Bucket lists checked with my first time in Ilocos Norte
The farthest I have gone in Region 1 is in La Union when my sister-in-law booked a family vacation in one of the famous beach resorts in San Fernando City in January 2020. Recently, I was given a chance to visit the farthest province in the Ilocos Region, Ilocos Norte, when I was included in the Central Luzon Regional Delegation to the 2023 Cluster 1 Pre-National Qualifying Meet before the Palarong Pambansa. The said cluster athletic meet participated by Regions 1, 2, 3, and the Cordillera Administrative Region, was hosted by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte.
The Pre-National Qualifying Meet is an additional tier before the conduct of the Palarong Pambansa which will be held on July 29 to August in Marikina City. The Pre-National Qualifying Meet aims to lessen the number of delegations, shorten the duration of the event, and lower the expenses to be incurred—all without sacrificing the level of play. As such, the said new level will only feature team sports such as baseball, basketball, football, futsal, sepak takraw, softball, and volleyball.
Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Manotoc encouraged all the delegates to come and visit the tourist destinations in their region during the duration of the Cluster 1 PNQM. And so after the scheduled meeting and participation in the Opening Program of the PNQM, we got the chance to visit the famous Bangui Windmills in Bangui, Ilocos Norte.
More than a tourist attraction, the Bangui Windmills is a wind farm that consists of more than 20 Vestas Wind Systems which extend 9 kilometers (5.6 mi) across the bay's shoreline. Located on the shoreline, which is considered a perfect spot for building wind turbines, the windmills face the sea. It promotes the use and harnessing of renewable energy as it produces electricity up to a maximum total generating capacity of 41 MW. The “Windmills” supply more than 40% of Ilocos Norte’s electricity through its connection to the Luzon Grid.
On the way back to Region 3, we also visited Paoay Church located in Paoay, Ilocos Norte. The famous church was completed in 1710 after 2 decades of construction. With a massive pediment and complementary bell tower standing imposingly on an expansive plain, the church is famous for its architecture that blends baroque, gothic, Chinese, and Javanese. Its official name is the Saint Augustine Church. Already a declared National Cultural Treasure in 1973, Paoay Church was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 under the collective group “Baroque Churches of the Philippines”. It shares the distinction with San Agustin Church in Manila, Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion Church in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur province, and Santo Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church in Miagao, Iloilo province.
Lastly, we also made a quick stop in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur and had a heartwarming memorable moment of finally enjoying an authentic Vigan empanada served in one of the eateries in Calle Crisologo. Also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the preservation of almost 200 houses, and various structures that bring any tourist in the past era, Vigan City Heritage Site can be traced back to the 16th century and is considered the most intact planned Spanish colonial town in Asia.
I plan to go back with my family and visit the other tourist destinations in Ilocos Norte such as the Pagudpud beaches, Patapat Viaduct, and Paoay Sand Dunes. This is one way of discovering the wonderful places in our country so I can proudly say that I love the Philippines!