Forum member “Kwago” goes on an epic voyage around the northern coast of Luzon, with his wife as his backride.

February 24, 2006 Friday

Odometer reading on my raider - 22,042 kms

Shortly after arriving home from office at past 7:00PM I received a text from Phillip aka ALCO1 (got to know him from the mcp forums). Phillip posted at the mcp forums that he wanted to tag along riders who will be attending the Pamulinawen Bike Festival and 1st MCPF North Jamboree in Laoag as he didn’t know the way to the north. We agreed to meet at Caltex Calumpit at 9:30PM. And so we met. At 10:00PM only I and my wife Mariz left Caltex Calumpit. Phillip left his or/cr at their house. Habol na lang daw siya. We decided to wait for him at the luisita mall in tarlac. After 30 minutes he arrived. Off we went and proceeded to batac.

February 25, 2006 Saturday

Arrived in Batac, Ilocos Norte (which is only 20 minutes away from Laoag) at 6:54 AM. Buti na lang andun si Manang Gracia (our long time katiwala) at our old old ancestral house located at Sabas Street which is approximately 180 years old na. Built in the Spanish era still standing up to this time. Kaya lang napabayaan na when my father, the late Atty. Inocencio Sabas, passed away in 1999.

Went in and unpacked our bags. Then chatted with Manang Gracia while having our rest. After an hour, Mariz Alco1 & I proceeded to laoag to register for the PAMULINAWEN BIKE FESTIVAL AND 1ST MCPF NORTHERN JAMBOREE. ( Dablade thanks for texting where the venue was being held). At the Ilocos Norte Capitol in Laoag we were warmly met the Sir Riki Fabico & other members of the Road Rats MC Club (organizers of the event). Nice meeting you sirs!

At the next table there they were. The familiar faces of MCPF. Of course we were offered polo shirts, shirts and stickers by the beauteous and charming Ellaine. After exchanging stories and laughter with the people around. Our stomachs are crying for food. So we went to my favorite carinderia in Laoag. Dami ko order. Mga food na wala sa manila. Yummy! Bilis ng kain namin sa sobrang gutom. Whew! Busog!

Went around laoag and catched a glimpse of ST. WILLIAMS CATHEDRAL and SINKING TOWER. Then back to the capitol grounds for some rest. After lunch Sir Neil aka ENGINEER, who is from Pasuquin Ilocos Norte, texted me and wanted to meet. At 3PM Sir Neil approached us and had our introductions. Ayun kwentuhan na! At 4PM, the four of us decided to go around. Mariz and Phillip wanted to see the tourist spots.

We went to see first THE FORT ILOCANDIA the famous hotel of Laoag. Next was the MALACANANG OF THE NORTH, built as the official residence of then President Marcos in Ilocos Norte, overlooking legendary Paoay Lake. Final destination for the day was the PAOAY CHURCH built in the 16th century of coral blocks. After seeing my Lola’s (mother side of my father) white house just right beside the church, we went for a hearty merienda of the famous EMPANADA of Batac with matching coke. Sarrraaap! (FYI: lots of people from nearby towns and provinces come to Batac just to eat empanada) After thanking and saying goodbye to Sir Neil we went back to the old house to take a bath and rest for a while.

At 8:00PM we were back in Laoag. The Street Party has started. MC clubs and groups have already started to arrive. Jamboree participants parked their mc’s in front of the stage. The band composed of sexy ladies started to croon the crowd. The hosts offered beer, grabe! drink all you can. Ang saya saya! At 11:00PM we went back to batac for a well deserved sleep.

February 26, 2006 Sunday

In the morning we tried to visit APO Ferdinand Marcos at the Marcos Mausoleum at BALAY TI ILI. At 8:00AM we left Batac for Laoag. After breakfast we headed off to Burgos Ilocos Norte. Visited the CAPE BOJEADOR LIGHTHOUSE, built in the Spanish era still serving its purpose up to this day. Next town the site of the famous WINDMILLS OF BANGUI came into view. The windmills were built by the government of Gov. Bongbong Marcos to serve the power needs of Ilocos Norte. Finally we rested and had lunch at the renowned WHITE SAND BEACHES OF PAGUDPUD.
After Phillip aka Alco1 left for Manila, may pasok pa daw kasi siya ng Monday, Mariz and I hit to waters. Swam and frolicked in the water for an hour.

At 4:00 PM we hit the road to Cagayan Valley. I can’t help it but get excited on this one. I have ridden the northern coastline of Ilocos to Cagayan Valley on a cage many times before with my Dad and the whole family. This one is different. This is the first time I will be taking the route on a motorcycle. Iba talaga pag nakamotor…ibang klase.

The mountainous regions of the towns of Pagudpud and Sta. Praxedes consist of 70 kilometers of short and long curves. Sarap ng twisties! Ganda din ng daan. Nakakarelax. Stopped over for a while at the PATAPAT VIADUCT in pagudpud. Mariz gasped at the view! Her first at the spot. Then we proceeded on. A kilometer after Patapat we reached the mini-falls on the roadside. Lamig ng tubig, galing kasi sa itaas ng bundok. At that moment, my memory came to past. Naalala ko pa kasama si Dad naliligo kami ng kapatid ko under the falls hubot hubad hehehe. Titigan mga tao sa vehicles passing by hehehehe! That was the past. So Mariz and I hit to the highway again.

After 196 kilometers and 3 ½ hours of travel we crossed the MAGAPIT SUSPENSION BRIDGE, famous for its structure coz it looked like the Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco. We ate dinner at a nearby restaurant. At 8:30PM off we went to Tuguegarao at my aunt’s house where we planned to sleep overnight. Unfortunately I forgot the way to my aunt’s place. So we checked in at Courtyard Hotel.

February 27, 2006 Monday

At 7:00 AM we left Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley for Manila. As we hit the road to manila, my memories of the past came back again. I remember passing by thru long stretches of rice fields, at the carabaos plowing thru mud. We passed by thru some towns of Cagayan Valley, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya. At lunchtime we stopped over at Santa Fe Forest Park for lunch and some picures. Passed by Nueva Ecija. And finally with no breakdown, no overheating and not even a flat tire (from Bulacan to Ilocos to Cagayan back to Manila) we reached our home in Bustos, Bulacan at 5:30PM.

Raider odometer at 23,564 kms

At the house finally resting I could not help but reminisce the 1,522 kilometers of road I and Mariz have taken, the view, the food, the people and yes…the ride. An excursion to the past. Memories of my travels with my father around the north, his birthplace, the home of my ancestors, came back to present. Miss you dad…

A smile of satisfaction on my face as I went to bed. This one I rode on a motorcycle! Sarap ng buhay rider! Mabuhay ang MCP! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Tayo na at magpunta sa Ilocos. The province has many things, food and places to offer. The people are hospitable and friendly. It is rich in culture and history. Your journey will truly be an excursion to the past.

More pictures and stories of their trip can be found here.