Tuesday, June 25, 2013

All the Way to the North: An Excerpt from Sweetie's Diary

Dear Diary,

The end of the month is almost nearing but that cannot stop me from sharing my recent adventure with my one and only Cutie at the third biggest province in the whole Philippine archipelago- Pangasinan.

Described as the heartland of the Philippines, Pangasinan is a 5,451.01 square km. (2,104.65 sq mi) province in the central plain of Luzon with a population of 2,779,862 people (according to the 2010 census).  It is as a major producer of salt in the Philippines and the rice granary of the country.  The natives from this place are also famous for speaking unique languages such as Pangalatok, Ilokano, and others.


I really can't tell much about my stay there because I've only been there for less than 24 hours.  I can only remember the famous Pangasinan dishes such sa Pigar-Pigar, Papaitan, and others, Romeo's relatives (who had been so hospital to me), our long lost Crit Care friend Kim (We dropped by Dagupan just to see her.), the miraculous Manaoag Shrine, the endless food trips, the tiresome walks and the never-ending bus and jeepney rides.

The first town we visited was Binalonan.  This town is really special for my Cutie since he was born and raised there.  I never got the chance to explore such place but my stay there was really memorable.  I got to meet some of my Cutie's relatives and see his residence as well.

with my Cutie's relatives
Our next stop was Manaoag.  Referred to as 'The Pilgrims Center of the North,' this town is home to the miraculous Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of ManaoagIt was my first time to visit such place and it was beautiful indeed.  
at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag
The Manaoag Shrine
We also got the chance to visit Dagupan. This city is known as 'The Bangus Capital of the World' since it is home to the tastiest milkfish in the country. My stay there was notable because I got to see my Crit Care friend Kim (who is based there) and taste some of their famous dishes.

Dagupan City
At Dagupan
That was the last leg of our trip.  We had to go back to Manila afterwards because of an important appointment. However, despite of it all, my first road trip with my Cutie was a fun-filled experience after all.  I really hope that I can go back there someday and explore the rest of Pangasinan.


Lovelots,
Maica Angelle


Credits:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pangasinan
http://rediscoverphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/07/tourist-spots-in-pangasinan.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagupan
http://www.dagupan.gov.ph/
http://www.pangasinan.gov.ph/the-province/cities-and-municipalities/manaoag/
http://philippineromancatholic.blogspot.com/2011/06/important-announcement-regarding.html
http://www.pangasinan.gov.ph/the-province/cities-and-municipalities/dagupan-city/
https://www.facebook.com/kim.evangelista.5/media_set?set=a.596252413722449.150187.100000130881158&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=413066075474037&set=p.413066075474037&type=1&theater
https://www.facebook.com/manalotiburcio/media_set?set=a.326426567380604.92720.100000397892268&type=3
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xtinamilan/383337739/