Ilocos Norte

St. Augustine Church, Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Norte which is famous for its natural and cultural scenery, is located at the northernmost tip of Luzon. It’s a favorite destination of many foreign and local tourists for its wealth of attractions. The capital of Laoag City features the Sinking Belltower, which has sunk to the ground because of its weight. Its half buried entrance once allowed a man on horseback to enter. Beside the Cathedral of St. William is the plazacomplex with its historical Abolition of the Tobacco Monopoly Monument, Ilocos Norte Capitol, and the Ilocandia Museum. The La Paz and Suba sand dunes are favorite movie settings ranging from classic local films such as Nora Aunor’s Himala to Hollywood gems like Tom Cruises Born On The Fourth of July.

Garlic is sold and tobacco fields can be seen along the highway. Batac contains the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum where the preserved remains of former President Ferdinand Marcos are displayed. Paoay is home to the grand Malacañang of the North overlooking Lake Paoay, once Marcos’ summer residence. The town’s most famous attraction is its church. With its blend of Spanish and Oriental architecture, Paoay Church is now included in the UNESCO ‘World Heritage List. Massive buttresses found nowhere else in the Philippines support the centuries-old edifice. 

Other old churches can be found in Sarrat Dingras, San Nicolas, Bacarra (which has a leaning tower), and Badoc. Badoc also has the Juan Luna Shrine once the home of the famous painter and now a museum. Farther up north is Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, a charming structure set on a hilly terrain.

At the end of tile road is Pagudpud considered as the Boracay of the North. Beautiful white sand beaches are set against deep-blue seas and mountains. This is undoubtedly the best beach area of the entire Ilocos region. On the road to Cagayan is the Patapat Viaduct hugging a seaside cliff.