The Backpack Adventures

Our adventure today takes us 55 kilometers south of Bangued (Abra's provincial capital) and 267 kilometers north of Kilometer 0 in Manila. Join me as we visit the quiet remote town of Tubo in the province of Abra. Tubo Details This would probably be the first if not one of the few blogs that you'd read about Tubo , Abra. To most, this place is like an uncharted island due to the fact that going to Tubo in itself is a challenge for those who want to visit it. Abra provincial seal The town of Tubo is known for its beautiful forested and mountainous surroundings. It's also a perfect place for outdoor adventures. One of which is off-road driving. Due to its remoteness, most of the roads going to it are still unpaved (not to mention some "bridgeless" rivers). That's why 4x4 enthusiasts would surely call it paradise. On a side note, I got to visit Tubo when I joined a group of 4x4 enthusiasts on their medical mission. Terence, ready for battle! Despit

Located in front of Saint Paul's Cathedral in Vigan City in the province of Ilocos Sur, Plaza Salcedo is a very important and historical part of the Heritage City of Vigan. Plaza Salcedo Plaza Salcedo Details Plaza Salcedo is named in honor of the Spanish conquistador Juan de Salcedo . He was the one who subdued the natives residing in the territory now known as Vigan City . Afterward, he established a colony named Villa Fernandina in the location in 1572. Plaza Salcedo - Vigan City , Ilocos Sur That's Dr. Jose Rizal, not Juan Salcedo Plaza Salcedo is specifically designed to show the typical Spanish urban design. In the center of the plaza, you'd find the Salcedo Obelisk . A lagoon was added in the seventies not only for aesthetic purposes but for protection. As you can see, because most of the houses are made from wood, fire brings plenty of destruction to Vigan throughout history.   Vigan Cathedral is just in front of Plaza Salcedo The plaza served plenty

Suman , for most Filipinos, is a common food served for meriendas or snacks. It is usually made from glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk, then wrapped in Buri palm leaves before being steamed then consumed afterward. However, some prefer to dip the suman into sugar before eating it to give it a sweet taste. Suman ng Quezon Common Suman Ingredients: Glutinous Rice Coconut Milk Sugar Brown sugar Banana leaves It's as long as your middle finger so don't point it to people Cooked rice ready for wrapping The main ingredient of the suman -the glutinous rice  Suman is cooked this way... Since it is a common food throughout the Philippines , it got for itself different variants and in some places different ingredients and even names.  From my travels in the province of Quezon, I managed to try for myself three variants of suman . These are variants are the Infanta Suman ,   Tayabas Suman, and the Tamales ng San Antonio . Infanta Suman Yummy! Like m

Located in the municipality of Pila in Laguna, Pila Church is one of the many well preserved Spanish-era churches in the province. Pila Church Pila Church History Also known as  San Antonio de Padua Parish Church , like what its name suggests, it is dedicated to St. Anthony de Padua who is also the patron saint of travelers, pregnant women,  poor people, and even animals. Pila Church is also the first Antonine parish church in the Philippines. It was founded in 1578 using the cane plant as the primary material. In 1599, Pila Church was reconstructed using stone.  Pila Church - Pila, Laguna Old photo of Pila Church Shocking as it might seem, it actually took 18 years before the reconstruction of the Pila Church and its rectory was finished.  Due to the persistent flooding caused by Laguna de Bay, the church was transferred stone by stone to its present location in 1800. Only the ruins of the bell tower were left in its original location in Pagalangan (now part of Victoria, L