Ilocos Sur

Ilocos Sur is a province in the Philippines where you can find the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vigan. It is the best preserved planned Spanish colonial town in all of Asia. There are streets in Vigan that will literally take you back in time with its hardwood floors, tiled roofs, azoteas and balustrades. If you want to envision what the entire country looked like during the Spanish era, before its independence, then you should go to Ilocos Sur and walk the streets of Vigan. You should also visit the churches built during the Spanish and American regime. Climate here in Ilocos Sur is typically dry especially from October to May. The local dialect here is Ilokano but the residents also speak fluent Tagalog, the national language of the country, and English. The people are warm and friendly. They live off by farming and engaging into cottage industries such as jewelry making, furniture making, loom weaving and ceramics.

Vigan (photo credit : sandrabiong) 

Before the Spanish occupation, Ilocos Sur was part of the northern stretch of the country known then as “Samtoy”, which literally translates to “our dialect”. The inhabitants were called Ylocos or “from the lowlands”. It was the Spaniards who named the place Ilocos and its residents as Ilocanos. The Ilocos region was thriving back then as it was the hub of trading with the Chinese, Malays and Japanese. It was in February 2, 1818 when Ilocos was divided into Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

One of the biggest feasts in Ilocos Sur comes during the Holy Week or Semana Santa. On Good Friday, you will be able to watch colorful carrozas bearing huge statues of saints of Spanish vintage. Come Easter Sunday, you can witness a scene reminiscent of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. On the first week of May, the town of Vigan celebrates Viva Vigan Arts and Industry Festival where you can see painting and product exhibits, a Calesa parade and other cultural festivities. If you go here on the last week of March, you will just be in time for the Tobacco Festival.

If ever you have the opportunity to visit Ilocos Sur, make sure you do not miss its popular tourist spots such as the Tirad Pass, Sta. Maria Church, Vigan Cathedral, Candon Church, Cabangtalan Beach and Pug-os Beach. If you are travelling short distances, it is best to go on foot in order to admire the scenery better and commune with the locals. If you want to go a little farther, instead of riding the tricycle, you can ride the calesa or the horse drawn carriage. When it comes to dining, do not leave the place without tasting bagnet, longganisa (a type of sausage), sinanglao, royal bibingka and basi, a local wine made from sugarcane.

Never attempt to go to Ilocos Sur armed only with your trusted credit card. It may not be as trusted as you think when it comes to this place. There is a handful of establishments that accepts credit cards but for most of your purchase even that of your accommodation, you will need to pay in cash. No worries though, there are a lot of ATMs in the city you can go to.

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