Tag: Ilocos Sur
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Pinsal Falls and Santa Maria Church: Exploring Two of Ilocos Sur’s Hidden Corners
The turquoise cascades of Pinsal Falls and the hilltop UNESCO-listed Santa Maria Church are just two of Ilocos Sur’s treasures beyond Vigan. On a scenic detour from Abra, our group visits the striking falls and heritage church, embracing the unhurried moments together. It’s a pleasant coda to an adventurous trip.
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A Weekend at Vitalis Villas in Ilocos Sur: Santorini Vibes in the Philippines
For my sister’s birthday, our family headed to Vitalis Villas in Ilocos Sur, a Mediterranean-inspired resort perched on a coastal cliff in Santiago, about a 7-hour drive from Metro Manila and 1 hour south of Vigan. Known as the Santorini of the North, Vitalis Villas Ilocos Sur offers a relaxing escape with its whitewashed buildings,…
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Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur: Hometown Visitors
“… FIFTY-EIGHT, FIFTY-NINE, SIXTY,” I count, then press the shutter button. The shutter clicks and within seconds the image appears on the camera’s sensor – a minute-long exposure of Joseph, Dave and Theresa sitting on a log by the beach. The night is silent, with only their conversations, the giggling of Theresa’s cousin, and my steady counting…
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Vigan: The Old Romantic
IT’S A SUNNY NOVEMBER AFTERNOON, and Joseph, Dave and I are strolling along what may be one of the Philippines’ iconic streets, Calle Crisologo. The part of Vigan what many associate the city with, the cobble-stoned street is lined with ancestral houses from the Spanish era. Stretching a few blocks, we spot houses with tile…
The Tourist Gaze 