A Hundred Ways to Have Fun
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ISSUE 15 A HUNDRED WAYS TO HAVE FUN SAGADA’s LA UNION LAKBAY NORTE LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT We almost didn’t want to feature the raw, pristine rivers and beaches this ISSUE 15 province keeps. We almost kept it to ourselves and Publisher just let you, our readers, North Philippines Visitors Bureau eventually find out about (NPVB) it somewhere else. But Renie Ticzon you see, traveling is about President, NPVB sharing. The happiness VP for Marketing, MNTC we feel during our travels only becomes real when Grace Ayento Acting OIC, NPVB it is shared. And so in Assistant Vice President this issue, we share to for Marketing, MNTC you the Pangasinan we have come to know. Secret beaches, hidden caves and watertfalls, kilometers Executive Editor after kilometers of pristine rivers. All these make Edsel Ochoa Pangasinan an eco-tourism destination. Contributing Editor Christian Obmerga Editorial Assistant Jovelyn Garcia RENIE U. TICZON President, North PHILIPPINES VISITORS BUREAU Contributing Writers Patsy Carrillo, Vice-President for Marketing, Justin Paul D. Marbella, MANILA North TollwaYS Corporation Kara Santos, Nicole Villaluz Contributing Photographers North Philippines Jonathan Balonso, Visitors Bureau Fred Buenaventura, is a non-stock, non- Arnie Monacillo, Martin San Diego profit organization spearheaded by the Graphic Artist Manila North Tollways Emmeline Sia Corporation, builder and concessionaire of the Sales and Marketing North Luzon Expressway. Rhycel Marcelo Its primary thrust is the promotion of destinations North Philippines Visitors Bureau through various tourism NLEX Compound, Balintawak, activities and events that Caloocan City draw travelers in search Landline No.: 808-7484 of culture, adventure and Email : [email protected] relaxation to the North. Reproduction of this magazine in full or in part is prohibited, unless permission is secured from the Executive Editor and Cover photo by the Publisher. Every effort has been made Martin San Diego to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, However, Model NPVB cannot accept legal responsibility Kara Santos for any error or omission. Opinions expressed here are solely of the writers and not necessarily endorsed by NPVB. “Daing” takes spotlight in LU FLOAT PARADE 2015 Words by JUSTIN PAUL D. MARBELLA | Photos by FRED BUENAVENTURA, LA UNION INFO AND TOURISM OFFICE Daing, or dried fish, took the Now on its 9th year, the showcasing the uniqueness spotlight in this year’s La Union Electric Parade was one of the of each municipality by Grand Electric Float Parade highlights of the province’s highlighting its products, the held last February 26, 2015. 165th Foundation Anniversary colorful parade also serves as a A Cellar Above the Clouds celebration. The La Union symbolic inspiration to shine Words and photos by EDSEL OCHOA Featuring its main product, Grand Electric Float Parade as a province. The lighted the daing, adorned with was introduced in 2004 as part floats represent the renewed glimmering lights, Santo of the annual celebration of the exuberance of the people of Where else is best to drink wine but in Tomas’ electric float bagged province’s foundation. While La Union.NB the cool, fresh mountain air of Sagada. major awards including Opened a few months back, Sagada Overall Best Float, Most Cellar Door is the only wine cellar in Indigenous Float, and Best this famous mountain town. Tucked Lighting Design. secretly underground, inside the home property of Andrew Chinalpan Jr. Santo Tomas also won in the and Bing Clemente, the cellar offers Native Costume Competition a selection of the finest wines for the for Mutia ti La Union 2015 discerning traveler. Enjoy your wine in as their muse, Angelica the underground cellar or drink in the Maranan, strutted with such open air amidst a bonfire sharing tales ease and glamour in her daing- of journeys with other travelers. And if embellished costume. She also you are lucky to catch the owners while received the Most Indigenous visiting this place, they surely will let Costume award. you taste their own craft beer.NB 3 4 OUR PARTNERS: REGION 3 7 8 9 Photos by JONATHAN BALONSO 1 NLEX Lakbay Norte is a media familiarization tour program of the North Philippines Visitors Bureau that has been running for four years now. True to its thrust of promoting Northern Luzon as 11 an adventure playground easily reachable by land, the NPVB designed this program in a way that the media will have an unforgettable experience and get them familiarized with the adventure destinations up North, which they can share to their readers. 10 This year the NPVB brought the media groups to Central Luzon, focusing on destinations such as Tarlac, Subic, Zambales, Clark and Pampanga. Surfing, wakeboarding, riding an ATV, 2 kayaking and karting are just some of the activities the media experienced in this 4-day journey. Here are the highlights in photos: Photos in this spread: 1) Aquino Museum tour in Tarlac; 2) Kayaking in the Tarlac Recreational Park; 3) Surfing in Crystal Beach Zambales; 4) Enjoying the Sandbox in Porac; 5) Karting in Kart City Tarlac; 6) Deca Clark 3 12 Wakeboarding; 7) Visit to the Wildlife in Need center in Subic; 8) Exploring the Subic mangroves; 9) JSJ goat farm in Tarlac; 10) Groufie at the Capones Lighthouse in Zambales; 11) Milking the goats in JSJ goat farm; 12) Networx Watersports at the Lighthouse Marina Resort Subic; 13) Monasterio De Tarlac; 14) Dune 4 Buggy ride in Tarlac Recreational Park 5 5 6 13 14 6 OUR PARTNERS: REGION 3 NLEX LAKBAY NORTE 4 BeST STAYS As the days of the media are hectic, filled with adventure activities, and cultural and heritage tours to experience, we reward them at the end of the day with the best accommodation to relax and sleep in this part of the province. L SQuare Hotel CAPONES Vista Beach Resort Situated conveniently along McArthur Probably the best view of the Capones and Highway, L Square is a 2-storey boutique hotel Camara Islands is right in front of this resort with 38 Zen-themed guest rooms, suites and in Bgy. Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales. villas, a rooftop bar and lounge, restaurant The resort’s infinity pool in front of the ocean and coffee shop, a conference room, function just gives this place a relaxing and peaceful hall, business center, salon and fitness club. atmosphere. It is the best spot to marvel at the Reasonably priced, modern and functional beautiful sun setting behind Capones Island. makes this hotel one of the top choices in Immerse yourself in the rawness of the nature Tarlac City. that surrounds it while resting peacefully in its beach-themed rooms by the sea. MICROTEL INN AND SUITES LA MAJA RICA Hotel VES FOOD RESORT & VILLAS A long time supporter and partner of the NLEX Lakbay Norte AND Restaurant A resort and events place in one, VES gives media tour, Microtel by Wyndham in Tarlac offers one of the A tradition in Tarlac, La Majarica is a favorite you that homey resort feel with budget best stays in this province. With 50 rooms to accommodate hotel of the Tarlaquenos enjoying its 40 guest friendly rooms to stay in. The resort has a business and leisure travelers alike, we recommend its Queen rooms complete with modern conveniences swimming pool, an event space, garden and— Suite which includes chiropractor-approved mattresses for a such as an LCD TV with cable channels and interestingly enough—an ostrich barn. They truly restful sleep. Microtel is located adjacent to the Aquino free wifi. Enjoy a dip in its large swimming accept caterings and special occasion events, Center and is close to the Plaza Luisita Commercial Center pool, fill your tummy in Café Maja Rica and such as birthday parties, weddings, debut and where you can find your favorite coffee shops and restaurants. order the house favorite Lengua and Paella. the likes. 7 8 OUR PARTNERS: REGION 3 1 WHITE ROCK BEACH HOTEL AND WATERPARK - A Destination Of Its Own - 2 3 01 Big Bowl Waterslide Looking for a place to spend newbies and experienced attractions, fret not for the pong tables, and a fitness center 02 Giant Wavepool your holidays where every surfers can enjoy. It also has ocean is just a few steps away. for pumping your muscles. You 03 Rappelling fun thing to do is just right two large wavepools good You can go kayaking around will never run out of things to outside of your room in a for swimming, soaking and Subic Bay or you can just do in this place! resort? White Rock Beach enjoying the surf less laze around the shore and Hotel + Waterpark in Subic the surfboards. get a nice tan while sipping a Conference, company Town, Zambales exactly gives large glass of margarita or any meeting, planning and you that. The resort boasts of Move around the park and cocktail of your choice. outing or any type of The NLEX Lakbay Norte all the fun water activities you discover its giant slide called gathering, White Rock media tour is an annual need to satisfy your restless the Big Bowl where you can Don’t want to get wet? Try the can accommodate about program of the North soul. It has the Surfrider, a get swirled around inside zip line and climbing wall. Or 700 people in its biggest Philippines Visitors Bureau Poolside Room wavepool simulating ocean a huge water tank before if you don’t want to be out conference room. Or better (NPVB) promoting waves by throwing gallons getting spat out to the pool under the sun at all, the resort yet, rent the whole resort that destinations in North Luzon. of water at a certain speed underneath it.