Ilocos Norte Tourism

07/11/2024

Due to the threat posed by Tropical Storm , all PGIN-owned and managed tourism properties, including Kapurpurawan, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, and Malacañang of the North, will be temporarily closed until further notice to ensure the safety of our visitors and the general public.

Please avoid beaches, bodies of water, and other high-risk areas. We recommend postponing travel plans to the province until the weather improves.

Tourism stakeholders are advised to implement safety measures and prioritize the safety of guests and staff. For tourism concerns, please call +63 908 810 8621.

For emergencies, contact Provincial Incident Response Management at 911, +63 918 957 6979, or +63 963 859 9555. For transportation concerns, please call the Metro Ilocos Norte Council at +63 915 586 9422 or +63 960 897 7159.

Stay safe!

06/11/2024

It’s easy to feel nostalgic in Ilocos Norte—a place that feels like a beautiful memory, even if it’s your first time.

📷:

We’re Closer Than You ThINk!

Check this link for transport options: https://ilocosnorte.ph/getting-here -directory

05/11/2024

Don't miss the special performance from Juan Caoile and Kyleswish at Paoay Sand Dunes this November 16!

Ilocos Norte residents enjoy 𝙁𝙍𝙀𝙀 entry, but for an upgraded experience, they can book a VIP ticket at himala.ilocosnorte.ph. Non-locals can grab their tickets through SM Tickets at smtickets.com/events/view/13766.

Upgrade to the 𝙜𝙤𝙡𝙙 section for exclusive access to the Himala Lounge—with complimentary food, drinks, and limited-edition Ilocos Norte merchandise!

31/10/2024

As we approach All Saints' and All Souls' Days in the Philippines, let's explore the Tumba tradition in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.

In the Philippines, strong family bonds are essential for community growth. In Ilocano culture, the term kabagian emphasizes our shared ancestry and interconnectedness, which remains strong even after death. This connection is celebrated during Paoay's Tumba Festival.

Check out this short documentary from the research project "Panangibangon iti Tumba," funded by the NCCA and supported by Mariano Marcos State University.

To learn more about Tumba, visit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x64HCp51L33lDp2JCaH-KfVe1qjxRPB8/view?usp=sharing

31/10/2024

The Municipal Government of PAOAY invites everyone to immerse themselves in Tumba, a celebration of the unique Ilocano tradition honoring the departed.

Join us on November 1, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM around the historic Paoay Heritage District for an evening filled with cultural traditions and remembrance.

For thrill-seekers, the Paoay Horror House awaits at the Paoay Civic Center on November 1 and 2, 2024, with spine-tingling frights you won’t forget.

Let’s celebrate our shared heritage and the spirit of Semana ti Ar-aria!

30/10/2024

In light of the ongoing typhoon and to prioritize everyone’s safety, the Trick or Treat and Parada Iloca-locana have been postponed to November 3, 2024 (Sunday). We understand the excitement, and we appreciate your understanding as we take necessary precautions.

Please stay tuned for any further updates. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to stay safe. Thank you for your patience and cooperation!

30/10/2024

Have you prepared the “sarukang” for the “dipunturong”?

As we commit to continue honoring our people’s traditions, let us share and remember some Iloko words that are associated with the approaching observance of the rituals especially dedicated to the departed.

Dipunturong pertains to the occasion of remembering, with special offerings, our deceased kinsfolk, and generally, the dead, relatives or not. While rituals for the dead and ancestral worship are indigenous, the term dipunturong (“dipunturom” to some) appears to have been adopted and locally modified from the Spanish word “difunto”, meaning “deceased” or “dead” person.

Preparations for the dipunturong are made several days or even a couple of weeks before November sets it. Particularly in mind are the food that solely or partly comprises the offering for the spirits, which is called the “atang”. While the provision of resources for the ritual may be easier for some, a number of families have to save for these even months before.

Like for other annual rituals, rice farming families reserve the “diket” (glutinous rice), and those with coconut trees set aside properly mature fruits, way ahead of time, while those who do not have these from their own produce simply purchase the items. This is because the “ninyogan” or “sinukat” (diket steamed with coconut cream), along with boiled eggs, are basic for the atang. Shaped like a dome and placed in a deep bowl that is usually made of coconut shell or ceramic, the whole egg-topped ninyogan may be laid out in pairs on the atang table inside the house, or placed in the funnel-shaped, split and woven bamboo basket pole sarukang that are implanted on a part of the yard. Among the Itneg (the closest ethnolinguistic kin of the Iloko), the “sarukang” is referred to as “salokang” or “saloko”, which is associated with various rituals as well as installed as a house for the spirit Kaiba-an.

For many Iloko families in the northern part of the Ilocos region, the atang for the dead during the November 1 and 2 observance is more intricate, with various recipes of glutinous rice prepared and laid out on the table in a very particular form that could symbolize the departed family members as well as Christ on the Cross. As practices vary across Iloko communities, items for the atang also differ. Beverages that may include alcoholic ones such as the sugarcane wine basi or an alternative, the favorite dishes of the deceased, and to***co, could also comprise the atang.

Equivalent to the Tagalog “undas”, the culturally blended observance of dipunturong on November 1 and 2 is evidently a result of the introduction of Catholicism that came with the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. Meanwhile, some communities at least in Ilocos Norte also performed the dipunturom on other occasions, particularly after the rice harvest, as thanksgiving to the ancestors who owned the land in the past.

The term dipunturong is now rarely used. The November feast is at present more commonly referred to as “Piesta iti Natay” (“Araw ng mga Patay” for the Tagalog), and sometimes as Todos los Santos. Interestingly, the latter Spanish reference is specifically the Dia de Todos los Santos (All Saints’ Day) on November 1, which is distinguished from the Dia de los Difuntos (All Souls’ Day) on November 2.





Text by M.L. I. Ingel I NMP-Ilocos
With gratitude to Jessie Bagcal and Maria Jesusa Imperio-Villaruz who provided additional information

© National Museum of the Philippines (2024)

25/10/2024

ALL Ilocos Norte tourist sites are now fully OPEN and ready to welcome visitors!

25/10/2024

25/10/2024

The Ayala Museum Doll Collection Traveling Exhibition by Ayala Foundation, Inc. in Ilocos Norte, which aims to highlight the rich evolution of Philippine costumes through intricately crafted dolls representing diverse regions and traditions, has been rescheduled to a later date and will officially open on November 22, 2024, and run until January 31, 2025.

Visitors can immerse themselves in static displays showcasing traditional attire from across the country, with each doll narrating unique cultural stories tied to our history.

To enrich the experience, a special lecture will be held on opening day, offering insights into the clothing practices, materials, and heritage reflected in these traditional costumes. The exhibit will be open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM at Arte Luna, Paoay, Ilocos Norte.

22/10/2024

Due to the threat posed by Tropical Storm , all PGIN-owned and managed tourism properties, including Kapurpurawan, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, and Malacañang of the North, will be temporarily closed until further notice to ensure the safety of our visitors and the general public. Please avoid beaches, bodies of water, and other high-risk areas.

We recommend postponing travel plans to the province until the weather improves. Tourism stakeholders are advised to implement safety measures and prioritize the safety of guests and staff. For tourism concerns, please call +63 908 810 8621.

For emergencies, contact Provincial Incident Response Management at 911, +63 918 957 6979, or +63 963 859 9555. For transportation concerns, please call the Metro Ilocos Norte Council at +63 915 586 9422 or +63 960 897 7159.

Stay safe!

18/10/2024

Don't miss us at Manila FAME!

Our collection, showcasing the finest Ilocano craftsmanship, features timeless pieces and modern designs, all handcrafted with passion and creativity.

Find us at Booth C16-C19 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City, from October 17-19. We're open from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Enjoy exclusive freebies when you book your ticket to Himala Arts and Music Festival on-site!

Are you IN for a dune party this November 16 at the Paoay Sand Dunes in Ilocos Norte?

17/10/2024

16/10/2024

May HIMALA sa SM Mall of Asia!

Try a party like no other, set at the stunning Paoay Sand Dunes! It’s a whole new experience, far from the usual city parties you're used to!

Visit our pop-up booth at SM Mall of Asia, near the Music Hall (in front of SM Appliance), from October 17 to 19, 10 AM to 9 PM, and learn more about the Himala Arts and Music Festival happening on November 16!

Book your tickets at our booth to unlock exclusive delas! This is your sign to party under the stars at the iconic sand dunes, Ilocos Norte style!

16/10/2024

We're IN Manila FAME!

Discover the beauty of Ilocano craftsmanship as we proudly showcase our meticulously made products! From timeless pieces to modern designs, our collection reflects the heart of local creativity and culture!

Visit us at Booth C16-C19 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City, on October 17-19, from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Also, don't miss the biggest party at the sand dunes with our much-anticipated Himala Arts and Music Festival happening this November 16 at the Paoay Sand Dunes!

Visit us, book your tickets directly at the exhibit and take home some freebies and discounted pakcages and exclusive deals!

14/10/2024

We’re excited to develop our 34th township in the historic city of Laoag in Ilocos Norte!

To be called ILOCANDIA COASTOWN, this 84-hectare beachside property will be highlighted by upscale residential developments, shophouse district, and an iconic town center that will perfectly blend with Ilocandia’s rich history and culture.

In the next 10 years, we will be investing P15-billion in this northern province, which has the third fastest growing local economy according to a study conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority this year, just next to Central and Western Visayas where Megaworld is already present.