What is "batac"

Batac is a city in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. It is located in the northwest corner of Luzon island, about from the eastern shores of the South China Sea. The municipalities of Banna, Currimao, Paoay, Pinili, Sarrat, Marcos and San Nicolas form its boundaries. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 55,201.

Batac is known as the "Home of Great Leaders", as it is the hometown of many significant figures in the history of the Philippines. Among them is the former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos. It is also the birthplace of Gregorio Aglipay, the founder of the Philippine Independent Church, better known as the Aglipayan Church, and Gen. Artemio Ricarte, the "Father of the Philippine Army". Batac is well known for being the home of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), a high-degree-granting university that has several branches throughout the province.