Explore the North
Juan de Salcedo and his men landed in Vigan in June 13, 1572 and then proceeded towards Laoag, Currimao and Badoc. They were surprised to see numerous sheltered coves (“looc”) where the locals in harmony as they sailed along the coast. Because of this, they named the region “Ylocos” and its people “Ylocanos”.
Ilocos Norte has 21 towns namely — Adams, Bacarra, Badoc, Bangui, Banna, Burgos, Carasi, Currimao, Dingras, Dumalneg, Marcos, Nueva Era, Pagudpud, Paoay, Pasuquin, Piddig, Pinili, San Nicolas, Sarrat, Solsona & Vintar.
ADAMS
The Municipality of Adams has remarkable resemblance with the city of Baguio in terms of climate and topography. Its cloud-capped mountains are covered by lush vegetation. Owing to its isolated location, development is slow. The town can only be reached by tedious and risky travel from its neighboring towns. (http://old.ilocosnorte.gov.ph/adams/)
The Bugnay (Wild Blueberries) Wine of Adams. Image source https://blauearth.com/2010/05/30/the-wines-of-ilocos-norte/.
Bugnay (Wild Blueberries) Wine is the most popular product of Adams. Another product is the Tapuey (Rice Wine). The Tapuey Wine is made through fermentation by adding yeast to half-cooked organic mountain diket or balintanaw, sticky rice varieties.
Tapuey making is an art mastered by Lola Ingga Acupan of Adams. She inherited the recipe from her Kankanaey ancestors. Text and photo courtesy of https://blauearth.com/2010/05/30/the-wines-of-ilocos-norte/
BACARRA
The famous and regal Bacarra Church was creatively fashioned from high grade indigenous materials. Unbelievably, it has no cement, granite stones and even adobe. Instead, its creative architects had used coral bricks out of sticky clays and molasses which were mixed with sablot leaves. These are the kinds of leaves that are combined with trees and then dipped in water. Image source http://www.poklat.com/bacarra-church-norths-leaning-tower/
The centuries-old, domeless, leaning bell tower of Bacarra. Image source https://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g2223500-d3943120-i168306969-Acrobatic_Bell_Tower-Bacarra_Ilocos_Norte_Province_Ilocos_Region_Luzon.html
BADOC
Badoc is bounded on the south by the Province of Ilocos Sur; on the north by the town of Pinili; on the west by the Luzon Sea; and on the east by the Municipality of Nueva Era. The town got its name from badok-badok (phleum-pratense), a plant which abounds in the locality.
The La Virgen Milagrosa Chapel where the La Virgen Milagrosa was enshrined. Image source http://badoc.info/
The inside of the La Virgen Milagrosa Chapel.
BANGUI
Bangui is bounded by the Bangui Bay on the north; the Municipality of Burgos on the west; Pagudpud on the northeast; Dumalneg on the east; and Adams on the southeast. (http://old.ilocosnorte.gov.ph/bangui/)
The Bangui Wind Farm, commonly known as the Bangui Windmills is considered to be the first and largest wind farm built in SouthEast Asia. Image source http://blog.mangotours.com/2013/08/at-glance-bangui-wind-farm-bangui.html?m=1
BANNA
According to legend, Banna had pre-hispanic origin. It was a prosperous village, inhabited bt Tinggguian settlers, located in the eastern part of Ilocos Norte. It was ruled by a chieftain named Banna. Whose wisdom and courage united and emboldened his people. It was said that when the Spanish colonizers tried to Christianize the village, Banna resisted. He fought the Spanish priest. Soldiers and native Christian settlers who treacherously railed it while Banna and his subjects were celebrating his birthday. The Tingguians were defeated, but managed to escape with their chief. What was left of their settlements was consequently turned into a Spanish town, with a parish priest and native local officials. In honor of its former pre-hispanic ruler, its inhabitants preferred to call their new Christian village, Banna. (http://old.ilocosnorte.gov.ph/banna/)
The Municipal Hall of Banna, Ilocos Norte. Image source https://www.zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=Banna,_Ilocos_Norte,_Philippines
The famous Banna Otap, a flaky sugared pastry. It is made of crispy thin phyllo, which resembles the delicate quality of arguellanas. Image source https://blauearth.com/2014/02/09/discovering-banna-otap/
BURGOS
The lighthouse at Cape Bojeador was built in 1892 with a tower that stands 66 ft, built on a hill overlooking Cape Bojeador. The ligthouse is still in good shape unlike any other lighthouses in the Philippines that are already in ruins. Image source https://boyplakwatsa.com/2010/12/01/burgos-ilocos-norte/
The town was first known as Nagparitan, the early inhabitants were called Mumburi and known as a wild and fierce people who prevented the Christianized natives from settling in the vicinity. When the Spaniards came to the area, the people staged a revolt, captured the priest and mutilated his body. Because of this incident, the Spaniards change the name of Nagparitan, meaning prohibit, to Nagpartian which means the place of slaughter. (http://old.ilocosnorte.gov.ph/burgos/)
The Kapurpurawan rock formation. The word “Kapurpurawan” means whiteness in English and this place was named as such due to its distinctive grand white linestone formations within the sea. Image source http://www.whatsnewph.com/2011/06/kapurpurawan-rock-formation-ilocos.html?m=1
CARASI
The Sabo Dam of Carasi has crystal clear waters and they said that the reason behind this crystal clear waters is because no one lives upstream. Image source http://www.ivanhenares.com/2009/12/ilocos-norte-carasi-road-trip-to-sabo.html?m=1
Carasi is one of the three Itneg mountain towns of Ilocos Norte, the other two beings Adams and Dumalneg.
CURRIMAO
The Pangil Beach Rock Formation where you can take a swim with the small fishes while being surrounded by the coral reefs. Image source http://www.flickriver.com/places/Philippines/Ilocos+Region/Currimao/recent/
Currimao is located in the southwestern portion of Ilocos Norte facing the China Sea; bounded on the north of Paoay; on the south by Pinili and Badoc; and on the west by the China Sea. A landlocked municipality with flat, rolling and mountains terrain, it is considered as one of the smallest town of the province, with a total land area of 33.08 square kilometers.
The Port of Currimao where the Hong Kong-owned luxury cruise ships, Star Cruises’ Superstar Virgo docked. The Governor of Ilocos Norte said that the facilities of ythe port will be upgraded to attract more cruise ship to atrive in the area. Inage source https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/03/24/imee-marcos-mulls-upgrade-of-currimao-port-in-ilocos-norte/
The famous Currimao Bibingka made with glutinous rice and coconut topped with peanuts. The consistency actually reminds you of tikoy. Photo courtesy of Ivan Henares.
Another famous delicacy from Currimao is the tupig. It is made by mixing in margarine, milk, and cheese to add flavor to the glutinous rice and coconut and cooked by baking it in a traditional wood-fired oven. Photo courtesy of Ivan Henares.
DINGRAS
The town was said to have derived from the names of Ding and Ras. Ding was the son of a chieftain called Naaslag, who ruled the northern part of the river of Dingras. Ras, on the otherhand, was the daughter of Allawigan, the chief of the southern part of the river. At one time, these two chiefs were in perennial war with each other. One day, son Ding defeated the warriors of Allawigan. Ding took Ras as his prize from the conquered northern ruler and married her. The union ende the feud between Naaslag and Allawigan. As the two kingdoms merged as one great power in the valley, their place became known henceforth known as Dingras. (http://old.ilocosnorte.gov.ph/dingras/)
The famous Madungan river diversion dam of Dingras, Ilocos Norte. The dam started out as a regular dam that supplied water to nearby towns, but as water levels decreased, slowly became a tourist spot for visitors to swim and frolic in. Photo by Rowell Rillera.
DUMALNEG
Image source: Flickr
About 90 percent of the inhabitants of the municipality belong to the cultural minority group. Originally, its population was composed purely of mountain tribal people, but intermarriages and migrations caused the assimilation of lowlanders into the municipality through the passage of Sanggunian Panlalawigan Resolution No. 78. A proclamation was issued by the Office of the President upon its approval. (http://old.ilocosnorte.gov.ph/dumalneg/)
MARCOS
Photo courtesy of wikimapia.org
Marcos is called Promise land by the inhabitants because of its vast expanse of contiguous and fertile delta areas. The town has lush vegetation and terrain which is suitable for rice faming- the main livelihood of the Ilocanos. Marcos is being groomed to become for bread basket of Ilocos Norte in the near future. (http://old.ilocosnorte.gov.ph/marcos/)
NUEVA ERA
This site had been a Spanish settlement as early as 1672. A local historian claimed that it was originally peopled by 800 Tingguians who came from Abra. It was believed that they were the progeny of the missionaries and other foreigners like the Calibug Bulawa, Kapitan Tico, Santiago Duyan and Cipriano Acnam. (http://old.ilocosnorte.gov.ph/nueva-era/)
The Nueva Era Cultural Park offers treehouses to be your accomodation if ever you want to stay in the place. Aside from the treehouses, there are also bungalows and a camp site if you want to take your adventure outdoors to a higher level. Photo courtesy of Ivan Henares.
A museum was also erected to showcase the Tingguian culture. Photo courtesy of Ivan Henares.
PAGUDPUD
From top to bottom right: Welcome Arch passing through Pan-Philippine Highway, Dos Hermanos Islands, Bantay Abot Cave, Patapat Viaduct overlooking Pasaleng Bay, and Blue Lagoon. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
Pagudpud lies on the northwest coast of the province and on the western slope of the Northern Cordillera Mountain Ranges, bounded by the China Sea on the north; the towns of Bangui and Dumalneg on the South ; Adams on the East; and by the south China Sea on the west. The municipality has a flat and mountains topography. It has a total land area of 214 square kilometers
PAOAY
The Paoay Church known as one of the best religious structures left by the Spaniards, built and completed in 1699–1707 under forced labor, is regarded as the embodiment of the colonial Filipino style.
Paoay lies on the tiny strip of Iloco Norte’s coastal plain facing the China Sea, bounded by the City of Laoag on the north; Currimao on the south; Sarrat on the east; and the Luzon Sea on the west. It has a total land area of 76.24 square kilometers. (http://old.ilocosnorte.gov.ph/paoay/)
The Suba Sand Dunes where tourists and visitors can enjoy sandboarding, located at Suba, Paoay, Ilocos Norte. The sand dunes adventure is a hot tourist destination for all tourists who wish to visit the place, they can also rent a 4x4 vehicle to drive along the sand dunes. Photo by Freddie G. Lazaro.
PASUQUIN
Pasuquin is known for its salt-making industry. During off-season, people resort to salt making thereby increasing the income of the townspeople. Photo courtesy of TheHappyTrip.Com
Itnegs were the first settlers of the town. They were followed by a group known as the Ibaliws, who were the first to put up encampments with flat roofs of cogon grass and large tree leaves.
Another famous product of Pasuquin is the Biscocho baked by Pasuquin Bakery slightly flavored with anise (which people said it is how it tastes in Spain) and it comes in soft and crunchy varieties. Photo courtesy of Pork in the Road.
PIDDIG
Piddig is picturesquely spread on the crests and slopes of rolling hills between the Guisit and Baramban rivers. Because of it hilly position, the people called Pidipid which was later changed to Piddig. (http://old.ilocosnorte.gov.ph/piddig/)
The Basi Monument in remembrance of the Basi Revolt. The Basi Revolt happened during the Spanish Era when the government forbid the private manufacturers to sell Basi in the public and force the market (the people) to buy Basi from the government. The revolt is a symbol of heroic movement of the Ilocanoes love for Basi. Image source http://wind-master-artist-kanutowoong.blogspot.com/2012/05/basi-revolt-movement-for-love-of.html?m=1
PINILI
Image source http://ph.geoview.info/pinili_municipal_hall_pinili_ilocos_norte,51801288p
Historically, the town of Pinili was used as training ground of the Sandatahans led by Bishop Gregorio Aglipay, the founder of the Aglipayan Church, who used his influence as a Catholic priest to prevent the execution of the Filipinos at the height of the Filipino-American War. Pinili, which means selected, was chosen as the name of the town because it was here that Bishop Aglipay constructed his hideout as a last ditch effort to foght the aggressors. (http://old.ilocosnorte.gov.ph/pinili/)
SAN NICOLAS
The town was established as the first visita of Ilocos Norte in 1584. Originally, it was a visita of Laoag which was known by the name of Caluntian. In 1617, Caluntian was separated from its matrix which is Laoag. This paved the way for the town to become independent parish under the new name San Nicolas, the titular patron. (http://old.ilocosnorte.gov.ph/san-nicolas/)
This is Paulina Rangcapan, 85 years old and the oldest damili potter in town. San Nicolas is known for its pottery making and it still alive and blooming following the local governments thrust in promoting the towns’ old-age pottery. Image source https://katrinajoline.wordpress.com/2017/03/06/nana-paulina-the-oldest-damili-potter-in-san-nicolas/
SARRAT
The Santa Monica Church had got to be built in one of the most picturesque settings in the country. The church’s claim to fame was that it was host to the grand wedding of Irene Marcos, daughter of former President Ferdinand Marcos, and Gregorio Araneta in 1983. Unfortunately, two months after the wedding, an earthquake hit Ilocos Norte and the altar and facade of the church was destroyed and they were never able to reconstruct the Baroque facade. Photo by Ivan Henares
The Edralin House, the birthplace of former president Ferdinand Marcos can also be found in the town. The house was heavily renovated during the Marcos presidency and today, it hosts a small museum. Photo courtesy by Ivan Henares.
SOLSONA
The Sabu Dam is one of the water resources of Solsona. It has crystal clear water and the residents sometimes, come here to take a swim, chill and sometimes do their laundry as the water is running downstream. Photo by TheBandwagonChic.com
One of the twin mountains of the Northern Cordillera range is the Mt. Tumarid which is a little explored mountain. Its name Tumarid is Ilocano in origin which means “sharp.” The other mountain is Mt. Simagaysay, which means “comb.” At the tip of the Timarid ridge the trail branches off into two: the right leads to the elusive and majestic Mt. Sicapoo, the never-been-summitted highest point in the Ilocos Region. The left turn is no less of an adventure as it leads to Gasgas River and its numerous stream crossings. Image source http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2009/08/mt-simagaysay-1402-traverse-to.html
VINTAR
Hidden in the lush forest, lies a paradise, a seven layered waterfall where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over the steep region of the mountains is the Pekkan Falls. Photo by PREPERO.