🇵🇭 DAGUPAN • Cathedral of St John the Evangelist: Overgrown Time Trail
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Photos, videos and stories of town explorations.
"Now I've found the gap. That tube leading me to sanity on travel is now patent."
I see Dagupan as a modern commercial space. Although every city or town in the Philippines shares a piece of history, Dagupan City's past seems to hide behind jeep-frenzied streets, numerous commercial banks, shopping centers, business establishments and modern malls.
Honestly I am running out of words to tell right now. I don't know how to describe this cathedral that is so silasient, closed and aloof ▬ maybe because I am just preoccupied with the mindset that Dagupan is a contemporary landmass where mall culture is a fore and commercialism is a forerunner for economic development. If not for that leisurely walk around the city plaza, I would have not seen this great piece of the past.
An Overgrown Trail Back to the Past
For a citizen of Ilocos, a region teeming with old churches, I am used of seeing Spanish-era cathedrals to be situated in a spot where they are easily noticed. But in Dagupan, the Star Plaza Hotel and the Starbucks store along the main street are even more noticeable being located in a prime spot, hence, iconic landmarks; but not the Old Dagupan Cathedral.
![[DAGUPAN] Star Plaza Hotel]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPS-PjmwccwaECebgfOSUJBMZBQc3AXrVDNv9nC7Ro6EzCOF0xWnxMs8u-ehfJEOrkvO8xXuljtKfCY0yhD6pvu5dbO0pNftrAVHuenndpZXSrAe2_YC1By-yEJaGqsd6t95ozdhic6Q/s1600/11544748764_523a803088_k.jpg "[DAGUPAN] ...the Star Plaza Hotel [...] located in a location where people will easily notice...")
[DAGUPAN] Star Plaza Hotel in a prime location
When I was exploring Dagupan, even couple of years ago, I have always felt this emptiness inside whenever I step on this city. I usually go to Zamora street and eat street food then somehow the hollow part of my soul is partially filled. I also meet my relatives living here expecting to totally fill the emptiness but it was not always satisfying. There really is a missing link.
I don't know why Dagupan is so inexpressive. I always don't get the climax of travel euphoria. The feeling that links me to the past has been blocked along a time trail overgrown by lucid modernity.
![[DAGUPAN] Zamora Street](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2921/14717468872_8abf9833dd_z.jpg "[DAGUPAN] I usually go to Zamora street and eat street food...")
Until I noticed this beautiful old cathedral; like I entered an another dimension in the city. The noisy busy streets, numerous business establishments tempting people to spend money and the hot weather seemed to be nonexistent.
It is my first time to see this old cathedral. You know, I've always been a fan of old churches, ancestral houses and town squares. In Dagupan, the foregoing are so un-hyped. It's one major old city where CSI malls, boneless bangus and pigar-pigar are even more popular than the old cathedral, really. Yes, Dagupan is an old settlement where Douglas McArthur and his army once marched during the World War. But the glittering modernity is veiling the glamor of the past.
![[DAGUPAN] Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2922/14717877115_61b9c52d3b_z.jpg "[DAGUPAN] ...like I entered an another dimension in the city.")
The first time I noticed this old cathedral in Dagupan I said to myself, "Where are you?" I mean, why for the past couple of years of traveling to Dagupan for the love of bangus, I've never seen this? Now I've finally found the missing link. It was the grand structures of the past that's missing.
In every place I go, I always look forward into seeing grand structures of the past (and usually, these are Spanish-era churches and cathedrals). Now I've found the gap. That tube leading me to sanity on travel is now patent.
![[DAGUPAN] Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3872/14717466552_88c8aa7d60_z.jpg "[DAGUPAN] It was the grand structures of the past that's missing.")
![[DAGUPAN] Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3889/14715375174_51d5dac613_z.jpg "[DAGUPAN] ...I will dig history lessons more when I go back here.")
![[DAGUPAN] Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3842/14714592041_bd1e812c6b_z.jpg "[DAGUPAN] The Old Dagupan Cathedral is a picture of stillness, silence and relative seclusion.")
Dagupan has teased me many times. I was happy to finally see the source of the teasing. This cathedral made me love Dagupan as deep as my love for boneless bangus. I think I'm now contended this time. But of course I will dig history lessons more when I go back here. I'm at least happier now to have found the missing link; and that is the link to the past.
The Old Dagupan Cathedral is a picture of stillness, silence and relative seclusion. The steel fence separates it from the busy daily activities of the Dagupeños. Its charm exudes words like "keep calm and meditate." However, in front of this seemingly silent cathedral is a daily picture of human routine that can not be calmed.
![[DAGUPAN] St John Cathedral Façade](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3909/14531325327_aea74bdfe4_z.jpg "[DAGUPAN] The Old Dagupan Cathedral is a picture of stillness...")
![[DAGUPAN] St John the Evangelist Cathedral](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3924/14717760225_0b4fe2d806_c.jpg "[DAGUPAN] Its charm exudes words like -keep calm and meditate.-")
In front of the cathedral is a busy market where people of all walks in life can not be tamed. Street vendors share a space with the narrow cathedral lobby separated by the intricate fences.
People come and go (they don't keep calm and go). It is a different world outside. Although I have been describing Zamora Street as a peaceful (yes it is), pedestrian-friendly and a not-so-noisy area, still, there is a human activity that can not be calmed down.
The busy market is filled with merchants and buyers. The economy revolves this way. I tried to approach some street vendors in front of the cathedral. What I discovered is a swing from spirituality to the reality (revealed in the next post). I still love the peaceful architecture of the cathedral though and I'm more than happy to have found the last piece to complete a life puzzle. And yes, Dagupan is one old beautiful city.
From there, what I discovered in front of the old cathedral is interesting. ▬ to be continued...
I don't know why Dagupan is so inexpressive. I always don't get the climax of travel euphoria. The feeling that links me to the past has been blocked along a time trail overgrown by lucid modernity.
[DAGUPAN] A silent, cool and pedestrian-friendly Zamora Street
Until I noticed this beautiful old cathedral; like I entered an another dimension in the city. The noisy busy streets, numerous business establishments tempting people to spend money and the hot weather seemed to be nonexistent.
The Missing Link
It is my first time to see this old cathedral. You know, I've always been a fan of old churches, ancestral houses and town squares. In Dagupan, the foregoing are so un-hyped. It's one major old city where CSI malls, boneless bangus and pigar-pigar are even more popular than the old cathedral, really. Yes, Dagupan is an old settlement where Douglas McArthur and his army once marched during the World War. But the glittering modernity is veiling the glamor of the past.
[DAGUPAN] a gloomy afternoon sky and the cathedral
The first time I noticed this old cathedral in Dagupan I said to myself, "Where are you?" I mean, why for the past couple of years of traveling to Dagupan for the love of bangus, I've never seen this? Now I've finally found the missing link. It was the grand structures of the past that's missing.
In every place I go, I always look forward into seeing grand structures of the past (and usually, these are Spanish-era churches and cathedrals). Now I've found the gap. That tube leading me to sanity on travel is now patent.
[DAGUPAN] Zamora Street relatively secludes the cathedral
[DAGUPAN] The cathedral door is sealed by this steel marked with 1898
[DAGUPAN] Sculpture at the façade
Dagupan has teased me many times. I was happy to finally see the source of the teasing. This cathedral made me love Dagupan as deep as my love for boneless bangus. I think I'm now contended this time. But of course I will dig history lessons more when I go back here. I'm at least happier now to have found the missing link; and that is the link to the past.
Stillness vs Busyness
The Old Dagupan Cathedral is a picture of stillness, silence and relative seclusion. The steel fence separates it from the busy daily activities of the Dagupeños. Its charm exudes words like "keep calm and meditate." However, in front of this seemingly silent cathedral is a daily picture of human routine that can not be calmed.
[DAGUPAN] Façade of the Old Dagupan Cathedral
[DAGUPAN] In front of the Cathedral is a different world
In front of the cathedral is a busy market where people of all walks in life can not be tamed. Street vendors share a space with the narrow cathedral lobby separated by the intricate fences.
People come and go (they don't keep calm and go). It is a different world outside. Although I have been describing Zamora Street as a peaceful (yes it is), pedestrian-friendly and a not-so-noisy area, still, there is a human activity that can not be calmed down.
The busy market is filled with merchants and buyers. The economy revolves this way. I tried to approach some street vendors in front of the cathedral. What I discovered is a swing from spirituality to the reality (revealed in the next post). I still love the peaceful architecture of the cathedral though and I'm more than happy to have found the last piece to complete a life puzzle. And yes, Dagupan is one old beautiful city.
From there, what I discovered in front of the old cathedral is interesting. ▬ to be continued...
_________________________________________________________
/THIS POST IS PART OF A SUB-SERIES/
*DAGUPAN IN 1 DAY: TRAVEL DIARIES - [01.JULY.2014]: | 1
[DAGUPAN] 8-Ride Diary of How I Went Home After Eating Street Food
TEASER: "Travel bloggers usually write articles describing how they enjoyed the place, the food, the people and the experience but not so many write about the not-so-comfy behind-the-scenes part of the journey, like this." | 2 | 3[DAGUPAN] Beyond Bangus: Industries for Hopes and Dreams
"While the old cathedral exudes peace and calmness, this area is the contrary. Almost everyone has a mission to accomplish. This street is action-filled." | 4[DAGUPAN] Century-Old PNR Train (Remnant): a Link to World War 2
"...it could remind us the bad past but it would be better if we treat this historical remnant to commemorate the great, good things of history." |More Stories from #Dagupan
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJNyWr4A0ZwWcY4ZDoTGT_EbPesKA57irj7MEJF7uVsA_Z4wmRzyFNO9XCwzfVAtkUIajB2E3Ew_S0IMePl5J6ICFbuSYVsZTW7mfvls0ari007sJqs7BtaIzubkEwvr1saA4_fn6WEU/s1600/IMG_6539nj.jpg" "[DAGUPAN] ▬ CENTURY-OLD PNR TRAIN (REMNANT): A LINK TO THE WORLD WAR
Published: 18 August 2014
Filed Under: Heritage ► Markers and Monuments")
Map showing the Location of #Dagupan
Click map to view latest articles covering Pangasinan
MORE POSTS FROM THIS CATEGORY: *CHURCHES*
[TAGUDIN] Church and Belfry: Of Augustinian, Greek and Baroque Style
TEASER: "The church has been restored several times since but the original appearance is maintained."
[BADOC] Church of La Virgen Milagrosa: Black Belfry, White Façade
TEASER: "Looking at the façade, there is always a sudden gush of instinct that the façade is only superficial and that the real worth of the church is seen within and in between the walls."
[ILOCOS] Northern Exposure: Northwest Luzon Old Churches Series
TEASER: "I am really glad that I am living in a city wherein our living heritage and rich culture is a part of my daily life. I am living with the past that is truly meeting the future and I literally see structures as old as 400 years old everyday!"
[BAGUIO] Cathedral of Our Lady of Atonement in 10.4-Degree Chill
TEASER: "For several minutes, the sky is again turning into gloomy mode and seemed like the nature can not make a decision on what type of weather it has to paint to the sky of Baguio."
[DARAGA] Church Heritage Hidden by a White Paint
TEASER: "...it would be a better way to just hide the real face of the church's history than to lose it forever."
[PAOAY] The Multicultural Church: From Borobudur to Ilocos
TEASER: "Quite strange that a church where the religion of the people rests and focused is the recipient of a multicultural influence that even Buddhist influences, Chinese and others have played a part to its existence."
[BAUANG] Church Behind a Dull Wall in La Union
TEASER: "It was in a high noon and I can feel the scorching heat of the sun but the fact that behind that ordinary wall is a historical gem hidden, the emotions have overwhelmed the sensation of discomforts landing on my tan skin..."
[NAGA] Peñafrancia Basilica Minore: Modern Day Religiosity
TEASER: "So, it could not be considered as an antique structure since in the Philippines, we have numerous churches dating back as old as the 15th to 16th century but to note, it has charming architecture."
NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.
🇵🇭 DAGUPAN • 8-Ride Diary of How I Went Home After Eating Street Food
Some cool netizens liked, commented, and shared this.
Photos, videos and stories of town explorations.
"Travel bloggers usually write articles describing how they enjoyed the place, the food, the people and the experience but not so many write about the not-so-comfy behind-the-scenes part of the journey, like this."
This is a documentation of what happened last 01 July 2014, Tuesday. This is more of a personal diary than a how-to-and-where-to travel post. I've come to that point where I just want to break free and exhaust myself without any clear benefit yet I still don't consider it a waste of money, time and effort. Before this trip, I slept past midnight due to the insomnia-inducing charisma of the social media and the internet in general and woke up by 6 am. So the total time I spent for sleeping is actually short of 5 hours. I am doing this against my will because I have to be an early bird to catch an early bus bound southward; that'll be a broken trip to Dagupan.
[DAGUPAN] So this is my destination today
After some failed real-life adventures focused on career development and self-fulfillment, I've finally moved on. Never have I written a new article on this blog for the past 5 weeks (and I only had a few for the past months) because of some life puzzles that I failed to solve. But the bright side of those circumstances is I became super strong and more realistic.
The First Ride: Easy Level
Those are the thoughts clinging inside my head as I am inside a Cubao-bound Viron Bus slouched on the left couch just behind the driver's seat. Two other passengers are seated on the right wing. My drooping posture seemed like indecent for the standards of the two guys right beside me so I transferred to the back seat, couched and took advantage of the travel time to sleep.
There are waking episodes along the way and for that first time I woke up, the once empty bus became frenzied with passengers and someone is already seating beside me. The last time I was awake, there are only 3 passengers including me. After that short opening of my eyes, they immediately turned back to hibernation. Fast forward, I've finally reached the Damortis junction in LA UNION
PHOTO: Ma Cho Temple in San Fernando City, La Union.. and this is where I'm gonna drop off.
LA UNION
FAST FACTS: This Ilocos province has coastline that garnered the title "Surfing Mecca of the North". But La Union is more then the surfing. It also has cultural sites and eco-tourism destinations.PHOTO: Ma Cho Temple in San Fernando City, La Union.. and this is where I'm gonna drop off.
The Second Ride: Hunger Games
It was already 11:30 in the morning and the sun's heat is on its peak. I trespassed into a store improperly occupying the shoulders of the road manned by a bald adult man in a lousy blue shirt to keep away from the scorching heat of the sun rays. The man had no reaction maybe because I am not the only commuter trespassing within his property to get a shade and he is now used to it.
A few minutes later an ordinary Dagupan-bound Victory Liner from #BAGUIO
FAST FACTS: Due to its high altitude and cool weather, Baguio is the Summer Capital of the Philippines. The city is also the home of the Ibaloi Igorots.
PHOTO: Wearing traditional Igorot clothes at the Mines View Park in Baguio. came over. The bus stopped in the middle of the road then I immediately entered, lucky kid.
#BAGUIO
FAST FACTS: Due to its high altitude and cool weather, Baguio is the Summer Capital of the Philippines. The city is also the home of the Ibaloi Igorots.
PHOTO: Wearing traditional Igorot clothes at the Mines View Park in Baguio. came over. The bus stopped in the middle of the road then I immediately entered, lucky kid.
I didn't take any breakfast. Great thing I was able to bring a Fudgee Bar with me given yesterday by the mother of my patient who goes to the hospital every 28 days to get a painful intramuscular injection of a 10-ml dilution of benzathine penicillin G using a wide-bore needle at Gauge19. At least I have something to eat.
Actually, the reason why I am going to Dagupan is unclear. All I know is I am going to meet a fellow travel blogger Micaela of Senyorita.net since I have told her beforehand that I'm going to Dagupan anytime soon. The time has just come. At first, this should be a business trip but the task was given to another person. I had the reason to rejoice for not doing that job and spend the day at home sleeping. Yet, I don't know why I still want to go on my own expense without any clear thing to do there. In fact, I can cancel the meet-up with Mica anytime if I want to. But there's no turning back, I'm now entering PANGASINAN
FAST FACTS: Pangasinan is home to the Lingayen Gulf, a World War II battle field and the Hundred Islands of Alaminos.
PHOTO: St John the Evangelist Cathedral in Dagupan City.
PANGASINAN
FAST FACTS: Pangasinan is home to the Lingayen Gulf, a World War II battle field and the Hundred Islands of Alaminos.
PHOTO: St John the Evangelist Cathedral in Dagupan City.
My friend Mica texted me where I am now and I told her I'm an hour away (I was still in #BAUANG
PHOTO: Sts Peter and Paul Parish Church that time). That 1 hour turned out to be almost 2 hours. An excruciatingly long wait for both of us who are already very hungry. Of course, we're meeting for a lunch.
#BAUANG
FAST FACTS: Bauang is a first class partially urbanized municipality in the Philippine province of La Union. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 70,735 people, making Bauang as the most populated municipality in La Union. - WikipediaPHOTO: Sts Peter and Paul Parish Church that time). That 1 hour turned out to be almost 2 hours. An excruciatingly long wait for both of us who are already very hungry. Of course, we're meeting for a lunch.
When I saw the Dagupan welcome arch, it at least relieved me from the pressure that I'm reaching Dagupan for nothing. Mica will be leaving by 2pm for a meeting so I have to be on time. But the bus is sloth as a result of a high noon traffic jam that adds agony to my hungry stomach. Gladly, I reached Dagupan few minutes after 1 pm.
I immediately took a tricycle then instructed the driver to bring me to Lyceum Northwestern University's School Canteen because my friend is already waiting there hungrily.
The Third Ride: Tricycle Diaries
I immediately took a tricycle then instructed the driver to bring me to Lyceum Northwestern University's School Canteen because my friend is already waiting there hungrily.
I got lost. I didn't know where is the canteen in spite of the fact that the trike driver brought me inside the campus. I asked a student dressed in full-white (maybe under an allied health course) then she pointed out the canteen using her pointing finger and her lips duck-faced to the direction of the canteen.
The canteen was a typical school canteen with several sets of dining tables. I was looking for my friend Mica and I spotted her with cervical spine flexed as she was busy looking on her mobile phone. "Hey madam!" I told her with an excited voice but she didn't hear me. For the second attempt to get her attention, I sat down on the chair next to her and again I said, "Hey ma'am!" Then she finally noticed me.
Then we ate for a lunch. Meals reserved and served were litson paksiw and bamboo shoot dinengdeng type. We rushed the lunch a li'l bit to beat Mica's appointment time. After the lunch, she toured me around her Alma Mater then went on our own ways.
After the meet-up I have no idea what to do now in Dagupan. I sat for a while in front of the PhilHealth Regional Office near the school looking for people passing by the street. I was sitting at the edge of an elevated sidewalk garden feeling how hot in Dagupan is. It was excruciatingly hot. The agony worsened as I drool looking at the PhilHealth building with some employees wearing coats to give them warmth since inside this building is winter. How I wanted to enter the building but I have no business to do there for today, although I have entered this building for previous official transactions between that office and the institution I represent.
Thinking what to do, I decided to go to the city downtown and rode in a jeepney. Still, I don't know where this jeepney is going. I sat down beside the jeepney driver thinking where to go. I just went with the flow. I saw the main streets of Dagupan teeming with commercial establishments. Suddenly, the jeepney is slowing down and most of the passengers are alighting. I looked at my right, it was Nepo Mall. Since I just wanted to follow where these locals are going, I also alighted from the jeepney and entered the mall. At least, it is cooler inside.
As I enter the mall, I saw a woman drinking a buko shake, I craved for that so I searched for that stall but I didn't buy. I opted to kill time so I took the escalator and did shop-hopping. I saw a CD-R King Branch ridiculously filled with a lot of goods from computer chips, mobile phone casings, pot holders, stuffed toys and many more not related to computers and of the digital market. This branch has evolved to be like a department store. Near the CD-R King is a store for ukay-ukay. I checked out the jeans section but I didn't find something worth to buy at P250.00.
On the other side, I saw a store crowded by college students. It was a book store! This store sells back-issues of magazines (cheaper of course) and some books by Anne Rice, Dan Brown, JK Rowling and John Grisham! There are also handful of Almanacs, dictionaries and Guinness Book of World Records back issues. This is fiesta! All books are on sale! I took this opportunity to buy. At least, I discovered a shopping mecca in Dagupan. This book store is a shopping mecca for book lovers, especially for the novels. This is one of the greatest things that happened to me this day. After purchasing a book, I went to the buko shake store to finally satisfy my craving - medium size at P45.00. P.S. I was a bit lonely when I saw that the cinema in this mall has closed. I should have watched "The Transformers: Age of Extinction."
I went out the mall sucking the buko shake using a straw. I slowly consumed that chilled buko refreshment while deciding where to go next. Since I can not decide where to go, I again rode in a jeep and come what may where this one will lead me.
Since most of the passengers are already alighting at the middle of the road in a traffic jam, I also followed them. I alighted near the Malimgas Market for a high noon walk. I saw the wet market and some rice vendors across. I noticed a funny store name printed on a tarpaulin: Las Bigasan, Nevada.
I am not sure what I am doing. In fact I can just relax home, sip a coffee or just write my first blog entry after 5 weeks of hiatus but I am here, in a hot high noon, walking around the city for an unknown reason (maybe to just kill the time, and hopefully to find something interesting) and probably wasting time and effort.
I reached the Jovellanos and Zamora Streets, my favorite streets in Dagupan since here is where the street foods are situated. Street dining is also present here, the city plaza, some seafood vendors and the old SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHEDRAL
Trying most of the food displayed killed much of my time. I was enjoying like I did before. I don't know why eating these street foods suddenly became a worthy activity making my Dagupan trip a waste of money, time and effort no more! This is the reason why this is my favorite street in Dagupan. It has no traffic jam, peaceful, relatively cooler and some parts are closed to vehicles.
So I went to Dagupan just to eat a street food I can buy anywhere? Well, good question. I don't want to believe but a qualified answer for this is a YES. So after eating street foods what now? Nothing. I sat down on a sidewalk alley thinking where to go next until I just decided to go to Mangaldan and #SAN FABIAN
FAST FACTS: San Fabian is a coastal town in Pangasinan and the first thing that comes my mind whenever I hear the town's name is their local product oyster.
PHOTO: Pails of oysters along the San Fabian Highway. So I asked a woman standing at my left side where to get a ride to Mangaldan. So she advised me to take a jeep and drop-off at Nazareth hospital.
I again took a jeepney and requested the driver to bring me to the place advised by that woman. I was waiting while inside the running jeep. But all the passengers are gone. I am now the only passenger left. I asked the driver where is Nazareth. "Uhhh! Nakalimutan ko sir!" he exclaimed.
Then we ate for a lunch. Meals reserved and served were litson paksiw and bamboo shoot dinengdeng type. We rushed the lunch a li'l bit to beat Mica's appointment time. After the lunch, she toured me around her Alma Mater then went on our own ways.
After the meet-up I have no idea what to do now in Dagupan. I sat for a while in front of the PhilHealth Regional Office near the school looking for people passing by the street. I was sitting at the edge of an elevated sidewalk garden feeling how hot in Dagupan is. It was excruciatingly hot. The agony worsened as I drool looking at the PhilHealth building with some employees wearing coats to give them warmth since inside this building is winter. How I wanted to enter the building but I have no business to do there for today, although I have entered this building for previous official transactions between that office and the institution I represent.
The Fourth Ride: The Jeepney Ride
Thinking what to do, I decided to go to the city downtown and rode in a jeepney. Still, I don't know where this jeepney is going. I sat down beside the jeepney driver thinking where to go. I just went with the flow. I saw the main streets of Dagupan teeming with commercial establishments. Suddenly, the jeepney is slowing down and most of the passengers are alighting. I looked at my right, it was Nepo Mall. Since I just wanted to follow where these locals are going, I also alighted from the jeepney and entered the mall. At least, it is cooler inside.
As I enter the mall, I saw a woman drinking a buko shake, I craved for that so I searched for that stall but I didn't buy. I opted to kill time so I took the escalator and did shop-hopping. I saw a CD-R King Branch ridiculously filled with a lot of goods from computer chips, mobile phone casings, pot holders, stuffed toys and many more not related to computers and of the digital market. This branch has evolved to be like a department store. Near the CD-R King is a store for ukay-ukay. I checked out the jeans section but I didn't find something worth to buy at P250.00.
On the other side, I saw a store crowded by college students. It was a book store! This store sells back-issues of magazines (cheaper of course) and some books by Anne Rice, Dan Brown, JK Rowling and John Grisham! There are also handful of Almanacs, dictionaries and Guinness Book of World Records back issues. This is fiesta! All books are on sale! I took this opportunity to buy. At least, I discovered a shopping mecca in Dagupan. This book store is a shopping mecca for book lovers, especially for the novels. This is one of the greatest things that happened to me this day. After purchasing a book, I went to the buko shake store to finally satisfy my craving - medium size at P45.00. P.S. I was a bit lonely when I saw that the cinema in this mall has closed. I should have watched "The Transformers: Age of Extinction."
The Fifth Ride: to Downtown
I went out the mall sucking the buko shake using a straw. I slowly consumed that chilled buko refreshment while deciding where to go next. Since I can not decide where to go, I again rode in a jeep and come what may where this one will lead me.
Since most of the passengers are already alighting at the middle of the road in a traffic jam, I also followed them. I alighted near the Malimgas Market for a high noon walk. I saw the wet market and some rice vendors across. I noticed a funny store name printed on a tarpaulin: Las Bigasan, Nevada.
I am not sure what I am doing. In fact I can just relax home, sip a coffee or just write my first blog entry after 5 weeks of hiatus but I am here, in a hot high noon, walking around the city for an unknown reason (maybe to just kill the time, and hopefully to find something interesting) and probably wasting time and effort.
I reached the Jovellanos and Zamora Streets, my favorite streets in Dagupan since here is where the street foods are situated. Street dining is also present here, the city plaza, some seafood vendors and the old SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHEDRAL
[DAGUPAN] Cathedral of St John the Evangelist: Overgrown Time Trail
TEASER: "Now I've found the gap. That tube leading me to sanity on travel is now patent.". I immediately went near the grill and ordered these cheap street foods ranging from 3 pesos to 15 pesos each.[DAGUPAN] Jovellanos corner Zamora Streets
[DAGUPAN] Saint John the Evangelist Cathedral along Zamora Street
Trying most of the food displayed killed much of my time. I was enjoying like I did before. I don't know why eating these street foods suddenly became a worthy activity making my Dagupan trip a waste of money, time and effort no more! This is the reason why this is my favorite street in Dagupan. It has no traffic jam, peaceful, relatively cooler and some parts are closed to vehicles.
[DAGUPAN] Fried Pork Liver at 3 pesos per chunk
[DAGUPAN] Tokneneng (stuffed eggs)
[DAGUPAN] Chicken intestines (and they call it Chicken Nuggets)
[DAGUPAN] Official 'sawsawan' - spiced vinegar with cucumber
[DAGUPAN] Tokneneng version 2.0
So I went to Dagupan just to eat a street food I can buy anywhere? Well, good question. I don't want to believe but a qualified answer for this is a YES. So after eating street foods what now? Nothing. I sat down on a sidewalk alley thinking where to go next until I just decided to go to Mangaldan and #SAN FABIAN
#SAN FABIAN
FAST FACTS: San Fabian is a coastal town in Pangasinan and the first thing that comes my mind whenever I hear the town's name is their local product oyster.
PHOTO: Pails of oysters along the San Fabian Highway. So I asked a woman standing at my left side where to get a ride to Mangaldan. So she advised me to take a jeep and drop-off at Nazareth hospital.
The Sixth Ride: to Nowhere
I again took a jeepney and requested the driver to bring me to the place advised by that woman. I was waiting while inside the running jeep. But all the passengers are gone. I am now the only passenger left. I asked the driver where is Nazareth. "Uhhh! Nakalimutan ko sir!" he exclaimed.
[DAGUPAN] I was confident to take a semi-selfie since I'm the only passenger
So I'm lost. I am now in Tondaligan and I am seeing the blue beach where Douglas McArthur docked during the World War II. Uh. What a day. So I waited for another round until this jeep went back downtown. I told the driver to just bring me to a place where I can get a ride to La Union since I am dropping my Mangaldan plans due to the heavy downpour of rain. The driver dropped me to a place along the road and instructed me to walk straight ahead.
The Seventh Ride: Post Street Food
Yes! I can finally go home and sleep. You know I was so tired, I'm lack of sleep and thirsty. I badly wanted a rest! I searched for a terminal. I saw a van terminal but these vans are bound to Bolinao, Lingayen and other destinations west of Dagupan. I was disappointed. I continued my searching until I saw another terminal, this time buses are bound to La Union. Yey!
But the outgoing bus is not going to La Union. It terminates only to San Fabian. I'm now tired. I waited for the next bus and joined the rush of passengers craving for the best seat in spite of getting wet from the rain.
Just before the bus' departure, I was drowsy. Inside this ordinary bus is so crowded, hot and noisy. It was totally enclosed because of the rain. I have no access for a fresh air. It was so suffocating that it was almost hard to breath. The center alley of the bus is filled with passengers in standing position. Inside was a mess and a definition of discomfort.
In spite of the situation inside the bus, my body craved for sleep. Thanks to the closed bus window. Now rain water won't enter the bus and I at least have something for my head to lean on to. In a flash, I fell asleep but occasionally woke up whenever my head falls down and the cycle goes on. I lean on the window, my head falls down, I wake up then see people around looking at me. Again, I lean on the window, my head falls down, I wake up then see people around looking at me. That is my sleeping pattern inside this bus that I can not even imagine how I managed to sleep. That cycle went on and on until I reached my destination, #SAN FERNANDO
FAST FACTS: San Fernando City in the regional center for Ilocos Region.
PHOTO: Ma Cho Temple, La Union. But this is not yet home. 4-5 more hours and it's now 8 PM.
#SAN FERNANDO
FAST FACTS: San Fernando City in the regional center for Ilocos Region.
PHOTO: Ma Cho Temple, La Union. But this is not yet home. 4-5 more hours and it's now 8 PM.
As I alight off the bus in front of the waiting shed in the city plaza, I saw a big crowd of passengers waiting for a bus, mostly students. Whoahhh! This is a night to kill!
The Eight Ride: [insert subtitle here]
I waited for a bus for 1 hour. That next bus is also crowded. But I didn't mind about it. All I wanted was to go home. Standing position is the only remedy while I carry my shoulder sling bag. I need to do this. Inside this bus is another discomforter. I am squeezing with passengers shoulder to shoulder, butt to butt, back to back. Worse, these people are worn out like me. They emit different kinds of smell, different versions of repulsive odor.
Since I can not sleep while standing, some thoughts are running in my head. I realized I should have relaxed at home. But I am here, holding my breath to get rid of different kinds of odor. I am not complaining since this is really how I travel, not most of the time, but very very often. I'm used with this kind of situation but it is actually my first time I think to write an article about the behind-the-scenes of my adventures. Travel bloggers usually write articles describing how they enjoyed the place, the food, the people and the experience but not so many write about the not-so-comfy behind-the scenes part of the journey, like this.
I was lucky that after around an hour, one seat beside me was vacated. At first I offered the seat to a girl in white collar shirt but she opted to give the seat to me. I said "Naks, thank you!" After that, all I know was I was able to get a good sleep.
I reached home almost 1 am. I asked myself what I really wanted to do. I actually have a work tomorrow. I skipped doing my reports for this day's trip. In fact, I postponed doing my reports for tomorrow's meeting with the chairman and the board directors. I opened my computer. Poured down a hot water to my cup of coffee, opened my facebook, relaxed and said to myself, "What a day! The street food was great but I miss this coffee more than anything else." ▬ end
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/THIS POST IS PART OF A SUB-SERIES/
*DAGUPAN IN 1 DAY: TRAVEL DIARIES - [01.JULY.2014]: | 1 | 2
[DAGUPAN] Cathedral of St John the Evangelist - Overgrown Time Trail
TEASER: "Now I've found the gap. That tube leading me to sanity on travel is now patent." | 3[DAGUPAN] Beyond Bangus: Industries for Hopes and Dreams
"While the old cathedral exudes peace and calmness, this area is the contrary. Almost everyone has a mission to accomplish. This street is action-filled." | 4[DAGUPAN] Century-Old PNR Train (Remnant): a Link to World War 2
"...it could remind us the bad past but it would be better if we treat this historical remnant to commemorate the great, good things of history." |Dagupan #TownExploration Series
Map showing the Location of #Dagupan
Click map to view latest articles covering Pangasinan
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NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.