The Batch63 Northern Luzon 2010 Odyssey

By Lito Quiogue

Last weekend, Gabby Valdez, Jackie Arellano, Vince Misa, Boy Charles and Lito Quiogue set out on a motoring trip through the Luzon Northern Loop. This route covered the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Cagayan until the tip of Luzon in Aparri. From Aparri it was then westward via Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and then on through the familiar provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga on the way back to Metro Manila.

Boy rode with Gabby and his driver. Vince and Lito rode with Jackie who established a personal record of driving the entire 1,455 km. distance. The group was not disappointed when they saw people and places they’ve only heard about before. Aparri for one brought to mind a Spanish song taught to the gang in La Salle entitled No Mas Amor Que El Tuyo (tu reinaras sin mengua / De Aparri hasta Jolo).

http://monkshobbit.wordpress.com/2009/05/26/no-mas-amor-que-el-tuyo-a-filipino-song-for-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus

The blow-by-blow account of the itinerary is described below:

April 8, Thursday. The group met up at the Caltex Service Station in NLEX for breakfast. The first leg of the journey was Santiago, Isabela (or at best Tuguegarao which is about 400 kms away). The group agreed on a relaxed driving pace particularly in consideration of their recharge requirement and hyper active bladders due to aging. Along the way the gang were true to their health shortcomings as they helped irrigate the parched lands of Isabela and Cagayan from time to time. By sundown they were 100 kms. off their target. Since lodging accommodations were better in Tuguegarao they aimed for that City despite the extended driving time requirement.

April 9, Friday. Next in the itinerary was Laoag but not without a side trip to Aparri at the tip of Luzon. In Aparri it was lunch and photo op time at the beach across the Babuyan Strait. The road to Ilocos Norte skirts the coastal tip of Luzon which accounts for the abundant vegetation along the way. It was mid afternoon when the group crossed the boundary to Ilocos. The twisting road high over lush mountain areas provided a picturesque view of the ocean below. In Bangui, gigantic windmills similar to those found in California were seen. There was still daylight when the group arrived in Patapat Viaduct (a roadway beside the mountains built high above the beach) that stretched for several kilometers along the coast. This was yet another awesome scenery. Arriving in Laoag early in the evening, the group feasted on a variety of Ilocano cuisine and delicacies at Rudy Farinas' new Java Hotel. Tired after a long day on the road the group finally settled down for the night in a family inn.

April 10, Saturday. In Laoag, there were many interesting and historic sites. First on the list was the Malacanang of the North mansion beside Paoay Lake. The mansion displayed the past grandeur of the Marcos era including antique European furnishings, ornate wrought iron grills. etc. In Batac, the centuries-old Batac Church with its thick walls and massive buttresses was found. Across the street from the church plaza is the Marcos mausoleum and museum. There in the darkened aircon room (with strains of Gregorian-like chants) is the preserved remains of Ferdinand Marcos. From the Marcos museum, the group proceeded to the UN World Heritage town of Vigan where they sampled the famous Bagnet and Longanisang Vigan among other native dishes. Leaving Ilocandia, the group headed for San Fernando (La Union) to visit the new Thunderbird Resort, a casino-hotel- restaurant and golf course complex located in Poro Point.

After logging 1,000 kilometers, the adventurers were still fresh, energetic and were longing for the cool climes of Baguio which was only an hour’s drive away. In the summer capital, Gabby hosted the group in his vintage summer home ideally located near Mines View Park.

April 11, Sunday. The group had breakfast at the exclusive Baguio Country Club. In no hurry to leave the cool weather, the group hang around in Baguio rewinding the events of the past three days. They all agreed it was a most enjoyable trip and are even now are talking about the next big one: Destination Sorsogon.
XXXXXXXX