Explore the More of the Province of Ilocos Sur

Posted on 03 October 2017 at 01:42

This is the place of places and it is here"--Gertrude Stein

Map of Ilocos Sur

*Image is credited to commons.wikimedia.org.

Ilocos Sur is my province and it has been my home since birth. And by the year 2018, the province will be hosting "Palarong Pambansa" or National Games and the celebration of the province's Bicentennial Celebration.

My province may have been known because on one political person or celebrity named Chavit Singson, but there is more things to know about Ilocos Sur other than the famous Singsons. And let me Introduce you about my home, my province.

Ilocos Sur is located in the Northern Philippines, with Vigan City as its Capital. The province is surrounded by Abra, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Mountain Province and Benguet, with South China Sea on its waters.

Founded by Spanish conquistador named Juan de Salcedo in 1572, it was formed when the north (Ilocos Norte) split form the South (Ilocos Sur). And on February 2, 1818, a Spanish royal decree was issued that declared the separation of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, thus the bicentennial celebration by 2018.

Our main dialect is Ilocano but some parts speak Kankana-ey.

What so see and enjoy in Ilocos Sur?

Ilocos Sur is where you can enjoy both the site and sights.

With the Spanish influence that is very much visible, like the New7Wonder Cities which is the famous Calle Crisolgo, there is more than that and I will be showing you some.

Old Century Churches.

For those who love to do pilgrimage or "Visita Iglesia", you can see more of our churches that has been hundred years old. And here are some of them.

1. St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral. The cathedral is in the capital city, Vigan City. This has been built in the year 1574 by Juan de Salcedo. The cathedral is surrounded by the plaza named after Fr. Jose Burgos, a martyr-priest, Plaza Burgos.

The Vigan Cathedral

*Image is credited to Christian Lucas Sangoyo via LakadPilipinas.com

2. Shrine of Our Lady of Charity (St. Augustine Parish Church) or the Shrine of Apo Caridad. Located in Bantay, Ilocos Sur, just few minutes away Vigan Cathedral, this was built in the year 1590. Along with the church, there is the famous Bellfry that was built in the year 1591.

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The Shrine of Our Lady of Charity

*Image is credited to youtube.com

3. Church of Nuestra Senyora dela Asuncion (Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur). This was rebuilt in 1810 and it is the one of the four baroque churches here in the Philippines that has been declared as UNESCO's world heritage site and a bell tower was built in 1811.

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The church of Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur

*Image is credited to ironwulf.net

Colorful Festivals.

Every year, we have Kannawidan Festival, the festival that showcases the province's culture and products of each town as a whole. But there are festivals that has been celebrated by some towns of Ilocos Sur. Here are some:

1. Sinait Garlic Festival. The town has been the best producer of garlic in the province that is being held in the 1st to 3rd of May.

2. Binatbatan Festival. This is being held in Vigan City. The festival came from the term "batbatin" or the process of separating the cotton balls from its seeds(from the fruit of Kapasanglay). Abel products is being showcased in this festival.

3. Viva Vigan Festival. When you have a passion for arts, this is the festival for you. This also the festival that showcases how colorful the city is, from its painting to its culture.

4. Bagnet Festival. The festival is held in the town of Narvacan. For food lovers, specifically the meat lovers, this is for you. The festival that showcases the famous "bagnet" or the deep fried pork belly and it is celebrated before Christmas.

5. Tobacco Festival or Tabako Festival. Candon City hold the festival every last week of March. As the festival suggests, it is the celebration of the bountiful harvest of Virginia Tobacco and also, the festival showcases the other products of the city like their famous Calamay.

Gastronomic Feast.

If you are enjoying the sights of the province, this time, tummy will be filled with great food that the province has been famous for.

1. Vigan Longganisa. These local sausage has a distinct flavor that makes it being "owned" by the province, it is the garlicky taste since Ilocos Sur is one of the top producers of garlic in the country.

2. Vigan Empanada. Who haven't heard about deep fried rice dough that has been filled with vegetables, egg and Vigan Longganisa? With sugar cane vinegar that goes with it, surely makes it different from the other empanada of Ilocos Norte.

3. Bagnet. Meat lovers specifically the pork lovers, this is one of the famous food the province is known for. The bagnet or the deep fried pork belly can be eaten as it is or be added to the famous Ilocano dish named "Pinakbet".

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The famous Bagnet

*Image is credited to vigattintourism.com

4. Chichacorn. Munching that crispy popped corns while walking or touring around the province is a good idea. With different flavors to choose from, garlic, salt, cheese and barbecue.

Adventure zones.

If you are looking for some thrill, adventure, adrenaline rush activities, the province is offering some for adventure seekers. And you can check some of them.

1. Ilocos Sur Adventure Zone. They caters people who wanted to do climbing, rapelling, and that 400-meter zip line that makes you cross the Abra River.

2. NOAH (Narvacan Outdoor Adventure Hub). Located in Narvacan, they offer paragliding, kite surfing, Hobie Cat Sailing, windsurfing, 4x4all terrain vehicles, climbing that 300-foot rock face and they also have a 520-metter long zip line.

3. Skydiving. This maybe the most expensive among the adventures and it had just open last January of 2017. And if you really UP to this, literally, this might be for you.

*Video is credited to gma public affairs via biyahe ni drew

Souvenirs.

After checking the province, you might as well bring home some of our local products that Ilocos Sur is offering. These are just few of them.

1. Buri Crafts. From the Buri or fan palms, mats and bags and purses are made out of it. Buying some of it can also be a big help from the people of San Juan, Ilocos Sur, where the buri weavers are living.

2. Abel. This is one of the crafts that you can be familiar with hwile walking along the Crisolgo Street, for this is the traditional woven cloth of the province.

3. Labtang crafts. Labtang is a twinner vine. This is a produced in Suyo, Ilocos Sur. Crafts like, basket, trays and jars are being made out of it.

Note: If you wanted to check every town's product, come and visit the province druing the Kannawidan Festival. And you can see more souvernirs while walking around the cobbled-stone stree of Calle Crisologo.

*Video is credited to youtube via live love travel

There is more to explore in the province of Ilocos Sur. You can have the sweet, savory and fun adventures. Hope you can check some, and bring some of our local products.