One pitstop on the way south to Vigan was Sinait Church. The town is the northernmost in Ilocos Sur and is also known locally as the garlic capital of the Philippines. That would explain the giant garlic-looking tent in front of the municipal hall.


Church schedules in Ilokano.

That’s Neil walking away from me in front of the church.

The miraculous Black Nazarene inside the church. There’s this black light behind it too.

Coral stones that make part of the church.

The other sweet lovers.

Photo of Neil by the bell… under high noon. The shadows!

More on Sinait here.
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Batac is home to these famous orange empanadas.

There’s an entire venue of these located in downtown Batac.

And there are several stalls all selling the same thing.


I’m not a huge fan of empanadas. But since there are variations of the Ilocano fare throughout the towns and cities, trying the orange ones in Batac was worth a try.
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There was a strange feeling I couldn’t explain while I was in Ilocos Norte. I grew up learning about the atrocities committed by dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos. Even if he gave the Philippines massive infrastructure improvements his name was synonymous with greed. But here, he and his family are revered.

So why would I want to visit his mausoleum? Curiosity.
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Posted in Ilocos
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Tagged Ilocos, marcos
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