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It was once a province of romance when the "Golden voice of the North" (Ferdinand Marcos) and the "Rose of Tacloban" (Imelda Romualdez) had sketched their destiny to lead the country as the First lady to the President. Now, divided into two is Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur where locals are proudly called as Ilocano's. 

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My trip to Ilocos enlightened me how true Filipino values its history. In Ilocos, I have seen many sights that can bring Filipino's and tourists to remember stories and events from the past. There are old houses and churches, heritage sites and shrines throughout the entire province. Spending a week from this province will surely recompose everyone's minds to what society taught us about our past.

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My travel begins after filling up 12 gallons of gasoline in my tank. It took me roughly eight hours from Antipolo to travel the northern most part of Ilocos, Pagudpud via TPLEX Pozorrubio Pangasinan exit. I choose to head on straight to Saud beach to witness the sunrise and see the opening pristine waters of our West Philippine Sea. After our breakfast we took the road going back to the South East Asia's Windmill birth place, Bangui. It surprised me the project had expanded and now has more than twenty windmill structures throughout Bangui and Burgos.

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We also spend a little time to visit Cape Bojeador Lighthouse to gasp some fresh air. We decided to walk our way and to starve ourselves in the streets of Laoag to see the Shrinking Bell Tower and to visit the nearby museums. Excited enough to step at the Malacańang of the north we took our lunch at Paoay and decided to rest our exhausted body on the nearby lodging. 

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After spending the entire day roaming around the northern part of Ilocos, I had observed that Ilocano's greatly decorated their houses with interesting colors. In my opinion you know that you are in Ilocos once you have seen striking eye catchy pastel color paints in houses. 

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There is no way to miss the Ilocanos intricate delicacy. They are known for their famous Papaitan, Sinanglaw, Bagnet, Igado, Pinakbet, Denengdeng, Longanisa, Miki, Empanada and etc. But what interests me the most is Batacs's miki and longanisa Vs. Paoay's fusion and the Batac's Empanada Vs. Vigana's rendition. I have been teased with Paoays locals that their longanisa if better but i choose to take home the Batac's version. On the other hand Batac owns the title for their original Empanada and Miki while Paoay develop and improve the richness tastes of the dish.

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Years before the proper burial of former President Ferdinand "macoy" Marcos, the entire Marcos Museum in Batac is open for public. Today, the Marcoses had decided to limit the area for public viewing and had choosen to open only the museum gallery and the photo gallery area.

Near Paoay and Batac is another place to visit, the fine sands of Currimao and its oceanic water. We were able to do a day tour at Sitio Remedios, an exclusive place for people who wants to experience how to live and dine inside its preserved structure old designed houses.