Ilocos Region (Region 1): Key Attractions
Located on the northwestern coast of Luzon, the Ilocos Region faces the South China
Sea to its west and the Cordilleras to its east. It has four provinces: Pangasinan, La
Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. Ilocos is known has the home of the affluent
Marcoses whose patriarch became the only dictator President of the Philippines.
Much attention has been brought to the Ilocos Region due to the recent efforts of the
Tourism Department to promote its natural and manmade attractions.
The Ilocos Region is largely historical and it also features stunning beaches and
wonderful food. It is home to the Pagudpud Beaches which are some of the best in the
country. Surfing is also a popular pursuit in the southern towns in La Union. And one
must never leave the region without tasting bagnet (deep fried pork), longganisa
(sausage), empanada (stuffed pastry) and pinakbet (stir-fried vegetables).
Key Attractions:
Pagudpud Beaches
Saud Beach Resort in Pagudpud
Saud Beach – one of the finest beaches in the Philippines, Saud beach is actually what
people usually refer to when they talk about Pagudpud beach. The beach boasts of
white sandy shores with a great backdrop of coconut palm trees arrayed beautifully
perfect for a humming sound and gentle breeze during one’s stay here.
Blue Lagoon – this beach used to be a secret, however, as many tourists find the
place to be relaxing and cozy many have to come to see the place themselves.
Blue Lagoon also known as Maira-Ira Point is a crescent-shaped beach with soft
white sand lining its pristine blue waters. The beach is the perfect place to stay if
you want to rest your tired bodies from the day’s event in Ilocos.
Baluarte ni Chavit
There are two good reasons why you should visit Baluarte, also known as the
Fortress: first, because of its mini-zoo that serves as the home of many endemic
animals in the Philippines and second, is that it is actually owned by Mr. Chavit
Singson, a well-known politician in the country.
San Agustin Church of Paoay
The Saint Augustine Church, commonly known as the Paoay Church, is a Roman
Catholic church in the Municipality of Paoay, Ilocos Norte in the Philippines.
Completed in 1710, the church is famous for its distinct architecture highlighted
by the enormous buttresses on the sides and back of the building. It is declared as
a National Cultural Treasure by the Philippine government in 1973 and a
UNESCO World Heritage Site under the collective group of Baroque Churches
of the Philippines in 1993.
Bangui Wind Farm
Bangui Wind Farm is a wind farm in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. The
wind farm uses 20 units of 70-metre high Vestas V82 1.65 MW wind turbines,
arranged in a single row stretching along a nine-kilometer shoreline off Bangui
Bay, facing the West Philippine Sea. Phase I of the NorthWind power project in
Bangui Bay consisted of 15 of those wind turbines, each with a maximum
production capacity of 1.65 MW of electric power, making a total of 24.75 MW.
These 15 on-shore turbines are spaced 326 metres apart, each 70 metres high,
with 41 metres long blades, with a rotor diameter of 82 metres and a wind swept
area of 5,281 square metres. Phase II was completed on August 2008, and added
five more of the same wind turbines, bringing the total maximum capacity to 33
MW.
Kapurpurawan Rock Formation
Natural wonder with scenic ocean views. "Immaculate splendor"
The Kapurpurawan rock formation is located on the rocky coast of Burgos, Ilocos
Norte. It is known for its creamy white and streamlined limestone formations, which
have been sculpted by different oceanic and weather forces. Burgos is located on the
northwestern tip of Ilocos Norte.
Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, also known as Burgos Lighthouse, is a cultural
heritage structure in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, that was established during the
Spanish Colonial period in the Philippines. The lighthouse was first lit on March
30, 1892, and is set high on Vigia de Nagpartian Hill overlooking the scenic
Cape Bojeador where early galleons used to sail by. After over 100 years, it still
functions and serves ships that enter the Philippine Archipelago from the north
and guide them safely away from the rocky coast of the town. The light marks
the northwestern-most point in Luzon. The northeastern-most being Cape
Engaño Lighthouse on Palaui Island, Santa Ana, Cagayan. The 66-foot-tall
octagonal stone tower, the most prominent structure in the vicinity, can be seen
from as far away as Pasuquin town in the south and Bangui on the east on a clear
day. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the highest-elevated nor tallest
lighthouse in the Philippines. But the highest elevated still original and active
Spanish era lighthouse in the country
Patapat Viaduct
Patapat Viaduct at the municipality of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, a coastal resort
town on the northernmost tip of Luzon Island in the Philippines. The bridge is
elevated 31 meters over sea level. It is a concrete coastal bridge 1.3 km long and
connects the Maharlika Highway from Ilocos Region to Cagayan Valley. The
viaduct was constructed by Hanil Development Co. Ltd. under the overall
management of DPWH-PMO-PJHK and was completed and opened to traffic in
October 1986. It rises along the town's coastal mountains, which is the starting
point of the Cordillera Mountain Range that snakes through Northern Luzon. It is
the 5th longest bridge in the Philippines
Sinking Bell Tower:17th-century landmark known for sinking
St. William's Cathedral in Laoag City is famous for its Sinking Bell Tower. It is one
of the things that will capture the attention of the tourists upon entering the city.
The 45-meter bell tower was built by the Augustinians in 1612 and believed to be the
tallest bell tower in the Philippines. It is actually the bell tower of St. Williams
Cathedral, but unfortunately, it is 85 meters away from the church. This is the
farthest tower I’ve known from its church. :)
The bell tower is one of the landmarks of Spanish colony in the Philippines. The
tower has earned its “sinking” reputation because it is so heavy and it was built on
sandy foundations that it has been consistently sinking into the ground. One story
said that when the bell tower was newly built, a person on horseback could enter the
tower, but today a person with normal height has to bend first just to pass the
entrance. Quite interesting :) But despite of this, the bell tower still continues its
purpose of ringing the bell to call the Catholic brethren to mass.
Kabigan Falls: Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Scenic waterfall in a dense jungle. Located in Barangay Balaoi in the town of
Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Kabigan Falls is 1.8km far from the national road
Malacañang of the North
The Malacañang of the North
and is a presidential museum in
Paoay, Ilocos Norte, Philippines.
It was the residence of the family
of Ferdinand Marcos when he
was the President of the
Philippines
Vigan City (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Vigan is a city in the Philippines, on the west coast of Luzon island. It's known for its
preserved Spanish colonial and Asian architecture. Calle Crisologo dominates the
Mestizo district, with its cobblestone streets, malecón, horse-drawn carriages and rustic
mansions. Near the white baroque Vigan Cathedral are Plaza Salcedo, offering fountain
light shows, and Plaza Burgos, known for its street-food stalls.
Established in the 16th century, Vigan is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish
colonial town in Asia. Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements
from elsewhere in the Philippines, from China and from Europe, resulting in a culture and
townscape that have no parallel anywhere in East and South-East Asia.
La Paz Sand Dunes
The La Paz Sand Dunes is an 85-square-kilometre (33 sq mi) protected sandy coastal
desert and beach located in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, in the Philippines.
Fort Ilocandia
Fort Ilocandia Resort is the only 5-star deluxe resort hotel in northern Philippines
sprawling over 77 hectares of land amidst gentle sand dunes and pine forests with a 2
kilo-meter sandy beach facing the South China Sea.
Fort Ilocandia is located in the heart of the city of Laoag and the province of Ilocos
Norte. The resort is a complete service complex resort hotel. It's a 10 minute-drive
from Fort Ilocandia Golf & Country Club at Paoay and from the Laoag International
Airport.
San Juan, La Union (surfing)
San Juan is considered to be the Surfing Capital of the Northern Philippines, and is
known for its consistent intermediate quality surf and two surfing seasons from July to
October and November to March.
Experience the thrill of hiking in this highland barangay of Bacnotan 440 meters
above sea level. Three waterfalls—Zim-sim-ug Twin Falls, Padtok Falls, and Tekdag Aso
Falls—will greet trekkers along the way, before finally reaching the peak which gives a
fantastic view of the lowlands and the West Philippine Sea.
Nearby attractions
St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church
St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church is an old Catholic Church built in 1868. It
was then called San Miguel then later Vagnotan, when it was established as an
Augustinian mission in 1583. The church was damaged during the earthwake and was
restorated between 1870-1887.
Military Shrine and Park
This camp located along Darigayos cove in Luna is the general headquarters of the
USAFIP, NL, which reserved as a military Shrine and Park by virtue of Proclamation
590 signed by Pres. Fidel V. Ramos on June 1, 1995.
Bolikewkew Terraces
Located at Delles, the majestic sight of rice fields depicts the town’s main livelihood
which is farming. It has an area of approximately 1 hectare. It is best visited during
the months of October to December when the rice grains have turned to gold.
Saint Catherine of Alexandria Parish (Shrine of Namacpacan)
The year 1690 saw the birth of a new town as idyllic in its formation as its name
implies. Situated along the fringes of Northern La Union coasting the West Philippine
Sea, it was named Namacpacan to glorify the native's trait of hospitality. Residents
showed this hospitality towards the people of neighboring towns who previously
retreated to into thick forests when they were persecuted by the colonizers.
Hundred Islands, Pangasinan
The Hundred Islands National Park is the first national park and a protected
area located in Alaminos, Pangasinan in the northern Philippines. The islands, totaling
124 at low tide and 123 at high tide, are scattered in Lingayen Gulf covering an area of
16.76 square kilometres (6.47 sq mi). Only three of them have been developed for
tourism: Governor Island, Quezon Island, and Children's Island.
The islands are believed to be about two million years old. There are actually
ancient corals that extend well inland, in an area previously comprising the seabed of an
ancient sea. The lowering of the sea level have exposed them to the surface. The peculiar
"mushroom-like" shapes of some of the islands were caused by the eroding action of the
ocean waves.
