Your guide in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.
A few kilometres west of Batac, Paoay is the location of a UNESCO-listed church as well as the Malacañang of the North, the opulent mansion where Marcos stayed during presidential holidays.
The church is in the town of Paoay itself, and is perhaps the best-known “earthquake Baroque” church in the Philippines. Begun in 1804, it took ninety years to build and has twenty-six immense side buttresses designed to keep it standing.
Nearby is a bell tower dating from 1793, which you can climb for views of the area.
Malacañang of the North (Tues–Sun 9am–noon & 1–4.30pm; P20), named after the presidential palace in Manila, is beside Paoay Lake on the road between Paoay and Laoag. The mansion had seven bedrooms, two living rooms, several studies, kitchens on both floors and a private clinic used by Ferdinand in his later
years.
In 2010 the building was renovated: the clinic became a small museum, and one of the guest rooms is now a souvenir shop. The house is set on a vast estate of gentle lawns and has its own golf course – Marcos was an avid golfer – which is now part of the Fort Ilocandia resort.
A trail around the edge of the lake makes for a pleasant 3km-long walk, taking you through quiet lakeside barrios.
Paoay is served by regular jeepneys (P34) from Laoag via Batac, which can set you down at the church. The lake is most easily reached by tricycle (P60) from Paoay church.
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