Lucky is the word to describe our family's having had the chance to live in that beautiful stretch of land at the northwestern part of Luzon in the Philippines, specifically in the towns of Sanchez Mira and Claveria.

Actually, a part of our childhood was spent at Sanchez Mira while our Mom's family had at one point stayed at Pata (near the lighthouse), which is a part of Claveria.

Some of the places in Sanchez Mira and Claveria that will always evoke fond memories include the then big sawmills at both towns (eg, Nagbaranganan and Taggat), the beaches at Masisit and at Lakay-Lakay and Baket-Baket, and the family coconut plantation at Caniugan. Due to their strategic location in the province and the hardy entrepreneurial and farming and fishing skills of the townsfolk, both Sanchez Mira and Claveria continue to thrive as hubs of economic and tourist activities in this part of Cagayan province west of the Cagayan River. 

(Video from youtube.com; posted by marvnokia 12.08.07)