Ilocos Sur Background
Ilocos Sur is a province in the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Vigan City, located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the provincial capital. Ilocos Sur is bordered by Ilocos Norte and Abra to the north, Mountain Province to the east, La Union and Benguet to the south and the South China Sea to the west.
Ilocos Sur was founded by the Spanish conquistador, Juan de Salcedo in 1572. It was formed when the north (now Ilocos Norte) split from the south (Ilocos Sur). At that time it included parts of Abra and the upper half of present-day La Unión. The current boundary of the province was permanently defined through Act 2683, which was signed in March 1917.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilocos_Sur#History
I joined this Ilocos tour with my friend kyah Jake a legit organizer here in Tarlac...for those who is looking for a legit and affordable tours visit his FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/kyahtravelandtours/
Place we visited: 👣Quirino Bridge 👣Calle Crisologo 👣Pottery Making 👣Baluarte ni Singson 👣Ilocos Sur Capital 👣Bantay Church and Bell Tower 👣Vigan Cathedral 👣Plaza Burgos 👣Epidio Quirino Museum
We arrived in Vigan, Ilocos Sur nearly around 8:30 am and since day tour lang kame hindi na nag patumpik tumpik pa at nag gala na :)
The Vigan Heritage Village/Calle Crisologo is a town in Vigan, Ilocos Sur that is considered the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. In November 1999, it was placed on the World Heritage List commemorating its cultural significance.
Source: wiki
What to see?mga store ng souvenir, resto at mga sinaunang kabahayan...what to do?Learn about the place’s history, study the architecture of the houses, selfie selfie, tikman ang longganisa at bagnet at mamili ng souvenir
After namin sa Calle Crisologo nag rent kami ng kalese para malibot at para mas makita ang kagandahan ng Vigan...Kalesa ride rate is 150pesos per hour and 3pax per kalesa...
Clock Tower In Vigan
Vigan Cathedral
Vigan Cathedral, canonically known as the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle is a Roman Catholiccathedral in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. It serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site declaration for the Historic Town of Vigan in 1999.
The church is predominantly in Earthquake Baroque style with large buttresses on its side. It also has Neo-Gothic, Romanesque and Chinese inspired embellishments. In its interior are silver-paneled main altar, three naves, 12 minor altars and brass communion handrails.[7] South of the cathedral is a separate 25 metres (82 ft) bell tower with a weather rooster on top, which symbolizes Saint Peter. The only remaining Archbishop's Palace in the Philippines built during the Spanish colonization is located in Vigan, beside the cathedral. The church also contains remains of former bishops of the Diocese of Nueva Segovia.
Dancing Fountain @Palza Salcedo by day
Elpidio Quirino Museum/ Syquia Mansion
Sa panahon ngayon na instant na ang lahat ng bagay nakakamanghang makakita ng mga sinaunang kagamitan mula sa museo na ito dahil isa ito sa nagpapakita kung gaano kasimple ang pamumuhay at kung gaano ka pursigi ang mga tao noon kumpara sa panahon ngayon...
Vigan is the proud birthplace of the Philippines’ sixth president, Elpidio Quirino. President Quirino is best remembered as the chief author of economic developments undertaken by the country that helped it rise from the devastation of World War II, as well as the country’s foreign policy direction during that time. Read more...
Source: https://www.vigan.ph/heritage/syquia-mansion-of-president-elpidio-quirino.html
Bantay Church
The Saint Augustine Parish Church, commonly known as Bantay Church, is a Roman Catholic church in Bantay, Ilocos Sur in the Philippines. The church was dedicated to St. Augustine of Hippo. It is also known as the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity (Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Caridad) housing the miraculous image of Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Charity, crowned as the patroness of Ilocandia on January 12, 1956.
The old historic belfry of the church known as the Bantay Tower, which served as a watchtower for pirates back in the Spanish colonial era, gave the town its name - bantay (meaning to guard). Established in 1590, the church is one of the oldest in the Ilocos Region.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bantay_Church
Bell Tower
First built in 1591, it served as the town’s watchtower before being turned into a bell tower by the nearby church in 1857. Located roughly 10 minutes from the town of Vigan, it’s located in the town of Bantay, Ilocos Sur.
Source: http://primer.com.ph/travel/2017/02/07/bantay-church-bell-tower/
Pottery Making
Jars made from Vigan are much sought-after by foreign and local visitors. This earthenware is called burnay. The industry that has grown from the making of burnay dates back to pre-colonial times when immigrants from China came to settle in Vigan. They practiced the craft of making earthenware using the grade A clay that was found in plenty in the Western area of Vigan. The making of burnay is done with just the use of the potter’s skillful hands and use of pottery wheel and kiln. Fine sand is used to temper the clay, which once fashioned into the desired shape is placed inside high-temperature ground kilns made from brick and clay. Compared to terracotta, people say that the burnay is hardier. Read more...
Source: https://www.vigan.ph/arts-and-crafts/burnay-jars-burnay-pottery.html
Baluarte
The Baluarte or fortress is a must-see attraction for first time visitors, and even for those who have visited Vigan before. The reasons for its being on the list of places to visit are two. First is that it has a mini zoo with animals from other countries and others endemic to the Philippines. It is a private collection and is therefore continuously being improved. The second reason is that it is owned by Mr. Chavit Singson, a well-loved son of Vigan and well-known to most Filipinos and foreigners who follow the Philippine political scene. The resort complex lies in hectares of land that stretches from the rolling plain towards the hills, where the former governor’s multi-storey house sits with a grand view of Vigan and the South China Sea. Read more...
Source: https://www.vigan.ph/attractions/baluarte-vigan-fortress-of-vigan.html
Quirino Bridge
The Best Bridge for me so far napapagitnaan ng dalawang bundok ang tulay na ito...malakas ang hangin, tahimik at sobrang ganda ng view da best ito para sa mga gustong ilabas ang sama ng loob at sa mga gustong mag move on dahil pwedeng pwede ka sumigaw rito (yun nga lang baka mag mukha kang eng eng hihi)...sarap balik balikan ng lugar na ito :)
Exploring Vigan in a day sobrang nkakapagod kahit na mas mahaba pa ang oras ng biyahe kesa sa pamamasyal masasabi ko naman na sulit at sobrang enjoy ang araw na iyon dahil sa naibigay na magandang karanasan at kasiyahan na naibigay sa pag punta ko sa lugar na ito...
Isa ka sa mga babalik balikan kong lugar Vigan :)
"A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots." Marcus Garvey
Salamat ulit mga Kyah for another great expirience with you :)