And for good reason, it’s simply one of the most wonderfully-designed places I’ve seen. Cool, laid-back and casual..it perfectly epitomizes the phrase “kick back and relax!”

The regulars call Noriter their playground where they can unwind after school, pore over books or stoop doing their assignments. You can even sit on the low tables amid the glass windows facing the busy intersection of Taft Avenue.

You can indulge your vanity in this mirror which was out of the ordinary -

Even the toilet was cute!

Paper cups are displayed all over the shelves featuring drawings from the customers themselves.

And their photos –

Anyway, I was at Cafe Noriter for a private party on a Sunday when the bar and the bakery were closed for orders. I certainly liked what I saw and will be back again!

Cafe Noriter
2nd Flr. Reyes Bldg., Estrada St. cor. Taft Ave.,
Malate, Manila
Operating hours:
Monday – Saturday: 10 am – 9 pm

On my birthday week, we find ourselves on a road trip to the great North. The seven hour or so tour bus ride was quite arduous, but nothing beats the excitement of this region which has been on my wishlist for some time now (having spent time here just briefly before, when I was younger).

Ilocos Norte will always be known as the bailiwick of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos (now, it’s their children who have taken over). But apart from its historical and architectural landmarks, the region can also enchant you with its natural wonders & sweeping coastlines – one of the best in the country.

I was certainly in awe upon seeing the area that surrounds Kapurpurawan Rock in Burgos town, Ilocos Norte. This cliff looked majestic. It could very well be a setting for a movie ….

The Kapurpurawan Rock itself is the white rock formation shown below which has reportedly been created by ocean movements and the waves of the sea. It makes for a nice photographic subject, but I couldn’t even go near as the waves were pretty strong that day.

More rock formations:

You can walk through the scenic area during low tide. Just be careful not to get too close and underestimate the waves. The rushing waves surged past two of our companions, causing them to fall over. They ended up with scratches and bruises and had to be treated at the hospital I was only a few meters away from them when they were swept by the waves, and it gave me quite a fright.

In the coastal town of Pagudpud, it’s also worth checking out Kabigan Falls .. if you feel like seeing something different in the area, aside from its famed beaches.

We trekked for 30 to 40 minutes to the falls with the help of a tourist guide. We passed by a total of three river streams and the walk not only exercised my limbs, it also afforded me a good look at what people do in the rural countryside.

The familiar sight of a grandma washing clothes by the river makes me nostalgic about the life I left in the province a long time ago

The suburbs may be a long drive if you work in Manila but it pays to fast-track one’s mind to the future. It may be the province all right, but with the right infrastructures being built, such as highways, train stations and other road networks, your obscure piece of real estate may appreciate in little time. Hopefully, employment trends in the future will also be desirable such that we will either telecommute or work nearest to where we live.

I met recently with executives of the SM Investment Corporation (led by the lovely Rea Gomez) who apprised me of the giant SM group’s biggest project to the date: the 1,800-hectare Hamilo Coast in Nasugbu, Batangas. Those of us who are accustomed to the giant edifices that are the SM Malls will find in Hamilo Coast a refreshing development. It will showcase to residents and tourists 13 natural coves, a sweeping 32-kilometer coastline and a number of lush hills, cliffs and valleys boasting of virgin flora and fauna. Activities in the site will be geared towards eco-tourism including diving, hiking, mountain climbing, sailing and the like.

Hamilo Coast 5.

Pico de Loro Cove Masterplan.

The first phase of the Hamilo Coast masterplan is the 40-hectare Pico de Loro Cove. This resort community, which is slowly being built, shall boast of a country club, marina, golf course, hotel, forest park, condos, lakeside townhouses, retail shops and a boardwalk surrounded by restaurants and entertainment centers. I foresee that in the future this will be a snazzier alternative to Boracay and other resort towns. The best thing is that it will soon be very accessible from Manila. With a ferry terminal to be built in SM Bay City, travelling to Hamilo Coast will only take 1 1/2 hours by sea. Alternatively, it can be reached at almost the same time by land; with a road network being built through Coastal Road, the 114-km. stretch it takes to travel to Nasugbu at present will be cut to 70 kilometers.

It was a sales presentation all right, but I couldn’t help but wish I had the budget to invest in that gem of real estate south of Manila. With SM as the developer, the overall ROI potential of the place and its ability to give you the ultimate nature trip, one would be a fool not to. I will be very excited to see how the grand masterplan that is Hamilo Coast will unfold in the next few years, most probably like a precious pearl coming out of its shell to reveal unseen facets of the beauteous canvas that is the Philippines.

“Promoting Philippine tourism should be every Filipino’s task. It is through tourism that we can compete in the global marketplace.” Taipan Henry Sy Jr.

**** Photos provided by SM Investment Corp. (Commercial Property and Resorts Group) This is not a sponsored post.

us-usan sandbar

Gadling has a report on the world’s best islands based on ” activities, beaches, culture/sites, lodging, restaurants and scenery.” As our pessimistic mind expected, the Philippines was not on the list.

Here’s a list of those exotic-sounding getaways which made it:
* Bali
* Kauai
* Maui
* Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
* Mount Desert, Maine
* Tasmania
* Hawaii
* Galapagos
* Santorini
* Santo Stefano
* Phuket, Thailand
* Thatch Cay
* Blue Lagoon
* Grand Bogue Caye
* Allan
* Caritas
* Cerralvo
* Pakatoa
* Isla de sa Ferradura

It would take a Google search to know where some of these islands are. For example, I learned that Grand Bogue Caye is in Belize. Blue Lagoon is in Fiji and Thatch Cay is part of the US Virgin Islands. Pakatoa is in New Zealand, while Isla de Sa Ferradura is in Ibiza. Most of them are also on the list of the world’s most expensive private islands.

Am not in a position to argue since I haven’t been to any of them (hmmm, not even Phuket). But I’ve seen a few of the Philippines and I know in my heart that they could give those overrated by the Western world a run for their money. Boracay is certainly there if only it hasn’t turned into a monstrosity with the overcrowding of all those hotels and restos. Amanpulo is on “1000 Places to See Before You Die” but then again, it’s being run and operated by a foreign chain. Most of the great islands I’ve been to are either undeveloped or so remote that even Ferdinand Magellan would have a hard time reaching them. So there.

sagada_cave.

rafting.

Another friend, Jesus Casabar (who is contributing the photos in this page) recommends a road trip in the Philippines’ great North for a complete, all-in-one taste of the country’s varied natural and cultural offerings. Among these are the mountains of the Cordillera with their amazing rice terraces; the limestone caves of Sagada with their hanging coffins; the old Spanish towns of Vigan; Laoag in Ilocos Norte with its Fort Ilocandia , scenic Paoay Lake and its Malacanang of the North; the pristine beaches of Currimao and Pagudpud which are one of the best in the Philippines; not to forget the ecotourism province of Cagayan Valley from where one can engage in spelunking, kayaking and whitewater rafting.

Our wanderer Jess likes Northern Philippines because “it is not just about beaches” and you don’t have to make a lot of transfers just to get from one place to another. All it takes is a hop on your car or van for the great adventure into the seemingly endless northern highway.

One may start with the Hundred Islands in Pangasinan…

go surfing in San Juan, La Union,

then indulge in cultural immersion in Vigan where the spirit of the Spanish-era 1800s continue to live on through its old houses and cobblestone streets.

Then drive to Laoag in Ilocos Norte, bastion of the Marcos family who ruled the Philippines for 20 years and built edifices like Fort Ilocandia, now turned into a casino, beach and golf course.

Further up is the resort town of Pagudpud, home of white-sand beach havens like Saud and Malingay Cove or Blue Lagoon.

From here, one can head on to Patapat Bridge which gives one a breathtaking view of the mountains and the South China Sea. This bridge connects Ilocos Norte and Cagayan Valley which is the northernmost part of the Philippines.

Cagayan can be a jump-off point for the beautiful windswept islands of Batanes or the Cordillera provinces of Kalinga-Apayao, Baguio and Banaue, Ifugao.

calaguas island.

(Note: Beginning with this post, Writings on the Wall will be featuring uncommon places and extraordinary experiences as seen and felt by my acquaintances and friends who have, at times, scoured the islands more than city-bound me. The idea is to uncover and discover hidden spots in the Philippines to guide us on our next trip. Do watch this site for more updates. Thanks )

There is obviously more to Bicol than its spicy food and the Mayon Volcano. The region hosts a bevy of old ruins and churches as well as a host of natural treasures like caves, hot springs, lakes, waterfalls and mountains. I’d also like to wet my feet at the spanking new Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC) which prides itself of a world-class cable park with 11 obstacles, and a view of a 4.5 hectare freshwater lake.

Camarines Norte, also in Bicol, has also aroused my curiosity of late ever since I read an article in our newspaper about the sweet tropical life that can be had there. My friendster Therese had gone there for a short breather-cum-coverage and came back with tales about its beautiful islands.

Apparently, Camarines Norte has its own version of Boracay in the Calaguas Group of Islands. Some people it seems deem Calaguas even better than Boracay since it’s far from crowded and remains unspoilt by civilization. It boasts of the same white sand , clear water and unique rock formations. One part is framed by a sand bar which runs up to 13 kilometers during low tide.

The only drawback is that Calaguas is undeveloped and you will have to hire a pump boat to get there. The boat ride is two hours which can be bad if you’re seasick but can be beautiful if you happen to chance upon whale sharks and sea turtles swimming along with your boat.

bagasbas other end,

Nearer to the capital town of Daet is Bagasbas Beach which has a long shore line and sand bordering on white to gray. It is ideal for watersports activities like surfing where you can rent a surfboard for only P150 for three hours.

therese

.

That’s our virtual tourist guide Therese lazing around in the clear blue waters of Calaguas.

To go to Daet, Camarines Norte, take a plane bound for Naga and travel by land for another 2 to 3 hours. There are also direct buses from Manila and travel time is about 10 hours. Calaguas can be reached from Daet by another two-hour pump boat ride.

@ All photos in this post provided by Therese Camet