Cityscapes#1: UP Diliman, Quezon City

University of the Philippines - Diliman, Quezon City

UP Diliman is the flagship campus and the largest constituent university of the University of the Philippines System, and the Philippines' premier university. It is located in Diliman, Quezon City in Metro Manila.

It offers courses in Liberal Arts, Social Sciences, Law, Business and Economics, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Music,Archaeology and Fine Arts among others. It offers the largest number of graduate and undergraduate courses among all the universities in the Philippines.


The UP Diliman campus or the Diliman community is sometimes called the Diliman Republic and a "microcosm of the Philippines". It is the only university in Metro Manila that has its own jeepney transportation owing to its size.

The university also has a congressional franchise to operate two radio stations (AM and FM) and a television station. The campus encompasses residential areas and students often feel a sense of solidarity with the community residents. It is monitored by the local U.P. Police.

It also has its own community hospital, sports facilities (includes track & field oval, gymnasium, tennis courts, swimming pool, bowling and billiards facilities), and a university theater and a film center. Other facilities include, banking services, and numerous laboratory and research facilities for natural and social sciences.



The whole campus is situated in rolling plains and lush greenery. Making it very ideal for jogging and biking activities (during weekends or when there are no classes).

Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_the_Philippines,_Diliman

Visit: UP Diliman Website

New series: Cityscapes

We are adding a new category to our blog - the cityscapes series. Other than bringing pit stops and sidetracks, the cityscapes series will feature the enjoyable or hang out places of the Philippines' largest metropolis - Metro Manila.

Pit stops will cover, mostly, the far flung tourist destinations in the country. While side tracks will feature interesting places within the vicinity of our pit stops.

Let review our previous pit stops and side trackings:
Pit Stop 1: Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Side Tracks:
Bantay, Ilocos Sur
Mindoro Beach, Ilocos Sur
Baluarte, Ilocos Sur

Pit Stop 2: Mt Tapulao, Zambales

Side Tracks:
Capones Island, Zambales

Our first cityscape adventure will be posted soon!

Places explored so far with Tronix Ebike Exceed

Side Track: Capones, Zambales

If you do online search for traveling to Zambales and you have set your eyes on Mt Tapulao - discussion forums, especially those of mountain climbing or 4x4 boards always suggest sidetracking to Capones in San Antonio, Zambales.


While Mt Tapulao is located in Iba/Palauig, located in northern part of the province, San Antonio is in the southern part. So, if you are heading back to Manila after the Mt Tapulao adventure, San Antonio is just along the way.

Capones Island and the Anawangin Cove are two of the tourist destinations in San Antonio, Zambales that are gaining reputation as idyllic pitstops if you are into summer getaways. The popularity of these locations are due to word-of-mouth advertising of people who have been there over the Internet, and just recently, exposure from main stream media such as GMA7's Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.

So, here's Capones in pictures.




Zambales Map courtesy of GlobalPinoy.com

Pit Stop #2: Mt. Tapulao, Zambales

Located at Luzon, Philippines' western region, Mt Tapulao is the Zambales Mountain Range highest peak, majestic at over 2000+ meters above sea level.





A mountain-climber's favorite destination, Mt. Tapulao in Zambales possesses the same and comparable to the charms of the Cordillera's Mt Pulag.
Tapulao, means pine tree in the local dialect, a very fitting name to its pine tree dominated landscape.


The mountain was once a site of a large-scale carbide mining operations, making the mountain trails very wide, making 4x4 driving possible.

Other than mountain hiking/climbing and 4x4 driving, mountain biking and motor cross activities are possible.

Side Track: Baluarte Experience, Vigan

Baluarte is the home of Vigan’s biggest cats, the Baluarte. It is a free roaming zoo established by Gov. Chavit Singson.

This sprawling estate is the home of camels, deer, ostriches, orangutans and the famous Siberian/Bengal tigers. Another attraction in the zoo is the live animal encounter show – held 4 times a day, 7 days a week. The animal show allows wherein visitors are allowed to come up close to touch the animals and pose for pictures.


Like all other facilities of Baluarte, the animal encounter show is free.

How to Get to Baluarte, Vigan
Just get tricycle from the city plaza.
Agree on the fare with the driver before hopping in on the tricycle.
Or a calesa ride, but expect it to be more expensive.
Or if you have a car, it is less than 10 minute drive to Baluarte.

Off Topic: 4x4 Off-roading

Location: Mt Tapulao, Zambales
Trucks: Toyota Land Cruiser
Elevation: 2000+ meters

Pit Stop #2: SOON! Mt Tapulao, Zambales

Side Track: Mindoro Beach, Vigan

Well, Vigan is not all about colonial houses, cobblestone streets, large jars, among others - the city offers also nice, tropical beaches. The closest beach spot within Vigan is Mindoro Beach.

Pit Stop #1: Burnayan in Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Burnayan in Vigan is a place where cottage industry of burnayan (pottery making) is thriving.

Burnay made of rich red Ilocos clay. These jars are hand molded on a potter’s wheel and mixed with sand and baked at a high temperature in a huge brick-and-clay ground kiln. Burnay is known to be stronger than ordinary terra cotta.

Burnay is primarily used for fish sauce (bagoong) or sugarcane wine storage. It is also used decorative or ornamental items. It comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs. Very large jars or burnay are very common though.

Two (2) ebikes and Toyota Vios' trunk

Just a sample video on how we fit the two (2) Tronix Ebike Exceed in a Toyota Vios's trunk. And yes, these are the ones we used in cruising Vigan City and its neighboring town of Bantay.



No, they aren't disassembled. They are just folded. :)

Videos: Vigan, Ilocos Sur Bits and Pieces

Side Track: Bantay, Ilocos Sur

When traveling up north to Vigan, Ilocos Sur, one should not miss sidetracking to Vigan's neighboring town, Bantay.

Historical records and townspeople believe that the town was named after its natural and physical features, which means mountain. This is because of its hilly and mountainous terrain, particularly at its eastern portion.
Another popular belief is linked to the Holy Shrine of the famous and miraculous image of our Lady of Charity, which was brought to the place during the Spanish colonial period and accidentally found by fishermen on board a ship that got stranded on the shores of the Ilocos coast.


In her honor, Bantay residents built a chapel, which is now the main feature of St. Augustine Church. It is believed that the miraculous image intended to remain and cannot be moved nor posses. That the image is there to remain forever to "guard" the place, which means Bantay in local dialect.

The town of Bantay is located south of Vigan or right before Vigan when you are coming from Manila.

Pit Stop #1: Picture Perfect Vigan

Pit Stop #1: Exploring Vigan

Our three-day vacation in Vigan with my officemates was one of the best escapes from the bustling metropolis. And I must admit the longest road trip I ever had. I was with four other people just who traversed the straight 10-hour trip stretching over 408 kilometers. ( We left at 6 in the morning and arrived at the historic city at 4 in the afternoon.) While our Toyota Vios is a bit cramped, but comfortable nonetheless. From Manila to Bulacan to Pampanga to Tarlac to Pangasinan then La Union and Vigan, Ilocos Sur, it is like counting how many towns left as we head on to our destination - Vigan City.

Crisologo Street
After settling down at our hotel - the El Juliana Hotel, we decided to take stroll at the Heritage Strip. However, we can’t bring the car along the cobblestones streets so we brought our E-bike Exceed. Cars are prohibited passing through on the cobblestones streets of Vigan.

There are lots of interesting architectural designs (Spanish colonial influence) along the famed Crisologo Street. The brick roads, ancestral houses and interesting shapes of the place are just too awesome to see. Strolling along Crisologo Street is like walking through a door that leads you to the past.

Vigan Beach
We also got a chance to marvel the golden sunset being swallowed by the sea at Mindoro beach – the closest and nicest beach you can find in Vigan.


Ilocos Cuisine and Nightlife
After that seaside scenery, we were so excited to come back to the plaza to have our first dinner in town. We ordered sinanglao and empanadang vigan - some of the famous delicacies in town. And of course we end up our first day, trying out the nightlife at Vigan’s premiere bar, Sitio Bar, near at the heart of the town. It was around 11 in the evening when we returned at El Juliana Hotel. At last, a good night sleep after the grueling hours of traveling across five provinces.

Bantay, Ilocos Sur: Side Tracking

On our second day, we woke up early trying to catch the sunrise at Bantay church belfry just outside of Vigan. Together with our E-bike Exceed we traversed the road going to the church, we passed by the statue of Florentina Leona, Plaza Burgos, and Plaza Salcedo. We were amazed when we reached the Bantay church it was another imposing Structure but we were not able to get close to the belfry as the gates were still locked so we just managed to steal some snapshots.

Baluarte, Vigan
After Bantay, we decided to visit the home of Vigan’s biggest cats, the Baluarte. The sun was at its hottest since we arrived, but that didn’t prevent us from taking a stroll. Baluarte is a free roaming zoo established by Gov. Chavit Singson. Here you will find different kinds of animals like camels, deer, ostriches, orangutans and the famous Siberian Bengal tigers. Another attraction in the zoo is the live animal encounter show – held 4 times a day, 7 days a week, wherein visitors are allowed to come up close to touch the animals and pose for pictures. And like all other facilities of Baluarte, the animal encounter show is free. There were still other attraction in the zoo but it was almost 12 noon so we headed back to the plaza and walked towards the fast food for lunch.

Other Places of Interest

After lunch we hurried to visit some of the notable spots around town – Plaza Maestro, Plaza Burgos, St. Paul Cathedral, Crisologo Museum, and up to the Burnayan where the famous Vigan jars are made. When you enter the compound you will be surprised by the number of jars they have.

Going back to Crisologo Street

Before the day was over, we returned at the Crisologo Street for our last night out. We took another stroll and we shopped around store by store for t-shirts, souvenirs, chichacorn, and their famous wine – Basi. After several more shots and three bags of take home stuff, we decided to returned to our hotel for our dinner and this time we didn’t miss the chance to taste their famous bagnet.

The three days seemed to pass by so fast. We left Vigan City 10 in the morning and arrived back to manila 8 in the evening.

Written by: Ryan Untalan

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Some Notes:

El Juliana Hotel is located in # 5 Liberation Boulevard Corner Quirino Boulevard, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. El Juliana is a spacious old building, with flagged stones on the ground floor, wide imposing staircase, and huge polished hardwood floorboards over a foot wide in the bedrooms, which would be worth a fortune anywhere outside the Philippines.

Facilities: Airconditioned Rooms, CATV, Parking space, Private toilet and bath, Receiving area, Swimming Pool, Mini-conference room, Terrace (smoking area), High pressure water

Pit Stop #1: How to get to Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Destination: Vigan

Surely, Vigan is one prized sight to behold. Cobblestone streets, Spanish-era, colonial houses, watch towers - it will be gazing experience overload. On top of meeting wonderful locals and tasting its culinary delights.

This only surviving Spanish colonial city lies along the west of Northern Luzon. It about 408 kilometers north of Manila in the provice of Ilocur Sur. It is bordered by the municipalities Caoayan, Bantay, Santa, Sta. Catalina, and, on its west, the South China Sea.

How to get to Vigan: Manila to Vigan, and back

Manila to Vigan and Back: You can get to Vigan from Manila using either of the two modes depending on your budget and schedule:

Overland
Travelers will enjoy taking nine-hour trip upnorth as it offers an opportunity to see the country side of Norther Philippines. Passing thru the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, and La Union.

Public Transport (Bus)
There are air conditioned buses that leave Manila stations on scheduled departures to Vigan. The bus companies include, Philippine Rabbit, Dominion Bus Lines and Partas.

Own Transportation or Rental Vehicles
With your own car or rental vehicle, from Manila, make your way to NLEX or the North Luzon Expressway. Entry to Bocaue Toll Plaza and travel up to Dau Toll Plaza.



Dau Toll Plaza has a connecting lane to the SCTEX or the Subic-Clark-Tarlac
Expressway.
Upon exiting Tarlac Exit, just follow the road signs leading to Vigan. While traversing these national roads, you get to enjoy the Northern Luzon countryside.

Pit Stop #1: Getting Up Close: Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Vigan: A Place Like No Other



Local and foreign experts describe Vigan as a "place like no other". Its uniqueness lies in its historic townscape which is an architectural blend of Asian, European and Latin American influences. Being the only surviving colonial town in the country, Vigan has more strung along the narrow streets of the old Mestizo District, popularly known in the olden days as Kasanglayan (Chinese Quarters).

Located in the Northern part of the Philippines, Vigan is 408 kilometers northwest of Manila and includes area of the China Sea as a buffer zone on the western side of the town.



Vigan, earlier known as " Ciudad Fernandina" from 1758 to late 19th century, is the oldest surviving Spanish colonial city in the country. It has auspiciously escaped the bombs of World War II unlike its sister cities, Manila and Cebu. How and why it has survived the wrath of war is a fascinating story on its own.



Vigan brings images of antiquated houses, cobbled narrow streets, calesas and friendly faces peering out of large windows; a place where "time stood still". Yet, despite all the romantic images this place provokes, much is still unfamiliar about Vigan.

The name came from the Ilocano word "kabiga-an" pertaining to the plant "biga" abounds. Biga is a tuberous plant (alocadia indica) that once grew along the banks of its rivers.

Vigan was once a thriving center for trade and commerce among the people of Ilocandia and the Cordilleras. It is situated at the delta of the Abra River (now the Mestizo and Govantes Rivers) going to the South China Sea. This position at the mouth of the river most probably afooded its existence as it was a fluvial harbor connected to the China Sea, making trade possible with other islands and with China.

Today, Vigan was recently included in the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List in December 1999 and converted into a component city last January 21, 2001. In partnership with the government of Spain, the Vigan Master Plan is in the process for the revitalization of the historic Vigan.

Source: Vigan Official Site
Photo Credits: Innovatronix Inc

Tronix Ebike Exceed: Your bring anywhere ebike

Welcome! Join us in enjoying the places explored, adventures experienced and fun, pleasures taken in with the Tronix Ebike Exceed - the newest ebike from Innovatronix.

Tronix Ebike Exceed, your bring anywhere ebike!