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Paoay has a rich culture, an interesting history and a world heritage
beauty left by the Spanish Colonial period. It is a must see town if
you're planning for an Ilocos trip.

Located 462km north of Manila. From Laoag City you may ride a public
utility jeepney going to Paoay town proper.


The Church of St. Augustine.

Otherwise known as Paoay Church, is a part of the UNESCO World
Heritage list. Its architectural design is a unique mix of Gothic,
Baroque and Oriental designs. Every little detail of the church, gives
emphasis to different artistic influences, from the facade to the
gables. The artistic design of the church makes it one of the most
romantic churches.

The church was carefully built to withstand the areas natural
challenges like earthquake. The bell tower as well stands away from
the sanctuary for safety reasons, in case it would collapse.
It is a historical church, built by the Augustinian friars in 1694,
that witnessed the cries of the oppressed and the scream of the
revolution.


The Paoay Lake.

One of the most remarkable feature of the town. According to legend,
the lake was once a site of a prosperous barangay or village. But
their wealth drove the people to become greedy and made them cling on
to material things. This angered God and He shattered the village by
sending an earthquake that sunk the entire village, drowning all the
villagers aside from a couple. God has found kindness from them that
He let them escape the tragedy by warning them before hand.
Unfortunately, the woman didn't follow God's instruction, not to look
back on their way out of the village. So the woman became a rock,
which is now located on top of a hill over looking the lake.

The Malacanan Palace of the North lies on the northern part of the
lake, showing a nice view of it.

For a long time, it had been used as fish cage sanctuary. But the
wastes, not just from the cages but as well as from the surrounding
community, contaminate the lake with e. coli bacteria.

But now, the government finally was able to pull out all the cages and
developed the tourism potential of the lake. This year, the lake
became the venue for international rowing competition.


Inabel, a loom woven fabric.

It is a centuries old industry that started during the Spanish
Colonial period. The fabric was once a popular sail cloth. And it's
now becoming famous in the international fashion industry as a high
couture material.

The Inabel industry has remained to be the principal livelihood in
town. It has been passed on to generations. Cooperatives were formed
by the loom weavers to sustain the industry.