Travel Diary: Rediscovering Vigan
Rediscovering Vigan
by: Beth
A historic city located on the western coast of Luzon island facing the disputable West Philippine Sea and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage for its contribution in preserving the Filipino culture by conserving and perpetuating old traditional Spanish style architectures and keeping their famous cobblestones in tack and well protected. The aesthetic beauty of Vigan is more defined by the incorporation of modern and oriental buildings around the notable Calle Crisologo. A city ordinance was passed (not so sure with the ordinance number) around 2006 to 2007 restricting the constructions of modern buildings along the historical Calle Crisilogo.
Vigan city is actually not new to me (hence the title rediscovering), I have known this majestic city since I was young and I have always seen this place inside the bus every time I go home to my parents hometown (Apayao) but I never had the chance to actually set foot and explore this town not until my colleagues and I decided to spend our team building activity here.
We used private car because
it is more convenient to travel around the city rather than taking the public transportation. In fact you can tour around the city by just walking or rather take their kalesa tour package for only 150 pesos an hour, and you can ask manong kutsero to take you to museums. There are several museums and they are very convenient because it would not take you long to go there. You can find some near the City capitol.
- Padre Burgos Museum
What: Ancestral house and birthplace of priest patriot Fr. Jose Burgos
Collections: Dioramas of local historical events, Photos of notable people who played significant roles in the socio-cultural preservation and development and other memorabilia related to Fr. Burgos.
Entrance Fee: Free
- Elpidio Quirino Museum (former Provincial Jail)
What: Former provincial jail and the birthplace of Pres. Elpidio Quirino
Collection: Basi Revolt paintings of Esteban Pichay Villanueva and memorabilia of the Quirino family
Entrance Fee: Free (no selfie stick inside)
Food is sometimes one of the most challenging part for travelers. But in Vigan, its not a big deal. You can actually eat anywhere because there are a lot of beaneries around the city capitol where you can grab a bite while enjoying the Ilocano dishes. (Unfortunately I couldn't take photos of the places because we were too engrossed savoring the delightful taste of pinapaitan, empanada,sinanglaw and the walang kamatayang pinakbet.) For only 150 pesos you can enjoy these foods with drinks with the locals.
Your trip to Vigan wouldn't be complete without having a first hand experience in pottery making. The Ilocanos are known to be skilled potters hence the name Pagburnayan. Burnay means hand crafted earthenware pots where its history can be traced back during the pre - colonial era. Clay pots were used as wares in the kitchen and also as storage for salt and bagoong as the main necessities of all households. This trip to the pagburnayan was very nostalgic for me because it brought me back to my childhood days. My mother used to own a lot of clay pots and she used them as water jug (the water was so cool and refreshing) and storage. In the pagburnayan, you can buy souvenirs here such as t-shirts for the prices of 150 (better quality) and 100 (mostly white t - shirts) and hand crafted bags for 75 pesos.
We also visited the Bantay Tower and this is located at the outskirt of town not too far from the main city. We took a tricycle (but if you prefer the Kalesa you can also ride on it) and I was amazed because Vigan tricycle drivers were honest and trustworthy. Sir driver toured us around places where we can buy affordable souvenirs such as longganisa, bagnet and chichacorn.
Bantay tower or most commonly known as Bell tower is a remnant of an old watchtower during the Spanish time. Bantay means to guard.
I strongly suggest that tourists who would like to take more instagrammable photos, you should go there at around 2 to 4 pm because there are fewer number of people going there. But make sure to give a donation to the boxes stationed outside the entrance gate of the tower.
My experience in Vigan was something I could say worthy not only because I was able to take photos or walked on the Calle Crisologo but because I was able to see the real Vigan once rather than hearing it for thousand times.
by: Beth
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| A combination of both old and modern style McDonald building |
Vigan city is actually not new to me (hence the title rediscovering), I have known this majestic city since I was young and I have always seen this place inside the bus every time I go home to my parents hometown (Apayao) but I never had the chance to actually set foot and explore this town not until my colleagues and I decided to spend our team building activity here.
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| Calle Crisologo during daytime |
We used private car because
it is more convenient to travel around the city rather than taking the public transportation. In fact you can tour around the city by just walking or rather take their kalesa tour package for only 150 pesos an hour, and you can ask manong kutsero to take you to museums. There are several museums and they are very convenient because it would not take you long to go there. You can find some near the City capitol.
- Padre Burgos Museum
What: Ancestral house and birthplace of priest patriot Fr. Jose BurgosCollections: Dioramas of local historical events, Photos of notable people who played significant roles in the socio-cultural preservation and development and other memorabilia related to Fr. Burgos.
Entrance Fee: Free
- Elpidio Quirino Museum (former Provincial Jail)
What: Former provincial jail and the birthplace of Pres. Elpidio Quirino
Collection: Basi Revolt paintings of Esteban Pichay Villanueva and memorabilia of the Quirino family
Entrance Fee: Free (no selfie stick inside)
Food is sometimes one of the most challenging part for travelers. But in Vigan, its not a big deal. You can actually eat anywhere because there are a lot of beaneries around the city capitol where you can grab a bite while enjoying the Ilocano dishes. (Unfortunately I couldn't take photos of the places because we were too engrossed savoring the delightful taste of pinapaitan, empanada,sinanglaw and the walang kamatayang pinakbet.) For only 150 pesos you can enjoy these foods with drinks with the locals.
Your trip to Vigan wouldn't be complete without having a first hand experience in pottery making. The Ilocanos are known to be skilled potters hence the name Pagburnayan. Burnay means hand crafted earthenware pots where its history can be traced back during the pre - colonial era. Clay pots were used as wares in the kitchen and also as storage for salt and bagoong as the main necessities of all households. This trip to the pagburnayan was very nostalgic for me because it brought me back to my childhood days. My mother used to own a lot of clay pots and she used them as water jug (the water was so cool and refreshing) and storage. In the pagburnayan, you can buy souvenirs here such as t-shirts for the prices of 150 (better quality) and 100 (mostly white t - shirts) and hand crafted bags for 75 pesos.
We also visited the Bantay Tower and this is located at the outskirt of town not too far from the main city. We took a tricycle (but if you prefer the Kalesa you can also ride on it) and I was amazed because Vigan tricycle drivers were honest and trustworthy. Sir driver toured us around places where we can buy affordable souvenirs such as longganisa, bagnet and chichacorn.Bantay tower or most commonly known as Bell tower is a remnant of an old watchtower during the Spanish time. Bantay means to guard.
I strongly suggest that tourists who would like to take more instagrammable photos, you should go there at around 2 to 4 pm because there are fewer number of people going there. But make sure to give a donation to the boxes stationed outside the entrance gate of the tower.
My experience in Vigan was something I could say worthy not only because I was able to take photos or walked on the Calle Crisologo but because I was able to see the real Vigan once rather than hearing it for thousand times.
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