airwindzone: Exploring Ilocos Norte as my way of valuing my Ilocano Heritage

As an Ilocano, it is an essential thing to explore the historical province of Ilocos Norte.

As a child, I always remember visiting Ilocos Norte during field trips in school and some family outings but lately, I had the chance to do that last January 2, 2014 with my family for my mother’s birthday and then July 2014 for a company outing and was so blessed to be invited to once again experience it thru invitation of the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts and the Philippine Information Agency to be part of the Eco-cultural Heritage Caravan Seminar with Onsite Immersion NCCA-PIA Culture & Arts Promotion in Luzon April 25-30, 2017.

Coming from CagayanValley , I was welcomed to the see the Patapat Viaduct of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. The Patapat Viaduct is an elevated road which is 30 meters above sea level. The 1.3 km long coastal bridge connects the Maharlika Highway in Laoag to the Cagayan Valley, a busy street above the coastal areas of Pagudpud. The fourth longest bridge in the country, this winding concrete beauty is said to be the northernmost roadway part of Ilocos Norte. Patapat gt its name from the Ilocano term for belt, wherein the bridge looks like a belt of the side of the mountain. It had been a beneficial infrastructure not just for the people of both regions, Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley to have a connection but also for other parts of the country to pass thru and able to exchange trades using the bridge.

The bridge is not just an infrastructure for the Filipinos like us but also a great backdrop to use in our selfies or groupies that we don’t just take pictures on the edge part but also on the center of the bridge since the majestic beach and mountain are both picturesque and always a great element for a picture taking.

Moving forward, you can see the Bangui Windmills which is the very first wind power plant in the Philippines known as Bangui Wind Farm or Bangui Windmills of Ilocos Norte. The wind farm houses and uses 20 units of 70 meter (230 ft.) high Vestas Wind Systems. These wind turbine systems are arranged in a single row that stretches in the 9 kilometer shoreline of the Bangui Bay facing the West Philippine Sea. Forty percent of Ilocos Norte’s electricity is supported by Bangui's Wind Mills. Using such technology is one way to appreciate how nature take provide for the needs of the people that we as human, must then take good care of our environment since we benefit so much from it.

When you hear the name of the place, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, chills from the stories of the past seems to haunt you but still a delight to visit the place. Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, is the light station built during the Spanish time in the province of Ilocos Norte, specifically on a hill on the town of Burgos. Its purpose is to guide vessels faring through the West Philippine Sea from Babuyan Channel to the body ports of Luzon's western seaboard, which includes the ports of Manila and Subic.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, also known as Burgos Lighthouse, is a cultural heritage structure in Burgos, Ilocos Norte that was established during the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines. It was first lit on March 30, 1892 and is set high on Vigia de Nagparitan Hill overlooking the scenic Cape Bojeador where early galleons used to sail by. It was believed to be the place of execution of the warriors who go against the Spaniards thus the place is believed to be haunted by their ghosts. After 100 years, it still function as a welcoming beacon to the crown international ship that enter the Philippine Archipelago from the north and guide them safely away from the rocky coast of the town but more now of a tourist destination since the place is strategically located in a spot where you can appreciate how beautiful the nature, both the sea and the mountain.

Paoay Church, Paoay, Ilocos Norte. One of the oldest colonial churches in the country built during the Spanish era. It is built of coral blocks and stucco plastered bricks, the architecture is a unique combination of gothic, baroque and oriental. Construction of the church was started in 1704 and completed in 1894. A few meters away is the coral stone bell tower which served as observation post of the "Katipuneros" during the Philippine Revolution, Paoay Church is included in the UNESCO's World Heritage List.

The beauty of the church is magnificent since the structure is indeed a work of art but what is more essential is the fact that people still uses it not just a structure to take pictures but still a place to worship.

The 4 places mentioned are indeed a great way to take a look back at our heritage but more places can be found in Ilocos Norte which are worth to visit. Marcos Museum, Malacanang of the North, Paoay Lake, Paoay Sand Dunes, Kaurpurwan and more places that can be a great place to visit and take a look at memory lane and discover more of our heritage as Ilocano and as a Filipino.

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