Trip up North (Pagudpud)

[larshell]

chixhunterphotogrpher, haba ng handle ko, diko masyadong active dun kaya lang pamangkin ko kasi tekgik sabi nya kasi mag invite daw ako.

[angelobryant]

si tekgik... sobra active... as in super mod sya dun. haba nga ng handle mo. dami nman na member dun kaso not the same as here.. hehehe.. napagutusan k lang pala ha. ako nga rin, basta nakakakita ako ng mahilig sa photography, pipho na agad ang bukang bibig ko.. hehehe.. gud luck

angelobryant

[miLes]

*wating - thanks for hte info, 2002 pa kami nandun, the ship is still there but ganun pa rin condition as you described it

*cutedoc - sarap nga kumain dun sa may plaza sa vigan, yung empanada and okoy nila the best!

[vhenok]

Been there couple of years back....kaka-miss! It's a must for me to go back there, grabe ganda ng mga scenery & historical places to go.

Going up north in Ilocos is pleasant and exciting as breath-taking spots awaits you, as in kahit sa tabi ng hi-way talagang hihinto kayo to have "picture-picture".

Let me see, I need my handy-dandy notebook to newbies who wanna drive all the way there, including yung mga nice towns and what to expects. I'll be posting them as soon as I find my notes. Dun ko kasi nilagay yung mga notes & some journals whenever I do some travelling like good restos, friendly people, etc. Nai-post ko na nga yung iba a few months back when someone asked for roads ng landtrip from Manila to Kidapawan (LuzViMin).

Nice pix angelobryant....D*mn!....I miss that place!!!!!!!!!

[GlennSter]

angelo... kamukha mo si mike defensor.hehehe...nice pics

[jagxtrm]

nakakamiss ang pagudpud !!!

me and my family nag-"visita iglesia" noong holy week ng 2004.... nakakapagod pero enjoy!

pero mukhang gusto kong bumalik uli, lalo na pag wala gaanong tao/tourists. parang bitin kc ako noong 5 day trip sa pagudpud (Wednesday to Easter Sunday) dahil mostly traffic ang roads & siksikan sa churches.

[peterock17]

thanks for sharing your pics. i was also lucky enough to go to vigan and the surrounding areas. My mother's family is from agoo la union so i'm very familiar with all the places from your pictures.

i bought a couple of kilos of vigan langonisa. and had it in the car for the trip back to manila. naku, amoy bawang at suka ang kotse for 2 weeks.

[angelobryant]

- GlennSter: angelo... kamukha mo si mike defensor.hehehe...nice pics

hahaha... kaya dapat stick to the administration... natawa ako dun ah

- jagxtrm - yun trip namin bitin din, 3 days lang pero ala traffic.. buti n lang

- peterock17 - kaya hindi ako bumili ng longaniza e.. puro royal bibingka lang..

[qman]

vigan and pagudpu is my next trip mid feb whooo... kanya lang 3 days trip din lang pero Ill make sure na puro stop ako pag ka nakakita ako ng mga places na magaganda.

[angelobryant]

gud for you... my 2 cents, create an itenerary para ala kayo makalimutan na magandang lugar. try visiting this site http://www.lakbay.net/destinations/ makikita d2 yung mga places na magaganda.. pagudpud.net is also good. ingat sa byahe sir ang have lots a fun... dont forget to post some pics for the tsikot peepsss hehehe

[qman]

I don't have an itenerary yet, my plan was to stop every now and then pagka asa vicinity na ko ng mga magagandang place up north. But hey thats a good idea...

Bro ano anong mga stops ang ginawa papunta sa pagudpud

[angelobryant]

vigan: kailangan mag stop kyo d2. ikot ikot, sakay kyo kalesa. for 150 petot, iiikot kyo nila sa lahat ng tourist spots sa vigan. laoag: marcos mansion, malacanang of the north, sinking bell tower, paoay chuch and lake na rin et. al. then pagudpud: saud beach, blue lagoon, patapat viaduct. pre di nmin napuntahan yung old light house pero ganda daw dun, sayang nga e. basta have plenty of stop overs and you'll never go wrong. visit mo na lang sites na sinabi ko syo.. makikita mo dun mga places to visit. ingatz

[qman]

thanks pre will do that

[angelobryant]

uy.. matutuloy n pala kyo.. tnx sa nice comments s pics... ang tagal na n2 ah... hehehe... napunta kami sa paoay, sa malacanang pero di kmi dumiretso sa fort ilocandia, pauwi na kc kami nun. muntik na ngang di matuloy yung lakad nmin n yun, buti na lang nag contribute si mama.. hahaha

[nigo]

Nice photos, unang tinging pa lang alam na mahilig sa photography ang kumuha. Been there couple of times, last time was April of 2001 nakakamis din bumalik. We spent a night in Saud beach, ate adobong Ilocano, lobster, sweet and sour lapu lapu one big plate of "kinirog" and finish all of it. Dalawa lang kaming kumain non. That was what we enjoyed most, eating he he he. We came all the way from Isabela, pass thru Cagayan then Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union then went up to Baguio then Manila, sarap ulitin uli, especially now that we have kids. Anyway, thanks for sharing your photos Angelobrynt.

[artpogi]

na mi-miss ko yung EMPANADAAAAAAAAAAAA

[vhenok]

Finally, got hold of my journal. Medyo natagalan coz naghalukay pa ko sa baul….

Am posting this baka this might be of help sa mga newbies or di familiar sa road going to the North, as in this case directions from Manila-Vigan-Laoag-Pagudpud. I have also made the same reviews when someone asked for Manila-Mindanao landtrip directions, but then again it was another story (just search for it na lang).

The whole journey takes about 12-15 hours depending on your phase and number of stopovers. To get the most of it, I suggest that you leave Manila at night.

MANILA-TARLAC City
Distance: 120 kms.
Approx. Travel Time: 2-3 hours

Now that we know that NLEX has shown great improvement, travel time now cuts short for the 86-km. nicely paved highway to 30-45 minutes. There are a couple of large gas stations to either fill-in those tanks, do some checkups, restrooms and foods are also great. Petron is between Meycauayan & Marilao Exits and Shell (which is much bigger and offers many food choices) between Bocaue and Balagtas Exits.

Enter Balintawak and run all the way up to the end of NLEX (Sta. Ines, Magalang Exit, past Dau). But then again, a significant rise in toll fees are in effect, and for Class 1 vehicles you need to shred P200 bucks as compared to P51 before the increase.


From here, its either you turn right to Mabalacat (Clark)-Bamban-Capas route or left to Magalang-Concepcion-Tarlac route. The first is not advisable during daytimes as plenty of public transport (trikes and jeeps) abound the town proper. I suggest taking the other route which offers little disturbance and expect good roads. You can also see a glimpse of the devastating lahar still visible on some portions of the field. Don’t be confused when you reached the portion with signs like “Alternate Route to Baguio”, being a newbie I suggest not to take this route cause some areas are not signposted, unless of course, you have someone knows that route.

TARLAC Province

Capas-Tarlac City

Wait till you reach the very long MacArthur Hiway when you turn around the rotunda in Capas (Caltex & McDo). This hiway can cause some delays being only single road on most portions and small public transport are plenty. Many products are sold on the roadside like some tinapa, suka/patis, pakwan and other season fruits.

A large arch welcomes you to Tarlac City. Not far is the Luisita Shopping Mall and a park adjascent to it. Traffic from here is really terrible especially on the onset of summer vacation and the whole 15-km stretch to the City Proper can cause about an hour. But then again, night travel is much preferred as this road become less traveled.

You can have a major stopover here in Tarlac as the city offers establishments much like Manila and also all large gas stations. North bound buses also have major stops here.

TARLAC City - SAN FERNANDO City, LA UNION
Distance: 130 kms.
Approx. Travel Time: 3 hours

There’s an intersection in the city which on your left goes to Camiling which is in alternate route going to Lingayen & Alaminos (Hundred Islands). Then to the right is our route to the North (just take all signs or route going to Baguio).

Tarlac-Gerona-Paniqui-Moncada-San Manuel

You start to leave the city and go to Gerona. In this town you can see the now famous Isdaan Restaurant which offers good food and outstanding amenities. Then, my hometown is next, Paniqui (an arch welcomes you where there is a large bat in the middle – Batman’s town hehe). Our humble town offers variety of roadside products like peanuts, corn, pakwan and many more.

Next towns are Moncada, and the last town of Tarlac which is San Manuel. In between the provinces of Tarlac and Pangasinan, expect some slowed traffics caused by tricycles and tractors (we call it kuliglig).

PANGASINAN Province

Villasis-Urdaneta City-Binalonan-Pozorrubio-Sison

An arch welcomes you to the province of Pangasinan. The first town is Carmen, Villasis is next and Urdaneta City, which is also prone to traffic as this is a very busy intersection. Turning left would lead you to Sta. Barbara-Calasiao-Dagupan City. Just go straight and pass by the long bridge.

Next are towns of Binalonan, Pozorrubio and Sison (last town of Pangasinan). This road is flat and widely stretched in some portions. There is a narrow bridge after Binalonan which was the remnants of the quake or heavy typhoons in the 90’s, am not sure.

LA UNION Province

Rosario-Sto. Tomas-Agoo-Aringay-Caba-Bauang-San Fernando City

Then you enter LA UNION province via Rosario.

There are portions here that are hilly and a mixture in type and quality of roads. As you go down, on your left, is the Lingayen Gulf where numerous beachside resorts and restos abound. Just before the town proper of Rosario marks the entry to Baguio City via Kennon Road (from here ignore all Baguio road signs obviously).

Next town is Sto. Tomas, then Agoo which you can find the historical Agoo Church, and also the Eagle of the North Monument. A turnoff which leads to Baguio City via the Marcos Highway (which to me is the better route to the City of Pines).

Drive towards the towns of Aringay, Caba, Bauang and finally San Fernando City. This road has many uphill climbs. The stretch of Bauang to San Fernando offers beautiful beaches and resorts. This is major stop in the province which offers major amenities. There’s also an air and sea ports (Poro Point) in this city which was left by the Americans.

Next post: San Fernando - Vigan - Laoag - Pagudpud

[x-wind]

Finally, got hold of my journal. Medyo natagalan coz naghalukay pa ko sa baul….

Am posting this baka this might be of help sa mga newbies or di familiar sa road going to the North, as in this case directions from Manila-Vigan-Laoag-Pagudpud. I have also made the same reviews when someone asked for Manila-Mindanao landtrip directions, but then again it was another story (just search for it na lang).

The whole journey takes about 12-15 hours depending on your phase and number of stopovers. To get the most of it, I suggest that you leave Manila at night.

MANILA-TARLAC City
Distance: 120 kms.
Approx. Travel Time: 2-3 hours

Now that we know that NLEX has shown great improvement, travel time now cuts short for the 86-km. nicely paved highway to 30-45 minutes. There are a couple of large gas stations to either fill-in those tanks, do some checkups, restrooms and foods are also great. Petron is between Meycauayan & Marilao Exits and Shell (which is much bigger and offers many food choices) between Bocaue and Balagtas Exits.

Enter Balintawak and run all the way up to the end of NLEX (Sta. Ines, Magalang Exit, past Dau). But then again, a significant rise in toll fees are in effect, and for Class 1 vehicles you need to shred P200 bucks as compared to P51 before the increase.


From here, its either you turn right to Mabalacat (Clark)-Bamban-Capas route or left to Magalang-Concepcion-Tarlac route. The first is not advisable during daytimes as plenty of public transport (trikes and jeeps) abound the town proper. I suggest taking the other route which offers little disturbance and expect good roads. You can also see a glimpse of the devastating lahar still visible on some portions of the field. Don’t be confused when you reached the portion with signs like “Alternate Route to Baguio”, being a newbie I suggest not to take this route cause some areas are not signposted, unless of course, you have someone knows that route.

TARLAC Province

Capas-Tarlac City

Wait till you reach the very long MacArthur Hiway when you turn around the rotunda in Capas (Caltex & McDo). This hiway can cause some delays being only single road on most portions and small public transport are plenty. Many products are sold on the roadside like some tinapa, suka/patis, pakwan and other season fruits.

A large arch welcomes you to Tarlac City. Not far is the Luisita Shopping Mall and a park adjascent to it. Traffic from here is really terrible especially on the onset of summer vacation and the whole 15-km stretch to the City Proper can cause about an hour. But then again, night travel is much preferred as this road become less traveled.

You can have a major stopover here in Tarlac as the city offers establishments much like Manila and also all large gas stations. North bound buses also have major stops here.

TARLAC City - SAN FERNANDO City, LA UNION
Distance: 130 kms.
Approx. Travel Time: 3 hours

There’s an intersection in the city which on your left goes to Camiling which is in alternate route going to Lingayen & Alaminos (Hundred Islands). Then to the right is our route to the North (just take all signs or route going to Baguio).

Tarlac-Gerona-Paniqui-Moncada-San Manuel

You start to leave the city and go to Gerona. In this town you can see the now famous Isdaan Restaurant which offers good food and outstanding amenities. Then, my hometown is next, Paniqui (an arch welcomes you where there is a large bat in the middle – Batman’s town hehe). Our humble town offers variety of roadside products like peanuts, corn, pakwan and many more.

Next towns are Moncada, and the last town of Tarlac which is San Manuel. In between the provinces of Tarlac and Pangasinan, expect some slowed traffics caused by tricycles and tractors (we call it kuliglig).

PANGASINAN Province

Villasis-Urdaneta City-Binalonan-Pozorrubio-Sison

An arch welcomes you to the province of Pangasinan. The first town is Carmen, Villasis is next and Urdaneta City, which is also prone to traffic as this is a very busy intersection. Turning left would lead you to Sta. Barbara-Calasiao-Dagupan City. Just go straight and pass by the long bridge.

Next are towns of Binalonan, Pozorrubio and Sison (last town of Pangasinan). This road is flat and widely stretched in some portions. There is a narrow bridge after Binalonan which was the remnants of the quake or heavy typhoons in the 90’s, am not sure.

LA UNION Province

Rosario-Sto. Tomas-Agoo-Aringay-Caba-Bauang-San Fernando City

Then you enter LA UNION province via Rosario.

There are portions here that are hilly and a mixture in type and quality of roads. As you go down, on your left, is the Lingayen Gulf where numerous beachside resorts and restos abound. Just before the town proper of Rosario marks the entry to Baguio City via Kennon Road (from here ignore all Baguio road signs obviously).

Next town is Sto. Tomas, then Agoo which you can find the historical Agoo Church, and also the Eagle of the North Monument. A turnoff which leads to Baguio City via the Marcos Highway (which to me is the better route to the City of Pines).

Drive towards the towns of Aringay, Caba, Bauang and finally San Fernando City. This road has many uphill climbs. The stretch of Bauang to San Fernando offers beautiful beaches and resorts. This is major stop in the province which offers major amenities. There’s also an air and sea ports (Poro Point) in this city which was left by the Americans.

Next post: San Fernando - Vigan - Laoag - Pagudpud

galing talaga nito kahit lang map makakarat5ing ka sa pagudpud

[silverbx986]

nakapunta nako dyan pero matagal na...i miss that place. ganda saka
konti tao, which i like.

[vhenok]

LA UNION Province

San Fernando - Vigan
Distance: 135 kms.
Approx. Travel Time - 3 hours

San Fernando - San Juan - Bacnotan - Balaoan - Sudipen

As you exit San Fernando City, road starts to narrow and quite poor on this portion but the scenery on your left amazes you as you see the attractive coastline and at times you can see huge waves.

San Juan also offers pebbles beaches and also ideal for surfing, as this town start to be known for it. After San Juan, there is a significant improvement on road surface, driving is delightful coz traffic is light and you can now see scenic views of the Cordilleras in the background.

Pass on to Bacnotan then to Balaoan and finally, Sudipen.

ILOCOS SUR Province

Tagudin - Santa Cruz - Santa Lucia - Candon City

There is a narrow bridge that links the provinces of La Union (Sudipen) and Ilocos Sur (Tagudin). From here, road conditions becomes poor again as there are major roadworks being done as of this writing (hey...it's been 2 years, it should have been finished now). This portion should be about 10-kms only as road after this is already very pleasant.

Next towns are Santa Cruz, Santa Lucia and Candon City.

Candon City is a relatively small city and offers less choices so don't expect too much. Also the city proper possess some delays due to pedestrians and public transport and, no bypass roads to avoid these.

Candon City - Santiago - San Esteban - Santa Maria - Narvacan - Santa - Bantay - VIGAN

Spectacular view awaits on the shorelines of San Esteban as you literally drive along its coastlines offering clear waters and visible sea creatures beneath, an ideal and perfect place to have you photos taken. The coast is rocky and some isolated white sand beaches.

Pass on to Santa Maria and Narvacan. There is a washedout portions which waves caught up on the road before the approach to Santa town. And from here, you start your hilly ascend and pass through some rugged mountains.

A beautiful bridge (Quirino Bridge) in Bantay offers fantastic view of the mountains, the river and the sea. Again, this is an awesome view to have your photos taken, at the end of the bridge there's a stair leading down the river and you can see clearly the bottom and outward you can see the splendid view where the river and the sea meets.

Stopover: VIGAN

This is a major tourist attraction from which you can see Spanish old structures, museums and great foods abound in this city. Though accomodation here are limited. Checkout some famous foods like bagnet (deep fried pork belly), longganis and morcon (much like a meatloaf). Also, empanadas (usually filled with veggies, prawns and meat) are a must-try on this part of the archipelago. Plaza Burgos is popular for being the center of the city and offers all of these delights.

Driving in Vigan could be unpleasant to some as the streets are narrow and traffic is perennial. Many parts of the streets are one-way. Among the best historical Spanish houses are located in Crisologo Street, which is by the way closed to traffic to give way to calesas plying this route. You might as well find your parking somewhere near. The whole street are full of merchants selling products like furnitures, souvenirs and foods.

Next post: Vigan - Laoag - Pagudpud