ILOCOS
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The Ilocano legacy and the life of the Ilocano are described as "the browbeaten, industrious, cheerful, simple soul who has shown a remarkable strain of bravery and a bit of wanderlust." The Ilocano history reveals his struggles and victories – in battles for colonial independence from Spain and America, to Philippine leadership. The new Ilocano searched for greener pastures towards new lands local and foreign - Palawan, Mindanao,Hawaii, the United States and Greece. The Ilocano material culture and spirituality can be seen in the past - images of Spanish santo (saints), antique but intricate wooden furniture and quality local fiber. The native Ilocano is a weaver, wood carver and pottery expert. The Ilocano cuisine – ranges from the exotic "abu-os" (ant eggs) to vegetable broth "dinengdeng," the sticky "tinubong" to the "puki-puki" (eggplant salad). Ilocandia is filled with colonial churches, the legacy of Spanish Catholicism

HERITAGE SITES

Historic City of Vigan in Ilocos Sur

The historic town of Vigan was inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage List in November 1999. 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 and from China with those from Europe to create a unique culture and townscape without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia.

Nuestra Señora dela Asuncion in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur

A World Heritage Site and a National Landmark, this centuries-old church nestled atop a hill at the town proper of Sta. Maria was used as a fortress during the Philippine Revolution in 1896. The best way to appreciate the Baroque architectural mood of this Heritage Site is to ascend the church's grand stairway of 85 wide steps starting at the town proper.

Church of San Agustin in Paoay, Ilocos Norte

LOCATION

Located in the northwestern coast of Luzon Island, the Ilocos Region has one of the longest coastlines in the country, bounded on the east by the South China Sea and on the west by the Central Cordillera Mountain range. The Region has four provinces, two of which are showcased in the ITravel/IExplore M.I.C.E. Invitational Programme: Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. These two provinces are best known as cultural and heritage destinations.

Tourist Destinations

Bangui Windmills

Sixty five kilometers from Laoag City, the coastal town of Bangui is in the forefront of green technology. A four kilometer stretch of coast on Bangui Bay features the first wind-driven power plant and the largest wind park in Southeast Asia: a breathtaking panorama of 15 Windmills against the backdrop of the South China Seascape. Built by the Danish firm NorthWind Power Development Corporation at a cost of US$47.6 million, the 25 megawatt power plant supplies electrical energy to the community and nearby towns.

An US$11 million expansion is concurrently under construction, which is set to quadruple the existing capacity: a 20-MW extension along with a 69kV transmission line to Laoag City.

Sitio Remedios

Paoay Lake National Park

Paoay Lake is a beautiful fresh water inland lake, located 3 kilometers away from the South China Sea. Legend has it that it was the site of a barangay filled with wicked people buried under feet of water after ignoring the warning of a mysterious old woman who came to the place. On the shores of the lake lies a mansion that belongs to the Marcoses: the Malacanang of the North. The Paoay Lake National Park has an area of 470 hectares and was declared as a National Park under Republic Act 5631 on June 21, 1969. Its environs have been turned into a sports complex.

Faro Cabo Cape Bojeador

Built in 1892, the Lighthouse stands on a promontory in Burgos, 45 kilometers north of Laoag City; and is one of the famous historical landmarks in Ilocos Norte. The Lighthouse is still functioning to date, serving ships passing by the northern part of South China Sea. It is the highest lighthouse in the Philippines above sea level on top of a hill named Vigia de Nagparitan.

Resort

Fort Ilocandia

The Fort Ilocandia Resort Complex, 10 minutes from the airport, houses 5 buildings that were inspired by Spanish colonial architecture and finished in coal red bricks. The hotel is sprawled over 77 hectares of land in the middle of sand dunes, prime forests, and two kilometers of fine, sandy beach facing the South China Sea.