribu K'Mindanawan Cultural Village, Davao

Related Posts:

Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Davao (Part 1)
Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Davao (Part 2)
Isla Malipano, Davao
Giant Slide at the Maxima Aquafun, Island Garden City of Samal
White Water Rafting in the Davao River, Davao
Aldevinco Shopping Center, Davao
Bogser’s Coffee House, Bangkal Davao

After our whitewater rafting adventure in the Davao River, and getting dropped off back to Crocodile Park, we rushed to get to Aldevinco Shopping Center, in front of the Marco Polo Hotel downtown. I was amazed that it was one big place with more than a hundred souvenir shops.

I was so excited to buy Malongs and bags, but I was unfortunate because there’s a power outtage so there was only a few stores left open. And it’s hard to shop in the dark though the shops was lit with some lamps. I was only able to buy one malong, one bag for my mom, a polo for my dad and another big bag with a pretty metallic print. I promise to go back to Aldevinco when I go back to Davao!

big bag i bought from Aldevinco Shopping Center

Aldevinco Shopping Center is located at the junction of Claro M. Recto and Manuel Roxas Avenues in Davao City.

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Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Davao (Part 1)
Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Davao (Part 2)
Isla Malipano, Davao
Giant Slide at the Maxima Aquafun, Island Garden City of Samal
White Water Rafting in the Davao River, Davao
Crocodile Park and Tribu K’Mindanawan Cultural Village, Davao
Bogser’s Coffee House, Bangkal Davao

According to a Travelpod Article

The seven-hectare Isla Malipano, also a part of the resort, has a white sand beach, an offshore reef plus 7 private luxury villas (5 three-bedroom and 2 four-bedroom), each with a wide veranda and its own butler for food orders and other guest assistance.

Take a look how pretty this place is:

The sandbar overlooking Pearl Farm Beach resort

resort rules and beautiful tree

the island is surrounded by white sand and greens

Isla Malipano's Luxury Villa

It’s just too bad that when one of my friends accidentally stepped on a sea urchin, no one was there to help. Was it because no one was checked in at the resort that time?

Related Posts:

Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Davao (part 1)
Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Davao (part 2)
White Water Rafting in the Davao River
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Aldevinco Shopping Center, Davao City
Crocodile Park and Tribu K’Mindanawan Cultural Village, Davao
Bogser’s Coffee House, Bangkal Davao

After enjoying the beautiful Isla Malipano and the yummy buffet lunch, me and my friends had fun in the infinity pool. Here are some beauty shots of the Pearl Farm Beach Resort’s infinity pool:

Beautiful Infinity Pool at Pearl Farm Beach Resort

And here we were, chatting and fooling around:

Gossiping girls, facing the sea

Fooling Around. That's Mems, Joan, Arvee, Me and Ria

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