PAOAY SAND DUNES

Paoay Sand Dunes is strategically located near Fort Ilocandia and the Malacañang of the North which is really one of the itineraries if you will have a tour package of Ilocos.

Paoay Sand Dunes is a perfect place for adventurous tourists and likes outdoors sports since you will be riding a 4x4 as you explore the Sand Dunes which is a Desert Like Place here in the Philippines. You can also swim in the sea shore of the west philippines sea and Sand Board

here are other informations:

Name : Paoay Sand Dunes

Description: Kilometers wide Desert Like Area near the shoreline of west Philippine Sea with different slopes

Trivia: It is where the Philippine Movie "Panday" was taken

Address: Paoay, Ilocos Norte (near Malacañang of the North and Forth Ilocandia)

Fee : P500 per person for an hour ( includes 4x4 ride and sand boarding)

attraction inclusions: souvenir store and food store, cr and water resource for refreshing after the trip

sources:http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1-i10701-k6560266-Try_Paoay_Sand_Dunes_in_Paoay_Ilocos_Norte_Philippines-Outdoors_Adventure_Travel.html

http://www.celerhinaaubrey.com/2013/06/paoay-sand-dunes-paoay-ilocos-norte.html

Malacanang of the North

“Malacanang of the North“, or otherwise known as the White House of the North.

This palace in northern Ilocos overlooks Paoay Lake, and is the residence of deposed president Ferdinand Marcos and his family when they are in the north. This was one of 29 summer residences that Marcos built during his rule. When it was built in 1977, Malacanang of the North became the venue of the trendiest high society settings. The Marcoses entertained their guests to parties, water skies and golf.

After Marcos was deposed in 1986 and died a few years later, the palace transformed into a museum of the late president’s memorabilia.

When I visited the palace in 1990, everything was still very impressive. The massive staircase and living areas that greet visitors on the first floor are reminiscent of Spanish-inspired extravagance. The two masters bedrooms have royalty written all over it.

But all these descriptions are just words, really. So I’ll let these few pictures capture the story ofelegance extravagance that marked the Marcos era.

A closer view of the front entrance.

The grand staircase.

The great room for entertaining guests.

One of the upstairs dining room.

The masters’ bedroom. One of them, anyway.

The back, which overlooks Paoay Lake.

source:http://www.filipinasoul.com/2008/05/malacanang-of-the-north/

PAOAY LAKE

The landlocked lake located 3 kilometers away from the sea in Suba, Paoay has an area of 470 hectares. Declared as a National Park under Republic Act 5631 on June 21, 1969.

Address: Paoay, Ilocos Norte 2902

The Legend

The Legend of Paoay Lake 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 neigbors, but they only laughed at them. One morning, the people 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 the sinners." When dusk came, they left their little belongings towards the hill. Then they heard the clap of thunder and felt the earth beneath then 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 back at the village. She swooned and her 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. Fisherman reported catching fishes adorned with jewels. It is believed that these were the early inhabitants of the ill-fated village. SOURCE: The people of Paoay.

source: http://wikimapia.org/820247/Paoay-Lake / sconcepcion200

       

PAOAY CHURCH

Paoay Church (also known as the St. Augustine Church in Paoay) is a historical church located in Paoay, Ilocos Norte. During the Philippine Revolution in 1898, its coral stone bell tower was used by the Katipuneros as an observation post. Paoay Church is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. It currently is a property of the Diocese of Laoag, Ilocos Norte.

Construction of 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. 

History:

A three-storey coral stone bell tower stands a few meters away from the church. The bell tower 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.

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.

Portions of the church was 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. Former president Ferdinand Marcos declared Paoay Church as a national treasure and is now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. 

Architecture:

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.

The rectangular facade of the church is supported by four pillasters which extend from the first to the second level outlining the arched doorway. Huge volutes or buttresses and low-relief lines are found on each side of the facade.

In Fr. Pedro Galende's book, he described the massiveness of the structure is balanced by its grace and fluidity. The church adapts the pyramidal design of the baroque style. Its details are inspired from by seal of Saint Agustine, the emblem of the king of Spain, the logo of the Pope, the “init-tao” or the sun god, and stylized Chinese clouds.

source:http://www.bubblews.com/news/458199-paoay-church-famous-tourist-spot-in-ilocos-norte-philippines