TRAVEL GUIDE TO

Ilocos Region
BSITTM - 105
• Is an administrative region of the
Philippines, designated as Ilocos Region,
occupying the northwestern section of
Luzon.
• It’s known for its historic sites, beaches and
the well-preserved Spanish colonial city of
Vigan. Dating from the 16th century, Vigan’s
Mestizo district is characterized by
cobblestone streets and mansions with
wrought-iron balconies.
 Land Area 13,012.60 km2 (5,024.19 sq mi)
Population (As of year) 5,026,128 (2015 Census)
85% of Roman Catholicism while the
Religion remaining 15% are other Christian
denominations.
Ilocano
Dialect Pangasinan
Bolinao
Mini-buses
Transportation Jeepneys
and Accessibility Tricycles
Motorcycles
Ilocos Norte
 Land Area 3,467.89 km2 (1,338.96 sq mi)
Located in the northwest corner of
Luzon Island, bordering Cagayan
Location and Apayao to the east, and Abra to
the southeast, and Ilocos Sur to the
southwest.
Population 593,081 (2015 Census)
Roman Catholicism and the
Religion Aglipayan Church are the two major
religions in the province.
Ilocos Norte comprises 21
Administrative municipalities and 2 component
Divisions cities, further subdivided into 559
barangays.
• The Spanish navigator and governor, Miguel
Lopez de Legazpi’s grandonson or Juan de
Salcedo led the expedition to conquer a site.
This 22-year old voyager headed to North with
8 armed boats and 45 men and landed in
present day Vigan and then head towards the
present day municipality of Laoag, Currimao
and Badoc in which they found numerous
sheltered coves (looc) where some locals lived
in harmony.
• The name Ilocos is derived from sheltered
coves (looc) or bay which refers to a body of
water in which the town encloses. As a result,
they named the region/province as Ylocos and
its people as Ylocanos.
• Ilocos Norte continued to develop its agro-
industrial economy as it aims to be one of the
most progressive provinces in the country by
2020.
• Ilocos Norte is a top producer of garlic in the
country, with an annual average production of
6,000 metric tons covering 1,876 hectares.
• Ilocos Norte is now a cruise line destination.
Gregorio Aglipay
• Is an activist Roman
Catholic priest of the
Philippines at the
outbreak of the
revolution in 1896,
from Ilocos Norte.
Juan Luna
• A famous Filipino
artist who is known
for his sculptures and
paintings, the most
famous of which, the
Spoliarium, came from
the town of Badoc,
Ilocos Norte.
Ferdinand E. Marcos
• A former president of
the Republic of the
Philippines and was
born in Ilocos Norte.
Paoay Church
• The Church of Saint Augustine,
commonly known as the Church of
Paoay, is the Roman Catholic Church of
the municipality of Paoay, Ilocos Norte,
Philippines. Completed in 1710, the
church is renowned for its distinct
architecture, highlighted by the building's
huge buttresses on the sides and behind.
Marcos Museum and Mausoleum
• A museum in Batac, Ilocos Norte,
devoted to former Philippine President
Ferdinand Marcos. This presidential
museum houses the cenotaph of former
president. The museum displays the late
president's memorabilia, from his military
tenure to his presidency.
Bacarra Domeless Tower
• The church was founded and dedicated to
St. Andrew by the Augustinians. The
church of Bacarra is renowned for the
belfry Torre Ti Bacarra, which has been
centuries old, domeless or beheaded. The
building has three floors and a height of
50 metres.
Malacanang of the North
• Is a Presidential Museum in Paoay, Ilocos
Norte, Philippines. When Ferdinand E.
Marcos was President of the Philippines,
this was the residence of his family. It
consists of seven rooms, each with an
historical event from the era of Marcos:
study, agriculture, diplomacy, OFW,
culture, nation buildings and the family.
Juan Luna Shrine
• Is a reconstruction of Juan Luna's home,
located in Badoc, Ilocos Norte. It is a 2-
storey building, originally burnt down in
1861, fortunately the remains of the
existing ruins could be preserved and
converted into a refuge.
Bangui Windmills
• The wind turbines are grouped in one
row and extend nine kilometers off
Bangui Bay facing the West Philippine
Sea, and have 20 units (230 ft) high
VestasV82 1.65 MW wind production.
Kapurpurawan Rock Formations
• Is a natural rock formation formed over
the years by the natural forces of the
ocean on the rocky coast of Burgos,
Ilocos Norte, only a few minutes away
from Cape Bojeador. Kapurpurawan
originates from an Ilocano word "puraw,"
meaning white.
Bantay Abot Cave
• It's a hill originally destroyed by an
earthquake in the 80's that leaving a hole
in the center. The top of the cave is lush
and green, further contributing to the
cave's charm. You must go down a few
concrete steps and a rough section up to
the opening to get to the inside of the
cave.
La Paz Sand Dunes
• Is an 85 square kilometer long sandy
coastal desert and beach in Laoag, Ilocos
Norte, Philippines. The area is known
locally by the name Bantay Bimmaboy, a
name that refers to the common
perception that pigs ("baboy" in Filipino)
resemble the dunes in shape.
Paoay Lake National Park
• The Paoay Lake is the largest lake in
Ilocos Norte province, and is one of the
biggest natural lakes in that area, locally
known as Dacquel a Danum, in Paoay
township in Northwest Luzon, in the
Philippines.
Bain
• Is a hiya or amor propio (sense of shame)
characteristic of Ilocano. Ilocanos hate rumors and
would actively discourage others from envying them.
Panagdayaw
• (Respect for other people's sensitivities) must be
demonstrated. Ilocanos tend to speak humblest for
themselves.
Wedding Tradition
• The groom gives the soon-to-be-bride's parents a
panagpudno (formal notification) regarding his
intention to marry his wife. His parents then meet
the parents of the bride, setting the marriage date.
Parents typically visit a planetario, which is like a
"lucky" day almanac.
Death Tradition
• An atong wood is illuminated in front of the
deceased's house to mark the death of a family
member. It is burned during the burial. The fire is
extinguished with white wine. Family members
pay respect before the funeral by kissing or lifting
the deceased's hands to their foreheads (mano).
Pamulinawen Festival
• Celebrated at the 10th
of February at Laoag
City. It is a floral parade
and street dancing
festival.
Guling-Guling Festival
• Is a traditional occasion
that happens yearly in the
month of February in
Paoay, Ilocos Norte. It is
held during eve of Ash
Wednesday.
December Festival
• It is highlighted by the
lantern parade and
decor competition
ending in the Palarong
Pamasko.
Farmers’ Festival
• Is a celebration where
farmers can show that they
can also have a good time.
Festivities include street
dancing, a float parade, and
an agro-industrial trade fair.
Talip Festival
• Celebrated to cultivate and
highlight their rich culture,
customs and indigenous
traditions. Talip Festival
means they get together
and dance.
• Local food processors and producers are
committed in supporting the provincial
government's push towards fostering
gastronomic tourism in Ilocos Norte as a
perfect destination for food products ready to
export and high quality.
• Through the years, Governor Imee Marcos has
initiated various activities to improve
gastronomic tourism and food trade and
industry in the north.
• The Provinicial Tourism Office (PTO) of
Municipality launch a new marketing tourism
campaign or a promotional video that features
the treasures of Ilocos Norte as well as Jesson
Ramill Cid, the “Iron Man of Asia”, the
campaign has a tagline “Experience Ilocos
Norte’s Greatness.”
Ilocos Sur
 Land Area 2,596.00 km2 (1,002.32 sq mi)
Is bordered by Ilocos Norte and
Abra to the north, Mountain
Location Province to the east, La Union and
Benguet to the south and the South
China Sea to the west.
Population 689,668 (2015 Census)
75% of population adherence is in
Roman Catholicism, 20% is
Religion
Aglipayan Church, and the remaing
5% is other Christian churches.
Ilocos Sur is composed of 32
Administrative municipalities and 2 cities of the
Divisions province comprise a total of 768
barangays.
• On 13 June 1572, when the Spanish adventurer
Don Juan de Salcedo and the leaders of his
party landed in Vigan, the Ilocos Area was
already a flourishing and well established cluster
of towns and villages familiar to merchants in
China, Japan and Malay.
• They then built their headquarters, renamed
Salcedo Villa Fernandina, Cabigbigaan (Bigan),
in the heart of Ylokos city, and finally got
renown for it as Intramuros de Ilocandia. All of
Northern Luzón was named a encomienda or a
land grant by Salcedo.
• People are involved in agriculture, food crops,
most of them are rice, corn, vegetables, root
crops and fruits. Tobacco, cotton and tiger
grass are some of the non-food crops. Cottage
industries include loom weaving, furniture
making, jewelry making, ceramics, welding and
food processing.
• Weaving is the largest handicraft.
Bago Tribe
• The most dominant tribe among the
indigenous people in Region 1 and
most specially in the province of Ilocos
Sur. Bagos usually speak the dialect of
Kankanaey, Tingiuans and Ibalois, but
today, most of them speak in Iluko with
distinct intonation.
Elpidio Quirino
• An Ilocano figure and
the sixth President of
the Philippines from
1948 to 1953.
Gabriela Silang
• The revolutionary figure
of the Philippines,
better known as the first
woman leader of the
Ilocano independence
movement from Spain.
Jose Burgos
• A priest and one of the
martyrs of Gomburza.
Was born in Vigan,
Ilocos Sur on February
9, 1837.
Pedro Bucaneg
• Ilocano poet, and the
"Father of Ilocano
literature". Known to
be the author of
Ilocano epic Biag ni
Lam-ang.
Leona Florentino
• Poet in the Spanish and
Ilocano languages, and
the "Mother of
Philippine women's
literature"
Vigan Heritage
• A historic town that has a preserved
Spanish colonial buildings that make you
feel like walking into a time warp. Due to
the unique combination of Spanish and
Philippine architecture and well-preserved
Spanish monuments and rich cultural
heritage, it was declared as a UNESCO
world cultural site.
Plaza Salcedo
• Plaza Salcedo is both the city's central
attraction and its town centre, named
after the Spanish conquistador, Juan de
Salcedo. The death of Gabriela Silang by
public hanging in September 1973 was
one of the most significant events in the
Plaza Salcedo.
Bantay Bell Tower
• The old historic belfry of Saint Augustine
Parish church. During the Spanish
colonial era, the watchtower served as a
pirates' watch, giving the city its name-
bantay (meaning to guard). The church of
Ilocos, which was founded in 1590, is one
of the oldest in the region.
Baluarte Zoo
• The Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
Zoological Reserve. Owned by a
politician and businessman, Chavit
Singson. The zoo showcases animals
endemic to the Philippines and from
other countries.
Pagburnayan Jar Factory
• Is one of Ilocos Sur's popular and must
see attraction. This jar factory is one of
few authentic jar makers in Vigan. This
factory uses the authentic method in
doing this pots. Pots are crafted by
potter’s hands with the aid of a potter’s
wheel.
Santa Maria Church
• One of the Baroque church collection of
Spaniards in the country. It was inscribed
in UNESCO world heritage list. Located
at the town center and sitting on top of a
hill.
• Also known as The Church of Our Lady
of the Assumption.
Pinsal Falls
• Located at the far edge of Sta. Maria,
neighboring the province of Abra. The
legend of a giant called Angalo searching
for his wife, Aran, is behind the biggest
waterfalls in Ilocos.
Apatot Beach
• Picnickers frequently visit this cove in San
Esteban. During the last stage of the
Second World War, US ships arrived in
the region for the USAFIP, NL, to unload
weapons and supplies.
• The native Ilocano is an expert in fabric weaving,
wood carving and pot making. The Ilocano
cuisine ranges from exotic "abu-os (ant eggs),"
the "tinubong" and "poqui-poqui" (eggplant
salad) to vegetable broth or "dinengdeng".
• People of Ilocos Sur are very simple, domestic
and peaceful, large of body and very strong.
Sinait Garlic Festival
• It happens during the 1st
to 3rd of May that
highlights Ilocano Viva
Vigan Festival's creativity,
innovative and hard
working trait.
Viva Vigan Festival
• Celebrated every first
week of May in Vigan,
this features paintings and
displays of product, a
Calesa parade and other
cultural activities.
Longaniza Festival
• Features the "longest
Longaniza" with the goal
of being the longest
Longaniza in the world to
join the Guinness Book
of Records.
Pinakbet Festival
• A celebration honoring
the Ilocanos ' favorite
dish, "pinakbet" featuring
street dances, and
cooking contests.
Tobako Festival
• Celebrated in Candon
City every last week of
March, as a thanksgiving
for the city's bountiful
tobacco harvest.
• The province of Ilocos Sur is not only
renowned for its historically significant
attractions and its beautiful old towns and
churches. They are not only famous with their
marvelous and beautiful sites to visits but they
are also proud of their native items and
delicacies.
• Bagnet, longganisa and empanada or northern
flavors are the popular favorites in the country.
• The government of Ilocos Sur continues to raise
its flag as the oldest surviving colonial Spanish
town in the country. In the global search for the
New7Wonders Cities, VIGAN in Ilocos Sur got a
spot in the 28 semi-finalists. Out of the 77 cities
around the world who participated in the
competition, only 28 were chosen by popular vote
and recommended by a panel of experts to
participate in the final New7Wonders Cities hunt.
La Union
 Land Area 1,497.70 km2 (578.27 sq mi)
The province is bordered by Ilocos
Sur to the north, Benguet to the east,
Location Pangasinan to the south and to the
west by the shores of the South
China Sea (West Philippine Sea).
Population 786,653 (2015 Census)
90% of the population is Roman
Catholicism while the remaining
Religion
10% is other Christian
denominations.
La Union has a total of 576
Administrative
barangays comprising its 19
Divisions
municipalities and 1 city.
• La Union, a term that implies the union of
towns from different provinces, has had an
enduring history since the Spaniards founded it.
• Governor General Claveria signed a proposal to
merge the Pangasinan-Ilocos-Cordillera areas
into a new province called La Union as a
solution for a more effective political-civil
administration in the area. On 2 March 1850,
Governor General Antonio Maria Blanco
signed the Superior Decree which created La
Union–the 34th province in the Philippines
after Cebu was founded in 1565.
• La Union is known for its soft broom and tourism
industry. The economy is diversified throughout
the province with service, manufacturing and
agricultural industry. The Port of San Fernando
serves as an increasingly active shipping center,
and the former American airbase Wallace Air
Station, transformed into a business and industrial
district, assists in facilitating such commercial
activity.
Diego Baltazar Silang
• A revolutionary leader
from Aringay, La
Union. He was born on
December 16, 1730, son
of Miguel Silang and
Nicolasa de los Santos.
Gloria Diaz
• An Ilocana from
Aringay, La Union.• She
was Miss Universe 1969
and is still active in the
film and TV industry as
an actress.
Jessica Soho
• An award winning
Ilocana broadcast
journalist/new anchor.
Urbiztondo Beach
• Situated in the heart of San Juan, La
Union, one of the country’s premiere
beach for surfing spots. This beach is the
primary spot where you’ll see surfers test
out the waves, day or night. The best time
to visit the beach is in the months of July
to October (South Swell) or November to
March (North Swell) as these are the
months when the waves are at their best.
Tangadan Falls
• Located in the town of San Gabriel, is
one of the town's at least ten waterfalls. It
is a two-tiered waterfall along the Baroro
River, with cold water flowing from the
province's hinterland adjacent to the
Cordillera Mountain Range.
Immuki Island
• Is an undiscovered paradise in Balaoan,
La Union. Immuki is not an island, but a
collection of pools and small lagoons
created by water entrapped between rocks
of coral.
Luna Pebble Beach
• It is one of the most unique beaches in
the country because the whole shore is
filled with smooth, round stones. The
abundance of pebbles has provided a
source of livelihood for many in the town
to be sold for building or made into
various items like artwork.
Bulalakaw Falls
• This is one of La Union's highest falls
with a height of 30-50 m. It has a serene
and veneer pool which provides
rejuvenation with icy-cold and crystal-
clear waters. About 500 meters from the
falls, you'll catch a glimpse of a beautiful
river from the mountains of the
neighboring Cordillera region.
Ma Cho Temple
• Caters to the small Taoist community of
San Fernando. It was built in 1975 and it
is situated facing the sea as a dedication to
the Chinese goddess Matzu, known as the
protector of the sea.
Namacpacan Church
• The church is known for its eye-catching
façade painted in blue and white. The
walls of this church are still the original
bricks and stone which is centuries old.
On the sides of the church is a unique
staircase that leads to the roof.
Baluarte Watch Tower
• It is one of La Union's most popular
historic tourist spot. It was built in pre-
Spanish times and acted as a point of
reference for pirates and other sea
elements. The guards were able to issue
immediate alerts and demands for
protection because of its sheer size.
Balay na Bato
• The structure is appropriately called
"Balay na Bato" because it is constructed
from the stones and pebbles gathered
along the beach of Luna. After all, the
municipality is considered as Pebble
Capital of the North and stone-picking is
the major livelihood for local people.
Poro Point Lighthouse
• The Poro Point Lighthouse is a centuries-
old building, standing at the Poro Point
Special Economic and Freeport Area.
This has acted as a guiding light for
seafarers and ships since the Spanish
times. It is tangible proof of the busy old
days maritime activities.
• Nine-three percent of the population is
Ilocano and is overwhelmingly Roman
Catholic. There are communities of
Pangasinense in the south, Igorots in the
Cordillera foothills, and Chinese in the city.
• La Union is highly literate, with San Fernando
City as the region's administrative educational
and financial centre.
Dinengdeng Festival
• The festival is
associated to the
famous Ilocano dish
known as pinakbet and
bagnet.
Baggak Festival
• This Festival illustrates
the Ilocano spirit of
peace and cultural
diversity during this
gathering.
Pindangan Festival
• This features the best
street dance moves and
colorful costumes for
primary, secondary and
tertiary students.
Sillag Festival
• The two-or three-day
festival features light-
inspired events such as
a Sillag Village
ceremonial lighting.
• Kilawen – This consists of meat such as beef,
pork, fish, or goat prepared using a vinegar or
calamansi acidity in an uncommon way.
• Halo-halo de Iloko – Is one of the best halo-
halos in the country.
• Sabong fried chicken – Known for its doble-
fried chicken for extra crunchiness.
• Makai Bowls – Offering deliciously healthy
smoothie bowls made with real fruit.
• La Union goes beyond the legal definition of
"agri-tourism" since it acknowledges the drawing
power and potential economic effect of both
agriculture and tourism. The province's agricultural
assets will be developed and tourist destinations
will be promoted. Attractions may include
recreational and sporting activities, gastronomic
dishes and ethnographic and cultural sites mostly
located in rural areas.
Pangasinan
 Land Area 5,451.01 km2 (2,104.65 sq mi)
Pangasinan is on the western area of
the island of Luzon along the
Location
Lingayen Gulf and West Philippine
Sea.
Population 2,956,726 (2015 Census)
80% of the population is
predominantly christianity with
Religion Roman Catholicism, 15% is
Aglipayan Church and the remaining
5% is other religious denominations.

The province of Pangasinan is

Administrative
subdivided into 44 municipalities, 4
Divisions
cities, and 1,364 barangay
• The name Pangasinan (pronounced "Pang-
ASINan") means place of salt" or "place of
salt-making;" it is derived from the prefix pang,
meaning for, the root word asin, meaning "salt,"
and suffix an, meaning "location." Currently, it
is pronounced "Paŋgasinan" based on the
Spanish pronunciation. The province is a big
salt producer in the Philippines. Its major
products include bagoong ("salted-krill") and
alamang ("shrimp-paste").
• Pangasinan is a major fish provider in Luzon
and a significant salt manufacturer in the
Philippines. It has large fishponds, mostly for
growing bangus or "milkfish," along the coasts
of the Gulf of Lingayen and the South China
Sea. Pangasinan aquaculture involves oyster and
sea urchin farms.
Fernando Poe Jr.
• Filipino actor during the
early cinema era in the
Philippines, from San
Carlos City.
Eva Macapagal
• Diosdado Macapagal's
second wife, the ninth
First Lady of the
Philippines.
Fidel V. Ramos
• The oldest living former
President of the
Philippines. He was
born in Lingayen and
hails from Asingan.
Victorio Edades
• A Filipino painter from
city of Dagupan,
Pangasinan, he led the
revolutionary Thirteen
Moderns
Hundred Islands National Park
• Islands is a major tourist destination in
Pangasinan province. Based in the town
of Alaminos, this natural wonder is made
up of around 120 islands, the number of
which varies according to the tide. There
is a saying that the islands are millions of
years old.
Patar Beach
• A public beach that is known to creamy
white sand beach that slowly drops from
the shore making it a good spot to swim.
Death Pool
• Known for its white sand and clear
waters. This was a phrase coined by the
locals humorously to describe the natural
swimming pool that appears by the shore
any time the tide comes in and fills this
with saltwater.
Enchanted Cave
• Is a tiny karst cave with inside a pool of
water. The water inside the cave is pretty
warm, but colder than outside due to the
high temperatures on the Philippines, so
many find a dip inside the cave as
refreshing. The cave is privately owned,
well maintained with concrete tracks and
electric light.
Sunflower Maze
• The park features mostly various kinds of
sunflowers in full bloom, bathing in the
summer sun, as well as other varieties of
flowers common in the Philippines.
Manaoag Church
• Also known as Minor Basilica of Our
Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of
Manaoag. This church is a major
pilgrimage site in Pangasinan. Is a
pilgrimage site for devotees, the church
has been canonically connected to the
Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in
Rome.
• Pangasinan culture is a mixture of Malayo-
Polynesian indigenous and western
Hispanic culture, with some Indian and
Chinese influences and slight American
influences. Pangasinan is much
Westernized today, but maintains a clear
Austronesian native history.
Talong Festival
• It is a thanksgiving of
the people, many of
them are farmers, for
their popular vegetable
products.
Sigay Festival
• It is a 2 week-long
celebration from 15
January to 2 February
that will pay tribute to the
town's aquaculture
industry
Galila Festival
• The most awaited and
greatest crowd-drawer
event. Hundred Islands
Festival is characterized
by a lavish celebration.
Pista’y Dayat
• This festival is
characterized by a mass
and a fluvial procession
on Pangasinan beaches.
Bangus Festival
• The most famous feast
of Pangasinan is a
celebration of the rich
harvest of "bangus"
from Dagupan City.
• The Pangasinan Provincial Tourist and Cultural
Affairs (PTCAO) continues to showcase its
culture and heritage, destinations and tourism
experience, which promote sustainable and
responsible Philippine tourism to support the
revamped "More Fun in the Philippines"
campaign by the Department of Tourism,
DOT.