Tag: Ilocos Norte
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Pagudpud: Northern Paradise
AS WE CONTINUE OUR NORTHWARD JOURNEY, the urban sprawl of the last municipality we pass through slowly gives way to rice fields that seem to stretch to the mountains in the distance. Our bus coasts through the highway, whizzing by tricycles, motorbikes, other buses, and the occasional private cars. I’ve been looking out the window for some…
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Burgos-Bangui: The Road to Pagudpud
FROM LAOAG ON, the road winds to Pagudpud, passing through towns with outstanding coastline. Burgos, in particular has a couple of sites that have made the town a usual stopover on many road trips to the northernmost town of mainland Luzon. Surrounded by picturesque views and perched on the Nagpatian Hill, the Burgos Lighthouse is one of Ilocos Norte’s most…
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Around Laoag: Dictatorial Reminders
THERE IS PERHAPS NO MORE DESTINATION within Ilocos Norte more polarizing than Batac. However much antagonism is laid on former President Ferdinand E. Marcos’ authoritarian rule, reminders of the Martial Law years remain here, not to serve as a brutal reminder to a dark bygone era, but as a glorification of a man the place considers its…
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Laoag: Sand Dunes For Breakfast
CLUTCHING THE METAL FRAME of our 4×4 navigating a rough terrain, I try to keep my balance. The vehicle hits the bottom of a sand dune and scatterings of beige sand are strewn from the tires. The force of the descent sends my chest hitting the metal frame and I let out a weak “ow.” I forget for…
The Tourist Gaze 