Walking along the cobble-stoned streets of Ilocos Sur will bring you back to the old forgotten days of the past, with its ancestral and period houses still intact and well-preserved heritage sites. A living museum of a spirited past, it has its own share of historical and cultural attractions. A visit to the national landmarks, national museum and heritage museums will give you a taste of the Ilocos Region’s myriad of culture and history.

People and Livelihood

Ask Manong to describe the people from this land and they will describe themselves as loving, industrious people. Ilokanos are engaged in farming and food crop production. They produce rice, corn, vegetables, root crops and fruits. (note: apol lagay mo kung anong fruit) This region also serves as one of the main source of the tobacco industry. They also produce cotton and tiger grass. Cottage industries include loom weaving, furniture making, jewelry making, ceramics and blacksmithing. Food processing has also become a major source of livelihood such as production of their famous delicacies, namely, pinakbet, Ilokano sausage (longganisa vigan), bagnet, kornik, banggoong and empenada vigan. These delicacies have become famous all over the Philippines.