Ilocos Sur had been one of the tourist destinations up north. Ilocos Sur has a colorful cultural heritage with exciting tourist spots, centuries-old structures and unique dishes. As Ilocos Sur reopens its doors to tourist, let's explore the places that local tourist can visit.
Calle Crisologo, Vigan City
The most famous and major tourist magnet in Vigan City, Calle Crisologo is full of Spanish-styled houses that gives people of this generation a glimpse of the Spanish Era. This is also where you'll see the famous cobblestone streets that represents the city's image. It is one of the streets in the Philippines where you can still see and ride an actual calesa. It was restored to its pre-war beauty and the only town during World War II that was saved from destruction because of a love story. Legend has it that a Japanese General, who married a Filipina in Vigan, promised the parish priest that he would save the town from destruction from the retreating Japanese if he would agree to take care of his family.
Baluarte Resort and Mini Zoo
Baluarte Resort and Mini Zoo is a must-visit spot in the province due to the exciting activities that people of all ages will surely enjoy. This hundred-hectare zoological park and resort complex is owned by the former Ilocos governor and now mayor of Narvacan, Luis “Chavit” Singson.
Dubbed as the Home of The Big Cats in Vigan, they take pride in their 8 Bengal Tigers, 6 White Lions, 2 Leopards, among other kinds of animals, even those that are endemic to the Philippines. Animals like ostrich, spotted deer, and donkeys roam freely in an open area where visitors can interact with them closely. There are also cages housing other animals like camels, zebras, and reptiles. The main attractions of Baluarte Zoo, of course, are the white lions, tigers, and leopards. Tourists are allowed to get close to them and have a memorable moment captured in a photo. There’s no need to worry about getting bitten because these big cats are tamed by animal caretakers. Live animal shows for tigers, lions, and reptiles are also scheduled four times daily.
Aside from the animals, another attraction inside Baluarte Zoo is the Safari Gallery, which features a wide display of Singson’s collection and memorabilia of his hobby as a hunter. You’ll see a display of preserved wild animals Singson got from his hunting activities in foreign countries. If you are not a fan of animal hunting, you may choose not to enter the gallery.
Bantay Church Bell Tower
Sitting on top of a hill, the historical Bantay Belfry is not only a must-see sight in Ilocos because of its historic and cultural significance but also because of the panoramic view of the towns of Vigan and Bantay from the highest portion of it that can be climbed.
The Bantay Bell tower was also known for as one of the location shoot for the movie, "Panday" by the late Fernando Poe, Jr.
Pinsal Falls
If you are an adventure lover, then this place is for you. The breathtaking Pinsal falls is a very popular destination in Ilocos Sur because of its natural yet mesmerizing landscape. It is located in Brgy. Baballasioan, one of the barangays in the far end of Sta. Maria, which borders Pilar, Abra. It is also accessible via the 9-kilometer concrete road so it is almost a 20-minute journey from the town proper. From the drop-off point, it would be almost only a hundred meters walk away. It might be tiring but it's all worth it once you get there. Swimming and diving are best here due to the very deep pools but if you just want to relax, then climbing up the steep falls where the basins of water are located.
Admission is free but if you want to rent cottages, it normally ranges from 100-250 pesos. Due to the distance from the main road , there is still no electricity here so night swimming is not advisable.
Sta. Maria Church
The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption (Nuestra Seniora de la Asuncion) commonly known as the Santa Maria Church is the parish church of the municipality of Santa Maria. The church was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on December 11, 1993 as part of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines, a collection of four Baroque Spanish-era churches.
The Santa Maria Church is an attraction to both tourists and Catholics in Ilocos Sur. It is not only a reminiscent of the four centuries of Spanish domination of that area but also a unique structure with a diversified architectural design of bricks and mortar. It was built on top of a hill not only as a lookout and a citadel but as a religious center during the early administration of the region by both the friars and soldiers of Spain.
Tirad Pass
Mount Tirad is a 1,154-metre (3,786 ft) mountain peak near Cervantes. It ranks as the 3rd highest mountain in Ilocos Sur and the 446th highest mountain in the Philippines. Tirad Pass on the mountain holds a significant place in Philippine history, having been the site of the 1899 Battle of Tirad Pass where Gregorio del Pilar was killed.
Bessang Pass
The Bessang Pass Natural Monument is a protected area and memorial that commemorates the victory on 14 June 1945 by Filipino soldiers serving the U.S. Army Forces in the Philippines Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL) over the Imperial Japanese Army in the Battle of Bessang Pass which led to Japan's eventual surrender and end to World War II in the Philippines. It covers an area of 693.32 hectares (1,713.2 acres) and a buffer zone of 427.79 hectares (1,057.1 acres) in the municipality of Cervantes. The mountain pass was initially a component of the Tirad Pass National Park, declared in 1938 through Proclamation No. 294 by then President Manuel Luis Quezon. On 10 August 1954, it was established as the Bessang Pass National Shrine with an area of 304 hectares (750 acres) by virtue of Proclamation No. 55 signed by President Ramon Magsaysay. The national shrine was finally declared and reclassified as a natural monument under the National Integrated Protected Areas System in April 2000 through Proclamation No. 284 by President Joseph Estrada.
Santiago Cove
Santiago Cove is dubbed as the "Boracay of Ilocos Sur" because of its white sands.
Plaza Salcedo
Plaza Salcedo, named after the Spanish conqueror, Juan de Salcedo who subdued the early native settlement in Vigan and established upon it Villa Fernandina for the monarchs of Spain in 1572. With this, Juan de Salcedo founded the third of many Hispanic settlements in the Philippines. It was in Plaza Salcedo where Gabriela Silang was executed by public hanging in 1763.
Vigan Cathedral
Vigan Cathedral, canonically known as the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Vigan. It serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia . It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site declaration for the Historic Town of Vigan in 1999.
Hidden Garden
Vigan’s so called Hidden Garden is not really hidden at all. Well, it is way out from the city center, and one needs to either ride a tricycle or hire a calesa to access it, so I guess it is partly hidden in a way.
The sprawling garden started out as a personal venture for retired engineer, Francis Flores. It started to really blossom and guests started to pour in. Eventually, he opened the place to the public in 1991 and it became one of the usual stops with the calesa tours in Vigan.
Hidden Garden is really intended for people with green thumbs. Here, one can find all sorts of ornamental plants for one’s landscaping needs. Yes, they are for sale. Every mom who has a small patch of ground would definitely love this place.
These are just some of the wonderful places that you can visit here in the province of Ilocos Sur. There still a lot more that you can enjoy once you are here for sure, because it's always SURE here in ILOCOS SUR!
https://primer.com.ph/travel/2017/02/07/bantay-church-bell-tower/
https://awesome.blog/2011/08/captivating-calle-crisologo-in-vigan.html
