Vigan, Calle Crisologo, St. Paul Cathedral

Calle Crisologo - Mena Crisologo Street

Crisologo Street is located in the Historic Center of Vigan, Ilocos Sur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Mestizo Section of Vigan is also a National Cultural Treasure. The person the street is named after, Mena Pecson Crisologo is among the most-respected sons of the Ilokos region. He wrote Mining wenno Ayat ti Kararwa, which many compare to Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere; an Ilocano translation of Don Quixote entitled Don Calixtofaro de la Kota Caballero de la Luna; and a zarzuela entitled Codigo Municipal.

The major attraction of Vigan is its mestizo district which is filled with Spanish-style houses that evoke a bygone era when its people lived prosperously because of the Manila-Acapulco maritime trade.

For visitors who want to experience being transported back to this period in Philippine Spanish colonial time, a walk or a calesa ride through Vigan’s Calle Crisologo or Mena Crisologo Street is a must.

The houses are simple but lovely subjects ready for picture-perfect shots with their roofs of red tiles, thick walls, huge doors and stair cases leading to rooms of high ceilings and sliding capiz shell windows. Having survived the many natural and man-made calamities throughout the centuries, the families who own these treasures have endeavored to maintain them.

Visitors can admire more closely the architecture and intricate craftsmanship employed in the grill and wood works when they step inside some of the houses that have been turned into stores and museums. They can even experience staying in a heritage house during their visit as some have been converted into inns.

Though a trip to Calle Crisologo is enjoyable during the day especially because of the opportunity to shop for Vigan’s best products (antiques, abel woven products, bags, basi wine, burnay and dimili products, chicharon, jewelry, sweets, Vigan vinegar and woodcrafts) in the inobtrusive shops located in the ground floor of some of the grand houses, a walk through it is magical at night.

Since it is closed to vehicular traffic at any time of the day, the stillness and shadows that come with the night adds more to the 18th century ambience of the lamp-lit street that local and foreign visitors love. Couples can take advantage of this romantic atmosphere by having dinner in Grandpa's Inn

Food is an integral part of the culture of Ilocanos. Grandpa’s Inn is the perfect place to indulge yourself in gastronomic experience with its three restaurants, The KUSINA FELECITAS which offers authentic Ilocano cuisine, The UNO GRILLE for your charcoal grilled favorites, The CAFE UNO the place to go for your coffee, cakes and pasta.

Cordillera Inn Hotel and Restaurant welcomes you with traditional hospitality at its best. With their excellent service and reasonable prices, they guarantee your stay to be rewarding. A warm, cozy atmosphere provided by efficient service to make your vacation worthwhile.

St. Paul Cathedral

St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral was built by the Augustinian clergy around 1790 and like the St. William’s Cathedral, it has features a design intended to minimize earthquake damage that was referred to as “earthquake baroque”. Furthermore, it also features the Neo-Gothic and pseudo Romanesque motifs. There are brass communion handrails copied from China, complete with Chinese characters scribbled by its makers.

In the south of the cathedral lies the eight-sided bell tower used as a safety measure of the church. It was said to be built separately so that in any event of an earthquake, it would not topple into the church. The design said to have a Chinese Feng Shui influences. Lies inside the church is a tombstone of the great Ilocano poet Leona Florentino.

It is also in this church where Vigan’s Beloved late Governor Floro Crisologo was gunned down while he knelt on a pew inside the Cathedral in 1970.

Batac, Ilocos Norte

Batac

The word "Batac" in a local dialect translates as "pull". More loosely, it refers to "the people's pulling their efforts together."

Batac has an interesting colloquial origin of its name. According to a legend, set in pre-settlement Batac, a man fell into a deep hole while he was digging for the root crop "camangeg". He struggled to get out but could not despite his best efforts. He cried for help but nobody was around. He waited for hours and had given up hope of being saved. Fortunately, two men from the neighboring town of Paoay happened to pass by. They heard the man shouting and traced it to where he was trapped. Upon seeing him, they heard the man say "Bataquennac! Bataquennac!" The two men did not understand until the man explained that he was saying, "Pull me up! Pull me up!" They did just that. When the two men reached their hometown, they told their story to their friends. Since then, the town has been called "Batac," which is derived from the word "bataquennac." but that is only a tale, the true origin of the Batac was named by the Batak tribe who exist five hundred years a ago. Before the Spanish colonization. And the ancient tribe of Batak in Ilocos Norte is related to the Batak Tribe of Toba Lake In the province of North Sumatra Indonesia.

Batac is home to these famous orange empanadas.

An empanada is a Spanish and Portuguese stuffed bread or pastry, also known as “impanata” in Italy. The name comes from the verbempanar, meaning to wrap or coat in bread. Empanada is made by folding a dough or bread patty around the stuffing. In Spain, empanadas are usually large and circular in shape and are cut into smaller portions for consumption, whereas in Portugal and South America empanadas are normally small and semi-circular (this type of empanada is commonly known as empanadilla in Spain).

In Ilocos, some towns, like Vigan and Batac, have popularized their versions of this Spanish pastry. Vigan’s version is a delightful mixture of Vigan longganisa, shredded cabbage and egg, then deep-fried to a crispy wrapper. Batac’s version, which is said to be Ilocos Norte’s Best Empanada, uses Batac longganisa, monggo sprouts (togue) and egg, then also deep fried.

Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Saud Beach

Saud Beach

Philippines’ Saud Beach topped the list of the best beaches in Asia according to John Borthwick of Australia’s biggest selling daily newspaper, Herald Sun.

Saud beach lies on the northwest coast of Luzon and is located in Barangay Saud, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

Saud Beach is the most popular destination in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte but it is still relatively untouched so for those looking for a secluded, peaceful and quiet beach, then Saud is the place for you. Do not expect for a vibrant nightlife in Saud though. There’s nightlife in Saud but it’s life with the wind and the waves.

The fifteen windmills of Bangui can actually be seen in the distance from Saud Beach as both Bangui and Pagudpud surround the Bangui Bay.

Pagudpud prides itself as among the places with the longest stretch of contiguous white sand beaches.

Apo Idon Beach Hotel

Apo Idon Beach Hotel is a sophisticated blend of tropical and Mediterranean styles.

Natural and organic materials of hardwood, anahaw palm leaves, capiz shells, natural stones & terra cotta tiles, are combined in rustic assemblage to render texture, color, and tradition.

As you feel great with our cozy indoor accomodations, have fun outdoors! The hotel's beach front is right at the juncture of Saud White Beach Cove and Burayoc Pt., where you have a wider selection of fun-filled activities.

Apo Idon Beach Hotel is endorsed by Lonely Planet, an international travel guidebook for independent travellers. Likewise, the hotel is highly commended in various electronic fora by cultured and well-travelled guests.

Indeed, Apo Idon Beach Hotel is the best and nicest place to stay in Pagudpud!

Bangui, Ilocos Norte, Bangui Windmills

Bangui Windmills

The Bangui Windmills are located in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. The windmills, officially referred to as the NorthWind Bangui Bay Project, were a project by the NorthWind Development Corporation as a practice renewable energy sources and to help reduce the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. The project is the first “Wind Farm” in the Philippines consisting of wind turbines on-shore facing the South China Sea and considered to be the biggest in Southeast Asia. The project sells electricity to the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) and provides 40% of the power requirements of Ilocos Norte via Transco Laoag.

How To Get There-

From Laoag, take the Laoag - Cagayan route towards Burgos. After reaching Burgos, watch out for the directional marker on the left side of the road that leads to the Bangui Bay. Follow the dirt road leading to the bay. Some wind mills will already be visible from this point then make a right turn to the bay. Travel time from Laoag will approximately be an hour and a half.

Burgos, Ilocos Norte, Bojeador Lighthouse

Bojeador Lighthouse

Burgos is the last town in the northwest corner of the island of Luzon. It was named after the martyred priest Jose Burgos who, together with two other clergymen, were accused of mutiny and later executed in Manila. He was born in the Ilocos Region.

Burgos is a 5th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Norte

Places of interest: Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, also known as Burgos Lighthouse, is a cultural heritage structure in Burgos established during the Spanish Colonial times.

Burgos lighthouse. To this day, the over a century-old Burgos lighthouse remains a mute beacon to seafarers.

It is also a source of provincial pride after the National Museum declared it a national cultural treasure in December 2005.

Perched on Vigia de Nagpartian hill in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, the lighthouse, is composed of a 160-m tall light tower, living and office quarters and a courtyard.

Completed on March 30, 1892, the lighthouse was built by Guillermo Brockman from a design by Magin Pers y Pers. It is made of locally fabricated bricks and accented with cast metal grillwork.

Motorists driving north through the province of Ilocos Norte can catch sight of the lighthouse which dominates the Burgos skyline. From its top, one can easily take in the sweeping panorama of the sea and the surrounding countryside.

Suba, Ilocos Norte

Suba Beach

Suba Beach in Paoay has extensive sand dunes up to 800 meters wide in certain places and exciting surf. It is a favorite of movie makers for location shooting. Oliver Stone's Born on the Fourth of July and Temptation Island was shot at the sand dunes of Suba.

The most exotic beach in the Ilocos region, Suba Beach in Paoay, is famous for its extensive sand dunes and exciting surf. The Suba Beach offers an unforgettable view of the setting sun.

Suba Sand Dunes

Stretching 800 meters wide, the sand dunes of Suba is the only place where you can find a desert in this tropical country. The place was the setting for memorable movies like Oliver Stone’s Born on the Fourth of July and Temptation Island, that famously campy 1980s film by Joey Gosiengfiao. It is also where Nora Aunor uttered the now-immortal line “Walang Himala!” in the Ishmael Bernal classic Himala.

Ilocos Norte’s unique sand dunes and stretches from the municipality of Currimao in the north and winds it’s way to La Paz in Laoag City then to Suba in Paoay and finally in Pasuquin in the south.

Paoay, Ilocos Norte, Malacañang of the North

Malacañang of the North

Malacañang of the North "Malacanang ti Amianan" is the other term used by Ilocanos to describe Malacañang of the North. This is the official residence of the former President Ferdinand Marcos in Ilocos Norte, built on a high point of land projecting into the sea right beyond the coastline of the legendary Paoay Lake, this enduring structure is now a museum.

The Malacañang of the North is one of the 29 houses that the Marcos regime was able to build during its two decades of power. As it name suggests, this house served as the official residence of the First Family during that time whenever they are in Ilocos. The Marcos extended their reception for their guests both local and foreign in this house.

This palace in northern Ilocos overlooks Paoay Lake

Marcos must have found solitude and stillness as he gaze upon this lake

Malacañang of the North is within a 5-hectare property and it overlooks the calm waters of Paoay Lake. The main lobby and terraces of the house faces this famous lake in Ilocos where guests can do some watersports during their visit.

It combines both the Ilocano and Spanish architectural designs. Like other structure in Ilocos, one of the main materials are baked bricks along with hardwood from its staircase to its floors. Its sliding windows are of capiz shells and it has the a terraces or azoteas in each floor that overlooks the lake.