Wow. In my entire life at airports, I’ve finally experienced being bumped off a booked flight which I paid for a few days ago. Shit happens.

What greeted me was disheartening. It has lost its balance, leaning on the sandy shores of Luna’s beach. Broken and probably left with no more tears to weep as the descendants of the ancestors that this structure protected from the Pintados from the Visayas, looking for slaves, left it under the merciless elements.

It was a no brainer. The ruins in Pindangan, a sitio in San Fernando City, La Union is old judging from the primitive construction technique of mamposteria, stones, placed one on top of the other.

One great thing about exploring the country’s many provinces is that there is always a reason to stop, gawk and be awed. This can be pristine beaches, spectacular rock formations or just scenic vistas. Taggat Bay, more like a lagoon, actually, in Claveria, Cagayan is one.

Clean lines, rounded corners and flanged rear that only recalls to mind the pop style cars and architecture of yesteryears and I was just stumped and smiling: 50′s retro!

Ang Langyaw will be having a free lecture at the AIM and will talk about Travel Photography.

Blog and Soul Sessions resumes this Saturday, July 2 at the Meralco Case Room of the Asian Institute of Management. This session is about words and pictures: Yahoo!Philippines Editor Erwin Oliva will discuss writing and blogging, while multi-awarded blogger and photographer Estan Cabigas shares some tips for taking spectacular travel photos.

It seems, I like going to North Luzon or North Luzon loves me. If one has to check this blog, one would surmise that I often go to this part of the Philippines as I have lots of posts devoted to the northern provinces. Lakbay Norte Redux starts a new series on travel to Cagayan and Ilocos Norte provinces.

It’s probably because I’ve been spending more time in North Luzon, Metro Manila and Cebu that, once again, the Lady is beckoning, calling out my name to visit her land once again. And I do feel the itch to pack up, and leave for Bicol, anywhere in that region as long as I’m there.

I admit, places I’ve visited in Calayan: Cibang and Caniwara Coves and Nagudungan were the most pristine I’ve seen and been to. Its just so beautiful, a piece of paradise. But will it stay the same for years to come?

When in Calayan town proper, there’s really no problem with where to stay. There is an organized homestay program with eleven homeowners but this post will only focus on two that I know and stayed at.

The best time to go there is during April when the monsoons switch. It is possible to go there at other times of the year but the unpredictability of the weather makes it difficult and there is always the possibility that one can get stranded.

At the edge of Caniwara Cove is another spectacular place, Nagudungan Hill with its rolling terrain and gnarled pine trees with some, especially located near the edge to the sea are permanently inclined due to the strong winds.

Caniwara Cove has a sandy beach but a flat rocky shore shallowly and evenly submerged to a few meters to the sea marks this beautiful and enchanting cove.

Once bets are placed, all is in a hush as the battle ensues, all eyes are at the center as the cocks fight it out to the death. Within a minute or two, its over. Another death at the arena.

It was the best beach place I’ve been to. Better than Boracay, not in terms of sand but the pure delight I had in plunging and bathing into its crystal clear waters that we just had to ourselves. Even better than Flower Island.

There are two things that strongly comes to mind when Calayan town is mentioned: the row of Bitaog trees in one of its streets and the pieces of corals, shells and small pebbles sloping at an incline that makes for its beach.

It was just three kilometers from our destination and the coast of Claveria was already in sight but the waves were already huge and traveling for the past few hours was enough to put our nerves to the test.

It is with great honor for me of being considered by top pearl jeweler, Jewelmer, as their Pearl Ambassador together with five other bloggers who are considered not only as influential in their particular niche but environmental advocates as well.

Not too many Filipinos know it but the Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal visited Cebu overnight during his sentimental journey, his last, from Dapitan to Manila in 1896. He was supposed to serve as a surgeon in the Cuban army but five months later, was gunned down at Bagumbayan.