Coming home after 22 years in the states

[agaliza]

I moved to the US when I was seven, and coming back to visit again after 22 years. I'm curious to see how my hometown of Bacarra has changed over the last couple of decades. I'll be there for 10 days...does anyone here have any suggestions on activities and/or sightseeing locations?

[Myrna]

You waited for that long Agaliza? Well, you will be amazed of what you see....after 20 long years....Von Voyage

[Marcy4ever]

I hope you can still speak the language.
Myrna is right, so much have changed during those 20 years. Hope you'll enjoy it.
By the way, are you in any way related to the Galiza's of Sangil?

Godspeed!

[agaliza]

Amok paylang agsao ilocano...but not necessarily write it :? I'm excited to see all the changes that have taken place. It's nice to see an online community. What's the typical connection method...modem or broadband? A friend told me that is has modernized quite a bit.

While I'm here, can anyone tell me if they think it's safe to bring my wife...she's half American. She looks hispanic, so she wouldn't necessarily stick out.

I don't know if I'm related to the Galiza's in Sangil. All I know is that I lived in Bacarra for the first 7 yrs of my life.

[FlushedMX]

DSL is catching up. Cable not sure but modem is still mainstream.

[BenLopez]

While I'm here, can anyone tell me if they think it's safe to bring my wife...she's half American. She looks hispanic, so she wouldn't necessarily stick out.
I don't see why not, then again - I don't know what you mean by safe, like someone's going to kidnap her or something?

[BB-M]

There are a bunch of foreign nationals in Ilocos particularly Laoag. If it isn't safe, I don't think they'd go there. Your wife is no different. Ilocanos are know for their hospitality.
They may even treat your wife as a celebrity :)

[juVans]

Since you & your wife is heading to Bacarra, where you guys gonna be at? Do you have any relatives or close acquintance there? When you are planning to leave? Is it next month?

I would suggest you guyz to be there in APRIL. Why? That's when the inter Barangay basketball league starts. This event happens annually, and it is held in the Gymnasium of Bacarra, adjacent to the Municipal building. I'm sure you'll be enjoying yourselves cheering for your own team while eating 'waraha'.

By the way, most of the Galiza's I know are from Brgy. 9 or 10, close to the cemetery. Related with them?

Don't worry about the "SAFETY ISSUE", everything is under control (unless you have a long time nemesis waiting for you). You can ask gr8-one to verify my claim. hehe.

[FlushedMX]

You should not confine your itinerary to Bacarra because there are a lot of places you can visit to enjoy.

12 days may be too short for you.

[agaliza]

I'll be there in mid to late march, and staying with grandparents. I'll miss the basketball tournament, but wouldn't mind playing a game anyway.

I plan on visiting Baguio w/ cousins. Where else do you folks recommend I visit?

[Myrna]

Pagudpud...my american husband loves it there....

[Unai]

Basco, Batanes :)

[FlushedMX]

Hundred Islands, Alaminos City, Pangasinan

[BB-M]

Banaue Rice Terraces

[juVans]

A trip is not complete without visiting B1 - kiddin'.

[Trinity]

Enjoy your vacation, Agaliza.
I'm still looking forward to my first one.

[Myrna]

Enjoy your vacation, Agaliza.
I'm still looking forward to my first one.Why Trinity... haven't been to Ilocos Norte yet?...since you left?....

[Trinity]

Sadly, not yet.
With all the monthly bills, I guess a vacation won't be happening soon.
I guess I'm stuck :(

[Myrna]

Sadly, not yet.
With all the monthly bills, I guess a vacation won't be happening soon.
I guess I'm stuck :(I know what you mean Trinity...but you will one day...

[BB-M]

Bills nga talaga ti makalapped.
Mortgage, car loan. Tsk, tsk, tsk.......

[juVans]

ipaigidyo pay la dagita bills yo ta mabayadanto latta deta. ti ketdi nasisita inkayo bumakasyon, inkayo't Pilipinas ta diay home sweet home awan ti bills a panpanunuten. no agpaalaka kunada kenka, ibagam a awan kuartam. no pasarubuk kunada pay, ibagam a nalipatak ti gimmatang. ibagam nokua nga: "emergeny toy awid ko kunam".

ayos met laeng?

[agaliza]

Sadly, not yet.
With all the monthly bills, I guess a vacation won't be happening soon.
I guess I'm stuck :(

Probably the only time I was out of debt was when I first moved to the US :)

I decided that this was something I really needed to do, put aside some money over a few months, and now I'm really looking forward to going back.

[agaliza]

In my ignorance because of my "Americanization", is there anything I should absolutely know about local culture, standards, etc., just so I don't offend anyone?

Suggestions on items to bring (besides the usual gifts for relatives), things to do (golf? beach swim? mountain biking?, etc.), are really welcome. I'm guessing I'll probably need a voltage converter to charge camcorder batteries.

cheers!

[Myrna]

Agaliza, yes.. you need a converter....you can play golf, lots of swimming...Ilocos has great beaches....and mountaing climbing if you want.... my husband and I went mountain climbing the last time ...in Nueva Era(Padsan)...

[BenLopez]

Actually, Philippines is "Americanized" AGaliza.
You'll see what I mean when you get here :)

Best of Luck on you vacation. Hope you'll enjoy it.

[gr8-one]

I hope to be there (Bacarra) in May and wish to meet all INOLers there :)
My second vacation in 8 years.

[ROXYBLUE]

Shocks!!!!
Paano yung mga nasa-Laoag, Piddig atbp, ayaw mong ma-meet gr8-one? :)

[CLONED]

I hope to be there (Bacarra) in May and wish to meet all INOLers there :)
My second vacation in 8 years.
Pasarabo wen? :lol: :lol:

[zachzech]

hey no bill is worth the love and happiness youll feel when you are surrounded by your family and the warm ilocano hospitality...but then again hehehe bills really suck heheh

[FlushedMX]

Whole month of May gr8-one?

[FlushedMX]

geeeze! i thought you guys already gotten rid of Bill? :) but now you're still worrying about him?

[gr8-one]

I hope to be there (Bacarra) in May and wish to meet all INOLers there :)
My second vacation in 8 years.
Pasarabo wen? :lol: :lol:
Masadutak sa met nga agbagkat ti balikbayan box.
Adda kad paylang tay Duty Free dita Fort ta intay to latta mangala tay chivas wenno black label en? :)
Pasensiya kan a ket awan met igatang ta nagngina metten ti plete sika?
An-anusan tayon to latta ta addan a...

Whole month of May gr8-one?
Atiddog la unay nga bakasyon detan nammona ket awan ti pocket money nga adu. Baka makautangak tu pay :)

[Monde85]

In my ignorance because of my "Americanization", is there anything I should absolutely know about local culture, standards, etc., just so I don't offend anyone?

Suggestions on items to bring (besides the usual gifts for relatives), things to do (golf? beach swim? mountain biking?, etc.), are really welcome. I'm guessing I'll probably need a voltage converter to charge camcorder batteries.

cheers!

would you mind Agaliza?did you move to the States by yourself that you are totally out of touch about the Ilokano culture,customs?You mentioned that you can speak the dialect,how come you were not taught about the Ilokano way/s of life.What part of the States are you residing anyway?Just concerned.Enjoy your vacation.

[agaliza]

In my ignorance because of my "Americanization", is there anything I should absolutely know about local culture, standards, etc., just so I don't offend anyone?

Suggestions on items to bring (besides the usual gifts for relatives), things to do (golf? beach swim? mountain biking?, etc.), are really welcome. I'm guessing I'll probably need a voltage converter to charge camcorder batteries.

cheers!

would you mind Agaliza?did you move to the States by yourself that you are totally out of touch about the Ilokano culture,customs?You mentioned that you can speak the dialect,how come you were not taught about the Ilokano way/s of life.What part of the States are you residing anyway?Just concerned.Enjoy your vacation.

I moved to the states when I was seven, and at that age it's hard to appreciate the ilocano way of life. Here in the states, though I spoke ilocano at home, I was a latch-key kid left to my own vices. Parents were too busy trying to provide a home.

I'm situated in Honolulu right now. Nevertheless, I'm really looking forward for a return visit.

[Myrna]

In my ignorance because of my "Americanization", is there anything I should absolutely know about local culture, standards, etc., just so I don't offend anyone?

Suggestions on items to bring (besides the usual gifts for relatives), things to do (golf? beach swim? mountain biking?, etc.), are really welcome. I'm guessing I'll probably need a voltage converter to charge camcorder batteries.

cheers!

would you mind Agaliza?did you move to the States by yourself that you are totally out of touch about the Ilokano culture,customs?You mentioned that you can speak the dialect,how come you were not taught about the Ilokano way/s of life.What part of the States are you residing anyway?Just concerned.Enjoy your vacation.

I moved to the states when I was seven, and at that age it's hard to appreciate the ilocano way of life. Here in the states, though I spoke ilocano at home, I was a latch-key kid left to my own vices. Parents were too busy trying to provide a home.

I'm situated in Honolulu right now. Nevertheless, I'm really looking forward for a return visit.

You will be amazed agaliza...as benlopez said...Ilocos is americanized already.....you will see a different Ilocos if you left at the age of seven.....and enjoy your vacation.... :)

[agaliza]

In some parts of the states, some services offer disposable cell phones that will work for a certain amount of minutes. The more the minutes, the higher the cost of course. Can I find some there in IN or maybe Manila? Also, does anyone here know the going rate for car rentals?

I'll be leaving for IN in 2 days, and I appreciate all the info you folks have given me here.

[gr8-one]

Hope you enjoy your vacation.
Don't forget to take pictures and show them to us when you get back :)

Cheers!!!

[E-Heads]

In some parts of the states, some services offer disposable cell phones that will work for a certain amount of minutes. The more the minutes, the higher the cost of course. Can I find some there in IN or maybe Manila? Also, does anyone here know the going rate for car rentals?

I'll be leaving for IN in 2 days, and I appreciate all the info you folks have given me here.
Like TracFone.
I don't think they have those there. But they do have phone cards Ibelieve so if you bring your cell phone you probably can still use it. Just change the sim card maybe. Somebody correct me please........

[Myrna]

I guess there are no disposable phones there...the only way you can call from Ilocos to USA is using a phone card....and sim card..i think that's a bad idea...as if you are buying the whole phone if you do that...but if your cell phone has international calling ...like mine....there will be no problem for you calling back home....that's what we do when we go for vacation...I don't know about cars....because my husband and I bought a car there... we can go anywhere anytime we want.....(we entrusted the car to a relative)...Good Luck and enjoy your vacation... :)

[gr8-one]

Hi agaliza, I hope you're enjoying your vacation.
Hope you can let us know what's going on :)

Take care!!

[BB-M]

Agaliza should be in Ilocos right now enjoying his vacation :)
How's Ilocos agaliza? (that's if you happen to log in from one of the I-cafes there in Laoag) :lol:

[Myrna]

I guess so...enjoy your vacation agaliza....try not to think about work....I know how that is...because when I go for vacation...work calls me even I am there(Ilocos)...asking me to go back ASAP...that dampens my spirit...and I hated it......Agaliza, have fun!

[BB-M]

Anya met detan nga pagtrabahuamon Myrna?
Kasano pay met nga bakasyon detan?

[Myrna]

Anya met detan nga pagtrabahuamon Myrna?
Kasano pay met nga bakasyon detan?

You can say that again BBm...as if my work owns me :roll: ....but I think they cannot make the job right without me :lol: :lol: :lol: ....the longest vacation I had ever since is two weeks!... :cry: :cry: :cry:

[gr8-one]

Awan siguro masapulan ni agaliza nga i-cafe idiay Laoag isu nga di maka-login :)

2 weeks Myrna?
Mayat met ta bassit nukua ti magasto :lol:

[MHTS]

Ma'am Myrna, you are lucky you got two weeks off. The longest straignt off I've had was four days. Kas kunan ni sir BB-M, anya met dayta nga trabahon, kasla da la bagi da taon.

Madi ak pay nga nagbakasyon diay Pilipinas ever since imayak idtoy. My parents are coming back home tonight from their two-week vacation there (from my older brother's wedding). Unfortunately, I didn't go; school, work and other things hindered me. Sucks, oh well.

Mayat met ta kuna ni gr8-one tapno bassit ti magasto.

[Myrna]

Ala kasta la ti biag MHTS...hope you can go for vacation next time...agpayso ta kuna ni Gr8one bassit ti magasto...ngem adu latta... ta tay pasarabo...Hennesy ken ni Mayor, Crown Royal kadagiti pasurotna...Corvoisier, Martel...no naibus tay naggapu ditoy US ket tay Tanduayen a ti painum...etc...etc...ta rinabii met nga painum...santo tay padaya sakbay nga agsublit tao...no mano nga baboy ken baka ti maparti...ta no dika met agadaya...ket ayna ta nagimut met dagitoy nga balikbayanen kunada met nukua...

[BenLopez]

Sadakanto umay solicitan ti barangay wenno nu adda elemetarya ket umay dagitay teachers mo idi agsolicit, napanen tay mano nga dolyaren hahaha.

[Jenn]

Even how long i stayed in different places...even how pretty, how rich that country is compared to the land where i came from...my heart still longs for the place where i grew up and philippines...particularly ilocos norte will always be my HOME...

[Myrna]

Agpayso ta kunam Benlopez...solicit dita ken ditoy....santo dagitay aglako ti balota para kadagitay kandidata.....no mano ti umay.....

[linda]

at first my husband don't understand why the teachers are soliciting bec he said if it is for the school the government should provide everything and so i make a lot of explanation first and at the end he was convince and he much willing to help a bit.then the barangay fiesta also solicit us so napan tay manu a dolyaren..buhay!!!!

[daguerrson]

Ay apo, numnumona ket bassit la ti masusueldok, sa de familiaak pay, mabayagak nga agurnong ti para bakasyonko nga moolah. Maupay met ti riknak nga agbakasyonen no kasta, uray kasano ti iliw! Nalaklakansamet mapan Europan? Naimbag idiay ta awan mangnamnama iti pasarabo. :lol: :lol: :lol: Which barangay do you belong in Currimao, linda?

[linda]

Ay apo, numnumona ket bassit la ti masusueldok, sa de familiaak pay, mabayagak nga agurnong ti para bakasyonko nga moolah. Maupay met ti riknak nga agbakasyonen no kasta, uray kasano ti iliw! Nalaklakansamet mapan Europan? Naimbag idiay ta awan mangnamnama iti pasarabo. :lol: :lol: :lol: Which barangay do you belong in Currimao, linda?

saan a bale manong ta uray ket saan da met a kedngan ti ited mo..pakaidayawam pay..ala ket iriserbaam mon..sabagay sa da la met agsolicit ket no tiempo ti fiesta kada closing ta tay sponsoram a trophy kasdiay sikanto met ti mapan mangiyawaten,so staring kanto met diay stage sen..dimo pay kayat.lol..I'm from Pias Sur manong our home is located at near Sanchez family if you happened to know them.what about u which barangay you belong too?

[daguerrson]

Ay apo, numnumona ket bassit la ti masusueldok, sa de familiaak pay, mabayagak nga agurnong ti para bakasyonko nga moolah. Maupay met ti riknak nga agbakasyonen no kasta, uray kasano ti iliw! Nalaklakansamet mapan Europan? Naimbag idiay ta awan mangnamnama iti pasarabo. :lol: :lol: :lol: Which barangay do you belong in Currimao, linda?

saan a bale manong ta uray ket saan da met a kedngan ti ited mo..pakaidayawam pay..ala ket iriserbaam mon..sabagay sa da la met agsolicit ket no tiempo ti fiesta kada closing ta tay sponsoram a trophy kasdiay sikanto met ti mapan mangiyawaten,so staring kanto met diay stage sen..dimo pay kayat.lol..I'm from Pias Sur manong our home is located at near Sanchez family if you happened to know them.what about u which barangay you belong too?

Okay ngarud lattan, ah. Taga Poblacion Dos ak, diay likud ti simbaan ti Independiente ti kalapawmi.

[Greggy]

Ay apo, numnumona ket bassit la ti masusueldok, sa de familiaak pay, mabayagak nga agurnong ti para bakasyonko nga moolah. Maupay met ti riknak nga agbakasyonen no kasta, uray kasano ti iliw! Nalaklakansamet mapan Europan? Naimbag idiay ta awan mangnamnama iti pasarabo. :lol: :lol: :lol: Which barangay do you belong in Currimao, linda?
Husto ta kunam deguerrson, intay lat diay Europan ta awan agsolicit.
Awan pay abu sayyaf. Nu agbakasyon kat Pilipinas adda ka paylang diay airport adda agsoliciten :(

Sayang, balak ko pay met ngarud nga ikuyog dagiti gaggayyem ko nga sabali nga puli nu kayat da.

[linda]

don't worry Greggy mayat met latta no adda kaduam nga sabali a puli uray ta sika laeng met ti solicitan da ket..awan pay abu sayyaf diay Ilocos..sa diay ka ngamin Laoag nga aglandingen awan agsilicit didiay..ag stop over ka didiay Hong kong tapos deretso Laoag kan tapno saan ka nga aglanlanding Manilan.lol...

[gemi]

Wen man, magustuan da nga solicitan dagita aggapu iti abroad.

[agaliza]

Pictures of this return home have been posted at

http://www.ilocosnorte-online.com/inside/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=11581#11581

[linda]

they are very nice pictures.the more i feel homesick now

[FlushedMX]

indeed!

[FlushedMX]

So when's the next vacation agaliza?

[BB-M]

They are very nice pictures agaliza.
Makapa-iliw nga talaga.

[agaliza]

So when's the next vacation agaliza?

Seeing as how it was nowhere near as dangerous as US media makes it to be, hopefully next year, and this time with my wife.

[Myrna]

My husband and I enjoyed looking at the pictures...made us miss Ilocos...thanks for sharing...

[FlushedMX]

So when's the next vacation agaliza?

Seeing as how it was nowhere near as dangerous as US media makes it to be, hopefully next year, and this time with my wife.
Didn't your wife came with you?
Or did she change her mind?

[gr8-one]

Enjoying my vacation.
Here are some LAOAG ATO views i'd like to share....

[zachzech]

ne nagsayaaten apo great one thanks for the pics! agpayso a everyday ti international flights a mapan ta laoagen?

[BeefPapaitan]

Anong area sa Laoag yung pic 1?

Yung airport terminal sa pic 2, e I think needs renovation mukhang luma na talaga.

Are you here in Pinas, great-1?

[BB-M]

It doesn't even look like an airport - much less an international airport - to me. Sorry but thanks anyway gr8one for sharing :)

[Myrna]

GR8one thanks for sharing the pictures...now I want to go home so bad.....no wonder you were not here for a long time...you were back in Ilokos enjoying the food and the views, with your family and friends....

[BeefPapaitan]

It doesn't even look like an airport - much less an international airport - to me. Sorry but thanks anyway gr8one for sharing :)

And that same airport is handling 35 flights a week? It will make you wonder - how in the hell did such number of flights fit in a such small airport? :lol:

Nice pics, great-1

[Myrna]

I have landed in that same airport and I am contented on how they do business...they are great!

[gr8-one]

Beef, pic1 is another view from the control tower. Farther down is the beach along Fort Ilocandia pero dina visible.

Sayang, awan nairana nga naglanding nga eroplano. Urayek koma idi ngem sayang ti oras - adut pagpasyaran...

From what I was told, LIA is now the second-busiest airport in Pinas....

But you guys are right, there's a lot of things that still need to be done.

[gr8-one]

GR8one thanks for sharing the pictures...now I want to go home so bad.....no wonder you were not here for a long time...you were back in Ilokos enjoying the food and the views, with your family and friends....
Myrna, adda ak pay lang ditoy :)

Sabali nga talaga ti lutong Ilocos. Ammom idiay Hawaii kasla pilipinas met lang kunak ta addan sa amin idiay dagiti adda nga makan ditoy. Ngem sabali nga talaga ti imas ti makan ditoy. Shlurrrrppppp!!!!! :lol:

Nagimas man tay SISIG da dita Max Resto ken tay Seafood Kare-kare :)
Diay Hawaii adda met seafood kare-kare ngem ad-adu tay laok na nga petsay. Tallo lang tay pasayan na, duwa nga clamshell awan pay bagas nan :cry:

Mabisinak manen......

[BeefPapaitan]

Beef, pic1 is another view from the control tower. Farther down is the beach along Fort Ilocandia pero dina visible.

Sayang, awan nairana nga naglanding nga eroplano. Urayek koma idi ngem sayang ti oras - adut pagpasyaran...

From what I was told, LIA is now the second-busiest airport in Pinas....

But you guys are right, there's a lot of things that still need to be done.

Based dun sa pic, parang spanished-influenced ang airport, kung gawan ng major improvements yan? Another tourist spot for Laoag yan. Me view of the ocean pa.

So bale pala dun sa pic 1 yun na yung road na papuntang Fort and Paoay?

[gr8-one]

Dehins aabot ang road na yan sa Fort or Paoay, Beef. Walang access road mula control tower to Fort.

[BeefPapaitan]

Oh, ganun ba?

But I like the scenery sa pic 1, parang oasis sa gitna ng desert. Hehehe. :lol:

[Myrna]

[quote=Myrna]GR8one thanks for sharing the pictures...now I want to go home so bad.....no wonder you were not here for a long time...you were back in Ilokos enjoying the food and the views, with your family and friends....
Myrna, adda ak pay lang ditoy :)

Sabali nga talaga ti lutong Ilocos. Ammom idiay Hawaii kasla pilipinas met lang kunak ta addan sa amin idiay dagiti adda nga makan ditoy. Ngem sabali nga talaga ti imas ti makan ditoy. Shlurrrrppppp!!!!! :lol:

Nagimas man tay SISIG da dita Max Resto ken tay Seafood Kare-kare :)
Diay Hawaii adda met seafood kare-kare ngem ad-adu tay laok na nga petsay. Tallo lang tay pasayan na, duwa nga clamshell awan pay bagas nan :cry: Mabisinak manen


Ay ket makapabisin ka man nga talaga gr8one....Fourth of July ita ket kastay kunam agservak man ta nga lutong pinoy...ngem sabali la nga talaga tay luto dita....aglutuak ti karekare , sinigang etc....ngem ti usarek ket tay Mama Sita's :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: ala ket ananusan lattan a... makaraman la ket datao ti lutong pinoy....

[MHTS]

Ay ket makapabisin ka man nga talaga gr8one....Fourth of July ita ket kastay kunam agservak man ta nga lutong pinoy...ngem sabali la nga talaga tay luto dita....aglutuak ti karekare , sinigang etc....ngem ti usarek ket tay Mama Sita's :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: ala ket ananusan lattan a... makaraman la ket datao ti lutong pinoy....

Sika ti nagluto Manang Myrna... ket saan lang lutong Pinoy ngarud a no dipay Lutong Pinay. Mabalin ngarud ti umay sumar-ong dita ayan yo? Duwa kam lang ti umay, ay saan gayam ket adda trabaho na itatta. Isu ton maminsan lattan...