Region 1

Ilocos Region

History

Region 1 was first inhabited by the aboriginal Negritos before they were pushed by successive waves of Malay immigrants that penetrated the narrow coast. Tingguians in the interior, Ilocanos in the north, and Pangasinense in the south settled the region.

From the data on the population distribution of Region 1, it is clear that not all the inhabitants are Ilocanos. Around one-third are non-Ilocanos and yet there is a popular misconception that all the inhabitants are Ilocanos.

The use of the term Ilocos Region promotes the wrong notion that all the residents of Region 1 are Ilocanos. Before the administration of Ferdinand Marcos, Pangasinan was not a part of the region.

The Spanish arrived in the 16th century and established Christian missions and governmental institutions to control the native population and convert them to the Roman Catholic Church. Present-day Vigan City in Ilocos Sur province became the bishopric seat of Nueva Segovia. Ilocanos in the northern parts were less easily swayed, however, and remained an area filled with deep resentments against Spain. These resentments bubbled to the surface at various points in the Ilocos provinces' history as insurrections, most notably that of Andres Malong and Palaris of Pangasinan, Diego Silang and his wife Gabriela Silang in 1764, and the Basi Revolt in the 19th century. However, it was the Pangasinenses in the south who were the last to be stand against the Spaniards.

In 1901, the region came under American colonial rule, and in 1941, under Japanese occupation.

During 1945, the combined American and the Philippine Commonwealth troops including with the Ilocano and Pangasinese guerillas liberated the Ilocos Region from Japanese forces during the Second World War.

Several modern presidents of the Republic of the Philippines hailed from the Region: Elpidio Quirino, Ferdinand Marcos, and Fidel V. Ramos.

Before the formation of the Cordillera Administrative Region, Region 1 also included the provinces of Abra, Mountain Province, and Benguet. Before Region 1 was modified by Ferdinand Marcos, Pangasinan was not part of the region

A. Background

The dialect or language that is use in this region are Ilocano and Pangasinense.

Tagalog and English are the medium of instruction in schools.

Ilocano is widely used by the majority people while Pangasinense is spoken in the central towns of Pangasinan.

Languages

IlocanoPangasinanBolinaoTagalogEnglish

Total Area: 13,055 km2 (5,040.6 sq mi)

Population (2007)  Total 4,545,906  Density

348.2/km2 (901.9/sq mi)

Religion

The population is predominantly Roman Catholic with strong adherents of Protestantismsuch as the Aglipayan denomination further north of the country. There are also adherents to other Christian denominations, such as Iglesia ni Cristo, Mormons, and the like. There is also an undercurrent of traditional animistic beliefs especially in rural areas. The small mercantile Chinese and Indian communities are primarily Buddhists, Taoists, and Hindus.

Location

 located in the northwest of Luzon. It borders to the east the regions of the

Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley and to the south the region of Central Luzon.

To the west north is the South China Sea, otherwise known as the West Philippine Sea.

Region I occupies the narrow plain between the Cordillera Central mountain range and the South China Sea.

 occupies the northern portion of the Central Luzon plain, to the north-east of the Zambales Mountains.

Lingayen Gulf is the most notable body of water in the region and it contains a number of islands, including the Hundred Islands National Park.

 To the north of the region is Luzon Strait. The Agno river runs

through Pangasinan and empties into the Lingayen Gulf. The river flow into a broad delta in the vicinity of Lingayen and Dagupan City.

Resources

a leading producer of tobacco and mangos for export in the country.

produces crops like tobacco, rice, corn, vegetables, root crops and fruits such as mangoes. 

 also rich in natural resources such as limestone for cement, feldspar for ceramics, fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry, and forest products such as bamboo and rattan. 

Other mineral resources include copper, gold, chromite, iron, manganese and silica.

Ethnic Groups

Ilocanos  the third largest Filipino ethnolinguistic group. Aside from being referred to as Ilocanos, from "i"-from, and "looc"-bay, they also refer to themselves as Samtoy, from the Ilocano phrase "sao mi ditoy", meaning 'our language here.The word "Ilocano" came from the word "Iloco" or "Yloco.“

Pangasinenses eighth largest Filipino ethnolinguistic group. Pangasinan means "land of salt" or "place of salt-making"; it is derived from asin, the word for "salt" in the Pangasinan language. The Pangasinan people are also called taga-Pangasinan, which means "from Pangasinan" in the Pangasinan language.

IgorotsoIgorot is the collective name of several Austronesian ethnic groups from theCordillera, Northern Luzon, Philippines. They inhabit the six provinces of Abra, Apayao,Benguet, Kalinga,Ifugao, and Mountain Province; plus the lone city of Baguio.They can be roughly divided into two subgroups: the larger group lives in the south, central and western areas, and is very adept at rice terrace farming; the smaller group lives in the east and north.

The word "Igorot" is archaic Tagalog for "mountain people“

It is derived from the prefix i- ("dweller of") and golot ("mountain range").

The word has been variously spelled during the Spanish colonial era as Igolot, Ygolot, and Igorrote.

The names Ifugao or Ipugao (also meaning "mountain people") are used more frequently within the Igorots themselves.

Tingguians who live in the secluded mountains of Ilocos Sur. refers today to the mountain-dwelling people of Abra, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte. The name may have been derived from the term "tingue" or "tinggi", which means mountaineers or mountains.refers to "The People of the Mountains" as used during the early Spanish period living in places such as Basilan, Bohol, Zambales and Mindanao which later was used exclusively to the ethnic groups living in northern Luzon.Today, the Tingguian group is divided into two, the "valley Tingguian", occupying the village communities where there are also Ilocano settlers, and the "mountain Tingguian", distributed in sparsely populated areas in highland regions of northern and eastern Abra.

Trivia Trivia: Head-Shaped Apayao Ever wondered why, when you look at a map, the province

of Apayao is shaped like a man’s head? Si Marcos daw ang may kagagawan niyan.

According to an activist Ilokano friend, the ex-President/dictator/thief wanted to be immortalized as someone who watched over his beloved Ilocos so he had the Kalinga-Apayao (these two used to be one province) boundaries redrawn to resemble his head. So now, we have a head-shaped Apayao looking towards the Ilocos provinces.

We’re not sure if our friend’s story is true but it is not impossible for Marcos to redraw a map just so he will be as immortal as the gods. After all, isn’t his body still preserved and displayed for curious onlookers? And didn’t he build that stupid a-la Mt. Rushmore bust of his in Tuba, Benguet so we will gaze upon his likeness forever and ever. 

Economy the economy in the northern portion of the

region is anchored in the agricultural sector.  The economy in Pangasinan is driven by

agro-industrial businesses , such as milkfish (bangus) cultivation and processing, livestock raising, fish paste processing (bagoong), and others. At the same time the importance of trading, financial services, and educational services in the economy cannot be denied.

 Income in the Ilocos provinces or northern portion mostly come from cultivating rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, and fruits; raising livestock such as pigs, chicken, goats, and carabaos (water buffalos).

The distribution of the economic activity in the region may be seen from the collection of tax revenue of the national government. The bulk of the collections come from Pangasinan, which posted 61% of the total.

The service and light manufacturing industries are concentrated in the cities. Dagupan City is mostly driven by its local entrepreneurs, which have started to expand its network up to the national level. 

San Fernando City in La Union also has an international shipping port and the upgraded and soon to be developed San Fernando International Airport. While Laoag City in Ilocos Norte has an international airport.

The tourism industry, driven by local airlines and land transportation firms in the area like Farinas Transit Company and Partas, focuses on the coastal beaches and on eco-tourism. There are fine sands stretching along Bauang, La Union and the rest of the region.

Opportunities to engage in other water sports and activities abound. Eco-tourism takes advantage of the marine and forest resources in the region and displays the natural beauty of the Region 1.

he region is also rich in crafts, with renowned blanket-weaving and pottery.

The Ilocanos' burnay pottery is well known for its dark colored clay

b. Provinces

Ilocos NorteIlocos SurLa UnionPangasinan

Ilocos Norte

Founded 1818Capital Laoag CityGovernment Province  Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa R. Marcos

Vice Governor Eugenio Barba

Dialects and Languages Ilocano, Tagalog, English

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 cattleCottage industries - loom

weaving, furniture, ceramics, iron works

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.

Cities & municipalities of ilocos norte: 21 municipalities:oAdams Bacarra BadocBangui Banna (espiritu)Burgos CarasiCurrimaoDingrasDumalneg Marcos

Nueva EraPagudpudPaoay PasuquinPiddigPinili San NicolasSarrat SolsonaVintar 2 cities:oLaoag City – capital oBatac City

Ilocos Sur

Founded 1572 Capital Vigan CityType Province of the

Philippines  Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson Vice Governor Deogracias

Savellano

The people are engaged in farming, producing food crops, mostly rice, corn, vegetable, root crops, and fruits. Non-food crops include tobacco, cotton, and tiger grass. Cottage industries include loom weaving, furniture making, jewelry making, ceramics, blacksmithing, and food processing.

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Cities and Municipalities of Ilocos Sur:

municipalities: 32

Alilem Banayoyo Bantay Burgos Cabugao Caoayan Cervantes Galimuyod Gregorio Del Pilar Lidlidda Magsingal

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Quirino Salcedo San Emilio San Esteban San Ildefonso San Juan San Vicente Santa Santa Catalina Santa Cruz Santa Lucia Santa Maria Santiago Santo Domingo Sigay Sinait

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Sugpon Suyo Tagudin Nagbukel Narvacan

Cities: 2

o Candon City o Vigan City - capital

La Union

Founded 1850 Capital San Fernando City  Governor Manuel "Manoling"

OrtegaArea   Total

1,504.0 km2 (580.7 sq mi) Area rank 70th out of 80

The economy is diversified with service, manufacturing, and agricultural industries spread throughout the province. The Port of San Fernando operates as an increasingly active shipping point, and the former American airbase Wallace Air Station, having been converted into a business and industrial area, helps to facilitate such commercial activity.

Tourism to the province is driven by airlines and passenger coach bus lines like regionally owned Farinas Transit Company and Partas.

Tourists often flock to the beaches of Bauang, or to the more secluded ones further north for snorkeling, surfing or other water sports; the more northerly beaches near San Juan specifically cater to both local surfers as well as portions of the world surfing circuit.

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Cities and Municipalities of La Union:municipalities: 19

o Agooo Aringayo Bacnotano Bagulino Balaoano Bangaro Bauango Burgoso Cabao Luna o Naguiliano Pugoo Rosario

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San Gabriel San Juan Santo Tomas Santol Sudipen Tubao

city: 1o San Fernando City - capital

Pangasinan

Founded 1580 Capital Lingayen Governor Amado EspinoVice Governor Jose Calimlim, Jr. Area  

Total 5,368.82 km2 (2,072.9 sq mi)

Area rank 17th out of 80 Population (2007)   Total 2,645,395

Pangasinan has export earnings of around $5.5 million.

Energy The 1200 megawatt Sual Coal-Fired Power

Plant,and 345 megawatt San Roque Multi-Purpose Dam, located in the municipalities of San Manuel and San Nicolas are the primary sources of energy of the province.

Marine Pangasinan is a major fish supplier in Luzon,

and a major producer of salt in the Philippines. It has extensive fishponds, mostly for raising bangus, or "milkfish", along the coasts of the Lingayen Gulf and the South China Sea. Pangasinan's aquaculture includes oyster and sea urchin farms

AgricultureThe major crops in Pangasinan

are rice, mangoes, corn, and sugar cane. Pangasinan has a land area of 536,819 hectares, and 44 percent of the total land area of Pangasinan is devoted to agricultural production

Financial Pangasinan has 593 banking and

financing institutions.Labor Pangasinan has a labor force of about

1.52 million, and 87 percent of the labor force are gainfully employed.

InvestmentThe Department of Trade and Industry in

the Philippines has identified the following potential investment areas in Pangasinan:

Santiago Island Marine Park Oyster processing facility

Bagoong technology and processing center

Tannery and leather production center Oyster and aquaculture farming Seaweed farming Bamboo production Handicraft and furniture making Manufacture of construction bricks Tourism development

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Cities and Municipalities of Pangasinan: municipalities:

o Agnoo Aguilaro Alcalao Andao Asingano Balungaoo Banio Basistao Bautistao Bayambango Binalonano Binmaleyo Bolinaoo Bugallon

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Burgos Calasiao Dasol Infanta Labrador Laoac Lingayen Mabini Malasiqui Manaoag Mangaldan Mangatarem Mapandan Natividad Pozzorubio Rosales

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San Fabian San Jacinto San Manuel San Nicolas San Quintin Santa Barbara Santa Maria Santo Tomas Sison Sual Tayug Umingan Urbiztondo Villasis

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cities: 4o Alaminos Cityo Dagupan Cityo San Carlos Cityo Urdaneta City

capital:o Lingayen

Delicacies

Batac Impanada

Ilocos empanada is one of my favorite Philippine snacks. Every time I go to Ilocos, I make sure to get my share of Ilocosempanada, especially the one in Batac, which is reputably where the best empanada is served.

Bukayo Lingayen

Bukayo is an after-dinner sugar fix, one of the products made from buko (young coconut) that originated from Lingayen. It is a favorite dessert not just by the children but also by adult Filipinos. It is made by simmering coco meat strips and then mixing it with white of brown sugar, thus, resulting to a sweet tasting delight.

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Palitaw

Palitaw (from litaw, the Tagalog word for "float" or "rise") is a small, flat, sweet rice cake eaten in the Philippines. They are made from malagkit (sticky rice) washed, soaked, and then ground.

Scoops of the batter are dropped into boiling water where they float to the surface as flat discs - an indication that they're done.

When served, the flat discs are dipped in grated coconut, and presented with a separate dip made of sugar and toasted sesame seeds.

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Tupig

Tupig is a native delicacy made with glutinous rice and grated coconuts wrapped in wilted banana leaves and cooked over live coals. Tupig-making is an important source of livelihood in Pangasinan.

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Vigan bibingka

The Vigan Royal Bibingka is not the usual puffy bibingka that everybody is familiar with. It is a sticky rice cake closer to a cross of tikoy and cassava cake.

Long before the commercialization by the bibingka bakers of Vigan, bibingka then were baked in circular clay pot lined with banana leaf under flaming charcoals and covered with sheet iron on top with flaming charcoal for even cooking.

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Tourist attractions

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Ilocos Norte - La Paz Sand Dunes (La Paz, Laoag City)

The La Paz Sand Dunes or Bantay Bimmaboy consists of an area of approximately 85 square kilometers (52 square miles) of protected sandy coastal desert and beach close to Laoag City, the capital of the province of Ilocos Norte in the Philippines.

The area is known locally by the name Bantay Bimmaboy, a name which refers to the common perception that the dunes resemble pigs in shape. The area is also popularly known as the Desert of the North and is a popular location for shooting films.

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Paoay Lake (Nagbacalan , Paoay, Ilocos Norte)

Perhaps the most prominent feature of the municipality is Paoay Lake. Legend has it that it was the site of a prosperous barangay called San Juan de Sahagun (Saint John of Sahagun). The materialism of its people has angered God so He sent an earthquake that sank the town.

On the shores of the lake lies a mansion that belongs to the Marcoses called Malacañang of the North. Adjacent to the mansion is the Paoay Golf Course.

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Kaangrian Falls (Paayas, Burgos, Ilocos Norte)

This water falls was discovered in the year 1998 when the local government was looking for a good water source and took a photo of this natural wonder.

The name Kaangriaan was derived from the Ilocano word “naangri”which means stinky. The reason for arriving at this term is that there were some bat caves and the bat droppings made it stinky in the area

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Bantay Abot Caves (Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte)

means “a mountain with a hole.”  A hole was found at the middle of the hill

where the waves were free to flash into its walls just like an open shore until it was wrecked by an earthquake during the 80’s.

It is also called “the underground sea” for on top of the cave is a lustrous vegetative cover. Inside the cave can hear the echoing sound of the waves, the chirping of the birds ameliorate by the cool breeze of the air. 

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation (Poblacion, Burgos, Ilocos Norte)

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“White Rock Formation” in the Poblacion, Burgos, Ilocos Norte.  This top Philippine trekking spot attracts thousands of tourists every year and is  known locally as the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation (Kapurpurawan means white in the native Ilocano dialect).  Let's go over the main attractions of this popular outdoor adventure travel destination.

Ilocos Sur - Tirad Pass (historical site)

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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.

National Museum - Padre Burgos House (cultural heritage)

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This museum is the ancestral house and birthplace of priest patriot Fr. Jose Burgos. Known as Padre Burgos House, it is one of the notable historic structures of Vigan, the capital of the province of Ilocos Sur.

It is a two-story structure located near the Provincial Capitol and close to St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral. It was renovated by the Filipinas Foundation, Inc. and inaugurated on May 3, 1975. 

Pinsal Falls

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Pinsal Falls is a Philippine waterfall that is located in the town of Santa Maria in the province of Ilocos Sur.

With its romantic atmosphere, Pinsal Falls is a popular location for filming Philippine movies as well as a favorite spot for swimming and for picnicking. The pools at the top of the falls are famous as well.

The biggest of these pools figures in a local legend as it is said to be the footprint that was left by an Ilocano giant who was running off in search of his wife. There is also a famous spring with boiling-hot water at the top of the falls.

St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral (Vigan)

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Vigan Cathedral (also known as St Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral) faces Plaza Salcedo, and is an imposing creamy-white building built in the "earthquake baroque" style with thick buttresses to support it through earthquakes and typhoons.

A separate belltower (or belfry) was built 15 meters away from the main building -- so that if one structure was destroyed in an earthquake, then the other might still remain standing.

The belltower is about 25 meters high and it is surmounted by a large bronze weathercock that is said to symbolize St Peter.

La Union - Bacsil Ridge

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the Bacsil Ridge, located in San Fenanado City,  La Union, is a monument built to signify the heroic deeds of the Ilocanos who fought the fierce battles that ensued during World War II.

The Battle of Bacsil Ridge, which took place in March 1945, was the turning point in the anti-Japanese campaign and is considered as the key that led to the Filipino's victory in the Battle of Bessang Passon June 14, 1945.

Museo de La Union

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Museo de La Union is located at the Provincial Capitol ground in San Fernando, La Union, Philippines.

the museum showcases archeological finds in La Union which date back to Prehispanic Philippines. It is open during weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm. Visits during Saturdays can be arranged beforehand with the museum's management.

 

San Juan Beach

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Located about eight km north of San Fernando City, near the quiet, small town of San Juan. It's pristine waters attracts foreign anglers because of bountiful catches of sword fish and tuna from the sea. The long, clean and wide beach that stretches along the coast, have good surfing conditions thus earning it's name: Surf Beach.

San Juan Beach is known for its consistent intermediate quality surf, it is blessed with two seasons from July to October and November to March and is one of the most popular surfing destinations in the Philippines.

Shrine of Our Lady of Charity

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The Basilica of Our Lady of Charity or the Agoo Cathedral is located in the heart of the town of Agoo and looms like a big mother to this progressive La Union town. The church was founded in 1578 by two eager and enthusiastic Franciscan priests, Fray John Baptist Lucarelli of Pesaro, Italy and Fray Sebastian de San Francisco of Baesa, Spain when they were assigned in our country for their evangelical mission.

Pangasinan - HUNDRED ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK

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The Hundred Islands National Park in Brgy. Lucap, Alaminos City, Pangasinan is 250 kms. from Manila.

This National Park covers a land area of 1,884 hectares with 123 islands. However, only three (3) islands have been developed for tourists namely: Governor, Quezon, and Children's Island.

MANLELUAG SPRING NATIONAL PARK

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located Malabobo, Pangasinan, Philippines.

Located about 7 kilometers uphill climb along the highway in Malabobo, Mangatarem, the forest park declared as a National Park in 1940 is suitable for special interest activities. Mangatarem is 178.47 kilometers away from Manila. With cottages and swimming pools.

LINGAYEN BEACH

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Lingayen Beach, located in the capital of Pangasinan Province, is a very relaxing place. With it's long shoreline, pristine waters and cool, fine gray sand, it is fast becoming a destination of Manila residents in search of recreation.

The province itself has always been famous because this was the landing site of Gen. Douglas McArthur when he returned to the Philippines to liberate Luzon in 1945. Facilities like picnic sheds and bathhouses were put up by the government about 20 meters away from the shoreline.

one of the beautiful beaches that line up the Lingayen Gulf, is historical for being the site where General Douglas MacArthur landed in 1945 to fight the Japanese forces in World War II.