Where's your hometown?

[Tahoma 2,291]

My fiancée was born and raised in the "city of smiles", Bacolod City. Bacolod City is located in the province of Negros Occidental, on the island of Negros, in the Visayas.

I was born and raised in Seattle, Washington, in the great pacific northwest. I live in a pedestrian-friendly inner-city neighborhood...not too far from the University of Washington and the University Medical Center. Within six blocks of our home you will find a major grocery store, many shops of all types, two movie theaters, countless ethnic restaurants, numerous coffee shops, a post office, and more. Two things that we don't have in our neighborhood are a Filipino grocery store and a Filipino restaurant. If we want to eat at a Filipino restaurant or shop for Filipino food, we will need to go across town.

I have spent a little time living in the Iloilo/Bacolod area in the early 70s. And I remember those days when I have to take the Negros Navigation ferry between the two cities. Very idyllic, the ferry ride was! I wonder if your fiancee knows the Javellana family, who were my friends in Iloilo and Negros and were prominent sugar cane planters during that era. I also fell in love with a girl belonging to the Ledesma/Montinola clan. Sad to say, it did not last as my employer had to transfer me to Davao City. My heart was down, my head was turnin' around, I had to leave my girl in Jaro town! (With apologies to Harry Belafonte.)

Ah, Seattle, Wash., lovely place indeed! I like it, except that it probably rains too much and my arthritis worsens when the rain goes on and on. My job requires me to visit Seattle every now and then. I always stay at a hotel in Kirkland by Yarrow Point and as I drive on the floating bridge over Lake Washington, my heart quivers at the beauty and the greenery of the landscape. Water, water everywhere! You mentioned the University of Washington, the football stadium is quite a site from the bridge and the 520. I wonder if you live close to 45th Street, by the Safeco Tower.

Yep...Seattle is very wet, and that is what makes it so green. I love the moderate climate in this area and I hope my fiancée will get used to it and grow to enjoy it like I do.

We live near the Safeco Building in the U District, and I am familiar with Kirkland and Yarrow Point areas. Imagine the view of Lake Washington and the floating bridge from inside Husky Stadium! Many people cruise to the football games by boat. Also, when crossing either floating bridge on a clear day, there is a fabulous view of 14,410-foot Mt. Rainier.

I would love to have seen Bacolod in the 1970's! I will check with my fiancée to find out if she is familiar with the clans that you mentioned. Her family has lived in the area for generations. We will PM you with any details.

~ pangga

[Besame Mucho 1]

Here is more on my hometown of Laoag.

Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, the city's name meaning "light" in the Ilocano dialect, is located in northwestern Luzon, Philippines. It lies on the north bank of the non-navigable Laoag River, a few miles above the latter's mouth. Laoag was first occupied by the Spaniards in 1592 and is now the largest city in northern Luzon.

Ilocos Norte is best known as the home province of former president Ferdinand Marcos. The province has many old Spanish churches, the best known being St. William's Cathedral in the capital city, Laoag. There are a number of popular beaches in the province, including Currimao, La Paz, Seksi Beach, Pagudpud, the Saud Beach, and the Fort Ilocandia beach.

A fascinating feature of Laoag is the Tobacco Monopoly Monument, a memorial to the lifting of the tobacco monopoly by the Spanish government in 1881. The Sinking Belltower in Laoag is one of the tallest in the country, while the Acrobatic Belltower of Bacarra gains its name from the effects of earthquake damage.

Memories of the Marcos era abound the province, including "Balay Ti Ili", the ancestral house of the Marcoses in Batac, which showcases the memorabilia of the late president. Malacanang of the North, on the shores of legendary Paoay Lake, is now a museum.

Tourist attractions in Laoag include:

1. Sand Dunes - located in La Paz, Laoag City

2. Tabacalera Museum

3. Tobacco Monopoly Monument

4. Laoag Museum

5. Aurora Park - located at the heart of Laoag City

6. Rizal Amusement Park

7. Fort Ilocandia

8. Sinking Belltower - located at the heart of Laoag City

9. Raquiza Garden - located at the heart of Laoag City

[maritoni 3]

Here is more on my hometown of Laoag.

Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, the city's name meaning "light" in the Ilocano dialect, is located in northwestern Luzon, Philippines. It lies on the north bank of the non-navigable Laoag River, a few miles above the latter's mouth. Laoag was first occupied by the Spaniards in 1592 and is now the largest city in northern Luzon.

Ilocos Norte is best known as the home province of former president Ferdinand Marcos. The province has many old Spanish churches, the best known being St. William's Cathedral in the capital city, Laoag. There are a number of popular beaches in the province, including Currimao, La Paz, Seksi Beach, Pagudpud, the Saud Beach, and the Fort Ilocandia beach.

A fascinating feature of Laoag is the Tobacco Monopoly Monument, a memorial to the lifting of the tobacco monopoly by the Spanish government in 1881. The Sinking Belltower in Laoag is one of the tallest in the country, while the Acrobatic Belltower of Bacarra gains its name from the effects of earthquake damage.

Memories of the Marcos era abound the province, including "Balay Ti Ili", the ancestral house of the Marcoses in Batac, which showcases the memorabilia of the late president. Malacanang of the North, on the shores of legendary Paoay Lake, is now a museum.

Tourist attractions in Laoag include:

1. Sand Dunes - located in La Paz, Laoag City

2. Tabacalera Museum

3. Tobacco Monopoly Monument

4. Laoag Museum

5. Aurora Park - located at the heart of Laoag City

6. Rizal Amusement Park

7. Fort Ilocandia

8. Sinking Belltower - located at the heart of Laoag City

9. Raquiza Garden - located at the heart of Laoag City

Hi Besame,we've been in Laoag a few weeks ago and wasn't able to stay in fort ilocandia as the hotel rate is sooo expensive (5k per night)...so we decided to moved down to pagudpod and stayed at terra rikka beach resorts(in brgy saud)..the place is absulutely amazing is called the bora up north we then moved down to currimao after 8 days of stay in pagudpod and stayed at Playa tropical beach resorts,both places needs more developments though as pagudpod doesn't have closer ATM machines nearby and tourist people dont carry much cash in the pocket...

[taj'samericanwife 0]

...ILOCOS SUR HERE!...GO VIGAN!

[Señor Bonito 2]

...ILOCOS SUR HERE!...GO VIGAN!

I am glad to know that there's another one here from Vigan. How are you doing, kailian?

[maritoni 3]

Nagsisinnarak ti agkakaillianen,pakistan met ti bandera na manong?oppsss sorry for speaking taglish..hehehe

[maritoni 3]

Nagsisinnarak ti agkakaillianen,pakistan met ti bandera na manong?oppsss sorry for speaking taglish..hehehe

Ilocanlish i should say..

[Señor Bonito 2]

Nagsisinnarak ti agkakaillianen,pakistan met ti bandera na manong?oppsss sorry for speaking taglish..hehehe

Ilocanlish i should say..

Adda ngata diay Pakistan ti lakay na. I think she is the petitioner and her husband, Taj, is still in Pakistan. Anyway, welcome to this small world, Katrina!

[Señor Bonito 2]

I love this thread. Not only because it was started by the missus to be but because it also gives everyone a chance to display his love or affinity for his place of origin. I am tickled to death when I read somebody proclaiming his or her pride for being an Ilongo or Cebuano or Tagalog or Bicolano or Pangasinense or what have you. And I am proud of my hometown too, in the same manner that an Ilongo may be proud of his Iloilo or Negros hometown, or in the same way that people from Mindanao may be thrilled for having Davao, Cagayan de Oro or Iligan or Bislig as the places where they were born or raised. And to my fellow Ilocanos from Tarlac, Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Baguio City, Apayao, Isabela, etc., please let it be known that I am as overbearing as y’all are, for coming from Northern Luzon.

From this thread, I have learned a lot about various places. Having been in America for over 35 years, I should have not known that there is now an Apayao province or a Guimaras province, but thanks to this thread, now I know. Had not been for this thread, I should have never perceived that Negros Oriental is the place for gentle people, or Bacolod as the city of smiles! Or, Siquijor as Isla de Fuego, or that Clark Field was formerly known as Fort Stotsenberg. I have been to some of the towns, cities and provinces mentioned in this thread. And as such, I have learned to fluently speak and understand Tagalog, Cebuano and Ilongo, apart from my native Ilocano. Now, on my next trip to the Philippines, we plan to visit the places where I have never been to before, such as Cagayan Valley, Bicolandia, Samar/Leyte and the other island provinces in Central Philippines.

[taj'samericanwife 0]

Nagsisinnarak ti agkakaillianen,pakistan met ti bandera na manong?oppsss sorry for speaking taglish..hehehe

Ilocanlish i should say..

Adda ngata diay Pakistan ti lakay na. I think she is the petitioner and her husband, Taj, is still in Pakistan. Anyway, welcome to this small world, Katrina!

HAHAHAHA...my husband is from pakistan...yes...pero nasa baguio na siya ngayon with my baby (yup..filipino-american-pakistani anak ko...ganda ng mix ano?) while they wait for the cr-1/ir-1...dun kasi parents ko ngayon and my sisters...AMERICAN BY BIRTH AND CITIZENSHIP BUT PINAY NA PINYA BY HEART ako!

MAN I WANT SOME EMPANADA AND UKOY!

[Gumbolette 58]

I was fascinated with every wonderful historical fact I read in this thread. So I thought about sharing my hometown as well.

I'm was born in Manila, but raised in my wonderful hometown named, IRIGA CITY . The city of Springs of the Philippines. A city from Bicol Region.

CALVARIO HILL

In ancient times, this place was the lair of the most feared �aswang� . When the Spanish conquerors came, they built a building where Spanish officials met in this place was called �Casino Espanol�. During World War II the Japanes built here the watchtower to spot the guerillas. Many Filipinos martyrs were tortured which makes this place doubly significant

Philtranco Transport Heritage Museum

This museum is the first and only one of its kind in the Philippines. It is located at the Philtranco terminal, the old ALATCO (Albert Louis Ammen Transportation Company) compound in the city. Frequented by students, researchers and tourists from all over the country and some parts of th world, the museum offers a historical review of the first and oldest bus company in the Philippines

KINUWARTELAN

Located 7 kilometers away from the city, the Spanish authorities used this as their garison and at the same time prison for insurectos. The ruins of the building still remainDefenders of Bataan and Corregidor Marker

Located at the northeastern corner of Rizal Park, constructed and inaugurated last March 3, 1985 to give honor to Filipinos particularly Bicolanos both living and deceased who fought the Japanese Imperialist Army during World War II unpaid Guerilla Remnants, 6th Army USAFFE and PHILCOM Bicol Area.

Edited March 4, 2009 by my_panacea = Greg

[Gumbolette 58]

And also...It is the home of different endemic species, especially "Rafflesia Irigaense', one of the smallest species of Rafflesia, famous for it's smell and size.

[Señorita Tessa 1]

And also...It is the home of different endemic species, especially "Rafflesia Irigaense', one of the smallest species of Rafflesia, famous for it's smell and size.

Are they the same as the "rafflesia baletei", also found in Camarines Sur?

[Mford019 0]

Hello everyone, I was born in Jackson, Mississippi, but have been living in El Paso, Texas(little Mexico) for the past 8 years. My fiancee is from Magallanes, Agusan del Norte on Mindanao. I loved that place, along with Butuan City, Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, can't wait to go back.

[maritoni 3]

And also...It is the home of different endemic species, especially "Rafflesia Irigaense', one of the smallest species of Rafflesia, famous for it's smell and size.

I noticed your'e from bicol,is Virac Catanduanes close there or iisang probinsya?we've been there but only stayed for 3 days as beaches are far from the city and looks very isolated...places we visited was Twin Rock beach resorts and some other places i dont remember...