ISSUE 14 TARLAC TO GREAT TOURISM HEIGHTS LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Tarlac was where most buses going to and from the north would stop for passengers to stretch their legs or have a ISSUE 14 snack. Somehow, Tarlac was not quite a tourism destination Publisher as travelers did not know the North Philippines Visitors Bureau beauty and wealth the province (NPVB) had to offer. Renie Ticzon Fast forward to the present, President, NPVB now, Tarlac has a thriving VP for Marketing, MNTC tourism industry and is rapidly becoming a top destination for outdoor activities. Grace Ayento Thanks to the new leadership in its provincial Acting OIC, NPVB government and the new generation of Tarlaquenos Senior Marketing Manager, MNTC eager to put their province in the tourism map. Tarlac now boasts of beautiful waterfalls, exhilarating white Executive Editor Edsel Ochoa water kayaking, trekking to majestic Pinatubo, thrilling ATV rides and a number of newly opened modern Contributing Editor fusion restaurants catering to discerning taste buds. Christian Obmerga The province also has an abundance of cultural and historical landmarks to satisfy one’s curiosity and Contributing Writers craving for knowledge. Patsy Carrillo, Kathryna de Bustos, Noelle de Guzman, So read on and enjoy this issue on Tarlac and we hope Claire Madarang, Kara Santos that after reading, you can start planning your trip to this beautiful province in North Luzon. And as we always Contributing Photographers say, let’s go North Bound now! Chino Acosta, Scal Ason, Jonathan Balonso, Pao Beltran, June Cancio, Patsy Carrillo, Xavier D’souza, Kathryna de Bustos, Claire Madarang, Dick Neri, RENIE U. TICZON Martin San Diego President, North PHILIPPINES VISITORS BUREAU Graphic Artist Emmeline Sia Vice-President for Marketing, MANILA North TOLLWAYS Corporation Sales and Marketing Rhycel Marcelo North Philippines Visitors Bureau NLEX Compound, Balintawak, Caloocan City Landline No.: 808-7484 Email : [email protected] North Philippines Visitors Bureau is a non-stock, non-profit Reproduction of this magazine in full or organization spearheaded by the in part is prohibited, unless permission Manila North Tollways Corporation, is secured from the Executive Editor and builder and concessionaire of the the Publisher. Every effort has been made North Luzon Expressway. to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, However, Its primary thrust is the promotion NPVB cannot accept legal responsibility of destinations through various for any error or omission. Opinions tourism activities and events that expressed here are solely of the writers and not necessarily endorsed by NPVB. Cover photo by draw travelers in search of culture, STDP-Tarlac adventure and relaxation to the North. Model Jacq Yu Archery leads slew of new attractions at In the heart of Western Pangasinan, at tourist aspirations and island ecology. coastline nearby consists of atoll reef, Sandbox at Alviera Bolinao, discover Punta Riviera Resort Permaculture – eat your heart out! rock formations intersecting a series where the River Meets the Sea. This Or better still – eat your way through of beaches. white (suntanned) beach and riverside our coconut and (purple) dragon fruit SandBox at Alviera in Porac, There are also various novelty resort offers challenges for Summer plantations or even a whole lechon Explore the Hinterland by Kayaking Pampanga has partnered with targets available such as famous Fun seekers looking for a combination from our herd of free-range indigenous up the Ilog Malino? Following a of a high energy holiday in a romantic, wild boars. coastline lagoon for 2 kms the river Oculus Archery to bring fun cartoon villains. well preserved environment. turns inland into deep Amazonian with the bow and arrow in a new Funshine Thing’s to do in Bolinao : jungle like terrain for another 2kms outdoor range last February. The lessons are accessible Romantic Energy : Located at the The resort provides many local tours winding its way through forests of mangroves, bamboo and nipa. Apart and comprehensive, without estuary of the South China Sea or our Tour Desk will help you do it and the Ilog Malino on a westward yourself. Both Luzon’s Hundred Island from the occasional flutter of wings Newbie archers as young as 7 removing fun in the equation. Other activities to try are biking facing raised beach platform, the site National Monument as well as the from herons, the soft plops from your years old, accompanied by an Archery helps clear the mind, derives its Karma from the earth’s famous Bolinao Falls I and II are just paddles and the wind in the trees you at the 9-km Alviera-Columbia are in perfect harmony with nature. adult, or young at heart with and allows people to decompress way lines providing excitement from 40 mins away by road. Nearby Bolinao Bike Trail located adjacent to incoming sea breezes, the roar of boasts a healthy seafood market; a Night-Time Fever : Back at the ranch senior cards, are welcome to when under stress. For kids, it the park; the Giant Swing, the waves smashing against the coral main stay of the resorts cuisine, and it’s time for music and fun. With four experience Outdoor Archery at will train their mind to focus, a fringe, infinity seaviews and big at the 400 year old Fortress Church country’s tallest at 10-meters quality singers Punta’s upbeat in-house horizon sunsets. Inspired by this magic of St. James where Father Odorico is SandBox for P400 for a one- very important skill at school. high; Wall Climbing, Rappelling band sets the scene. Located at our and love for his Ilocano wife Aileen rumored to have conducted the first Safari Grill or Rotisserie restaurants hour or 250 for a 30-minute and Free Fall on the 15-meter Respicio, the resorts proprietor, Dr. mass in the Philippines when blown off they create the deep rhythm and fever session inclusive of basic Meanwhile, the Aerial Walk, an Ian McFeat-Smith, wrote the poem course from China by a typhoon. Also Adventure Tower; trying out as a necessary part of Filipino culture. Poetry in Motion Punta Riviera as nearby are three sets of caves where coaching and equipment. obstacle course with horizontal Avatar One, Asia’s first roller The Grill is next door to the Don newly displayed on You-Tube. tourists swim in refreshingly clear Quixote Bar with pool tables, table and vertical elements, has coaster zipline; ATV driving; Check it out! spring waters; Bolinao Lighthouse been expanded for a longer, and Mini Golf. built by the Americans in 1900; tennis, pub darts, Karaoke or whatever night time fever grabs you. more challenging and exciting Funshine, Funshine happy days, Off to and Patar white beach at the end Punta I’m a-ways! The combination of the road (30mins). Snorkeling is Deep Sleep : Sleeping is also experience. From 17 activities, it SandBox at Alviera is open of sunshine, fresh air and release from recommended to see the University of recommended and comes easily after now offers 28 activities with the big city stresses creates Funshine for Philippines Marine Science Institute from Tuesdays to Sundays, 9:00 a perfect Funshine holiday at Punta Punta’s guests; whether from playing (UPMSI) farmed giant clams at addition of new tunnels, loops, AM to 5:00 PM. For booking Riviera Resort. volleyball, kayaking, or just sitting in Santiago Island near Bolinao; and the beams, nets, and ziplines. Guests guidelines, visit the Alviera the cool breezy shade under our island who will take the challenge to webpage at www.alviera.ph and canderoma sipping a pina colada. In complete this pumped up Aerial on Facebook, Instagram, and the background giggles and laughter can be heard as companies engage in Walk can expect a real workout. Twitter at AlvieraPh. team building exercises; together with Conquering the Aerial Walk soft oohs and aahs as our masseuses hit the right spots at our Riverside Spa with its family sized Jacuzzis. Regular beach weddings add a touch of colour and serenity. Our new bridge adds a symbolic link between Punta Riviera Resort Asia’s first-ever roller Brgy., Ilog Malino, Bolinao, Pangasinan Philippines coaster zip-line ATV-driving through Porac Contact Nos.: +63 75 6961350 / 75 696 1274 The thrilling Giant Swing Mobile Nos.: 0999 443 2940 (Smart) | 0943 551 2582 (Sun) | 0906 553 2720 (Globe) OF SUBIC Photo courtesy of OCEAN ADVENTURE Five out of the seven species called him Pingaw because his Ocean Adventure where she of Pawikans in the world can cheek was bitten off by another was rehabilitated for several be found in the Philippines: sea turtle. He was only 4 cm weeks. Green sea turtles can Green sea turtle, Hawksbill, long and weighing 6 g when grow up to 1.5 m long and Olive Ridley, Loggerhead and he arrived. Now he weighs 33 weigh up to 300 kg. Leatherback turtle. The other kg. Olive Ridley turtles, which two are the Flatback turtle can grow up to 70 cm long, are All sea turtles are endangered. and Kemp’s Ridley turtle. named for their olive-colored Often, fishing nets catch shell or Carapace. An adult can sea turtles accidentally and Sea turtles are large, air- weigh up to 46 kg. Olive Ridley eventually drown them. They breathing reptiles that live in nest all along the beaches of also at times end up in fishing tropical and subtropical waters. Bataan and Zambales. lines and hooks. Their habitats BEAUTY AT 360 DEGREES Their flippers are long and are degraded and destroyed paddle-like, and their shell The other two Olive Ridley by coastal development and Words and photos by CLAIRE MADARANG are streamlined, making them turtles, Basia and George are pollution.