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Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Photo: National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Badoc is a town in Ilocos Norte. Situated at the boundary with Ilocos Sur province, it is famous for being the birthplace of two of the Philippines' national heroes, and is a pilgrimage spot for one of the most venerated images of the Virgin Mary in the Ilocos Region.
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Badoc Basilica
Badoc's main Roman Catholic church, built during the Spanish period in the 17th century in the Baroque style and housing the venerated Marian image of the Virgen Milagrosa.
Juan Luna Shrine
A museum dedicated to the lives of Juan and Antonio Luna, brothers who originated in the town (Juan was born in Badoc while Antonio was born in Manila where his family moved to) and dedicated their lives to upholding Filipino nationalism against Spanish and American prejudices. Juan excelled in realist and romanticist painting, while Antonio made his name commanding Filipino forces during the Philippine-American War, only to be assassinated in factional fighting with forces loyal to President Emilio Aguinaldo in Cabanatuan.
A chapel built by the cove where the Virgen Milagrosa was said to have washed up in 1620 from Japan, where it had been hidden away by Christians being persecuted by the Tokugawa Shogunate. The cove was subsequently named in the Virgin's honor. At the same time, a twin image of the crucified Christ, known as the Santo Cristo Milagroso, washed up in the neighboring village of Dadalaquiten, part of Sinait, and is also venerated in that town’s basilica.
A island with pristine white beaches and rock formations.
A massive archway marking the boundary between Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur provinces. Behind the Badoc side of the arch is a small visitor center with rest area.
Badoc is along Route 2 (Manila North Road), which skirts the southeastern edge of downtown. Buses heading to Laoag also ply this highway, with some bus companies operating limited direct services from Metro Manila.
Read in the guideTricycles are the main form of transportation in town, particularly as downtown Badoc is further inland from the coast.
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