Surfing in La Union is ideal. It’s the closest one to Metro Manila, ample public transport system, good roads and the waves caters to all levels from beginners to well seasoned pros. It even has an inviting night life.

Batac’s empanada is said to be the best produced in Ilocos. Crispy thin shell filled with longanisa, bean sprouts and egg, its a delicious treat that can be a meal in itself.

Time to have a quick slip from the provinces to tread the concrete jungles of Metro Manila as Ang Langyaw checks what’s on in Bonifacio Global City’s food alley.

I’m familiar with the usual attractions in Ilocos Norte having traveled to this part of the country many times. Except for Paoay Church, the two other stops: Paoay Lake and Mair-ira Cove was something new to me.

Sandboarding at the Ilocos Norte Sand Dunes is one of the newest attractions in the area. While this adventure sport has been around and is in fact popular in many desert areas, here in the Philippines, its a new and exciting sport.

Paete in Laguna is known for its expert wood carvers and during Holy Week, it’s carving prowess is shown by the number of carrozas bearing lenten images. It has also one of the most unique santo intierro, the dead Christ laying in state that is jointed and undergoes a very unusual ritual akin to Cordillera death rites.

The Friday before Holy Week, another image, that of the crucified Christ undergoes the same ritual but with lesser people and done below the belfry of the church.

If you’re in Manila or Cebu this Holy Week, check out these downloadable PDF guides for use during the visita iglesia. Each showcases all the existing Spanish colonial era churches with photos, short history and printable maps. Manila is featured with its 8 churches while Cebu, 28.

The Ilocos Norte Sand Dune is one of the best places to go for a wild 4×4 offroad adventure with its wide expanse of sand dunes that stretches for kilometers before bordered by the sea. Of all the places we’ve visited in our Lakbay Norte tour, this was the best experience.

Northern Exposure is my second contribution for the Destination Philippines travel feature in the Filipino – Canadian magazine, Living Today for March 2010 issue. Here, I’ve written about San Juan surfing in La Union and on Ilocos Norte like the sand dunes, food and Paoay Church which we visited last January.

This is my first article for the Filipino – Canadian magazine, Living Today, co-written with Yul Baritugo that focuses on the different sights and experiences in Cebu. Destination Philippines will be a regular feature in this publication which will be my contribution.

I was told point blank that the ticket is already invalid since it was canceled for refund! What? A shocker! There I was, seeing red. What is this madness? Have the heavens conspired against me? Should I devote my Holy Week to some flagellation in Infanta?

Unless they’re robots or high on drugs.

Ilocos Norte is just more than churches, gigantic wind turbines and empanada. At it’s western coastline, a desert like landscape awaits the traveler who is bold enough to go to this out of the way geographic wonder. But once you get face to face with the Ilocos Norte Sand Dunes as it unfolds before you, just prepare to be bowled over.