PROVINCE
OF ILOCOS SUR
I. OVERVIEW
A. Brief History
Before the advent of the
Spanish Regime, settlements already existed along the coves or “looc” in the
northern part of Luzon. These settlements called the “Ylocos” which extended
from Bangui in the north to Namacpacan in the south were discovered during the
expedition led by Juan de Salcedo in 1572.
Juan de Salcedo decided to establish his
headquarters in a settlement along the Mestizo River, then named “Kabigaan”
because of the “gabi” like plants abundantly growing by the bank of the river.
Vigan also became the seat of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia and was called
“Ciudad Fernandina” in honor of King Ferdinand. Vigan remains to be the capital
city of Ilocos Sur.
On February 2, 1818, the Ylocos was divided into two
provinces: Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. At that time, Ilocos Sur encompassed
what are now the northern towns of La Union up to Luna and Abra. Also annexed
were Lepanto and Amburayan in Mt. Province. Act 2683 passed on March 1917 by
the Philippine Legislature defined the present geographical boundaries of
Ilocos Sur.
B. Geography
Ilocos Sur is located along
the western coast of Northern Luzon It is bounded by Ilocos Sur Norte on the
north, Abra on the northeast, Mt. Province on the east, Benguet on the
southeast, La Union on the south and the
China Sea on the west. Its area of 2,579.58 square kilometers occupies about
20.11 % of the total land area of Region 1.
The topography of Ilocos
Sur is undulating to rolling with elevations ranging from 10 to 1,700 meters
above sea level.
C. Political Subdivision
Ilocos Sur is divided into
two political districts. The province has 32 municipalities and 2 cities which
are subdivided into 764 barangays. They are Alilem, Banayoyo, Bantay, Burgos,
Cabugao, Caoayan, Cervantes, Galimuyod, Gregorio del Pilar, Lidlidda,
Magsingal, Nagbukel, Narvacan, Quirino, Salcedo, San Emilio, San Esteban, San
Ildefonso, San Juan, San Vicente, Santa, Santiago, Sta. Catalina,
Sta. Cruz, Sta. Lucia, Sta. Maria, Sto. Domingo, Sigay, Sinait, Sugpon, Suyo, Tagudin.
The cities include Candon City and Vigan City.
D. Climate
The climate is generally
dry as defined by the Hernandez type of climate. Classification is
characterized by more dry months usually from October to May. However, the southernmost portion (part of Cervantes)
is observed to be humid and rain is even distributed throughout the year while
the eastern part of Sugpon is dry with rain not sufficiently distributed.
August has the most rainfall while January and February have the least. The mean
temperature in the province is 27oC. January is the coldest.
E. Population
In the 2000 census, the
population of Ilocos Sur was 594,206. Vigan
City, the capital of Ilocos Sur, has a
population of 45,143. The population in the province for year 2000
increased by 1.85% relative to the 1995
census.
F. Language / Dialect
Filipino and English are
the basic tools of instruction in schools while Ilocano is the principal
dialect. Kankanaey and Itneg are spoken in cultural communities.
G. Major Industries
The people are engaged in
farming producing food crops mostly rice, corn, vegetable, rootcrops and
fruits. Non-food crops include tobacco, cotton and tigergrass. Cottage
industries include loomweaving, furniture making, jewelry making, ceramics, blacksmithing
and food processing.
II. TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
A. Historical
TIRAD PASS. Declared as a National Shrine, the pass, located in the
municipality of Gregorio del Pilar was the last stand of the Filipino
Revolutionary Forces under General Emilio Aguinaldo. The Battle of Tirad Pass
was led by the youngest Filipino General Gregorio del Pilar.
BESSANG PASS. A monument stands on this strategic gap, 5,250 feet above sea
level traversed by Highway 4, west of Cervantes which served as the backdoor to
General Yamashita’s last ditch defense during the last stage of World War II.
The Battle of Bessang Pass was won by the USAFIP, NL on June 14, 1945.
STA. MARIA CHURCH. A National Landmark, this centuries old church
nestled atop a hill at the townproper of Sta. Maria was used as a fortress
during the 1986 Revolution.
NORTHERN LUZON HEROES HILL NATIONAL PARK. The park in Santa was the
stronghold of Gabriela Silang, who continued the struggle for freedom from the
Spaniards started by her slain husband, Diego Silang. A historical marker in
her honor stands nearby.
SAN ESTEBAN and SULVEC WATCHTOWERS. These rotund structures
were built as look-out points for impending pirates.
B. Cultural
NATIONAL MUSEUM - PADRE BURGOS HOUSE. The Burgos residence in
Vigan houses the memorabilia of the martyr-priest Jose Burgos as well as
Ilocano artifacts and ethnic arts of the Tinggians. The museum is open from
Monday to Friday and by appointment on weekends and holidays. Museum hours is 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. then 1:30 to 4:30
p.m. Admission fee is P10.00 for adult and P5.00 for 12 years old and below.
CRISOLOGO MUSEUM. Located along delos Reyes Street in Vigan, the
museum houses the memorabilia of the Crisologos and original furnishings of a
typical Vigan ancestral house. The museum is open from Monday to Sunday and
managed by the Crisologo family.
MAGSINGAL MUSEUM. A repository of Ilocano heritage featuring
collections of pottery and porcelain artifacts. The museum is open from Monday
to Friday and by appointment on weekends and holidays.
ANCESTRAL HOUSES. Kamestizoan District in Vigan is replete with
ancestral houses with ancient tile roofs, massive hardwood floorings,
ballustrades and azoteas in varying Spanish-Mexican-Chinese architectural
styles.
ARCHBISHOP’S PALACE. The palace features sliding capiz windows and
cut-out decorations with floral motiffs. Completed in 1793 after a span of 7
years, the palace has a collection of priceless ecclesiastical artifacts and
relics from other Ilocos churches. Visits can be arranged from Monday to
Friday.
BANTAY CHURCH. The church features earthquake baroque and Gothic-influenced
architecture. Its belfry located a few meters away was used as a lookout for
approaching enemies.
PAGBURNAYAN. The Ilocano jar called “burnay” used for storing the local
vinegar, local wine “basi” and “bagoong” and as a decorative is produced in
factories using the pre-historic method in the southwestern end of Liberation
Avenue in Vigan.
MUSEO SAN PABLO. Religious relics/antiques
are displayed. Located at the back of the St. Paul’s Cathedral.
C. Natural
SANTIAGO COVE. A stretch of golden sand beach in Santiago with amenities for
picnics and water sports.
PINSAL FALLS. A favorite setting of many local films, Pinsal Falls features
Angalo’s footprint, the legendary Ilocano giant. The falls is a few kilometers
of rough road away from the highway. Located at Barangay Babalasiwan, Sta.
Maria.
Other waterfalls in Ilocos
Sur are: CANIAW FALLS in Bantay, GAMBANG FALLS in Cervantes, AWASEN FALLS in
Sigay and BARASIBIS in Sinait.
PUG-OS BEACH. Resthouses and picnic sheds are found in this nearly white sand
beach in Cabugao.
SULVEC BEACH. The rocky shore of Sulvec, Narvacan is a favorite stop of
commuters and the locals. Nearby is the Narvacan Tourism Lodge.
APATOT BEACH. This cove in San Esteban is frequented by picnickers. During the
last stage of World War II, US Submarines surfaced in the area to unload arms
and supplies for the USAFIP, NL.
CANDON BEACH. The beach features amenities and facilities for visitors.
D. Religious
ST. PAUL’S METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL. Vigan. The massive
structure was built by the Augustinians in the distinctive Ilocano earthquake
baroque architecture. The cathedral is the setting of many religious
festivities attended by devotees from outside the province.
STA. LUCIA CHURCH. The object of devotees who flock the church is
the dark Virgin of Sta. Lucia, said to be miraculous. Barely 3 feet-tall, the
18th century image is venerated all over the Ilocos.
SINAIT CHURCH. Enshrined in this century-old church is the 17th century image of
the Black Nazarene found floating in a sealed casket along the coast of Sinait.
Believed to have caused a miracle by aborting a plague that hit Vigan during
the 18th century, many flock to the shrine to celebrate the feast of the Black
Nazarene every 3rd day of May.
E. Man-Made
BALUARTE. Residence of
Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson. Fetures
an interactive Mini Zoo, World Class Shooting Range, Caregiver School and a Function
Hall.
SUNDIAL. Located in front of the Tagudin Municipal Hall, this sundial is
one of the existing and still in use sundials built by the Spaniards in 1848.
PLAZA SALCEDO. Located west of St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral is this
elevated elliptical plaza highlighting the Salcedo Monument, known to be the
oldest in the North.
PLAZA BURGOS. Another plaza in Vigan named in honor of the Ilocano-martyr
priest Father Jose Burgos. Nearby are food stalls selling native delicacies
such as the “empanada.”
MIRA HILLS. Features an aviary, water tank, picnic
sheds and swimming pools surrounded by trees giving it a shady and cool
ambiance.
F. Festivals
SEMANA SANTA. St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral is the venue of religious rites
during the Holy Week. The Good Friday procession features decorated carrozas
bearing life-size statues of Spanish vintage. On Easter Sunday, the dawn
celebration depicting the Resurrection of Christ called “Sabet” is a scene to
behold.
VIVA VIGAN “BINATBATAN” FESTIVAL. Every first week of May,
Vigan plays host to visitors for this festival featuring painting and product
exhibits, a Calesa parade and other cultural activities.
LONGANIZA FESTIVAL. Vigan City January 22.
Features a street dancing competition in longaniza inspired costumes followed
by a program.
BEACH/TOBACCO FESTIVAL. April 1 Candon City.
Features street dancing competition in tobacco inspired costume and selection
of Ms. Virginia Tobacco.
PINAKBET FESTIVAL. April Santa Maria. All the ingredients being
used in cooking pinakbet is paraded around in a street dance competition.
Another highlight of the day is a pinakbet cooking contest.
G. Special Interest
TREKKING. The Municipality
of Cervantes, home to Bessang Pass, offers a special trail and beautiful
sceneries for trekking. A dozen and more waterfalls flow thru its verdant
mountains. Its terrain is predominantly hilly traversed by brooks and streams.
One passes through pine forests, Japanese foxholes/dugouts, alpine grassland
through highland meadows and a variety of flora.
SURFING & DIVING. In
Barangay Sabang is an Island frequented by surfers. From the town proper of
Cabugao, take a tricycle to Brgy. Daclapan and from there ride a motorboat. There are no lodging facilities in the area but
camping is allowed. Food and camping gears should be brought along by touritsts
themselves.