Pangasinan is such a big and beautiful province and the few days we were there was not just enough. There’s good food, beautiful architecture, beaches and resorts.

The town of Calasiao is not only famous for its beautiful Spanish colonial era church. It is equally popular for its little, yummy morsels that are sold not only in the town but even outside of it and reaching as far as Manila.

The name was a bit catchy and curious for me but it basically means turning over in Pangalatok, probably referring to its cooking style of sauteing on a hot oil on a wok.

There were two hotels where we stayed at when we visited Pangasinan during this time: Puerto del Sol Beach Resort and Hotel Club in Bolinao and Islandia Hotel when we were in Alaminos.

Administered by the Augustinians, Augustinian Recollects and later on by the Dominicans in the 17th and 18th centuries, Pangasinan has a rich treasure trove of heritage churches built during the Spanish colonial era.

Being a coastal province, Bolinao in Pangasinan has its share of beautiful beaches. Patar Beach, a strip of creamy and powdery sand in this municipality is popular with visitors and locals.

No malls, no game arcades but what you have in Lingayen are simple joys that are clearly lacking in big cities. And I just loved it here.

A simple cascade, Bolinao Falls is in an oasis, providing cooling waters and respite from the heat and hotness of the surroundings.

Beautiful and century old Cape Bolinao Lighthouse sits prominently at Punta Piedra Point, standing proud and helping sea going vessels since 1905.

Sticky rice cooked in coconut milk inside a bamboo tube, the Bolinao binungey is better eaten with ripe and sweet mangoes.