Pagudpud History

Pagudpud is the north easternmost town of Ilocos Norte and was formerly a barrio of Bangui. Its name refers to a kind of grass that is commonly found near the coast called galut-galot on account of its long creeping sterns. The green variety of this grass is called pagudpud. The town is the third largest in the province in terms of land area, a total of nearly 195 square kilometers. Seven rivers pass through the town, and the well-watered fertile fields are part of Pagudpud's charm.

The area was once populated mainlly by the Yapayao near the coast and some Negritos bands in the interior. The group of Juan de Salcedo that explored the coast of Ilocos and down the Rio Grande de Cagayan passed through this are in 1572.One Spanish account mentions a place in the area of Bangui called Ballecillo that was an encomienda of a Capitain Ribero in 1607. Pagudpud was included in Bangui's jurisdiction, although the name of itself does not appear in available records. In 1898, Pagudpud was the site of a mass surrender of Spanish soldiers fleeing from the Filipino revolutionary forces when they were trapped at the mountain pass in Patapat.

During the American colonial era, the history of Pagudpud appears to have been one of growth and development as the original barrio increased in population and prosperity until the Japanese occupation.

Today's residents are engaged in farming, fishing, livestock and poultry raising .Mat-weaving and home industries like rattan and wood furniture making are additional sources of income for the residents. A feldspar mine produces enough of the material to supply ceramic manufucturing firms in Metro Manila. An emerging industry is tourism, in a town where tall mountains meet smooth sweeeping beaches. The Bannua Rest House along the national highway serves local and foreign tourists, as do smaller privately-owned resorts. The famous Patapat Viaduct, a construction project of the 1980s, has also shortened travel time between Cagayan and Laoag City, stimulating trade and travel between the two provinces. A mini-hydro electrical power plant has been constructed near the site of a waterfall of the Agua Grande River.

Despite the modernity of the town , the people hold fast to their beliefs. In Burayoc, Pagudpud is found on a hill where the Nuestra Senora de Filipinas made an appearance in March 1942 that cured sick people. This led to the founding of the Church of the Sacred Family of Jesus Christ. In Barangay Balaoi, where a miraculous well with healing power is found, the fishing communities hold a fluvial procession in honor of the Virgen de Paz y Buenviaje, with devotees coming from Cagayan, La Union and Ilocos Sur and even an organization of contract workers based in Hong Kong serves as a patron to the festivities.

One of Luzon's most popular beaches is found in Pagudpud. Often erroneously referred to as Pagudpud beach, Saud beach fully deserves its fame as the hub of tourist activity in the municipality. The stretch of white sand gently slopes toward Bangui Bay whose clear water affords breathtaking views of the reef teeming with colorful ocean life.At both ends of this sandy stretch stand limestone formations sculptured by wind and sea from prehistoric remains of coral. Landward, coconut trees, bamboo kiosks, and a good number of inns and resorts edge the beach.

Visitors to Saud will delight in the array of beach and water activities possible. The beach is ideal because of its tranquil water, Bangui Bay being sheltered by Mayraira point. Fun activities here are limited only by the imigination - from sandsculpting and beach football to snorkeling and sea kayaking.

Those who opt to go sea kayaking have the additional advantage of exploring the other beautiful beaches that punctuate tha dramatic Pagudpud coast. The town proper's beach has dark, gritty sand. Burayoc has pools of yellow sand interspersed with fantastic limestone formations.Ayoyo has pebble beaches that are great hunting grounds for driftwood collectors. Patapat has massive boulders that hold the on rushing waves at bay. Pasaleng has fine beaches that are almost always deserted, perfect for those who want to commune with nature.

Another Pagudpud beach that is slowly gaining popularity is Blue Lagoon. Roughly half an hour's drive from Saud, Blue Lagoon's unbelievably clear water makes it a beach lover's dream.

Aside from swimming in Blue Lagoon ,visitors who worship the sea will find another exciting activity waiting for them just past Saud. Those who manage to round the Mayraira Point will immediately feel the difference betwen Saud and its tranquil water and the Mayraira Cove with its ocean winds that rip straight on to land. It is these strong winds that make Mayraira Point the ideal launch site for sailboarding enthusiats.Packing speeds averaging 20 knots, these winds come rushing in from the ocean at a surprisingly consistent 70 percent of the time.This makes for exceptionally good sailboarding conditions in Mayraira. The best time for sailboarding is from October to March when the northeast monsoon is blowing.

Those tired of the sea can look landward and be rewarded with a variety of scenic spots and interesting activities, proof that there's more to Pagudpud than just the beach.

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.