Summer Getaway to Palpalokada, Burgos, Ilocos Norte

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Enjoying the trip to Burgos, Ilocos, Norte. Burgos is the last town in the northwestern part of Luzon, about 47 kilometers north of Laoag City. It is coastal town with rugged hills and mountains lying between the towns of Bangui and Pasuquin.  Burgos has a heritage structure called the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, also known as Burgos Lighthouse.

After we stayed at the Santuario de Maria Retreat House we went up to Palpalokada led by Burgos Mayor Cresente Garcia. Mayor Cris Garcia, is helping create greener pastures from additional livelihood via tourism.

Palpalokada, Burgos, Ilocos Norte. Pal-loka is an Ilocano term given to handmade sandals/slippers, made of used rubber tire for the soles and rope for the uppers, popular in the olden days. Palpalokada may translate to “their slippers.”

Experience cliff horseback riding in a place local vaqueros call Palpalokada. Horseback riding around Palpalokada and down and up the neighboring cliff and rock formations gives you a powerful view of the West Philippine Sea.

Palpalokada is something else. The view from the top was overwhelming. Make Palpalokada your summer getaway. Enjoy!

Majestically Burgos , Ilocos Norte

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Northern part of South China Sea

Santuario de Maria Retreat House

The municipality of Burgos history tells that the municipality of Burgos was formerly called (paritan means to prohibit), it was called that way since natives of the town during those time prohibit migration of people from neighboring towns to their place. It was then eventually called Nagpartian (parti means to butcher) during the Spanish era. Nagpartian means a place where an animal was butchered, and a Spanish priest was butchered in the place, the reason why it was called that way. And in 1913 it was renamed Burgos in honor of Father Burgos thru the initiative of then Ilocos 1st district representative Hon. Santiago Fonacier.

Located at the northwestern part of Ilocos Norte Province, the municipality of Burgos is bounded on the north by South China Sea, on the east by the towns of Bangui, on the southeast by Vintar, on the south and west by Pasuquin.

One of the must see places in the Municipality of Burgos is the heritage structure called Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, also known as Burgos Lighthouse, it was established on March 31, 1892. Formerly called Faro Cabo Cape Bojeador, as it sit majestically on a hill overlooking the South China Sea. Burgos lighthouse is the most accessible of all the lighthouses in north Luzon. And it is still functioning to date, serving ships passing by the northern part of South China Sea. It is recommended to visit the lighthouse in the months of November to January, when the cold winds from winter China are felt throughout the normally hot Ilocos Region.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

Santuario de Maria Retreat House

Enjoyed being at the Burgos and thankful where we stay for a night in a great and awesome cool retreat house , Santuario de Maria Retreat House arranged with Mayor Crescente Garcia and Burgos Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Ronald Bonayon. The trip to Batac, Vigan, Burgos, Ilocos Norte, was made possible thru the initiative of our friend Ms. Lorna Ipac, the hospital administrator of Don Mariano Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMHMC) in Batac.

Malacañang of the North, “Malacañang ti Amianan” in Paoay, Ilocos Norte

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Malacañang  of the North locally called as “Malacañang ti Amianan”  is located in Suba, Paoay, Ilocos Norte. The Malacanang of the North built at the shores of the Paoay Lake was one of major destinations in Ilocos province.

This is one of the rest houses of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, one of the properties of the Marcos sequestered by the Philippine Government when former President Marcos was removed from power 1986. The Malacanang palace transformed into a museum of the late president’s memorabilia.

“Malacañang ti Amianan” is a two-storey mansion built  on a 5-hectare property in Suba, Paoay.  Its great architecture design is a mixture of both Spanish and Ilocano designs. 

This palace in northern Ilocos overlooks the serene Paoay Lake.

Malacañang of the North ,“Malacañang ti Amianan” is one of the most important landmarks of the whole province. Entrance Fee costs Php 20.00. It opens from 9:00  a.m. to 5:00 p.m daily.

Gideon Sundback, inventor of zipper, featured in Google doodle

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Gideon Sundback, has been featured in a Google Doodle today celebrates with an giant interactive zipper Google doodle running down the centre of the search engine's homepage.  Today marks the 132nd birthday of Gideon Sundback, the Swedish-American electrical engineer associated with the development of the fastening device that revolutionized the clothing industry.

Happy birthday Gideon! 

Anne Curtis to appear in America's Next Top Model feature on Pinoy designer Francis Libiran

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Actress-TV host Anne Curtis is the latest Filipino celebrity to appear on popular US reality model search America's Next Top Model (ANTM), ABS-CBNNews.com reports.

“The cat is out of the bag. I can finally announce it! Yes, I will be on ‘America’s Next Top Model’ wearing the beautiful gowns of Francis Libiran. Congratulations Francis Libiran! You deserve the recognition,”   Anne's excitedly announced in her official Twitter account.


Pinoy designer Francis Libiran's creations will be featured onAmerica's Next Top Model. Libiran's gowns, which were modeled by actress Anne Curtis, will be showcased in the episode that will be shown in the U.S. on April 25 via the CW network and in the Philippines on April 30 via ETC.

Libiran was chosen as a featured designer on the show.  He said he picked Anne to wear his creations here in the Philippines because "she represents the prefect Filipina for me."


In previous ANTM seasons, other Filipino designers were featured in the show such as Michael Cinco and Oliver Tolentino. Filipino model Georgina Wilson also appeared in the show when local lifestyle brand Bench was featured during an underwear challenge.


Here's behind the scenes on the photo shoot for the America's Next Top Model feature on Francis Libiran's creations, with Anne Curtis as model and photographer Marc Nicdao.