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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 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 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 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 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 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 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.