Central Luzon Escapade: Part 1

authentic leather.jpg

I know that Lenten season is fast approaching in the Philippines and as a Catholic, my family has made specific preparations for which churches we will visit. Last year, my partner and I visited destinations in Central part of Luzon. I'd never been to the north, except for Baguio, so I was excited to see what sites I'd discover. I hope you can find something on my blog.

Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija
Aside from Baguio, this was the first area I had visited, and believe me, it was a nice suburban region to reside in. My partner was boarding here while finishing her nursing degree. She highlighted many affordable restaurants and what the city had to offer.

Ponceng
If you are passing through Cabanatuan City, it is best to stop and eat at the famous Ponceng, which can only be found here. Ponceng restaurant serves a unique version of lechon. What separates Ponceng is the lechon skin, which is not overly salty and extremely crispy. Their recipes also feature lechon as a key ingredient, which they serve hot. They generously serve rice and offer free soup. You only need to get here before lunchtime because it gets crowded about 12pm and before dinner time around 6pm.

_{Images from Ponceng fb page}

Lamarang Restaurant
This was the first restaurant we visited in Cabanatuan City, and it has always been one of my favorites. It is initially a restaurant at the Lamarang Hotel & Resort, but walk-ins are welcome. We ordered their signature Lamarang rice, lechon kawali, gising-gising, and calamansi juice. I honestly enjoyed my lunch because they served it hot and were very generous with the servings. Our orders were more than enough for two people, and the calamansi juice was very refreshing, and the fruits they used were from their own farm. How cool is that? So I ordered one bottle of calamansi juice to go, and the waitress handed us a free tub of ube halaya. The staff's claim was that they realized I was not from the area and told me that I needed to try their signature. And they did not disappoint me or my taste buds. The ube was not overly sweet, rather milky, and melted in my tongue. So if you need a restaurant to eat for lunch or dinner, this is a must try!

_{Images from Lamarang fb page}

Kart City Tarlac (KCT)

If you prefer spontaneous dating, you should definitely try this. KCT is a go kart track in Tarlac City, near SM City Tarlac. We arrived about 4 p.m. after traveling for an hour and a half from Cabanatuan. They have a large parking lot and a big area to explore. When we arrived, the kart track was closed and will reopen at 5pm. Because we were hungry, there is a restaurant in the area. They serve rice dishes, sandwiches, drinks, and refreshments such as smoothies. They also have karaoke rooms and can accommodate large groups and special occasions such as birthday parties. I heard rainfall on the roof as we walked back to buy our tickets (about 300 php each adult). That upset me because I was already looking forward to seeing the karts; it would be my first time riding and racing. It became sunny within 30 minutes, quickly drying out the course. While we waited for the safety personnel to give the go signal, we attended their required short seminar on kart and track safety. I felt great after the 15-minute race, and we safely returned home. For me, it is safe for young ages and adults.

Gasera de Liwliwa, Zambales
This is also my first time visiting one of the beaches in the central area, or "the North" as we call it in the city. I drove from Makati to San Felipe, Zambales with my sister and her friends, and it took us four hours. We were simply a little confused on our way to our accommodation because the location seemed so remote that you'd believe there was a camping site there. When we arrived, the atmosphere was superb. Every accommodation/campsite had enough parking, making it easier for us to secure one. I must admit that I was impressed by the accommodations; we are eight people in a second-floor Nipa hut style. Everything is provided, including cooking equipment, extra mattresses, a restroom, and your own grilling station.

The campsite also provides beach activities such as banana boat and ATV rentals, as well as island and waterfall hopping. What offered the place was its stunning sunset. I was in awe when people began to sit and watch the sunset over the horizon, my feet in the sand, and the mellow dance of the waves; the beauty of nature.

I returned to the campsite just in time to sit, eat, and to have a conversation. The campsite also hosts live band performances, however that time they just play beautiful music that matched the beauty of the night and the warm lights emanating from the lamps.