It was a romantic February month as I see this romantic scene and the view is giving me an idea where should I propose to my girl. I just want to have kayaking or riding on a rake (balsa) in this river and how romantic could it be doing it with my girl.

The place is called Sallacong (or Brgy. San Mariano) in the town of Bantay, Ilocos Sur. It is a secluded village at located at the banks of the Abra River.

The mountain view blend with the refreshing aquamarine waters of Abra River that truly satisfies everyone's viewing desires to see a beautiful scenery.

Ilocos Sur Natural Wonders

The city of Vigan has it's own way of making the Halloween fun and exciting and this defines the Raniag Twilight Festival. This festival has the goal to make Halloween season in Vigan bright and happy.

Raniag is an Ilocano term for "light" or "brightness." This festival showcases the creativity of the Ilocanos by creating wonderful Halloween costumes that are not limited to ghosts.

There is also a float parade and every float must have a "glare" or a notable brightness that will enlighten the night of the souls. It happens every last week of October just prior to Halloween.

Culture Ilocos Sur

The man was so courageous lying down a real coffin! It was Halloween in the city of Vigan in Ilocos Sur, Philippines where I was able to capture a zombi-ed body of a fictional name Jaime Ampatuan.

Well in the Philippines, the name "Ampatuan" is always associated to violence because it is a political name in the Islamic province of Maguindanao, Philippines who brought shame in the Philippines in the face of global community when they allegedly forced the killing of more than 50 mediamen and other civilians because of their clamor to stay in political power.

Anyway, the name Jaime Ampatuan is just fictional. This was in fact during the Vigan Twilight Festival happening every Halloween in Vigan City where the creatures of the underworld are the stars of the night. The man was so courageous lying down a real coffin!

Culture Ilocos Sur

It was a breathtaking and a bloodcurdling ride going to the town of Cervantes in Ilocos Sur because you have to take the deadly mountain road just to reach the town if taking the Tagudin-Cervantes-Sabangan Road.

It is deadly because almost all parts are situated just directly to the cliff and one thing more, there are falling rocks and land slides. However, the risk of taking this highway is worthwhile as you reach the beautiful and amazing town of Cervantes, Ilocos Sur.

 My trip to this lovely mountain town has a thrill because I reached it via a scooter. It was a ride of approximately 250 kilometers back and forth without anyone to ask for help if there is a trouble along the road because there are no houses and people at the long stretch of the road until you reach the center of the town.

Adventure Ilocos Sur

Vigan's Heritage Village is a discipline zone. It is a regulated place. If one will go here, one can notice that there are no dangling wires seen at the street and also, no motorized vehicles and only the calesas are allowed. 

The city wants to just maintain the architectural and cultural harmony of the place, thus regulations. For this Christmas, I think there must be a rule too. Christmas decorations at the Vigan Heritage Village need not to be overdone. Everyone must be aware that what is too much can lead to imbalance.

For the Heritage Village, the highlight is always the ancestral houses. Overdoing Christmas decorations could overshadow the optimum beauty of the city which can be seen in its simplest setting. As I went to this area on a high noon, I have this smile in my heart and somehow very glad that it is Christmas everywhere and I am seeing it at the heritage village.

Many people prefer to have the grandest Christmas decorations given that they have the means but for this case, the simplicity of the decorations is itself enough to feel the touch of the Christmas spirit. 

The white Christmas decorations that are hanging at the old houses were just perfect to maintain the simplicity and the beauty of the place. Too much of them with different colors could be an eye sore to the place.

I have tried imagining putting a lot of colorful decorations at this street and it doesn't really look good even at the pictures of my imagination.

What is simple could be the best. I would always prefer the white decorations and adding more of it could already alter the beauty of the place which comes from the very simple concepts.

At the Vigan Heritage Village, simplicity is a virtue and the simple decorations can already speak a lot that the old street is enjoying the spirit of Christmas. Anyway, Merry Christmas everyone!

Heritage Ilocos Sur