Ilocos Sur

Ilocos Sur has undeniably kept a glorious history. Its past now provides what we now see at present. The Spanish era, with its dramatic impact on the lives of Ilocanos, most infrastructures are still preserved for us to enjoy. With the collaboration of nature, the province also boasts its eco-historical tourism sites, which abound from the shore to the mountains. The Ilocano-Spanish heritage that runs in the veins of the populace, a unique culture is born. With traditions still being practiced and customs observed, Ilocano life is indeed as colorful as can be. Centuries-old religious edifices also provide solitude to the one who needs a spiritual rejuvenation.

Ilocos Sur is accessible by various transport vehicles from Manila and other nearby provinces and cities. It may be reached through public utility buses which range from ordinary, first class air conditioned, up to cozy deluxe types. Car rentals are most available at the international airport.

Private planes and helicopters may gain access to Ilocos Sur through the Vigan Airport. However, the Laoag International Airport in nearby Laoag City caters to commercial domestic planes as well as international flights particularly to and from Taipei, Taiwan and certain parts of mainland China. Special arrangements may also be done for private taxi services to Ilocos Sur through proper coordination with the available van rentals in Vigan. Air conditioned buses, whose terminals are located in downtown Laoag City and are plying the Laoag-Manila route may be a cheaper alternative for every traveler.

ATTRACTIONS

CULTURAL

NATIONAL MUSEUM - The Padre Burgos House

The Burgos Residence in Vigan houses the memorabilia of the martyr-priest Jose P. Burgos as well as Ilocano artifacts and ethnic arts of the Tingguians.

Address	Burgos Street, Vigan City (southwest side of the Provincial Capitol)
Open	Tuesdays to Saturdays (by appointment on weekends and holidays)
Museum Hours	8:30 am to 11:30 am 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Admission Fees	PhP 10.00 - adults PhP 5.00 - children 12 years old & below

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CRISOLOGO MUSEUM

This museum houses the memorabilia of the Crisologos and original furnishings of a typical Vigan ancestral house.

Address	Liberation Boulevard, Vigan City
Open	Mondays to Sundays
Museum Hours
Admission Fee	F R E E

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MAGSINGAL MUSEUM

It is a repository of Ilocano heritage that features collections of pottery and porcelain artifacts.

Address	National Highway, Magsingal, Ilocos Sur (beside the Catholic Church)
Open	Tuesdays to Saturdays (by appointment on weekends and holidays)
Museum Hours	8:30 am to 11:30 am 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Admission Fee	PhP 10.00 - adults PhP 5.00 - children 12 years old & below

MUSEO SAN PABLO

The Museum complex, named in honor of St. Paul the Apostle, is Vigan City's newest addition to its list of place to see. It is committed to conservation through a distinct faith-culture approach.

Address	South of the St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral
Open	Fridays to Wednesdays
Museum Hours
Admission Fee	PhP 10.00 - non-students PhP 5.00 - students

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ANCESTRAL HOUSES / VIGAN HERITAGE VILLAGE

The Mestizo District in Vigan City is replete with ancestral houses with ancient tile roofs, massive hardwood floorings, balustrades and azoteas in varying Spanish-Mexican-Chinese architectural styles.

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PAGBURNAYAN

The Ilocano clay jar called "burnay" is used for storing the suka (local vinegar), basi (local wine) and bagoong (fish sauce) and has also been used as a decorative item in household interiors and outdoor landscapes. The production process still utilizes pre-historic methods.

MUSEO DE SAN JUAN BAUTISTA

San Juan, Ilocos Sur

This museum was established to serve as a repository of Lapog's history. It is located at the ground floor of the parish convent. It houses antique materials and other personal mementos from years past that many Lapogueños have donated to the Museum.

NATURAL

SANTIAGO COVE

A stretch of golden sand beach in Santiago with amenities for picnics and water sports.

PINSAL FALLS
A favorite setting for many local films, Pinsal Falls features Angalo's footprint, the legendary Ilocano giant. The falls is a few kilometers of rough road from the highway, located at Barangay Babalasiwan, Sta. Maria town.

PUG-OS BEACH
Rest houses and picnic sheds are found in this nearby white sand beach in Cabugao.

SULVEC BEACH
The rocky shore of Sulvec, Narvacan is a favorite stop-over of commuters and the locals as well. by the shoreline is the Paraiso ni Juan leading up to the grotto atop a rock.

APATOT BEACH
This cove in San Esteban is frequently visited by picnickers. During the last stage of World War II, US submarines surfaced in the area to unload arms and supplies for the USAFIP, NL.

Other Waterfalls in Ilocos Sur:

BALUARTE FALLS

Salcedo

DINARATAN FALLS
Salcedo

LUCBUBAN FALLS
Salcedo

CANIAW FALLS
Bantay

GAMBANG FALLS
Cervantes

AWASEN FALLS
Sigay

BARASIBIS FALLS
Santa

PIKKANG FALLS
San Juan

ECO HISTOURISM

TIRAD PASS

Declared as a National Shrine, it is located in the Municipality of Gregorio Del Pilar. Tirad Pass was the last stand of the Filipino Revolutionary Forces under the command of General Emilio Aguinaldo. The Battle of Tirad Pass was led by the youngest Filipino General Gregorio del Pilar.

BESSANG PASS

A monument stands on this strategic gap, 5,250 feet above sea level. Transversed by Highway 4, west of the town of Cervantes, the Pass served as the backdoor to General Yamashita's last ditch defense during the last stage of World War II. The Battle of Bessang Pass was won by the USAFIP, NL on June 14, 1945.

SANTA MARIA CHURCH

A World Heritage Site and a National Landmark, this centuries-old church nestled atop a hill at the town proper of Sta. Maria was used as a fortress during the 1896 Revolution.

SULVEC WATCHTOWER
This sturdy, magnificent structur was built by the Spaniards as lookout points for impending pirates.

MORO WATCHTOWER

This is perhaps the oldest landmark in San Esteban, an accredited tourism site as declared by the Philippine Tourism Authority and an authentic historical structure found in the registry of the National Historical Institute. The old folks say that this was a vanguard against approaching pirates during the Spanish times.

SUNDIALS
Built by the Spaniards in 1841 and 1948, these two sundials, one in front of the Tagudin Municipal Hall and the other at the courtyard of the church, are still in use.

PLAZA SALCEDO

Located in between St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral and the Provincial Capitol, in this elevated elliptical plaza highlights the Salcedo Monument in honor of Don Juan de Salcedo, the founder of Vigan.

PLAZA BURGOS

Another plaza in Vigan City is named in honor of the Ilocano martyr-priest Father Jose P. Burgos. Nearby are food stalls selling native delicacies and famous of which is the empanada.

LAPOG BAY
San Juan

Saoang in San Juan, Ilocos Sur, being a part of Lapog Bay, had its share ofthe 34 Japanese warships that anchored at the Bay. Most of the warships left the Bay on October 17, 1944. Bombers came morning of the following day and bombed the four remaining warships - off Saoang, off Sabangan, off Camindoroan and the Japanese landing barges at Solotsolot beach. The bombing sorties took hours and set ablaze the whole Lapog bay, turning it into a veritable inferno that burned overnight. In the next few days, bodies of fallen Japanese soldiers were washed ashore and were buried in the area by the locals.

St. JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH
San Juan

Constructed in 1799 through voluntary labor from residents, it is "home" to the predominantly Catholic Lapogueños. This is where scores of Lapogueños were held hostages by the Japanese forces during the Second World War. Japanese soldiers detained the people inside the church and threatened to bomb the place if nobody would reveal the burial site of a comrade. The people were spared by the valiant Constante Castro who led the Japanese to the burial site.

NORTHERN LUZON HEROES HILL NATIONAL PARK

Located in the town of Santa, it was the stronghold of Gabriela Silang who continued the struggle for freedom from the Spaniards started by her slain husband, Diego Silang. A historical marker in her honor stands nearby.

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