Travel Photographer Philippines – The 4AM Chronicles

It was four years ago when I thought of the idea of creating a public food tour of Pampanga. Known for its good food and delightful delicacies, not to mention intriguing culinary history, Pampanga has this treasure that would be such a waste if not shared. So I talked with Tracey of Travel Tales Inc. (then Alquimista Trails) and pitched the idea to her. After 10 seconds, she said, “Lets do it!”. We tapped Kong Willie Carpio and presented our little project to him. A week later, we found ourselves eating in Pampanga, we went to different food places, restaurants, hole in the walls, carinderias, pasalubong places, families, just to get a sample of what Pampanga had to offer.

We finally came to the conclusion. We wanted a tour that had value to those who will attend it. If we asked people to join a tour that they can do themselves, then the value wouldnt be that significant. We wanted to give people not just a taste of cuisine but of culture. We also wanted a tour that would help the community, because without them, there would be no such culture. As we were doing our own little tour, we discovered something..

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Food tours are one of my favorite types of tours, because like music, food can bring different cultures together. In 2007, I had the privilege of co-developing Viajeng Cucinang Matua (VCM), or Old Kitchen Tours. It is the first regular public food tour of Pampanga, a province not very far from Manila also regarded by many as the culinary capital of the Philippines.

I started the tour with two other friends who not only promotes responsible travel but has a love for country. We didn’t make VCM just to make money. In fact, it was very far from our objective.

What we had in mind was simple. The goal was to create a food tour that 1) Doesnt exist yet. 2) You cannot replicate on your own to give value to those who attend it. 3.)Promotes the culture and heritage of Pampanga 4.) Supports and enables the local trade industry.

What we wanted was to re-introduce Pampanga as a culinary haven because people knew it but they didn’t experience it. From then on, many other similar tours started to flourish in Pampanga, it’s culinary culture is being promoted and the industry is flourishing – a job well done.

This year, Ilocos Norte opens its doors to the first ever regular public food tour of Ilocos – Makan Ti Amianan or Food from the North. We will be visiting local delicacy factories, market places, and even enjoy heritage areas while enjoying authentic Ilocano food.

click the image to enlarge

Aside from a weekend of food fun, we expect people to appreciate culture in the North, know why you shoudn’t eat Pinakbet during your birthday and what the secret is behind crispy bagnet.

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Just because I love the food here, let me tell you about Herencia. We were looking forward to lunch, or at least I was, coming from the Kapurpurawan rock formations in Burgos, where I tried to get shots of myself pretending to do sand stone surfing or whatever you call it. No, we were’nt really tired and hungry as the stops we went to in this Lakbay Norte leg didn’t need a lot of calorie burning. We were also able to try freshly baked bread at the Pasuquin Biscocho place except I got to eat a half-baked one. It’s my first time to accidentally eat dough (as if I ever did)!

What’s the verdict? Is the food here good or what?

Strategically located in front of the Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte, Herencia Cafe. Forgive me for being ignorant of this place for the years that I have been coming back to Paoay and other parts of Ilocos, but the food here is spectacular – thank God I was able to join Lakbay Norte. Of course, I may be overstating as I am not a food critique, but allow the evidence of empty dish plates give you a hint.

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The guy taking care of the boards were getting the boards ready. We were waiting for everyone to get on the top of the dune for a little briefing. My heart was probably beating fast. Was I afraid? Not really. I’d say I was excited. I lifted one of the boards and saw that the foot straps were now made of rubber instead of nylon straps. I noticed he was putting something on the rear side of the boards. It was wax, the liquid type that you use on your wooden floors. We never had that before either as this was my second time. The first was during the last year, during the first Lakbay Norte tour.

I asked the guy if the board I was using was already waxed and ready to use. He said yes, nodding his head. I tried to fit the board on my feet. Pretty comfy it was. Better than the last time. I was jokingly moving towards the edge of the dune slope and ask aloud? Pede na ba? (can i go?) No one was answering, so I jumped taking the silence as a yes.

I hit the bottom still standing up and thanks to the training I had from surfing, I enjoyed every moment of it. Then, Frank, the official Lakbay Norte videographer shouts at me. -  “Di pa kami, ready. Walang kumuha. Ulitin mo!” (We’re not ready yet, it wasn’t caught on film. Do it again!) Read the rest of this entry »

I was stoked again after having 5 or 6 successful sand boarding runs and a crazy 4×4 ride at the Paoay San Dunes in Ilocos Norte and indeed i was dirty. Full of sand, I couldn’t imagine myself taking a 12-hour bus ride home without taking a shower. It’s good that NPVB and the Ilocos Norte CVB was as able to arrange for two nice big suites at Balay da Blas for us to washup after.

What I thought was just another hotel stunned me. As far as I can recall, I have never in my life entered a hotel room and said.. Whoooah! Unfortunately, my Playsport couldn’t give justice to what I was seeing so I apologize for the photos. It really looked more like a nicely maintained old house from the inside rather than a hotel room.

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