Today, let me take you to Pangasinan province in the Philippines, to a charming place called Agno. It was November when D and I made this trip, timed perfectly with the visit of my long-time girlfriend from the UK, who came to reconnect with her hometown. We set out on the 1st of November, which happens to be an important holiday in the Philippines: All Saints’ Day.
In order to avoid the long weekend traffic, we left our Makati City apartment early in the morning. The six-hour drive took us through scenic roads, offering glimpses of the Philippines’ northern provinces. By early afternoon, we arrived at the hotel we would be staying for the night, The Oceanhill Villas. Our villa provided a spectacular view of Agno Bay and the South China Sea. This was exactly how I imagined it to be, as the first time I saw it in my friends’ reels before immediately caught my interest so I was determined to book this place the next time I would go to Agno.
Here’s a YouTube short capturing the stunning view from our villa:
In the late afternoon, we drove off to my friend’s home, where time flew as we enjoyed a wonderful catch-up. Back in my twenties, my friend and I would often spend long weekend holidays in her hometown. Those trips included a visit to the beach and the iconic Umbrella Rocks, a mushroom-like rock formation molded by the waves. This was my fourth visit to Agno, the first in over two decades. While the town has grown busier since my earlier trips, it still retains its peaceful, laid-back charm.
Before dinner, D and I returned to our villa to relax while my friend and her family headed to the cemetery to honor their departed loved ones—a meaningful Filipino tradition on All Saints’ Day.
This trip was a refreshing getaway. Not only did we enjoy reconnecting with my old friend and her family, but we also appreciated the scenic beauty along the way. To support local businesses, D and I stopped by roadside vendors selling dried fish and bought some souvenirs and food stock for home.
I hope we can make this drive again soon, as there are still so many places on my Google Maps “To Go” list. Perhaps 2025 will bring more opportunities for long weekend road trips with D. I can’t wait to explore more of the local gems the Philippines has to offer!
Making Each Day Count 
Leave a comment