Interview w/ ANGELO MARIANO, Ilocos Norte's Senior Model. Businessman. Public Servant.

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Interview w/ Ilocos Norte Fashion Designer & Entrepreneur IRA BAYLON

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Photos of Sitio Remedios, Currimao, Ilocos Norte, Philippines

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San Nicolas: The Next Important Town in Ilocos Norte

In every province here in the Philippines, there are places that are meant for progress. There are also places that slowly but surely inching their way to reach the same status. One of them is San Nicolas, a town in Ilocos Norte which is the neighbor of the more progressive Laoag City.

It is town that will never be missed because every vehicle passes through San Nicolas before reaching the capital city via land trip. It is oftentimes mistaken that the town is part of Laoag City because of its proximity to the latter.

As in any other town or city in Ilocos Norte, San Nicolas Church stands majestic among the structures in the town. The Ilocanos' reverence to the catholic faith is proof that they are devout in their chosen religion and they strictly follow church traditions to the T.

Beside the church is the Museo San Nicoleno which houses artifacts and history pieces of the town. The edifice of the said museum was a big water tank of years past. It is now a chronicle storage of what was San Nicolas in the past preserved through time.

The town celebrates the Damili Festival which aims to promote the centuries-old tradition of pottery. The festival is a way of thanksgiving for all the bountiful harvest and blessings that the town has received.

San Nicolas hosts to the biggest mall in the province - the Robinsons Ilocos Norte. It has shops that cater to the needs of the malling generation. It sits on a vast land area which has other amenities that makes it a one-stop-shop of sorts.

But despite the modern-day convenience of a shopping mall, the San Nicolas Public Market is still a place to go to especially for those who would like to buy fresh produce and local favorite fares such the longganisang Laoag and bagnet.

One nice observation about the town is the way they preserved old buildings and how they were turned into good use despite the passing of time. Schools such as the San Nicolas Elementary School and St. Anne's Academy still utilizes the old structures.

But San Nicolas is a town which is not trapped in time. Modern facilities such as hotels and condominium for rent are available for those who want to visit and experience what it has to offer to visitors. It is accessible by bus and by plane via Laoag City.

But whether one goes for the old world or for modernity, San Nicolas is open to everyone who wants to enjoy the hospitality of San Nicolenos. It is dubbed as the next important town in Ilocos Norte. They want everyone to go and visit their place.

Credit to the owners of some of the photos.

Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte: Where the Pacific Ocean Meets the West Philippine Sea

Pagudpud is a resort-municipality in the province of Ilocos Norte and is located in the northernmost tip of Luzon Island. It is popular not only among local tourists but to foreigners as well because of its beautiful nature. It is where the Pacific Ocean meets the West Philippine Sea.

The town borders the Province of Cagayan and can be reached through the Patapat Viaduct - a scenic seaside bridge that has an awesome view of the sea. Traversing through the viaduct makes you love the natural blessings that the Philippines has.

The Blue Lagoon and the Kaibigan Falls are but some of the attractions that tourists flock to Pagudpud. These natural wonders make a visit to the town more interesting. I can say that it is where nature is at its best.

When in Pagudpud, there is sea, sea and sea. Worth visiting too are the Dos Hermanos Island and the Saud Beach. They exemplify the diversity of the place. Some will say that they are just the same beaches as in anywhere in the world but they showcase different scenery that is typically Filipino.

Accommodations can cater from the budgeted to the more plush resorts. The most popular is the Hannah's Beach Resort and Convention Center. Personally, I saw the droves of people who visit the resort. The most recent addition to the growing number of resorts in Pagudpud is the Pagudpud Sands Resort. It opened in 2019.

Pagudpud can be reached through land travel either by private vehicles or by bus that will take you around 12 hours of travel. You may also take a 1 hour plane ride from Manila to Laoag City and transfer by land for 1 1/2 hours more.

The local government unit is taking steps to preserve the cleanliness of the town especially in the resorts area. Along the highway, you can see the environmental awareness campaign to remind the town residents as well as tourists to preserve Pagudpud's God-given natural resources.

Despite the long land travel, Pagudpud is still a place worth visiting in your lifetime. Here, you will see how discipline can really make a town or a city a viable place for successful tourism without sacrificing nature.

Credit to the owners of some of the photos.

Modernity Beckoning in Laoag City

Laoag City is the capital of the Province of Ilocos Norte which is at the northwestern part of the Philippines. It is one of the places to visit when in the country. For local tourists, it is a city where we can see progress amidst the old setting. But, mind you, Laoag is a city in the verge of modernity.

It boasts of structures that have withstood the tests of time. The city also has infrastructures that cater to the daily needs of its people. Whether old or new, they have been proven to be sturdy from the effects of typhoons or earthquakes that frequently visit the region.

The Laoag City hall is well-built and shows the culture that is typical in northern Philippines. It shows the heritage of the Ilocanos as shown in it architecture. The city market is one market that I saw that was orderly without too much "stinkiness" in its surroundings. It shows the culture of the Ilocanos as being clean people.

Just recently, a city ordinance was passed banning catcalls and the use of profane language to the members of the LGBTQI+. The people of Laoag know how to respect whatever sexual preference one might have.

A visit to Laoag City will not be complete without visiting its famous hotel which is the Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel. Whether you will be staying at the hotel or dine at its food outlets, it is one hotel where you can feel that you are really in the Ilocos region. Other new lodging establishments have also been opened for tourists, local and international alike.

Laoag citizens may be busy with their everyday lives but they are a religious lot. It is fascinating to see churches in the city that are filled with worshipers not only during religious occasions but even daily despite their respective schedules.

Of course, a visit to Laoag City will not be complete without going to its famous La Paz Sand Dunes and the very well-maintained Aurora Park. Of course, the city also has its restaurants and shops that are worth going to.

Laoag City may be far up north in the Philippines but, whether by plane or by land, a trip to the city is very worth the time. Plus, of course, you will be able to experience hospitality that is solely Ilocano. With all that is developing in Laoag City, modernity is fast beckoning.

Credit to the owners of some of the photos.