Pagudpud, a 4th class municipality, is a coastal resort town in the northern Ilocos Region of the Philippines.  According to the latest census, Pagudpud has a population of 20,385 people in 3,804 households.  It is the northernmost settlement on Luzon Island.

The town is bounded to the south by the town of Bangui and to the east by the Cordillera Mountain Range, the town of Adams and the province of Cagayan.  The South China Sea lies to the west and north. The town rolls over mountains, hills, valleys and flat coastal land.  It lies 45 miles (72 km) north of Laoag City, the provincial capital, and about 350 miles (560 km) north of Manila.  The area is spread across 83 square miles (201 sq km).  Most make their living through farming, fishing and subsistence retailing.  Tourism is a growing part of the economy.

Pagudpud was made a municipality on February 3, 1954.  Unlike Laoag City, the province's only autonomous city, Pagudpud derives its authority from the provincial government.  It had preciously been part of the neighboring town of Bangui.

PAGUDPUD, PARADISE OF THE NORTH

THE LONG AND WINDING 

PATAPAT BRIDGE

The Patapat Viaduct, elevated 31 meters over sea level, is 1.3 km concrete coastal bridge that connects the Maharlika Highway from Laoag, Ilocos Norte to the Cagayan Valley Region. It rises along the town's coastal mountains, which is the starting point of the Cordillera Mountain Range that snakes through Northern Luzon. It is the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines. Located more than 16 kilometers from the town proper, it offers a scenic view of Pasaleng Bay- a view that leads towards wide and pristine beaches backed by mountains with breathtaking waterfalls Kabigan and Mabaga, along with the many cool, refreshing springs waiting to be discovered within.

Highlights

Its white-sand beaches and crystal-blue water makes Pagudpud a haven for tourists. Maira-Ira Point is also an emerging attraction with its secluded beach known as the Blue Lagoon, as well as kilometer-long Saud Beach. Access to this public beach is from a secondary concrete road on the north side of the Maharlika Highway just before approaching the Patapat Viaduct. On the way to the Blue Lagoon, a sea arch can be seen. Coconut trees line much of the town's coast. On a clear day, the Babuyan Islands are visible from Patapat National Park.

The best way to explore Pagudpud is by hiring a motor scooter. An afternoon's exploration can take a visitor to a nipa palm forest, a beautiful causeway, and several waterfalls.

The labig or anahaw palm forest in Barangay Tienes is a sight to behold. To get there, visitors will scooter past well kept rice fields and vegetable patches. The forest grows on gentle slopes leading to the Cordillera highlands. The palms here are in profusion and grow to greater heights than those in the other parts of the country.

Motoring along the national road linking Ilocos Norte and Cagayan Province is one of the most pleasing activities in Pagudpud. In Ilocos Norte the national road follows the narrow coastal plain for most of the way and affords motorists glimpses of the sea by skirting the shore. In Pagudpud, however, the Cordillera mountians edge out the coastal plain and plunge into the sea. Instead of blasting a way through solid rock, the Ilocanos opted to build the wonderful Patapat causeway that hugs the mountains and extends out to sea. Built on sturdy pylons, the cause way provides motorists 360-degree views of some of the most dramatic land and seascapes along the Philippine higway system.

The end of the causeway does not mean the end of the scenic route. This wonderful stretch of highway gently undulates with the mountains as it continues skirting the coast. Because of its unique location, a ride along the highway alows visitors to experience the rainforest and the beach at the sametime. Sightseers may chance upon a couple or more hornbills navigating the clean crisp air of Patapat. This wonderful drive extends all the way tothe Ilocos Norte-Cagayan border.

On the way back to the town proper from the border, visitor may cool themselves at three small waterfalls that cascade down the side of a mountain right where the highway curves into a canyon. This wondrous place is known as Paraiso ni Anton. The Cool water is believed to have healing power and visitors often come ready with small bottles to bring some of the water home.

Aside from the water's healing powers, locals also believe Paraiso ni Anton to be enchanted by a white lady. As a sign of respect and an assurance that the white lady will not jump out of nowhere to scare the driver, local motorists make it a point to sound their horns three times when nearing the falls.

A few meters away from the falls is a stretch of stalls that sell fruits, native delicacies, and small trinkets to travelers. Still further on closer to Saud, in Sitio Tienes, is a row of stalls where visitors can buy the catch of the day. The Pagudpud water yield a variety of fish, lobster, and octopus perfect for a barbecue picnic.

For those who prefer their waterfalls larger than those of Paraiso ni Anton, a leisurely hike will take visitors to Kabigan Falls, Located in BarangayBalaoi, Kabigan Falls is a series of cascades that temble down a mountain side. The final cascade drops 80 feet from a cliff and straight into a pool.

Paraiso ni Anton and Kaibigan Falls are but two of several freshwater options for bathers tires of the sea. Adventurous visitors may also choose to visit Mabogabog Falls or any of the seven rivers in the municipality.

 

Paraiso ni Anton

A few meters away from the Agua Grande River Park is Paraiso ni Anton which is said to have miraculous water. A lot of people stop over here to get a sip from this drinkable flowing water. Some others get water from here to put into their vehicles.

Kurarapnit Festival of Pagudpud

Despite the hectic schedule from work, I was lucky to get the chance to attend and witness the Kurarapnit Festival. It is the newest celebration in the town of Pagudpud in IlocosNorte. It is on its second year. According to tourism officer PepeMorata, it was supposed to be held last December but due to an important event they moved to January 20 and coincided with the birthday of Mayor Marlon Sales.

A unique festival since most festivals would promote their food products but this time it’s an animal to advocate its preservation and for the protection of the environment in general.

It showcases the flying mammal bats. This is being held to promote the protection of the bats in the town which are endemic or abundant in the caves. There are various caves found in the town however there were only few of them explored such as caves in Saguisi, Pasaleng Bay and the Nabca Cave.

Bats are the only mammals that are capable of sustained flight compared to flying squirrel that can only glide for a short while. The bat’s forelimbs are developed as wings. It is believed that bats maintain a healthy environment. About 70% of bats are insectivores while the rest are frugivores and few are carnivores. Insectivores eat about 600 insects a day which the community gets rid of insect related diseases such as malaria. They help in the ecological balance. They have the role in the pollination of flowers and help in the seed dispersal. These are the reasons why they came up with this celebration.

The very highlight of the festival was the dance competition. There were eleven dance groups who depicted and portrayed the role of bats in the environment. Pupils of the different elementary schools in the province competed with each other all having the costumes of a bat. Their bodies painted in black, with black wings, suits and masks. They even displayed caves and trees as props. Prior to this, the release of a colony of bats to the air by the mayor and other officials opened up the ceremonies. It was fun to get up close to the bats for the first time and the children were amazed to see them fly out into the air one by one.

Kabigan Falls

The Best Lazy Trekking to Waterfalls in Ilocandia

Pagudpud is famous for its scenic beaches, but staying too long in the waves can bore you and sometimes you felt this need to escape the salty breeze . So, for a little freshwater twist in your IlocosNorte tour, never miss this lazy trek to the Kabigan falls.

Kabigan Falls is surrounded by thick forest and well-known for its concaved basin, located at the eastern part of Barangay Balaoi, around 1.8 kilometers away from the national highway.

Kabigan falls is also part of the town of Pagudpud, IlocosNorte and a trek going to this falls is usually included in the tricycle tour offered in the area. The tour is locally called tourcycle for two to three persons per tricycle. It is divided into Southbound and Northbound tour for 600.00 Pesos per tour. Anyway I'll talk about Ilocostourcycle, including the itinerary and quick stopovers on my next post. 

We availed the Pagudpud Northbound tour only, because we already visited the Southbound destinations on our way to Pagudpud from Laoag City. 

There is a 20 Pesos/pax entrance fee at the jump-off point where you will be assigned your official trek guide going to the falls. You don't have to worry about being lost or being conned in the area because the locals organized their official group to guide tourist and receive payment. 

The official Kabigan Falls tour guide wearing their official green shirt

The trek going to Kabigan Falls takes 30 to 40 minutes mostly of flat area so you'll have time to enjoy the verdant panorama. Although there is a visible trail going to the falls, you'll still need a tour guide if it's your first time there just to be safe. 

The cold freshwater along the trail will definitely add to your excitement to see the Kabigan falls. Against the snaking clear river are verdant mountains, rice fields and wild flowers. 

It's a very light mountain trek so expect no concrete pavements. Flip flops or sandals is the advisable footwear on this trek because you'll pass by small streams, soft mud and a few rocky trail.

Again, this is a lazy trek so aside from enjoying the view, don't forget to have some group fun, joke time and of course camwhoring for the souvenir. 

The locals made the trek really easy for you. They made makeshift bridges with handrails on a few slopes along the trail.

Although the trail is mostly on flat muddy areas, there are also a few uphill climb which are also really easy to pass. It seem to me that the locals designed the trail for the lampayatotManileño because even this uphill curve has handrails - no real effort needed.

Some exciting part of the Kabigan trail are the area where you need to get across the river through this narrow makeshift bridge.

A few meters from the Kabigan falls are more river crossings with slightly strong current and slippery boulders so you need to be extra careful on these areas.

Then finally, you'll get to see the Kabigan falls. It rained in the previous days and the current in the falls is a little bit strong when we visited it so for safety we just took pictures although we want to take a little freshwater swimming on its concave basin. However, during summer, visitors can actually enjoy a swim on the basin or have a short picnic in the area. 

This is just one of the seven destinations on our afternoon Pagudpud tricycle tour so after taking pictures we head back to the jump-off area where our tricycle driver was patiently waiting to bring us to Agua Grande, Kalbario Patapat Natural Park, Timamtang Rock,  Bantay-Abot Cave  and Blue Lagoon.