One of my dream projects as a blogger is to bring some of my blogger friends to Pangasinan, my beloved hometown. For months, there were attempts of organizing one, but due to the very long trip hours and lack of information, the plans never pushed through. Thanks to Anton (originally from Anda, Pangasinan) because he is my partner in organizing this trip. We had the same goal when finally we talked about the dream of organizing a Pangasinan Tour with blogger friends. Josh Uy is from Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan and he helped us out in terms of transportation 🙂
Frames @ Bolinao Lighthouse. Photo By Estan Cabigas
I am so happy because the dream trip finally pushed through! Last weekend, I together with Anton, Ada, Darwin, Estan, Robbie, Cai, Gael, Marky and Josh embarked on a very long trip to Pangasinan in order to explore, learn and enjoy our own Pangasinan experience. I didn’t really get the chance to enjoy Alaminos and Bolinao in the past that’s why i want this trip to push through. In my own opinion, this is quite different to my past group trips. Let’s just say that this is more personal to me 🙂 It felt kinda weird especially when we were gallivanting in Dagupan City LOL 😛
All smiles at Plato Wraps Restaurant in Calasiao, Pangasinan
Here’s the over-all itinerary: We spent Friday morning in Calasiao to eat puto, ate at Plato Wraps Restaurant for lunch, laidback afternoon in Lingayen Capitol Park and Lingayen Gulf , seafood galore at Matutina’s Seafood Restaurant and tasted Dagupan City’s Pigar-Pigar.
Group Pic outside Islandia Hotel in Alaminos
Happy bloggers' Kayak Adventure in Hundred Islands! Photo by Rey Livara
Dinner at Island Tropic with Sir Rey
We had a wonderful breakfast and overnight accommodation at Islandia Hotel (Alaminos Longganisa ftw!), dinner at Island Tropic Hotel and Restaurant and yes, we had a fulfilling Hundred Islands tour! (snorkeling at the deep part to see giant clams and corals underwater and kayaking from one island to another is a very thrilling experience, i tell you!)
Enchanting Bolinao Falls
The Bolinao Lighthouse reminds me of 'The Promise'
Of course, who would ever forget our wonderful experience at Puerto del Sol in Bolinao, Pangasinan last Sunday? Nice rooms, good ambiance, delicious food and a fun-filled itinerary! We were able to go to the Bolinao Falls (the cleanest i’ve seen so far – Â we swam too!), St. James Church (one of the oldest in the Philippines), Bolinao Lighthouse (perfect for pre-nuptial shots teehee), Patar White Beach (perfect alternative to Boracay IMO) and Enchanted Cave.
Feelin' so good inside our room at Puerto del Sol 😀
The night was filled with food, cocktails and we had our own swimming pool and jacuzzi moments. Josh turned 23 that day too! 😀 Thanks to Puerto del Sol for the satisfying accommodation and for arranging our tour itinerary 😀
While majority of the bloggers went straight home to Manila on Monday morning, some of us stayed to visit the Cape Bolinao Dive Center, Tummy Treats (reminds me of Camiguin’s Luna Ristorante) and UP Marine Science Institute. 😀
I can’t wait to share the whole experience with you, my dear readers! I’m a bit overwhelmed as of the moment that’s while i’m giving you a short preview for now. Here are some of the pictures. Expect a series of blog posts here and in Senyorita.net. I am missing my travel buddies already!
After the first Pangasinan Weekend Trip, i can say that my beloved province is something that the Philippines should be proud of. Pangasinan is a big province with a number of hidden treasures that are not yet being promoted as a tourist destination. I am hoping that thru our blog posts, we can help in promoting Pangasinan’s tourism even if it is 5-6 hours away from Manila. This is just the beginning. Pangasinan will be a top tourist destination SOON. Pangasinan, Kay Ganda!
Travel Bloggers in Pangasinan FTW!
Special thanks to Ms. Melody, Sir Alfred and Sir Norman of Puerto del Sol, Sir Klydz of Islandia Hotel, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Seen of Plato Wraps, Sir Ronnie of Tummy Treats and Sir Rey of DOT-Alaminos. 😀
Photo Credits: Anton Carranza, Estan Cabigas and Rey Livara.
This post is just Part 1. More to come! 😀
Woooot Thank you Mica for organizing this trip (together with Anton)
We had so much fun! Many many!!!
LUbyoo Sis 🙂
hey Mica! ambilis ah! hehe thanks for everything dear. I really admire your patience. finally been to Pangasinan!! been wanting to go to Hundred islands since summer, dame ko print out ng mga beaches na pupuntahan ko dapat dun. kaso yung Hundred Islands eh ayoko tlgang gawing solo at d natuloy yung trip. Balik tau, sa ibang beach naman! 🙂
Ate Micaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!
Thanks for inviting me! Ahihihi. I had so much fun kahit 30% of the trip ay tulog ako. Wahahaha.
Sa uulitin! Balita ko south naman daw ah. Pero ako game ako anywhere! Kaladkarin lang. Hahaha.
Putong Calasiao is the best! Wouldn’t you agree? 🙂
taga western pangasinan ako pero super enjoy ko tong trip na to. kala ko nga yung hundred islands e kasi nth time ko na na pero iba yung feel. ang fun kasi ng mga kasama. lalo pag andyan si bespren. hahaha. ingay nga lang namin mukhang nakakabulabog na minsan. was fun teaming up with youMica, and finally got to travel with you and the group. more trips to come ha!!!! yihhhh!!!
Thanks for inviting me Myca even though all of you haven’t met me yet prior to the trip… For all you know, I could have been this serial killer slash backpacker…but nobody got harmed and I didnt turned out to be one, but one delighted dude who had an awesome weekend in Pangasinan with new friends and travel cohorts.
lol @ marky. serial killer talaga. hehehe
looks like you guys really had fun. maybe someday ill be able to join you guys! 😀
@Cai – I’m glad you made it and you enjoyed. Much deserved weekend break 😛 Love you too 😀
@ThePinaySoloBackpacker- Hehehe thanks Gael 😀 Ang saya dahil magkasama na naman tayo for the second time (i know masusundan pa to hehe). Next time let’s go to Tondol, Tambobong and Antong Falls naman 😀
@Robbie- Sleeping beauty hahaha 😛 Salamat din dahil attentive mowdel ka hihi next time ulit kaladkarin kong friend! 😛
@MMO Dad- Nothing compares 😀 Sa Calasiao lang ako nakakakain ng matinong puto hehe 😛
@Anton – I had plenty plenty many many fun with you guys! Hehe the Hundred Islands tour exceeded my expectations. Ang ganda pala talaga at ang pagkayak super memorable 😀
@Marky – Hahaha LOL! I partly know you since our Multiply days so keri na yan 😛 I’m glad that you enjoyed although you were quiet. Naglalagay ka pala ng rabbit ears amf amf 😛 till next trip! 😀
@Ed – We’re looking forward to that. Bantayan? OR maybe Pangasinan again with Cebu friends weee 😀
I miss also my hometown San Quintin Pangasinan. I can’t wait to go back there, nice photos by the way.
Congrats! You did it finally hehe.
So nag-effort pang pagdikit-dikitin ang mga kayak? Hahaha. Congrats sa successful planning!
hi mica!
i saw your jump shot in anton’s blog.. grabe!! pang long jump competition sa taas!! =)
i always frequent pangasinan when i was still living in nueva ecija. i love the hundred islands and patar beach too. based on all your smiles, i am sure you guys had a blast. 🙂
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I wish I could go to Pangasinan. If I can travel to Cebu, I can also do so to Pangasinan. I’m also interested with Dagupan. I’m so curious about it. The bangus and all that. Gosh; Someday I’ll get there. 😉
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@HeSaid-SheSaid – Haven’t been to San Quintin or should i say i haven’t explored your hometown. Nadaanan lang ata namin dati kapag may roadtrip ang family 😀
@Philip – Salamat 😀
@Louis – Oo. Pinadikit dalaga kami para sama-sama pa rin kami 😀 Sama ka sa amin next time 😀
@Chyng – Hehe thanks Chyng! 😀 I’m already thinking of writing a blog entry solely dedicated to my fave jumpshot pics 😛
@Lawstude – Woot taga Nueva Ecija ka pala 😀 Happy Happy Joy Joy mode ang lahat that time hehe join us next time 😛
@Nonoy – Just tell me when and i’ll help you out 😀
Thanks Mica..I had fun “tracking treasure” in Pangasinan….
dame kong iniwang bakas dun..and so far Pangasinan na ang pinakamalayo kong napuntahan sa NORTE, dati Malabon at North Edsa lang..hahahahaha
til our next trip…pero ikaw muna, ENJOY your TRIP sa kabilang panig ng mundo..INGATS!!!
Now on my list of ” Must see destinations” . Thank you.
Nasa office ako now lol. petiks, namiss ko na ito!! whaaaaa kayakan!