Ifugao: Another planting rice tour in Mayoyao this February

Due to insistent public demand, the Pochon Group is organizing another Pfukhay Ad Majawjaw Tour (rice planting in Mayoyao tour) from February 6 to 8, 2009 in Mayoyao, Ifugao. This is part of the group's advocacy to help maintain and preserve the cultural heritage of Ifugao, the rice terraces in particular. Part of the proceeds of the tour will go to the heritage trust fund that will help the people of Mayoyao safe-guard their indigenous culture.

Contact Josh Nalliw at josh21020@gmail.com or +63 906 5308242 for inquiries. Here are my blog entries on the rice harvest tour last year:

Part 1: Trip to Mayoyao, Ifugao
Part 2: Mayoyao Rice Terraces in Ifugao
Part 3: Rice harvest experience in Mayoyao, Ifugao
Part 4: Trekking along the rice terraces of Mayoyao
Part 5: Journey across the Ifugao heartland

How to get to Banaue, Ifugao
Florida Bus has a regular trip from Manila direct to Banaue. It leaves Sampaloc, Manila (Lacson St. cor. S. H. Loyola St.) at 10:45 p.m. Or you can take any bus that goes to Cagayan Valley and get off at Solano, Nueva Vizcaya where you can catch regular trips to Banaue and other towns in Ifugao. From Baguio, KMS Bus Lines and Ohayami Trans leave for Banaue at least twice daily.

How to get to Mayoyao, Ifugao
Take a bus from Manila to Santiago, Isabela (any bus to Cagayan or Isabela passes by Santiago). There are mini-buses from Santiago to Mayoyao which leave thrice daily at 6 a.m., 11a.m. and 3 p.m. From Banaue, there is one daily trip to Mayoyao from Solano which passes Banaue between 12 to 1 p.m.

Cavite: Ultimate Tagaytay Culinary Tour on February 28! Book now!

Up, up to the highlands! Let's us savor a smorgasbord as we explore the best international kitchens in the coolest city south of Manila! From the best buko pie to the tastiest banh da lon, let us cruise along this city by the ridge, taking in her scenic views, mountain weather and best of all, indulging in her undiscovered culinary delights!

More than the food, let us meet the people behind some of Tagaytay's most delicious dining establishments as we share the stories and behind the recipes. This is indeed a tour to nourish your stomach and spirit!

The tour experience includes a visit to the Ilog Maria Honey Bee Farm, a Vietnamese lunch at Bawai Vietnamese Kitchen, desserts at Chateau Hestia European Garden Restaurant, Yoki's Treasures and the Hydrophonic Farm, and early dinner at Antonio's Dining. Tour fee is P3,800 per person inclusive of meals, transportation, and surprises. We're accepting a maximum of 20 people only. This is brought to you by Ultimate Philippines Tours. E-mail us at info@ivanhenares.com for information and bookings.



Hot Air Balloon Fiesta tour on Valentine's Day! Book now!
Slots on our Valentine's Day tour at the 14th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta are going, going gone! We have five slots left out of thirty! So book now! As part of the tour, you'll have a sumptuous breakfast at C' Italian Dining, a hearty Kapampangan lunch at Abe's Farm and optional spa treatments at Nurture Spa. Click here for more information.

Longaniza Taal

This Batangas longaniza is from a roadside stall along the National Highway in Taal, Batangas. The meat is flavored with adobo marinade and garlic. The meat is not finely-ground and contains chunks of fat. It is slightly salty and would fall into the deredaco garlicky (or mabawang) category. This is commonly sold with tapa in stalls in Taal.

Main article: Longanizas of the Philippines