North Flavor: A taste of Ilocos Sur
Welcome to Province of Ilocos Sur!
Ilocos Sur (Ilocano: Makin-abagatan nga Ilocos) is a province in the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Vigan City, located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the provincial capital. Ilocos Sur is bordered by Ilocos Norte and Abra to the north, Mountain Province to the east, La Union and Benguet to the south and the South China Seato the west.
Ilocos Sur was founded by the Spanish conquistador, Juan de Salcedo in 1572. It was formed when the north (now Ilocos Norte) split from the south (Ilocos Sur). At that time it included parts of Abra and the upper half of present-day La Unión. The current boundary of the province was permanently defined through Act 2683, which was signed in March 1917. (Wikipedia)
Here in Ilocos Sur, we have 32 municipalities and two cities. And these divisions have exceptional tourist spots that will surely attract travelers and wanderers.
ALILEM
Alilem, officially the Municipality of Alilem, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 6,695 people.
The word Alilem was derived from the words “Alicono” (whirlpool) and “Lemlem” (heavy downpour).
BANAYOYO
Banayoyo, officially the Municipality of Banayoyo, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 7,748 people.[3]
Settlements in the municipality are mostly established along the roads and in the areas near the people’s sources of livelihood. With limited economic opportunities in the municipality, some residents of the town have also left their town to seek higher education, better employment opportunities, better opportunities for trade and commerce not only to other more developed areas in the country but even abroad.
Banayoyo was named after a tree that had lived for years. It was formerly known as Bacsayan.
BANTAY
Bantay, officially the Municipality of Bantay, is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 35,731 people.[3] It is situated just north-east of Vigan, the Provincial Capital.
BURGOS
Burgos, officially the Municipality of Burgos, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 12,224 people.
Burgos came into existence in 1831 when Father Bernardino Logo was able to convert many natives into the folds of Christianity. The resulting town became Nueva Coveta. It was envied by its neighbors because of its peace and order, as well as its progress, since it sold its resulting products in places as far as Pangasinan and Tarlac.
Burgos became a township of Santa Maria in the latter period of Ilocos Sur’s Spanish Era. It was later named in honor of Father José Burgos.
CABUGAO
Cabugao, officially the Municipality of Cabugao, is a 1st class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 37,501 people.
In the beginning, the place was only a wilderness, a thick forest where peaceful nomadic tribesman roamed and hunted. For fish, which were also abundant, there was a river. On these occasional visits, the hunters noticed the fertile and flatlands that can be tilled and they decided to stay. They were the first settlers.
CANDON CITY
Candon, officially the City of Candon, is a 4th class component city in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 60,623 people.[3]
Dubbed as the “Tobacco Capital of the Philippines” the city is the country’s largest producer of Virginia-type tobacco.
This once small resort town is known for making the heaviest and largest kalamay, a sweet and sticky snack made from sticky rice, coconut milk and sugar, in the world. This city also has a rich historical background. In its legends, the name of the city is derived from the legendary “kandong” tree which is now but extinct in the area. Its patron saint is John of Sahagun and his feast day is celebrated every June 12.[4]
Candon is the center of the 2nd district of Ilocos Sur. Government District offices are all located in the city. The city supports more than 100,000 citizens in terms of commercial and industrial services.
CAOAYAN
Caoayan, officially the Municipality of Caoayan, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 19,861 people. It is the home of Elpidio Quirino, the 6th President of the Republic of the Philippines.
Caoayan, which was once a barrio of Ciudad Fernandina, now Vigan, became a municipality in 1911. Don Dimas Querubin was the town’s founder and got elected as the first municipal mayor. He was succeeded by his son, Don Asterio Q. Querubin I, who served for four terms and became president of the Mayors’ League of Ilocos Sur.
CERVANTES
Cervantes, officially the Municipality of Cervantes, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 17,211 people.[3]
The municipality is officially the Summer Capital of Ilocos Sur. It has a relatively cooler climate than most of lowland Ilocos Sur due to its geographical location and proximity to Mountain Province and Benguet. The municipality is home to the Bessang Pass Natural Monument.
GALIMUYOD
Galimuyod, officially the Municipality of Galimuyod, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 10,748 people.
This town, formerly known as Cabisilan, was once the biggest barrio of Candon during the Spanish Regime. A land dispute between them and residents of neighboring Sapang, another barrio of Candon, resulted in a “gin-nuyod” (Ilocano for “tug-of-war”) contest, a common game during those days, to settle it. The people of Cabisilan won over the people of Sapang, making Cabisilan the center of barrios near it. The old folks renamed the barrio Galimuyod, from the Ilocano words tali (“rope”) and ginuyod (“pulled”).
GREGORIO DEL PILAR
Gregorio del Pilar, officially the Municipality of Gregorio del Pilar, is a 5th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 4,875 people.[3]
Formerly named Concepcion (in honor of its patron saint, Nuestra Senora de Concepcion), it was renamed after general Gregorio del Pilar by virtue of Republic Act №1246 on June 10, 1955.[4] It was sponsored by Congressman Ricardo Gacula. The municipality was the site of the Battle of Tirad Pass where General Pilar fought to the death against the Americans.
LIDLIDDA
Lidlidda, officially the Municipality of Lidlidda, is a 5th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 4,647 people.[3]
It is home to the Lidlidda Protected Landscape, a protected area situated in the municipality’s watershed.
MAGSINGAL
Magsingal, officially the Municipality of Magsingal, is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 30,792 people.[3]
Magsingal is 419 kilometres (260 mi) from Metro Manila and 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) from Vigan City, the provincial capital.
NAGBUKEL
Nagbukel, officially the Municipality of Nagbukel, is a 5th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 5,259 people.
The name of the municipality was thought to have come from the round shape of one of the hills in the area. People in the area would utter, “Anian nga nagbukel” (Ilocanomeaning “How round it is.”).
NARVACAN
Narvacan, officially the Municipality of Narvacan, is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 44,006 people.[3]
Narvacan is 375 kilometres (233 mi) from Metro Manila and 32 kilometres (20 mi) from Vigan City, the provincial capital.
This is officially called, “Paraiso ni Juan.” It is named after Capitan Juan de Salcedo who was shipwrecked in this area. Peewee said that this grotto was made famous by the late Fernando Poe Jr., who shot several scenes in his movie, “Ang Panday.”
In Noah, tourists may enjoy Mountain climbing, Zipline and Kite surfing, and Rapelling.
QUIRINO
Quirino, officially the Municipality of Quirino, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 8,573 people.
Formerly known as Angaki (also spelled Angkaki in some sources), the municipality was renamed in June 1964 to Quirino in honor of Elpidio Quirino, the sixth President of the Philippines.
SALCEDO
Salcedo, officially the Municipality of Salcedo, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 11,288 people.[3]
Formerly known as Baugen, it was renamed to Salcedo by virtue of Republic Act №1627 after the Spanish Conquistador Juan de Salcedo on June 20, 1957.
SAN EMILIO
San Emilio, officially the Municipality of San Emilio, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 7,407 people.
SAN ESTEBAN
San Esteban, officially the Municipality of San Esteban, is a 5th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 8,349 people.[3]
San Esteban is 363 kilometres (226 mi) from Metro Manila and 44 kilometres (27 mi) from Vigan City, the provincial capital.
SAN ILDEFONSO
San Ildefonso, officially the Municipality of San Ildefonso, is a 5th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 7,787 people.[3]
The town is rich in rice, corn, sugarcane, malunggay, katuday & fruit-bearing trees such as star apple, chico, mango, camachile & atis. Its main product is basi, a wine made from fermented sugarcane juice; as well as cane vinegar. They also make nutritious ice cream made up of vegetables in Barangay Bungro, and is being popularized by the town’s local government.
San Ildefonso was a former rancheria of Bantay before it became a municipality, but because of its size it was annexed to Santo Domingo as a barrio. In 1921, Assemblyman (and future Philippine president) Elpidio Quirinoworked to convert San Ildefonso into a municipality again.
SAN JUAN
San Juan, formerly Lapog and officially the Municipality of San Juan, is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 26,411 people.[3]
Because it produces most of the goods made of buri leaf in the province, it is sometimes called the Buri Capital of Ilocos Sur.
San Juan is 426 kilometres (265 mi) from Metro Manila and 21 kilometres (13 mi) from Vigan City, the provincial capital.
SAN VICENTE
San Vicente, officially the Municipality of San Vicente, is a 5th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 12,758 people.[3]
The municipality is known for its production of beautiful furniture made from narra and other tropical hardwoods, even from old wood previously used in wooden sugarcane crushers and old houses to make reproduction antiques.
SANTA
Santa, officially the Municipality of Santa, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 15,340 people.[3]
Due to Santa’s natural setting (the ridge of Mount Tetas de Santa in the east;[4] the winding Abra River and delta in the north and NW of Santa; and the South China Sea to the west), then Governor-General of the Philippines Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. on his visit in 1925 exclaimed: “The mountain in the east, the winding roping river in the north, and the immense sea in the west make Santa a poetic town.
SANTA CATALINA
Santa Catalina, officially the Municipality of Santa Catalina, is a 5th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 13,945 people.[3]
With an area of 968 hectares (2,390 acres), it is the smallest municipality in the province and the only municipality in Ilocos Sur which has an urban status for all its barangays based on National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB). [2]
The feast of the town is celebrated every 25th day of November to celebrate the feast day of Saint Catherine of Alexandria(town’s patron saint).
SANTA CRUZ
Santa Cruz (/ˈsæntə ˈkruːz/, officially the Municipality of Santa Cruz, is a 1st class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 39,868 people.[3]
Santa Cruz is 333 kilometres (207 mi) from Metro Manila and 74 kilometres (46 mi) from Vigan City, the provincial capital.
SANTA LUCIA
Santa Lucia, officially the Municipality of Santa Lucia, is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 25,402 people.[3]
The town celebrates its annual fiesta on December 13, the feast of its patroness, Saint Lucy.
Santa Lucia is 337 kilometres (209 mi) from Metro Manila and 70 kilometres (43 mi) from Vigan City, the provincial capital.
SANTA MARIA
Santa Maria, officially the Municipality of Santa Maria, is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 30,321 people.[3]
The town is home to the Our Lady of the Assumption Church (Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The townspeople celebrate their patronal fiestain honor of the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of the Assumption (more commonly known as Apo Baket) every August 15 and lasting for several days.
OUR LADY OF ASSUMPTION PARISH. (Photo credit to journeyingjames)
A national landmark, this centuries- old church nestled atop with 86 steps up a hill at the town proper
of Sta. Maria was used as a fortress during the 1896 Revolution and World War II.
It was included in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List in December 1993 together with
three other churches as a classic example of the Philippine Baroque Architecture.
SANTIAGO
Santiago, officially the Municipality of Santiago, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 18,759 people.[3]
Santiago Cove is dubbed as the “Boracay of Ilocos Sur” because of its white sands.[4]
Santiago is the headquarters of the Ilocos Sur Electric Cooperative (ISECO), which distributes electricity to the entire province.
Santiago is 358 kilometres (222 mi) from Metro Manila and 49 kilometres (30 mi) from Vigan City, the provincial capital.
Vitalis Villas is the most exclusive of luxury accommodations perched high on the mountain cliffs overlooking the sea and the beautiful Santiago Cove. The villas are crafted in traditional Greek architectural style and offer the warmth of Filipino Island charm and the convenience of modern amenities.
Step into the dove-white houses, cobalt blue sea and powdery white sands of Santiago, Ilocos Sur. The landscapes will overwhelm you, the sunsets will enchant you, and its history will fascinate you. You are bound to become yet Another fanatic, capturing majestic landscapes that you will not find elsewhere In the world.
SANTO DOMINGO
Santo Domingo, officially the Municipality of Santo Domingo, is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 27,975 people.[3]
Santo Domingo is 413 kilometres (257 mi) from Metro Manila and 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from Vigan City, the provincial capital.
SIGAY
Sigay, officially the Municipality of Sigay, is a 5th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 2,737 people.[3]
Nestled near the Cordillera ranges, Sigay has crisp cool air and rustic scenery. Known to nature-lovers, adventurers, campers and mountaineers, the town attracts visitors with its version of the rice terraces, the 142 feet (43 m) Aw-asen Falls, the kilometric hanging bridge, and its picturesque rivers.
SINAIT
Sinait, officially the Municipality of Sinait, is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 25,640 people.[3]
It is the northernmost municipality of the province and is 36 kilometres (22 mi) from the provincial capital, Vigan, 46 kilometres (29 mi) from Laoag, and 441 kilometres (274 mi) from Manila.
Because of its main commodity, garlic, Sinait is also known as the Garlic Center of the North.
SUGPON
Sugpon, officially the Municipality of Sugpon, is a 5th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 4,585 people.
SUYO
Suyo, officially the Municipality of Suyo, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 11,446 people.
TAGUDIN
Tagudin, officially the Municipality of Tagudin, is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 39,277 people.[3]
Tagudin is 316 kilometres (196 mi) from Metro Manila and 91 kilometres (57 mi) from Vigan City, the provincial capital.
VIGAN
Vigan (Ilocano: Siudad ti Vigan; Tagalog: Lungsod ng Vigan; Local pronunciation: [ˈbigän]), officially the City of Vigan, is a 4th class component city and capital of the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 53,879 people.[3]
Located on the western coast of the large island of Luzon, facing the South China Sea, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in that it is one of the few towns left in the Philippines whose old structures have mostly remained intact, and it is well known for its cobblestone streets and a unique architecture of the Philippine colonial era which fuses Native Philippine and Oriental building designs and construction, with colonial Spanish architecture that is still abundant in the area, mainly the Bahay na Bato houses and an Earthquake Baroque church. Former Philippine president Elpidio Quirino, the sixth President of the Philippines, was born in Vigan, at the former location of the Provincial Jail (his father was a warden); he resided in the Syquia Mansion.
In May 2015, Vigan City was officially recognized as one of the New7Wonders Cities together with Beirut, Doha, Durban, Havana, Kuala Lumpur and La Paz.[4] New7Wonders Foundation president and founding member Bernard Weber led a ceremony held at St. Paul Cathedral where he handed a bronze plaque to Vigan Mayor Eva Grace Singson-Medina, signifying the heritage city’s election as one of the world’s wonder cities.
