I have been getting invitatins to join the Lakbay Norte every year. But i was only this time that I confirmed to the event with so much excitement.
Lakbay Norte is an annual media Familiarization tour organized by the Noth Philippines Visitors Bureau and North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). Lakbay Norte is one of the much anticipated events. It is now on its fourth edition. This year, 20 members from print and online media wer invited to join the tour.
This is just a diary of what my experiences from the 4-day adventure across Central Luzon.
Day 1 – From Cubao we traveled north. Our first sto was at the MNTC (Manila Noth Tollways Corporation) in Caloocan we we got to observe how the tollgates in NLEX operate. After whih we then headed towards Tarlac Ciy to viit the Aquino Center Museum.
The museum houses collections and memorabilias ownwd by the Aquino family. It was opened in 1992 and the former president Cory Aquino herself picked some of the photographs to be displayed at the museum..
The highlight of the tour is the dislay of a white bush jacket soaked in blood, said to worn by Ninoy Aquino when he was assassinated. I was really at a loss for words when I saw the exhibit. I just can’t imagine how a simple man from Tarlac has ultimately changed our government leaders and restored democracy.
After the Aquino Tour, we had our sumptous lunch at Terase Cafe. Tarlac has always ben known as the melting pot of the Centrl Luzon Region. Its foods has influences on Kapampangan, Tagalog and Ilokano culture.
After the hearty lunch, we roamed around the ciy for a rolling tour, we also got to get a glimpse of the Hacienda Luisita Golf Club.
Later int he afternoon, we headed towards the town of San Jose, Tarlac to visit the Monasterio de Tarlac. The monastery is ran by the Servants of the Risen Christ Monastic Community. A group of monks who monks and brothers who devoted themselves to a life of prayer. Just before the gate of the monastery is a humongous statue of the risen Christ, somewhat similar to the Cristo Redentor monument in Rio de Janeiro. Safely tucked inside the monastery chapel is a relif of the True Cross of Jesus, where one can venerate.
After our brief trip to the monastery we went to Kart City for another adrenaline rush experience. This tmie we go Karting! Too bad i left my eyeglasses so I opted not to try this one. We ended our first day with an overnight stay at the Microtel Hotel by Wyndham in Tarlac City.
