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Ilocos Norte and Semana Ti Ar-aria Festival

Semana Ti Ar-aria Festival is already on its third year of
celebration. This spooktacular event is a Halloween bash celebration
from October 23rd to November 2nd.

Haunting the Mystery Behind Artwork

October 23rd

Historical celebration of the artwork of Juan Luna started the
festival. To unveil the mystery behind the famous artworks will open
the awareness and interest of the public especially the youth.

October 24th

Juan Luna Day -An exhibit of Juan Luna's artworks
followed at Juan Luna Shrine in Badoc, Ilocos Norte.

Cine ng Masa

October 23rd to 25th

Best horror films in the country was shown on mobile cinema in
selected towns of the province.

Ar-aria Short Horror Film Competition

October 25th

Special screening was held for the short films made by local directors
from different schools. You can watch the entries on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/user/officialilocosnorte

These are the winners of the competition:

Best Short Horror Film:
Panumbalik (DAFACTERS Production/ Mariano Marcos State University)

2nd Best Short Horror Film:
Sagawsaw (Ilocolaya Film Productions/ MMSU & DWCL)

3rd Best Short Horror Film:
Hele (University of Northern Philippines-Vigan City)

Best Director: John Jeric Cabuyaban (Panumbalik)

Best Cinematography: Panumbalik (DAFACTERS Production/ Mariano Marcos
State University)

Ar-aria Food Strip

October 25th

Food fair which highlighted the comfort foods of Ilocanos, the famous
empanada and longganisa.

Taray Ar-aria or Zombie Race

October 26th

This event was one of the highlights of the festival wherein
flesh-hungry zombies paraded.

Capitol Trick or Treat

October 26th

The provincial capitol was transformed into a haunted house and
children wearing Halloween costumes were invited for freebies.

Parada Iloca-Locana or Ghost Parade

October 31st

A parade of ghost joined by the entire province. The contenders
represents a horror theme. They were joined by the original queen of
Filipino horror films, Lilia Cuntapay, who is an Ilocana. This is one
of the major event of the festivity. Everyone was invited to join and
year their best Halloween costumes.

The Black Party followed, which is a night of fun and music for the
contenders as well as the spectators.

Tumba Festival

November 1st and 2nd

Visit the mock-wake competition and House of Horror in Paoay, Ilocos
Norte. This event is celebrated annually.

Vigan City and Culinary Adventure

Food adventurers, be ready with the must-taste Vigan cuisine.

Once you reach the heart of the city, you don't have to go far to find
the famous comfort food of Vigan. Right at the Plaza Burgos, food
stalls are lined along to offer a great culinary experience.

Vigan Empanada. It is a Spanish influenced food, a stuffed bread or
pastry that may be fried or baked. What makes the Vigan Empanada
different is that it has a very thin crust and it is fried rather than
baked making it crispy, it's more similar to Batac empanada. The
filling is a mix of meat and vegetables. It consist of mung bean
sprout, shredded green papaya, skinless longganisa and an egg.
Sometimes they add shredded carrots and the last time I got a taste of
it, it has cabbage. Vigan empanada cost at about 35 pesos. Other sizes
are available and extra filling to choose from like hotdog.

Okoy. Fried shrimps, in flour and egg mixture.

Miki noodle soup. The noodles are made from rice flour. It's actually
the chicken noodle soup of the Ilocanos.

Other foods available in carinderias and food stalls in the city's
public market.

Sinanglao. It is an iconic food of Vigan. It's a beef soup made up
of beef innards.

Pinapaitan. It's a beef or goat soup made up of innards and is
flavored with bile.

Poqui-poqui. The eggplant is boiled then mashed. It's stir-fried with
tomatoes, onion and garlic. Chili flakes can be added as well.

Lumo. A soup made up of pork tenderloin with shallot and flavored with
pork blood.

Other must-taste cuisine.

Vigan Longganisa. Its a native sausage, it's said to be a Mexican
salami version. Its garlic flavored.

Vigan Bagnet. A sun-dried pork belly then deep-fried. It's actually
one of the most famous Ilocano cuisine. It's a great garnish for
pinakbet.

Vigan Delicacies or the locals call kankanen.

Royal Bibingka or Rice Cake. It is the most famous delicacy from
Vigan. Especially made with glutinous rice, egg, cheese, sugar, milk
and margarine.

Tinupig or Tupig. Rice cake wrapped with banana leaves. It's roasted.

Tinubong. Rice cake cooked in bamboo tubes. It's really delicious.

Kalamay. It's made up of sticky-rice flavored with coconut and sugar.

So when you visit Vigan, don't worry about getting tired and hungry
after roaming around the city. There are a lot of food that will
surely comfort you.

Vigan City and It's Heritage

The City of Vigan is the capital of the Province of Ilocos Sur. It is
a World Heritage Site famous of its cobblestone street, Oriental
building designs with European architecture influence.

How the City got its name?

The area of the City was originally a settlement of Chinese traders.
During the Spanish Era, the Chinese called the area as Bee Gan which
means Beautiful Shore. But the Spanish Conquistador spelled the
Chinese name to Vigan.

A more common story says that the name of the city came from a plant
growing abundantly along the river banks, called Biga'a. The locals
misunderstood the Spanish captain Juan de Salcedo, they thought he
was asking for the plants name. It is where the captain derived the
city's name.

Other Names of the City

During its Spanish Foundation it was called Villa Fernandina meaning
Town of Ferdinand, in honor of the firstborn son of King Philip II of
Spain, Prince Ferdinand.

When the seat of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia was transferred to
Vigan, it was renamed to Ciudad Fernandina de Vigan or Ferdinand's
City of Vigan.

World Heritage Site

Vigan City was listed, as the best preserved example of Spanish
colonial towns in Asia, by UNESCO in 2007. Its unique architecture was
influenced by different cultures from the Philippines, China and S

Location

Vigan is located 408 km north of Manila. 139km away from the regional
capital, San Fernando, La Union. And 45 km away from Laoag City.

Tourist Destinations in the City

St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral or Vigan Cathedral. It houses a
replica of the Miraculous Sto. Cristo.

Archbishop's Residence. The Archbishop's Palace was completed in
1793. It has a collection of artifacts and relics from other churches
in Ilocos.

Fr. Jose Burgos Residence. The birthplace of Fr. Burgos, one of the
martyred Filipino priests. Located behind the Provincial Capitol.

Plaza Burgos. Located beside the Vigan Cathedral. It is dedicated in
memory of Fr. Jose Burgos.

Pagburnayan. It is the place where the famous Ilocano jar called
burnay are manufactured. Tourist can watch the pre-historic method of
making burnay. Burnay is used to store vinegar, local wine ane
fermented fish sauce.

Baluarte. It is a zoo and a great venue for events like seminars and
conferences. It is owned by the former Governor Chavit Singson.

Hidden Garden. It is a place where clay products like bricks and pots
are manufactured. A great place to appreciate Mother Nature's gift.

Vigan Empanadaan. It is where food stalls are located for empanada and
sinanglao. Sinanglao is the city's traditional hotpot made of beef
innards. Located near Plaza Burgos.

Plaza Salcedo. Erected in front of the Vigan Cathedral, in memory of
the great conquistador Juan de Salcedo. It's where Gabriela Silang was
hung in 1763 as well.

Vigan Dancing Fountain. It is one of the greatest attractions in the
city. It's the first of its kinds in the country. It is located at
the Plaza Salcedo Lagoon. It is best to visit the fountain at night.

Syquia Mansion. The former president, Elpidio Quirino's residence in Vigan.

Crisologo Museum. It is a Vigan ancestral house, which was the
residence of the Crisologo family.

Mindoro Beach. It is the only seafront location in the city.

Vigan Heritage Village or the Mestizo District. It is where Vigan
City is most famous of, a street lined with Spanish ancestral houses
and cobble stoned streets, which includee Vigan City in the UNESCO
World Heritage Site.

Souvenir shops are available along the street as well, making it
convenient for tourist to find some items exclusively made in Vigan.

A calesa ride will complete the experience within the heritage
village. Calesa is a horse-drawn carriage.

Kuditdit in Ilocano Kitchen

Kuditdit is more commonly called tree ear fungus or bracket fungus. It
is only available during the rainy reasons. Its abundance is expected
early in the morning after a late-afternoon or early-evening
thunderstorm.

The most preferred Kuditdit are the native or wild ones growing on
rotting trees. There are some commercially grown Kuditdit, such as
abalone or oyster mushrooms.

Nowadays, wild Kuditdit has become rare thus it has become pricey in
the market. But there is still a great demand for it during rainy
reasons because it truly is savory and tasty once added to an Ilocano
green leafy soup dish.

My grandma and my Mom used to prepare soup called dinengdeng, which
consists of moringga leaves, squash flowers, or string beans stalks
and shoots and other vegetables. And kuditdit add a sweet savory taste
to it.

Kuditdit needs to be washed thoroughly to remove the dirt. But not too
much, to preserve its natural flavor.

Here's my Mom's Dinengdeng with Kuditdit recipe:

Kuditdit, sliced thinly
sponge gourd (patola/kabatiti), sliced thinly
moringga leaves

Add Kuditdit on boiling water and flavor with fish sauce. Use one
teaspoon fish sauce for every cup of water. Boil until the Kuditdit
become tender then add the sponge gourd. Cook for about two minutes.
Add broth granules if you like. Then add the moringga leaves, cook
for another two or three minutes. Serve hot.

A simple Ilocano dish yet very tasty and healthy.

Uong in Ilocano Kitchen

Uong pronounced as u-ong is an edible wild mushroom. There are
different kinds of uong such as uong ti bunton, and uong nga
mannagadu. Uong ti bunton, those that grows on an anthill, which is
called bunton in Iloko. Uong nga mannagadu, are believed that its
growth are induced by lightning on a late stormy afternoon and grows
fast overnight, that they are available for picking early in the
morning.

This mushroom is popular among Ilocos but is somewhat pricey because
its seasonal. It can be cooked alone but is a perfect garnish to
leafy greens in an Ilocano cuisine. It has a slimy texture like that
of jute leaves (saluyot) or ladyfingers (okra). Its broth is savory
and tasty.

Make sure to clean the mushroom thoroughly, wash off all the dirt
and check the fully grown ones as they might have very tiny pinkish
worms growing under the filmy cap. So they must be rinsed well with
water.

My Mom would often cook it by simply boiling it with a very small
amount of water, salt and just a bit of vinegar to taste. And you
would be able to taste its perfect flavour.

For Ilocano soups like the famous dinengdeng or inabraw wherein uong
complements well with moringga leaves, bamboo shoots, bittermelon, and
other leafy greens and vegetables. Remember that your soup must not be
too salty to bring out the sweetness of the vegetables and the
mushroom.

My Mom's inabraw recipe:

Boil enough water, flavor it with just a bit of fish sauce, a teaspoon
would do for a cup of water. Then add the uong, boil until tender. Add
the vegetables, sprinkle some broth granules, which is optional. Boil
it until the vegetables are cooked. Better be served hot.

Bangui, Ilocos Norte

Bangui is located 544km north of Manila. It is situated on hills and
mountains thus citrus industry made the town famous. The once verdant
mountains were abused but are now trying to regain its richness
through reforestation program of the government.

The Zigzag Road

It is situated about ten kilometers south of the town proper. A
viewdeck was erected offering a great view of the town's mountains,
the river sneaking its way out to the Bangui Bay which is a part of
the South China Sea. It is said that some ship can go nearer to the
shore because the bay is deep but calm. The bay supports the fishing
industry of the town.

Swimming Resort

The circumferential bay in town is famous and is even considered as
the best scenery in the whole island of Luzon.

Windmills of Bangui

The first power generating windmill in the Southeast Asia. There are
twenty wind turbines lined along the shore facing the South China Sea.
It is one of the best tourist spot in the Philippines.

Amian Festival

It is a thanksgiving celebration to the town's patron saint, St.
Lawrence. It is as well a celebration of oneness and abundance. It is
celebrated every last week of April.

Events includes talent showdown called Talentadong Banguinian; grilled
food fest called Tinuno Festival; beauty pageant called Ms.
Kannawidan; and the most anticipated event is the Grand Parade and
Street Dance. The festivities ends with Barangay Night which
highlights the coronation of Ms. Bangui.

Experience the breathtaking beauty of the sunset on Bangui Bay and The
Windmills only in Bangui.

For your travel assistance in going to Ilocos Norte, you may want to
read our article, Ilocos Norte : Travel Up North.

Dumalneg, Ilocos Norte and Panagwawagi Festival

Dumalneg is an agricultural land surrounded by mountains and hills.
It's bountiful wildlife provides a living for the locals. Agricultural
crops like rice and root crops are the people's main source of income.
Some alternative includes fishing and hunting, and gathering rattan,
which is the town's major forest product.

Panagwawagi Festival

It is an annual celebration of brotherhood in the town of Dumalneg.
The events purpose is to preserve and promote the indigenous culture
of the people. It commemorates the peace pact between tribes who were
once in war. It celebrates the respect for other culture, which is
uniquely different from them. The Ilocanos and the Isneg tribes were
able to adapt each other's culture. Embracing other tribes way of
living, dialect, clothing, dances and even religion. This event shows
that brotherhood, bridges the gap and crosses the differences.

People celebrates this event with their ethnic dances and they use
their indigenous musical instruments. Interestingly, during this
event, the people still wear their native clothing.

Dumalneg is located 73km northeast of Laoag City. For your travel
assistance in going to Ilocos Norte, you may want to read our article,
Ilocos Norte : Travel Up North.

Marcos, Ilocos Norte and Mannalon Festival

Marcos is known as the Promised Land by the inhabitants because of its
rich vegetation and vast fertile delta areas. Farming is one of the
major source of income by the locals and aside from rice, tobacco is
the golden product of the town.

The town has been named in honor of the late Don Mariano Marcos, the
father of then President Ferdinand Marcos. And his monument was
installed at the town plaza.

Mannalon Festival

It is an event celebrated along with its Town Fiesta. It is an
agricultural land, therefore agri-trade fair and exhibit is a part of
the event.

For your travel assistance in going to Ilocos Norte, you may want to
read our article, Ilocos Norte : Travel Up North.

Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte and Tadek Festival

Nueva Era is an agricultural land situated along the provincial
borders of Ilocos Sur, Kalinga, Apayao and Abra. Its mountains is a
great place for hiking and mountain climbing. Agriculture is one of
the major source of income by the locals and their primary crops are
rice, garlic and tobacco. Since one fourth of its total land is
located at the foot of the Cordillera Mountain Ranges, its wild life
is evidently rich.

The town offers scenic attractions for nature lovers.
The highly erected municipal building offers a viewdeck that
provides a panoramic view of the mountainous town. The town houses
breathtaking falls, the Cacanan Falls and Piaw Falls. Other tourist
attractions are the Papa Dam, Mine Site and the Tree Park.

Tadek Festival

It's an annual celebration that is held in the month of May. Tadek is
a ceremonial dance and a part of the rich culture of the town. Tadek
dance is performed as an expression of merriment, due to attainment of
victory, courtship, marriage, burial and even in remembrance to those
who passed away. The dance is accompanied by native instruments like
drums and gong.

Nueva Era is indeed a town rich in culture and wild life. If your a
nature lover, include a visit on your next trip up north.

For your travel assistance in going to Ilocos Norte, you may want to
read our article, Ilocos Norte : Travel Up North.

Vintar, Ilocos Norte and Its Town Fiesta

Vintar is 496km north of Manila. It is located on a plain land and
surrounded by lush valleys and mountains. The main livelihood of the
locals are farming and fishing. They cultivate rice, tobacco and
vegetables. Fish is one of the main source of income of the people.
Honey industry is also making its way as an income generating
industry.

Locals of Vintar are referred to as Siwawer, which is a native hawk
anomaly found on the mountains of the town.

Places to Visit

San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish or Vintar Catholic Church

It was erected in the 1830s by the Augustinian Friars. Due to
earthquakes, the church complex suffered alterations. The church along
with the convent underwent renovation toward the last quarter of the
19th century.

The church structure today bears late 20th century facade. The brick
walls still stand behind the concrete mask. The modern belltower to
the right, stands beside the remains of the old belfry that collapsed
during the 1931 earthquake.

The ruins of the brick cemetery lies beside the road going to Bacarra,
the next town to the north.

Other places to Visit would be

Vintar Dam
Solcoc Waterfall
Engkantadora Falls
Pekkan River

Vintar Town Fiesta

This event occurs annually every 10th of September in honor to St. Nicholas.

Include Vintar on your itinerary next time you visit Ilocos Norte.

For your travel assistance in going to Ilocos Norte, you may want to
read our article, Ilocos Norte : Travel Up North.

Banna, Ilocos Norte and its Town Fiesta

Banna is located 34km southeast of Laoag City. It is a humble but
progressive town. Aside from rice which is a major agricultural crop,
garlic, tobacco, cotton, beans and other vegetables are produced.
Other industry in town which is known in other provinces and are
being sold in Manila, is the woven cloth. It includes Ilocano
blankets, bed spreads, pillow cases and bathrobes.

Banna has paved way to the development of its ecotourism. A zipline
adventure was opened for public at Brgy. Caruibquib which is called
Paraiso Ti Caruibquib. The area is used to be a forest but with the
initiative of the Barangay councils and with the support of the
Municipal Government, the project was done successfully.

Town Festival

It is an annual celebration in town that happens every first week of
April. Festivities include cookfest, display of Ilocano food and
native delicacies, beauty pageant, Balikbayan Night, Community Night
and fireworks display. The most anticipated events are the Carabao
Race and Bicycle Race. The highlight of the festivities are the grand
parade of The Dancing Tricycle Drivers, and the Panag-abuos Festival
Dance Competition.

Visit Banna and enjoy its fresh air and green scenery.

For your travel assistance in going to Ilocos Norte, you may want to
read our article, Ilocos Norte : Travel Up North.

Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte and Festivities

Pasuquin Town Fiesta

Town Fiesta is an annual celebration held in December from the 26th
till the 30th. In honor to their patron saint, St. James the Great.

Sunflower Festival

Sunflower Festival is an annual street pageantry noted worldwide. The
Sunflowers is a group of gay men organized in 1975. The organization
showcased the first Gay Santacruzan in that same year. This event
became internationally known when it was featured in an American Film,
Sunflowers in 1996. The members of this organization are residents of
the town and are professionals.

Rambac Ti Daya

The Rambac Ti Daya, which means celebration in the east, started in
1992. It is a thanksgiving event for the bountiful harvest. The
festivities starts on the first two days of May followed by a two to
four weeks basketball tournament.

The Dumadara Festival

This event is celebrated by the coastal barangay in town which is
Davila. Their main harvest is a fish called dumadara or mackerel tuna.
This event is associated with the Festival of the Blessed Virgin Mary
as a thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest. The main event of the
festivity is the Fluvial Parade wherein tin fisherfolks decorate their
boats. Other events include boat race and eating grilled mackerel tuna
along with guests.

Panangasin Festival

This event is associated with the major industry of the northern part
of Pasuquin which is the salt-making.

Pasuquin is indeed rich in culture and history. Visit the town and
join the locals in the celebration of their festivities.

For your travel assistance in going to Ilocos Norte, you may want to
read our article, Ilocos Norte : Travel Up North.

Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte and Its Tourist Destinations

Pasuquin is a coastal town located 502 km north of Manila. The locals
earn a living through farming, fishing, mining and salt-making. The
main crop of the town is rice and next to it is garlic. The community
along the coastal areas basically live through fishing. The town has
several fishports because its waters are beaming with fishes.
Salt-making is an off-season industry in town, but it is of great help
to the locals. The town holds a big deposit of a non-metallic mineral
called Fieldspar. The raw materials gathered by the locals are
transported to Manila for processing.

Tourist Destinations

Pasuquin is known of its fine, sandy beaches.

Puyupuyan Beach in Raquiza cove is popular in town. The main
attractions is the watch tower built during the Spanish Era. An
apparition happened during the late 80's to early 90's, and a grotto
was erected. It is known to be one of the best summer destination in
town. Here are some places to visit within the area: Imelda Garden at
Naang-angri falls which is famous for its underground caves, swimming
pool and cottages; the Paredes Air Station which is 2,000 feet above
sea level with its radar and clubhouse; and the old watch tower. A
ship wreck makes the shore perfect for souvenir shots, it is believed
that it sank during the World Was II.

Sulbec is known for its picnic venues.

Estancia is the Summer Capital of Pasuquin. It is popular for its
scenic Sexy Beach.

Surong is where the Luttuong falls is located.

Tadao is a great place for picnics, trekking and hiking. The biggest
dam in town is located.

Susugaen is the place where a small lake called Put-tot is visited
because of its fresh, cold and clear water. Another attraction is the
waterfall called Saypon which is used to serve the villagers with
abundant water along with streams and rivers. Suso Beach is also a
great picnic venue.

San Juan is where the summer getaway falls called Calitungan, is found.

Santa Matilde is an area for hunting and mango tree production.

Sapat is where the PAF Airbase and the most restricted area in the town.

Naglicuan is where the Botanic Garden of Pasuquin is located.

Davila, the Salt Capital of the town. It is known for its bonsai
production & artistry and the home of the Dumadara Festival.

Poblacion 2 has many places to visit like Sentinella Hills, Nagrebcan
& Magararay Rice Fields, and the Old Roman Catholic Church Ruins is
located. It is the home of the Rambac ti Daya Festival.

Poblacion 3 is simply known for making the best tasting biscochos in
the entire province. It is the home of the Ragragsak ti Laud Festival.

On your next travel up north add the town of Pasuquin in your itineraries.

For your travel assistance in going to Ilocos Norte, you may want to
read our article, Ilocos Norte : Travel Up North.

Pinili, Ilocos Norte and Garlic Festival

Pinili, although a small town, played an important role in the history
of the Philippines. The Iloko word Pinili means chosen. The town was
called Pinili because Gen. Gregorio Aglipay has chosen the town as his
training ground and hideout, taking advantage of its mountainous
state. And a statue was erected in his honour.

Pinili is an agricultural town and its main crops are rice and corn.
Other crops are grown like garlic, onion and vegetables. And the town
houses uranium deposits in a few barangays.

The Municipal Park of Pinili is one of the tourist attractions in
town. The rich natural resources of the town is shown through the
forest trees and verdant fields.

Pinili Town Fiesta and Agro-Industrial Fair. This is a thanksgiving
event in honor of St. Isidore de Farmer, the town’s patron saint.

Garlic Festival. This event is celebrated because garlic is the main
commodity of the town.

These events are celebrated every April.

Pinili is located 454 km north of Manila.

For your travel assistance in going to Ilocos Norte, you may want to
read our article, Ilocos Norte : Travel Up North.

Bacarra Ilocos Norte Philippines

Bacarra is located 490 km north of Manila. It is a humble town yet
lies a rich culture and history.
Tobacco and garlic are the town's major agricultural crops. The locals
are known to be self reliant and farming is their main source of
income. They cultivate rice, onion, sugarcane and vegetables as well.

Fishing is the second main industry of the locals. The town is bounded
on the west by South China Sea and the river, both are teeming with
fish and abundant with bac-bacarra fish.

The locals, like a common Ilocano are industrious, and aside from that
they are in constant quest to greener pasture. There are thousands of
the town's people already in the US. And the economy of the town
boosts their strong remittances.

Attractions around town include Bacarra Town Plaza, St. Andrews Church
and Convent, Museo de Bacarra, Ruins of Vijia Tower, Heroes Park,
Sports Complex, Dams of Corocor and Cabulalaan, Libtong-Teppang
Irrigation Tunnel, Paninaan Small Water Impounding Dam, and their grey
sand beaches.

The Bacarra Belfry Ruins is the main attraction in town. It is a
three-tiered bell tower proudly stood since 18281. It started to lean
in 1931, due to periodic earthquakes. But the earthquake that shook
the town in 1971 caused it further damage.

Festivals and Events

May 19-20 - Farmers Festival
November 23-December 01 - Bac-Bacarra Festival/Balikbayan Day,
December 28 - Street Party
December 29 - Mini-Agro, Industrial, Commercial & Cultural Fair,
Military and Floral Parade
December 30 - Folk Dance Competition/Dance Parade

Bac-bacarra Festival is the main event in Bacarra. It is a heritage
that awakens the love and passion of every Bacarreño to rerive and
preserve the richness of their culture and traditions.

Visit Bacarra and join the people in the celebration of their festival.

For your travel assistance in going to Ilocos Norte, you may want to
read our article, Ilocos Norte : Travel Up North.