During our Ilocos Norte Tour, we visited the Museo Ilocos Norte which showed us a snapshot of Ilocano culture throughout history. It was like going back in time as we saw tools for fishing, for farming, cooking, clothes, and even a really old transistor radio which still works to this very day.
After the Museo Ilocos Norte, we went to the Marcos Museum which is the old house of the Marcoses in Sarrat. You will see the room where President Marcos was born and on display, at the house, is the family tree of the Marcos family. It reminded me that Paolo Bediones, the famous TV host, is related to the Marcoses. Similar to the Marcos Mausoleum, though, the house is not well-maintained and was in an old and sorry state.
Then it was off to St. Monica parish in Sarrat, where the wedding of Marcos daughter Irene took place. There’s a parish museum filled with vestments and other old religious items and we also went around the convent ruins which makes for nice photo opportunities. It also seems to bring you back to another time. Also, interestingly, as we were looking at the church bulletin board in St. Monica, I happily discovered that Stewardship is alive and well in St. Monica! Stewardship is all about sharing your time, talent, and treasure with the Lord and with others. And we always had this stereotype of Ilocanos as being thrifty and stingy!
After St. Monica, we passed by the Sinking Bell Tower, the Ilocos Norte capitol (Mike Keon is governor now?) and then went on to hear the English anticipated mass at 5pm at St. William Cathedral. Before mass, we made a brief stop at a nearby McDonald’s for sundaes and to use the bathroom. (I tell you, thank goodness for McDonald’s and Jollibee!).
After a full day of going around Ilocos Norte, it was time to head home and we were back at Playa Tropical Resort Hotel at 7pm.
Up Next: What We Liked and Areas for Improvement at Playa Tropical in Ilocos Norte