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Ilocos Norte, the northern tip of Luzon, is wedged
between the steep Gran Cordillera Central Central in the
east, the rugged I locos Mountains in the northeast, and the
Ilocos Range in the south.
The centuries old churches that dot every town of
Ilocos are testimonies to the colonial past. They part of
the plaza complex town planning instituted by the Spanish
colonizers.
With a coastline that stretches to 90
statute, Ilocos is blessed with rich marine life ----
shells, giants turtles, seaweeds, starfish, tuna, and a
variety of fishes.
Below Ilocos Norte is Ilocos Sur,
located the western coast of Northern Luzon, bound by Abra
on the northern, Mt. Province on the east, Benguet on the
southeast, La Union on the south, and the China Sea on the
west. Ilocos Sur's topography has elevations ranging from 10
to 1, 700meters above sea level.
Though unmistakably
foreign in form, the churches of Ilocos Sur reflect a
distinctly Ilocano character. The handiness and strength of
the Ilocanos are reflected in the in the massiveness and sturdiness of the structures.
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Old Churches |
Spanish colonial
churches are a must-see in Ilocos Norte. The Paoay Church,
originally built between 1699-1704, display ingenuity in the use of
corals, mortar, bricks and molasses. The Laoag Cathedral, massive,
short and barn-like, was constructed between 1650-1700. Watch out t
for the Sinking Bell Tower. Dingras Church , set in the midst of
expensive rice field, was built by native in 1680 using red bricks.
Ilocos Sur's famous churches include the St. Paul's Metropolitan
Cathedral, Bantay Church, Sta. Lucia Church, and the Sinait Church. |
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Beaches |
For Ilocandia Resort and Hotel
is situated in the midst of fetching sandhills in coastal in
coastal Calayab, Laoag City. Some 26 kms south of Laoag City
is Currimao, line with beautiful beaches dotted at times with
corals.. The white Beaches of Pagudpud, the farthest end of Ilocos
Norte towards Laoag-Alapacan Road, are a veritable paradise. |
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Museum |
Ilocos Sur's national museum, the Padre Jose Burgos
House, contains the the memoriblia of the martyr-priest Jose Burgos
and the Ilocano artifacts and ethnic arts of the Tinggians, while
the Magsingal Museum is a repository of Ilocano heritage featuring
collections of pottery and porcelain artifacts. |
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Ancestral Houses |
Kamestizoan District in Vigan is replete with
ancestral houses with ancient tile roofs, massive hardwood
floorings, balustrades, and azoteas in varying Spanish-
Mexican-Chinese architectural styles. |
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