Laoag City : Exploring The Light
The Sunshine City of the North, derived from the Iloko word Laoag
which means light. It is located about 484 km north of Manila. It is
the capital of Ilocos Norte making it the commercial and industrial
hub of the province. It's where the only commercial airport, in the
region, is located.
Laoag is a home of buildings that witnessed the centuries-old history
of the province.
Tobacco Monopoly Monument
It stands at the northern foot of the Gilbert Bridge making it the
first thing to see when you are travelling from Manila. It stands tall
on the southern part of the Aurora Park.
Tobacco Monopoly started in 1782 when the Spaniards found out that
the climate of Ilocos is good for tobacco cultivation. They aimed to
bring profit to the government and to make the Philippines the leading
producer of tobacco in the world. Thus forced the Ilocanos to plant
tobacco. But it was abolished in 1881 and the monument was constructed
in its commemoration. Up to this day, tobacco is still one of the
major crops of Ilocos.
Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol
Adjacent to the Aurora Park is the Provincial Capitol. It was built
originally in 1917 but was remodeled in 1957.
Museo Ilocos Norte
On the left side of the capitol, is located the museum of Ilocos Norte
which is the Tabacalera Building. Originally, it was built to be the
Tobacco Monopoly center.
In 1999, it was rehabilitated by the local government. It's one of the
best tourist destination since it houses the culture and the heritage
of the Ilocano people.
Marcos Hall of Justice
A two storey building located on the west side of the Aurora Park. It
was where the late Pres. Ferdinand Marcos was detained when he was
accused on the death of Nalundasan.
Laoag City Hall
Adjacent to the Marcos Hall of Justice is the city hall. The two
storey building is a Spanish influence made of red bricks.
Cathedral of St. William the Hermit and The Sinking Bell Tower
The cathedral is located at the right of the Gilbert Bridge while the
belfry is 85m away. The church and the tower was built in 1612 by the
Augustinian Friars. They used molasses, lime, rocks, gravel and sand
for the building. Cogon grass was used for the roof while wood for its
trusses. The church survived a hurricane in 1640 and a fire in 1843.
It was later on restored in 1880.
Both the church and the belfry was built on earthquake baroque
architecture. The facade of the church has an Italian Renaissance
design.
The Sinking Bell Tower is popular because it's literally sinking into
the ground at an average of an inch a year. Half of the ground floor
has already sunk. Before, a man riding on a horse back can even pass
through its main door. But nowadays, a person with an average height
need to bent down to pass. And it is as well observed that it leans a
bit to the north.
It is located near a river, along with the church. The tower was built
on a sandy foundation the reason why it might be sinking. It is one of
the tallest belfry in the Philippines, measuring 45m (150f) high.
Despite of its sinking condition it still serves its purpose, ringing
its bells to call the Catholic believers.
If you are on a roadtrip up north, you won't surely miss the tower,
since it stands tall on the right side of the Gilbert bridge. Capture
its fascinating beauty just before dusk.
Interestingly, all the buildings mentioned above can be seen if you
stand beside the Tobacco Monopoly Monument. And don't forget to ride
the Calesa to tour around the city proper.
You don't need to worry where to stay in Laoag because it has numerous
hotels and resorts. It's packed with budget inns and hotels and also
offer the only 5 star hotel in the region.
The Fort Ilocandia Resort and Casino
It's located outside the city proper, about 15 minutes drive. It was
built in 1983 with a Spanish inspired architecture. The two-storey
buildings are made of red bricks.It was then constructed by the
Marcoses for the wedding reception of the late President's daughter.
The rooms are provided with romantic terrace. It has a fountain at the
center of a well-manicured garden. The resort has an Olympic size
swimming pool, a golf course and a mini zoo for kids.
It is a tourist destination for Chinese and an attraction for
Taiwanese gamblers. It is a must-see treasure of Ilocos Norte.
For your travel assistance in going to Ilocos Norte, you may want to
read our article, Ilocos Norte : Travel Up North.
which means light. It is located about 484 km north of Manila. It is
the capital of Ilocos Norte making it the commercial and industrial
hub of the province. It's where the only commercial airport, in the
region, is located.
Laoag is a home of buildings that witnessed the centuries-old history
of the province.
Tobacco Monopoly Monument
It stands at the northern foot of the Gilbert Bridge making it the
first thing to see when you are travelling from Manila. It stands tall
on the southern part of the Aurora Park.
Tobacco Monopoly started in 1782 when the Spaniards found out that
the climate of Ilocos is good for tobacco cultivation. They aimed to
bring profit to the government and to make the Philippines the leading
producer of tobacco in the world. Thus forced the Ilocanos to plant
tobacco. But it was abolished in 1881 and the monument was constructed
in its commemoration. Up to this day, tobacco is still one of the
major crops of Ilocos.
Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol
Adjacent to the Aurora Park is the Provincial Capitol. It was built
originally in 1917 but was remodeled in 1957.
Museo Ilocos Norte
On the left side of the capitol, is located the museum of Ilocos Norte
which is the Tabacalera Building. Originally, it was built to be the
Tobacco Monopoly center.
In 1999, it was rehabilitated by the local government. It's one of the
best tourist destination since it houses the culture and the heritage
of the Ilocano people.
Marcos Hall of Justice
A two storey building located on the west side of the Aurora Park. It
was where the late Pres. Ferdinand Marcos was detained when he was
accused on the death of Nalundasan.
Laoag City Hall
Adjacent to the Marcos Hall of Justice is the city hall. The two
storey building is a Spanish influence made of red bricks.
Cathedral of St. William the Hermit and The Sinking Bell Tower
The cathedral is located at the right of the Gilbert Bridge while the
belfry is 85m away. The church and the tower was built in 1612 by the
Augustinian Friars. They used molasses, lime, rocks, gravel and sand
for the building. Cogon grass was used for the roof while wood for its
trusses. The church survived a hurricane in 1640 and a fire in 1843.
It was later on restored in 1880.
Both the church and the belfry was built on earthquake baroque
architecture. The facade of the church has an Italian Renaissance
design.
The Sinking Bell Tower is popular because it's literally sinking into
the ground at an average of an inch a year. Half of the ground floor
has already sunk. Before, a man riding on a horse back can even pass
through its main door. But nowadays, a person with an average height
need to bent down to pass. And it is as well observed that it leans a
bit to the north.
It is located near a river, along with the church. The tower was built
on a sandy foundation the reason why it might be sinking. It is one of
the tallest belfry in the Philippines, measuring 45m (150f) high.
Despite of its sinking condition it still serves its purpose, ringing
its bells to call the Catholic believers.
If you are on a roadtrip up north, you won't surely miss the tower,
since it stands tall on the right side of the Gilbert bridge. Capture
its fascinating beauty just before dusk.
Interestingly, all the buildings mentioned above can be seen if you
stand beside the Tobacco Monopoly Monument. And don't forget to ride
the Calesa to tour around the city proper.
You don't need to worry where to stay in Laoag because it has numerous
hotels and resorts. It's packed with budget inns and hotels and also
offer the only 5 star hotel in the region.
The Fort Ilocandia Resort and Casino
It's located outside the city proper, about 15 minutes drive. It was
built in 1983 with a Spanish inspired architecture. The two-storey
buildings are made of red bricks.It was then constructed by the
Marcoses for the wedding reception of the late President's daughter.
The rooms are provided with romantic terrace. It has a fountain at the
center of a well-manicured garden. The resort has an Olympic size
swimming pool, a golf course and a mini zoo for kids.
It is a tourist destination for Chinese and an attraction for
Taiwanese gamblers. It is a must-see treasure of Ilocos Norte.
For your travel assistance in going to Ilocos Norte, you may want to
read our article, Ilocos Norte : Travel Up North.
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