Lingayen and Sindayen

"I shall return" The famous words of Lt. Gen. Douglas MacArthur when he was forced to leave the Philippines due to Japanese invasion.

Indeed, he returned. After two years, he fulfilled his promised and returned to Philippines.

Together with his forces they arrived and landed in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

The Americans were victorious by accepting the surrender of Japan and the rest is history.

I have described Lingayen as a modern day historical landmark. Beautiful and progressive municipality of Pangasinan that you can no longer notice that it played an important role in our history. Unlike Corregidor, you can't find structures or buildings that were damage during WWII. However, artifacts and photos were placed in a small museum type within the vicinity of Provincial Capitol.

Some relics from the war like tanks, planes and anti-aircraft cannons are still there as if war is not yet over. :)

Lingayen beach is also okay (clear and white sand), open to public (free), and it is clean (because cottages have enough distance to the shoreline).

Unfortunately, we hadn't chance to swim when we went there; only visit and took some pictures. :(

I guess this is not the last and definitely we shall return. :)

Some pictures of our Lingayen trip:

Lucap Halo-halo

Lucap Halo-halo

Halo-halo (from Tagalog word halò, "mix") is a popular Filipino dessert that is a mixture of shaved ice and evaporated milk to which are added various boiled sweet beans and fruits, and served in a tall glass or bowl. Wikipedia

Halo-halo is a favorite summer dessert by Filipinos because of its refreshing taste that quenches the thirst and heat of the summer. I remember when I was a still kid; I really have to wait for summer just to buy halo-halo from our neighbor. However, now it’s already available in some restaurants and food chains.

Lucap is one of the Barangay's in Alaminos. In Lucap, whatever the season is, with or without occasion halo-halo is always available and ready to be served.

Whenever our family visits our province (Alaminos, Pangasinan), Lucap halo-halo is never missed. I think it's already part of our tradition.

Lucap halo-halo is a typical halo-halo that distinct its taste on the season it will be served. Aside from the common ingredients, some put papaya or sweet corn or other fruits available that can make the halo-halo more flavorful.
You may also choose your desired ingredients but limited only on what are available.



Take note that not all ingredients is available per vendor, but you have many vendors to choose from.

It comes with Regular and Special.

P15-P35 per serving is an already enough partner while gazing at the view of 100 Island's. :)

WOW Bolinao...

This is the first time we celebrated holy week as a married couple and we decided to celebrate it in my province - Alaminos, Pangasinan.

I'll not talk about Alaminos (the home of the 100 Island's) but the town that my wife long to visit.. Bolinao.

When Rhea (my wife) asked me "If we happen go Pangasinan this summer, can we go Bolinao?" then I replied "If Mama (my mother in law) will lend Inno to us, then we'll go." (Thanks to Mama, she lend Inno (Toyota Innova) to us for the summer. Yey!)

Revisiting Bolinao was very exciting for me thinking what changes had been made more than eight years ago; Also, that time we just went to the beach only.

I remember back then going to Brgy. Patar, it was rough road, dusty and took us almost two hours from town proper to the beach. Anyway, it was then but now it is fast and accessible. I also noticed new establishments, resorts and improvements which gets me more exited.

Doubling the excitement, my wife, the first timer :)
I can only guess her excitement by imagining the feeling; You prayed and asked for something and then you would know what you prayed for has been answered. :)

We so blessed this time because Inno is with us, we had the opportunity visit some places I've never been more than eight years ago.

Like the more than 4 centuries old St. James the Great Parish:

The ST. JAMES THE GREAT PARISH
Bolinao, Pangasinan was canonicallly erected the year 1609 when the Augustinian Friars took over this mission territory which as earlier entrusted by the Spanish Colonial Government to the Dominican Friars in the year 1594 and left the place in the year 1607 due to the vastness of their mission territories and the scarcity of their missionary members. The Church tower of Bolinao measuring seventy five (75) feet was then the tallest in whole Pangasinan if not the entire Norther Luzon. However, an earthquake in 1788 toppled about half of it. Then in 1819, the Church Convent was also accidentally burned.

BOLINAO LIGHTHOUSE

It is the second talles lighthouse in the Philippines and century old built by Filipino, Americans, and British engineers in 1905.

It rises majestically 351 feet above the sea level a top Punta Piedra Point, a towering hill of solid rock which is the sharp point of Cape Bolinao itself. The lighthouse provides a panoramic view of the South China Sea.

According to the Bureau of Geodetic Surveys, the land elevation is 250 feet. Visibility is 20 miles at mid-sea towards the lighthouse in Poro Point in La Union.

The winding stair has 6 platforms with 20 steps or rungs or a total 120 steps plus 14 more to the illumination room, or an over-all total of 134 steps.

Finally the best part of our Bolinao trip, the beach..



Rhea was very happy that Bolinao met her expectation.
The cold water under the heat of the sun and children playing on white sand.



~ o0o ~

The continuous development of this town will make them one of the top tourist destinations of the Philippines.




Definitely, Bolinao is one of the places MUST see when you visit Pangasinan.
The stories behind the historical landmarks, the long beach waiting for you to be experienced and many things ready to be discovered.



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