ILOCOS SUR- An Exquisitely Amazing Province!
Ilocos Sur is a province blessed with spectacular and rich culture, history, tradition that would make every Ilocano proud. It also offers so many attractive places to visit. So, stay with me as I give you a little journey discovering the beauty of this wonderful province!
VIGAN CITY
Are you excited? Let’s start this little tour by exploring first the famous Vigan City. This very captivating and historical city is definitely one of the most beautiful cities in the Philippines.
Located here is the well-known “Calle Crisologo” or “heritage village” which is the best preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. The whole world was amazed by its elegance making it to the list of the New Wonder Cities of the world.
When visiting this wonderful city, it is a sure must to have a taste of their delicious and savory cuisines namely empanada and crispy bagnet. There are already a lot of stalls selling these famous cuisines so make certain to satisfy your tummies with these kinds of food.
There are MORE attractions Ilocos Sur could offer to every visitor. Here are the other beautiful spots you can enjoy and the famous products of every munipality. Enjoy discovering ILOCOS SUR!
BANTAY
One of the most iconic symbol in this place is the Bantay Bell Tower. You can reach this after a ten to fifteen-minute kalesa ride from Calle Crisologo. The bell tower is situated on a hill, making it the best vantage point for those who were assigned to watch over the towns of Vigan and Bantay.
The Carballo Mountains is a mountain range that offers a scenic view. There are several hiking destinations along this area, so you can exercise your legs here, for sure! Aside from that, it has natural springs — you can take a dip and just relax while you look at the beautiful skies overhead and breathe in the fresh provincial air.
The Abel is the traditional woven product of Bantay. This is made from yarns of cotton, known for being a strong and colorful material that some families have them as treasure that last as long like their antique furnishings.
STA. MARIA
Pinsal Falls is located in Brgy. Gusing of Santa Maria and is considered as the largest waterfalls here in Ilocos Region. A trip to Pinsal Falls is not complete without climbing the carved steps to the top where more natural pools are found.
You can also find a Beautiful beach along Barangay Suso here in Sta. Maria having a clear and refreshing waters. This wonderful place is very tempting for picnic and swimming for tourists and vacationists.
Sugarcane vinegar are made from sugar cane juice and one of the most popular here in the municipality of Sta. Maria where it is called “Sukang Iloko”. It has a fresher taste compared to other vinegar.
CABUGAO
Monte Costa is a relaxing retreat amidst plenty of trees and greeneries while enjoying the breezy coast of the West Philippine Sea. It is a private resort showcasing bundles of luxuries. You will find the Resort an exquisite place to build memories on.
Located here in Pug-os, Cabugao is their fine beach having a white sand stretching to more than half a kilometer. This sloping seabed make it a top favorite among town mates and tourists for swimming, picnics or fun hiking.
One of the products of Cabugao is Bamboo Craft. Bamboo is one of the most common materials used in house constructions in the provinces called “kubo” or “nipa hut” and now used in making various kinds of crafts.
GREGORIO DEL PILAR
Tirad Pass National Park is declared as a National Shrine located in the Municipality of Gregorio Del Pilar. As what we studied in our “Araling Panlipunan”, Tirad Pass was the last stand of the Filipino Revolutionary Forces under the command of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and this Battle of Tirad Pass was led by the youngest Filipino Gen. Gregorio del Pilar.
An adventurous destination you can also try is the Tirad Peak which towers above the historical trail of Tirad Pass. With the trails now established, it is possible to visit Tirad Pass and Tirad Peak in one trip — combining a scenic, historical trail with a challenging and very rewarding peak to conquer.
Famous product here in Gregorio del Pilar is the Coffee Bean. This is a seed of the coffee plant, and is the source for coffee. Even though they are seeds, they are called ‘beans’ because of their resemblance to true beans.
SANTIAGO
Vitalis Villas is a beautiful Santorini-inspired resort located at Santiago, Ilocos Sur. It’s Greek-style villas are rested on a mountain cliff, overlooking the beautiful sea and Santiago cove. Everyone will love this resort because of it’s romantic vibe, fine sand, cobalt blue waters, beautiful warm sunset, yummy food, and beachfront location.
You can also visit the Santiago Cove, a beautiful stretch of fine sand beach in Santiago town, a perfect spot for picnics as well as for swimming. Cottages located alongside can be rented at reasonable price. Small establishments for eating are also found nearby. The cove has a perfect crescent-shaped shore (like a half moon)
TAGUDIN
The Municipality of Tagudin, is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. The name of the municipality was derived from a native cotton drying rack called “tagudan.”
The view deck is located in Brgy. Bio which is the southernmost barangay in Tagudin, also the first barangay you have to take in Ilocandia when you are traveling by land from the south. The viewing deck is located at the top of a hill.
There are a lot of calamansi plants at Tagudin. So the extracted juice from the calamansi are being processed and bottled commercially as ready-to-drink Calamansi Juice, best juice to drink specially for those who have cough.
BANAYOYO
Banana is one of the most abundant fruit crops in Banayoyo. It is also one of the sources of income for farmers. Banayoyo has various ideas in turning banana into many processed products. Banana can be processed to make Banana Flour, Banana Pastilyas, Banana Puree, Dried Banana Blossoms, Banana Chips, and Pastilyas De Saging.
ALILEM
Alilem is one of the water-wonder town of Ilocos Sur because it was blessed with rich water resources. Aside from being the home of the Alilem Hydropower plant, it also a town teaming with beautiful waterfalls.
The photo above is the Balay Anito Falls and it is also known as the Baey Anito Falls). This wonderful falls can be reached via an approximately one hour of trekking through slippery and mossy trail.
CAOAYAN
Before Caoayan become a municipality, it was once a barrio of Vigan City. And now, Caoayan is a 4th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur. Its name is originated from the local name of the bamboo.
Pinakbet Farm located at Caoayan is a small restaurant overlooking one of the tributaries of Meztizo River. Tables and benches are neatly arranged on a pavilion-type open-aired setting. Wood dominates the theme of the restaurant; which makes it cvery rustic and provincial ambience.
An apparently ordinary bridge at daytime becomes astonishing at night. Dazzling lights cover the whole span of the bridge making it different to other bridges in Ilocos Sur. This bridge serves as the gateway to the Caoayan town proper being separated by the Coayan river.
SAN ILDEFONSO
The Municipality of San Ildefonso, is a 5th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur. 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 fermenting boiled, freshly extracted, sugar cane juice. The juice is then boiled in vats and stored in jars. Once it has been cooled, flavorings are added. The mixture is left for up to three months to ferment and up to one year to age. The final product is a light brown color and has a sweet and a sour flavor.
NARVACAN
The famous must-try activity here at Narvacan is the Paragliding which gives you an adrenaline as you glide smoothly into the skies with the West Philippine Sea in the horizon and mountain ranges of the Ilocandia.
If you want to be totally mesmerized with the beauty of Narvacan, you can pitch tent and camp near the Arko Restaurant and do a tribal kind of bonfire, or be caressed by the sea breeze at the beachfront sand dunes.
The town of Narvacan is synonymous to the well-loved regional delicacy called bagnet, a deep-fried pork belly, fried till the skin crackles which is similar to the popular lechon kawali. Eaten as an appetizer, main dish or topping to the equally popular pinakbet of Ilocos Sur.
SALCEDO
One of the famous waterfalls here at Salcedo is the one located at the Barangay Dinaratan. You need to hike upstream to the falls and there are three more cascades that you will encounter before you arrived at the main waterfalls.
The Rambutan, is a medium-sized tropical tree. In Santiago, Ilocos Sur, rambutan trees grows infront of their backyards, hence, it makes them to be their main product. I love this fruit!
STO. DOMINGO
The Municipality of Santo Domingo,is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur. The name of the municipality came from its old moniker, “Paggappuan ti Santol ti Domingo,” an Ilocano term meaning “The source of the Santol sold every Sunday.”
Puerto Beach has been one of the best places for hanging out and party in Sto. Domingo town situated at the western coast of the Luzon Island. It’s spectacular sunset is really inviting. Calm waters and the spectacular sunset of Puerto Beach is a perfect blend for travelers and hang-outers!
Canton Noodles with Squash is a nutritious noodle prepared from a blend of wheat flour, squash puree, salt, egg, and noodle improver. This is the main product of Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur
MAGSINGAL
Magsingal is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. The name of the municipality came from the term “Mayisingal,” an Ilocano term which means “to be moved.” It was applied when the belltower was moved from a previous location to its current site.
The Magsingal National Branch Museum is one of the branches of the National Museum of the Philippines and it is housed in the rectory of an old Spanish brick church here in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur.
Beside the Magsingal Museum (a branch of the National Museum in Ilocos Region) which is frequently mistaken as the town church is their unique and strong belfry that mightily stands alone.
*photo credits to the Internet, except on the first two photos above which are originally taken by me.