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Ilocos Sur Travel Tips

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.