Our Lady of Manaoag

Our Lady of Manaoag

        Traffic was at a standstill as we reached the town proper of Manaoag. It was still about a kilometer away from Manaoag Church. On board a motorcycle, a man was motioning that we follow him, apparently to lead us to a shorter passage to our point of destination. We did and, in five minutes, we were at the rear portion of the old church. Hundreds were making a beeline for the miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin of Manaoag.

        The Blessed Virgin of Manaoag is enshrined in a church built in the 1600s by the Dominican Fathers. From a small church, it is now classified as a Minor Basilica. Though it has undergone several rehabilitations, the church has retained its old architectural design. Thousands troop to the little town of Manaoag to seek divine guidance and make specific petitions through Our Lady of Manaoag. Many have claimed to have benefited from the miraculous powers of the revered icon.

        From Metro Manila, the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag is about three hours of easy driving via the North Luzon Expressway, exiting at the farthest toll gate, which in in Urdaneta, Pangasinan. Many travelers bound for the North make it a point to pass by the town of Manaoag. Others come from the far-flung areas of the country, unmindful of the long distance and time as they have this unbreakable faith that their prayers will be answered.

- Konted

Church of Nuestra Senora de Manaoag in Pangasinan

It is now formally called Minor Basilica of  Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag.

About the church

Almost always filled to the brim

The main altar

The Crucified Christ at the left flank of the main altar

Close shot of Our Lady of Manaoag

Closer shot of the miraculous Our Lady of Manaoag

At the back of the church

Inching their way closer to Our Lady of Manaoag

Near the main entrance

There is a parking lot at the rear of the church.

The popular sticky rice cake called TUPIG being sold near the church

____________________________

The Hundred Islands in Pangasinan

The Hundred Islands in Pangasinan

              

             The Philippines boasts of beautiful places that can qualify as wonders of the world. While Palawan has the Underground River and Bohol has the Chocolate Hills, the province of Pangasinan takes pride in The Hundred Islands which is within the territorial jurisdiction of Alaminos City. Alaminos City is about 220 kilometers away from Metro Manila via the Romulo Highway in Camiling, Tarlac.

             The Hundred Islands is such a stunning beauty that President Quezon declared it as a national park and a protected area. Total number of islands is 123. These islands are said to be 'ancient corals' that once formed the seabed of an 'ancient sea'.  The clean, clear waters surrounding the islands and the fine sands make island hopping enjoyable. Sturdy outrigger boats can accommodate 15 persons. Rental fee is  P2 thou per boat for an approximately one and a half  hour ride.

              Most tourists prefer to stop and alight at selected islands and spend some time frolicking under the sun and wading at the foreshores. The sights are enthralling and the marine environment is amazing.  The beauty of The Hundred Islands is comparable to that of The 12 Apostles in Australia.

               When touring Alaminos and The Hundred Islands, one does not have to take a plane, ride and endure several kilometers of bumpy, dirt roads and transfer to a motor boat for another hour ride.   Not in Alaminos. The travel to Alaminos is trouble free as the traveler negotiates not so many turns and bends and sharp inclines as he rides through good roads.

                If one does not feel like driving, he can take a bus ride to the City of Alaminos. Victory Liner provides daily services to commuters bound for  the towns of Western Pangasinan.  An airconditioned Victory Liner bus has lazy boy seats and provides free video and wifi.  Fare from Cubao to Alaminos City is P393 per person. 

               Book now and find out for yourselves why The Hundred Islands is considered  one of the wonders of the world.

- Konted

The Hundred Islands is about 15 minutes away from the welcome arch of Alaminos City in Western Pangasinan.

Free water for motorists at the national highway in Alaminos City.

Wharf at one of the islands.  The Hundred Islands has been declared as a protected area.  

Clean, clear waters

The boat ride around the islands is usually a smooth one.  

Approaching some more islands

Rental fee per boat is P2thou.  This is still negotiable.

The small islands are said to be ancient corals.

Boat approaches a big island.

There are resorts and inns at two of the islands.  There are also hotels at Lucap which is the jump off point.

Abaca rope is being readied as boat approaches island.

Time quickly passes by as you hop from one island to another.

Capture the beauty of The Hundred Islands through your digicam.

The City Officials of Alaminos and the Dept of Tourism ensure the safety of tourists and regularly check on the overall cleanliness of the area.

Outrigger boats are sturdy and steady boats.

More beautiful places to see

Alaminos City is part of Western Pangasinan.

U can do your island hopping in 1 1/2 hours.

Boatmen are experienced in their line of work.

Really a sight to behold

Souvenir shot

Cool inside the cave

Bats at Bat Island

Fun-filled day for tourists

One of the few developed islands

What more can u ask for?

Another souvenir shot

Victory Liner's waiting lounge in Cubao, Q.C.

Well-maintained air -conditioned buses

Smooth ride

Free video and wifi access

The Serene Town Of Labrador

Labrador, Pangasinan

The Serene Town Of Labrador

             Labrador is a quiet seaside town in Western Pangasinan.  With a population of only 21 thousand, the town is a laid back municipality where folks seem to be content with the bountiful catch from the sea and the fruitful harvest from the tilled soil.  They wake up to the crowing of the rooster, take a siesta in the early afternoon and engage in quiet conversations as the sea breeze gently blows. Labrador faces the South China Sea.

              At the town proper is an Italian-inspired small church aptly called Saint Isidore The Farmer Parish Church. The town, established in 1754, was named after San Isidro de Labrador who is the patron saint of farmers. It celebrates its annual town fiesta on May 15 as the townspeople pay homage to their much-revered saint.

              At the Poblacion, a clean and well-supervised market becomes the center of commercial activities where fishermen trade their haul for the day such as prawns, shrimps, squid, snappers, talakitok and salmon. The industrious farmers part ways with their mangoes, watermelons, lettuce, cabagges and tomatoes. In Labrador, everything is plentiful.

              At one stretch of the well-paved highway, a panoramic view of the blue sea with fishermen sailing on their steady boats greets motorists as they make their way to the pristine beaches of Labrador.  Labrador boasts of its therapeutic sea wind that soothes the aching body and comforts the troubled mind. Labrador is truly a tranquil place. It is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

- Konted

Welcome landmark at the City of Alaminos. Alaminos is one town away from Labrador.

View from the highway of Lingayen Gulf and the towns of Labrador and Sual

The azure waters of Lingayen Gulf as seen from an area between Labrador and Sual.

St. Isidore The Farmer Parish Church at the town proper of Labrador.  San Isidro is the town's  patron saint.

Church interior

Wading through the waters of a beach in Labrador

Outrigger boat

Boat docked at Uyong Beach in Labrador

View of the sea from the highway

There are stalls selling freshly hauled seafood items along the highway of Labrador and Sual.

Blue Marlin

Bangus from the fishpens in Labrador

Juicy watermelons of Labrador

Sweet mangoes

Turnips or singkamas

At the port of Sual

Used Japanese bikes for sale along the highway in Labrador

More bikes inside the warehouse

Having a hard time choosing

The final choice

Labrador is a peaceful town of Pangasinan.

Touring Western Pangasinan

The Seat of Power in the town of Sual.  Sual used to be a barrio of the town of Labrador.

Dried seafood items at low prices:  Dangget, pusit, bisugo, bangus, espada, etc.

Bagoong and Patis

The Church of Mangatarem in Pangasinan

Bats inside Mangatarem Church

Mini Cooper owned by a former town official of Labrador

Big bikes at the expressway

A 1962 bandurria made by the Suzuki Violin Co, Ltd. of Japan

Map of Pangasinan