Vigan - an old colonial city with a modern touch

One of the highlights of my vacation - what I am expecting most and waited so much -  is meeting and having fun with my family. I treasured it a lot and I considered it as the most memorable days of my vacation in my home country. It is actually becoming a habit and hopefully, tradition, to organize a family get-together every time I am at home. It doesn’t matter if it is a one-day family outing, an overnight in a resort or in a rented beach house, dining out at restaurant, sightseeing trip and even ordering a meal at McDonald's or eating halo-halo at Chowking - it is always fun. I am so blessed with having a very close and fun-loving family. We get along well with each other, especially my sisters and I….and I considered all of them as my best friends. 

My family...brother Greg was not in the picture and also sisters, Cora and Bhabes, who were out of the country.

My family

 

The iron ladies of Maranan Family. Susan, one of my sisters, is not in the picture

During my vacation in June 2014, we decided to visit North of Luzon. My brother rented a van immediately and off we go….on the road. Since my mother can’t stand a long driving anymore and my nephews and nieces didn’t make it because their school has just started, only those who were available at that time came with us in a 5-day trip. Heading up North of Manila, we drove the whole night and passed so many towns before we reached the coast. 

My travel companions. Also in the trip was Petteri, Iryll and Veera (not in the picture).

With my siblings, my son and two nieces.

 

My travel companions except for Petteri, he was the one who was taking the picture.

Further along the coast is the province of Ilocos Sur, which is famous for its old colonial city, Vigan. Vigan is unique among other Philippine towns because it is the country’s most extensive and only surviving historic city that dates back to the 16th century Spanish colonial period. Imagine walking in the cobblestone walkways and riding the horse-drawn carriages in a narrow cobblestone streets of Calle Crisologo, and reminiscing life during the pre-colonial times or the 16^th century. Due to its unique Spanish colonial history in Asia and its intact and very well-preserved mansions and Spanish monumental buildings of yesteryears, Vigan is listed on the UNESCO world heritage list since December 2, 1999. What fascinates me most about this city is that, it is a combination of an old and modern times - ancient buildings against modern buildings in a modern city. Although this is an old colonial city, visitors and tourists will find this place as a modern and clean city with lots of restaurants, hotels and shops. 

McDonald's, the style of the building is a combination of an ancient and modern style

The cobblestone streets of Calle Crisologo is one of the nicest and liveliest street in Vigan where the visitors, tourists and local people meet. You'll find the old Spanish style houses and historical buildings in this place. The streets are line-up with antique, clothes and souvenir shops. There were also benches to sit - wooden benches from old times - not to mention that there are a lot of restaurants and snack shops around the area. 

Horse-drawn carriages station

Kalesa, a horse-drawn carriage

My brother, Bowie, sitting in a wooden bench.

Also found in the same area is the St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cathedral's Bell Tower, which is separated from the church, on its right. The cathedral's original structure was built in 1574 upon the command of Spanish founder of Vigan, Juan de Salcedo. The church as it stands now was completed in 1800. The cathedral is a baroque architectural design that has been modified by the Ilocanos, the local people, to strengthen the structures against earthquakes. Although the front of the cathedral is not that appealing compared to other churches, the cathedral's interior is so impressive and something to be admired. The main altar is a silver-panelled and the presence of naves, minor altars and brass communion handrails forged in China gives the interior of the church a feeling of grandeur. The choir is located at the loft. The Cathedral's Bell Tower, on the other hand, stands separately in Plaza Burgos, 10 meters south of the cathedral.

In front of St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral

Side view photo of St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral

Inside the cathedral

The isle going to the main altar

The isle going to the main altar

The main altar

One of the 12 altars

The Cathedral's Bell Tower

The Cathedral's Bell Tower located in Plaza Burgos, 10 meters away from the cathedral

Right beside St. Paul Cathedral’s Bell Tower is the Plaza Burgos named after Father Jose P. Burgos, one of Vigan's illustrious sons put to death by Spaniards. He fought for the ecclesiastical reforms together with two priests, Mariano Gomez and Jacinto Zamora, to ease inequality suffered by the Filipino priests during their time. They are knowned to the Philippine history as the Gomburza - an acronym denoting the surnames of these three priests - Gomez, Burgos and Zamora. Plaza Burgos is the local's favorite hang-out. If you want to get acquainted with the locals and to know more about Vigan's history, culture and everyday life, here is the best place to go. Plaza Burgos is also famous for its empanada, a local meat and vegetable-filled pastry. According to the local people, you have to dip it to the Vigan vinegar for a perfect taste. 

The Plaza Burgos landmark

 

Another major park of the historic Vigan is the Plaza Salcedo. It is right in front of St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral and it is named after the Spanish conqueror, Juan de Salcedo, the founder of Vigan. The Salcedo Obelisk was placed in the elevated park during the 17th century as the park's centerpiece. The park's lagoon was added in the seventies to store water. Vigan has suffered destructive fires many times in its history and the city thought that the lagoon was a creative solution to the need for water during times when fire occurs in the city. Plaza Salcedo is also the place where Gabriela Silang was executed in September of 1763. She was the first woman leader of the Philippine revolution who was hanged in that plaza to serve as a warning to the restive populace.

A welcome sign

A welcome sign, taken in front of St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral

The Salcedo Obelisk as the park's centerpiece.

 
Vigan is one of the cities that we visited in the North. It is about 407 kms. from Manila to the North. There are so many historic places in this city that are worth visiting and a lot to write about. From Plaza Salcedo, one can see and walk leisurely to not only St. Paul Cathedral, Calle Crisologo and Plaza Burgos but also the Vigan City Hall and the Ilocos Sur Capitol as well. All these places were seats of power over life and death in the olden times, and now one of the tourist attractions of the North. Indeed, Vigan is an interesting city.

Vigan shirt bought from one of the souvenir shops in Calle Crisologo

For more info, please visit this link: http://wikitravel.org/en/Vigan