Tag Archives: Ilocos

Experiencing History at Museo Ilocos Norte

Places that have a deep sense of history, and pride in that history, often have museums. I could be wrong, of course, but that’s how I see it. We have the the more serious National Museum and the meant-to-be-experienced Museong … Continue reading →

The Poqui-Poqui and Bagnet of Ilocos

What first comes to mind when you hear of Ilocos? It’s perfectly ok if you’d say the Marcoses or Chavit Singson, but we’re not referring to a person. You could also say Pagudpud or the giant windmills, but we’re talking … Continue reading →

Burnayan (Vigan, Ilocos Sur)

The kalesa, a horse-drawn contraption that we used for a guided tour through different locations in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, seemed like a time machine, transporting us back in time. Turning a corner is like turning a page of our history … Continue reading →

The Golden Sand Dunes of La Paz, Ilocos Norte

A desert in a foreign country. This is the weird feeling while standing in the middle of the towering sand dunes. It seems some post-civilization inhabitants would grab our gear and leave us to die. Or a young lady with … Continue reading →

Vigan, Ilocos Sur: Philippine Heritage City

Postcard-perfect. That’s how I’ve always imagined Vigan would be. Kalesa (horse-drawn carriage) leisurely rolling through cobblestone roads, passing century-old houses that are witnesses to Vigan’s rich history. I thought it would feel like being brought back in time, walking through … Continue reading →

Syquia Mansion Museum (Vigan, Ilocos Sur)

A Philippine Historical Committee marker notes that the Syquia Mansion was constructed in 1830 and subsequently became the residence of a Philippine President and his spouse, Alicia Syquia (I don’t understand all the contents of the marker, as it’s in … Continue reading →

Malacanang of the North (Paoay, Ilocos Norte)

One would usually associate Paoay with the Paoay Church, also called San Agustin Church, and for good reason — this beautiful architecture that is a showcase of Spanish-era churches in the Philippines is listed as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage … Continue reading →

Cape Bojeador Ligthouse (Burgos, Ilocos Norte)

A lighthouse, parola in Filipino and other dialects in the Philippines (and in Spanish, I suppose) guides ships and anyone at sea. The Philippines is an archipelago, composed of thousands of islands and, quite understandably, a large number of lighthouses. … Continue reading →

Bangui Wind Mills (Ilocos Norte)

There must be some logical explanation why people love really big things. Now that we’re in the midst of a really hot Philippine summer, perhaps it would be refreshing to be cooled by a huge electric fan. But while the … Continue reading →

The Churches of Ilocos

There’s so much to write about in a trip through Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. Some of the places in Ilocos deserve a separate post, like Pagudpud, while others are lumped according to category just to have a semblance of … Continue reading →

Blue Lagoon at Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

One yardstick of a great destination, in my book, is when it’s somewhere I don’t mind driving straight for hours, get immersed in the splendor of the place for an hour or so, pack up then go home. Pagudpud (Ilocos … Continue reading →