PHB back from R.P. tour

PHB back from R.P. tour

By Oscar Fariñas

After two years of planning and fund raising, Philippine Heritage Band made good its plans to visit the Philippines for the second time. The entourage of 110 boarded different flights at different dates and rendezvoused and stayed for two nights at the plush, 5-star Astoria Plaza in Pasig City. On December 20, 2005, and aboard two motor coaches, the group hit the road and visited Villa Escudero and Taal Volcano in the south, then back to Manila where it savoured the sights of the historical district, Manila City Hall and Malacañang Palace; then on to northern Luzon visiting Subic Freeport, Mapandan Pangasinan, Baguio City, Bucay Abra, Bangued Abra, Ilocos Norte and Vigan City.

At Villa Escudero, the group enjoyed carabao-drawn rides, a Filipiniana show and visit to the Escudero museum. In Manila, the thrill of being welcomed by the City of Manila Band was overwhelming. And the privilege of setting foot at Malacañang Palace was beyond words to explain.

With a guided tour at Subic, the group visited the American style village where American servicemen lived during the Subic base days, and other spots including what used to be top secret installations.
Along the scenic way, showbiz monkeys and scary bats provided unusual sights to the group’s fascination and delight. En route to Baguio City, the group stopped by for lunch at Mapandan Pangasinan noted for its beautiful plaza, then a short visit to nearby Manaoag Shrine. Arriving in Baguio City, the group was received at dinner by the Baguio City Council and after the VIP ceremony, everyone retired in the comfort of the exclusive Baguio Country Club where they stayed for three days. During this leg of the trip, the group visited the Philippine Military Academy where they toured the academy museum, watched a video presentation at the lecture hall, then on to the parade grounds where cadets performed an exclusive pass in review, then on to the mess hall for lunch. In the afternoon, the group braved the rugged downhill trail to Balatoc Mines where everyone donned a miner’s hat and boots and went underground in the dark tunnel The group celebrated Christmas eve at the Country Club Ballroom and the day after, distributed gifts to young children. The whole time, the group was accompanied by motorcycle police escorts.

After Baguio, the group proceeded to mountainous Bucay and Bangued Abra, then on to Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel in Ilocos Norte. After a night of gaming at the casino and the kids at the pool, the group took the one hour trip north to Pagudpud Beach resort – the Boracay of the north. With tour guides, the group learned much about scenic Northern Ilocos Norte. Along the way, the highest lighthouse in the Philippines, Cape Bojeador served as a brief stopover for some photographs. After lunch and swimming and shopping at Pagudpud beach, the group went on farther north to Patapat trail bridge, then turned back south to Fort Ilocandia. They stopped by at the town of Pasuquin, and watched traditional basi making (the Ilocano red wine) and savoured the experience of feeding sugar cane into the juicing mill that was being spinned by a carabao. This was followed by dinner and a welcome program at Shorestop Restaurant. The following day, the group departed Fort Ilocandia back to Manila and on the way, visited the preserved body of the late President Marcos in Batac, the centuries old Paoay church, and the historic Vigan City with its grand Spanish splendor.

The group parted ways after Vigan and each one went their own separate ways.

With a very tight schedule of 9 days being together on the road, the logistics of going through the tour with minimum delay or inconvenience rested on the able hands of the local tour coordinator which was arranged by Mr. & Mrs. Mac Guinto.

Overall the everybody was overwhelmed with joy and excitement with what they saw and experienced.
And the VIP treatment they received wherever they went. The youths who were in the Philippines for the first time were in awe at the hospitable culture, the easy going life of the locals, and most of all, cheap goods.

Led by President Carol Bañez, the tour is an on-going part of PHB’s youth development program.
Educational in nature, it is designed to immerse the youth into Philippine culture and get a good understanding and appreciation of their roots. Already, preparations are underway for the next batch of PHB members to tour the Philippines.

(PRESS RELEASE)