Top 30 Favorite Spots in the Philippines: 7.Batad Rice Terraces

Batad Rice Terraces are part of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These 2,000 year-old impressive terraces carved into the mountains of Ifugao are priceless contributions of our ancestors to the world.  Each year, it welcomes local and foreign travelers who are eager to get a piece of the quiet mountain life. 

Although there are threats posed by nature (landslides) and modernity (structures and houses built near the terraces and the new generation choosing to find greener pastures in the lowland instead of cultivating the rice fields), Batad (a GMO-free site), as I saw it, still stands proud of its incredible heritage. It was truly a humbling experience to be in the same spot where our ancestors once stood to carve this masterful and cultural treasure. 

It's not everyday that I get to sleep in an authentic Ifugao hut and wake up to the awesome view of dramatic contoured mountains and verdant rice terraces. The picture-perfect background, mist-covered rice fields basking in the morning sunlight, and the sight of the local people going about their early routines made the waking up part very special. It was a tough call for me to get there since we had to hike for hours under the biting midday sun, but the experience was every bit rewarding. Batad roads are less traveled, but definitely worth-taking.  

Taking into consideration the preserved culture and traditions, breathtaking sites, and the unforgettable trek on the rice paddies, Batad Rice Terraces rank high among my favorite spots in the Philippines.

Follow my Batad stories here.

Batad Rice Terraces

Top 30 Favorite Spots in the Philippines: 5.APO Reef Natural Park

A 50 ft scuba dive (my first ^_^), swimming with a shark (oh yeah!), green sea turtles (eeeee!! the best!) , barracuda (yeahaha!) and diverse bright-colored fish and corals in God's beautiful underwater garden (rrawwwr!), an overnight "accommodation" in a hammock, great company of friends (kaladkarins!!!) letting off colorful sky lanterns on a clear starry night, splendid sunset atop a lighthouse, and waking up to a magnificent sunrise with the sound of the waves humming melodies into my ears -- these memories spark happy thoughts whenever I think of APO Reef.  Considered as the largest atoll like reef in the Philippines and nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, APO Reef Natural Park (Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro) deserves to be included in your list of top places to visit in the country. 

For more details about my super weekend in Apo Reef, please check out my stories here. 

The view from Apo Reef Lighthouse

Top 30 Favorite Spots in the Philippines: 1. Batanes

Thirty days before my 30th birthday, I'm going to let myself down the memory lane and recount my top 30 favorite spots around our country. I'm sharing random photos of places I've visited while I was completing my 80 Before 30 challenge. This is my 30Before30 Project.

The first of this 30-day series will be from one of my favorite provinces-- Batanes, an amazing province located in the northernmost part of the Philippines. Known for its splendid landscape and seascape, Batanes is definitely a dream destination for many. During my visit in 2011, I enjoyed many of its unique attractions. I specially liked my falowa ride from Batan Island to Sabtang, the one-of-a-kind shopping experience at the Honesty Coffee Shop, tried donning the native Vakul (Ivatan protected headgear), walked along the UNESCO Heritage nominated site stone houses at Chavayan, and was amazed by the sunset at Naidi Hill or the Basco Lighthouse. 

There's quite a lot to love about Batanes, but the one that stood out for me was the experience I had when I first saw the gentle rolling hills that this province is famous for. The grazing cows and the carpet-like verdant grass! It was a dreamy April afternoon that stayed with me for a long time. One crazy thing I did while I was there was...hmmm... well... roll down the hill. Yes, literally! haha :)

Check out more of my Batanes stories here.

Rolling Hills of Batanes

Ilocos Sur Heritage Tour: Vigan and Beyond

A Mang Inasal in Calle Crisologo doesn't seem to fit right in. That was my first impression as I was strolling along this famous cobblestone street in Vigan during my visit last January. Don't get me wrong, I devour Mang Inasal's tasty chicken often too, but I would have wanted this modern fast food chain to have stepped back a bit from this site, or at least should have followed the existing old and vintage architectural theme rather than taking a pervasive modern look. In its stead, I would have wanted a local shop selling burnay jars or other native products in that spot. 

A UNESCO Heritage Site, Calle Crisologo is among my favorite spots in the country, but I'm a bit concerned seeing how this old-charm city seemed to have caught up with the modern time. 

The thing I have with visiting Vigan is that each time we meet, something new is added and something old is lost. As I look at the old photos I took back when I first visited it in high school, I can see how this historic city have changed -- the commercial establishments around and the number of visitors strolling by obviously increased. 

While I understand that nothing stands still and that change and development are inevitable, I feel that some of our cultural heritages are at risk of a slow demise, and Vigan, a so-called "living museum," should not succumb to this kind of fate. The key lies in the active pursuit to preservation and conservation. 

Vigan is one of the cities that inherited a beautiful heritage by default. In the 18th and 19th centuries,  Vigan or Ciudad Fernandina de Vigan is said to be the third most important city after Manila and Cebu. The sights we see there today -- the museums, cathedrals, plazas, and the food that are depicting Hispanic influences --  are the treasures left of the bygone days of Spanish colonial power in the north.

Although Vigan changed through time, I still feel that it's one of the places in the country that has retained much of its history and a place definitely worth visiting! I've noted here some of the places I recommend while in Vigan and other parts of Ilocos Sur.  

Vigan City is among the 'New 7 Wonders' finalists

Our very own Vigan City has been shortlisted as one of the 28 finalists in the campaign for the 'New 7 Wonders Cities' of the world.

Vigan, a vibrant city located in northern Philippines, is a prime tourist destination and home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Heritage Village. A gem of Ilocos Sur, Vigan showcases the rich Spanish heritage through its many well-preserved architectures and ancestral homes. It's also home to old museums, tasty local dishes, and a heritage church. A true world- class heritage city, indeed.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: The Four Baroque Churches of the Philippines

Four churches we have here are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS). These are the Church of San Agustín in Paoay, Ilocos Norte; Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion in Sta Maria, Ilocos Sur; The Church of the Immaculate Conception of San Agustin in Intramuros; and Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva in Miagao, Iloilo.

These churches have been selected taking into consideration the style of the building and design that was adapted to the physical condition in our country.

According to UNESCO WHS, "the four churches are outstanding examples of the Philippine interpretation of the Baroque style, and represent the fusion of European church design and construction with local materials and decorative motifs to form a new church-building tradition."

Their common attributes are their massive appearance which shows a fortress/protective-like character in response to invading forces/pirates or protection from earthquakes.

Since these churches are in-scripted, they are covered and protected  through Republic Act 10066 (National Heritage Law) and Republic Act 10086 (National Historical Commission of the Philippines Law). Through these legislations,  these churches are secured of funding for its conservation, protection and regular maintenance.


Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion
Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur

Sitting atop a hill surrounded by a defensive wall, this massive church is unlike many other Philippine churches that's always located near the town plaza. Some of its unique features also include the convento that lies parallel to its facade and its bell tower that stand a few meters away from the church building. The walls are without ornaments or designs but the buttresses are massive enough designed to withstand an earthquake. The interiors are endowed with a pulpit, lectern, and huge altar. It also boasts of a simple fresco on its ceiling near the altar.