The Adivay of the 13 Municipalities of Benguet (updated 01.07.16)

(Note: This was originally posted on November 17, 2014, Edits and updates will be continually made, as they come, for everyone’s reference.)

I thought it only fitting that I write something about the Adivay, which is the celebration of the anniversary of the province of Benguet. Every November, she turns a year older, and Adivay is “hotter” than ever.

Read the rest of the entry HERE.

One Night At Mt. Jumbo of La Trinidad

The month of July has finally rolled around, and the powers-that-be has declared that, yes, the rainy season is finally upon us. During this latter half of the year, there is a smaller chance of going on treks and hikes, because there is always the rain to ruin even the best-laid plans. But we take what we can get, and we are lucky that we have the nearby Mt. Jumbo of La Trinidad to tide us over, at least until we can find another hike-worthy spot to explore.

 

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La Trinidad Eats: Dinawis Cafe & Restaurant

I first caught wind of this place when I saw it featured on local (then national) television for their coffee, which is a mix of arabica coffee (Benguet’s version of the barako) and chili or capsicum (sili). To say that I was intrigued would be an understatement, but the place is not the most accessible (or practical) for someone like me since it is alllll the way in Shilan. See, I work at Km. 0, I live at Km. 6, and the Dinawis Cafe and Restaurant is located at Km. 11. See my predicament?

See the rest of the entry HERE.

Echoes of the Past at the Mt. Kalugong Eco-Park

If I were to choose key phrases to describe my high school years at Benguet State University-Secondary Laboratory School (BSU-SLS), they would include “solid work”, “4-1”, “Pomology”, and “Mt. Kalugong”. It has been more than 15 years since the last time I set foot on Mt. Kalugong. Which is a shame, really, considering how it is on my doorstep (heck, the side of the mountain greets me each morning I wake up!) and how it is now more accessible to everyone as the Mt. Kalugong Eco-Park.

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La Trinidad Eats: Health101 ReSTOREant

I’m not a vegetarian, nor do I ever plan to be one. (That’s a huge “HELL, NO!” right there.) I love meat just as much as the next meat-loving person.

To be honest, I was one of those who used to equate “healthy eating” with “settling for so-so tasting food and being miserable about it”. That was then. Fortunately, we are now given more options on sumptuous yet healthy eats. And if you are from La Trinidad, you are even luckier, since you are practically in the heart of vegetable and fruit country. Hey, it ain’t the capital of the “Salad Bowl of the Philippines” (Benguet) for nothing! So this time, I’ll be sharing a little about Health101 ReSTOREant.

Read the rest of the entry HERE.