Featured Destinations
The Philippines' Saud Beach is Among the Top Beaches in Asia
The little–known northwest Philippine beach Saud Beach at Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte was recently named as one of the ten best beaches in Asia by Australia’s Melbourne Sunday Herald Sun newspaper. Through its veteran travel writer and photographer John Borthwick, the widely circulated publication listed the top beach destinations in Asia. Saud Beach was chosen on the basis of its pristine condition, rustic appeal, relative isolation from the usual tourist crowd, its “untouched by commercialism” quality, and the variety of water sports activities it offers.
Aside from Saud Beach, the other beaches that made the list are Ko Adang and Mae Nam of Thailand, Bentota of Sri Lanka, Yalong Bay of China, China Beach of Vietnam, Calangute of India, Dungun of Malaysia, Occheutel of Cambodia, and Kenting of Taiwan.
Located at the northwest coast of Luzon, Saud Beach is a 2-kilometer arc of pure sand bordered by the blue of the South China Sea. It is an uncluttered beach devoid of all commercialism and crowds that usually spoil the appeal of a quiet beach destination. It is a haven for swimmers, snorkelling enthusiasts and wind surfers, and it is fast becoming another surfers’ paradise in the Philippines. Roughly an hour away by land travel from Laoag International Airport, this picturesque beach is renowned for its crystal clear waters, fine white-cream sand and underwater sceneries of multi-colored corals and iridescent fish. Saud Beach is definitely one of Philippine tourism’s best-kept secrets.
Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
Pagudpud, dubbed as the Boracay of Northern Philippines, is a coastal resort town on the northernmost tip of Luzon in the Philippines. It is bounded to the south by the town of Bangui and to the east by the Cordillera Mountain Ranges. It has white sand beaches, scenic views, creeks, lagoons, falls, caves and other attractions. Aside from the magnificent shores of Saud Beach, Pagudpud has other tourist destinations, places of interest and historical landmarks.
Patapat Viaduct
At the foot of the cliff of the North Cordillera Mountain Range is the 12-km winding bridge known as the Patapat Bridge, popularly known as the French Riviera of the Northern Philippines. At the upper part of the cliff, one can still see the etched footbridge that was the only link between Ilocos and Cagayan Valley in the 1960's.
While at the middle of the Patapat Bridge, one can take a look at the awe-inspiring panoramic view of the verdant mountains and the sea below. A glimpse of the old footbridge adds grandeur to the breathtaking view.
Pasaleng Bay
While at the scenic Patapat Viaduct, one can get an enchanting view of Pasaleng Bay, its beauty unmarred by a shipwreck dating from the Japanese occupation. It is believed that the other half of the ship lies eight fathoms at the depths of scenic Pasaleng Bay, while the other half is at 20 fathoms at scenic Agua Grande. Here, treasure hunters and other adventure seekers, or even simple divers are treated to a wonderful diving experience
Caunayan Landing Site
Pagudpud does not only pride itself with the bounty of nature's beauty but also with its historical significance. The cool and serene Caunayan Bay is the site of the first successful landing sites in the northern Philippines during World War II. It is told that this paved the way towards the success of the Allied Forces against the Japanese, which eventually led to the liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese invasion. In the near future, this important site will become, not only a local tourist attraction, but an international landmark as well.
Kabigan Falls
The newest and definitely the favorite destination in Pagudpud is Kabigan Falls, where cool fresh water falls 120 feet into a natural basin where visitors can enjoy a refreshing swim. Protected throughout the day by tall trees abundantly growing in one of the few remaining virgin rainforests in the Philippines, one can freely enjoy a whole day's treat with Mother Nature's best.
Dos Hermanos Island
Also in the heart of Barangay Balaoi are two identical mountains called the Dos Hermanos Island. Old folks say that in olden times, there were two brothers who were close to each other they vowed to remain together until death. One day, they went fishing and were still at sea when they were caught by a typhoon and drowned. Because of their loyalty to each other, and to serve as an inspiration to others, they were transformed into the two mountains prominently seen in the place.
Bantay Abot Caves
Along the pristine waters of Balaoi lies the panoramic Bantay Abot Caves. It is a natural mountain by the sea where one could remain undisturbed by the busy atmosphere of city life. Here, everyone truly enjoys a relaxing experience that can only be found in a paradise like Pagudpud.
Timmangtang Rock
Along the coast of Barangay Balaoi, Pagudpud, looms the fortress-like Timmangtang Rock. During summer and when the tide is low, one can leisurely hike from the shoreline to Timmangtang Rock and once there, relax and enjoy the feel of the cool sea breeze while feasting one's eyes on the calm, blue water and the distant horizon. More adventurous visitors can indulge in carefree mountain climbing, engage in banca sailing, and explore an awe-inspiring cave beneath the blue waters.
Maira-Ira Beach
Also known as the Blue Lagoon, (still another of the many endowments richly bestowed upon Pagudpud) is the pristine crystal-like white sand beach at Maira-Ira. Here, nature lovers can have a lavish and refreshing encounter with the cool waters.
The Province of Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Norte, a province known for its richness in local history and natural resources is located on the northernmost edge of western Luzon. It has a total land area of 3,400 square kilometres and it is composed of 22 municipalities with 477 barangays. The province's population was 514,000 by the census of 2000. Established as a separate province in 1818, Ilocos Norte had a history of trading with the Chinese and Japanese long before Spanish explorers arrived in 1572. Augustinian missionaries converted the Ilocanos to Christianity, and impressive, well-preserved historic churches, some built as early as the 16th century, stand in testimony to the catholic tradition of the province.
Ilocos Norte can bank on its cultural heritage, expanses of sandy beaches and beautiful landscapes to draw in visitors. There are hotels and recreation centers and there are areas like Bangui and Burgos, with its old colonial structures, has the potentials of being developed as a hub for cultural tourism. The unique coastal ecosystem of Pagudpud and Bangui is also being developed into an eco-tourism destination.
Bacarra Church & Bell Tower Ruins, Bacarra
The Bacarra Church was constructed by the Spanish Augustinian Friars in 1593 and subsequently inaugurated in 1782. It was destroyed by the intensity 7.8 earthquake on August 1983 and reconstructed and once again inaugurated in August 1984. The image of the patron saint, San Andres stands in front of his x-shaped cross in the central niche.
The Bacarra Bell Tower with its unusual elongated cupola was built during the 1830’s is located at the right side of the Roman Catholic Church. It was built in 1830’s and made up of coral blocks and stucco with an original height of fifty meters and a five meter-thick wall. An earthquake wrecked it in 1931, which had caused the top most portions to tilt a little sideward on the right.
Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel, Laoag
This resort is the only first class property of its kind in the province of Ilocos Norte. The hotel is sprawled over 77 hectares of land at the middle of sand dunes, prime forests, and two kilometers of fine sandy beach facing the South China Sea. The main building houses the lobby, a number of restaurants, shopping arcade, discotheque, and a glass-topped atrium where you can relax as you sip your favorite drinks, tea or coffee. The hotel hosts a branch of the Casino Filipino at the second floor. Hotel facilities include an Olympic-sized swimming pool, seven function rooms, video arcade, tennis court, badminton court and a gym.
Hotel guests may also indulge in various recreational activities such as wind sailing, archery, shooting, horseback riding, wind gliding/wind surfing, canoeing, open sea fishing, snorkel diving, scuba diving, and rafting, among others. The resort also has a world-class 18-hole golf course designed by PGA Champion Gary Player.
Juan Luna Shrine, Badoc
The Juan Luna Shrine in Badoc, Ilocos Norte, is a reconstruction of the two-storey brick-type house in which the hero, patriot and foremost Filipino painter was born on October 24, 1857 (The original house burned down in 1861). Luna was instrumental in placing Philippine art and culture on the world map by winning in numerous painting competitions in Europe during his time. The shrine is presently a repository of the hero’s memorabilia, including replicas of his masterpieces.
Malacanang of the North, Paoay
This imposing two-storey structure was built as the official residence of the President Marcos in Ilocos Norte during the Marcos era. It overlooks the legendary Paoay Lake and was designed to resemble a 19th Century "bahay na bato." It is complete with bedrooms, dining area, kitchen, an office, a spacious ballroom on the second floor, and even had an Olympic-size swimming pool. Malacanang Palace of the North has since been converted into a museum and it is open to visitors.
Museo Ilocos Norte, Laoag
Located in the downtown area of Laoag City, a visit to the Museo Ilocos Norte is one of the best ways to learn about Ilocano culture. The museum is housed in the restored historic Tabacalera warehouse, which was a factory of sorts for tobacco back during the Spanish Era. The museum was primarily designed to bring a sense of pride to the citizens of the province. It showcases the varied ethnicity and multi-faceted cultural heritage of the Ilocano people. It is one of the few attractions in Laoag City which is most visited by school children, visitors, and tourists.
Paoay Church, Paoay
This church is considered as one of the most striking edifices in the country with its huge buttresses flanking the sides and rear facade. Completed in 1710, inauguration ceremonies were held on February 28, 1896, just three years before the expulsion of Spanish rule in the country. The style of the church has been dubbed as “Earthquake Baroque.” The church was badly damaged by an earthquake in 1927, reconstructed a few years after, and was later included in UNESCO'S World Heritage List.
Sta. Monica Church, Sarrat
This is a beautiful red brick church of Baroque and Neo-Classical style. Located some 7 kilometers to the east of Laoag City proper, it is an all-brick church with buttressed walls and a unique 3-level brick bridge and staircase that connects the church to the convent. Completed in 1679, the church features a 137-meter nave that is said to be the longest in the country. It follows a simple rectangular plan and another outstanding feature of the church is its unique system of roof trusses.
