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Visit Laoag City Philippines

By RomanticHeart | December 17, 2009

Laoag means “the place of light or clarity” in Ilokano. Laoag City had been a known progressive settlement to Japanese and Chinese traders, until the time when Juan de Salcedo, as Spanish conquistador, set foot at the northern banks of Padsan River in 1572. In 1580, according to the national archieves date, Laoag was organized. The Augustinian missionaries constructed the Roman Catholic church and selected St. William the Hermit as its patron saint, the same saint whose feast is celebrated on the 10th of February each year.

The Malay immigrants to the Philippines came in about 300 to 200 B.C. These immigrants were less civilized. The Malays, who were the ancestors of the Igorots, Ifugaos, Bontocs, and Tinguian of Northern Luzon. The second group of Malay immigrants came after the Christian Era at about first century A.D. and continued through the next centuries until the 13th century.

When the Spaniards found the Philippine Islands, they found out that the natives were already divided into community groups with their own independent government. The “barangay” or “puroc” was the center of the population, that reaches up to 6,000. Their native houses are made up of cogon and bamboo and built compactly and are arranged around the hill known as “Ermita Hill” located at the southeastern section of what is now known as Laoag, near the banks of Padsan River.

Before the end of the 16th century, missionaries enhanced the living circumstances of the locals. Missionaries resettled the inhabitants of Ermita Hill to the center of the community of Laoag. They laid out a rectangle, where they constructed a plaza, a church, a convent, a tower, a tribunal and other important buildings accessible to the natives. They constructed houses in an organized manner within the reach of the church bell. The poblacion was divided into different barrios and named after the patron saint assigned to them.

Laoag City attained its cityhood in June 19, 1965, through a plebiscite. It was also proclaimed as the capital of Ilocos Norte.

In the year 2000, the city has a total population of 94,400, with Barangay San Lorenzo having the largest number of residents. It is remarkable to note that, unlike most Christian parts of the country, the Roman Catholic church does not dominate here. Instead, the Aglipayan Church, Iglesia ni Cristo and other Protestant groups have more number of disciples.

Tourism has become an economic source of Laoag City, thus making way for new commercial investments and infrastructure developments. Lately, there has been a new shortened procedure for migration for easier entrance of Chinese tourists into the country. This is expected to yield more visitors in the country. The government of Ilocos Norte anticipates the progression of tourism industry in the area, hence the construction of a multi-million dollar convention center and hotel to meet the needs of the industry.

There are also several mountains, rivers, and waterfalls which have been confirmed by guests in the past decades to be great venues for trekking, eco-tourism adventures and sports.

Of course, no place in the Philippines would be complete without its own festivals. For this category, Laoag City offers the famous Pamulinawen Festival, held on the feast of St. William every 10th of February and celebrate floral and dance parades, and the December Festival, which includes lantern parades and competitions, Christmas dressing up and Palarong Pamasko, or Christmas sportsfest. All these truly make Laoag City a place worth visiting.