LIST OF REGION IN THE PHILIPPINES (REGION 1 ILOCOS REGION)

ILOCOS NORTE is the birthplace of a number of historical figures, such as painter Juan Luna, founder of the Philippine Independent Church Gregorio Aglipay, and poet and dramatist Claro Caluya. The province is also known for its historic churches, some of which date back to the 16th century. The Church of Laoag was founded in 1580, the Church of San Nicolas in 1584, the Church of Paoay in 1593, and the Church of Sarrat in 1724, Ilocos Norte itself however was founded later on February 2, 1818 by Gov. Mariano Fernandez de Folgueras. The ruggedness of the land and the constant exposure to typhoons have made the Ilocanos known for thrift and industry. These factors have also influenced the migration of the people of Ilocos Norte to other parts of the Philippines, as well as to other countries. In fact, Ilocos Norte is a steady source of migrant in the United States since the 1920s.

History

Before the coming of the Spaniards in 1571, Ilocos Norte wBas known to trade with nearby Chinese and Japanese merchants. The region was plenty of gold, so that 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, 1592, 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".

Former Name: None

Land Area: 13,055 km2(5,040.6 sq mi)

Capital: Laoag City

Population: 547,284 (2007)

Principal Dialect: Ilocano Second Class Province

No. of Cities: 1 (Laoag)

No. of Barangays: 557

No. of Municipalities: 22 (Adams, Bacarra, Badoc, Bangui, Batac, Burgos, Carassi, Currimao, Dingras, Dumalneg, Espiritu, (Banna), Marcos, Nueva Era, Pagudpud, Paoay, Pasuquin, Piddig, Pinili, San Nicolas, Sarrat, Solsona, and Vintar).

No. of Municipal Districts: 3 (Adams, Carassi and Dumalneg)

Topography: The terrain of Ilocos Norte is rugged and rocky. The province is cut by chains of mountains and hills of the Cordillera. There are also rivers, the longest of which is the Laoag River.

No. of Principal Rivers: 5 (Laoag is the longest)

No. of Mountains: 17

Climate: The climate is characterized by two extremes: very dry from November to May and very wet for the rest of the year. The province is exposed to the southwest monsoon and cyclonic storms, but it is shielded from the northwest and trade winds by the mountain ranges.

Average Annual Rainfall: 100.58 inches

Principal products/crops: Rice and tobacco

Industries: Weaving , pottery, mat weaving, cigar making, salt making, basi making.

Mineral Resources: Feldspar, cement, copper and manganese

Forest Resources: Timber

Tourist Attraction: Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Sinking Tower of Laoag, Raquiza Garden, Waterworks, Marcos Museum, Sumilang Park, Mabogabog Falls, Payupyupan Beach, Paoay Lake, and the old churches of the province.

Governor: Maria Imelda (Imee) R. Marcus

Congressman: Rodolfo Fariñas and Imelda R. Marcos

Travel via:

By Air:

The province boasts of the Laoag International Airport, located in Laoag City. There are some scheduled flights to and from Hongkong, Guangzhou, Taiwan, and Korea. Domestic flights are also available via the national carrier Philippines Airlines.

By Sea:

Various sea going vessels are docked at the ports of San Fernando and Currimao and are used for interisland transport.

By Land:

Take a scenic bus trip from the capital Manila to Ilocos Norte, lasting about eight hours. Among the bus companies plying this route are the Philippine Rabbit, Partas , Dominion, Florida, Farinas, and Maria de Leon bus lines.

Getting There:

The fastest way to Ilocos Norte is taking an hour flight from Manila to the Laoag International Airport. If you want to save money, you can take a 12-hour bus trip from Metro Manila. We preferred to take the bus to see different provinces and views along the way like La Union and Tarlac. We took the Farinas bus going to Batac City where we began our trip and going back to Manila, we took the Partras bus in Vigan City.

Roam Around Ilocos Norte:

Ilocos Norte is best explored on foot or riding the calesa, the traditional horse-drawn carriage that promises a unique experience in itself. Tricycles also abound for traveling short distances. Going from town to town would mean taking a bus, a mini-bus, or a jeepney.

Best Time to Visit:

The best time to go and check Ilocos Norte is during the drier months and during the summer months as the waves at the beaches of Pagudpud can get pretty rough during the wet season. For surfers, it is a different story, typhoons and tropical depressions can help fuel the waves off the Badoc Coast - requisite conditions for surfing. Otherwise, check the local weather with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

Highlights:

If you think you've seen the best of Ilocos, you're probably missing a lot if you haven't experienced a sunset (or sunrise) yet in the majestic sand dunes of Suba.
Its white-sand beaches and crystal-blue water makes Pagudpud a haven for tourists. Maira-Ira Point is also an emerging attraction with its secluded beach known as the Blue Lagoon. Access to this public beach is from a secondary concrete road on the north side of the Maharlika Highway just before approaching the Patapat Viaduct. On the way to the Blue Lagoon, a sea arch can be seen. Coconut trees line much of the town's coast. On a clear day, the Batanes Islands are visible from Patapat National Park.

The Patapat Viaduct, elevated 31 meters over sea level, is 1.3 km concrete coastal bridge that connects the Maharlika Highway from Laoag, Ilocos Norte to the Cagayan Valley Region. It rises along the town's coastal mountains, which is the starting point of the Cordillera Mountain Range that snakes through Northern Luzon. It is the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines. Located more than 16 kilometers from the town proper, it offers a scenic view of Pasaleng Bay- a view that leads towards wide and pristine beaches backed by mountains with breathtaking waterfalls Kabigan and Mabaga, along with the many cool, refreshing springs waiting to be discovered within.

ILOCOS SUR The first Spanish expedition to the Ilocos region was led by Juan de Salcedo. In 1572, he founded Villa Fernandina or Ciudad Fernandina in honor of King Ferdinand VI of Spain. Now called Vigan, the place was the ancient Spanish capital of Northern Luzon. Salcedo became encomendero of Vigan and lieutenant general of the Ilocos province. Ilocos Sur has its own share of historic spots. Ancient Spanish-type houses dating as far back as the 17th century line the streets of the province . There are also the Vigan Cathedral or the Cathedral of St. Paul which was originally erected in 1574 and the Santa Maria Church built in 1769.

History

Before the coming of the Spaniards, the coastal plains in northwestern Luzon, stretching from Bangui (Ilocos Norte) in the north to Namacpacan (Luna, La Union) in the south, were as a whole known as a progressive region called the Ylokos. This region lies in between the China Sea in the west and Northern Cordilleras on the east. The inhabitants built their villages near the small bays on coves called "looc" in the dialect. These coastal inhabitants were referred to as "Ylocos" which literally meant 'from the lowlands". The entire region was then called by the ancient name "Samtoy" from "sao ditoy' which in Ilokano mean "our dialect". The region was later called by the Spaniards as "Ylocos" or "Ilocos" and its people "Ilocanos".

Former Name: None

Land Area: 13,055 km2(5,040.6 sq mi)

Capital: Vigan

Population: 632,255 (2007)

Principal Dialect: Ilocano

Income Classification: Third Class Province

No. of Cities: None

No. of Municipalities: 34( Alilem, Banayoyo, Bantay, Burgos, Cabugao, Candon, Caoayan, Cervantes, Calimuyod, Gregorio del Pilar, Lidlidda, Masingal, Nagbukel, Narvacan, Quirino, Salcedo, San Emilio, San Esteban, San Ildefonso, San Juan, San Vicente, Santa Catalina, Santa Cruz, Santa Lucia, Santa Maria, Santiago, Santo Domingo, Sigay, Sinait, Sugpon, Suyo, Tagudin, and Vigan).

No. of Barangays: 768

No. of Municipal Districts: 2 ( Sigay and Sugpon)

Topography: The topography of the province is rugged, with mountain ranges occupying the southeastern portions. The elevation is as high as 1,200 meters in some parts. The coastal regions and the northwestern potion are plains.

No. of Principal Rivers: 3 ( Abra, Chico, and Amburayan)

No. of Mountains: 2

Climate: Dry season from November to April and wet the rest of the year. Because of the lack of natural barriers, Ilocos Sur is vulnerable to monsoons and storms coming from the China Sea. About 32 percent of all typhoons affecting the country pass through the province.

Average Annual Rainfall: 100.58 inches

Principal products/crops: Tobacco and rice Industries Fishing and small-scale industries.

Mineral Resources: Limestone and iron ore (magnetite)

Forest Resources: None

Tourist Attractions: Besang Pass, Tirad Pass, Northern Luzon Heroes Hill National Park, Darapidap Beach Resort, Pug-os Beach Resort, Sabongan Beach Resort, and the Sevilla Beach Resort.

Governor: Chavit Singson

Congresman: Ronald B. Singson, Eric Owen G. Singson, Jr.

Vigan, Ilocos Sur - WORLD HERITAGE SITE

1. Plaza Salcedo
2. Plaza Burgos
3. Vigan Church (St. Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral and its Belltower)
4. Meztiso District notably Mena Crisologo St.
5. Chavit Singson's Baluarte - features a mini zoo, butterfly garden, free palomino ride, shooting range and a mini chapel

Highlights:

Bantay, Ilocos Sur - St. Augustine Church and its Bell Tower

Best Time to Visit:

The best time to go to Vigan and in Ilocos Sur in general is during the fiestas and other celebrations as the town comes alive with different activities. A trip during the clear summer months as well affords a stunning bluest of skies - perfect for those postcard perfect photogenic shots of the Kasanglayan.

Nightlife:

Ilocos Sur nightlife centers on the restaurants and cafes in Vigan. What could be more romantic than dinners in a colonial cafe? It's best to take a step back and take in the ambience of the past quaffing a bottle of that famous Ilocano sugarcane wine - Basi.

Delicacies:

.Ipon
.Grapes
.Crabs
.Oysters
.Tuna, Lapu-Lapu and Other Seafoods

Notable:
.Ilocos Sur is also known for Tinubong, sticky rice dessert snack stuck inside a hollow bamboo,Longganiza,chorizo,dudol,bibingka, patupat, and suman.

By Land:

.Partas Buses (Manila to Ilocos Sur)
.Dominion Bus Lines
.Aniceto Bus
.Viron Transit (Manila-Vigan) route regularly
(8-hours)
More info:
Tricycles, calesas and rent-a-vans are the mode of transport within Ilocos Sur. Tricycles are PhP 10/head, Calesas are at PhP150/hour (maximum of 4 people. If you are taking your own car and you are coming from Manila, take the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and then connect through the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), exit at Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac and follow the National Highway through Pangasinan, La Union with Tagudin the first town of Ilocos Sur. You can get a more detailed map of Northern Luzon (Ilocos Sur included) at one of the bookstores in Manila before you embark on this trip.
If you are coming from Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, there are domestic flights daily from Manila-Laoag which is then an hour and a half ride by buses (Fariñas, Maria de Leon, RCJ, F. Franco, Autobus and Partas) or rented vans to Vigan.

LA UNION is the gateway to the Ilocos Region. During the second phase of the Philippine Revolution, La Union was controlled by the revolutionaries. The province lies at the juncture of Central Luzon and the northern provinces, which makes it center for business and commerce. It has the only national port of entry in the region . San Fernando port serves cargo ships for coastwise or overseas trade. It is the exit point for products coming from the mines in the Mountain Provinces.La Union was created by Gov. Gen. Antonio Maria Bueno on March 2,1850.

0fficial Website of the Provincial Government of La Union

No.of Municipalities: 20 ( Agoo, Aringay, Bacnotan, Bagulin, Caba, Luna, Naguilian, Pugo, Rosario, San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Juan, Santo Tomas, Santol, Sudipen and Tubao).

No. of Barangays: 576

No. of Municipal Districts: None

Topography: The province is rugged and hilly, although it has no mountains. Plains are found along the coast to Lingayen Gulf and in the Northern and Southern ends of Province. Five major rivers traverse the province. These rivers are short and swift, and not one of them is navigable by a large craft.

No. of Principal Rivers: 5 (Baroro, Aringay, Lon-oy, Maragapay, and Naguilian)

No. of Mountains: None

Climate: La Union experiences extreme opposite seasons during the year. In the wet season, there is a great deal of rain, while the summer is extremely dry.

Average Annual Rainfall: 108 inches

Principal products/crops: Rice, tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, rootcrops and fruits

Industries: Agriculture and fishing

Mineral Resources: Limestone and red clay

Forest Resources: Firewood (There is no substantial forest in the province to produce timber)

Tourist Resources: Imelda Garden, Chinese Pagoda, Shrine of Sra. de la Caridad, Freedom Park, Cresta Ola Beach Resort, Nalinac Beach, Miramonte Beach Resort, and Sta. Rita White Beach.

Governor: Manuel C. Ortega

Congressmen: Victor F. Ortega, Thomas Dumpit, Jr.

Highlights:

Dubbed as the Garden Coast because of its botanical gardens, the regional center of Ilocos region, La Union also boasts of excellent world-class surf breaks and thus, appropriately nicknamed the Surfing Capital of Northern Philippines.

Best Time to Visit:

If you plan to go to surf - the North Swell usually starts around October until March (although beware as well, because this time is also notorious as being the jellyfish season and a lot of surfers get stung); while the South Swell arrives around late May to June until August. To catch better waves, check out the Philippine weather forecast.

Nightlife:

Nightlife in La Union is characterized by the squalid remnants of American military presence in Bauang or having a quiet bonfire or relaxed drinking at the surf resorts of San Juan.

Delicacies:

.Sea Urchin
.meat pies

By Land:

.Partas buses
.Dominion Bus Lines
.Farinas
.Maria de Leon
.Philippine Rabbit
.Viron (leaves Manila terminals every hour)

More info:

It will take about 5-6 hours travel from Manila (San Fernando is 273 kilometers north) but will only take an hour if you are coming from Baguio City.Jeepneys, tricycles, mini-buses, and rent-a-vans are the mode of transport within the province. If you are taking your own car and you are coming from Manila, take the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and then connect through the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), exit at Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac and follow the National Highway through Pangasinan and then La Union. You can get a more detailed map of Northern Luzon (La Union included) at one of the bookstores.

PANGASINAN, Pangasinan's soil is the best agricultural type found in the Philippines. The province has vast, fertile lands enriched and drained by the Agno River and its tributes. Pangasinan, often referred to as the "Rice Granary of the Philippines," was apportioned to six encomenderos some 25 years after the Spaniards arrived in the province. It was organized into an alcadia mayor in 1580 until it became a province in 1611. During the Philippine Revolution, the Katipuneros led by Daniel Maramba rose up in arms. They clashed with the Guardia de Honor, a counter-revolutionary movement organized by the friars. It was in the town of Bayambang that Gen. Aguinaldo finally disbanded his army and organized guerilla units to escape the pursuing Americans. During World War II, in December 1941, the Japanese forces landed in Lingayen Gulf, the same place where the American Liberation Forces landed on January 9, 1945, with a simultaneous landing in San Fabian.

Official Website of the Provincial Government of Pangasinan

Ancient history

The Pangasinan people, like most of the people in the Malay Archipelago, are descended from the Austronesian-speakers who settled in Southeast Asia since prehistoric times. Genetic studies locate the origin of the Austronesian languages in Sundaland, which was populated as early as 50,000 years ago by early humans who migrated from Africa through India.[2][3] The Pangasinan language is one of many languages that belongs to the Malayo-Polynesian languages branch of the Austronesian languages family.

Religion before Catholicism

The ancient Pangasinan people, like other Austronesian peoples, believed in mana, and practiced Shamanist or animist beliefs and rituals before the Spanish conquest. The people of Pangasinan maintained this set of beliefs and rituals through priests, priestesses, and healers who represented a pantheon of anitos ("deities"). Their temples or altars were dedicated to an anito called Ama Kaoley (Supreme Father) who communicated through mediums called manag-anito. These mediums wore special costumes when serving an anito and they made offerings of oils, ointments, essences, and perfumes in exquisite vessels; after the offerings were made, the anito is supposed to reply in a secret room to their questions.

Former Name: Cabaloan

Land Area: 536,818 hectares

Capital: Lingayen

Population: 2,495,841(2007)

Principal Dialects: Pangasinan and Ilocano

Income Classification: First Class Province

No. of Cities: 2 (Dagupan and San Carlos)

No. of Municipalities: 46 ( Agno, Aguilar, Alaminos, Alcala, Anda, Asingan, Balingao, Bani, Basista, Bautista, Bayambang, Binalonan, Binmaley, Bolinao, Bugallon, Burgos, Calasiao, Dasol, Infanta, Labrador, Laoac, Lingayen, Mabini, Malasiqui, Manaog, Mangaldan, Mangatarem, Mapandan, Natividad, Pozzorubio, Rosales, San Fabian, San Jacinto, San Miguel, San Nicolas, San Quintin, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Santo Tomas, Sison, Sual, Tayug, Umingan, Urbizztondo, Urdaneta, and Villasis).

No. of Barangays: 1,333

No. of Municipal Districts: None

Topography: The southern tip of the province is characterized by narrow valleys and steep slopes. Majority of the rivers are incised in various sharp valleys which broaden into alluvial plains before flowing to the China Sea.

No. of Principal Rivers: 3 (Agno is the largest)

No. of Mountains: 22

Climate: Rainy season from May to October, and dry season from November to April. Mountain barriers protect it from the northwest monsoon and partly from the trade winds. However, it is subject to frequent typhoons.

Average Annual Rainfall: 92 inches

Principal products/crops: Rice, tobacco, coconut, sugarcane, fruits and rootcrops.

Industries: Fishing (major industry), logging and cottage industries such as basket, mat and hat weaving, bagoong making and woodcrafts.

Mineral Resources: Asbestos, limestone phosphate, manganese, and copper.

Forest Resources: Timber

Tourist Attractions: Hundred Islands off the cost of Lucap, the Umbrella Rocks of Sabangan Nortex in Agno, the Blue Beach in Dagupan City, the White Beach in San Fabian, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaog.

Governor: Amado T. Espino Jr.

Congressman: Jesus "Boying" Celeste and Leopoldo Bataoil.

Food and Delicacies:

.Tupig
.Bucaio
.Unday-unday
.Pinakbet
.Longanisa
.Patupat
.Binungey
.Suman
.Talaba
.Alaminus Bangus
.Dila-dila (Kumukusay)
.Seaweeds(Arosep,potpolo)
.Bagoong

Travel Info:

Catch a bus from Manila going to Alaminos, Pangasinan. From the town proper of Alaminos, there are tricycles and jeepneys that ply the 3 kilometer route to Lucap town where the Public Assistance Center for the Hundred Islands National Park is located. The center also accepts reservations for accommodations to the islands. From the center, motorized boats (banca) can be hired for a trip to the islands.Buses ply the Manila-Pangasinan route twenty-four (24) hours a day. The types of available land transportation are cars, vans, jeepneys, tricycles, and buses.

Buses That Ply The Manila - Pangasinan Route:

.Dagupan Bus Line (Quezon City to Dagupan) New York St., Cubao Tel # 929-6123, 727-2330
.Victory Liner (Quezon City to Dagupan and Alaminos) Cubao, Q.C. Tel # 727-4688, 727-4534
.Five Star Bus Line (Pasay City to Dagupan and Bolinao) Tel # 833 8339, 833 3009
.City Trans (Manila to Dagupan and; Bolinao)
.Philippine Rabbit (Quezon City to Dagupan and Bolinao) EDSA, Q.C. Tel # 734-9838, 734-9836
.Philippine Rapid Manila to Dagupan and Bolinao)

Hotels and Resorts in Pangasinan:

.Hotels and Resorts in Pangasinan
Lingayen Beach, Pangasinan, Philippines
.El Puerto Marina
.Lingayen Gulf and Resort
.Sabangan Beach, Pangasinan, PhilippinesPunta .Riviera Resort, Pangasinan, Philippines
.Hundred Islands National Park, Pangasinan, Philippines
.Cape Bolinao Beach, Pangasinan, Philippines
.Tambobong Beach, Pangasinan, Philippines

Must See Natural Formations:

.Hundred Islands National Park
.Cacupangan Cave
.Villacorta Caves
.Santiago Island
.Cape Bolinao Beach
.Manleluag Spring National Park
.Tambobong White Beach
.Agno Umbrella Rocks
.Mount Balungao
.Antong Falls

MORE REGION

REGION I (Ilocos Region)
(Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan)

REGION II (Cagayan Valley)
(Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino)

REGION III ( Central Luzon )
(Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales)

REGION IV A ( Calabarzon )
(Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon and Rizal)

REGION IV B (Mimaropa)
(Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan and Romblon)

REGION V ( Bicol Region )
( Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon )

REGION VI (Western Visayas)
(Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental
)

REGION VII (Central Visayas)
(Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor)

REGION VIII (Eastern Visayas)
(Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, and Southern Leyte)

REGION IX ( Zamboanga Peninsula )
(Zamboanga del Norte Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay )

REGION X (Northern Mindanao)
(Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oreintal)

REGION XI (Davao Region)
(Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental)

REGION XII (SOCCSKSARGEN)
(North Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat)

REGION XIII (Caraga)
(Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur)