The Provinces of Ilocos
Ilocos collectively refers to two provinces in the Philippines: Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. Inhabitants are called Ilocanos and they speak the language Iloko, also called Ilocano.
In the 330 pages “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," the sticky "tinubong" to the "poqui-poqui" (eggplant salad). Ilocandia is filled with colonial churches, the legacy of Spanish Catholicism (Wikipedia).
Watch:Ilocandia Video Clip
ILOCOS NORTE
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," the sticky "tinubong" to the "poqui-poqui" (eggplant salad). Ilocandia is filled with colonial churches, the legacy of Spanish Catholicism (Wikipedia).
Watch:Ilocandia Video Clip
ILOCOS NORTE
Ilocos Norte (Ilokano: Amianan nga Ilocos) is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region.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 (West Philippine Sea) to the west and the Luzon Strait to the north.
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 1571, when the Spanish conquistadors had Manila more or less under their control, they began looking for new sites to conquer. Legazpi'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, 1572, 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".
In 1571, when the Spanish conquistadors had Manila more or less under their control, they began looking for new sites to conquer. Legazpi'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, 1572, 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".
"..they named the region Ylocos and its people Ylocanos.."
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 (Wikipedia).
Visit Ilocos Norte Website.
ILOCOS SUR
Ilocos Sur (Ilokano: Abagatan nga Ilocos) is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Vigan City, located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the provincial capital. Ilocos Sur is bordered by Ilocos Norte and Abra to the north, Mountain Province to the east, La Union and Benguet to the south, and the South China Sea to the west.The Ilocos Region was already a thriving, fairly advanced cluster of towns and settlements familiar to Chinese, Japanese and Malay traders when the Spaniard explorer Don Juan de Salcedo and members of his expedition arrived in Vigan on June 13, 1572.
Forthwith, they made Cabigbigaan (Bigan), the heart of the Ylokos settlement, their headquarters which Salcedo called “Villa Fernandina” and which eventually gained fame as the “Intramuros de Ilocandia”. Salcedo declared the whole Northern Luzón as an "encomienda", or a land grant. Subsequently, he became the encomendero of Vigan and Lieutenant Governor of the Ylokos until his death in July 1574.
Augustinian missionaries came to conquer the region through evangelization. They established parishes and built churches that still stand today. Three centuries later, Vigan became the seat of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia.
There are many writers and statesmen throughout the history of the Philippines. Pedro Bukaneg is the father of Iluko Literature. Isabelo de los Reyes will always be remembered as the Father of the Filipino Labor Movement. His mother, Leona Florentino was the most outstanding Filipino woman writer of the Spanish era. Vicente Singson Encarnación, an exemplary statesman, was also a noted authority on business and industry.
"..Vigan gained fame as the Intramuros de Ilocandia..”
Visit Ilocos Sur Website.
The Ilocos provinces are long strip of narrow land stretched at the northwest portion of the island of Luzon. It is bounded by the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) on the West and by the Cordillera Mountain terrain on the East.
Calle Crisologo, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
Among other provinces in the Philippines, one thing that I liked most about the Ilocos provinces is the accessibility of most of the tourist destinations. It is a long narrow strip of land so one can travel from the northernmost tip of the province and then travel down south - hopping from one town to the next do explore and discover touristic destinations.
Paoay Church, Ilocos Norte
Both my grandparents from my Father and Mother's side were from Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur respectively. Hence, I can say that my roots are Ilocanos. I had been dreaming of exploring the place where my family originated long time ago.
It was only recently that I found time to go and explore this hardy but beautiful land.
"Ilocos, a hardy but beautiful land..."
It was only recently that I found time to go and explore this hardy but beautiful land.
Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, Burgos, Ilocos Norte
From Vigan, the only World Heritage City in the Philippines, the Ancestral Houses, the Cobbled Stone streets and the Kalesas, Ancient Churches - two of which are inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Sites and Marvelous Belfries, the Native Delicacies - tasty "Tinubong" and "Tupig", "Dinengdeng", "Pinacbet" and many more, the Windmills, the Light House, the impressive White Beaches and Waterfalls, the Winding Bridge of Patapat, the Sand Dunes - to the Ilocos heroes - Padre Burgos, Juan Luna, Diego and Gabriela Silang, Isabelo Delos Reyes and Leona Florentino, the father of Iloco literature - Pedro Bukaneg and noted political figures - Elpidio Quirino and Ferdinand Marcos - that greatly influenced not just Ilocos but the entire Philippines, I can say - "Ilocos, a place like no other.."
"Ilocos, a place like no other..."
Ilocos may not be the biggest or the grandest province among the Philippine provinces, but these two provinces surely have class and a unique identity that can make every Ilocanos a prouder citizen.
Sta. Maria Church, Ilocos Sur
As I traveled from the Northern Ilocos to South, though politically divided into two, I felt deep in my heart that both provinces share the same spirit, the same culture, the same people and of course the same language.
"Ilocos, two provinces yet one..
One spirit..
One culture..
One people..
One language."
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