OOTD: A Black and Cream Kind of Day

January 11, 2014, 5:52 am

Thank God for weekends! The weather’s nice, pretty chilly in Ilocos lately. We hit Joe 10′s Coffee in the Iglesia Ni Kristo area in Laoag. The butterscotch frappe is so nice on any given day! They have Krispy Kreme, J.CO and other baked goodies to satisfy your sweet cravings.

{Plains and Prints top, old Citizens of Humanity jeans, Mango fisherman cable-knit sweater, Vans sneakers, Prada satchel, borrowed-from-Brandon aviators}

Photographed by Brandon and Blauearth
© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

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Di Pay Pinagdapil

January 12, 2014, 4:29 am

≫ Next: OOTD: Fanciful Escape

≪ Previous: OOTD: A Black and Cream Kind of Day

Pasencia, awan pay basi ken suka diay Bacsil!

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OOTD: Fanciful Escape

January 13, 2014, 10:01 am

≫ Next: Cheesy Goodness in Mary Grace Ensaymadas and Cheese Rolls

≪ Previous: Di Pay Pinagdapil

If there’s one thing I love about fashion, it’s the fun and freedom. It’s about who you are and what you are thinking. Today, I was inspired by mermaids and fairy dust.

Spent the afternoon with my friend Leehua.

Mom, if you happen to be reading, happy birthday!

{Mossimo graphic tee, Plains and Prints floral shorts, Saltwater sandals, Rebecca Minkoff Toki tote, F&H sunnies}

Photographed by Leehua and Blauearth
© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

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Cheesy Goodness in Mary Grace Ensaymadas and Cheese Rolls

January 14, 2014, 8:49 am

≫ Next: OOTD: Tomboy Walk

≪ Previous: OOTD: Fanciful Escape

A visiting friend of mine arrived in Ilocos with boxes of Mary Grace ensaymadas and cheese rolls. I’ve been hearing about them from fellow bloggers. In fact, their ensaymada is consistently in, along with Hizon’s and Cunanan’s, when ensaymada (ensaimada) is the subject matter. The cheese rolls were gone before I even had the time to romance them through my lens.

The ensaymada is airy, soft and buttery, with lots of grated queso de bola. The cheese roll has a soft pastry hugging the generous slice of cheddar cheese. Both are better when grilled in the toaster to add in texture. Between the two, it was the cheese roll that got me craving for more.

Check out locations of Mary Grace Cafes and kiosks here.

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OOTD: Tomboy Walk

January 15, 2014, 5:28 am

≫ Next: Wistful Thinking

≪ Previous: Cheesy Goodness in Mary Grace Ensaymadas and Cheese Rolls

Something funny happened right at the newly established Hero Walk. A friend who happened to pass by asked if I knew Pasuquin’s hero. Told him in all honesty I am poor in history. His friend said, but she must be interested in the arts. I guess it was the knit scarf:) You got to love the cool breeze in Ilocos right now! Getting all covered up in extra layers kinda distorts the gait.

{H&M denim top, Cotton On white tee and scarf, Lee jeans, Hype saddle bag, Kickers booties}

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Wistful Thinking

January 16, 2014, 8:16 am

≫ Next: Sun, Surf and Sports… the Ilocos Sur Beach Fest 2014!

≪ Previous: OOTD: Tomboy Walk

“The bees learn where they live by landmarks. If they’re moved within their home range, they get confused.”

Los Angeles is not Los Angeles without palm trees. And so is Japan not the same without sakura trees. The tall trees in and around Aurora Park are getting fewer and fewer. The old shady bougainvilleas are starkly missing from the plaza landscape. What have replaced them are mini’d ornamental plants.

A year or so ago, big supermarkets have become part of Laoag’s landscape. Some walls have been torn down to create open spaces as part of one huge urban development plan. In a city like Laoag, we are so accustomed to walking around the centro. Laoag has been a relatively safe place to live in ever since I can remember. In grade school, I was allowed to walk from the Holy Spirit Academy to our store near the public market. Needless to say, it was our forefathers who have passed it on to us — they mastered the art of connectivity (panagkakarruba).

The bees learn where they live by landmarks. If they’re moved within their home range, they get confused.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/landmarks.html#WWqjc2f7oWgMq4Ui.99

The bees learn where they live by landmarks. If they’re moved within their home range, they get confused.
Gene Robinson
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/landmarks.html#WWqjc2f7oWgMq4Ui.99

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Sun, Surf and Sports… the Ilocos Sur Beach Fest 2014!

January 17, 2014, 2:08 am

≫ Next: Three Generations of Plaid

≪ Previous: Wistful Thinking

There’s something to be stoked about on the 1st of February! The dragons are coming! The dragon boat race exhibition is just one of the highlights at the upcoming Ilocos Sur Beach Fest. Soak in the sun for an action overload with surfing, kiteboarding, frisbee and volleyball competitions. Intayon!

Photos from Duchess Francine Gamboa-Co and Blauearth
© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

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Three Generations of Plaid

January 17, 2014, 5:27 am

≫ Next: Arwat by Jaynny Lao opens shop in Laoag

≪ Previous: Sun, Surf and Sports… the Ilocos Sur Beach Fest 2014!

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Arwat by Jaynny Lao opens shop in Laoag

January 18, 2014, 5:22 am

≫ Next: OOTD: Mismatch

≪ Previous: Three Generations of Plaid

Much sought after fashion designer Jaynny Lao is now the proud shopkeeper of Arwat. In the vernacular, the term fashionably means garb. She’s the best model for her fatally feminine designs.

There is a story behind the creation of the black dress in ruffled fabric (in photo above). It was made in 25 minutes flat for her sister-in law who needed something new to wear to an event. That’s how passionate and creative she can be with her craft

I was pretty late for the party. As always, the lovely family of Jaynny were there to celebrate with her.

Congrats, Jaynny!

Photographed by Brandon and Blauearth
© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

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OOTD: Mismatch

January 18, 2014, 7:29 am

≫ Next: Date at Tribeca

≪ Previous: Arwat by Jaynny Lao opens shop in Laoag

I got a box of fashion pieces from my older sister who recently edited her closet. It’s not that she didn’t like them anymore, but she liked them more for me. Last Christmas, I was looking for a jean jacket, but no one makes them as good and as classic as this Gap anymore. It is love!

Hey, they’re faux!

I can live in these skates. I want Half Cabs, but they don’t have them here:(

{Hand-me-down Gap jean jacket from my older sister, Plains and Prints maxi dress, Vans sneaks, faux snakeskin trio purse from Red Dot, vintage gold hoops, Tom Ford Forbidden Pink}

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Date at Tribeca

January 20, 2014, 9:41 pm

≫ Next: Ilocos Sandboarding lately

≪ Previous: OOTD: Mismatch

There are more pastries to try at the Tribeca coffee shop by the Valdez Center. I chanced upon their monstrous slices of fine oatmeal cookies and brownies during the holidays, but they were not available when I last went, so my date and I shared a slice of New York cheesecake and an espresso walnut muffin. Better shared with someone, their homemade muffins are big and dense.The cheesecake was a tad too sweet for my taste, but the texture was good.

Tribeca doesn’t scrimp on ingredients. It is probably one of the reasons loyal patrons keep going back.

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Ilocos Sandboarding lately

January 21, 2014, 5:32 am

≫ Next: New place to visit in Norte: The Nueva Era Eco-Cultural Park

≪ Previous: Date at Tribeca

I stumbled upon in the net a new travel guide book to the Philippines (from Insight Guides) authored by Ralph Jennings. In the Barnes and Noble book preview, caught on one of the pages a miniature photo of LEAD Movement’s red Land Cruiser, shot by international photographer Chris Stowers sometime ago at the Laoag “La Paz” Sand Dunes. It seems like a detailed guide book with colorful pictures on every page. Can’t wait to get LEAD’s own copy. Thank you, Insight Guides!

Danish tourists in between bus transfers from Vigan Heritage City and to Manila.

Students from Wolpyeong Middle School, Ulsan, South Korea, currently in town through a student exchange program with the Ilocos Norte National High School.

For inquiries and bookings, contact the LEAD Movement :0919-873-5516 / 0917-841-5155 . Like Ilocos Sand Boarding (by the innovators of sandboarding in Ilocos) on Facebook

Photographed by Rommel and Blauearth
© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

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New place to visit in Norte: The Nueva Era Eco-Cultural Park

January 22, 2014, 5:34 am

≫ Next: Behind the scenes of an OOTD

≪ Previous: Ilocos Sandboarding lately

In my hometown of Ilocos Norte, it is still normal to find a little spot without effort and let yourself soak in the healing powers of nature. But sometimes, you need to fly a distance. The newly-opened park in the town of Nueva Era, however, has more to offer to the lover of nature. It provides glimpses into the local Tingguian culture while enjoying a day or two relaxing in cottages made of indigenous materials or tree-shaded picnic grounds.

We failed to experience tribal dancing, but my friend Leehua and I were satisfied with our quick getaway. We really did climb trees:)

They have a little museum and at the back is a lovely setting for weddings and events.

Nueva Era is about an hour drive from Laoag City via the Dingras road. It is the next town from Banna, and bordered by Kalinga, Apayao, Abra and Ilocos Sur on the east, southeast and south.

The Tingguian dap-ayan.

Thanks to Riza for touring us around the museum!

Photographed by Leehua, Riza and Blauearth
© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

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Behind the scenes of an OOTD

January 23, 2014, 12:48 am

≫ Next: Rice Coffee Providing Sustainable Livelihood for Women in Banna

≪ Previous: New place to visit in Norte: The Nueva Era Eco-Cultural Park

In the age of selfies and fashion narcissists…

{Thrifted striped shirt, Cotton On faux denim 2-way jacket without the hood, Bensimon sneaks, thrifted denim shorts, Oxygen beanie, F&H sunnies}

Photographed by Leehua Lu and Blauearth
© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

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Rice Coffee Providing Sustainable Livelihood for Women in Banna

January 23, 2014, 4:44 am

≫ Next: Tunnel Vision

≪ Previous: Behind the scenes of an OOTD

The aroma of freshly roasted rice for coffee at 6 AM in my younger years is still evocative as ever. Not really coffee with caffeine, the rice brew is child-friendly and healthy.

Rice coffee is said to aid in hyperacidity and constipation and is a good source B vitamins, potassium, zinc and dietary fiber.

In the period of everything instant, women in Banna have made life easier for rice coffee lovers. Hence the One Town, One Product (OTOP) product made from special hybrid rice locally grown in Banna, which is helping women earn and help sustain a family.

One of the more popular brands is the Banna Blend Rice Coffee produced by the Bagnos Cooperative in Binacag. It’s been featured in lifestyle shows and the Ilocos Norte product has reached other parts of the globe as of late. In Laoag, Banna Blend is available at souvenir shops. and select groceries.

Our stopover in Banna before heading home. Lomi with lots of sauteed liver.

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Tunnel Vision

January 25, 2014, 9:06 pm

≫ Next: Preserving the Fading Threads of the Abra Abel

≪ Previous: Rice Coffee Providing Sustainable Livelihood for Women in Banna

On a roadtrip to Abra in the Cordillera Administrative Region with Leehua and Marion, stopped by Vigan for maka-tulo-laway Filipino food at Max’s. You will see Vigan bagnet, kare-kare, tokwa’t bagnet (a take on tokwa’t baboy), pakbet (that is more like bulanglang) and pinaputok na bangus (milkfish). Because I grew up in Ilocos Norte, I am biased to the bagnet we call chicharon in Laoag, yet Vigan bagnet entices just the same. The skin is not as “nakarsi” and “nasarangsang” as Laoag’s, but the fat part is chewy to the bite, sweet and very malasa, perfect with the subtle flavors of the bugguong they use at Max’s.

Abra. Will post beautiful designs of centuries-old impaod, the abel of the Tingguians of Abra next.

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Preserving the Fading Threads of the Abra Abel

January 26, 2014, 12:34 am

≫ Next: Chinese Lion Dance Visits Laoag

≪ Previous: Tunnel Vision

Abra, a former Ilocos town, now among the provinces of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), has a rich texture of social, political and cultural history. Abreños are largely Tingguians and Ilocanos.

The centuries-old impaod (backstrap) weaving and its many forms, developed through rituals and dreams, are so much a piece of history of the people (Itnegs) of the Tineg River. Pinaing is the goddess of the women weavers who were taught to weave at the age of ten.

Norma Agaid with a hand-embroidered ritual tapis.

With pride and flame, nana Norma Gintengan Agaid, an Itneg native (internationally referred to as Tingguian) of Abra, speaks about the traditional craft she inherited from ancestors, “It’s the only thing I can pass down to my children and their children.”

The Tingguian colors are predominantly muted. Natural dyes such as malatayum plant (for indigo) were prominent in the designs of the olden days.

White sinugkitan is worn to signify mourning.

A lace-edged slip underneath the tapis signifies wealth, according to nana Norma.

Piningitan edging such as tinulbek (tulbek ti biag) symbolizes life.

An Ilocano pagablan (loom).

The Abra abel of today are based on traditional pinilian (sampaga, python, river and horse patterns), dinapat (a special seamless weave), and binakol (op art weave like kosikos). The pastel and livelier motifs are influenced by the times.

The ethnic handwoven fabric comes in the forms of traditional garments, blankets, scarves, table covers and many more. Special designs can be ordered from the remaining indigenous loom weavers in Abra.

Namarabar Ethnic Crafts and Antiques, Namarabar, Peñarrubia, Abra, Philippines
Maria Librada M. Donato
CP Nos.: 0905 2422069 / 0921 4359173
Zita M. Benabese
CP Nos.: 0905 5036515 / 0920 5437921

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Chinese Lion Dance Visits Laoag

January 26, 2014, 3:22 am

≫ Next: OOTD: Feminine Lines

≪ Previous: Preserving the Fading Threads of the Abra Abel

As the Year of the Snake is about to commence, a traditional lion dance by the Santiago Sports and Athletic Association attracts a crowd along Nolasco St. in downtown Laoag.

The incoming Year of the Horse is expected to be fiery as the horse symbolizes power and passion. A social animal, the horse is generally the animal that best represents travel and fame.

Kiong Hee Huat Tsai!

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OOTD: Feminine Lines

January 28, 2014, 6:07 am

≫ Next: Manila Chinatown Prepares for the Year of the Horse

≪ Previous: Chinese Lion Dance Visits Laoag

There was a wedding in the family. More about it as soon as I come back from Manila. I had a day to prepare the outfit. Bye for now.

{Plains and Prints maxi dress, Christian Dion belt, department store-bought shoes, Coach wristlet}

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Manila Chinatown Prepares for the Year of the Horse

January 30, 2014, 2:07 am

≫ Next: DIY Winter Melon Tea

≪ Previous: OOTD: Feminine Lines

I was with the Lifestyle Network’s FoodPrints team yesterday. The ever vibrant Ongpin Street was at its busiest. It was hard to breathe, what more with a full tummy, doing several rounds of food sampling? Have you gotten yourself lucky charms yet?

Happy 2014, everyone!

Truckloads of tikoy (sticky rice cakes) were everywhere.

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