Paoay Lake

Paoay Lake

Paoay Lake, also known as Lago de Nanguyudan or dakkel danum, is a mysterious horseshoe-shaped lake that has a tale of its own. The lake can be appreciated from the porch of the Malacañang of the North or from the lake’s dilapidated viewing deck. It has been declared as a national park on June 21, 1969. When we visited the lake at dusk, it gives off an ethereal beauty and serenity that it deserves a moment of silence.

Long ago, in this once-dry land where Paoay Lake now stands there was a village whose people were kind, generous and God-fearing. Prosperity was evident in their beautiful houses, their expensive clothes and glittering jewelries.

As years passed, rivalry among the people set in, that they worked hard to acquire material things more than the others. God-worship was forgotten. Among them, Juan and his wife Maria, remained simple folks and never forgot to worship God. One night, in a dream, they were told that the village will be destroyed by a flood, if the people will not reform. They related their dream to their neighbors, but they only laughed at them.

One morning, the couple heard a voice saying, “Leave this place tonight. When you hear the roar of thunder, do not look back, lest you suffer the same fate as these sinners.” When dusk came, they left with their little belongings towards the hill. Then they heard the clap of thunder and felt the earth beneath them sway and tremble. The villagers were roused, but their cries died down as they were submerged under the rampaging water. The woman instinctively turned back to look at the village. She swooned and the husband tried to hold her. This tugging gave the name “Nangguyudan”. They turned into rocks which can still be seen today at Bantay Pugaro. Atop one rock grew a “bangar” tree which rises to the sky like an open umbrella.

As years went by at the place where the village sank, a beautiful lake emerged, and is now the famous Paoay Lake. Today, they said if one looks into the depths of the lake, one could see the shadows of the buildings and houses of the once prosperous village. Fishermen reported catching fishes adorned with jewels. It is believed that these were the early inhabitants of the ill-fated village.

The story passed down from generations to generations adds to the charm of the lake. Locals embraced its mystical tale and is now one of the prominent features in the municipality of Paoay. Whatever the explanation is, when you happen to be in the area, take time to visit the lake and admire its beauty..

Sand Dunes

Sand Dunes

Famous for its attention-grabbing spots, Paoay is filled with lots of activities you can do when in a vacation. If you’re the adventurous type of traveler, the sand dunes should be on top of your list especially that it’s great for tourists in groups.

Started in 2007, the people from the La Paz Sand Dunes thought of the Suba part as a good spot for beginners. The Ilocos Norte has a wide stretch of sand dunes from Currimao, to La Paz in Laoag, to Suba in Paoay, and then to Pasiquin. Of all these sand dunes, people saw the Suba Sand Dunes as the widest and one that can attract more tourists because the sand slopes are not as high as the other spots. The Suba Sand Dunes is also the most popular because it is also the place where famous Filipino movies are shot such as the 1982 award-winning Himala (Miracle) starring Philippine cinema superstar Nora Aunor and the 1980 film Panday starring “King of Philippine Movies” Fernando Poe Jr. These films have their own monument located near the area for sandboarding where you can take photos with.

The activities they offer here in Suba Sand Dunes are 4×4 ride, All-terrain Vehicle (ATV), and Sand boarding. From the arrival area, you will first have to register your name at the tourist information center. Then you will have to line up for your turn especially during peak season. You will have to ride the 4×4 vehicle which can accommodate 5 persons maximum, as you enjoy the ride going through an uphill adventure around the sand dunes. Behind the sand dunes is the Suba Beach that makes a perfect backdrop in the place. The most famous activity here is the Sand boarding. You don’t need to be a pro to try this as there are tour guides who will assist you. You can either stand or sit as you slide through the sand board itself. You can stay for as long as you want to even when it’s sunny or rainy. Best time to go here would be during the early morning and late afternoon so that it’s not too hot. It’s also best to wear high-cut footwear or sandals as the sand might get inside your shoes. Tour guides restrict those with health problems such as asthma and those who are pregnant to do the activity for safety purposes

Malacañang Of The North

Malacañang Of The North(Malacañang ti Amianan)

Malacañang of the North or Malacanang ti Amianan in Ilocano is always present in everyone’s itinerary when planning or visiting the northern province of Ilocos Norte. Dubbed as “Marcos Country”, Ilocos Norte is home to many remnants of former president Ferdinand E. Marcos and of one these is Malacañang of the North.

Built in 1977, construction started two years before that and was said to be one of Imelda Marcos’ “projects”.  She wanted to build this lavish structure for her husband who was turning 60 that time as well as to have another venue to entertain and host the most affluent personalities in politics and the whole society..and where did she get the funds? hmm…

The Malacañang of the North is one of the 29 houses that the Marcos regime was able to build during its two decades of power. As it name suggests, this house served as the official residence of the First Family during that time whenever they are in Ilocos.  The Marcos extended their reception for their guests both local and foreign in this house.

Malacañang of the North is within a  5-hectare property and it overlooks the calm waters of Paoay Lake. The main lobby and terraces of the house faces this famous lake in Ilocos where guests can do some watersports during their visit.

There are 9 spacious and luxurious rooms for both the family and their guests. We saw the bathroom of Marcos and we didn’t bother to take a shot, There is also a swimming pool that already dirty, too bad.

Aside from one of the local residences of the Marcoses during this reign, this house is truly impressive. It combines both the Ilocano and Spanish architectural designs. Like other structure in Ilocos, one of the main materials are baked bricks along with hardwood from its staircase to its floors. Its sliding windows are of capiz shells and it has the a terraces or azoteas in each floor that overlooks the lake.

St. Agustine

St. Agustine

The Paoay Church (also known as the St. Augustine Church ) is a historical church located in the town of Paoay in Ilocos Norte, Philippines.

Construction of the Paoay Church was started by the Augustinian friars in 1694. It was completed in 1894 led by Fr. Antonio Estavillo and was re-dedicated in 1894.

A three-storey coral stone bell tower stands to the right of the church which served as an observation post in 1896 for the Katipuneros during the Philippine revolution against the Spaniards, and again by the Filipino guerillas during the Japanese occupation in World War II.

The Church is a unique combination of Gothic, Baroque and Oriental designs. Its facade reveals Gothic affinity, its gables show Chinese elements, while the niches topping the walls suggest Javanese influence (reminiscent of the famous Boroboudur Temple).

Known as the “Earthquake Baroque” church in the Philippines, Paoay church was built of baked bricks, coral rocks, salbot (tree sap) and lumber, and has 24 carved massive buttresses for support. It is an architectural solution to the area's challenging, natural setting. Both sides of the nave are lined with the most voluminous stone buttresses seen around the islands. Large coral stones were used for the lower level while bricks were used for the upper levels of the church. The walls are 1.67 meters thick made of the same materials.

Its bell tower, which is detached from its main building, is made of coral stone. It stands a safe distance away to spare the sanctuary in case of collapse. Originally, the church roof was thatched; and it is conjectured so that buttresses not only support walls but give roof access during fire and typhoon. Parts of the church were damaged during the earthquakes in 1865 and 1885.

During an excavation inside the church in 2000, a prehistoric human skeleton and fragmented ceramics were discovered and are now in display at the National Museum. According to historians, the bell tower also served as a status symbol for the locals. The bell would ring more loudly and more times during the wedding of a prominent clan that it would during the wedding of the poor.

Paoay Church is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. It currently is a property of the Diocese of Laoag, Ilocos Norte.

Paoay’s former name was Bombay. Its site was originally located in the village of Callaguip along the coastal shores of the South China Sea, now a barrio of Paoay. It is approximately two kilometers west of the present town proper.

From the date of early settlement to 1701, little could be said about the activities of the early settlers of Paoay except that much had been done in the clearing of the forests nearby. They converted the forests into rice and sugar lands through the slash-and-burn method called ‘kaingin.’

The early settlers were of a peace-loving tribe, but their major problem was the frequent furious incursions of Sea Rovers and Moro pirates called Tirong who looted indiscriminately their agricultural produce and other valuables. In order to protect themselves from further incursions, the folks moved towards the nearby inland where the present town proper is now located.

In the farther western inland, there were also settlers who formed the neighboring town of Batac. Sensing that the Bombay people had suffered too much from the Moro raids, the people of Batac offered the people of Bombay to live with them. But the brave and maverick folks rejected the offer and instead they uttered "Maka-paoay kami" – an Ilocano dialect jargon meaning they could live independently.

The settlers from Batac were offended and it was from this incident that the name of the town came to arrive as Paoay.

The first inhabitants might have come from Bombay, India because the early name of the town was Bombay and settlers in the early days usually named the land settlement they found after the name of their country and place of origin. When the settlers from Bombay arrived, they found the Indonesians already making headways in clearing the forests. Later, the more civilized Malays came and they drove the Indonesians away. Some were captured and held slaves to help improve the land settlement. Those who opted to live with the Malays stayed. The two races turned blended that it is now hard to trace the single origin of the early settlers.

To cite the characteristics and traits of its people, Paoayenos (called the people of Paoay) are by nature industrious, thrifty, intrepid, daring, individualistic, peace-loving, adventurous, hospitable, and religious people.