Did you know that?

Ilocos Norte

► The province is noted for being the birthplace of former Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos, who led an authoritarian rule over the country during the later half of his incumbency.

► Long before the coming of the Spaniards, there already existed an extensive region (consisting of the present provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra and La Union) renowned for its gold mines. Merchants from Japan and China would often visit the area to trade gold with beads, ceramics and silk.  

► On June 13, 1592, Salcedo and his men landed in Vigan and then proceeded towards Laoag, Currimao and Badoc. As they sailed along the coast, they were surprised to see numerous sheltered coves ("looc") where the locals lived in harmony. As a result, they named the region "Ylocos" and its people "Ylocanos".

► Vast tracks of land were utilized for churches and bell towers in line with the Spanish mission of “bajo las campanas”.  In the town plaza, it was not uncommon to see garrisons under the church bells.   


► Gregorio Aglipay established the “Iglesia Filipina Independiente”.  Aglipay’s movement and the national sentiment it espoused helped restore the self-respect of many Filipinos.

► On February 2, 1818, a Spanish Royal Decree was promulgated dividing the Province of Ilocos Norte from Ilocos Sur. Laoag City, which was then the biggest center of population, was made the capital of Ilocos Norte.”

► For more than two and one-half centuries, the original Ilokos province remained intact until 1818 when it split into Ilokos Norte and Ilokos Sur.
 

Ilocos Sur

►In 1763, during the British occupation of the Philippines, Ilocos Sur was ruled by the British appointed governor, Ilocano freedom fighter Diego Silang, until he was shot in the back by Miguel Vicos in Vigan.
► On December 2, 1899, the Battle of Tirad Pass happened

► Ilocos Sur was founded by the Spanish conquistador, Juan de Salcedo in 1572.

► Ilocos Sur was formed when the north (now Ilocos Norte) split from the south (Ilocos Sur)

► In 1942, the Japanese Imperial forces occupied the province.

►In 1945, the province was liberated from the Japanese with the joint efforts of Filipino & American soldiers including Ilocano guerrillas.

► The 1970s were dark periods for the province as armed men known as the "saka-saka" (Ilocano, literally "bare-footed") terrorized the province; and this reign of terror resulted in the famous burning of the barangays of Ora East and Ora Centro in the municipality of Bantay. This era ended with the rise of Luis "Chavit" Singson to the governor's seat.

La Union

► A year after Adelantado Miguel Lopez de Legazpi made Manila the capital of the Philippines on June 24, 1571, the Spaniards started the colonization of Ilokos.  

► First taste of the Ilokanos’ bravery and fighting heart during a historic battle in Purao (literally, “white” and maybe due to the white sands of the beach) now known as Balaoan.

► October 29, 1849, Governor General Claveria signed the proposal (promovido) to unite the Pangasinan-Ilokos-Cordillera areas into a new province called La Union (the official name designated by Claveria himself).

► On March 2, 1850, Governor General Antonio Maria Blanco signed the Superior Decreto that founded La Union 

► La Union was the 34th province since the founding of Cebu in 1565.

► Blanco appointed on March 4, 1850 Captain Toribio Ruiz de la Escalera (Claveria’s former trusted aide de camp) as the first Gobernador Military y Politico of La Union

► Led by Manuel Bondoc Tinio, a boy general under the command of General Emilio Aguinaldo, the Spaniards were finally defeated in La Union

► Tinio acted as “de facto governor” of La Union but was later on replaced by Dr. Lucino Almeida as Presidente Provincial. 

► La Union’s first Civil Governor was facilitated in 1901.

► On January 4, 1945, the tides of war changed in La Union as Filipino-American soldiers captured Baroro Bridge in Bacnotan, a strategic bridge that connects the rest of Northern Luzon to San Fernando. The victory ensured the liberation of La Union.

Pangasinan

► They are proficient in salt-making so they call their new home Pangasinan which means “the place where salt is made.”  

► Pangasinan was among the earliest political and administrative units in the Philippines.

► It was officially conquered and colonized by D. Martin de Goiti in 1571.

► Spanish priest-historian, Fray Juan Ferrando, calls Salcedo the “first discoverer” of Pangasinan.

► Pangasinan celebrates April 5, 1580 as the official founding day of the Province of Pangasinan

► On April 5, 1572, Pangasinan was made an encomienda by the Spanish royal crown to receive instruction on the Catholic Faith, which means that Pangasinan was organized under one leadership and has identity before the Spanish royal court.  

► Eight years later, in 1580, Pangasinan was organized into a political unit under an alkalde mayor who at that time has authority as head of the province or provincial government with judicial function indicating that Pangasinan has become a province. 

► The Sual Power Plant in Sual started operating with Pangasinan as the host province, this is the largest and most effective coal-fired power plant in the Philippines servicing the Luzon grid.


Source:
Ilocos Norte. http://inorte.org/?page_id=2948
Ilocos Sur. http://www.ilocossur.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=79&Itemid=191
La Union. http://www.launion.gov.ph/page.php?7 
Pangasinan. http://www.pangasinan.gov.ph/the-province/history/

Worth Spending for!

Things to Buy at Ilocos Norte

Specialty:
This is a pizza topped with the different variants of  viands. 




Pasalubong:
Mouth-watering empanada, an awesome taste from outside to inside.




Souvenir:
Super cute mini-replicates of the famous toruist attractions in Ilocos Norte.





Things to buy at Ilocos Sur


Specialty:
Pinakbet a very delicious healthy food of Ilocos Sur which is from varieties of vegetables found in the province.




Pasalubong: 
In Ilocos, Longganisa is a very well-know craft in the province. It is made from local ingredients which  makes it very unique.




Souvenirs:
Bags, baskets, boxes all made from authentic materials.





Things to buy at La Union


Specialty: 
Appetizing Sinampalukang Manok!




Pasalubong:
Varieties of palatable dried fishes.




Souvenirs:
Tailor-made products that best suits your home.






Things to buy at Pangasinan


Specialty:
Pigar-pigar you'll surely love.




Pasalubong:
Exquisite Tupigs for everyone!




Souvenir:
From small to big accessories an displays Pangasinan has crafted one for you.

Hundred Islands, Hundred Wonders

Hundred Islands (Alaminos, Pangasinan)

How difficult it is to choose which of the 7,107 islands of the Philippines to explore first but if you’d like to hit roughly 100 islands in all at once, the Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos is the place to go.

Islands of all shapes and sizes.There are 123 islands covering 1,844 hectares. Many of them have attention-grabbing names such as “Devil’s Island” and “Kissing Island.” The water is an exceptional hue of blue-green and holds fantastic coral reefs. 

• Kayak the islands with HIETA– the Hundred Islands Eco-tourism Association.
• These two-million-year-old islands are dotted with plenty of caves so come on and nip your way into the caves.
• Dare  to jump off a 70-foot drop and swim to the underwater cave lovingly called “Imelda.”
• Check out the secret lagoon in Shell Beach, Camantiles Island.

Famous Islands:

Governor Island

Quezon Island

Children's Island

Marcos Island

Pack and Go!
There are several bus lines that go directly to Alaminos, but you can take buses to the neighboring towns such as Bolinao. The routes all pass through Alaminos. Once you’re in the city center, take a 10-minute tricycle ride to the Lucap Wharf.  Provincial buses have their own bus stops, so make sure to stick to one so you don’t get confused.

Source:
Alaminos. http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/alaminos-pangasinan/how-to-get-there/?page_id=3145

Pangasinan with Hundred Wonders

Pangasinan offers refreshing respite from the more popular Philippine destinations with its quaint coastal villages and charming beaches that rarely see outside visitors. You can basically see the sun rise over the Hundred Islands and drive westward to Patar Beach and see the sunset on the same day! Now how cool is that!

Located about 5-6 hours away from the Philippine capital Manila- the story of the beautiful crescent-shaped province of Pangasinan dates back from hundreds to thousands of years. The curious yet spectacular geological formation – the 123 islets of the Hundred Islands National Park off the city of Alaminos itself is said to be 2 million years old not to mention the fossilized giant clams that were found at the Coral Mountain found 2 kilometers away from Patar in Bolinao which have an estimated age of about 4-5 million years old.

White Sand Hunting, Begins...

A. Colibra Island, Dasol: for hardened sun-lovers, the island’s beach has no shade. Excellent shoreline, good for snorkeling and diving.

B. Tambobong Beach, Dasol: an entire fishing village at your feet, very clear water. Good for sailing.

C. Abrak Beach, Bolinao: has resorts for those who don't feel like roughing it has cheaper huts.

D. Arnedo, Beach, Bolinao: has seen the sprouting of very good resorts charging reasonable rates. Good for wind sports.

E. Tondol, Beach, Anda: long stretch of calm, shallow water. Has attractive sand-bars art low tide. Also for the hard-core tanning freak.

Grab a bite!

Dining in Pangasinan is a hit or miss thing but one could never go wrong with a serving of Boneless Bangus (or Milkfish). Bangus happens to be the National Fish of the Philippines as well and we had the best Bangus we ever had in Pangasinan- grilled or fried- the serving is large and cheap (compared to the its diminutive cousins served in the restaurants of Manila. Alaminos has its own take on the longganiza as well. And the sweet sticky rice with coconut dessert called tupig which seemed to be ubiquitous in this region is a must try.

Another must bring home item from Pangasinan is a bottle of fermented fish paste – Pangasinan’s take on that important Filipino foodie must-have- the bagoong. Make sure to pick one up whenever you are in the area.

 

If not now... when? So take your tour!

There are many buses that ply to different points in Pangasinan. If you are heading to the Hundred Islands in Alaminos and Bolinao – Victory Liner and Five Star Buses leave Manila as early as 12 midnight. For going back to Manila, Victory Liner only goes as far as the Cubao terminal from Bolinao during Fridays and Saturdays. Skip the ordinary buses of Five Star as they can be extra filthy. Other bus lines that go to Pangasinan are Dagupan Bus Line, City Trans, and Philippine Rabbit. There are jeepneys and mini-buses between towns as well as tricycles (motorcycles with sidecars). Do not forget to take a road map of Pangasinan before embarking on a trip.

CLIMATE

Average annual rain fall (mm)		182.3
Average annual temperature		28  0C
Season		Wet and Dry

 

http://tourism-philippines.com/pangasinan/#go
http://travel.pangasinan.com/natural%20wonder/wonder.htm