Laoag City Things to Do Tips by zoe_girl18 Top 5 Page for this destination

Activities in Fort Ilocandia: Swimming

Fort Ilocandia has both beach and swimming pools for you to enjoy.
The downside is that the sand is not white.. and the waves are rather strong.
During the time of our visit, the waves were high and swimming at the beach was prohibited so we opted to swim at the pool instead.

Paoay Lake

From inside the Malacanang of the North, you can get a spectacular view of the Paoay Lake & the golf course of Fort Ilocandia.

The Malacanang of the North

The Malacanang of the North was bulit during the term of the late President Ferdinand Marcos.
Patterned after the ancestral homes in Vigan, the Ilocanos call it "Balay Ti Amianan."

This imposing structure has been turned into a museum that houses more of the late President's memorabilia.

This two-storey building sits on a five-hectare property. It has grand living rooms on both floors, and seven spacious bedrooms including the two master bedrooms.

Visit Paoay Church

The St. Agustine church, more popularly known as the Paoay church, was built in 1694 commissioned by the Augustinian friars led by Fr. Antonio Estavillo. It was finished on 1710 after 16 years on construction. Earthquakes damaged portions of the church in 1865 and 1885. In an excavation conducted inside the church in 2000, a prehistoric human skeleton and fragmented ceramics were discovered and are now on display at the National Museum.

The Paoay Church was declared a national treasure by then President Ferdinand Marcos. It is currently included in the UNESCO's World Heritage List, which means that it would be protected by the Unesco World Heritage Convention, an international law signed
by 112 countries.

Unfortunately, this is not the case. We had a chat with the church's caretaker and they told us that the funds does not reach the church that is why they are having difficulties restoring the church. And due to corruption, this natural treasure might just become extinct someday.

The church is closed most of time except at 6am in the mornings when they hold mass. Just go at the office on the left side of the church. The caretakers will ask for a small donation to the church and they will open and guide you inside the church.

St Williams Cathedral

This church was built by the Agustinians in 1612 which was Italian Renaissance inspired. Unfortunately, this is already not in its original color.

Address: Castro avenue

The Sinking Bell Tower

The Sinking Bell Tower is one of the attractions to visit in Laoag. It is situated around 2 blocks just behind the St. Williams Cathedral. For reasons unknown, the bell tower sinks a few centimeters every year.

Directions: near the St. Williams Cathedral