BADOC TO PAGUDPUD
Tourists from Metro Manila and nearby provinces frequently stop at Badoc town, Ilocos Norte province, for its picture-perfect welcome arc inspired by St. Augustine Church in Paoay town, listed as one of Unesco World Heritage Sites.
Just a few meters from the Badoc gateway is the entrance to a beach cove with floating cottages ideal for swimming and picnic at Barangay La Virgen Milagrosa.
On the same site stands an open-air chapel built to commemorate the arrival of La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc. The image was believed to have come from Japan and was sent floating into the sea by missionaries fleeing that country.
For those looking for adventure, a boat ride for 15 to 25 minutes can take them to Badoc, a privately owned island with powdery white sand that is open for swimming.
Also the birthplace of painter Juan Luna, Badoc has other tourist spots, such as the Juan Luna Shrine, a reconstructed two-story house of the painter, revolutionary Gen. Antonio Luna and violinist Manuel Luna, and St. John the Baptist Parish Church, also known as Badoc Church.
From Badoc, tourists can visit the Pangil coral rocks formation in nearby Currimao town. The area, which serves as a fish sanctuary, is also ideal for sightseeing and swimming.
A resort and several cottages are accessible should they want to watch the sunset and stay for a night. The beautiful landscape has been used as one of the settings of television series “Bagani.”
The town of Pagudpud is also a haven for foreign and local tourists for its white sand beaches, which, some say, are comparable with those found in Hawaii.
Take the clean and traffic-free roads and head for Pagudpud’s blue lagoon. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of nature on top of a ridge similar to the rolling hills and rock formations of Batanes.
For those who need to stay away from crowded beaches, Pagudpud has Saud and Ca- parispisan beaches. Resorts, houses that offer homestay services and restaurants abound in the area.