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REGION I – ILOCOS REGION

Gastronomy
The following are the most common and famous viands in Region I:
• Bagnet – this is a deep-fried crispy pork belly that is usually served in large chunks with bagoong monamon
or fermented anchovies (Ang Sarap, 2015).
• Burong Isda – it is a delicacy made from salted fish with fermented rice (Business Diary, 2017).
• Dinakdakan – this is an appetizer dish that is made-up of boiled and grilled pig parts in which ears, liver,
and face are the most commonly used but other parts such as stomach and intestines can also be utilized
(Panlasang Pinoy, 2017)
• Dinengdeng – it is a vegetable stew with bagoong (a paste of fermented fish or shrimp) as the main
seasoning along with rice washings. Leftover fish or unshelled shrimps are often added to be the focus
ingredient (Tagalog Lang, 2002).
• Pinakbet – this is a mixture of vegetables with ampalaya (bitter melon) as main ingredient. Bagoong (pork
and shrimp paste) is added to create a unique flavor (Recipes Wikia, n.d).
• Poqui Poqui – it is a vegetable dish made with roasted eggplant, tomatoes, and eggs (Kawaling Pinoy, 2017).
Province Tourist Destinations Festivals
Ilocos Paoay Church Guling-Guling Festival
Norte This site was built with a combination of During this festival, residents, dressed in their
Baroque, Gothic, and Oriental architectural Ilocano costume adorned with antique
Capital: designs. It is made of coral stones and jewelries, dance and sing around town while
Laoag City bricks and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. being blessed with the Sign of the Cross using
The church was partially destroyed twice by pounded rice instead of gray ash (for Ash
earthquakes in 1706 and 1927. Wednesday). It is celebrated as a last day of
La Paz Sand Dunes merry-making and enjoyment for the
This is a ridge of sand created by wind, townspeople before the Lenten season.
found in deserts or near lakes and oceans, Farmers Festival
which is a few minutes from the center of This festival highlights a street dance parade
Laoag City. A 4×4 vehicle can be driven up participated by dressed up farmers with their
and down the dunes as if in a theme park products, agro-industrial trade fair, contest of
ride. the biggest farm harvest and livestock, and
Cape Bojeador Lighthouse "pinaka" contests of agro products.
This structure was built during the Spanish Talip Festival
colonial period overlooking the scenic Cape This festival is celebrated to pay tribute to the
Bojeador and the South China Sea where ancient peace pact that has brought lasting
early galleons used to sail by. It is also peace between and among ethnic tribes in the
known as Burgos Lighthouse. province of Ilocos Norte. This also aims to
Bangui Windmills cultivate and highlight their rich culture,
This is a project by the North Wind customs and indigenous traditions. Moreover,
Development Corporation as a practice for it is celebrated to enhance fellowship and
renewable energy sources and to help stronger ties among the tribes and Ilocanos
reduce the greenhouse gases that cause merging with them.
global warming. It is the first “Wind Farm”
in the Philippines consisting of wind
turbines on-shore facing the South China
Sea and is considered to be the biggest in
Southeast Asia.
Kapurpurawan White Rock Formation
This site is approximately 30 minutes from
Bangui Windmills, a few minutes off road
drive from the highway and 15 minutes trek
from the jump off point through small pools
of water, grass, and coastal rocks with
scenic view of the sea.

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Ilocos Sur Burgos Museum
This is a museum that houses a collection of
Capital: Father Burgos’ memorabilia and
Vigan City photographs, family antiques, and jewelry.
It also has Father Burgos’ quarters and a
mini library containing his student, Jose
Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, given to him as a
gift.
Pagburnayan (Jar Making Factory)
This is a factory that makes Burnay, an
earthenware jar, that dates back to pre-
colonial history. It was used then for
domestic purposes but it is mostly bought
now for decorative purposes. It is skilfully
crafted by the potter’s hands with the use
of pottery wheel and kiln.
Calle Crisologo
It is a World Heritage Site, famous for its
cobblestone streets that have been
featured in many postcards, books,
magazines, and other publications. This
street transports an individual to the
Philippine colonial period, especially at
night when it is romantically lit with street
lights and calesas passing by. The street is
also lined with souvenir stores.
Baluarte Mini Zoo
This site has animals from the Philippines
and all over the world. The massive
property is owned by the former governor,
Mr. Chavit Singson. There are caged animal
viewings, a butterfly garden, and a
scheduled animal show.
La Union Ma Cho Temple
It is the largest modern Taoist Temple
Capital: outside of Japan and was built on
San September 11, 1975 on a one-hectare lot.
Fernando It houses several images of Ma Cho as well
City as other Chinese saints. Its walls and
ceilings feature intricate designs like
golden dragons, phoenixes, and vines that
stretch out into a web.
Bauang Beach
This site has waves that are perfect for
surfers especially during high tide, making
the beach a great place for both beginners
and experienced surfers to hang out.
Balay Anito Falls
This site is popular to hikers who look for
something challenging. The path to the
falls features rocky terrain, but once one
arrives at the top, a nice overlooking view
of the area awaits. To climb down, hikers
need to use the roots on the side of the
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Kannawidan Festival
This feast is held in commemoration of the
separation of the two (2) provinces of Ilocos
Sur and Ilocos Norte by virtue of the royal
decree on February 2, 1818. The celebration is
considered as the prime festival of the province
and is a visual and a feast for the
indigenous costumes, dances, songs, religious
rituals, cook fest, and trade fairs that showcases
distinctly Ilocano products.
Viva Vigan Festival of the Arts
This is held every first week of May and includes
Binatbatan street dancing, calesa parade,
traditional games, Santacruzan, abel iloko
fashion shows, exhibits trade/food fairs, and
religious rituals in honor of the Black Nazarene.
Bagnet Festival
This is held every December in Narvacan
wherein the town is banking on its culinary past
to bring in more domestic and foreign tourist
and reclaiming its position as the birthplace of
bagnet, that delicacy that is a craze all
over Ilocandia and to gourmands.
Baggak Festival
This is held every April in Bauang wherein the
festivities symbolize the enthusiasm of the
Ilocano spirit of unity and industry. Typically,
Ilocanos are early risers, hence “Baggak”, which
means morning star, is the ultimate reference to
start the day. This is also a fitting occasion and
tribute to welcome and mingle with
balikbayans.
Dinengdeng Festival
This is a festival to celebrate one of the Ilocano
Culinary staples called dinengdeng. It is a
mixture of home-grown backyard vegetables
like squash, eggplant, ampalaya (bitter gourd),
sitaw (string beans), okra, etc. During this event,
a cook fest is held in Agoo every end of the
month of April.
Basi Festival
This is a festival held every 1st week of May in
the town of Nagulian, wherein locals celebrate
the genuine Ilocano art of wine making called
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falls and can also jump from the peak of “basi”. This is a native local wine from
the falls. fermented sugarcane that evokes a gamut of
Bacsil Ridge Monument esteemed Ilocano tradition and heritage giving
It is the most famous battle site in La the townspeople diverse reason to
Union during World War II. It was a border commemorate and celebrate.
established by the Japanese and the Joint
121st Infantry Regiment of the United
States Armed Forces in the Philippines-
Northern Luzon. The monument
represents the victory of the United States
and the Philippines against the Japanese in
the city.
Pangasinan Hundred Islands National Park Dumayo Festival
This natural wonder is made of around 120 This is held annually to give thanks for the
Capital: islands, the number varying depending on blessings that Urdaneta City has received
Lingayen the tide. The islands are said to be millions throughout the years. Activities that give
of years old. Of all the islands, only meaning to the celebration include: Basbas ng
Governor Island, Quezon Island, and Pag-iisang Dibdib (free mass wedding),
Children's Island have been developed for bloodletting activity, tree planting for
tourism. environment preservation, job fairs, and fun run
Patar Beach for a cause. Some of the highlights of this event
It is roughly a 45-minutes to an hour are the grand parade where carabaos adorned
destination from Bolinao town proper. with various ornaments are featured and street
What makes the beach special, besides the dance performances.
nice white sand and pristine waters, is the Pistay Dayat (Feast of the Sea)
fact that during sunsets the sand turns This is an annual coastal celebration of
into a lush gold color. communities lining the Lingayen Gulf.
Enchanted Cave According to old fisher folks of Lingayen, this
It is a wondrous cave that has bright clear started in the early 1960s as a simple, limited
waters filled with corals and ancient rocks. shoreline community ritual of prayers, meals,
A trip to the cave can be both educational and merriment on or about May 1. Festivities
and fun. start with a holy mass, followed by a Philippine
Bolinao Falls Air Force skydiving exhibition. Then, Mutya ng
This site is composed of two (2) waterfalls Dagat, a beauty contest participated in by local
-- Bolinao Falls 1 and 2. Most tourists head maidens, serves as culminating event.
to Bolinao Falls 2, while Bolinao Falls 1 is Sigay Festival
underrated and less filled with people. The highlights of this festival is the Fluvial
Both falls are picturesque and are great Parade where various motor boats from
places to go to for a nice refreshing dip. different Barangays of Binmaley participate.
Bolinao Falls 1 has more rocks and moss.
REFERENCES:
Ang Sarap. (2015). Bagnet. Retrieved on October 20, 2017 from: http://www.angsarap.net/2011/06/17/bagnet/
Business Diary. (2017). Burong Isda. Retrieved on October 20, 2017 from: http://businessdiary.com.ph/593/how-to-make-burong-isda/
Panlasang Pinoy. (2017). Dinakdakan. Retrieved on October 20, 2017 from: http://panlasangpinoy.com/2014/09/18/dinakdakan-recipe/
Dinengdeng. (2002). Dinengdeng. Retrieved on October 20, 2017 from: https://www.tagaloglang.com/dinengdeng/
Recipes Wikia. (n.d). Pinakbet. Retrieved on October 20, 2017 from: http://recipes.wikia.com/wiki/Pinakbet
Kawaling Pinoy. (2017). Poqui poqui. Retrieved in October 20, 2017 from: https://www.kawalingpinoy.com/poqui-poqui/
E-philippines. (ND). Laoag Tourist Spots. Retrieved on October 20, 2017 from: http://www.e-philippines.com.ph/philippine-tourist-destinations/where-to-go-laoag-tourist-spots/
E-philippines. (ND). Vigan Tourist Spots. Retrieved on October 20, 2017 from: http://www.e-philippines.com.ph/philippine-tourist-destinations/where-to-go-vigan-tourist-spots/
Travelbook. (2015). 5 Places to visit in La Union. Retrieved on October 20, 2017 from: https://www.travelbook.ph/blog/5-places-to-visit-in-la-union/
Travelbook. (2015). 5 Places to visit in Pangasinan. Retrieved on October 20, 2017 from: https://www.travelbook.ph/blog/5-places-to-visit-in-pangasinan/
Go Visit Philippines. (2015). Ilocos Sur: Festival. Retrieved on October 20, 2017 from: http://www.govisitphilippines.com/blog.php?blog=98#
E-travel Pilipinas. (ND). Philippine Fiesta: Ilocos Norte Festivals and Cultural Events. Retrieved on October 20, 2017 from:
http://www.etravelpilipinas.com/events_festivals/ilocos_norte_festivals_and_cultural_events.htm
Go Visit Philippines. (2015). La Union: Festival and Events. Retrieved on October 20, 2017 from: http://www.govisitphilippines.com/blog.php?blog=67
Travel to the Philippines. (2011). Colorful Festivals in Pangasinan. Retrieved on October 20, 2017 from: http://www.traveltothephilippines.info/2012/10/01/colorful-festivals-in-pangasinan/

Gastronomical Map References:

Panlasang Pinoy. (2015). Bagnet. Retrieved on October 20, 2017 from: http://panlasangpinoy.com/2015/07/12/bagnet-recipe/
Kawaling Pinoy. (2015). Dinakdakan. Retrieved on October 20, 2017 from: https://www.kawalingpinoy.com/dinakdakan/
Kusina Master Recipes. (2014). Dinengdeng. Retrieved on October 20, 2017 from: http://www.kusinamasterrecipes.com/dinengdeng-recipe/
Ilocano York. (2011). Buro. Retrieved on October 20, 2017 from: http://ilocanoyork.com/latest/burong-isda/
Panlasang Pinoy. (2009). Pinakbet. Retrieved on October 20, 2017 from: http://panlasangpinoy.com/2009/09/09/filipino-food-vegetable-dish-pinakbet-pakbet-tagalog-recipe/
Kawaling Pinoy. (2015). Poqui-Poqui. Retrieved on October 20, 2017 from: https://www.kawalingpinoy.com/poqui-poqui/

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