Category: Walks

Day Two of my Lingayen escapade. Sort of. I woke up a little bit late. By around 11AM, I walked towards the Pangasinan Provincial Capitol to snap some photos and return to the beach area.

As always I am mesmerized at the grandeur of the capitol. Very elegant. I just can’t take my eyes off the building! Later I went inside to check out its interior where photos of the former governors as well as plaques trophies and recognition awarded to the Province were on display.

From the capitol, I proceeded to the beach. It was scorching hot so I just decided to stay at the food stalls. Hunger is starting to kick in. so I decided to check out the foods at the carinderia. For lunch I had a cup of rice and paksiw na bangus. I dunno, but bangus in Pangasinan especially coming from Dagupan is soooo good!

Sarap sarap!

After lunch I then proceeded to Antonino Café for a cup of coffee. I also found some time to work on some writing projects while at the coffee shop. I love it there. The coffee is good, the place is quiet, with fast Internet access.

Later I got to meet another Pangasinan blogger, Vanj Padilla who also works as consultant for the Office of the Governor. From the coffee shop we went to the Capitol Resort Hotel where I finally got to taste the popular Alaminos Longganisa. It was good. it is garlicky too like its Vigan counterpart, but is much subtle in taste. You would easily recognize Alaminos Longganisa by its appearance: it uses lots of toothpicks instead of thread to divide the sausages. Interesting, right? I dunno why they use toothpicks and not thread.

After our longganisa treat, we then headed to another surprise. We got to visit one bagoong factory in Lingayen! (JE’s Bagoong: 16 1.864 N 120 12.859 E). This town has been known for its one town one product: Bagoong or fish/shrimp paste.

Many people would surely raise their eyebrows at its stinky smell. But I bet you would love bagoong! During our visit, I got to discover the different kinds of bagoong being made. There’s the kind which is perfect for cooking like kare kare or bagnet, there’s the sweet type is is a perfect dip for green mango, among others. They also have patis or fish sauce, which is a by product when making bagoong. I am amazed at how tedious the process of making the shrimp paste. According to one staff, they keep their salted anchovies or shrimps in large vats for almost seven months before bottling them. That long. For sure their bagoong is full packed with all the goodness.

After our short trip to the bagoong factory, we then checked out the Narciso Ramos Stadium where the Palarong Pambansa was held last 2012. Its big, and spanking clean. The stadium reminds of the Panaad Park and Stadium in my hometoen Bacolod City, which was also the hot of the Palarong Pambansa in 1998. It is good that Lingayen has topnotch sports facilities like these where its students and young athletes can train.

From the stadium, our last stop is the Urduja House which is declared as the official residence of the Governor of the Province of Pangasinan. Tourist and guests can enter the house but up to the lobby area only.

It was a quick overnight stay in Lingayen but I truly enjoyed every moments of it. I know this is not the first and last time that I will set foot here. I’d definitely comeback, and shop for more bagoong!