ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE ILOCOS REGION
The province and Ilocos region has a long history of trade between Chinese and Japanese well before the Spanish arrived in 1572.
Ilocos Norte and the Ilocos region has a strong claim to having one of the most richest and diverse cultural heritages of all the Philippine provinces. The political and social unrest that occurred in the Spanish colonial era along with the harsh conditions of the local environment which is both sandy and rocky has given rise to a unique Ilocano character. This local adversity developed the Ilocano traits of industrious and tenacious people, renowned for their strong spirit and thrifty and frugal habits.
In the Ilocos region they speak a local dialect called Ilokano which is also known as Ilocano, Iluko, Iloco, Iloko, Ylocano and Yloco is this is the third most-spoken language in the Philippines. Dont worry most speak tagalog and many also speak good English. Just like us (my hubby and I). 🙂
The principal products of the Ilocos Region that can be bought include basket weaving in Pinili and Badoc; bricks in Paoay!
Ilocanos loves to cook it with ampalaya leaves. While me here in uerope, I used to cook it with chicken breast, mushrooms soup with potatoes, or mix with other vegetables.
wild mushrooms in Pinili; clay pottery, metal works and furniture in San Nicolas; rattan in Adams, Marcos, Nueva Era and Pagudpud; tin smithing in Badoc and cloth and blanket weaving in Laoag, Paoay and Sarrat.
Around two thirds of the province are used for agriculture which is the principal livelihood. Ilocos Norte is very proud of its gastronomic and agricultural produce that includes Garlic and Onions in Bacarra, Badoc, Bangui, Burgos and Paoay; Sukang Iloko ; Tobacco in Badoc, Batac, Dingras, Marcos and Paoay; Salt in Pasuquin and Gamet (seaweed) in Burgos, Currimao; Tomato PasteSarrat; Paoay, Vintar; Mung Beans (monggo) Batac; Rice in most areas, we have three fields ourselves, and there is also cotton, corn, sugarcane and dried fish.
Of course gastronomy doesn’t stop there and the delicious Ilocano delicacies include bagnet (chicharon), biscocho (crackers), corniks (corn kernels), empanada (filled pastry), linga (sesame seed), longganiza (sausage) and tupig (sticky rice).
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