Visiting all 4 of the Baroque Churches in the Philippines which were also part of UNESCO Heritage Sites List is one of the things that I am proud of. These four churches were built by the Spanish in the late 16th century and their unique architectural style is of European Baroque mastered by Chinese and Philippine craftsmen. Three of them are located in Luzon and one is in Visayas.

At this post, I will highlight the two churches which made my trip remarkable.

Miag-ao Church or the Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church in Miag-ao, Iloilo

The Miag-ao Church was built by the Spanish Augustinian missionaries in Miag-ao, Iloilo in 1786. There are two notable frontages of this church: its two watchtowers and a large coconut tree at the center. The watchtowers were built to defend the town and people against the Muslims who invaded Christianized villages during the early times, while the coconut tree represents St. Christopher carrying Child Jesus on his shoulder referred as “tree of life,” which was according to folklore.

It was said that Miag-ao Church has the most interesting interior design of all 4 Baroque Churches in the Philippines because of its gold-plated retablos. Unfortunately, we were one of those who wasn’t able to see it as it was closed when we visited it. Read more…

It’s been two years now since I’ve traveled North. I can still remember how blue this beach was and how the air approached my face when we went here. Blue Lagoon Pagudpud is also known as the Boracay of the North, but in my own opinion, you cannot compare the two.

Apparently, Blue Lagoon has longer shoreline than Boracay and when you get to walk from the water, you’ll see cottages and not fancy hotels. I just hope that this beach remain unspoiled.

Boracay is mainly for party people while this place is mainly for people who seek peace of mind, no bars or fancy restaurants. Read more…

Bangui Windmills was one of my favorite destinations in Ilocos Norte during our road trip. Booking a hotel here is easy with Agoda, Ilocos.

Bangui Windmills are considered to be the biggest in Southeast Asia. It’s fascinating that Philippines has this kind of renewable energy resources.

It sells 40% electricity to Ilocos Norte and is contributing to reduce the greenhouse effect which causes global warming. Can you imagine how simple life is in Ilocos Norte? Fifty percent energy consumption of SM Megamall is the whole energy consumption in Ilocos Norte.

Each windmill has 236 meters apart on shore. These beautiful structures has 41 meters blade and the its height is roughly equivalent to a 23-storey building.

I hope our government should provide more renewable energy in different parts of the country and reduce the frightening greenhouse effect which causes global warming.

Huge right? We are lucky to see these 20 beautiful windmills in Bangui, Ilocos Norte. We can’t explain the feeling when we first saw these windmills. We just expressed it by jumping for joy and appreciating the scenery.

We went here in Bangui during our 3rd day in road trip. Added to the fun is that this is an all-expense-paid road trip from Vaseline. We really enjoyed our stay in Bangui Windmills. My friends Hannah and Nikki shared that they really love this project started by the Marcoses.

I am one of the lucky girls who just experienced a 5-day all-expense-paid road trip to Northern Luzon. What’s more fascinating is that I shared these experience with my girl friends Hannah and Nikki.

This video is now airing on your favorite local TV channel!

Visiting Northern Luzon has always been my dream destination since I started traveling. The two UNESCO World Heritage Baroque Churches in the Philippines, Paoay Chuch and Santa Maria Church, is in North. Even the famous Bangui Windmills is in North.

When I received a 5-day road trip invitation from Vaseline, I didn’t hesitate to decline the offer! What makes me more excited is that this an all-expense-paid road trip plus with my girl friends Hannah and Nikki.

I know you girls envy our road trip because it is totally free. The news I am going to tell you is that YOU can also get this opportunity by joining Vaseline’s Road Trip of a Lifetime Contest.

How to join the Vaseline’s Road Trip of a Lifetime Contest:

1. Visit vaselineroadtrip.com.
2. Answer the road trip of a lifetime question.
3. Upload a photo which clearly depict how excited your are to step in to the sun and go in this road trip.
4. Hit Submit.

For the ‘My Favorite Vaseline Road Trip Stop’ question, refer to my Vaseline Road Trip of a Lifetime posts to explore the places we have been then choose your favorite!

Do not forget to read Terms and Conditions of the contest in the Vaseline road trip website. This contest is open to all Filipino women 18 years old and above residing in the Philippines.

Wait boys, don’t make that face, invite your girl friends, sister, or whoever girl you knew to join this contest! If she won, SHE will surely bring you!

Prize at Stake:
An all-expenses-paid roadtrip for Northern Luzon for you and THREE (3) of your friends, exclusively from Vaseline.

Receive an invitation like this!

Don’t forget to visit Hannah and Nikki‘s blogs as well for you to choose more favorite stop during our road trip experience!

*Photo by Jeck Simbulan

During our 2nd day in Vaseline road trip, we visited the Malacañang of the North or the official residence of the Marcoses located in Paoay, Ilocos Norte. Let’s take a sneak peak at the real Malacanang of the North.

It is a two-storey house and it is one of the 29 rest houses of late President Ferdinand Marcos.

The house has 9 spacious rooms which used to accommodate upper class guests during Marcos’ term.

The house is a mixture of Spanish and Ilocano interior designs.

It also has 2 living rooms and 2 dining rooms. See how extravagant the house is; accommodating upper class visitors during those times.

Both 1st and 2nd floor have spacious veranda facing the Paoay Lake.

After Ferdinand Marcos died, Malacanang of the North was transformed into a musuem. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and has an entrance fee of P20.00.