Region I

Ilocos Region

Area And Location

-situated on the northwestern coats of Luzon, the region covers an area of 12,840.19 square kilometers. Its coast extends from La Union

northwards to Ilocos Norte, while its river basins are found in Ilocos Norte and Pangasinan.

Geographic Profile

- the region is predominantly mountainous. The climate is dry from November to April, and wet

from May to October. The temperature is normally cool from December to February, and hot in April

and May.

People

- as of 2000, the Ilocos Region had a population of 4,200.478. majority of the people speak

Ilocano, but Pangasinense is spoken in the central towns of Pangasinan, and English and

Filipino remain the basic mediums of instruction in schools.

Political Profile

- the provinces of region I are Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan. The cities are

Dagupan, San Carlos, Alaminos, San Fernando, Vigan, and Laoag.

How To Get There

- the Ilocos Region can be reached by land. Several companies like Philippine Rabbit and Victory Liner have buses going to the different provinces of the region from Manila. Commercial airlines have regular flights to Ilocos Norte via Laoag International Airport.

Ilocos Norte

Laoag

City

Area and Location

- Ilocos Norte has a total land area of 3,399.34 square kilometers. It is located on the northmost edge of western Luzon, and is bounded by the Babuyan Channel on the north and its sister province Ilocos

Sur on the South. To the west are the waters of the South China Sea.

Geographica Profile

-Ilocos Norte consists mostly of alluvial plains, hills, mountains, and coastal land. Its terraine is generally mountainous and rocky. The province is traversed by numerous rivers, including Bonga, Bolo, Lubungaon, Bacarra, and Laoag.

How to get there

-there are two ways to get to Ilocos Norte from Manila: by land, through buses plying the route to this province; and by air, through flights offered by Air Philippines and Asian Spirit.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONName and Location Description

Cape BojeadorLighthouseburgos

Built in 1982, the lighthouse is still sending out signals to ships passing by the cape facing the northern portion of the South China Sea. This is the highest lighthouse in the philippines.

La Paz Sand DunesBrgy.La Paz,Laoag City

These unique sand dunes,locally named Bantay Bimmaboy,are shaped like pigs and attract not only the natives but foreign tourists as well.The area has served as a filming location for local as well as international movies.Near the sand dunes is a beach area.

Malacanang ofThe NorthPaoay

Built as the official residence of former president ferdinand E. Marcos in Iocos Norte, this imposing structure, which overlooks the the legendary Paoay Lake, is now a museum.

Marcos MuseumSarrat

The house where former President Ferdinand Marcos was born, now transformed into a museum.

Pagudpud beachpagudpud

This white-sand beach, stretching across the municipalities of Pagudpud and Bangui, is one of the most beautiful coastal strips in the northern section of Luzon, and is currently being developed as a tourist site.

Name and Location Description

Paoay CurchPoblacion, Paoay

Built of coral blocks and stucco-plastered bricks, the church is a unique combination of Gothic, baroque, and oriental designs. Its construction started in 1704 and was finally completed in 1894.

Patapat BridgePagudpud

This scenic bridge, ideally situated between mountains and the sea, connects the provinces of Ilocos Norte and Cagayan.

San Nicolas ChurchPoblacion, Sab Nicolas

The first stone-and-brick building in the Ilocos Region, this church was built in 1591, was occupied by the Katipuneros under Gen. Manuel Tinio in 1898 and was occupied by the American forces in 1899. The present structure is a reconstruction of the 18th-century building.

St. William's CathedralLaoag City

Designed in the style of the Italian Renaissance, this church was built by the Augustinians in 1642. It has a unique two-storey facade held by four pairs of coupled columns.

Sta. Monica churchSarrat

Built facing the river in Sarrat, this century-old church is noted for its classical and baroque architecture.

Ilocos Sur

Vigan City

Area and Location

-the province of Ilocos Sur is located along the western coast of North Luzon, bounded by Ilocos Norte on the north, Abra on the northeast, Mountain Province on the east, Benguet on the southeast, La Union on the south, and the south china sea on the west. It has a total land area of 2,579.6 square kilometers.

Geographic Profile

The topographical features of the province consists of a long and narrow coastal plain on the western side that becomes hilly and mountainous toward the eastern part, forming a part of the Cordillera Mountain Range. The climate is generally dry, especially during the months of October to May.

How to get there

Air-conditioned buses ply the Manila-Vigan-Laoag routes on hourly basis. Travel time from Manila to Vigan is about eight hours.

Tourist Attraction

Name and Location Description

Ancestral HousesKamestizoan District in Vigan

These houses boast ancient tile roofs, massive hardwood floorings, and balustrades and azoteas in various Spanish-Mexican-Chinese architectual styles.

Apatot BeachSan Esteban

A favorite among the local community, this beach was where US submarines surfaced to unload arms during World War II. It was named after a mangrove plant that used to be abundant in the area.

Archbishop’s PalaceVigan

Completed in 1793 after a span of seven years, the palace features sliding capiz windows and cutout decorations with floral motifs. It houses a collection of priceless ecclesiastical artifacts and relics from other Ilocos churches.

Bantay ChurchBantay

The church was built in 1590 and was reconstructed in 1950. it is famous for its earthquake baroque and neo-Gothic architecture mixed with a psuedo Romanesque design. Its bell tower standing on a hill nearby served as a lookout for enemies.

Name and location Description

Candon BeachCandon

Candon beach, one of the widest in the province, offers gray sand and clear waters. Some small resorts have been built to accommodate visitors.

Katib BeachSan Juan

This beach area boasts a number of tourist facilities.

Santiago CoveBrgy. Sabangan, Santiago

This isolated cove was used by the guirellas as a resupply point during World War II. The place boasts a fishing village, a watch tower and a stretch of golden sand beach with amenities for picnicking and water sports.

St. Paul’s Metropolitan CathedralVigan

Known for its distinct baroque architecture, this church was built by the Augustinians during the period from 1790 to 1800. it has a three-aisle altar and a choir lift. Its belfry is detached and located along the earthquake belt. Typical of Ilocos churches.

Sta. Maria churchSta. maria

A century-old structure situated on top of a 60-meter hill used as a stronghold during the 1896 revolution, this church is now a national landmark.

Tagudin Sundialtagudin

Standing in front of the municipal hall, this structure was built in 1848 as a resupply point by the Spanish colonizers.