From left: DENDO, GORIO, ADING and ARNEL

It all started as a wishful thinking of Dendo, a week long vacation driving throughout Luzon, up North to Aparri and down South to Bicol and really have a grand tour. I suggested a more realistic drive up North via the Maharlika Highway (along the Eastern side of Luzon) and return via the MacArthur highway (along the Western side). As I have traveled this route a couple of times before, I said that all we need is a 3-day leave from our respective work. Incidentally, the upcoming centennial freedom day falls on a Friday and this afforded us a 3-day weekend. This is now a perfect timing for Dendo, Ading, Arnel and me to do the grand tour. Dendo has reached Santiago City, Isabela up north on the eastern side while Ading and Arnel has been up to Cabanatuan City only. All three has been to Laoag on the western side though. So excitement was evident among the three as we discussed the planned trip, as they now will have a chance to reach the northern tip of Luzon. Being the veteran traveler among the group, I offered to plot the route and came out with a 4-day trip plan. The extra day was needed since I have planned a more itineraries than my previous trips. We will also be going on a counter-clockwise route as opposed to my previous clockwise route. With barely 2 weeks to go, I asked them to arrange all their business commitments so that we can leave on a Thursday. Fortunately all of us have light work schedule. So we were all set for our 'Centennial Tour', a drive around North Luzon to appreciate the natural beauty and splendor of our countryside and to visit the symbolic places related to the Independence Day celebration. Dendo's trusty and reliable Toyota Tamaraw FX was to be our vehicle for our tour. I have plotted the trip using my book 'Philippine Vacations and Explorations' by Jill Gale De Villa as a handy reference. Coincidentally, some of my finished projects up north have reported some water leaks and other problems, so the trip gives me an opportunity to check them. So planning the itineraries was easier since I now have fixed destinations. And now the four daring souls are all set for their adventure.

The route we took