WikiPortallus: Ilocos Norte.html

People and culture

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 "puki-puki" (eggplant salad). Ilocandia is filled with colonial churches, the legacy of Spanish Catholicism.¹

Religion

Although Ilocos Norte has some Roman Catholic, several other religious sects have a strong following in this area. Of these, the most notable is the Aglipayan Church, founded by Batac City native Gregorio Aglipay.

Ilocos Norte is home to several famous Roman Catholic churches:

Paoay Church (St. Augustine Church) - named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

St. William's Cathedral in Laoag - famous for its Sinking Bell Tower

St. Monica Church in Sarrat - biggest church in the Ilocos Region.

Bacarra Church - destroyed during an intensity 7.8 earthquake in 1983, reconstructed and reinaugurated in 1984.

Immaculate Conception Parish in Batac-Built in 1587

Economy

Bagoong fermenting in burnay jars in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines

The province specializes in the following products and industries:

Agriculture - rice, corn, garlic, legumes, root crops, tobacco, and other fruits and vegetables

Fishery - tilapia and assorted fishes

Livestock - swine and cattle

Cottage industries - loom weaving, furniture, ceramics, iron works

Manufacturing and food processing - salt, bagoong, patis, basi (native Ilocano wine), vinegar, longganisa, chicharon, bagnet, chichacorn (cornick), jewelry, garments, cereal processing, packaging, mechanized processing equipment

Wind Power Ilocos Norte's position on the northwest corner of Luzon makes it ideal for wind power generation. There is currently a 25 Megawatt wind farm in Ilocos Norte, and several more wind energy projects are being planned².

Tourism

Pottery

Political Divisions

Ilocos Norte is subdivided into 557 barangays, 21 municipalities, and 2 cities.

City/Municipality

No. of
Barangays

Population
(2000)

Area
(km²)

Pop. density
(per km²)

Adams

1,480

159.31