Ilocos Norte – The Best of Culture and Nature

Ilocos offers tourist a beautiful fusion of history, culture, and natural wonder. From its famous churches, museums, and landmarks, visitors can view the life of the Ilocanos during the Spanish Regime. Its falls and beaches, on the other hand can serve as a sanctuary of tranquility for tourists living the busy life.

The province is also famed as the hometown of former President Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled the country in authoritarian fashion for 22 years. Visitors can also take a glimpse of his life through the museums established in his honor.

Demographics

1. Population – 547, 284 (as of 2007 census)
2. Land Area – 3,399.3 sq. km.
3. Capital – Laoag City
4. Language/Dialect –Ilocano/Iloko, Tagalog, English
5. Divisions

Cities (2)

• Batac City
• Laoag City

Municipalities (21)

• Adams
• Bacarra
• Badoc
• Bangui
• Banna (Espiritu)
• Burgos
• Carasi
• Currimao
• Dingras
• Dumalneg
• Marcos
• Nueva Era
• Pagudpud
• Paoay
• Pasuquin
• Piddig
• Pinili
• San Nicolas
• Sarrat
• Solsona
• Vintar

Paoay Church
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the church was built in 1704 and completed in 1894. The cornerstone bell tower served as the observation post of the Katipuneros during the Philippine Revolution.

Bagnui-Pagudpud Beach
The municipalities of Bangui and Pagudpud have a long stretch of beaches which has become a favorite tourist destination.

Bangui Wind Farm
Composed of 15 wind turbines towering at 70 meters tall, it serves as one of the main power source of Ilocandia.

Delectable Foods
Tourist can sink their teeth in some of the most famous cuisines of Ilocandia.
1. Bagnet – local lechon kawali (deep fried pork skin and meat)
2. Dinengdeng – bagoong or fermented fish sauce base soup with mixed vegetables
3. Papaitan or Pinapaitan - tamarind and bile flavored stew of tripes and innards.

Cultural

Juan Luna Shrine
Location: Badoc, Ilocos Norte
This is the reconstructed residence of the Luna family that was converted to a museum. Some of Juan Luna’s paintings can be found here including a reproduction of his famous work, the Spoliarium.

Marcos Museum and Mausoleum (Balay Tili)
Location: Batac City, Ilocos Norte
The ancestral house of the Marcos clan has long served as the keeper of the precious items and embalmed remains of former President Ferdinand Marcos.

Malacañang of the North
Location: Paoay, Ilocos Norte
The residence turned museum was the official residence of former President Ferdinand Marcos in Ilocos during his presidency. Former President Fidel Ramos also stayed here whenever he had meetings or events in the north.

Museo Ilocos Norte
Location: Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Nicknamed “gameng”, an Ilocano word for treasure, the museum showcases the varied ethnicity and multi-faceted cultural heritage of the Ilocano people.

Paoay Church (St. Augustine Church)
Location: Paoay, Ilocos Norte
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, the church is made from coral blocks and stucco-plastered bricks. The architectural design is influenced by Baroque, Oriental, and Gothic.

Historical

Tobacco Monopoly Monument
Location: Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
The monument was erected in in remembrance of the Tobacco Monopoly implemented by the Spaniards from 1872 to 1881. During this time, Filipinos were forced to plant tobacco to be delivered to and solely sold by the government.

General Ricarte National Shrine
Location: Batac City, Ilocos Norte
The shrine was built in honor of General Artemio Ricarte, who is now known as the “Father of the Philippine Army”. The residents of Batac, his hometown, commemorate his contributions every July 31, his death anniversary.

Aglipay Shrine
Location: Pinili, Ilocos Norte
A revolutionary figure, Fr. Gregorio Aglipay stood squarely behind the oppressed people of God when he founded his protestant sect known as the Filipino Independent Church.

Man-made

Bangiui Wind Farm
Location: Bangui, Ilocos Norte
Northwind Bangui Bay Project is a 25-megawatt wind power generation plant, the first wind power plant in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia. The facility, composed of 15 wind turbines towering at 70 meters tall, provides 40% of the power requirement for Ilocos Norte.

Sinking Belltower
Location: Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Located 85 meters away from St. William Cathedral, the 45 meter high bell tower has sunk to the ground and leaned slightly to the right. Back then, a man on a horse can pass through the door freely. Now, tourists have to stoop down to enter the door.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
Location: Burgos, Ilocos Norte
The lighthouse is one of the oldest and the tallest in the country. Built in 1892, it still sends out signals to ships passing by the Cape facing the northern portion of the South China Sea.

Natural

Bangui – Pagudpud Beaches
Location: Bangui – Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
The municipalities of Bangui and Pagudpud have a long stretch of beaches which has become a favorite tourist destination.

Anuplig Waterfalls
Location: Adams, Ilocos Norte
Several waterfalls can be found in the municipality of Adams. Visitors enjoy its cool waters surrounded by lush greenery. Local guides are trained to guide tourist in exploring the waterfalls.

Paoay Lake National Park
Location: Paoay, Ilocos Norte
This 470-hectare landlocked lake was declared as a National Park under Republic Act 5631 on June 21, 1969. Its environs have been turned into a sports complex.

Religious

St. William Cathedral
Location: Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
A chapel of wood and thatch was originally built on the same site when the Augustinian Friars founded the parish in 1580. In 1612, the Augustinians built the Italian Renaissance-inspired church. It is one of the biggest cathedrals in the country and the seat of the Diocese of Laoag. The deeply recessed niche shows the patron saint of the city of Laoag, Saint William the hermit.

Sta. Monica Church
Location: Sarrat, Ilocos Norte
This century-old church is of Neo-classical and Baroque architecture. The church, convent, and bell tower began construction in 1669 and were completed in 1679. It features a 137-meter nave that is the longest in the country, according to the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Encyclopedia of Philippine Art.

La Virgin Milagrosa Shrine Of Badoc
Location: Parish of Saint John the Baptist, Badoc, Ilocos Norte
Estimated to be 400 years old, the revered image of La Virgen Milagros de Badoc is enshrined and venerated in the more than 200 year old imposing brick-and-stone baroque church.

Pamulinawen Festival
Place: February 4 - 10
Date: Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
It coincides with the feast day of St. William the Hermit, the patron of Laoag City. Highlights of event include the Dulang Food Festival, a showcase of Laoagueños cuisine; street pageantry; Calesa Festival, Komedya Ilocano; Balikbayan Night; and beauty pageant.

Guling-Guling Festival
Place: Paoay, Ilocos Norte
Date: Tuesday before Ash Wednesday
Locals are dressed with their Ilocano costumes and dance and sing around the town while given the sign of the cross made from pounded rice grains. The Ilocano word “guling” means to mark or smear.

Damili Festival
Place: San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte
Date: December 25
Celebrated at a festivity in honor of the local industry of pottery. Damili is a red variety of clay used by the locals to create pots and damili tiles.

Magdadaran :Talip Festival
Place: Adams and Carrasi, Ilocos Norte
This is to remember the peace treaty between Itneg ethnic tribes settling at Ilocandia. Highlights of the celebration include the “panagtagnawa” rites, an indigenous sports competition, a native food cook fest, dance-drama contests, and beauty pageant.