Articles

RP'S HISTORY AND CULTURE THROUGH THE WINDOWS OF ILOCOS

The winding bridge of Patapat, Ilocos Norte

I

f a nation's wealth were measured based on its natural splendor and heritage, then the Philippines could well be one of the richest countries of the world.

A good portion of the Philippines wealth is hidden in the Ilocos Region in Northern Luzon. It's main attractions include breathtaking seascapes and landscapes. Its colonial heritage is also a major factor that draws local and foreign tourists to this part of the country.

Vigan is the pride and capital of Ilocos Sur. This historic Spanish City showcases the finest colonial architecture remaining in the Philippines. Old Spanish houses and antique shops selling memorabilia line the narrow cobblestone streets where horse-drawn calesas still serve as a means of transportation.

At plaza Burgos, where the centuries old St. Paul's Church stands, stalls selling Vigan's special delicacies, and native products abound. Suggested pasalubong include the Royal Bibingka, the original Ilocos chicharon, Candon kalamay, the cassava cake sa bumbong, and Vigan empanadas.

Aside from Vigan's St. Paul's Church Ilocos has several other churches that were built way back 1500's. These edifices are silent witnesses of events that took place some 400 years ago.

The Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte, founded by the Agustinians in 1593, is noted for its architectural styles. This famous fortress-like church has massive buttresses, exterior, staircase and facade that are "earthquake" baroque. It has separate three-storey bell tower, dating from 1793, which was used by local guerrrilas in World War II and as a lookout by the Katipuneros during the revolution.

The Sta. Monica Church in Sarrat, has a red brick / red interior that is connected to the convent by a brick stairway. The church grounds include ruins of what used to be the Justice Hall and the Torture Room where Filipino revolutionaries were made to suffer the consequences of their patriotic acts.

St. Williams Cathedral at Laoag City was built between 1650 and 1700 in Italian Rennaissance style. It has an unusual facade with runmotif columns and windows made from capiz with wrought iron screens. The Church is famous for its Sinking Bell Tower said to have gone down 15 meters in the past century.

Laoag is not just the provincial capital but also the commercial center of Ilocos Norte. Its central plaza is surrounded by the Cathedral, city hall, Marcos Hall of Justice and the Provincial Capitol. The Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel, the only four-star hotel in the entire Region, is another one of Laoag's pride.

Also in Batac include the Marcos Museum. It displays Marcos Memorabilia. It is also here that the remains of President Marcos is kept preserved in a glass case freezer (casket) inside a plain-looking mausoleum, just beside their residence.

There is also the Malacañang of the North, overlooking the legendary Paoay Lake, said to be the very spot where the lost town of San Juan de Sahagun once stood.

Farther up north is Pagudpud where white sand beaches can be found. Connecting Pagudpud and the next and first town of Cagayan is the Patapat Bridge, the longest bridge in all of Ilocos, mile-long infrastructure built alongside of a mountain just above Bangui Bay.