January 6, 2014

Sitio Remedios: Rustic Village by the Sea

“The desire to never leave your side, the desire to never see you again. The desire to see your face asleep on the pillow beside my face and to see your eyes open in the morning when I lie next to you—just watching you, waiting for you to wake up.”
- John Irving, Until I Find You

It’s really nice to wake up in the morning realizing that God has given you another day to live and a rare chance to relive the past. At Sitio Remedios, expect to wake up to the sweet song of the sea and step back in time, when life was simpler and much gentler. A rustic and charming seaside village resort facing the West Philippine Sea, Sitio Remedios is a re-created Ilocano village typical of the Spanish times owned by famed neurologist and art patron Dr. Joven Cuanang, and lovingly named after his mother, Remedios.

The entrance or arco of Sitio is a replica of the brick entrance to the patio of Badoc Church; its walkway is paved by Pasuquin stones.


At the heart of the Sitio is a chapel dedicated to San Miguel, patron saint of Currimao, and to the Lady of Good Voyage - Nuestra Señora de los Remedios. Its stone buttresses are patterned after the mighty UNESCO World Heritage Site Paoay Church. One could spend time in quiet meditation in this spiritual center.




Beside the chapel is Plaza San Miguel, an open area dominated by a grand fountain topped by a statue of San Miguel slaying the Devil. Such a romantic place to take a stroll with loved ones or simply sit by the fountain.



But what makes Sitio really remarkable are the native villas designed by architect Rex Hofileña. They are made of vintage bricks and woods salvaged from mid-century structures mostly from the towns of Ilocos Norte. Most of them have balcony or veranda, and are furnished with vintage Ilocano furniture – beds, dining tables, wooden sala sets, butaca plantation chairs, antique lamps, and some provocative paintings of Imelda Marcos. Some of the villas are named after the towns from which the ancestral homes originated.

Balay Radrillo and Balay Puraw


Balay Batac



Balay Pasuquin



Balay Piddig


Balay Bacarra

There is a replica of a light house patterned after the Torre of Currimao.


Food served in Abrao is another delight. With dangit and Vigan longganisa on the table, nothing could go wrong.



The infinity swimming pool and jacuzzi overlooking the sea, are the modern amenities in Sitio. Floating while watching the Currimao sunset is indeed total relaxation.


The solitude of a peaceful and soothing life stimulates a creative mind. It recharges the soul. I think John Irving couldn’t agree more.

Sitio Remedios Heritage Village
Brgy. Victoria, Currimao
Ilocos Norte
Tel. No.:  0917-3320217

No comments:

Post a Comment