Ilocos tour

Background information

The Ilocos Region, also known as Region I, is situated between the West Philippine Sea, CAR, the Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon. It was originally composed of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union. Pangasinan, which used to be part of Central Luzon, was only included as part of Region I on 1972 during the time of the late President Marcos. The primary language is Ilokano, followed by Pangasinan then Tagalog. There's this stereotype that Ilocanos (i.e. the people in this region) are much more careful about spending money, hard-working and close-knit compared to their brothers in Luzon. They're also noted to be extremely loyal and brave, and are able to withstand hardships for longer periods of time. Perhaps there is some to truth these claims if you put it in a context that considers their land's geography. If one factors the limited area for agriculture in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and La Union, one will see that food production is a real issue. So they are, in a way, forced save as much as they can and find other sources of income to make ends meet. They found these options in spinning and dyeing yarns, weaving blankets, etc., and making clay pots.

Travel inspiration

Read our thoughts on how people are the reason why a destination is worth of interest.
"Though I cannot fault people from associating the windmills, white beaches, Baroque churches and cobblestones of historic past to Ilocandia, Ilocos to me will always be about its hardworking people who know how to appreciate the simple joys of life. I am drawn by their dark skin not because it is also my coloring but because I know that their color is a product of diligent work - endless hours of toil under the scorching sun, baking their skin to plant tobacco. I am intrigued by the lines on their hands, a product of complicated hand weaving to make the world-famous inabel that most people in the city adorn their dining tables with. It is fascinating how they are able to make very simple yet tasty dishes most people have dismissed as peasant food in the past yet a quick survey in the menu of most Manila Pinoy restaurants would indicate that these dishes now command a good cost on the table. I guess I like that their life is a lesson lived and shared to all those who cared to learn --- that even though you cannot change the cards that you are dealt with, if you ever so patiently learn how to play the hand you'll end up with something worth admiring."