Libotero – Philippine Travel Photo Blog

Part 30 of a series
DAY 4

More of Baluarte: Animalandia.

The “first and only” white deers in the Philippines. Really?

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Sinulog is considered as the country’s grandest, biggest and most anticipated festival. While it is still too early, Sinulog 2011 is already fast approaching and as the big event draws nearer and nearer, booking for flights and hotel rooms can be quite difficult. That is why LIBOTERO is posting the Sinulog 2011 Festival Schedule as early as now for everyone’s guidance.

Cebu Sinulog Festival 2011 Schedule of Activities:

January 06, 2011 (Thursday) – Sinulog 2011 Opening Salvo, Walk with Jesus
January 07, 2011 (Friday) – Sinulog Festival 2011 Kick-Off
January 08, 2011 (Saturday) – Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan
January 09, 2011 (Sunday) – Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan
January 12, 2011 (Wednesday) – Miss Cebu 2011 Coronation Night
January 13, 2011 (Thursday) – Sinulog Festival Queen Photo Shoot
January 14, 2011 (Friday) – Walk With Mary, Translacion, Cebu Pop Festival, Sinulog Festival Queen Competition
January 15, 2011 (Saturday) – Fluvial Procession, Solemn Foot Procession, 3rd Sinulog Pyrofest, Kasadya Nite Mardi Gras
January 16, 2011 (Sunday) – Sinulog Festival 2011 31st Grand Parade
January 17, 2011 (Monday) – Sinulog 2011 Awarding Ceremonies
January 21, 2011 (Friday) – Hubo

Subscribe to this blog or Bookmark this page to get updates on any possible schedule changes, route maps, and other Sinulog-related news!

Libotero is back to regular programming. Here is the 29th installment to the Ilocos Roadtrip series, now on its final week!

Part 29 of a series
DAY 4

After breakfast, we readied ourselves to check out of Vigan Plaza Hotel.

We were already about to leave Vigan and officially end our escapades in Ilocandia when dad suddenly realized (God must have poked him. LOL.) that since we travelled so long just to reach the Enchanting Ilocos Region, we should make the most out of it so we decided to check out Luis “Chavit” Singson’s Baluarte (which was originally not part of our itinerary). And we did not regret our decision. Why?

BALUARTE, Chavit’s home in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, is one of the top tourist destinations in Ilocos Sur. It stands on a hill and provides an awesome panoramic view of the city. The Baluarte is approximately 20 hectares with a mini zoo, shooting range, and a chapel, among others. Access to the mini zoo, where Chavit’s numerous pets can be found is free for everyone, as the respectable gentleman considers this as a gift to the people. (There as signs in the park assuring us that access to the zoo shall remain free for as long as Chavit “can still afford its maintenance”. We can help him by buying pet food sold at the zoo. By doing so, we didn’t just help Chavit provide such a wonderful gift to the people but also experience the fulfilling feeling of feeding animals.)
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Part 28 of a series
DAY 4

I was not able to take photos of the exteriors of the Vigan Plaza Hotel because it was raining during our arrival so now, let me share to you how it looks like from the outside.

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Part 27 of a series
DAY 4

In my previous posts, I have shown to you how Vigan looks like in the afternoon and in the evening. Now, let me share to you how the place looks like during early morning.

This is how Calle Crisologo looks like at 7:06am. Empty. Deserted.

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Part 26 of a series
DAY 3

Unknown to many, Vigan also has its own nightlife. The only difference maybe is that their parties start and end earlier. When I was exploring every corner of the Vigan Plaza Hotel, I found this: Sitio Bar

At 7:06pm, I already overheard some ladies screaming their throats out.

8:22pm. We decided to get out of the hotel to check out how Vigan is during nighttime.

Just across the Vigan Plaza Hotel is Plaza Salcedo where the El Shaddai was holding their Rock for Jesus program. You can really see the passion among the crowd as they jumped, sang, danced and partied hard for joy and thanksgiving to the Lord.

Leono Florentino Monument. The text on the plaque reads: Leona Florentino was born on April 19, 1848 and was a famous Ilocana poet, satirist, and playwright during the Spanish Period. Through her exemplary works, she was able to gain international recognition. She is the daughter of Marcelino and Isabel Florentino. Her works were translated in different languages but the original copies were destroyed during the Philippine Revolution. Don Isabelo de los Reyes, the Father of Philippine Labor Movement, is her son. She died on October 4, 1884, leaving a legacy to the Filipino people as the most outstanding woman writer during the Spanish era.

At the back of the Leona Florentino monument is Max’s Restaurant (with Free WiFi) which is among the commercial establishments that made an effort to harmonize with the heritage structures in the city.

In previous installments of this series, I shared with you how Calle Crisologo looks like in the afternoon. Now, let me share to you how it looks like at night.

Calle Crisologo Street Marker

It was raining when we arrived in Vigan. It was a blessing in disguise though, since it added a shining effect on the cobblestones along Calle Crisologo.

I wasn’t able to bring a tripod with me. So, to be able to take decent night shots (which usually need long exposure times), I looked for a stable and sturdy object to lean my camera on and I found this bench. Fortunately, benches like the one in the photo below were spread throughout Calle Crisologo.

(…to be continued)