Ilocos Norte is a province located in the Ilocos Region of northern Luzon in the Philippines. Its capital is Laoag City. Ilocos Norte is known as the birthplace of former President Ferdinand Marcos and a northern tourist destination, home to beaches like Fort Ilocandia, Saud Beach, and Blue Lagoon. The economy relies on agriculture including rice and corn, fisheries, livestock, and industries like weaving, furniture making, and food processing. Tourism is also a major industry, attracting visitors to attractions like the UNESCO World Heritage Site Paoay Church and the sinking Laoag bell tower.

1. Ilocos Norte Province
 Province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon.
 Its capital is Laoag City and is located at the northwest corner of Luzon Island, bordering
Cagayan and Apayao to the east, and Abra and Ilocos Sur to the south. Ilocos Norte faces
the South China Sea to the west and the Luzon Strait to the north.
 Ilocos Norte is noted for being the birthplace of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, who led
an authoritarian rule over the country during the latter half of his incumbency.
 The Marcoses enjoy a modicum of popularity in the province. Ilocos Norte is also known as a
northern tourist destination, being the location of Fort Ilocandia, an upper class hotel and
beach resort famous among expatriates, and Pagudpud.
RIEF PROFILE
Founded: 1918
Capital: Laoag City
Land Area: 3,504.3 km²
Population: 593,081 (2015) (density of 170 inhabitants per square kilometre or 440 inhabitants per
square mile))
Highest Elevation Mt. : Sicapao (2,354m/7,723ft)
Cities: Batac City, Laoag City
Munacipalities: 21
Barangays: 557
Languages: Ilocano, Tagalog, English
History
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. The inhabitants of the region, believed to be of Malay origin, called their place
"samtoy", from "sao mi toy", which literally meant "our language here".
In 1591, when the Spanish conquistadors had Manila more or less under their control, they
began looking for new sites to conquer. Legaspi's grandson, Juan De Salcedo, volunteered to
lead one of these expeditions. Together with 8 armed boats and 45 men, the 22 year old voyager
headed north. 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".
As the Christianization of the region grew, so did the landscape of the area. 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. The colonization
process was slowly being carried out.

2. The Spanish colonization of the region, however, was never completely successful. Owing to
the abusive practices of many Augustinian friars, a number of Ilocanos revolted against their
colonizers. Noteworthy of these were the Dingras uprising (1589) and Pedro Almasan revolt (San
Nicolas, 1660). In 1762, Diego Silang led a series of battles aimed at freeing the Ilocanos from the
Spanish yoke. When he died from an assassin's bullet, his widow Gabriela continued the cause.
Unfortunately, she too was captured and hanged. In 1807, the sugar cane ("basi") brewers of
Piddig rose up in arms to protest the government's monopoly of the wine industry. In 1898, the
church excommunicated Gregorio Aglipay for refusing to cut off ties with the revolutionary forces
of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. Unperturbed, he established the "Iglesia Filipina Independiente".
Aglipay’s movement and the nationalist sentiment it espoused helped restore the self-respect of
many Filipinos.
In an effort to gain more political control and because of the increasing population of the
region, a Royal Decree was signed on February 2, 1818 splitting Ilocos into two provinces: Ilocos
Norte and Ilocos Sur. Soon thereafter, the provinces of La Union and Abra likewise became
independent.
Administrative divisions
Ilocos Norte comprises 21 municipalities and 2 component cities, further subdivided into 559
barangays. There are two legislative districts in the province.
Barangays
Ilocos Norte has 557 barangays comprising its 21 municipalities and 2 cities. The most populous
barangay in the province is Barangay No. 1, San Lorenzo (Poblacion) in the City of Laoag with a
population of 4,391 in the 2010 census. If cities are excluded, Davila in the municipality of

3. Pasuquin has the highest population, at 3,900. The least populous is Sapat in the municipality of
Pasuquin, with only 32.
Government
Term of Office: June 30, 2019 - June 30, 2022
Geography
Ilocos Norte covers a total area of 3,467.89 square kilometres (1,338.96 sq mi)occupying the
northern tip of the Ilocos Region in Luzon. The province is bordered by Cagayan to the extreme
northeast, Apayao to the east, and Abra to the southeast, Ilocos Sur to the southwest, the South
China Sea to the west, and the Luzon Strait to the north.
Largest Area:
Vintar- 624.85 sq. km
Nueva Era- 515.02 sq. km.
Marcos- 226.38 sq. km
Languages
Aside from the national language and English, there are three indigenous languages in Ilocos
Norte. There are the dominant Ilokano language, the Isnag language of the east, and the Faire
Atta language in Currimao.
The Faire Atta language is listed as one of the 15 endangered languages of the Philippines
according to the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Endangered Languages. The Faire Atta language is
listed as Severely Endangered, with less than 300 speakers remaining. All remaining speakers of
the language are part of the community's elders. Without a municipality-wide teaching
mechanism of the Faire Atta language for the youth, the language may be extinct within 3-5

4. decades, making it a language in grave peril unless a teaching-mechanism is established by
either the government or an educational institution in Currimao and nearby municipalities
People and Culture
In the 330-page The Ilocos Heritage (the 27th book written by Visitacion de la Torre), the
Ilocano legacy and the life of the Ilocano – are described as - "the browbeaten, industrious,
cheerful, simple soul who has shown a remarkable strain of bravery and a bit of wanderlust." The
Ilocano history reveals his struggles and victories – in battles for colonial independence from Spain
and America, to Philippine leadership. The new Ilocano searched for greener pastures towards
new lands local and foreign - Palawan, Mindanao, Hawaii, the United States and Greece. The
Ilocano material culture and spirituality can be seen in the past - images of Spanish santo (saints),
antique but intricate wooden furniture and quality local fiber. The native Ilocano is a weaver,
wood carver and pottery expert. The Ilocano cuisine – ranges from the exotic "abu-os" (ant eggs)
to vegetable broth "dinengdeng," and "pinakbet" the sticky "tinubong" to the "poqui-poqui"
(eggplant salad). Ilocandia is filled with colonial churches, the legacy of Spanish Catholicism.
Religion
Although majority of the People in the Philippines are adherents to the Roman Catholic but its
not the majority religion in the province. The Aglipayan Church, founded by Batac native
Gregorio Aglipay has a strong following in the province.
Ilocos Norte is home to several famous Roman Catholic churches:
 Paoay Church (St. Augustine Church) - named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.
 St. William's Cathedral in Laoag - famous for its Sinking Bell Tower
 St. Monica Parish Church in Sarrat - documented to be the biggest church in the Ilocos
Region.
 Bacarra Church - destroyed during an intensity VII (on the Rossi-Forel scale) earthquake on
August 17, 1983, reconstructed and re-inaugurated in 1984.
Ilocos Norte is the home of the Aglipay Shrine (Aglipayan Church) where the church first supreme
leader was buried.
Economy
The province specializes in the following products and industries:
 Agriculture - rice, corn, garlic, legumes, root crops, tobacco, and other fruits and
vegetables
 Fishery - tilapia and assorted fishes
 Livestock - swine and cattle
 Cottage industries - loom weaving, furniture, ceramics, iron works

5.  Manufacturing and food processing - salt, empanada, bagoong, patis, basi (native
Ilocano wine), vinegar, longganisa, chicharon, bagnet, chichacorn (cornick), jewelry,
garments, cereal processing, packaging, mechanized processing equipment
 Wind Power Ilocos Norte's position on the northwest corner of Luzon makes it ideal for wind
power generation. There is currently a 25 Megawatt wind farm in Ilocos Norte, and several
more wind energy projects are being planned
 Tourism
 Pottery
 Tourism
Tourism
Ilocos Norte is also known as a northern tourist destination, being the location of Fort Ilocandia,
hotel, resort and casino. Built between 1981 and 1983 by the Philippine Tourism Authority, the Spanish-
Moroccan Villa was designed by Architect Jeorge Ramos. The golf course on Paoay Lake was built
by Marcos in 1977, and designed by Gary Player.[8] Also of note are the La Paz Sand Dunes,
Malacañang of the North, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Bangui Wind Farm, Saud Beach in Pagudpud,
and the Early Pliocene calcarenite Kapurpurawan Burgos Formation, which has been sculpted by
wind and waves.
The province offers a number of popular destinations for tourists, locals and foreigners alike.
Because of its proximity to the South China Sea, tourist arrivals peak during the summer seasons, the
beach resorts topping the most visited list.
Fort Ilocandia Beach Resort and Hotel
 The sandy beach spans 2 kilometers. It also offers the only 5-star hotel in northern Philippines
sprawling over 77 hectares of land. It is located in Laoag City and is a 10-minutes drive from
the Laoag International Airport.
Laoag Sinking Bell Tower
 Over the years the 45m high bell tower has shelved few meters downward. This is evident by
the tower's entrance that at present day a man of ordinary height must bent over to get
inside.
Saud Beach
 One of the finest beaches in the Philippines and what people usually refer to when they talk
about Pagudpud beach.
Blue Lagoon
 This beach is use to be a secret, however, as many tourist found the place to be relaxing and
cozy have to come to see the place themselves. Blue Lagoon AKA Maira-Ira point ia a
crescent-shaped beach with soft while sand lining its pristine blue waters.
Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
 Dubbed as the tallest lighthouse in the Philippines and sets conveniently atop of a hill. The
lighthouse is just tall that gives the best panoramic view of South China Sea
Bangui Wind Farm
 These windmills have become one of the major attractions of Ilocos and have since become
a symbol of Ilocos Norte. It is constructed primarily to provide electricity throughout the

6. province. It is conveniently located at a 9km stretch farm that faces the South China Sea, the
right spot for strong winds.
Marcos Museum (Malacanang of the North)
 Once the official residence of Former President Ferdinand Marcos in Ilocos Norte, this palace is
now a museum showcasing, memorabilia owned by its previous occupants. It also presents a
great view of the Paoay Lake.
Kapurpurawan Rock Formation
 Found in the rocky parts of Burgos, Ilocos Norte, these rock formations cannot be classified as
something common as they are formed over years and years to a formation that you’d
unexpectedly see. For some reasons, seeing Kapurpurawan Rocks makes you realize that
when nature works, it’s definitely something that no human can ever accomplish.
Paoay Church (St. Agustine Church)
 Dated back in 1694 when its construction was started ny the Augustinian friars. If you’ll look at
it, the church’s design is a combination of Oriental, Baraque and Gothic styles. It is also
inscribed in UNESCO's World Heritage List.
Paoay Sand Dunes
Sta. Monica Church Complex
Juan Luna Museum
Gov. Roque Ablan Sr. Shrine
Paoay lake

7. Ilocanos
PRONUNCIATION: ee-lo-KAHN-ohs
LOCATION: Philippines (northern Luzon)
POPULATION: 1.8 million
LANGUAGE: Ilocano
RELIGION: Roman Catholicism; Philippine Independent Church; Iglesia ni Kristo (Church of Christ);
Protestantism; Islam; animism
1 • INTRODUCTION
When the Spanish first encountered them in 1572, the inhabitants of Ilocos (then called "Samtoy")
were living in large villages at sheltered coves or rivermouths and were trading with the Chinese and
Japanese. Although massive churches in a distinctive style give evidence of Spanish-Ilocano
collaboration, the colonial period was marked by frequent revolts; the most famous of these was that
led by Diego and Gabriela Silang during the British occupation of Manila in 1762–63.
Ilocanos were prominent in the nationalist movement, and many rose to high office in the central
government. The greatest of these Ilocano "success stories" (as far as it went) was President Ferdinand
Marcos, who ruled from 1965 to 1986.
2 • LOCATION
The four provinces of the Ilocano homeland (Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and landlocked Abra)
stretch from Cape Bojeador at the northwestern tip of Luzon down to the Gulf of Lingayen. Most of
the population is concentrated along a narrow coastal plain that has only a few good harbors. This
environment is harsh, forcing Ilocanos to be hard-working and thrifty. Many Ilocanos have left their
homeland to seek employment elsewhere.
The population of the four provinces is about 1.8 million. Ilocano speakers, however, numbered 11
percent of the national population of 66 million, or 7.26 million people. Among all Filipino groups, the
Ilocanos are the most famed as migrants, settling since the nineteenth century in sparsely populated
expanses of the northern Central Plain of Luzon (provinces of Pangasinan, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija)
and of the Cagayan Valley in the northeast. In addition, many Ilocanos have established themselves
in Manila and other major cities of the country, as well as in frontier lands on Mindanao. Ilocano men
left to find work as migrant laborers on sugar plantations in Hawaii and on farms in California in the
first decades of the twentieth century. They were the first Filipinos to immigrate to the United States. In
the Philippines, every Ilocano town has a number of men known as "Hawaiianos," returned migrants
from the United States. These migrants courted their future wives in their home country by letter.
3 • LANGUAGE
The Ilocanos speak a Western Austronesian language of the Northern Philippine group, whose closest
relatives are the languages of neighboring mountain peoples. Ilocano has become the lingua franca
of northern Luzon, as Ilocano traders provide highland peoples with their primary link to the
commerce of the outside world.
4 • FOLKLORE
According to one Ilocano origin myth, a giant named Aran built the sky and hung the sun, moon,
and stars in it. Under their light, Aran's companion, the giant Angalo, could see the land, which he
then molded into mountains and valleys. The giants found the world they had created windswept
and desolate. Angalo spat on the earth, and from his spit emerged the first man and woman. He

8. placed them in a bamboo tube that he tossed into the sea. The bamboo washed up on the shore of
the Ilocos region, and from this couple came the Ilocano people.
Like other Filipinos, Ilocanos recognize an array of supernatural beings, such as the katawtaw-an (the
spirits of infants, who died unbaptized who in turn victimize newborns). The karkarma, the souls of
living persons, leave the body at death but linger in the house until after the post-funerary offerings of
food are made to the deceased; in the form of the scent of perfume, the odor of a burning candle,
or a strange draft of wind, they are believed to visit relatives who have failed to come to the sickbed
of the deceased. The al-alia, the spirit doubles of humans, appear at their human doubles' death as
the groaning of the dying, the cracking of glass, the rattling of beds, and the banging of doors, or in
the form (at night) of a grunting pig, howling dog, or a crowing chicken. These signs remind the living
to pray to God for the forgiveness of the deceased's sins (otherwise, the al-alia may visit misfortunes
upon them).
5 • RELIGION
Filipinos were converted to Roman Catholicism by Spanish colonial settlers. Catholicism in the
Philippines combines belief in patron saints with belief in supernatural forces. Many people consult
faith healers for herbal treatments of physical ailments.
6 • MAJOR HOLIDAYS
Ilocanos celebrate national and religious holidays.
7 • RITES OF PASSAGE
Although free to choose their own marriage partners, young people seek the approval of both sets of
parents. When a couple decides they'd like to marry, the first step is for the young man to ask for the
consent of his own parents. His parents will pay the dowry and finance the wedding. Next, the future
groom makes a formal announcement (panagpudno) to the young woman's parents of his intention
to marry their daughter. The groom's parents then visit the future bride's parents, to set the date for
the wedding. For this, the parents consult a planetario, an almanac identifying auspicious (good-
luck) days. At a further meeting (palalian or ringpas), the young man and his relatives come to the
young woman's house to finalize the wedding arrangements; each party employs a spokesperson
who negotiates for his or her side in formal language. The families set the choice of wedding sponsors
(an equal number, ranging from ten to fifty people for each side), the dowry (land for the couple, or
the money to buy such land), the sagut (the wedding dress, jewelry, and accessories that the groom
is to provide for the bride), and the parawad (cash that the groom gives the bride's mother as a
reward for raising his bride).
The wedding feast follows the church ceremony. At the feast, the bride and groom go through an
entertaining ritual. First, the groom offers the bride a plate of mung beans (symbolizing fertility). The
bride refuses the dish several times before finally accepting it. Then the bride offers the beans to the
groom who in turn refuses the dish until an old man calls an end to the ritual. (The pleadings and
feigned refusals greatly amuse the onlookers.) Another highlight is the bitor: guests contribute cash to
the newlyweds either by dropping money onto plates held by two men seated on a mat
(representing the bride and groom, respectively) or by pinning bills to the couple's clothing while the
two dance. After the wedding, offerings of rice cakes are made to the spirits of departed family
members.
To announce a death formally, a piece of wood (atong) is lit in front of the deceased's house and is
kept burning until after burial, at which time it is extinguished with rice wine. The corpse is kept in the
house. It is dressed in its best clothes and a kerchief is tied around the jaw; a basin of water mixed
with vinegar is placed under the bed to remove the odor of death. Money is placed in the coffin to
pay the "ferry man" who takes the soul to the other world. In the days before burial, relatives keep

9. vigil over the body, wailing and recounting the deceased's good deeds (sometimes, professional
mourners perform the lamentation (dung-aw) .
Before the funeral itself, each of the relatives pays their last respects by kissing the deceased's hand
or raising it to his or her forehead. Extreme care is taken in transporting the body from the house to
the church; any mishap could cause premature death for the attendants. After the church
ceremony, the relatives pose as a group for souvenir photos with the coffin. Everyone in the
procession to the cemetery must return to the deceased's home by a different route from the one
taken there. Upon arrival, they must wash their faces and hands in order to remove the power of
death.
8 • RELATIONSHIPS
Ilocanos share the same basic values as other Filipinos, such as bain, which corresponds
to hiya or amor propio ("face" or sense of shame). The fear of gossip and the desire to avoid the envy
of others serve as strong pressures for conformity. Before pushing through with his or her own plans, a
person feels alumiim, the need to figure out how others will react first in order to avoid
embarrassment. It is essential to show panagdayaw, proper respect for the sensitivities of others. This
requires that individuals speak about themselves only in the humblest of terms. Although Ilocanos are
group-oriented, they also value a certain individualism (agwayas) : one should not reveal his or her
inner intentions to others, since it is unwise to be too trusting.
A person is expected to overcome life's challenges through his or her own hard work, limiting his or
her dependence on others to obtaining aid from close kin. However, Ilocanos do form savings
associations (including as many as fifty women in a neighborhood), mutual-aid associations
(financing members' major celebrations), and labor-exchange arrangements.
Life-passage parties and fiestas provide teenagers their main opportunity to chat and joke. For a
young man to initiate a courtship is a serious matter, since the only proper end is marriage. On his first
visit to the house of a young woman, the young man takes one or two companions with him so that
he can get their opinion. During the second visit, the companions excuse themselves to allow the
young man to confess his feelings to the young woman. Love notes are an important means of
courtship.
9 • LIVING CONDITIONS
Raised two to three feet (0.6 meters to 1 meter) off the ground, houses have beams of wood, walls of
bamboo, and roofs of rice straw or cogon grass. Sometimes, newly married children may live in
roofed extensions. On the bangsal, a landing on the staircase, guests wait before being admitted,
and wash or wipe their feet before entering the receiving room. Curtains or bamboo partitions
separate the living room from the bedroom areas (most have beds but prefer sleeping mats). A
separate storage room also serves for a place to change clothes. Outhouses provide toilet facilities.
10 • FAMILY LIFE
The structure of the Ilocano family (average size, six to seven persons) conforms to the general Filipino
pattern. The father is the formal head of family, backing up the mother who disciplines the children
and manages the house finances. The eldest child divides the chores equally among siblings.
Grandparents tend to be more indulgent of grandchildren than the parents themselves.
11 • CLOTHING
Dress inappropriate for one's age or perceived wealth or status attracts gossip such as mabiag ti ruar
ngem matay ti uneg (outwardly alive, but inwardly dying); uray napintas no inutang (even if it is nice,
it is acquired through credit). Still one should dress well for special celebrations. Everyday wear,
especially at home, consists of short pants for boys, and dusters, loose skirts, shirts, and short pants for

10. girls. Those working in the fields wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and wide-brimmed hats as
protection against the sun and mud.
During the rainy season, people wear a headress of labig leaves extending well down the back.
Older women wear their hair long and knotted in a bun, while men keep it short and apply pomade
on special occasions.
12 • FOOD
Ilocano food essentially resembles that elsewhere in the country, but Ilocanos are especially fond
of bagoong (a salty shrimp or fish paste). One regional specialty that has entered national cuisine
is pinakbet— eggplant, bitter melon, okra, and green beans cooked with bagoong, tomatoes, and a
little water (dried or broiled fish, meat, or shrimps can be added to improve the taste).
Other favorites are dinardaraan— cooked pig's blood ( dinuguan in Tagalog-Pilipino); and kilawen—
the lean meat and intestines of water buffalo, cow, sheep, or goat, eaten raw or partially cooked
with a sauce of vinegar, salt, hot pepper, and pig's bile.
Eating with their hands, family members squat around the food laid out on the floor or take food and
eat in different parts of the main room. As food is regarded as a symbol of God's grace, there should
be no noise, laughing, singing, or harsh words (including parents scolding children) while eating is
going on. One should not drop food on the table or floor, or the food "will be angered and leave the
household." Similarly, no one should leave the house while someone is still eating, for God's grace will
go with him or her, out of the home.
13 • EDUCATION
Iloconas are almost all literate (can read or write).
14 • CULTURAL HERITAGE
The Ilocanos have an epic, the Biag ni Lamang (Life of Lam-ang), which, however, exists only in the
form of a highly Hispanicized metrical romance composed in the nineteenth century. Ilocos is also
the only place in the country where the Spanish zarzuela (operetta) is still performed.
15 • EMPLOYMENT
Almost all farmers (the major occupation) own the land they till, except for those who are tenants of
farms owned by urban professionals. The staple crop is rice, though poorer people must mix cheaper
maize (corn) with their rice. Root crops are also grown both as a supplement to the diet and for sale.
Watered by wet-season rains or irrigation, wet-rice fields range from small plots that can only be
worked with a hoe or dibble stick to those large enough for a water-buffalo–drawn plow. Dry-rice
agriculture is also practiced in the hilly areas between the flatlands. Crops grown for market include
tobacco and garlic (both Ilocos specialties), as well as onions, and vegetables. Petty traders may
travel as far as Manila to sell such products.
Farmers fish during the lull between planting and harvesting, usually in nearby offshore waters, rivers,
or fish ponds. An important part of the catch are ipon, small fish for bagoong (fish paste).
Cottage industries include salt-making; basi wine-making (from molasses); pottery-making (twenty
different types are produced in San Nicolas); weaving (at one time using locally grown cotton; a
goddess is said to have bequeathed the art to the people of Paoay town); basket-and mat-
weaving; woodworking; and silversmithing (recycling old Spanish or Mexican coins).

11. 16 • SPORTS
One uniquely Ilocano game is kukudisi . A stick (the an-anak ) is placed on a baseline scratched into
the ground. One player makes the stick jump in the air; the other player tries to catch it before it hits
the ground. If the latter cannot do so, a second, longer stick (the in-ina ) is laid across the baseline;
the player then tries to hit it with the an-anak. The next two phases of the game involve competing to
see who can hit the an-anak (which has been tossed in the air and stuck into the baseline,
respectively) with the in-ina the farthest.
17 • RECREATION
Children enjoy such games as balay-balay (playing house), hide-and-seek, team-tag, jumping
"hurdles" (sticks or outstretched arms or legs), jacks, and chess.
18 • CRAFTS AND HOBBIES
Ilocanos engage in the same hobbies as all Filipinos. These include weaving, wood-carving, and
playing chess.
19 • SOCIAL PROBLEMS
Ilocanos, like all Filipinos, feel their government is corrupt. Wealthy citizens frequently bribe officials to
get the verdict they want.