GULING-GULING FESTIVAL

OVERVIEW

Guling-Guling Festival is a traditional occasion that

happens yearly in the month of February. It is held
before the Ash Wednesday or the start of the season
of Lent or also known as “Semana Santa”. It is
celebrated as the last day of merry-making and
enjoyment for the townspeople before the Lenten
season.

The word “guling” from Ilocano, means to mark or

smear. The mayor in town would smear in the
person’s forehead a cross sign that signifies the
purity. They also believe that the mark in their
forehead will cleanse all of their past sins. The cross
is a white color made up of wet and white rice flour.

ACTIVITIES

Dance Parade

During the Guling-guling celebration, the

paoayenos dance with those whom they have had
petty squabbles as a means of forgiving them for
these past misunderstandings. For the townsfolk,
this is a time to forgive and to have a good time
with everyone. Their intricate steps and hand
movements (kumintang) depict the traits of
courtesy, gentleness, patience and perseverance.

Ulnas Parade

Ulnas is a wooden sled, one of the farms

equipment’s of Paoayeños that has been handed
down from generation to generation. Used as a
means of transferring of farm products, it is pulled by the strong carabao. However, this custom
is gradually lost because of the propagation of modern farm methods and equipment’s. But
during the festival, the great old ulnas is in the limelight again.

Dudol

Dudol is an indigenous delicacy made from rice

flour (bel-laay), coconut milk, sugarcane juice and
anis. During the celebration, the crowd proceeds to
the place where dudol is made to eat this together
with the whole town. It is shared with family,
friends and all their guests.

Basi

Basi is the official drink of the Guling-Guling

merrymakers. Basi is made from sugarcane extract
and samak, a plant commonly grown in the Ilocos
region. The juice from sugarcane stalks are
collected and boiled in large, open kettles. The
brew is poured into earthen jars (burnays) and once
it reaches room temperature, the samak leaves,
bark and fruit are added. The mixture is stirred and
poured into a jar that is tightly covered with banana leaves to allow fermentation. After the
aging period, the basi is then transferred to bottles.

OTHER EVENTS

 Cultural show
 Pageant
 Competition for the best decorated house embodying the festival concept
 Dance Showdown

ATTRACTIONS

St. Augustine Catholic Parish Church, or more

popularly called Paoay Church, in Ilocos
Norte is one of the oldest churches in the
Philippines and is among the major attractions
of the province. It is also dubbed as
“Earthquake Baroque” because for its fortress-
like structure, with 24 massive buttresses designed to withstand the destructive forces of
earthquakes.
It is inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage list (together with 3 other Philippine baroque
churches) in recognition of its unique architectural style which is a reinterpretation of European
Baroque by Chinese and Philippine craftsmen.
Construction of Paoay Church was started by the Augustinian friar Father Antonio Estavillo in
1694. It was completed in 1704 and re-dedicated in 1894.

Culili point is located in Barangay Masintoc.

From vantage view it’s almost like an Indian
man overlooking China Sea. Around is the
Paoay sand dunes, a national geological
monument that expands from the boundary of
Currimao and Paoay to La Paz in Laoag City.
Activities such as 4x4 off-road challenge and
sand boarding are the main tourism
attractions.
This beautiful house of two-storey is located
in one of the most beautiful sites –
overlooking the legendary Paoay Lake. This is
the official residence of the late President
Ferdinand Marcos – opened for public
viewing in 1986. At present it is a Marcos
Memorabilia Museum and also a popular
venue for weddings and weddings receptions.

Declared as a National Park under Republic

Act 5631 on June 21, 1969, it is beside the
famed Malacanañg ti Amianan. This lake had
many legends on its origin and one of them is
that the whole area used to be an effluent town
punished for its obsessive attachment to
wealth and power. Torrential rains flooded
and drowned the entire town. Some of local
folks say fishermen caught fish with gold
rings, a testament to the extravagant lifestyle
of the submerged village. Today there are various recreational activities on the lake fishing
(tilapia and black bass), boating, kayak, bird watching and a lot more.
 HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS

RESTAURANTS

Herencia was a
promising
restaurant that
serves continental
cuisine for tourists
who pay a visit to
the heritage site, Paoay Church. It is located in front of
Paoay Church, prides itself as the birthplace of Pinakbet Pizza.
Smoke Bar and Restaurant is an authentic American Smokehouse and casual dining restaurant
with the best view of the World Heritage site Paoay Church. Serving lunch, snacks
(merienda/pulutan), dinner, or just a drink over the great view.
Rufino’s Café is conveniently located at Paseo de Paoay, adjacent to the parking lot, just a few
steps from the beautiful UNESCO Heritage Site Paoay Church. They serve a wide array of
dishes – from Filipino to genuine or gourmet Ilocano dishes.

HOTELS

Balay Travel Lodge provides air-conditioned rooms in Paoay. There is a terrace and guests can
make use of free WiFi and free private parking.
At the inn, all rooms have a wardrobe. At Balay Travel Lodge every room is equipped with a
flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, and a patio with a city view.

Veranda Suites and Restaurant is a premier hotel on the banks of the Paoay Lake National Park.
The appointed rooms feature a fusion of traditional Ilokano design with modern amenities. They
also serve free breakfast at their in-house restaurant, which specializes Ilokano favorites such as
bagnet, longganisa and pinakbet.
Casa Doña Emilia is a family owned and managed Inn, boasting of a rich history and connection
to the city and people of Paoay. Strategically located at the heart of the city with easy access to
the different historic and tourism spots in Ilocos Norte. It is a perfect place to stay that provides
decent facilities as well as great services.
PAOAY MAP