THE SOLID NORTH...

This June, during the long weekend of Philippine Independence Day (June 12) I will be having a tour of Ilocos called, "The Solid North". A three day and two night jaunt through what I consider to be the best of both Ilocos Norte and Sur with an option for a third day.

The dates will be on June 12 noon (Sat) until June 14 (Mon) in the evening of the Independence Day long weekend. 2 nights, 2 full days of Ilokano architectural walking tours, Ilokano cuisine, cocktails at world heritage sites, Marcos memorabilia and relaxing by the South China Sea.

We'll stay at The Sitio Remedios in Currimao, and visit heritage sites in Vigan, Paoay, Laoag, Sarrat, and Batac. Only 20 spots are available for this tour.

The fee is Php19,770.00. This includes airfare, accomodations, tours, land transportation & dining. Add an extra P2850.00 if wish to extend an extra day until Monday, the 14th of June. Discounts can be given to people who do not wish to fly to Laoag. Details to follow.

Reservations may already be accepted at celdrantours@hotmail.com or call/text 9209092021

ITINERARY: A leisurely r

June 12, Saturday
12:00 noon Depart Manila
1:00 arrive Laoag
2:20 arrive Sitio Remedios and check-in
4:00 Visit Diaz Mansion, Walking tour of Paoay and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Paoay Church
8:00 Cocktails and Dinner at Palayupuy, Currimao.

June 13, Sunday

FREE TIME (Shopping, swimming, relaxing, manicure/massage available)

1:00pm Depart for Vigan
1:30 pm Visit Luna Shrine at Badoc, Ilocos Norte.

2:00pm Magsingal Church at Magsingal, Ilocos Sure

4:00pm Walking Tour of UNESCO World Heritage City of Vigan - Burgos Mansion, Plaza Salcedo, Plaze Burgos, Arzobispo, St. Paul's Cathedral, Crisologo Street

6:30 Cocktails and Dinner at Syquia Mansion

9:00 Departure for Sitio Remedios

June 14, Monday

FREE TIME (optional activities can be arranged: Market visit, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse)

Lunch

12:00pm Departure for Diaz House, Paoay lake and shopping
1:00 Laoag: Ilocos Museum, St. William's Cathedral, sinking belltower, market Lunch at Saramsam restaurant

2:30pm Sarrat: Santa Monica Church

3:30pm Batac: Marcos Mausloeum, Glory's Empanada in front of Plaza, market

5:30pm Paoay Convention Center cocktails.

6:30pm Departure for airport and Manila.

Any questions, reservations, or payments
can be texted at 9209092021 or celdrantours@hotmail.com.

PURE GOLD. PURE BULL****

I was asked by Rene Gatlo and Dr. Cuanang of Sitio Remedios to make a statement regarding the lastest controversy hounding the City of Laoag today. Apparently, culturally challenged Pure Gold Mall owner Lucio Co (along withe the blessings of Laoag government and the local Catholic Hierarchy) will be destroying the American-era Laoag Elementary School near the town plaza to erect one of Co's hideous Dark Green box type malls.

Apparently, Ilocos Governor Mike Keon and a few concerned Ilocos citizens are up in arms and are desperately pleading with the town council to pass a heritage ordinance so that demolition can be delayed and the project given further study. Rene will present to the council my short message illuminating how heritage can be a source of income and how heritage can actually be profitable for all - and not just for a few.

Greetings.

Please consider this letter as an appeal to rethink your approach towards the project being done at the Laoag Central Elementary School. Not only are you destroying an irreplaceable heritage structure and scarring the beautiful Laoag urban landscape, but you are also destroying a great income generating tourism/commercial opportunity.

As a tour guide of Intramuros for the last six years, I can tell you first hand about the benefits one can gain from heritage sites and structures. Using only the history of Intramuros as my script, and the structures of Intramuros as my stage, I have been able to build a personal business that not only pays taxes, but also provides livelihood for others. My tours provide/complement the employment of kalesa drivers, taxi drivers, restaurateurs, museums, retail establishments, and fellow tour guides. And the driving force for why thousands of tourists - and publications like Time Magazine, Travel and Leisure, and Vogue Espana - flock to my tours in Intramuros is precisely because of Intramuros' historical value and heritage structures.

Now, I do understand that there is a need for income to be generated and employment created, but there are more sustainable and creative ways to do this than by obliterating a valuable cultural icon. By taking pride in one's culture, everyone benefits and a society gains respect. Replacing Laoag Central Elementary School with a mall will only benefit - well, the mall owner at the end of the day. Simultaneously, it also projects the image that Laoag citizens have no respect for their culture - and ultimately, no respect for themselves.

Please rethink what you are doing. There are more ways to gain employment and generate income than by sacrificing the Laoag Central Elementary School.

CARLOS CELDRAN

Now, I totally doubt they would give a half rat's ass about what my opinion is, but at least I tried.