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| SCENIC VIEW OF TARLAC MOUNTAIN RANGES AS SEEN FROM MONASTERIO DE TARLAC |
It was past 5 am when I reached our meet up place in one of Microtel's Branch in Metro Manila, the Microtel in UP-Techno Hub Compound. All the way the way from the south, I booked a ride on Uber in the fear that I might get stuck in chaotic traffic in EDSA. But my time calculation was wrong. I came ahead of time. Our agreed meet up time should be at 7AM and I came in Microtel at 5am. There was no traffic and the drive was swift and quick. It's still dark and with no sleep yet for the night, my body was wanting a space where I could rest or lean on to take a quick nap. But I wasn't able to do so. I was awaken with errands I need to work on. I forgot to send an e-mail to my client for a final scheme of my current project. Yes, I got my laptop with me as I planned to work during the trip - but to no avail.
Then, Mai of budgetbiyahera.com, our official blogger leader to this Microtel North Luzon Tour, came a couple of minutes after I sent the e-mail. Then Monica of seeyamonica.com, Celine of celineism.com and Allandale of utopianwanderer.net and lastly Claire of iamtravelinglight.com follows. Microtel UP- Techno Hub graciously offered us their sumptous breakfast buffet. I would say, their buffet must is a try for their wide range of menus and to mention their pumpkin soup. That was my favorite.
At 8am, when everyone was done munching their morning meal, we headed to our van service provided by Microtel North Luzon. My eyelids were beginning to fall and I feel shaky due to lack of sleep. We boarded in. The last thing I remember was when I was covering my full face with bandana while placing my self in a comfortable position. And in an instant, I was caught up in a deep sleep.
A honking noise of the busy national highway woke me up. I peeked on the heavily tinted windshield - the place was then becoming familiar. As I looked further on establishments we passed thru, I learned that we're in Tarlac already. Minutes later, a sharp turn changed everything affable. The scene has changed steadily. The engaging city rage turned into a shady under the wide canopy of tropical trees and green surroundings. I look outside closely to find where we are heading to. A welcome landmark was written with "Hacienda Luisita". I calmed my self, we've reached our first destination - the core of the Tarlac Province - Tarlac City.
I have few friends who are natives of Tarlac but still I have a little knowledge about it. Geographically, Tarlac is a land lock province in central Luzon. It is dominantly composed of wide plains and dots of mountainous area as it is bounded with mountainous neighbors, i.e. the nearby Mt.Pinatubo and Nueva Ecija. Also, I've known Tarlac for their prominent clans in the Philippine politics and history -- the Aquino's and Cojuangco's. Nonetheless, with less ideas about the city, on the flip side, I can't wait the surprises this province can give. And with the bubbly group I'm in, I know this North Luzon Tour will be so much fun and memorable. Here's what I learned about the Province of Tarlac.
Where to stay:
MICROTEL by WYNDHAM -LUISITA, TARLAC
A good sleep is the best reward after a whole day tour. After our a lunch in Victor's, we headed back right away in Microtel by Wyndham- inside tHacienda Luisita. We allowed ourselves a siesta time before we resume to next itineraries.
The homey vibes of the lobby is one of the key features I love about the Microtel Hotels. Simple and comforting.
The lobby's interior colors are played with matte painted non-dominating walls. Just enough to give character to the interiors.
The interiors also utilizes natural day lighting. The walls and earth-tone colors contributed to a more relaxing vibes. Which I prefer the most in interiors, as an architect as well.
We checked in to one bedroom with 32" Flat Screen LED TV with cable channels, indvidual A/C units IDD/NDD Phone, Toilet and bath with hot and cold water, hair dryer, radio lock, automated fire safety tools, and the window seat which remarkable to me. But since, there were 2 guys in the group, we requested for an extra mattress. The room was quite dim, however it still give us a good sleep and to me, I find it more cozy and more conducive for a rest.
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| INSIDE TOILET AND BATH OF OUR ROOM |
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| EVENT HALL OF MICROTEL-LUISITA WHERE WE HAD OUR BUFFET BREAKFAST ON THE NEXT DAY. |
Where to Eat:
VICTOR'S LECHON MANOK AND BARBECUE
We're done in the first half of our day 1 North Luzon Trip by Microtel. After mind feeding tour, this time we need to fill in to regain energy. Sir Roy Martin, the General Manager of Microtel North Luzon, highly recommended Victor's Lechon Manok and Barbecue. An all Filipino favorites local restaurant.
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| ROASTING AREA WHERE PLACED OUTSIDE WHICH I FIND AN ATTRACTION TO PASSERS BY. ONE CAN WATCH FIRSTHAND THE ACTUAL ROASTING THE CUSTOMERS ORDERS. |
We ordered pairs of Ensaland Talong (grilled eggplant with sliced tomatoes and chopped white onion on the sides), Sisig on Plate (chopped grilled pork face and ears), grilled Tilapia and their ever famous roast chicken.
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| ENSALADANG TALONG |
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| SISIG ON PLATE |
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| ROAST CHICKEN |
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| OUR SET OF MEALS WE HAD AT VICTOR'S |
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| VICTOR'S MENU |
Gameroom Sports Bar was inside the the facility of KCT - Tarlac, facility that offers both food and beverages of the sports compound spectators. They offer fusion delicacies but mostly are Filipino Foods as well. We had a set meal of locally made Pizza Rolls, Pork Sinigang (sour pork soup), Sizzling Pork Sisig, Crispy Pata (Deep fried port knuckles), Kare-kare (ox meat with peanut sauce and veggies), and a Bowl of Chicken Salad dressed with vinaigrette. For guys, we had a bottle of beer - that made our dinner complete.
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| ENTRY POINT TO GAMEROOM |
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| BILLIARD TABLES INSIDE THE BAR |
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| OUR SET OF VIANDS |
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| CHECK OUT THEIR MENU! |
Where to Roam Around
MONASTERIO DE TARLAC
Monasterio de Tarlac was the first on the list of our itineraries on initial leg of Microtel North Luzon Tour. With all honesty, I have a little interest of visiting a religious sites unless otherwise, if it holds historical roles of certain place - it's architecture per se - as myself is not a religious as well. But to clarify, I still believe in God, that there is someone all power and all mighty who created every living things that ever roamed the surface of the earth. I just can't not to believe in Him. I firmly believe that no such place is like "A House of God". He's with us all the time, whenever and wherever. All we need to do is to first believe in Him.
I've known Monasterio de Tarlac way back 2014 when my mountaineering group had our outreach in nearby San Jose's isolated barangays which that time was still out of the tourist's radar. The replica of the Risen Christ are the one dominating feature of the compound which can be sighted from the lowlands. The religious site is only an hour drive if one is coming from Tarlac City. Take note, the site is not accessible by public transport. A private vehicle is recommended to visit it. Also, within the compound are the monastery and a chapel which houses a relics of True Cross and now there was an on-going construction of church building to accommodate its growing numbers of pilgrims.
A rewarding views of Tarlac mountain ranges is one you should not miss when visiting the pilgrimage site.
TARLAC RECREATIONAL PARK
Tarlac Recreational Park was only 15-20 minutes drive from Monasterio de Tarlac. It was constructed to cater the need of the province of a place to hold sporting events. The complex has up-to-date facility. A modern track oval for athletics events and Olympic size pool and a children's pool. On the undulating terrain of the complex lies a scenic lagoon that was good for kayaking and fishing. Around the lagoon are green grounds which I find a great spot for camping.
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| RACING TRACK INSIDE THE COMPLEX |
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| OLYMPIC SIZE POOL |
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| CHILDREN'S POOL |
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| VERDANT TERRAIN AROUND THE LAGOON |
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| GRANDSTAND'S UNDULATING ROOF AS SEEN FROM LAGOON |
AQUINO CENTER AND MUSEUM
OTHER INTERESTING PLACE
San Jose Circuit - a series of mountains famous to mountaineering community.
Luisita Golf and Country Club - located inside Hacienda Luisita, one of the country's best golf clubs which is recognized internationally.
Central Azucarera de Tarlac - among the country's oldest and finest sugar refinery and distillery.
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| MICROTEL NORTH LUZON TOUR 2017, THE BLOGGERS AND MICROTEL TEAM |
Microtel North Luzon Tour 2017 happened last August 8-11. Special tanks to Microtel Philippines for making this event so memorable and perspective changing. To Sir Roy Martin who is the General Manager of Microtel North Luzon (Luisita, Cabanatuan, Baguio City), for being hands on and very accommodating in the entire events and to his team. And lastly, to the group of bloggers I got chance to be with. This event is truly one for the book.
Next stop Cabanatuan!
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