REGION 1

ILOCOS Region
 I. History

•  Ilocos Norte faces the South

China Sea to the west and
the Luzon Strait to the north.

• Long before the coming of the

Spaniards, there already
existed an extensive region
(consisting of the present
provinces of Ilocos Norte,
Ilocos Sur, Abra and La Union)
renowned for its gold mines.
II. Ethnic Group
• Ilocandia is the term given to the traditional
homeland of the Ilocano people. From the
original western strip of Northern Luzon (now
known as the Region 1 or Ilocos Region),
Ilocandia has spread throughout the Cagayan
Valley and some parts of Central Luzon.
III. GEOGRAPHY

• Ilocos is located in the north-western part of

Luzon, with the South China Sea to the west and
the Cordillera, the highest mountain chain in the
country, to the east. The region is composed of
four provinces: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur,
La Union, and Pangasinan.Cool
almost all year round, it is usually wet in August
and dry from October to May. January and
February are the coolest months.
iV. ECONOMY
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,
empanada, bagoong, patis, basi (native
Ilocano wine), vinegar, longganisa,
chicharon, bagnet, chichacorn (cornick),
jewelry, garments,
• 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 planned
• Tourism
• Pottery
V. LANGUAGES
• Ilokano or Iluko, one referred to as the “national
language of the north” for its prominence in that
hemisphere, is the chief regional language of
Northern Luzon.
• It is used by at least fifteen million native speakers
in the Philippines. It ranks third, after Cebuano and
Tagalog in number of native speakers, and is the
language of the group of provinces originally
referred to as the Ilocos Region (Ilocos Norte,
Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Abra).
 VI. CULTURE
• The Ilocanos are known for being hardworking,
brave, cheerful and simple. They are independent
and work hard.
• Family-The structure of the Ilocano family
conforms to the general Filipino pattern.
Most families compose of an average size (6-7
persons). 
• Clothing-Ilocanos are very meticulous when it
comes to clothing. They dress up according to their
age and perceived wealth.
• Everyday wear consists of short pants for boys,
and dusters, loose skirts, shirts, and short pants
for girls.
• Wedding tradition-The man should ask the
consent of his parents first. The groom’s
parents will pay the dowry and finance the
wedding. The groom makes
a panagpudno (formal announcement) to the
soon-to-be  bride’s parents about his intention of
marrying their daughter. Usually, parents consult
a planetario, which is like an almanac that
identifies “lucky” days.
• Death tradition-To announce a death of a family
member, a piece of atong wood is lit in
front of the deceased’s house. It is kept
burning until after the burial. The fire is
extinguished with white wine.
Before the funeral, relatives pay respect by kissing
the deceased’s hands or raising it to his/her
forehead (mano).  It is dressed in its best clothing
and a kerchief is tied around the jaw. A basin of
water mixed with vinegar is placed under the bed
to remove the odor.
 VII. DANCE and MUSIC
Native Ilocano songs
The Ilocanos have a handful of meaningful ethnic
songs. These songs narrate life stories of the native
Ilocanos, which are mostly about courtship, marriage,
occupation and life.
• Osi-osi—this ethnic song portrays the traditional
ways of courtship.
• Ayat ti Ina (Love of a Mother)—is a song that
expresses how a mother loves and takes care of her
child.
• Napateg a Bin-I (Cherished Seed)—this song
basically uses metaphors comparing a woman to a
seed.
• Pamulinawen (Hardened Heart)—this is the
most popular Ilocano love song, which
portrays a girl who does not heed the
pleading of her lover. It compares the heart
of a girl to a hardened flint.
• Duayya ni Ayat (Love’s Lullaby)—is a song
that expresses a man’s love for his lady. The
man asks the lady to be careful in changing
her mind and choosing another man.
• Siasin ti Agayat Kenka (Who is in love with
you?)—this song expresses an insistent
love.
• No Duaduaem Pay (If You Still Doing)—this is an ethnic
song that gives the idea that the lover feels that his loved
one doubts him. The man asks the lady to understand
him and convince her to believe that his love is true.
• Teng-nga ti Rabii (Midnight)—is a song that tells a lover
who sees the image of his loved one in the middle of the
night and is awakened by her voice.
• Dinak Kad Dildilawen (Do Not Criticize Me)—is an
Ilocano song that expresses patriotism. This song
conveys service to love of country.
• Kasasaad ti Kinabalasang (The life of a Maiden)—is an
advice for the young maidens to consider carefully their
plans of getting married.
Native Ilocano dances
The Ilocano ethnic dances are mostly perfumed during
rituals and celebrations.
• Binigan-bigat (Every Morning)—is a courtship dance
that narrates the story of a boy who is in love with a girl
from whom he asks pity.
• Sileledda-ang (Grief-stricken or Laden with Sorrow)—a
courtship dance showing the lover’s fondness for each
other.
• Manag Biday—it is a courtship dance usually performed
by young people.
• Sabunganay (Banana Blossom)—it symbolizes a young
lady who is still too young to be courted.
• Pandanggo Laoagueña—it is a courtship
dance performed by either young or old
Ilocanos.
• Vintareña—it is a dance performed by one or
two couples in social gatherings like baptismal,
wedding, birthday, or thanksgiving parties.
• Kutsara Pasuquiña—it is a dance during
birthday parties and festivities.
• Rabong (Bamboo Shoot)—it is a dance
glorifying the bamboo shoot as a delicacy of the
Ilocanos. In Rabong, the participants sing the
lyrics themselves.
VIII.GASTRONOMY Bagnet- is local delicacy
Empanada - a pastry that is is crunchy pork belly that
originated from Europe is has been boiled, hung to
made by dough wrapped dry, and then deep fried.
around fillings of meat and
vegetables.
Vigan Longanisa- tiny links of
ground pork mixed with lots Poqui-poqui
of garlic and vinegar.
 Tinubong – rice flour, buko or
Basi -is a Filipino coconut meat, and margarine.
alcoholic drink made It is steamed in bamboo
from fermented tubes.
sugarcane juice.
 A burnay in the making-This precolonial
Abel Iloco- The high industry  introduced by Chinese settlers
predates the arrival of the Spanish
demand for the famous conquistadores. An earlier type called mang-
handwoven abel Iloco ging was a major export item to Japan for
tea drinking ceremonies. The local bagoong
nearly killed the Spanish (fish sauce), sugarcane vinegar and basi
weaving industry during wine would not taste as good if not
fermented in stoneware burnay jars. Burnay
the galleon trade era. shards are also used to produce fine grain
salt.
IX. TOURIST ATTRACTION
Sinking Bell Tower Lapaz Sand Dunes
-If Italy has its leaning No need to visit the
tower of Pisa, here in Sahara Desert in Africa or
Laoag City has its own the deserts found in the
local version  middle eastern countries.
Fort Ilocandia Resort and Malacañang of the North
Casino-
was built as the official
is a first class hotel in residence of the late
Ilocos Norte which President Marcos in
design was inspired by Ilocos Norte.
Spanish colonial
architecture. 
 Paoay Church Playa Tropical Resort
 is a national treasure of
Ilocandia. A prime example is situated in Currimao,
of a baroque church and it Ilocos Norte.
is considered as one of
UNESCO world heritage
site.
Marcos Museum and Juan Luna Shrine
Mausoleum  is situated in Badoc, Ilocos Norte.
The shrine houses the
is located in Batac City, memorabilia's of the famous Luna
Ilocos Norte. It is just a family which are the paintings of
30 mins ride from Juan Luna that includes his
masterpiece, the Spolarium.
Laoag City.
 Kapurpurawan Rock Bangui Windmill
Formation is the first of its kind in
• is situated in Burgos, southeast Asia. It has 20 tri-
Ilocos Norte. “Puraw” blades 70 meters high
Ilocano term for white   windmills arranged in an arc
formation along the Bangui
Bay.
Cape Bojeador St. Augustine Church or
Lighthouse or Burgos Paoay Church -its appearance
Light House - station for was influenced by
combination of Gothic ,
ships heading the Pacific Oriental and Baroque designs.
Ocean.
Pagudpud is famously
known as the Boracay of
the north. Calle Crisologo
-popularly known as one
of the oldest living 16th
century town in the
country.
Baluarte
Ilocos Norte is No. 1 when it comes to their traditional
foods. Authentic local cuisine consists mainly of vegetable
and poultry from small farms, daily catch from traditional
fishing methods, A famous regional dish is pinakbet, a
mixture of vegetables such as squash, okra, eggplant,
ampalaya, and string beans cooked with bagoong or
shrimp sauce.
Ilocanos are known to be hardworking and frugal, hardy in
the face of adversity. Respect and humility in everyday
dealings mark the Ilocano personality; they live simply,
concentrating on work and productivity. Local artisans like
fabric weavers and potters are famous for their skilled
craftwork.