Pangasinan Travel: 2011

Do you want to experience the sport Zip Lining? Then come to the town of Balungao here in Pangasinan! The town offers Balungao Hilltop Adventure which has the longest Zip Line in Region 1. The Zip Line has a length 600 meters which could last from 15 seconds to a minute depending on your weight and your position when you are suspended at the Zip Line.

Balungao Hilltop Adventure also offers ATV Riding, Hiking, Mountain Climbing, Mountain Biking, Trail Walking, Trust Fall, Hot and Cold Swimming Pools and soon they well be opening its Bungee Trampoline.

So come and visit Balungao to experience the Balungao Hilltop Adventure.

Re-blog from; http://pangasinantourism.com/news/balungao-hilltop-adventure-longest-zipline-in-region-1

When Faith Calls: Our Lady of Manaoag, Pangasinan

Filipinos are naturally god-fearing. Even as children, it has always been a custom to visit the church every Sunday or whenever possible. Our Lady of Manaoag church is a famous destination for thousands of catholic devotees not only in the Philippines but from all over the world as well. This Roman Catholic Pilgrimage site is situated approximately 200 kilometers north of Manila; located in the municipality of Manaoag, province of Pangasinan.

Filipinos considered Our Lady of Manaoag as the revered patroness of the sick, the helpless, and the needy. Countless tales of its healing powers were accounted since its foundation in 1610. Several stories of miraculous events were also reported including the Japanese bombing. During the World War II, the Japanese army dropped several bombs in the area. Some exploded while those that fell on the roof of the shrine inflicted no damage and failed to explode.

A 17th century Roman Catholic ivory statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary holding a rosary on the left hand and a child on the right. This was brought to the Philippines by Padre Juan de San Jacinto from Spain.

A staircase that rises to a second floor at the back of the altar was made for the devotees who desire to fervently touch even just the garment of the patron.

Similar to any other Catholic churches, devotees light candles when visiting this place. A personal prayer is said before lighting a candle offering. For those who do not have their own, a standard prayer hangs from the ceiling. Candles are lit either as a gesture of thanksgiving for granted favors and blessings, or as a way of lifting up prayer intentions either personal or for other people.

After praying and touching the garment of the patron, devotees usually pass through the souvenir shops outside. Different items can be bought for loved ones back home; from miniature patron replica, rosaries, prayer books, amulets and some native Pangasinan delicacies.

Reblog from http://blog.mangotours.com/2011/08/when-faith-calls-our-lady-of-manaoag.html

by Danny O Sagun

DAGUPAN CITY, July 1 (PIA) -- This city’s extensive river systems crisscrossing the landscape are now being developed to lure visitors and tourists and thus become a potential rich revenue source.

The River Cruise, launched during the month-long Bangus festival in April, is a wondrous romantic journey along the serene Dawel-watak river featuring lush mangroves, migratory birds, long winding river with clear waters.

Since its launch more than two months ago, Dagupenos and their neighbors and even people from far places have the opportunity to enjoy a free ride which averages about 45 minutes to one hour.

The Dawel-Watak river system, a favorite place for migratory birds because of the lush mangroves on both sides, is bigger and longer than the Loboc river in Bohol, said Mayor Benjamin S. Lim, who, as a successful businessman, has been looking for ways for the city to excel more aside from being a trading, educational and health center in the North.

The river cruise utilizes floating “nipa huts” built on a platform attached to two parallel bancas. A motorboat with a four-horsepower engine and attached to the back part steers the floating hut.

Busy ferrying riders are two huts which can accommodate up to 25 persons and a bigger one that can hold up to 40 people.

Now that that a public docking area was already built along the national road below the Dawel bridge, it is now easier for people to access the area. Before, the privately-owned San Marino dock was temporarily utilized.

The docking area was inaugurated on Friday afternoon.

Riders could not hold their excitement as they make their trip. “Oh! beautiful, what a sight,” is always overheard from them.

Tourism Regional Director Martin Valera joined the initial cruise with Mayor Lim playing host.

The Bangus Festival which itself has been drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors yearly. The festival, which usually opens on the first week of April and ends on May 1, has been made part of the traditional Pistay Dayat (Sea festival).

The mayor said the city’s inner rivers of Dawel and Watak are much greener and more serene than the one in Loboc which has successfully projected its River Cruise project.

He, however, stressed that the most important thing is for the city to be able to create job opportunities for the people.

“The boats are made here in our city so makakapagbigay tayo ng trabaho sa mga boat makers. Then we will hire cooks, waiters, and a person who will steer the boat. At the same time, we will be more conscious in making our rivers cleaner this time kasi ito na ngayun ang minamarket natin,” he said.

Valera expressed confidenced the project will become a hit with the marketing capability of the mayor. (ANL/DOS-PIA 1 Pangasinan)

Tourists flock to Hundred Islands even during rainy days

ALAMINOS CITY, Aug. 16 (PNA) -- Tourists continue to flock to the Hundred Islands in droves notwithstanding the rainy season.

This was disclosed by Alaminos City Administrator Wilmer Panabang who estimated the daily arrival in the province's number tourist spot to 200 and more than 1,000 during weekends.

In fact, he said, the number of tourist arrivals in the Hundred Islands improved this year as compared to last year and in 2008 and 2009 which were marked by down trend in tourism due to the effects on the industry wrought by Tyhoons "Ondoy" and "Pepeng".

Thus, even during the rainy season, tourists--mostly domestic, are arriving in droves, he added.

The number of foreign tourists arriving has not increased though but there was no downtrend in their number too. Most of the foreign tourists are Koreans and Japanese and a few Americans and Europeans.

Panabang said that more tourists will come to the Hundred Islands if they can cut their travel time in going to Alaminos from Manila which is five hours to only 40 minutes by means of air travel.

This can only be realized, he said, if the Pangasinan Airport, which is now undergoing construction, will soon be completed.

The project, initiated by Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza, has the backing of President Benigno S. Aquino III and Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas.

To date, land acquisition and earth movement are now ongoing at the proposed Pangasinan Airport using initial P200 million released by DOTC.

Panabang said of the amount, P50 million formed the first trance and the second trance amounted to P150 million. All these were used to acquire 80 hectares of land that will form part of the airport's runway of 150 hectares.

"Hopefully, the third trance of another P60 million will be released in the next few weeks, good for another 60 hectares of land to be acquired," Panabang said.

If completed, the Pangasinan airport will first serve domestic tourists and later expanded to an international airport. With a 150-hectare runway, excluding its access roads, the Pangasinan Airport will be bigger than the Laoag International Airport which is only 70 hectares.

He said a foreign investor is also keen on building an 18-hole golf course in Alaminos to complement the airport project. (PNA)

Bolinao is one of Pangasinan's tourism jewels, hosting a myriad of attractions and activities that won't conveniently fit in one day - beautiful beaches and waterfalls, a lighthouse, underwater caves, and even a fun river cruise.

Aptly named, Bolinao Falls 1, 2 and 3, these attractions are waterfalls of different heights. Bolinao Falls 1 being the tallest allows for the brave of heart for canyoneering. Falls 2 and 3 are more suitable for the family with a series of smaller pools and mild drops.

The Cape Bolinao Lighthouse at Patar rises 351 feet (107 m) above sea level atop Punta Piedra Point, a towering hill of solid rock which is the sharp point of Cape Bolinao itself. It was built by the Americans in 1903 on a 351 feet (107 m) high promontory at the western part of Cape Bolinao, the lighthouse still sends signals to vessels passing by the area.

The lighthouse provides a panoramic view of a portion of the 1,269 hectare Cape Bolinao Dendro Thermal Ipil-Ipil Plantation on a land area where archaeological excavations have revealed relics from the 14th to the 15th centuries. Filipino, British and American engineers constructed the lighthouse in 1905.

Patar Beach - Let the unfiltered photos speak for themselves. There are resorts and beach huts to cater to every budget. Whether for a day trip or an overnight stay, Patar beach, especially during the first half of the year before the rainy season is sure to make for an awesome getaway.

Fifty shades of blue.

The most gorgeous sunsets

Ilog Malino, is a coastal barangay that one passes through before getting to Patar beach. While mostly rocky, it has its own charm, especially in the morning when the water recedes far out to sea and one can walk out for an exciting stroll.

For those who want to have an unforgettable cruise along Balingasay River while having lunch, the Sungayan Grill and Restaurant lets a boat pull your floating kubo for one hour while you enjoy your meal.

Amazing view of the river.

Kainan na!

River cruise boodle fight.

Different colors of the river.

There are many other ways to enjoy Bolinao. Its natural wonders are a sight to behold and experience and when you are done, it has a wide array of different kinds of accommodations, hotels, and resorts to choose from, so you can sit back and just watch the sun go down.