Ending The Year In ILOCANDIA (2016)

New Year's Day is a very exciting and optimistic holiday for us Filipinos. Usually, it is more important to celebrate and spend the occasion in the company of family and friends during New Year's Eve than Christmas Day.

However, New Year’s Day is also a great holiday to spend alone. In 2016, I set up the plan to go to one of the popular tourist destinations in the north - ILOCOS NORTE!

Much to my amazement, I never expected to spend the holidays with much less competition - whether it's for hotel booking, tour van rental, eating out - beyond LakbayLoyd's expectation of solo traveling.

- There are less tourists. You can spend quality time doing more activities.
- I can take photos of anything and anyone without interruption.
- No traffic - definitely!
- Some attractions accept guests without admission fee
- No hagglers, barkers, drivers asking for higher fares
- Sit comfortably and enjoy the view while dining without waiting for your table to be called

And I never had this much fun and enjoyment in Ilocandia ever than before!

National Cultural Treasure Series - SAN ANDRES APOSTOL PARISH CHURCH, Bacarra, Ilocos Norte - PH-01-0006-NCT

Number 6 on the list - the San Andres Apostol Parish Church (Iglesia Parroquial de San Andrés Apóstol) or most commonly known as the Bacarra Church is famous for its centuries-old, domeless or "beheaded" belfry known as Torre ti Bacarra. This is the town's most prized heritage.The original bell tower, which is detached from the main church building and made of coral bricks dates back to the 16th century and stands 50 meters.

Indigenous materials were used for the construction. Coral bricks made of sticky clay and molasses mixed with leaves and tree trunks of a tree soaked in water or “sablot” were used instead of cement, granite or adobe stones. The mixture resulted in a sticky fluid which was then combined with lime from ashes of burnt shells. The bricks were pieced together with stucco, the mixture beaten to paste. All the labor was manual.

The tower is known as the "Acrobatic Bell Tower of Bacarra". The locals also called it the “Bowing Belltower of Bacarra” while the tourists referred to it as the “Leaning Tower of the North.

The church museum, known as Museo de Bacarra, is housed in the former church convent. The two-story restored convent, which dates to the Spanish colonial era, features religious artifacts from archival photos and documents and church relics and cultural artifacts mostly contributed by the people of Bacarra.A mysterious underground staircase leading to three tunnels – believed to be connected to the Bacarra river, the church tower, and the altar – was uncovered at the back of the old convent.

The church's facade was originally of Baroque architecture. In 1973, the tower became a National Cultural Treasure by virtue of Presidential Decree 260.

National Cultural Treasure Series - PAOAY CHURCH, Ilocos Norte - PH-01-0004-NCT

Paoay, Ilocos Norte's most famous landmark, the Paoay Church,also known as the St. Augustine Church, is #4 in the National Cultural Treasure's list. Paoay Church is also one of the four Baroque churches in the Philippines declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Built of coral blocks and stucco-plastered bricks, the architecture is a unique combination of Gothic, Baroque and Oriental. Construction of the church was started in 1704 and completed in 1894. A few meters away is the coralstone belltower which served as observation post of the Katipuneros during the revolution.

National Cultural Treasure Series - CAPE BOJEADOR LIGHTHOUSE - PH-01-0002-NCT

Travellers to North Luzon will definitely recognize and visit this historic landmark.

Faro De Cabo Bojeador, or commonly known as Cape Bojeador or Burgos Lighthouse, is located in Vigia de Nagparitan Hill, Burgos, Ilocos Norte. This magnificent structure was built in 1890 and still functions as a welcoming beacon to international vessels entering the Philippines from the north. From top of the hill or top of the light tower, the spectacular view of the West Philippine Sea and the awesome Ilocos seascape can be seen.

Completed on the 30th of March, 1892, the design and construction of the Lighthouse of Cape Bojeador was initially undertaken by the Engineer Magin Pers y Pers but was subsequently reconfigured and finished by the Engineer Guillermo Brockman. Built of locally made brick, the tower is octagonally-shaped and has an inner dimension of two meters and an exterior dimension of three and half meters.

As one of the few remaining active lighthouses built by the Spaniards, Cape Bojeador was declared as a National Cultural Treasure in 2005 by the National Museum. Currently, it is the most visited lighthouses in the country because of its iconic design and accessibility. The paved road leading to the lighthouse is well maintained and convenient for any type of transportation. Even hiking up the hill is pleasurable.

Visita Iglesia 2015 - National Cultural Treasures of the Philippines

The Philippines is home to hundreds of centuries-old Spanish colonial churches which continue to play important spiritual roles in the lives of millions of Filipino Catholics. Built during the height of the Spanish colonization  in the 1500's, these churches have remained largely intact for centuries. However, natural calamities, the ravages of pollution, and urban development has taken its toll on these priceless edifices.

The National Commission for the Culture and Arts (NCCA) identifed these 37 churches as National Cultural Treasures for their cultural significance and distinctive architecture. Most of them I have already visited. The rest, will be part of my next travel agenda.

LakbayLoyd Lighthouse Series 03 : FARO DE CABO BOJEADOR, Burgos, Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Norte is one of my favorite provinces in the Philippines and also one of my frequently visited places. And one of best part of my travel activity in Ilocos is to hike up on Vigia de Nagparitan Hill where the Faro De Cabo Bojeador, or commonly known as Cape Bojeador or Burgos Lighthouse, is located.

This magnificent structure was built in 1890 and still functions as a welcoming beacon to international vessels entering the Philippines from the north. From top of the hill or top of the light tower, the spectacular view of the West Philippine Sea and the awesome Ilocos seascape can be seen.

As one of the few remaining active lighthouses built by the Spaniards, Cape Bojeador was declared as a National Cultural Treasure in 2005 by the National Museum. Currently, it is the most visited lighthouses in the country because of its iconic design and accessibility. The paved road leading to the lighthouse is well maintained and convenient for any type of transportation. Even hiking up the hill is pleasurable.