6. Ilocos suka: Homemade suka that has a hint of wine, or the Basi as known in the north. There is a distinct taste to their suka… These suka can be bought at stores by the side of the road. There are a number of these in Narvacan. The 5 gallons of suka costs PhP150.

5. Ilocos bagoong: People in Ilocos love to put bagoong in their food..and their bagoong is different from our bagoong in Manila or in the other parts of the country. If you are lucky enough to find a bagoong maker and buy directly, you will save a lot. Like the one we were able to buy was PhP250 for the big mayo container full of bagoong.

4. Churches: There are many great churches in Ilocos Norte. The one in Sta. Lucia is so grand; it’s ceiling is so beautiful. Sta. Maria church is a world heritage church. It seems so "antique." The cement in between the bricks were already slowly eroding (bricks are strong, so the cement in between holding the bricks is usually the first to give way). The church in Bantay is known for its bell tower, which stands a couple of meters away. The bell tower is open to the public and is a major tourist attraction. Paul surmised that it is called Bantay because it was used to guard against enemies like the Spanish. But my cousin told me that bantay in Ilocos meant mountain. And there’s Vigan church, standing at the heart of Vigan, visited by many tourists everyday. Something I noticed about their churches is that all (at least the ones we went to) have separate bell towers, which by themselves are already quite a sight! 

Sta. Lucia Church (grand ceiling!)

Sta. Maria (World Heritage)

Bantay Church (famous bell tower)

Vigan Church

3. Anything mapait like papaitan and diningding: Learning how these dishes are made is fascinating. For example, it turns out that the bitter taste of papaitan comes from the intestinal juice of the cow. Sometimes, when they get the intestines, there are still some grass in it..imagine putting that into your dish! However, this dish tastes great. And my father said that as you go farther up north, it becomes more and more bitter.
 

2. Tabacco: Tabacco is a major crop in Ilocos. And I had a great time learning almost everything about making tabacco…from the seeds…to how it is planted and harvested…to how it is dried and baked…to how it is classified…and to how it is rolled and smoked! Amazing! These rolled tobacco can be purchased at the palengkes at around PhP8-10 pesos for 5 sticks…ready for lighting!

Tabacco field

  This is where they hang and "cook" the leavves

The leaves are cooked in a big oven (the big enclosure at the end in the picture above) 

1. Vigan: Let’s admit that Vigan is the number 1 attraction in Ilocos Sur. Even at off-peak season, this part of Ilocos is visited by numerous tourists wanting to see the World Heritage attraction. I must admit that when we went to Vigan last Good Friday, I didn’t get to enjoy and appreciate the place so much simply because there were too many people. I am usually able to savor a place when there are few people because I get to experience a place more personally. But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t want to go back there. On the contrary, I would love to go back…but at a time when there are few people.

Some great finds in Calle Crisologo (a great place for wood furniture)…
    

Vigan’s famous empanada…vegetable (like coleslaw), ground meat, and egg yolk in a crispy crust

"Bernie," a  St. Bernard looking over the administration office (for tourists)

Anyway, a lot has been said on the Cathedral, the empanadas, the kalesas, and of course, Calle Crisologo (which is a great place to buy wood furniture, antique or not). This time, I would focus on two places that one must also experience while in Vigan.

    Pottery making: We found this place, RG Jar Factory, outside the center of the city. They sell pottery, sometimes fresh off the oven. We checked out their kiln…and I must tell you that it is one very big kiln! The kiln, which is around 40 feet long, occupies a big room by itself. There are also many firewood, of course for baking. The place also sells overcooked and deformed pots for less price. You may also request a potter to demonstrate how to make pots, for a small fee. This is a great opportunity for one to see how these pots are made