Longganisa at the Baguio City Market

The Baguio City Market has a variety of longganisas from Baguio, Vigan and Laoag. These include the Laoag derecado (salted garlic), Vigan derecado (with and without vinegar) and hamonado, and the Baguio derecado and hamonado which inlcudes versions for boiling (because of the amount of fat), straight frying (lean hamonado) and short links which they call shortganiza. These pork delights are sold in one area of the market together with the ultimate pork dish, lechon!

Main article: Longanizas of the Philippines

Longganisa Alaminos

Longganisas from Alaminos, Pangasinan are unique because of the toothpicks they use to divide the segments. Each length has six pieces and is hung using a buli grass string. This longganisa would fall under the derecado garlicky (or mabawang) category. This was taken at the private market under Nepo Mall in Alaminos, Pangasinan.

Main article: Longanizas of the Philippines

Pangasinan: Tondol White Sand Beach in Anda, Pangasinan during high tide

Tondol White Sand Beach is arguably the best beach in Pangasinan. But when it's high tide, it doesn't impress much. Tondol is in Anda, Pangasinan. The junction to this island town is along the National Highway on the way to Bolinao. The island is quite large and the beach is located at the end of the island. So it's still a bit of a drive from the town proper.

On the way to the beach, you'll pass by some salt beds also in Brgy. Tondol. Here is a post about Tondol Beach during low tide. The pictures will speak for themselves. That's why make sure to check the time of low tide before you visit Tondol.

Part 1: Visita iglesia to Western Pangasinan churches
Part 2: Hundred Islands in Alaminos, Pangasinan

Pangasinan: Hundred Islands in Alaminos, Pangasinan

Hundred Islands in Alaminos, Pangasinan is one of the iconic attractions of the Philippines. We've learned about it through our elementary text books and seen it extensively in our tourism campaigns. Ironically, I only got to visit it recently. But the visit, albeit short, was most definitely worth it.

Visiting the Hundred Islands is very simple. Just make your way to Barangay Lucap in Alaminos where boats are available. There are standard rates as well so no need to haggle. Just check with the dispatchers office as soon as you get there. You can do this as a day trip if you leave Manila early. But it's best to experience Hundred Islands by staying at least overnight.

Anyway, the boat will take you to Governor's Island where you can climb several steps to a view deck for the Hundred Islands. You can opt to swim there or proceed to Quezon Island where the white sand beach is much better or rent kayaks and snorkeling equipment. But if you want a beach all to yourself, you can ask the boat driver to take you to other islands with small beaches.

I actually enjoyed Quezon Island since there's a lot to do there. And if you get hungry, there are sari-sari stores as well. I had other beaches to visit that day so I was back in the mainland just in time for lunch. While you're in Alaminos, make sure to try their longganisa. The city also has a lot of ancestral homes and I really hope they preserve them.

Part 1: Visita iglesia to Western Pangasinan churches
Part 3: Tondol White Sand Beach in Anda, Pangasinan during high tide

Agreement between the Holy See and the Republic of the Philippines on the Cultural Heritage of the Catholic Church

The Holy See and the Republic of the Philippines,

Acting, on the part of the Holy See, in accordance with the declarations of the Second Vatican Council on religious liberty and the relations between the Church and the civil society, as well as the norms of Canon Law, and, on the part of the Republic of the Philippines, with the principles of its Constitution and applicable laws,

Considering that the cultural heritage of the Catholic Church in the Philippines constitutes a very significant part of the cultural patrimony of the Nation;

Realizing the need for close cooperation between the Church and the State as regards the ecclesiastical cultural heritage;

Have agreed as follows:

Article I
The Holy See and the Republic of the Philippines, each within its competence, are committed to cooperate for the protection of the cultural heritage of the Catholic Church.

Article II
This cooperation includes the movable and immovable cultural heritage of artistic and historic significance, comprising the colonial churches declared as legally protected by the Republic, museums, archives and libraries, belonging to ecclesiastical institutions and organizations.

Article III
The two Parties shall cooperate for the conservation, appreciation and proper use of the cultural heritage mentioned in Article II.

Article IV
The Holy See, through the Apostolic Nunciature and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, and the Republic of the Philippines through the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) shall together agree upon the provisions for the conservation, appreciation and proper use of the cultural heritage of artistic and historical significance owned by ecclesiastical institutions and organizations, harmonizing the implementation of Philippine legislation with the norms of Canon Law and the exigencies of the pastoral activity of the Church.

Article V
The Holy See and the Republic of the Philippines shall proceed by mutual accord to resolve any difficulties that should arise in the future concerning the interpretation or the implementation of the present Agreement.

Article VI
This Agreement requires ratification. It shall enter into force on the day of the exchange of the instruments of ratification.

Done in Manila on 17 April 2007, in two copies in Italian and English, both having equal force.

For the Holy See
FERNANDO FILONI

For the Republic of the Philippines
ALBERTO G. ROMULO

(Agreement between the Holy See and the Republic of the Philippines on the Cultural Heritage of the Catholic Church entered into full force on 29 May 2008, following the exchange of the instruments of ratification between the Holy See and the Republic of the Philippines.)