Most Fascinating Places In Ilocos

Here are 10 places this blogger went to and found to be fascinating and amazing. Worth to visit and could be photographers subject.

Photos are taken by this blogger.

The Philippines most famous and grandest road is the Crisologo street of the Heritage City of Vigan. The cobblestone and the old two storey houses of the Spanish colonization is the nostalgic moment for the tourists who are walking just riding kalesa in the city. 

The wall painting of Candon City, Ilocos Sur is said to be the longest church painting in the Philippines. The paintings depicts the cross station of Jesus Christ. Done in acrylic bright color, anyone would be fascinate to look at the paintings inside the church.

Its not easy to get here... Licungan Sugpon, Ilocos Sur. But once you survived the 6 hours of walking up and down the path and crossing the Amburayan river, all the tiredness and stress will be washed away because of this natural landscape of nature. Its so happen that this place is one of the farthest village of Ilocos Sur.

This Baroque church of Santa Maria is one of the two UNESCO Heritage site in Ilocos Sur. The brick walled church also have 84 steps going up before reaching the top of the church. Not known to many, there is a road at the back of the church to ease the burden of climbing the stairs. Well, our old folks would love to know the other way so they can enjoy this historical and monumental church of the Philippines.

Located in Tubalina Gregorio Del Pilar are these small cabins called "agamang". These are actually built by farmers where they put their harvested rice to keep safe especially during rainy season. Agamang are mostly made from woods and sometimes cogon grass, depending on location.

This is Pinsal Falls, one of the hidden natural beauty of Ilocos Sur. Found in barangay Lingsat, Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur. the waterfall has legend between two giants who fell in love with each other: Aran and Angalo.This is also the gateway of some residents of the town of Pilar in the province of Abra. They need to climb through that stone walls to pass through.

So serene, this is the beach of Ambucao in Santiago, Ilocos Sur. The calm beach is one of the destinations of beachgoers. Not so known to many tourists but it is gaining attention now especially that resorts are growing in the said place.

This panoramic landscape got more just than the view. This is the historical place where General Tomoyoki Yamashita made his last stand during the World War 2 in the Philippines. Now, the place is being develop as one of the tourist destinations of the tourists in Ilocos Sur. Well, in fact, Bessang Pass is the coldest place in Ilocos Sur.

Where best to view the sunset? The answer... Ilocos. Not so explored yet beaches but the sunset still at its best. This is a photographers moment. In afternoon, a poet can easily write his poem. So colorful until the dark comes and bring the silhouette of the day.

The Quirino bridge between the municipalities of Santa and Bantay. But not just linking the two municipalities but the history and the present. Now develop as one of the adventure hub of the province.

The Watchtower Of San Esteban

The Bateria or as popularly known as Watchtower in San Esteban is one of the most intact watchtower in the Philippines. Many watchtower can be found in the province of Ilocos Sur like in Narvacan and Santiago but the one built by early settlers in San Esteban is still intact.

In fact, one barangay which is Bateria is probably named after it.

Watchtowers are built are built during the Spaniards colonization to guard the community against the pirates who invades the people during that time. Until now, the watchtower stands but it served now as one of the major landmark of the town of San Esteban. (photo is mine

Cornik, The Best Crunchy Corn Food

Move over corn flakes and corn delicacies, here is the best corn products... the cornik.

Cornik is deep fried corn kernel with different flavors suite the taste of everyone. Its a hard job to cook cornik. In Candon City, the corn is sun dried and then the outer layer of the kernel is peeled off then the deep frying and adding the desired flavor.

Its crunchy... this best described the food. Flavors include cheese, barbecue, hot chili among others. The crunchiness is unique comparing to the fried corn being sold in sachet in the market. Of course, the peeling off of outer layer is one of a kind process of making this good. (photo is mine)

Sabangan Beach

The Sabangan Cove name may not yet ring all over the archipelago but surely it is making good impression to travel community. Especially now that Vitalis Villa is becoming popular tourists destination and haven in Ilocandia, this not yet so explored white beach could be one soon.

But before the tourist all over the world search the place, the local tourist have been a constant visitor. During vacations and holidays, thousands of people are enjoying the beach.

Located in Sabangan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, Sabangan Beach cove is now ready for tourist because of its mini shades including the ever beautiful beach and the green lush of the surroundings.###

Some Facts About Pure Wild Honey Of Ilocandia

Let's not talk about the health benefits of honey, we know already the good benefits of honey to our health.

Lets talk about some facts, or trivia to others, about the the wild honey harvested and extracted in the remote mountains of Ilocos region. Its hard to identify the pure honey to fake honey being sold in the market. Hope some of these facts can help you.

Ilocos Sur' Streetdancing Competition

One of the highlights of 2017 Kannawidan Festival of Ilocos Sur is the streetdancing competition and showdown.

More than 20 contingents from munipalities and cities participated in this year's event.

The streetdancing started in front of provincial capitol and dance down to Tamag where the fiesta events are being held.

The dances, graces  and smiles made the event just amazing.

Bonsai Exhibit In Kannawidan Festival

Yearly the Ilocos Sur Bonsai Club held bonsai exhibit in Ilocos Sur's Kannawidan Festival.

2017 is no exception.

So when you visit the exhibit, you will see lots of bonsai in different styles, sizes, age, varieties,  forms.

It's amazing to see the small and enchanting plants standing tall in unique pots.

Here are some photos.

The Wine With Touch of History

Don't ever take away basi or sugarcane fermented wine to Ilocanos... it will be a war. Such was happened in September 16 1807 when thecolonizing Spaniards tried to monopolize the basi.

The Ilocanos reacted and the war was born.

Now that story is embedded in this basi wine being produced and product of San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur.

The Famous Calamay Of Candon

Candon City is famous of two products: the tobacco farm plantations being the number one producer of quality Virginia tobacco leaves; and, the sweet rice delicacy known as kalamay or sweet rice cake.

The story of calamay came back during the world war 2 when this rice cake helped the families of that time to cope up the hard times because of war. There was no food at that time because of the devastation of farm products like rice, corn and rootcrops. The only thing standing tall are the coconuts and it riping fruits.  A group of ladies tried to make product from this coconut through coconut milk and the maskovado... and so there was calamay.

Today, the calamay became the OTOP or One Town One Product of the city. There is calamay stand built at the heart of the place just beside plaza and intended for calamay vendors.

The original calamay was contained in the hard shell of coconut and wrapped with banana husk. Today it has gone through the famous flat type wrapped with cellophane and newspaper to a chunky and more presentable packaging. Thanks to the effort of city government and Department of Trade and Industry it leveled up.

Three classes of calamay includes the following:

1.Brown

This is the most famous variants of calamay. The color and the sweetness even reach international market through trade fairs. The color derived from its ingredients brown sugar or mascovado.

2. White

The white variants is due to the brown sugar used to sweetened the calamay. Though not so popular with the brown class but its gaining attention of its color.

3. The Original

This is the original form and kind of calamay before those class wrapped in celophane. The original wrap of calamay is made from the coconut shell and then wrap with the husk of dried banana. When you want to gift calamay to someone especial, choose this.