Old Quirino Bridge — Attraction in Ilocos Sur

Looks very old! It feels like you're time traveling to some 20 years in the past. No tour guides to tell us the history of the bridge, but it must have been revolutionary at the time it was built because it's made of metal. In the older days, local bridges were usually made out of wood. There are old-looking, tall lamps (unlit) along both sides. If you've seen San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge in California in the US that's red orange, well, this bridge gives some similar vibes because of the wind. This is the Ilocos' local version of an old scenic bridge and it's white! The inside height is smaller, the width narrower, and it's simply fun to waltz in.

The landmark to this bridge, if you're coming in from the side where the mountains are on the left side, was a set of 10 commandments of the old testament Bible in stone written in the local tongue on the side of the mountain. If you see that, then you're at the right spot.

The old bridge is named after former President Elpidio Quirino, the second president after World War 2 of the Third Republic following Manuel Roxas and of a liberated Philippines. As to why it was named after him and why there's an old testament there, we don't know because there are no tour guides nearby.

The wind really blows here. Be careful that you don't fall of the bridge or even pretend that you're going to fall for some stunt. Even your cellphone might fall into the water while you're doing selfie if you're not careful.

The place seems too empty and it's really windy. We stood a distance away from the railings to be sure. Kids stayed at the center. It was too windy that your hair can get messed up unless tied down properly.

The view of the mountains and the water passing through under the bridge was most spectacular. The height of the water from the bridge isn't that far off either, but it can still be daunting if you don't like heights. Since the old bridge runs parallel to the new bridge, you can see how important it is to connect these two sides.

Vehicles are not allowed to pass through the old bridge anymore, but we saw 2 vehicles way over the other side of the bridge with other tourists. Maybe they came in from another entrance without knowing that it's not safe or allowed anymore for vehicles to pass through. I don't think I've seen any signs informing people that the old bridge is for people only and not for vehicles. There's also no sign of the opening and closing hours for the bridge.

We arrived here at 4pm. At 4:30pm, the bridge was barred for pedestrian tourists. So glad we got to have our photos before then. The couple who arrived in a motorcycle could not enter the bridge by then to take pictures.

Straight ahead looked like some shops, but we didn't have the time to check it out. The ones guarding the bridge were stationed on that side too.

On the way back, we passed by the scenic route and through the new bridge alongside...

We arrived very early. I thought we were the first tourists that day of July 22, 2022 Friday morning. The place was amazing. The bridge was in the middle of two beautiful mountains, below was the Lagben River. I remembered my sister told me that we wouldn't need an electric fan while we were on the bridge because of the powerful strong cold wind that continuously blew us. The wind was coming from the direction of Abra, from the right if you're headed to the north. Surely I wanted to go back there and if possible stay there longer on the bridge for I thought we only stayed less an hour. We also noticed some fishermen at the Lagben River. I got intrigued on what fish they were catching over there. I inquired from a far distance perhaps about more 100 meters away while I was on the bridge and while the 2 fishermen on the boat, one woman and a man. I had to shout so they could hear me. I found out they were catching small shrimps. I wondered how come their boat was moving against the flow of the Lagben River which actually moves to the West Philippine Sea. Again I asked. The boat was actually being pulled by their other fishermen companions. After taking some photos with myself and with my family, we had to leave to...

A compulsory stop-over for any tourists visiting Ilocos. Spreading across the Abra River, connecting the town of Santa and Bantay, considered as an iconic symbol of Ilocandia, the Banaoang Bridge, also known as Quirino Bridge, named in commemoration of the late former president Elpidio Quirino, is highly praised and famous for its grand architectural design, marvelous engineering, and magnificent views. Be careful flying your drone here. The wind...