t r i p
j o u r n a l
147
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AREA CODE
(77)
CURRENCY
Philippine Peso (PHP1 =
US$0.02)
TOUCHDOWN
You can hire a van,
jeepney or tricycle from the Laoag
airport to get to your destination in town.
An eco-friendly means of getting around
the city is the
kalesa
or horse-drawn
carriage.
SEE &DO
Let the kalesa, the Sunshine
City’s very own future-oriented, post-
carbon bio-powered transport, bring
you to some of Laoag’s most stunning
structures like the Tobacco Monopoly and
plaza, St William Cathedral, the Ablan
Museum and the Museo Ilocos. Make
sure to fill up on empanadas afterwards.
SLEEP
Spend a night or two at the Plaza
del Norte Hotel and Convention Center.
EAT
Eat
pinakbet
!
There are different
versions of it — try the traditional one
with bagoong and tomato sauce.
SHOP
Buy your pasalubong at the
Museo Ilocos and the Laoag City
Supermarket.
MUST-TRY
Try riding Laoag’s tricyles
designed in the style of
Knight Rider
.
AREA CODE
(02)
CURRENCY
Philippine Peso (PHP1 =
US$0.02)
TOUCHDOWN
The ride to commercial
centers from the airport takes 30 minutes
to an hour, depending on the traffic
and where you’re headed. Pay around
PHP450 to hire registered airport taxis,
but metered cabs are also available.
SEE &DO
Take a trip to Alabang, south
of Metro Manila. Visit Alabang Town
Center or Festival Super Mall and shop
till you drop. When you get hungry, just
take your pick of the many restaurants
there and fill your tummy! Done with
shopping? Head to SM Southmall and
watch a movie at the 3D IMAX theater.
SLEEP
Check-in at the posh Acacia Hotel
located in the heart of Alabang shopping
district.
EAT
Have lunch or dinner at Soga Miga,
a Korean restaurant, then eat dessert at
Nathaniel’s. Try the buko pandan salad.
SHOP
For high-end shops go to Alabang
Town Center. For lifestyle and sports
shopping head to West Gate.
MUST-TRY
For some active fun, bike or
run on the Filinvest Trail.
Paola U.
De Guzman
relationship
manager
PHILIPPINES
MANILA
Shermon O.
Cruz
director, Center
for Engaged
Foresight,
professor
PHILIPPINES
LAOAG
LESTER LEDESMA
AREA CODE
(78)
CURRENCY
Philippine Peso (PHP1 =
US$0.02)
TOUCHDOWN
To get to town, take
two tricycles: one from the airport to the
main road, and then another to the town
proper. It should cost you no more than
just PHP10 per ride, and the rides are
fairly short.
SEE &DO
Experience crossing the
Buntun Bridge, the longest river bridge
in the Philippines. It stretches from
Tuguegarao City to Solana, Cagayan
and spans over the mighty Cagayan
River. Delight in the magnificent view of
the Callao Cave located in Peñablanca,
Cagayan.
SLEEP
Spend the night at Las Palmas
de San Jose Hotel, Resort & Restaurant.
EAT
Try pancit Cabagan — fresh miki
mixed with veggies, and topped with
boiled eggs and crispy lechon de carajay.
SHOP
Go to Brickstone Mall or Light
House Cooperative to grab some
pasalubong.
MUST-TRY
Explore the city by kalesa or
take a tricycle tour.
Mervin G.
Mercado
financial analyst
PHILIPPINES
TUGUEGARAO
Experience a Life Uncommon at Php9,000 a month
The Residences at
Commonwealth
by
Century
RAP RIOS
