ilocos

From the routine of everyday work life ro rhe adventures of exploring and traveling with 7,107 islands, the most grate adventure that one can experience are those where we've just got to go for see where it may lead us. Truly it is considered to be more fun in the philippines! :)
Ilocos is considered as a must see tourist destination in the Philippines. Not only it sketches white sand beaches lined with coconut trees and crystal blue water; but also it is endodowed with its timeless and well preserved beauty. It portrays a soanish era with it's cobble stones streets,house drawn ccarriages old houses and ancient structure that have survived the war and stood the test of time.

Ilocos Norte has a total land area of 3,400 square kilometers. It is composed of 22 municipalities with 477 barangays. The province is noted for being the birthplace of former Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos, who led an authoritarian rule over the country during the later half of his incumbency. Ilocos Norte has always been Marcos territory and the family enjoy a moderate amount of popularity in the province.

Agriculture is the main source of livelihood in the province, all lands for cultivation can be planted with rice, corn, garlic, onion, sugarcane, tobacco, and cotton. Ilocos Norte is also noted for its various cottage industries, among which are cloth weaving, pottery-making, blacksmithing, woodcarving and furniture making. Its ethnic population is overwhelmingly Ilocano. Unlike the rest of the region, however, the Roman Catholic Church does not predominate. The Aglipayan Church, Iglesia ni Cristo, and other Protestant groups have strong followings, as well as, animism and non-religiosity. The climate is characterized by two extremes: very dry from December to April and very wet for the rest of the year. The average temperature in Ilocos Norte is 81 deg F. May is the warmest month, with an average temperature of 83 deg F, and December is the coldest.Laoag City, the capital city of Ilocos Norte, is 463 kilometers north of Manila. Flourishing along the bank of the Laoag River, it is the nerve center of the province and the seat of politics, business, commerce, education and religion. It became a 2nd class city in 1965. Apparently, there is so much to see and four days was just not adequate enough for us to visit all the cultural, religious, scenic, and historical sites the province has to offer. The places which we had explored were not only considered as tourist attractions, but also how the region was able to preserved its natural sites and considered these as there national historical treasure of landmarks.

The Juan Luna Shrine in Badoc, Ilocos Norte, is a reconstruction of the two-storey house in which the patriot and foremost Filipino painter was born on October 24, 1857. He was an instrument in placing Philippine art and culture on the world map.Luna's reputation as a master painter both in the Philippines and Europe. It included the Spoliarium painting which he was famous for.

The Paoay Church was built of coral blocks and stucco-plastered bricks. Its architecture is a unique combination of Baroque and Oriental. The materials used for the walls were a mixture of coral stone and bricks. It points out the desire of the builders to make sure that the church stood against natural calamities. The church is considered as one of the most striking edifices in the country with its huge buttresses flanking the sides and rear facade.

The Marcos Museum and Mausoleum in Batac, Ilocos Norte showcases memorabilia of the late Philippines President Ferdinand E. Marcos and a large stately and gloomy tomb housing his embalmed remains which are contained in a vacuum-sealed glass coffin. Within the property of the Marcos family is a cluster of three houses and the hallowed grounds of the mausoleum. The Museum is the first structure seen from the main street and is the one which follows the lines of a colonial wood-and-brick house, with solid ground floor walls and an upper storey of wood decorated with floral motifs. The Mausoleum is a cube of adobe blocks and is stepped towards the top of the structure. The dark interior is divided into an entry foyer in which are exhibited old English standards and a bust of the former president.Ferdinand Marcos was born in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte

Singling bell tower Located 85 meters away is its bell tower which has sunk to the grounds and leans slightly. The 45 meter high bell tower is one of the tallest edifice built in the province. When the tower was newly erected a person on horseback can pass through its door freely. Today, a person of average height could hardly pass without stooping.

In the town of Sarrat is a beautiful red brick church of Baroque and Neo-Classical style called the Sta. Monica Church. Irene Marcos, the daughter of former Philippine President Marcos, was married to Gregorio Araneta in a fairytale-like wedding in the church complete with red carpet stretching for kilometers. In the Philippines, it was termed the "wedding of the century." The church features a 137-meter nave that is the longest in the country. It follows a simple rectangular plan and another outstanding feature of the church is its unique system of roof trusses.