Discovering Home in Pannzian and Adams' Enduring Magic

By Marinella Baraoidan

Our community nanays, ates, and kids are keeping traditions alive at Pannzian. They welcome every guest with Padapadakam, a traditional Ilocano song to honor visitors and celebrate shared moments. A living link to our heritage, passed from one generation to the next

No one ever told me how much growing up would change your heart. Growing up in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, I always thought I knew what my province was about: the images of windmills, white sand beaches, old churches, and museums. What I did not realize then was that the true heart of Ilocos is not just in its landmarks; it is in its people, their stories, and the way they build community.

My favorite part of Pannzian? The mornings. Sunrises here are on another level.

That realization hit me on a weekend road trip to Pannzian Beach and Mountain Resort in Pagudpud. Situated between mountains, river, and sea, Pannzian is often described as a hidden paradise, but for me, its real magic was not in the scenery, but in the people who make it what it is.

Children from the local community with their mulberry-stained hands, smiling after a fun harvest.

The nanays and manangs (mothers and older sisters) of the community welcomed me with warmth that felt deeply familiar. They are the ones behind the farm-to-table meals sourced straight from the resort’s farm, preparing dishes the same way they would for their own families. Their smiles, their conversations, and their service carried a sincerity you do not often find in busy tourist spots. Every gesture—from pouring coffee at breakfast to sharing a story about their daily lives—reminded me that hospitality, here, is not a performance but an extension of who they are.

The community around Pannzian is not just hotel and farm staff; it is the lifeline and heritage of the place. The farm-to-table meals come from their hands. The gardens and trees flourish under their care. The cottages and spaces stay warm and welcoming because they pour themselves into maintaining it. Pannzian is not just built on land; it’s built on the collective work of a community that treasures their home and invites you to be part of it, even just for a while.

What struck me most was how Pannzian creates space for the local community to shine. Instead of turning them into background characters of a resort experience, they are placed at the center as culture bearers, as storytellers, as community partners. Spending time with them was what truly made me feel like I belonged, like I’m finally home.

Inuwayan Farms brings together cultural performances in one immersive show featuring indigenous dances, traditional music, and stories that honor the living heritage of the North

Beyond Pannzian, I also discovered Adams, Ilocos Norte—a small upland town embraced by forest and mountains. What makes Adams remarkable is its Indigenous Peoples community, made up of the Isnag (Isneg/Yapayao), Kankana-ey, and Bago tribes. Each group carries with them traditions, languages, and practices that have been preserved for generations.

Visiting Inuwayan Farms, I learned how the community works together to cultivate their produce, harvesting coffee and growing a cacao farm not just as a livelihood but as a way of protecting their heritage. A short trek led me to Anuplig Falls, a breathtaking cascade tucked away in the forest, where the sound of water and the quiet strength of nature reflected the resilience of the people who live there.

In many ways, Pannzian and Adams reminded me that travel is more than sightseeing and beautiful spots; it is about connection. It is about recognizing that the magic of a place does not lie in its views alone, but in the people who make those views feel alive.

Coming back to Ilocos after ten years, I found more than just rivers, sunrises, and waterfalls waiting for me. I found the warmth of a community that felt like home, their resilience and kindness reminding me of the roots I had almost forgotten. In their stories, I saw pieces of myself, and in being home again, I rediscovered not only who I am, but the spark I thought I had lost.