Ilocos Norte Philippines
Located at the northernmost tip of Luzon, Ilocos Norte is famous for its natural and cultural scenery. It’s a favorite destination of many foreign and local tourists for its wealth of attractions. The capital of Laoag City features the Sinking Bell tower, which has sunk to the ground because of its weight. Its half-buried entrance once allowed a man on horseback to enter. Beside the Cathedral of St. William is the plaza complex with its historical Abolition of the Tobacco Monopoly Monument, Ilocos Norte Capitol, and the Ilocandia Museum. The La Paz and Suba san dunes are favorite movie settings ranging from classical local films such as Nora Aunor’s Himala to Hollywood gems like Tom Cruise’s Born On The Fourth of July.
Garlic is sold and tobacco fields can be seen along the highway. Batac contains the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum where preserved remains of President Ferdinand Marcos are displayed. Paoay is home to the grand Malacañang of the North overlooking Lake Paoay, once Marcos’ summer residence. The town’s most famous attraction is its church. With its blend of Spanish and Oriental architecture, Paoay Church is now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The centuries-old edifice is sipported by massive buttresses found nowhere else in the Philippines.
Other old churches can be found in Sarat, Dingras, San Nicolas, Bacarra (which has a leaning tower), and Badoc. Badoc also has the Juan Luna Shrine, once the home of the famous painter and now a museum. Farther up north is Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, A charming structure set on hilly terrain.