The fever is still warm. On account of this, let me give you a vivid narrative of one of the most awaited educational ventures, which happened in the school year – the Ilocos Trip. Let your mind travel back in time and think that it is only 11:00 P.M. of February 03, 2010. The excitement is just around the corner. Everyone is keyed up, checking the packed meals, baggage, and other stuffs. The faculty is busy counting the number of students who either have asked for consent or just faked their guardians’ approval to join a quite expensive trip. And the buses are just about to vibrate to signal that everyone is in and ready for an 8 hour-long joy ride to the realm of Ilocos.
6:00 A.M., February 04, 2010, the busses arrive at the first destination – Fort Ilocandia. Everyone heads to the beach to feel the aquatic zephyr that gently touches the morning face. Some are meandering along the seashore to take some panoramic souvenir photos, while the others are getting ready for a delectable breakfast. The beauty of the place only whispers that the journey is yet to begin. 
9:00 A.M., as the busses get near the next stop, everyone is astounded by what the word ‘enormous’ really means, as the gigantic modern windmills start to appear conspicuous to the eyes. It is like a scene from the movie Titanic, when Rose sees for the first time the so called unsinkable ship. It is as if the windmills are the ones that cause the wind to oscillate and force the seawater to vow by throwing its waves and not the other way around. Unfortunately, the windmills this time are not in the mood for a show. The coastal sand is like pebbles with its size.
12:00 P.M., the farthest destination, Pagudpud, is yet to reveal its beauty. Truly, it can be dubbed as the “Boracay of the North” because of its nearly white beach (light brown dominantly mixed with white sand) and crystal-clear water that serves as the mirror to the panoramic blue sky. Both the teachers and the students are delighted by what the place can offer – crystal-clear seawater, nearly white beach, boating, snorkeling, and the like. Everyone can’t wait to swim and feel the amalgam of the coldness of the open water and the hotness of the atmosphere. Truly it gives a therapeutic effect from the body to the soul. Everyone will really wish to stay longer, if not forever. The paradise-like place is really worth the 12-hour ride.
4:30 P.M., the group, lulled by the tender accommodation of the nature, leaves the place with a promise to come back. Undoubtedly, Pagudpud beaches offer spellbinding experience that soothes one’s exhaustive soul. Everyone feels floating on the verge of letting go of a romantic place as Pagudpud. God really is an excellent architect of nature.
6:00 P.M., all the buses finally reach the Mariano Marcos State University in Batac, Ilocos Norte. Mrs. Connie Borromeo, the university coordinator for reservation, takes the group right away to the university’s training center where the latter will stay overnight. The students are assigned to their respective air-conditioned rooms – though some rooms do not have sufficient ventilation to pamper the students with a restful night. Due to their number, some students need to share beds. Meanwhile, food stubs are suddenly given away to the students to control the distribution of the packed meals. After a few minutes, the students make a queue to receive their luscious meals served systematically. The first day ends with a sound sleep from everyone.
8:00 A.M., February 05, 2010, another day of excitement and fun is about to unfold. After eating the breakfast, which consists of a cup of rice and some pieces of Laoag longganisa and scrambled egg, the group is fetched to the main library to meet Prof. Bella Gerbacio for a tour. The PSEd students, under the supervision of Mrs. Nancy Ramores, visit the laboratory school for some observation. In the meantime, as the students form some queues, they walk slowly inside the building to see the voluminous collections of books. Besides reading materials the library is also rich in authentic paintings, pictures, posters, and museum pieces. 
9:30 A.M., the group is divided into two to visit the Marcos Museum and the Paoay Church alternately to save time. In the Marcos Museum, some students see for the first time the alleged remains of the great president Marcos, lying peacefully in a Perspex coffin. The caretaker says it is the real corpse of the president wrapped with a wax.
After a while, the students and the faculty enjoy buying some native delicacies, such as tinubong, chichacorn, kalamay, and some handicrafts sold alongside the museum, which really add to the taste of the place.
In Paoay the students are overwhelmed by the religious edifice that has withstood the test of time. The antiquity of the church suggests that it has witnessed the course of history. The group also finds out that the belfry and the church are made up of lime stones, sands, and eggs. No wonder why it has been declared as one of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
2:00 P.M., the buses station beside the Provincial Capitol of Vigan City. The group becomes so excited to wander around the city to see the beauty of ancestral sceneries. In a short while, the tour guides show up to take the group around the city. Adjacent to the capitol is the Burgos Museum, the first destination in the list. In the museum the students explore every corner to see different antiques from old pictures to rusty artifacts.
After getting amazed by antiquated art pieces, the tour guides take the students and the faculty to the pagburnayan, another art work. Ms. Hanna Lynn Fiesta demonstrates how to make one using a manual pottery wheel.
Then, the group finally sees the so called Hidden Garden. As the group discovers the hidden garden, the students and faculty have their souvenir photos taken. The garden showcases the gifts of nature altered artistically.
4:00 P.M., one of the most-awaited destinations in the trip the Baluarte ni Singson seems to have some problem in accommodating a big number of visitors. Eventually, its vastness makes the group realize that an ample space can keep them from the ferocious animals behind the bars. The baluarte serves as a mini zoo where different species of animal, such as eagle, peacock, Bengal tiger, bearcat, reticulated python, ostrich, and many more, are nursed.
5:30 P.M., like a fierce animal freed to the wilderness, the students and the teachers indefatigably roam around the streets to buy some souvenirs and native delicacies. Some ride in kalesa (carriage) to experience the mode of transportation during Spanish Regime; while, some just walk to feel the ambiance and leave no stones unturned in looking for a shop that sells products at cheapest price. The lights along the streets add to the antiquity and romanticism of the place.
7:30 P.M., The group bids farewell to the lovely places in the North bringing home the unforgettable memories. Despite the group’s wish to stop the time run, the rule of nature cannot simply be defied. Everyone is tired as a dog but will sleep as a god.
6:00 A.M., February 04, 2010, the busses arrive at the first destination – Fort Ilocandia. Everyone heads to the beach to feel the aquatic zephyr that gently touches the morning face. Some are meandering along the seashore to take some panoramic souvenir photos, while the others are getting ready for a delectable breakfast. The beauty of the place only whispers that the journey is yet to begin. 
9:00 A.M., as the busses get near the next stop, everyone is astounded by what the word ‘enormous’ really means, as the gigantic modern windmills start to appear conspicuous to the eyes. It is like a scene from the movie Titanic, when Rose sees for the first time the so called unsinkable ship. It is as if the windmills are the ones that cause the wind to oscillate and force the seawater to vow by throwing its waves and not the other way around. Unfortunately, the windmills this time are not in the mood for a show. The coastal sand is like pebbles with its size.
12:00 P.M., the farthest destination, Pagudpud, is yet to reveal its beauty. Truly, it can be dubbed as the “Boracay of the North” because of its nearly white beach (light brown dominantly mixed with white sand) and crystal-clear water that serves as the mirror to the panoramic blue sky. Both the teachers and the students are delighted by what the place can offer – crystal-clear seawater, nearly white beach, boating, snorkeling, and the like. Everyone can’t wait to swim and feel the amalgam of the coldness of the open water and the hotness of the atmosphere. Truly it gives a therapeutic effect from the body to the soul. Everyone will really wish to stay longer, if not forever. The paradise-like place is really worth the 12-hour ride.4:30 P.M., the group, lulled by the tender accommodation of the nature, leaves the place with a promise to come back. Undoubtedly, Pagudpud beaches offer spellbinding experience that soothes one’s exhaustive soul. Everyone feels floating on the verge of letting go of a romantic place as Pagudpud. God really is an excellent architect of nature.
6:00 P.M., all the buses finally reach the Mariano Marcos State University in Batac, Ilocos Norte. Mrs. Connie Borromeo, the university coordinator for reservation, takes the group right away to the university’s training center where the latter will stay overnight. The students are assigned to their respective air-conditioned rooms – though some rooms do not have sufficient ventilation to pamper the students with a restful night. Due to their number, some students need to share beds. Meanwhile, food stubs are suddenly given away to the students to control the distribution of the packed meals. After a few minutes, the students make a queue to receive their luscious meals served systematically. The first day ends with a sound sleep from everyone.
8:00 A.M., February 05, 2010, another day of excitement and fun is about to unfold. After eating the breakfast, which consists of a cup of rice and some pieces of Laoag longganisa and scrambled egg, the group is fetched to the main library to meet Prof. Bella Gerbacio for a tour. The PSEd students, under the supervision of Mrs. Nancy Ramores, visit the laboratory school for some observation. In the meantime, as the students form some queues, they walk slowly inside the building to see the voluminous collections of books. Besides reading materials the library is also rich in authentic paintings, pictures, posters, and museum pieces. 
9:30 A.M., the group is divided into two to visit the Marcos Museum and the Paoay Church alternately to save time. In the Marcos Museum, some students see for the first time the alleged remains of the great president Marcos, lying peacefully in a Perspex coffin. The caretaker says it is the real corpse of the president wrapped with a wax.
After a while, the students and the faculty enjoy buying some native delicacies, such as tinubong, chichacorn, kalamay, and some handicrafts sold alongside the museum, which really add to the taste of the place.
In Paoay the students are overwhelmed by the religious edifice that has withstood the test of time. The antiquity of the church suggests that it has witnessed the course of history. The group also finds out that the belfry and the church are made up of lime stones, sands, and eggs. No wonder why it has been declared as one of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.2:00 P.M., the buses station beside the Provincial Capitol of Vigan City. The group becomes so excited to wander around the city to see the beauty of ancestral sceneries. In a short while, the tour guides show up to take the group around the city. Adjacent to the capitol is the Burgos Museum, the first destination in the list. In the museum the students explore every corner to see different antiques from old pictures to rusty artifacts.
After getting amazed by antiquated art pieces, the tour guides take the students and the faculty to the pagburnayan, another art work. Ms. Hanna Lynn Fiesta demonstrates how to make one using a manual pottery wheel.
Then, the group finally sees the so called Hidden Garden. As the group discovers the hidden garden, the students and faculty have their souvenir photos taken. The garden showcases the gifts of nature altered artistically.
4:00 P.M., one of the most-awaited destinations in the trip the Baluarte ni Singson seems to have some problem in accommodating a big number of visitors. Eventually, its vastness makes the group realize that an ample space can keep them from the ferocious animals behind the bars. The baluarte serves as a mini zoo where different species of animal, such as eagle, peacock, Bengal tiger, bearcat, reticulated python, ostrich, and many more, are nursed.
5:30 P.M., like a fierce animal freed to the wilderness, the students and the teachers indefatigably roam around the streets to buy some souvenirs and native delicacies. Some ride in kalesa (carriage) to experience the mode of transportation during Spanish Regime; while, some just walk to feel the ambiance and leave no stones unturned in looking for a shop that sells products at cheapest price. The lights along the streets add to the antiquity and romanticism of the place.7:30 P.M., The group bids farewell to the lovely places in the North bringing home the unforgettable memories. Despite the group’s wish to stop the time run, the rule of nature cannot simply be defied. Everyone is tired as a dog but will sleep as a god.
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