Laoag City

8486 km from Manila, established in 1586. Like Vigan, Laoag is one of the oldest cities in the country and is the largest and busiest commercial center in Northern Luzon in addition to being the provincial capital. Its name in Ilocano means light or brightness and locals claim that is why the city is blessed with clear skies and sunny weather most of the time. Along the seashore around Laoag are extensive sand
dunes.
Source: Laoag
http://www.cockatoo.com/english/philippines/
philippines_islands_northwest_luzon14.htm

Saint William's Cathedral
One of the biggest cathedrals in the country and the seat of Diocese of Laoag. The construction of the cathedral began in 1612 and was the site of the Diocesan Congress in 1932 and 1949. The Augustinians built the church with Italian Renaissance design in 1612.
Source: Saint William's Cathedral
http://elgu2.ncc.gov.ph/laoag/index.php?id1=9&id2=14&id3=3

Sinking Bell Tower
Within the church area approximately 100 m north of William's Cathedral, is the famous "Sinking Tower", the Philippines' tallest, most solid, and most massive belfry built during the 1500's. It towers to a height of 45 meters.

What makes the the belfry an attraction in itself is the fact that it is sinking. Probably because of its heavy walls the tower has already sunk about one meter into the ground. In earlier times a man on a horseback could ride through its door. Today, one has to stoop in order to enter. The belfry reminds one of the Tower of Pisa but rather than being cylindrical, Laoag's tower is like four square blocks of diminishing sizes placed one atop another.

Source: Sinking Bell Tower

http://www.cockatoo.com/english/philippines/
philippines_islands_northwest_luzon14.htm

Tobacco Monopoly Monument
This is a unique monument at the south end of the Aurora Park in Laoag City and the only monument of its kind in the country. This was constructed in 1882 to serve as a memorial to the lifting of the Tobacco Monopoly in 1881. It is a gesture of thanksgiving to the Spanish King Alfonso XIII for having lifted the Tobacco Monopoly which from 1872 to 1881 gave the Ilocanos untold miseries as they were obliged to plant tobacco to be delivered solely to the government.
Source: Tobacco Monopoly
http://elgu2.ncc.gov.ph/laoag/index.php?id1=9&id2=14&id3=1