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Vigan City and Raniag Twilight Festival

Vigan City enhances the culture of Halloween through this radiant
festivity called Raniag Festival. This event is a way of bringing
families together and celebrating the timeless culture during
Halloween.

Here were the much awaited events:

Raniag Floral Parade

It's a grand parade of illuminated floats. The floats represented a
theme of either Halloween or magic which included fictional and urban
legendary characters. The event was celebrated on the 26th of
October.

What made this event special was, the floats were artistically
designed with different colored lights bringing radiance to twilight.
The locals were joined by the celebrities from GMA Network that made
the event even more radiant.

Raniag Street Dancing

It's Halloween themed street dancing celebrated early at night. This
event was made special by the props or materials that produces
different colored lights.

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.

Sarrat, Ilocos Norte and its Town Fiesta

Sarrat is an agricultural town, located 485 km north of Manila. The
main source of livelihood of farmers are rice, tobacco and garlic. The
town houses a tomato paste industry owned by the Northern Food
Corporation.

Sarrat is known as the birth place of the former President, Ferdinand
Marcos. And their ancestral home located at the town proper is one of
the tourist attractions of the town.

The Santa Monica Parish Church or otherwise called Sarrat church was
declared as an Important Cultural Property of the Philippines in 2009.
It is the largest church in Ilocos Norte and one of the most visited
tourist attraction in the province.

The Santa Monica Parish Museum was established in 1993. And it serves
as a repository of artifacts and memorabilia that dates back in 1779,
during the construction of the church edifice.

Other attraction in town are the nipa hut cottages along the banks of
the Padsan river. They are available during summer for picnics and
swimming.

The most awaited festivity of the town is the Rit-ritemon Cayong
Festival, which stands for liberty, unity, courage, leadership and
brotherhood. It is celebrated from April 29th to May 7th. There are a
lot of activities which includes floral parade, beauty pageant and
concerts. But the main event happens on May 5th wherein the whole town
celebrates by preparing a sumptuous lunch for friends, relatives and
visitors.

Visit Sarrat and join the town in celebrating their festival.

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

Currimao, Ilocos Norte and Dinaklisan Festival

The coastal town of Currimao celebrates Dinaklisan Festival on the
last week of April til the first of May. Dinaklisan is an Iloko word
means caught with a fish net. The festival showcases the traditional
livelihood of the locals which is fishing.

This annual event is a thanksgiving celebration of the residents and
fishermen with the bountiful harvest and safe voyage.

The highlight of the celebration is the Fluvial Parade held on May
1st. This is a tribute and thanksgiving to the town's patron saint,
Nuestra Senora de la Paz or Our Lady of Peace and Safe Voyage.

Other activities are held which includes grilling of fresh seafood.

Visit the beach of Currimao and join the next Dinaklisan Festival, try
to experience their Fluvial Parade.

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

Solsona, Ilocos Norte and Gameng Festival

Gameng is an Iloco word which means treasure. And the treasure of
Ilocanos are showcased during the Gameng Festival which is held in
Solsona, Ilocos Norte on the last week of January. The celebration
lasts for four to five days.

A series of activities which includes Elementary Day and Secondary Day
includes playground demonstration featuring folk dances.

Another important events are the Community Day and the Balikbayan Day.
And the highlight for these events is the coronation of the Ms.
Balikbayan.

There is as well an event for the youth which is the SK Night. During
this event a beauty pageant is held for young girls aged 14-16.

And the most important event is the street pageantry. A folk or ethnic
dance is presented by the different Barangays. And floats are paraded
around the town carrying the treasures of Ilocos. The floats or
carriages are decorated with indigenous materials. The treasures
carried are the fresh farm harvest of the town.

The simple town of Solsona celebrates this festival by cooking fresh
harvests from the rivers and the mountains.

Celebrate with the town on their next festival and have a taste of
their fresh harvest.

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

Dingras, Ilocos Norte and Ani Festival

Ani Festival is the most anticipated event in the town of Dingras. It
is a thanksgiving celebration of the local farmers for the bountiful
harvest within the year.

Dingras is the rice granary of Ilocos Norte. Farmers cultivate other
agricultural products such as garlic, corn, coffee, banana and
vegetables. According to the Augustinian friars during the Spanish
Era, Dingras has the most fertile and most productive soil in the
province.

Ani Festival is celebrated on the last week of March and is a week
long celebration. The festivities start with a thanksgiving mass which
they call Dingras Night or Bless Dingras Night. The highlight of the
event is the dance parade that features ethnic dances and colorful
costumes.

Other programs include agro-industrial fair, beauty pageant,
coronation of Ms. Ani, concerts, choir competition, dance competition,
and food fest.

Join Dingras with their festive celebration of their abundant harvest.

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

The Empanada Festival

The Empanada Festival is celebrated along with the City Charter Day of
Batac which is every 23rd of June. The festival features the process
of making Empanada which is the most popular product of the City.

Batac Empanada characterizes the locals ingenuity, industry,
resourcefulness and creativity. The Empanada Festival promotes the
agricultural products of the City which is the main source of income
by the people.

The colorful empanada is reflected on how the festivities are
celebrated. Activities on this event are mainly the parade of floats
and the Street Dance Drama Showdown. The Dance Showdown is held in a
kilometer stretch on the City proper. The Ilocano culture and
tradition are expressed on the costumes and dance routines.

Empanada Festival is one big event not just in the City of Batac but
in the province of Ilocos Norte. Join the City in their next
celebration, and taste the goodness of the Empanada and witness the
colourful event.

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

Paoay, Ilocos Norte and Guling-guling Festival

In Paoay, Guling-guling Festival started during the Spanish Regime
where friars introduce this celebration since the 16th Century. The
event is held on Tuesdays, the day before the Ash Wednesday. The
locals believe that it's the last day of merrymaking before the
observance of the Lenten Season.

Guling is an Iloko word which means to mark or to smear. The highlight
of this festival is the marking of the locals forehead with a sign of
the cross, using a mix of water and rice flour, and this is done by
the mayor of the town. The people believe that through this practice,
their sins are forgiven.

The event is further celebrated with Street Pageantry, where the women
use the traditional woven cloth or inabel for their costume. And not
only that, the locals prepare Dudol, which is a native delicacy made
of rice flour and molasses, given free to people who join the
celebration.

Celebrate Guling-guling Festival and witness this centuries old
tradition and a taste of their culture. For your travel assistance in
going to Ilocos Norte, you may want to read our article, Ilocos Norte
: Travel Up North.

San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte and Damili Festival

In San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte December is a month of thanksgiving for
all the blessing received for the whole year celebrated through
festivities. The Damili Festival is an annual event and a month long
celebration of dances, parades, concerts, beauty pageant, popularity
contest, agri-industrial trade fair and exhibits, and sports
competition. The highlights of the celebration is held on the last
week of the month.

The main event of the festival is the Dance Pageantry, wherein a
street dance showdown about the traditional occupation of the town,
damili or terra-cotta pottery is portrayed. It's a way of the locals
to pay tribute to this ancient occupation. The need to revive and
preserve damili, inspired this pageantry and encouraged the local
government to further promote the industry.

Banga or clay pot is one of the main product of pottery in town. It is
an icon of Ilocano heritage. Damili has sustained generations of
families.

The Dance Pageantry portrays the different stages of pottery, which
others call as a scientific presentation. From collecting clay soil to
the last step of pottery which is burning the pot. The jingle used is
an Ilocano song entitled, Agdamdamili reflects the locals character of
humility, industry and love for life despite calamity.

All the barangays participate in the Street Dance. It is a
competition of colorful costumes, inspired by dresses during the old
times. They use props which are part of everyday life, including clay
pot, farming tools, and farming animals.

Join the people in the next Damili Festival and witness a cultural
heritage of the Ilocanos. For your travel assistance in going to
Ilocos Norte, you may want to read our article, Ilocos Norte : Travel
Up North.

Laoag City and Pamulinawen Festival

In Laoag City, February is indeed the most colorful month as it
celebrates the Feast of St. William the Hermit, which is the patron
saint of the city.

The festivity is carried out on the streets through Civic Military
Parade, Street Pageantry or Street Dance, and float competition which
includes Kalesa Festival.

Beauty pageants and popularity contests are regularly held as well.
And other competitions include Sports Festival and Cook Fests. There
are free concerts and shows like Zarsuela.

The highlights of the festival happens from the fourth to the tenth of
February.

So come join the Laoagenos celebration of fun and colors. For your
travel assistance in going to Ilocos Norte, you may want to read our
article, Ilocos Norte : Travel Up North.

No Bake No Egg : Mango Cheesecake

Ingredients for the base:

250g graham crackers, crumbled
100g butter, melted

Ingredients for the filling:

340g cream cheese
1 cup whipping cream
1 1/2 cup mango pulp
1 cup mango, chopped in bite size
10g gelatin
1/2 cup hot water
3 tbsp icing sugar
1/2 cup sugar

Ingredients for glaze topping:

1 cup mango pulp
1 tbsp gelatin
1/2 cup hot water

Procedure for the Base:

Combine the crumbled biscuits and melted butter. Press the mixture to
the dish you are using. Refrigerate it while you make the rest of the
cheesecake.

Procedure for the filling:

Dissolve gelatine in hot water. Whip the whipping cream with 2-3 tbsp
icing sugar, till soft-medium peaks form. Combine the cream cheese and
sugar, till it becomes smooth. Combine the mango puree and warm
gelatine mixture. Add this to the cream cheese mixture. Mix well. Add
the whipping cream to this in two batches and combine well. Add the
mango pieces (if using) and mix well. Pour this mixture over the
biscuit base and return it to the fridge. Make sure that this layer is
refrigerated for a minimum of 2 hours, before adding the glaze
topping.

Procedure for the glaze topping:

Dissolve the gelatin in hot water. Let it warm, add the mango puree
and mix well. Pour this over the cream layer. Let it set then
refrigerate for another 2 hours or till you serve. Garnish with
strawberry.

Keep at room temperature 10 mins before serving, so that the biscuit
layer softens a bit.

It can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Dingras, Ilocos Norte and Its Historical Houses

Dingras is known as the rice bowl of Ilocos Norte. It's an expansive
plain surrounded by mountains.The Dingras Valley which is drained by
the Padsan River and its tributaries, starts about 20km southeast of
Laoag City. And it includes the towns of Banna, Nueva Era and Piddig.

Dingras is an agricultural town wherein the basic occupation of people
is farming. Being the rice granary of Ilocos Norte, rice is the major
crop of the town. Tobacco comes next. They are growing vegetables,
banana, coffee, garlic and hybrid corn. Aside from farming, the locals
raise piggery and poultry as well.

Vast History of Dingras

Dingras is blessed with natural beauty and rich historical places.

Dingras Church Ruins

The church ruins is now roofless and its remains are covered by moss.
But it is famous of its red-bricked walls and a beautifully designed
facade. The ruins tell the tale of how it stood still despite the
tragedies.

In 1620, the church was erected but was destroyed by an earthquake
later on that same year.

In 1680, the Augustinian friars built the church.

In 1707, it was again destroyed by an earthquake. They erected a bigger church.

In 1838, it was ruined by fire.

In 1879, it was again rebuilt.

In 1895, it was renovated and restored.

In 1914, the church was again destroyed by fire and earthquake.

And unfortunately, it was shook by an earthquake again. From that time
on it was never rebuilt.

Colonial Houses

Dingras town proper is dotted with old houses, similar to those in
Vigan. The houses were built since the 19th Century to the early 20th
Century. They are made of bricks, woods and sliding windows made of
capiz shells. These houses pose a haunting beauty that everyone must
see.

The Puruganan Residence is the oldest but it is still remarkable.
There are other houses which includes the Francisca Puruganan-Madamba
which is said to have been built in 1901.

Escoda Museum

The founder of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines was Josefa Llanes
Escoda, who was from Dingras. The museum includes information about
her and the Scouts including photos and other memorabilia.

The local government is working on promoting other tourist destination
of the town. The Madongan Dam which is in San Marcelino. And the
natural falls in Francisco.

Dingras is located 502km north of Manila. For your travel assistance
in going to Ilocos Norte, you may want to read our article, Ilocos
Norte : Travel Up North.