Sta. Ana Cagayan; Palaui Island, a Paradise of the North

My trip to Sta. Ana, Cagayan was way back year 2013 when my husband's family (my boyfriend at that time) decided to take a quick vacation trip. As in quick lang. :) We did not stay overnight because that getaway was totally unplanned actually. Well, to take an overview of the place,  Santa Ana is a second-class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 30,458 people.The municipality is on the north-easternmost point of Luzon and includes Palaui Island as well. Santa Ana is the home of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and the Naval Base Camilo Osias (Naval Operating Base San Vicente) in Barangay San Vicente. Also, Survivor America also shoot in the said place. Can you imagine how beautiful the place is? 'coz even foreighers fell in love with it. Amazing!

How to get there:

Via Bus

You can ride a bus from Manila to Tuguegarao for 8-12 hours trip depending on traffic in Sta. Fe Nueva Viscaya. Many buses are travelling to Tuguegarao such as Florida, Victory Liner, Dalin and many more and they are located in Sampaloc Manila, Cubao, Kamuning and Pasay. Fare ranges from 600 up depending on the class or type of bus you want to ride to. From bus terminal in Tuguegarao, ride a tricycle going to UV express terminal going to San Vicente, Sta. Ana Cagayan. The latest trip in the morning is 10 am because it will take 3 to 4 hours travel to. San Vicente Port. Click here for the daily bus trip from Manila to Tuguegarao and vice versa. 

Via Plane

There are daily trips from Manila to Tuguegarao Airport and it may took only 30-45 minutes travel. So if you have an extra budget and don't want to travel 12 hours via land, this is one convenient way to reach the north eastern part of Luzon. You can choose from PAL or Cebu Pacific. From Tuguegarao Airport, just walk outside the airport and few meters away is the highway leading to Sta. Ana, Cagayan. Cross the street and wait for Uv express or buses en route to Sta. Ana, Cagayan.

From Sta. Ana port, there are boats for rent and the local people are very nice and hospitable.There's a P50 fee that you need to pay before going to the island at the Tourism Visitor's office and you have to sign in the log book. So many destinations to choose from and you can ask their local tourism officer for the rates. See details below:

• Cape Engaño Lighthouse

• Anguib Beach

• Siwangag

• Puzurubo

• Crocodile Island

• Punta Verde

• Pugo Muro

We're total of 5 during that trip and since we only have limited time. so decided to visit Crocodile Island and Punta Verde because it's already past lunch when we got there. It cost only 600-700 for the whole tour package, not bad isn't it? The waves during the travel from Sta. Ana port to the Islands are quite huge and scary. I got nervous, really! We went first to crocodile Island, from the name itself, it looks like crocodile hehe! When we reached the island, it was so beautiful! 

Crocodile Island: photo credit to the owner

Punta Verde:photo credit to the owner

We're planning to go back and probably stay for a night or two very soon. I'm really excited and surely will blog it once done. :)

Hope you enjoyed reading my blog.

God Bless!

A visit to Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag in Pangasinan

During my childhood days, my family usually go to Manaoag Pangasinan every summer vacation to visit and pray to Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag. It is also known as the Basilica of The Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag (Basilica Minore de Nuestra Senora del Rosario De Manaoag) or The Our Lady of Manaoag Church.This is the healing shrine in the heart of Luzon. Pilgrims came to seek healing. A religious iconic church which often prayers are said to be done. It is also a good place to pray for your great request and needs. 

How to get here:

From Cubao, take a bus (4 hours) that goes to Dagupan such as Victory Liner and Dagupan Bus Lines. It will pass by Manaoag. There are portions of Pangasinan that are always packed with cars; think of it as an exercise in patience. You can also take a bus or private vehicle (2 hours) from Baguio.

photo credit to the owner

Also, these are the 5 things that you can do during your visit.

1. Attend the mass.

2. Lighting candles (Pilgrims and believers begin their visit to the Shrine by offering their intentions and lighting candles).

Credit to ryanbonnduadua.wordpress.com

3. Get your favorite "Our Lady of Manaoag" collectibles such as rosaries, oils and bracelets.

4. Buy their famous Manaoag "tupig" by dozens (a lot of buko strips!)

5. Don't forget to take home goodies for your loved ones from Manaoag like Tupig, Bukayo, Puto Calasiao and other Pangasinan delicacies available at the side and front of the Church.