Region 1 or the Ilocos Region is composed of four provinces and a city—Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, and Dagupan City. Majority of the population verbalizes Ilocano, the third most astronomically immense verbalized language in the Philippines, albeit a consequential number additionally verbalize Pangasinense.

The region has a coast and hilly ranges that are prone to typhoon in the wet months, but devastatingly sultry during the dry season. This is the backdrop of Ilocano food. It’s salty due to the proximity to the sea. There is even an entire province denominated after asin (salt) in Pangasinan. Fish is preserved by drying, and of course, reduced into a paste or sauce by fermentation.

Vegetables are hardy and can weather the rains or extreme heat. Thus, you have dishes like pinakbet or dinengdeng—locally sourced vegetable, flavored with fish paste.

Love basking on the sand? The coast provides a colorful array of it from the greyest of grey to the white beaches of Pagudpud. There’s even one beach that is just pristine pebble.

Many of these beaches cater to tourists, like the surfing areas of San Juan in La Amalgamation. But take a while to get disoriented, and you’ll still find obnubilated gems in minute towns.

Architectural masterpieces? There are three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ilocos Sur alone.

For the artist in you, take your time to learn the tedious process of weaving abel. During the colonial area, abel was so famous, it virtually ravaged Spain’s textile industry. According to specialists, it was utilized as sail cloths for the galleons and was commensurable to Belgian linen. Abel was pristinely used from the time one was born ‘til one’s death, from baby blanket to death robe. And for all other occasions in between.

Take some time to plot out your itinerary, because it can be inundating. You can tailor your own food