Perlas ng Silang: Where Nature Meets Serenity in the Hidden Haven

A peacock's tail with colorful shrubs and plants flocked by the tourists for picture taking purposes.

 A huge peacock statue standing on the grounds of Perlas ng Silang surrounded by yellow calosias.

As the radiant sun continuously shining in the huge, blue peacock statue overlooking on the bundle of colorful flowers and verdant plants swaying with the summer wind on a scorching afternoon in a hidden haven.

Perlas ng Silang welcome signage located in the flower park's facade.

The landscape of Perlas ng Silang as seen from the entrance.

Perlas ng Silang Flower Park Garden and Restaurant is one of the newest tourist attractions in the province located in Barangay Pulong Bunga is noted for its vibrant flowering plants and cool ambiance brought by the abundance of green grasses and tall trees. A former pineapple plantation, Perlas ng Silang is a home of numerous flowering plants on a sloping hill together with an al fresco dining serving local delicacies. 

Spectrum of plants and flowers can be found everywhere in Perlas ng Silang.

Radiant sunflowers in the bright afternoon sunlight.

The face of Perlas

Perlas sleeping in the area surrounded by plants and grasses in 2023.

From green to purple plants with a tall grass in 2024.

This place holds its tagline "Where nature meets serenity - perfect for your next stroll, shoot, or soul escape" which is considered as a blooming paradise in the heart of Silang, Cavite. It is also Instagrammable in a sense that you can appreciate the beauty of nature through its aesthetics and refreshing feeling in the area. 

The first take of its vintage car filled with succulents in 2023.

Vintage car filled with chrysanthemums and camia in 2024.

Some interesting sites in Perlas ng Silang include a statue of a woman named Perlas, a vintage car full of plants and flowers, and a mini-fishpond with a bridge. 

A mini-fishpond and a bridge in Perlas ng Silang.

The orange bridge in Perlas ng Silang added interesting spot in the area.

The manmade lake in Perlas ng Silang gives a refreshing vibe during afternoon.

Flamingo baskets in Perlas ng Silang.

This flower farm continuously having developments and this is an ideal nature trip if you will visit Cavite, especially if you want a side tour in Tagaytay and Silang.

Perlas ng Silang in 2023

Perlas ng Silang in 2024.

Date of Travels: April 10, 2023 and April 15, 2024

Return to Ilocandia | Wandering in the Northwestern Wonder

"The most difficult roads often lead us to beautiful destinations". 

The Patapat Viaduct in Pagudpud providing connections from Ilocos Norte to Cagayan.

Passing through the long, winding highways from the smooth sailing ride in the plains of Laoag, enjoying the view of towering windmills and verdant mountains in the vast coastlines leading to the northwestern paradise of Ilocos Norte - Pagudpud. 

The welcome arch of Pagudpud from the neighboring town, Bangui.

The aquamarine waters of Blue Lagoon, earning Pagudpud's reputation as beach hub in the north.

Pagudpud is known as the "Boracay of the North" because of the white sand beaches and clear, blue waters of the sea, making it an ideal tourist spot during summer vacation. It takes 8-10 hours travel from Manila and 1-2 hours travel from Laoag, Ilocos Norte's provincial capital. 

Cottages and boats scattered along the coastlines in Blue Lagoon.

Pristine, aquamarine waters in a bright, sunny day in Pagudpud.

Some of the popular beach resorts in the town include Saud Beach and the Blue Lagoon noted for its aquamarine waters and foamy waves in a vibrant sunny weather.  Therefore, Pagudpud is Ilocos Norte's Boracay because of the white sand beach resorts where numerous tourists enjoy dipping in the waters, as well with the summer vibe in the area.

Tourists visited the Blue Lagoon as one of the popular beach spots in Pagudpud.

Blue Lagoon Inn and Restaurant is one of the gastronomic hubs in the area.

Bits of sunlight in the Blue Lagoon Resort.

Baywalk at Blue Lagoon Resort with coconut trees along the coastline.

During our tour in Pagudpud, a panoramic view of Blue Lagoon (also known as Maira-ira Beach) offers excitement to visit the place as we've seen the vibrant aquamarine waters teemed with the white sand in a bright, sunny weather. The Blue Lagoon is also a former spot for Hannah's Beach Resort which was closed in 2019. Today, the place is still a popular destination for tourist where they can enjoy swimming, banana boat, windsurfing, and kayaking. 

Bantay Abot Cave marker.

Aside from white sand beaches, Pagudpud is known for rock formations scattered along the shores of the town such as the Bantay Abot Cave and Timmangtang Rock. Hence, we have a chance to visit the Bantay Abot Cave, a natural arch carved by the wind and sea and shaped through the years.

The rock formation perfectly frames the sea with its captivating view.

Tourists flocked in Bantay Abot Cave as they climbed and take beautiful photos.

A closer look of the hole in the rock formation.

The view of the sea from the Bantay Abot Cave.

Tourists are also enjoying the windy atmosphere in the area.

Literally means "a mountain with a hole", Bantay Abot is a not actually a cave, but it is a rock formation which has an opening formed by two leaning rocks after an earthquake hit the area during the 1980s. Furthermore, the cave-like rock archway faced the West Philippine Sea believed that it is a hill and it is eroded as years passed. 

Rocky shores from the cave.

The view of West Philippine Sea from Bantay Abot Cave.

The eroded part where the hole was formed seeing the coastlines of Pagudpud.

Less than a kilometer away from Bantay Abot Cave is the Timmangtang Rock. Locals believed that it is the lover of Bantay Abot Cave separated from each other. These two majestic nature sculptures are not just hidden gems in Pagudpud, but also showcasing the natural beauty of its coastal town with the landscapes and sceneries.

The panoramic view of Patapat Viaduct taken from DSLR Camera.

The Patapat Viaduct connecting the Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley.

Few kilometers away from Bantay Abot Cave, we visited the Patapat Viaduct located at the northwesternmost tip of Luzon Island. Crossing the Pasaleng Bay and connecting the towns of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte and Santa Praxedes, Cagayan. The bridge is 1.3 kilometers long and elevated 31 meters above sea level.

The Patapat Viaduct offers a view of Pasaleng Bay, Pagudpud.

Tourists enjoy the view of the bay, having that accomplishment of reaching the tip of Luzon.

From the mountainside to the sea Patapat Viaduct offers that view with an achievement.

The visit to Patapat Viaduct gives a satisfying feeling, reaching the northernmost tip of Mainland Luzon with the view of steep, verdant mountainside and the vast, blue sea connected by concrete bridge. 

Enjoying the Patapat Viaduct with iskrambol.

Tourists having a good time with their stay in the bridge. 

Moreover, the place is one of the must-haves in visiting Ilocos Norte because of the achievement in making it to the northernmost tip of Ilocos Region which can be treasured and shared with family and friends. Besides, I've got a chance to buy iskrambol (shaved ice with evaporated milk topped with sago pearls and chocolate syrup) in Patapat Viaduct.

While traveling, there are also windmills in Pagudpud which can be found in Caparispisan Wind Farm which is also another promising tourist destination in the place, scattered along the mountains in the town.

Therefore, Pagudpud tour gives a great feeling of accomplishment of reaching the northwesternmost tip of Mainland Luzon, seeing majestic rock formations, having the summer vibe in the fine sand beaches and dipping in the blue waters. Despite of long, winding drive in the mountainous highways, everything is all worth it with its beautiful destination.

Date of Travel: April 26, 2025

Return to Ilocandia | Summer Stroll in the Sand Dunes and the Wind Farm Belt

Traveling along the windy coastlines give you an exciting thrill, as you walk along the rocky beaches and having an exhilarating ride in the vast sand dunes of the north. Furthermore, walking in the windy shore with towering, white electric windmills along with the strong, blue waves add thrill to tthe adventure as you visit Ilocos Norte. 

Revisiting the Bangui Windmills of Ilocos Norte

As the Ilocos Norte journey continues, let's take a glimpse of the two northwestern coastal towns in the province, known for its windy weather and strong waves from the West Philippine Sea and the home of the first wind farm in the country - Bangui and Burgos. Moreover, the northwesternmost town in the mainland Luzon will be revisited through taking a walk in the Boracay of the North. Lastly, the tour's excitement can be added with a thrilling 4x4 vehicle ride in Paoay Sand Dunes. 

Revisiting the Sand Dunes

A 4x4 jeep ride in the Paoay Sand Dunes during afternoon with a heart-shaped bamboo art.

A day before going to these towns, I revisited the famous Paoay Sand Dunes located in the town of Paoay. Seven years ago, this tourist attraction is part of our itineraries in the company's team building. During that time, it is raining but cool experience amidst the weather condition that makes the ride more enjoyable. 

4x4 vehicles are waiting on an adventure ahead with their drivers.

Traces of 4x4 vehicles in the vast slopes of Paoay Sand Dunes.

4x4 vehicles are waiting for tourists in the golden sunset along the sand dunes.

Children are enjoying in a ruined jeepney in the sand dunes that serve as their playground.

This summer, everything is different. We were able to take the thrilling 4x4 ride in a scorching afternoon in the Paoay Sand Dunes. The excitement remains the same with the first time I rode in this jeep, seven years ago, as the feeling is different due to summer season. Furthermore, I witnessed the sunset in the coast, followed by the sandboarding activity that I both experienced for the first time.

The golden Paoay Sand Dunes in a sunny afternoon.

The sandy coastline of Ilocos Norte from Paoay.

The sunset at the Paoay Sand Dunes overlooking the West Philippine Sea.

The whole area spans about 88 square kilometers which was used as a location in movies including Fernando Poe Jr.'s "Ang Panday" and Nora Aunor's "Himala" where you can pass by in the bamboo art installation used in the said movie. The 88 square kilometers area

The experience was totally exhilarating yet refreshing, as a thrilling ride in a 4x4 vehicle is like a rollercoaster - going up and going down, sometimes smooth, sometimes bumpy. Furthermore, the sunset along the Paoay coast gave a new encounter in this travel. 

Return to the Bangui Wind Farm

The giant windmills aligned in the curved coastlines of Bangui, Ilocos Norte.

Seven years ago, Bangui is one of the most memorable towns I've visited in Ilocos Norte, despite of the rainy weather where I enjoyed the stroll along the windmills and dipping in the shallow waters of the sea. In my second visit, I appreciated the walk in the Bangui Windmills, as blue skies along with the turquoise waters and waves hit the white beach in the Ilocos Norte coastline.

The tall white windmills of Bangui teemed with the view of mountains of Caraballo facing the West Philippine Sea.

Strong waves hitting the shore while tourists enjoying the stroll along the Bangui Wind Farm.

Another set of windmills in the elevated coastline in Bangui.

Stalls and huts are located along the shoreline as they sell souvenirs and native products.

Presence of cactus along the sandy shores of Bangui.

Mini windmills as souvenirs which can be sold along the coastlines of Bangui and Pagudpud.

Windmills are scattered and extended along the coastlines of Bangui, Burgos, and Pagudpud.

Bangui Wind Farm started on 2005 which considered as the first wind farm in Southeast Asia and part of the NorthWind Bangui Bay Project. The wind turbines facing the sea which makes its location ideal due to the presence of monsoons in the country. In the following years, wind farms are also installed in Burgos and Pagudpud which make these towns as a "Wind Farm Belt". 

The second visit in Bangui is such a reminiscing experience. Nothing changed with the ambiance and the establishments are still here, but few renovations are made for various turbines. I appreciated it more because of the sunny weather yet windy feeling, along with the strong waves from the blue waters of the sea. 

The giant windmills of the North facing the western sea, hitting the waves in the white sandy shore.

Ilocos Norte is the home of wind farms, the major source of wind energy in the province.

Traveling in the windy coastlines as I leave the wind farm will take me to another adventure, an experience that I've missed during my first visit - seeing the aquamarine waters, walking the northern viaduct, and trekking to the white rock formations. See you Pagudpud and Burgos! 

Check the 2018 post on the First Ilocandia Escapade | Sand Dunes, Giant Windmills, and Northern Waves.

Date of Travel: April 25 & 26, 2025