Travel Back Through Time in Vigan
Tuesday, February 10th, 2009
Probably the most influential culture in the Philippines is the Spanish. They have stayed here in the Philippines for more than 300 years and our country was even named after King Philip II of Spain. It was a mixture of beauty and pain for the hardships that was experienced by our ancestors that I remember when I saw the town of Vigan. I was warped back through time the moment I stepped at Calle Crisologo, the most preserved area in the town. I saw everything in Sepia.
Vigan, the Capital of Ilocos Sur is around 8-12 hours drive from Manila. It was declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since it has the most Hispanic towns here in the Philippines. It’s cobblestone finish and the fusion of Philippine and Spanish and European architecture plus the preserved religious and civic relics are some of what makes the beauty of Vigan.
Vigan – A Testimony of True Love
Do you sometimes imagine that you were a girl from the 18th century, so refined and pure, and then a guy who likes you writes you a letter, then visits you at home and then you talk, you laugh covering your mouth…then the love so true will be separated by something like war and social status and then you wait in vain… Haha…Well, you don’t have to imagine these clichés because I’m gonna share to you these true love stories:
The first Filipino heroine was from Ilocos Sur. Gabriela Silang is a mestiza (has Spanish blood) that was married to an Ilocano governor, Diego Silang but was later assassinated because of his pursuits to fight for freedom. Which made Gabriela lead what her husband has started. She fought for LOVE and freedom.
Weren’t you surprised that Vigan has survived the Japanese Occupation during World War II? Before the Japanese’ withdrawal in the Philippines, they were tasked to destroy the zones they used. The night before they left, they have strategically placed numerous tanks of gasoline and bombs. Apparently, a Japanese military officer had an affair with an Ilocano woman and bore a child. We all know that Japanese have abused women but these military officer chose to take care his wife and child in secret. He asked the procurator of Vigan seminary that time to take care of his family. The procurator agreed but asked something in return. He asked the officer to leave the town without burning it. Reason is, the townspeople will seek revenge on his family. Thus, the Japanese retrieved and leaving no marks of destruction.
Some other Fun Facts
Vigan was named by Juan de Salcedo, a Spanish explorer after a plant that is abundant in the area. The plant was called by the Ilocanos biga-a.
Father Jose Burgos, one of the GOMBURZA or the Martyr Priests of Cavite was born in Vigan. Together with Father Gomez and Father Zamorra, there were falsely accused of sedition and garroted at Bagumbayan.
President Elpidio Quirino, the sixth president of the Philippines is also a native of Vigan,.
Ilocos was one of the provinces that first resistend Spanish colonization.
What to see in Vigan:
Chavit’s Baluarte – Chavit Singson’s Zoo that is open for everybody! Too bad the lion was living on a cage with the tigers.
Check out his site : http://www.chavitsingson.net/baluarte/
Pagburnayan- where you can see the actuall process of making Burnay Jar an export-quality product of locos.
Plaza Burgos – A landmark tribute to the Vigan martyr priest, Father Jose P. Burgos. Festivals usually took place in the Plaza and where you can eat the sumptous Vigan Empanada.
Calle Crisologo and the rest of the mestizo district – offers a wonderful glimpse into the Philippines’ colonial past. The ancestral houses were mostly built by Chinese traders using a mixture of local, Asian and Spanish architectural styles. My personal favorite
Syquia Mansion – Houses the memorabilia of Pres. Elpidio Quirino
St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral – Built by Augustinians around 1790 and features a unique design intended to minimize earthquake damage; a style that came to be known as "earthquake baroque". Look out for the brass communion handrails forged in China. The eight-sided bell tower is just south of the cathedral.
Plaza Salcedo west of the cathedral features a 17th Century monument to Juan de Salcedo, and was also the site where Gabriela Silang was hanged to death.
The Ayala Museum – was the home of Father Jose Burgos now showcases Ilocano artifacts, weapons, kitchen utensils, basketry, costumes, jewelry and some relics of the Burgos family. Beside the museum is the Ilocos Sur Provincial Jail, also the site where the Philippines first Ilocano president, the late Pres. Elpidio Quirino, was born.
Gastronomic Delights:
Vigan longganisa (pork sausage), famous for its strong garlic taste.
Bagnet (air-dried, deep-fried pork), if you have tasted Lechon de Leche, Bagnet is way better. It’s crunchy feeling and flavor makes it so yummy especially when dipped in vinegar.
Royal Bibingka – made of cassava unlike the usual rice cake.
Vigan Empanadas – an equivalent of the Mexican Taco only that Empanadas are deep-friend and has an egg. The meat inside was the famous and very yummy Vigan Longganisa
Chichacorn
Basi – Sugarcane based wine
Pinakbet – a famous Ilocano vegetable dish served with either fish or meat in Bagoong.
I can tell you. I have tasted all of it and you’re gonna love everything! Now that I am writing it, I felt a sudden craving of those foods.
Though I’m not much of an alcohol fan but the Basi tastes good.
Tips and Tricks:
To cook Vigan Longganisa, you have to cook it first in water, wait until it dries then place a little oil.
Tour the place in a horse-drawn carriage or Kalesa (500.00Php each Kalesa and can carry 3-4 persons it will tour you around the different places of interest in Vigan)
Ask for discounts! Ilocanos are well known for being thrifty so it’s ok if you adapt that culture. Hehe.
Be friendly and courteous. Ilocanos are very friendly and very easy to talk with. Smile is the key 
I am an Ilocana myself (but from Pangasinan) so I’m gonna give you a few Ilocano greetings:
Good day to all of you- “Naimbag nga aldaw yo amin”
Good evening – “Naimbag nga rabii”
Thank you – “Agyaman ak”
an elder woman is called Manang and Manong if elder guy.
a younger person is affectionately called Adeng.
I personally feel attached to Vigan because of it’s antiquity, and history. My love for vintage items makes me love it more!
Lakwatsera Vigan Facts:
My parents partially named me after Gabriela Silang (Carla Gabriela) and I am a big fan of her.
I share the same birthday with the late Pres. Elpidio Quirino.
