Region 1: A Guide To Ilocos Region, Philippines PDF

# Region 1: A Guide To Ilocos Region, Philippines ## Objectives At the end of this chapter, the students shall be able to: - know the area and location of the Ilocos Region - know the geographical characteristic of the provinces of Region 1 - know the different tourist destinations, gastronomic fe...

# Region 1: A Guide To Ilocos Region, Philippines ## Objectives At the end of this chapter, the students shall be able to: - know the area and location of the Ilocos Region - know the geographical characteristic of the provinces of Region 1 - know the different tourist destinations, gastronomic features, geographic profile of each Provinces in the region 1 ## Geography The Ilocos Region is located on the northwestern portion of Luzon, Philippines. It is composed of four provinces: - Ilocos Norte - Ilocos Sur - La Union - Pangasinan ## Basic Facts About Ilocos Region | Fact | Value | |-------------------------|----------------| | Total Land Area | 12, 840.19 sq. | | Provinces | 4 | | Cities | 9 | | Municipalities | 116 | | Barangays | 3,265 | | Total Population | 4,748,372 | | Dialect | Ilocano, Pangasinense, Tagalog (Filipino) | ### Province Seals - The seals for Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan are included in the document. ## Ilocos Norte - Capital: Laoag City - Total Land Area: 3,662 sq.km - Towns: Adams, Bacarra, Badoc, Bangui, Banna, Burgos, Caraasi, Currimao, Dingras, Dumalneg, Marcos, Nueva Era, Pagudpud, Paoay, Pasuquin, Piddig, Pinili, San Nicolas, Sarrat, Solsona and Vinta. ### Geographic Profile Ilocos Norte is composed of muddy grasslands, mountains and seaside land. ### Gastronomy Ilocos Norte is famous for its high-end cholesterol food shots like Empanada, Bagnet, longganisa, Dragon fruit ice cream and pinakbet. ### Other Facts - Ilocos Norte is noted for being the birthplace of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos. - Ilocos Norte is also known as the Northern Tourist Destination. - Governor of Ilocos Norte: GOVERNOR MATTHEW J. MARCOS MANOTOC ## Tourist Attractions - **St. Williams Cathedral:** Built in 1942 by the Augustinians with a unique 2 story facade held by 4 pairs of couples columns. - **Sta. Monica Church:** Located in Sarrat, this century old church is well known for its traditional and ornamental construction. - **Cape Bojeador Lighthouse:** Built in 1892 as an instrument to send signals to the ships passing by the China Sea. It is considered as the highest lighthouse in the Philippines. - **La Paz Sand Dunes:** This sandy coastal desert, locally called Bantay Bimmaboy, is known for its dunes that resemble the shape of pigs. - **Bangui Wind Farm:** The first power generating windmill farm in Southeast Asia, with 15 wind turbines. - **Pagudpud Beach:** This white sand beach is known for its fine white sand and clear blue seas. - **Malacanang of the North:** Built by Philippine Tourism Authority in 1977 for former President Ferdinand E Marcos’s 60th birthday, which later became the official residence of the Marcoses. - **Paoay Church:** Also known as St. Agustine Church, the church is famous for its distinct architecture highlighted by enormous defenses on the sides and back of the building. Construction started in 1704 and was finally completed in 1894. ## Ilocos Sur - Known as the Heartland of Ilocos. - Governor: Ryan Luis Verzosa Singson ### Gastronomy Ilocos Sur is known for its Bagnet, Igado, Pinakbet, and Sinanglao. Sinanglao is a favorite breakfast food for the Ilocanos that is made up of cow's internal organs. ### Climate Ilocos Sur has a generally dry climate, especially from October to May. ## Tourist Attractions - **Ancestral Houses:** These houses brag antique piece rooftops, huge hardwood terrazzo, and railings and azote in various Spanish-Mexican-Chinese architectural styles. - **Apato Beach:** This beach was the site of submarine emerging during the latter part of the World War II to unload arms and supplies for the United States Army Forces in the Philippines. - **Archbishop's Palace:** Completed in 1793 after 7 years of construction, it features sliding Capiz windows and cutout decorations with floral motifs. - **Bantay Church:** Built in 1590 and was reconstructed in 1950, this church is famous for its earthquake baroque and neo-Gothic architecture. The bell tower served as a lookout for enemies. - **Baluarte:** This mini zoo features animals from other countries and is owned by Mr. Chavit Singson. - **Candon Beach:** One of the widest in the province, Candon Beach offers gray sand and clear waters. Some small resorts have been built to accommodate visitors. - **Santiago Cove:** This isolated cove was used by the guerillas as a resupply point during World War II. The place boasts a fishing village, a watchtower, and a stretch of golden sand beach with amenities for picknicking and water sports. ## La Union - Capital: San Fernando City - Total Land Area: 1,497.70 sq km. - La Union has a total 576 barangays comprising its 19 municipalities and 1 city. - La Union is the Surfing Capital of the North. - Governor: Raphaelle Veronica A. Ortega-David ### Gastronomy La Union is known for its Halo-Halo de lloko, Kilawin, Basi and Sabong fried chicken. The province is also known to have fresh fruits like grapes. ## Tourist Attractions in La Union - **La Union Capitol:** The Capitol Building, one of the significant attractions in the province. - **Agoo Basilica:** Rebuilt in 1892 after a severe earthquake, the Agoo basilica is one of the most imposing Catholic structures in the province. - **Basi Making:** Basi is a native Ilocano wine concoted from sugarcane juice and duhat bark for coloring. - **Battle of San Fernando Marker:** The historical marker commemorates the battle that enabled the establishment of the US Army Base at Poro Point. - **Bauang Beach:** This fine grayish sand beach is lined with tourist establishments providing accommodation and amenities to visitors. Its calm, crystal-clear waters are ideal for water sports. - **Blanket Weaving:** Rayon, cotton and polyster lined with tinagudan, a local yarn, to weave the beautiful blankets produced in the province. - **Luna Watchtower:** Built during pre-Spanish times, Luna shore was used as a look out for impending attacks by pirates. - **Museo de lloko**: This building is an old presidencia, which now houses artifacts, religious icons, and other historical pieces of cultural importance to the Ilocos. - **Pottery Making:** Clay products are produced utilizing age-old procedures in pottery making. - **Rambak:** This celebration features water sports, a mountain bike race, cultural presentations and a trade fair capped with a fluvial parade and reenactment of the resurrection rites on Eastern Sunday. - **San Juan Beach:** Boasts several tourist establishments, this beach is ideal for surfing, especially during November to February. ## Pangasinan - Capital: Lingayen - The province has a land area of 5,368.82 sq km. - Pangasinan has 1,364 barangays, 44 municipalities, and 4 cities. - “Pangasinan” means "place for salt" or "place for salt making". - Pangasinan is a major producer of salt in the Philippines. - Governor: Ramon V. Guico Ⅲ ### Gastronomy - **Dagupan Bangus:** They are hybrid type and are bred at saltwater by the Lingayen Gulf. - **Bagoong Isda:** Fist paste made up of fermented fish. - **Kaleskes:** The Pangasinan equivalent of papaitan made up of goat intestines. - **Bagisen:** The Pangasinan equivalent of dinuguan. ## Tourist Attractions - **Bonuan Beach:** A landing site of the Liberation Forces in 1945, this beach is now a venue for water sports and activities. - **Cape Bolinao Lighthouse:** Built by Americans in 1903 on a 300-foot-high promontory at the western part of Cape Bolinao. - **Hundred Islands National Park:** This major tourist destination is composed of a cluster of islands of varying sizes, some with small white beaches. The place is ideal for swimming, boating and snorkeling. The islands totaling 124 at low tide and 123 at high tide. - **Manleluag Hot Spring:** The spring can be reached via a 7-kilometer uphill climb and is ideal for trekking. - **Umbrella Rocks:** These mushroom shaped stone boulders are located at the mouth of the Balincaguing River. - **Nuestra Senora de Manaoag Shrine:** The miraculous shrine of "Apo Baket", with processions held here at dawn every first Saturday of the month.