Laoag

Philippines

Laoag Sinking Bell Tower Laoag is a city and the provincial capital of Ilocos Norte.

Laoag's history stretches back to pre-colonial times. It has been a trading post between the local Austronesian population, and the Chinese and Japanese. Laoag was then called Samtoy, from the Ilocano for "this is our language".

The Spaniards came in the 16th century, when Miguel López de Legazpi's son, Juan de Salcedo ordered the invasion of the northwestern coastline of Luzon, from Vigan toward the present location of Laoag. Colonization began when Spanish friars seized lands for churches, where their belfries also double as garrisons through an Spanish royal edict. Due to the law, as well as the abusive treatment of the Ilocanos by the the Augustinian friars, locals started numerous rebellions, most notably the Silang rebellions of 1762—63. The first of those rebellions was led by Diego Silang, who led victories against the Spanish colonial authorities in 1762, then in war with the British during the Seven Years' War. Silang was assassinated by his close friend who was hired by the Spanish, where his wife, Gabriela Silang, continued the rebellion until she was captured and hanged.

In 1965, Laoag gained cityhood through a plebiscite, and remained the capital of Ilocos Norte since then.

Laoag has a tropical dry and wet climate, being dry from November to April and wet from May to October. Daytime highs average at and nighttime lows at . There is barely any rainfall during the drier months, but it almost rains every day at the rainy season.

Nights are mildly cool during the dry season, where the nightime low temperatures range from, and it almost never rains. Despite its northerly location in mainland Luzon, Laoag is shielded from the the cool northeastern moonsoon (amihan) by the Central Cordillera and does not suffer extreme nighttime temperatures unlike Tuguegarao to the east.

Rainy season begins at May, and lasts through September. May is a transition from dry and hot conditions to wet and rainy days, so, rainy periods, typically from thunderstorms, are unpredictable through the middle of the month as the southwest monsoon (abagat) advances through the Philippines towards East Asia. Rainfall slowly increases, peaking at August and suddenly decreases by September. An average of five typhoons pass through Laoag, especially during the last months of the monsoon season.

  • Ilocos Norte Museum. Tu-Su 9AM to 5PM. .
  • Tobacco Monopoly.
  • Sand Dunes, La Paz. The only desert in the Philippines. 4x4 vehicle recommended to appreciate the desert beauty.
  • Sinking Belltower. Part of the Laoag church. Named so because it slowly sinks into the soft soil of the city. A decade ago, the entrance was still tall enough to let a man on horseback enter. Now not even a man could enter.
  • Tabacalera, Assorted Stores.

Ilocos Norte Museum. Tu-Su 9AM to 5PM. .

Tobacco Monopoly.

Sand Dunes, La Paz. The only desert in the Philippines. 4x4 vehicle recommended to appreciate the desert beauty.

Sinking Belltower. Part of the Laoag church. Named so because it slowly sinks into the soft soil of the city. A decade ago, the entrance was still tall enough to let a man on horseback enter. Now not even a man could enter.

Tabacalera, Assorted Stores.

  • 4x4 off roading.
  • Beach.
  • Relax, unwind, enjoy nature.
  • Sand boarding.

4x4 off roading.

Beach.

Relax, unwind, enjoy nature.

Sand boarding.

  • Banana chips.
  • Hand woven baskets.
  • Taro (kamote) chips.

  • Robinsons Place Mall & Robinsons Supermarket, Brgy 51 (just off manila north road, +63 77 781-2595. 9AM-8PM.
  • S M Savemore Hypermarket, J P Rizal Street. 9AM-8PM.
  • Puregold Supermarket, J P Rizal street & M Nolasco Street. 8AM-8PM.

Robinsons Place Mall & Robinsons Supermarket, Brgy 51 (just off manila north road, +63 77 781-2595. 9AM-8PM.

S M Savemore Hypermarket, J P Rizal Street. 9AM-8PM.

Puregold Supermarket, J P Rizal street & M Nolasco Street. 8AM-8PM.

Banana chips.

Hand woven baskets.

Taro (kamote) chips.

  • Cailian Grill.
  • Dap-Ayan. Try the Laoag Empanada along Rizal Street near Provincial Capitol.
  • Dawang's, San Nicolas. Try their crispy dinuguan.
  • La Preciosa.
  • Macy's Diner, Gen Segundo Ave. cor M.H. del Pilar St (Coming from the Sinking Bell Tower: Walk northbound for approx 200 m (2 small blocks)., +63 77 770-3551. 8AM-8PM. An American 1950s inspired restaurant. Serves most of your favorite American, Chinese, & Filipino foods. As low as per meal.
  • Saramsam.

Cailian Grill.

Dap-Ayan. Try the Laoag Empanada along Rizal Street near Provincial Capitol.

Dawang's, San Nicolas. Try their crispy dinuguan.

La Preciosa.

Macy's Diner, Gen Segundo Ave. cor M.H. del Pilar St (Coming from the Sinking Bell Tower: Walk northbound for approx 200 m (2 small blocks)., +63 77 770-3551. 8AM-8PM. An American 1950s inspired restaurant. Serves most of your favorite American, Chinese, & Filipino foods. As low as per meal.

Saramsam.

  • Giannis - along Mckinley Street, Brgy 10, behind Provincial Capitol. Giannis offers good food, ambiance, music and vibe. Try their baby back ribs (no MSG) with Giannis fried rice.
  • herencias cafe, paoay ilocos norte. Try pinakbet and dinuguan pizza

Giannis - along Mckinley Street, Brgy 10, behind Provincial Capitol. Giannis offers good food, ambiance, music and vibe. Try their baby back ribs (no MSG) with Giannis fried rice.

herencias cafe, paoay ilocos norte. Try pinakbet and dinuguan pizza