Explore the infinite variety of sights Ilocos Norte has to offer! Whether these be historical, religious or natural attractions, we know you'll keep wanting to come back for more!
History of Ilocos Norte!
Long before the coming of the Spaniards, there already existed an extensive region (consisting of the present provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra and La Union) renowned for its gold mines. Merchants from Japan and China would often visit the area to trade gold with beads, ceramics and silk. The inhabitants of the region, believed to be of Malay origin, called their place "samtoy", from "sao mi toy", which literally meant "our language"
In 1591, when the Spanish conquistadors had Manila more or less under their control, they began looking for new sites to conquer. Legaspi's grandson, Juan De Salcedo, volunteered to lead one of these expeditions. Together with 8 armed boats and 45 men, the 22 year old voyager headed north. On June 13, 1572, Salcedo and his men landed in Vigan and then proceeded towards Laoag, Currimao and Badoc. As they sailed along the coast, they were surprised to see numerous sheltered coves ("looc") where the locals lived in harmony. As a result, they named the region "Ylocos" and its people "Ylocanos".
As the Christianization of the region grew, so did the landscape of the area. Vast tracks of land were utilized for churches and bell towers in line with the Spanish mission of "bajo las campanas". In the town plaza, it was not uncommon to see garrisons under the church bells. The colonization process was slowly being carried out.
The Spanish colonization of the region, however, was never completely successful. Owing to the abusive practices of many Augustinian friars, a number of Ilocanos revolted against their colonizers. Noteworthy of these were the Dingras uprising (1589) and Pedro Almasan revolt (San Nicolas, 1660). In 1762, Diego Silang led a series of battles aimed at freeing the Ilocanos from the Spanish yoke. When he died from an assassin's bullet, his widow Gabriela continued the cause. Unfortunately, she too was captured and hanged. In 1807, the sugar cane ("basi") brewers of Piddig rose up in arms to protest the government's monopoly of the wine industry. In 1898, the church excommunicated Gregorio Aglipay for refusing to cut off ties with the revolutionary forces of Sen. Emilio Aguinaldo. Unperturbed, he established the "Iglesia Filipina Independiente". Aglipay’s movement and the nationalist sentiment it espoused helped restore the self-respect of many Filipinos.
In an effort to gain more political control and because of the increasing population of the region, a Royal Decree was signed on February 2, 1818 splitting Ilocos into two provinces: Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. Soon thereafter, the provinces of La Union and Abra likewise became independent.
Facts on Ilocos Norte!
Geography
Ilocos Norte has a land area of 3,622 sq. km., bordered by Ilocos Sur (south), Abra (southeast), Cagayan (east) and the South China Sea (west)
Cities
1 - Laoag City
Towns
22 - Adams, Bacarra, Badoc, Bangui, Banna, Batac, Burgos, Carasi, Currimao, Dingras, Dumalneg, Marcos, Nueva Era, Pagudpud, Paoay, Pasuquin, Piddig, Pinili, San Nicolas, Sarrat, Solsona and Vintar
Proximity
By air - 45 minutes from Manila, 40 minutes from Kaoshiung, 75 minutes from Hong Kong, 3 hours from Japan and Korea.
By land - 8 hours from Manila, 4 hours from Baguio
Seasons
Dry - November to April
Wet - May to October
Climate
Average temperature - 26.8 C (end 1997)
Population
Total - 491, 312 (end 1997)
Average annual growth (1990-1995) - 0.84% per annum
Language
Iloko (Ilocano) - common language
English and Filipino - are also used
Religion
Roman Catholic - 63%
Aglipay - 20%
Others - 17 % (end 1997)
Largest Area
Vintar - 624.85 sq. km.
Nueva Era - 515.02 sq. km.
Marcos - 226.38 sq. km
Clothing
Thin cotton is recommended, although a jacket may be necessary in the evenings during the cooler months (November - February)
Electricity
220 volts, 60 cycles
Water
Drink bottled or boiled water
Laoag City – The Gem City Location and Boundaries
Laoag City, the sparkling gem of Ilocandia, is located at the west central part of the province of Ilocos Norte bordering the great China Sea. It is the nerve center of trade, commerce, business, industry, education and politics in the province. It is traversed by the national road and is about 488 kilometers north of the City of Manila.
Its boundaries extend to the towns of San Nicolas on the southeast, Paoay on the southwest, Sarrat on the east, Vintar on the northeast and Bacarra on the northwest. The South China Sea is its boundary on the west.
Land area and Topography
The city has a total land area of 12,747.35 hectares, which are spread out over residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, religious, educational and open spaces. Hills and mountain ranges border it on the northeast, while wide undulating sand dunes occupy the western side.
Climate
Laoag City has the same climate as that of other towns of the province. The short wet season starts from May and ends in the early part of October. The dry season occurs during the rest of the year. The average annual temperature is 27.250C and its relative humidity is 75.55 percent. The coldest months are December, January and February, and the average annual rainfall is 60.3 inches.
Population
The population is concentrated in the city proper. Its population in 1975 was 31,235, while the 50 rural barangays had 34,878, making a total of 66,113 In 1986, the population increased to 73,722.The population count taken in 1987 shows that it increased to 38,987 in the rural barangays and to 35,754 in the city proper, making a total of 74,741.
The City Proper
The city proper consists of 30 compact barangays. It is rich in both natural and man-made beauty spots suitable for the recreational activities of the populace. Likewise, modern architecturally designed public and private edifices abound in the place.
At its southern entrance, one can take a look at the longfour-lane cemented bridge spanning the Laoag River. At the northern approach of the bridge is the Aurora Park with its famous Tobacco Monopoly Monument. This serves as a strollers' nook. It is surrounded by four public buildings. On its eastern side is the Gov. Roque Ablan, Sr. and Ilocano Heroes Hall. This is a four-storey edifice that houses some offices of the national government.
The provincial capitol is just north of the park. It is a modern architecturally designed building with beautiful landscaped surroundings. The Marcos Hall of Justice is west of the park. Beside it is the bricked-walled city hall.
Numerous business establishments, such as eateries, bakeries, drugstore, department stores, grocery stores and hardware establishments, surround the new Laoag Supermarket.
The lay-out of the city streets follow the block system. Each city street is named after the heroes of the country and leaders of Spain and America. The main city streets and some side streets are cemented. Houses are modern and equipped with modem appliances.
City History
Laoag was one of the ministries established by the Augustinian definitor of January 5, 1586, under the patronage of Saint William. It n the oldest town established by the Augustinians in the province of Ilocos Norte. Its visitas were San Nicolas, San Juan de Sahagun (a place which is difficult to identify today), and Sarrat. The first missionary was Fr. Agustin Miho, who was killed by the Igorots while he was teaching cathecism to than. The Igorots took his head as a trophy.
During the early days of the Spaniards, they built a hermitage with a chapel on top of Ermita Hill. The hill is at the southeastern portion of the city proper and along the north bank of Padsan River.
The Spaniards laid out the plan of the town before the end of the sixteenth century. They set the location of the church, convent, tribunal and other important edifices. The block system was followed in the street layout.
It was in 1612 when the foundation of the present Roman Catholic Church building was made. But the building was turned in 1843. However, in 1873-1880, it Was repaired by the public works under Engr. Antonio de Ia Camara, in cooperation with Fray Santiago Muffiz.
Pedro Almazan looted the church in 1661 and took the Virgin Mary's crown when he proclaimed himself "King of the Ilocano Kingdom"
Rev. Fr. Jose Evangelista became the first priest of the Agiipayan Church in Laoag.
Protestantism was introduced in Laoag by American missionaries in 1903 These missionaries included Mr. Williams, Mr. Hanna, Dr. and Mrs. Lemon, Dr. and Mrs. Pickett, and Miss Sylvia Siegfried. It was due to their efforts that the Church of Christ, now known as the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, was established.
Laoag was occupied by the Katipuneros during the revolution in 1898. It was, likewise, occupied by the American forces in 1899 and by the Japanese in 1941. It was liberated in February 1945. Laoag became a city in 1965.
Ilaoag or Ilauag was the former name of Laoag. The term Laoag means clearness or light. It is believed that the town was named Laoag, because the place is bright and pleasant and the sky is clear most of the time.
Siam Bayshore Resort & Spa, Pattaya, Introduces
