A trusted Philippine travel blog with detailed guides, hidden gems, and cultural stories from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao’s 82 provinces.
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The Matchmakers is a 2023 historical romantic-comedy K-drama set during the Joseon dynasty. It follows a young widow and a young widower who become unlikely partners in arranging marriages while navigating their own complicated emotions. The drama mixes humor, historical tension, and slow-burn romance with colorful traditional settings.
The Namacpacan Church, officially known as the Saint Catherine of Alexandria Parish Church and Shrine of Our Lady of Namacpacan, is a historic religious site located in Luna, La Union. Built in 1690 and completed in 1872, it features an Earthquake Baroque architectural style with thick walls and twin bell towers. The church is home to the 1.92-meter-tall image of Apo Baket, a revered wooden statue of the Virgin Mary, believed to be miraculous and canonically crowned in 1959. Declared a National Cultural Treasure, it draws thousands of pilgrims yearly, especially during feast days and Holy Week. The church complex also includes a healing well and museum, while its old convento has been converted into a school.
The Baluarte Ruins is a 400-year-old watchtower that faces the West Philippine Sea and serves as a watchtower for pirate attacks and other dangers by sea. Originally made of adobe and coral blocks, today, it's covered with lighter bricks but still looks stunning. By the way, after Namacpacan, we got in the van, and we traveled 30 minutes to the coastal area, and we arrived at Loa Mending’s, a fantastic restaurant with a great view of the beach. Had coffee and their own version of Tapsilog. The food tastes really good, but it's 40 minutes before it is served - just too bad! Then, we walked by the beach and discovered the beauty of Pebble Beach and the ruins.
Bato de Luna, also known as Pebble Beach, is a unique coastal destination located in the town of Luna, La Union. Unlike the usual sandy beaches, Bato de Luna features smooth, multicolored pebbles along its shoreline, shaped naturally by the tides over the years. On the other hand, the Bato de Luna Art Gallery or Bahay na Bato started a rest house in 2000. The owner commissioned Mr. Kim to create an art gallery that showcases artistically carved stones, wood carvings, and other materials. Every image is colorful yet unique, making it perfect for Instagram.