I just got back from one of the longest trek I had this year so far (clue is on the coming soon photo in the sidebar). I am too dead-tired from the trek so I will just leave you with these photos. Texts about the place to be updated soon.
June 24 marks the observance of the feast day of Saint John the Baptist. This is the day when dousing water on unwary people is an excuse to engage in revelry.
From the Nueva Ecija Journal, I gather that nobody really knows exactly when the Taong Putik Festival in Aliaga started. One legend says the image of the patron saint which was brought to Bibiclat by early Ilocano settlers, helped in driving away poisonous snakes from the village. The name "Bibiclat" came from the Ilocano word "biclat" meaning snake.
Saud White Beach
Kabigan Falls
Blue Lagoon
Timmangtang Rock
Dos Hermanos Islands
Patapat Bridge and Viaduct
Kalbario Patapat National Park
Pasaleng Bay
To be honest with you all, I went to Pagudpud for its famous beach. I wanted to know why is it called the Boracay of the North. Although it does have gorgeous white beaches, I believe that the comparison ends there. Pagudpud is not a party place, there is really not much people, but just an old-fashioned wonderfully scenic beach.
However, I was pleasantly surprised that Pagudpud is not all about beaches. It has a river, a falls, amazing rocks, a nature park, caves and more. Having a great time exploring the place therefore is an understatement. And I am very happy and pleased to have share that wonderful traveling experience to all of you.
Personal Note:
Thank You Guys for your votes and support in The Filipino Blog of the Week Contest of Talksmart. This Blog was nominated in Weeks 113 and 114 and won both times. Your support was truly overwelming and I truly appreciate them. Again Thank You Very Much.
This Logo is given to Weekly Winners. This Blog was nominated and won First Place in Week 113 from June 15-21, 2008 with a mark of 94.4% and won First Place again in Week 114 from June 22-28, 2008 with a grade of 93.4%.
This Badge is given to deserving Filipino bloggers who have at least won once as "Filipino Blog of the Week" or have been consistently in the top three for weeks or those who really impressed Talksmart and the judges. I guess they have given this to me because of the overwhelming votes I had for the last two week.
Again, thank you very much and long-live Pinoy Bloggers.
They call this a cave but it is more of a mountain with a hole. Bantay Abot Cave is just a few minutes away from Blue Lagoon and it is a worthy stop-over when you head to the beach.
Although, the place is not fit for swimming, a stroll in its shore could invite you pick a souvenir or two of its mixed white sand and fragments of shells,rocks and corals.There are also parts of the shore where you can sit and relax on the rocks and just enjoy the panoramic view of the wide sea and verdant mountains.
Ah life. If you happen to visit Pagudpud, be sure to drop by this place because it will make your trip more interesting.
Have a nice day everyone!
The first thing that comes to my mind when I hear Blue Lagoon is definitely a young and innocent Brooke Shields who is stranded in an island-paradise with some lucky chap. Little did I know that such paradise really exist and I would actually be there.
Located in Barangay Malingay Pagudpud (about 15 kilometers from Saud Beach), Blue Lagoon is a large hidden cove comprising of a good kilometer and a half of almost white and fine sand shore. Since, the wind were strong that day and the waves are literally big, I decided not to swim but just get my feet wet by walking along the sandy shores and enjoying the sight.
Walking on a long, beautiful, relatively pristine beach is just so calming. Si Brooke Shields na lang ang kulang.
One of the main attractions and a must-go-to destination in Pagudpud is the 80 feet waterfall Kabigan Falls. This enchanting waterfalls is located at the eastern part of Barangay Balaoi and is about a 30 minute walk from the national highway.
Although it is a 30-minute walk (about 1.8 kilometers), trekking is not boring because of the spectacular views of thick foliage, farms and native huts. Plus you will pass by at least three streams of shallow river on your way to the falls. The sight and the sound of the place definitely is pleasurable leading to the spectacular falls.
The falls itself is famous for its concave basin where trekkers, after a long walk, could reward themselves with a dip in a natural pond just below the falls.
Here are some photos I have taken of and on the way to Kabigan Falls:
One of the best thing to experience in the beautiful town of Pagudpud is to drive down its famous Patapat Bridge. Passing there will enable you to see the forested mountain on your right side and an amazing view of the sea on your left side will. You just can't help but be amazed at the feeling that you are being sandwiched by the best elements of nature.
Patapat is home to the Kalbario Patapat Natural Park which was declared as protected area by the DENR. The area is composed of 3,800 hectares of forested and rocky lands. No trail has yet been developed so it is quite an arduous task if you wanna trek the place.
The park has many little falls which remain untouched by civilization.
One of Patapat's interesting place is the bus stop-over just in front of the Nature Park. I found it interesting because it is situated near a road that is constructed between two huge mountains. Moreover, the foliage above the mountains were so thick that it felt like you were entering a tunnel when you pass this road.
The never-ending flow of clear and cool water on slippy boulders is quite a challenge to trek. The cool waters however, is a reward for tired feet. 
For those brave enough to do a different adventure, a visit to the old and abandoned government building just across the Patapat Nature Park will provide you with a different thrill. Locals said that the old center is haunted and guarded by a white lady who died there. An eerie feeling greeted me while I traverse the wooden bridge leading to the old building so after taking just few snaps of the facade, I decided to go back to the main street.
And finally, Patapat is most famous for its 12-km winding bridge located at the foot of the cliff of the North Cordillera Mountain Range. A stop-over at the middle of the bridge is a must to see the awe-inspiring panoramic view of the verdant mountains and the sea below. A glimpse of the old footbridge adds grandeur to the breathtaking view.
So, if you happen to go to Pagudpud, do not forget to include Patapat in your side trip. I guarantee you that you will enjoy the unspoiled beauty of the sea, mountain and forests all in one place. And while you are on it, do not forget to buy a souvenir from those friendly locals there. Tourists there does not come in plenty so a small purchase could help these locals a lot.
Pagudpud is not all about beaches. In this, and in forthcoming posts, I'll share to you the places that I have wondered while I was in that awesome place starting with the picturesque Aqua Grande.
Aqua Grande is where the river meets the sea. Crystal cool clear water from the mountains cascades through huge rocks and boulders before eventually flowing to the sea.
The place is perfect for picnics or just take-pictures with the choice background of the flowing river or the giant sea. If you decided to stay there, you could dip into natural several ponds while having a spectacular view of the blue sea.
Here are some more pics I have taken of the place:
So much has been said about the haven in the north that is Pagudpud. So when an opportunity presented itself, I readily packed my bags and head to what is considered to be the Boracay of the North.
Pagudpud prides itself with one of the longest stretch of fine sand white beaches and that is exactly what Saud White Beach offers. One could walk along its powdery off-white fine sand or take a dip in its warm - aquamarine clear waters. Or one could just wander around the beach and play sports or build sand castles.
It may be a twelve-hour trip but once you set foot on the beautiful white beach of Saud in Pagudpud, the travel time is well worth it.
Honestly, it is one of the most amazing beaches I have been to and simply put, it is Bora without the people and the partying. Just plain good old-fashioned beaching - just the way I like.
Addendum:
Hey guys I have learned that this humble blog is nominated for the Filipino Blog of the Week Award.
If you like this blog please visit the site (or just click this link) of Talksmart and vote for Lawstude in the sidelinks. Thank You Very Much!!!
On my way to the the Northern Paradise of Pagudpud, I have seen these amazing structures on the left side of the road in the Municipality of Bangui. These windmills seemed like they were planted on the sea so I stopped on the road side and marvel at these amazing structures. Not contented with what I saw on the viewing deck at the road side, I turned around and proceeded to the Bangui Bay (roughly 10 minutes from the roadside) to have a closer look at these giants.
Often referred to as The Magnificent White Giant of Bangui, these 15 windmills are not planted on the sea but on the shore. They are arranged in a single row spaced 326 meters apart. The windmills height is 70 meters and each blade is 41 meters long.
Although I would have love to take photos of these windmills on a clear sky, unfortunately, it was raining that afternoon and there were build-up of dark clouds above. Nevertheless, I am glad that the gloomy weather that afternoon added a dramatic effect on these shots taken at the bay.
Update:
Let me just play this because I promised the tagger to do so. I was tagged by Kitem from France who owns one of the best gardens I have seen and displayed on her blog.
The Rules:
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
Here it goes:
1. I am thirty-something (lower half) and have the same birthday as Mama Mary;
2. I used to be so thin when I was younger but now my BMI says I am overweight;
3. I am afraid of spiders, scorpions and cockroaches that I have to kill them at first sight (my bad) because if I missed, I would freak out at the thought that they would have their revenge on me;
4. I have a toy dog Dilbert(Jap Spitz-Shih Tzu mixed breed), a talking bird Nichael (a mynah), and a dragon fin I had for almost eight years now. I used to have another dog, Enzo (a labrador retriever) but he died of exhaustion while on a loan to a friend who used him as a stud to her two lady labradors. I thought of suing her but the taught that Enzo died a happy dog made me think twice;
5. I used to have odd jobs like vending cigarette, baby-sitting, selling candies as well as doing the homework and research work of my schoolmates for a fee;
6. My longest relationship was for almost seven years while my shortest was seven days and yes, I am still single and would probably be single for the rest of my life (insert canned witch laughter here);
7. And finally... I love traveling and blogging to the point of trifling some of my work. So, I might be fired soon. But I don't care. Life is short.
The Rules said I have to tag 7 bloggers so I am tagging the following bloggers whom I am exchanging comments recently hoping that they play this so we could know them better:
1. Vanny
2. The Dong
3. Luna Miranda
4. Dra. Rio
5. Redlan
6. Eloiski
7. Madbong
Next stop... PAGUDPUD!!!
June 22-28, 2008 Winner
