Lawstude is a Dancer???

Lawstude is a blogger.
Lawstude ia a lawyer.
Lawstude is a certified public accountant.
Lawstude is a hobbyist photographer.
Lawstude is a traveler.
Lawstude is a dancer. HUWAT???? HAHAHA! Hanapin nyo na lang ako...

Dingalan Rocks

Who would ever know that at one of the highest points in the province of Aurora lies a terrace of rocks and springs that forms an astonishing group of ponds where weary-souled travelers can dip and refresh themselves in its cool waters. I found that out in Dingalan.

Dingalan's Shoreline and More

Dingalan is a place for nature-lovers. It has amazing landscapes of mountains and the sea. It has a newly-constructed port making its shores busier than ever. For beach-goers, Dingalan shores offer something different. There is no fine, white sand here where you can build castles. The water here is neither calm nor blue.

Dingalan's Mountain and Seascape

Once cut-off from the outside world by the Sierra Madre and the Philippine Sea, Dingalan is now opens up to travelers and tourists with the construction of a very wide highway . It is now barely an hour away from Cabanatuan City.

Dingalan is for nature-lovers. Good Hiking and sea-exploring opportunities exist for adventurous travellers. Those looking to get away from it all will have no problem doing so here.

Dupinga River in Gabaldon

Dupinga River is probably the most famous tourist spot of Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija. It is an essential part of life for both the Dumagats who live in the Sierra Madre Mountains or the local residents of Gabaldon and its surrounding municipalities. A part of the river just under the concrete bridge of a highway was developed into a picnic grove where several huts that include tables and karaoke machines are available for rent.

Nueva Ecija's Mountain Road Trip

After a Saturday road trip to the northern part of Nueva Ecija going to Nueva Vizcaya, Dong Ho, Orlan and I, now head to the eastern part of Nueva Ecija going to Aurora.

St. Dominic Church, Bayombong

Bayombong is the capital of Nueva Vizcaya and the home of St. Dominic Church. This church is the first and arguably the most popular one in the province.It was razed by fire twice and rebuilt in the same old site. The cathedral maintains the original facade and as such a veritable treasure, a relic of the past for its historic and aesthetic remains of a proud Christian past. Incidentally, I was with St. Dominic's namesake during this trip and he will post about this trip in his blog soon.

Foggy Dalton Pass

"A good road trip with a good company." Let me start the year with a series of posts from a road trip we took late last year with my best travel buddy Dong Ho and Lingkod's Orlan. The trip covered my province of Nueva Ecija and the neighboring provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Aurora.

My Top 10 Travels of 2008

Today is the first day of 2009 so, before anything else, I wanna greet everyone a Happy New Year. Although this is the best time to look ahead and see what the future may bring, this is also the best time to look back and reminisce at how good 2008 was. So, let me share now the favorite places I have been to, thus, My Top 10 Travels of 2008:

-1-

A beach lovers paradise which is ranked as one of the best in the world. The place has everything for everybody whether you long for action and activities in the White Beach or just take a leisurely stroll in the Puka Beach. My planned 4-day stay in this island paradise was extended for a week and for those seven days, no single day is the same. I love this place.

-2-

I instantly fell in love with this place the first time I set foot on it. The landscape here is lush and varied - from the remnants of a volcanic eruption to the serenity of its white sand beaches. The white island is a must-place to visit. This place is eco-tourism at its best.

-3-

From the Spanish-era mansions of Vigan, to the stunning churches of Paoay and Laoag. From the eerie lighthouse of Burgos and surreal windmills of Bangui Bay to the white beaches of Pagudpud. The Ilocos Region (Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur)is definitely a worthy-place to spend long weekends. There is so much things to see here whether you crave history, religion or just plainly wanna have a good time.

-4-

Home to the world-famous Rice Terraces, the province of Ifugao is a must-place to visit at least once in your lifetime. The Rice Terraces of Banaue, Batad, Hapao, Mayoyao and Kiangan are included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. I was able to trek the first three and was rewarded with the amazing view of Tappia Waterfalls and Ducligan Hot Springs.

-5-

Known as the City of Golden Friendship, the best thing to do in this place is to Whitewater Raft. I have braved the rapids of Cagayan De Oro River for more than two hours and I consider that as one of the best activities I had in 2008. On a lighter side, one could spend the night hunting for bargains or enjoy grilled barbecues in the center's Night Cafe held every Friday and Saturday nights.

-6-

This trip is a memorable one because this is the first time I joined Dong Ho and the Lingkod-Alabang Brothers. Also, this is one of the roughest boat rides I ever endured which was cause by an approaching typhoon. But casting that aside, Capones Island offers verdant greens of its hills and valleys as well as fine white-sand beaches. A perfect place to stay and backpack overnight.

-7-

Carabao Island, also called San Jose and Hambil is more of a day trip from Boracay than a destination in its own right. A perfect place to escape the crowded beach of Bora, the beaches of Carabao Island, particularly Inobahan Beach, offers solace and tranquility. In fact, some says this place reminds them of Bora of the eighties. I particularly enjoyed my trek here to Tagaytay Combot where I had an amazing view of seascape and the surrounding islands.

-8-

This is one of my favorite places this year. And thanks to SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway) this place is just a couple of hours away from my place. Think virgin beaches with no electricity where you need to go back to basics. A backpackers's beach paradise. Also, there is an emerging heritage city in Bagac where ancient homes and old structures are being rebuilt.

-9-One of the best road-trips I had this year was with Dong Ho and Orlan where we toured from Nueva Ecija to Nueva Vizcaya on the first day and then do Nueva Ecija to Aurora on the second day. On that particular trip, I enjoyes the Gabaldon-Dingalan phase the most where we have witnessed the amazing landscapes of mountain while we're travelin' on the road. Plus, the Rapids of Dupinga River and beach and views of Dingalan were real treat.


-10-

The Hundred Islands, Lingayen Gulf and Bolinao Lighthouse and Beaches were among the places I have visited in this coastal province. And because of the proximity of the place to where I live, I frequent this place if I long for great sunsets and rolling breakers or if ever I want to fix my island-hopping urges.


In addition, I have not included this on my Top 10 because the list above were all local trips. But I was also fortunate to be given a chance to go out of the country last year and experience the exotic beauty of Bangkok and Ayutthaya in Thailand:

And lastly, it was also last year where I got to share some facts and interesting places of my hometown that I deemed it proper to include it in this post. And if ever you wish to visit my province, just mack me and I am very much willing to give you assistance.

As I have said, Year 2008 was a great year for travel and I really do hope that I can share more travels with you in 2009. HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone and TRAVEL SAFE!!!