Louise Gabriel Lorenzo

COMMUNITY: Laoag City, Ilocos

Norte
PLACE WITH CULTURAL CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE IMPACT TO THE
SIGNIFICANCE SELF
Built in 1779, the Santa Monica Knowing the history of the
Parish Church has proven to be a church was surprising
significant piece of culture and because there was numerous
history in Laoag. Used for weddings happened in the
numerous significant weddings, church and it makes me
including the daughter of then appreciate the importance of
President Marcos, the government church to people that church is
recognized this church as a a sacred place.
national staple and dubbed it
“Important Cultural Property” to
be officially entered into the
National Museum of the
Philippines. If it’s good enough for
the president’s daughter, it’s
certainly good enough to add to
your holiday plans.
Gilbert Bridge Laoag City The construction of the Gilbert Knowing the history of the
Bridge connecting Laoag City and bridge was surprising because
San Nicolas began in 1912 and was many of the worker who built
inaugurated July 4, 1914. It was the bridge was woman and it
named after Vice Governor makes me honor them.
Newton W. Gilbert who obtained
funding for the construction. All
concrete was mixed and placed by
hand, the work being done largely
by women, they also handled all
the sand gravel.
OBJECTS WITH CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE IMPACT TO THE
CULTURAL SELF
SIGNIFICANCE
Sinking Bell Tower This bell tower is literally sinking! when I found out the story
Built on sandy soil back in 1612 by behind the bell tower I was
the Augustians, the Sinking Bell surprised because little by little
Tower has been drifting further the bell tower was going down,
and further into the earth ever as I grew up I realized that the
since. Despite its disappearing act, bell tower was going down.
this weathered monument still
rings it’s bell every Sunday for
mass.

Museo Ilocos Norte a museum designed to give a sense going to museo ilocos norte was
of pride to the youth of the Ilcos fun because i learned a lot of
Norte. The exhibits and galleries in things from the past of ilocos
Museo Ilocos Norte focus on the norte.
 cultural heritage of the people
from the region and the multitude
of industries that represent the
area.
EVENTS WITH CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
CULTURAL
SIGNIFICANCE
Pamulinawen festival Pamulinawen festival, came from
the name of a woman made
popular in the popular Ilocano folk
song Pamulinawen. The festival is
celebrated in the city of Laoag,
Ilocos Norte to promote
camaraderie and sportsmanship.
Tan-ok Festival the Tan-ok Festival features the
best artists and talents in the
province, representing their local
festivals through dance
interpretations inspired by the
unique history, culture and
tradition of its people.
COMMUNITY STORIES CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
AND BELIEFS
IMPACT TO THE
SELF
It makes me proud to be Ilocano
because since I was a kid we
always go to the event place of
the festival to watch the
parade.
It was fun watching this festival
because the program is all
about the culture and traditions
of other areas here in ilocos
norte.
IMPACT TO THE
SELF

Umras Every night for nine nights, a it was tiring because we didn't
prayer is offered for the dead. On sleep all night because we had
the ninth night, an umras is to watch and replace the candle
prepared. On a table are placed 12 when it was about to run out.
plates full of native cakes and
delicacies like patupat, linapet;
busi, kaskaron, baduyca, and two
fried chickens. These should stay
the whole night to be distributed
the following morning to the leader
of the novena prayer and to those
who assisted in preparing the
umras.
Dayu-dayu, Bari-bari This practice is usually done when When I was a child, my
someone go to a place that their grandmother always told us to
not used to go. Dayu actually mean be bari-bari so that evil spirits
go away, Bari is rooted from the would not take us and not
Ilocano word bakir which means a especially when we passed by
greepy or far place. Ilocanos say the cemetery, until now I still
Dayu-dayu, bari-bari to sent out say bari-bari even though I am
spirits that might harm them while old now
they are in their way going to the
place they’re not used to go.