Vigan: Revisted, Reunited, Reborn
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It has been 20 years ago when I
first set foot to Vigan Ilocos Sur. I was not able to enjoy the place much
since we need to go back to Manila. Time
flies and counting and here I am in same
exact place but this time it is all about my adventure and my story.
So what's with Vigan? Well, historically speaking, the place is the seat of Spanish colonization
and the seat of power during those times and not to mention the economy per se, the lifestyle, the connection and the influence of the buena
familia exist even to this day. Almost 400 years ago, the existence of
the Spanish era still reflects of what yesterday has been thru and it has always been like that. The entire city of Vigan was later inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage City after being declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is a member of the Organization of World Heritage
Cities (OWHC).
Culture wise, Ilocanos are known to be frugal in all aspects not to mention
their food that includes: Sinanglao , empanada, longanisa and their bagnet.
At exactly 4.15 am I set foot to Vigan, cold air after the rain
and serenity of the plaza where tricycle drivers greeted you with
a smile and warmth acceptance, strangers yet I am home in a place
that I have no idea what has to
offer- it is an adventure that I am excited
and thrilled. I met Kuya Jun Ragasa – a local tricycle driver in the town, I asked him where to eat breakfast and
yes on top of my mind–Sinanglao,
a local dish and famous
in Ilocos. He took me in the place where do people gathered early in the
morning to eat, a small carinderia where local Ilocano dishes
served smoking hot that suits the palate of every customers, it is open
as early as 4.30 am.
After breakfast,
Kuya Jun drove me going to Calle Crisologo, this place is
famous for the aesthetic beauty of the
ruins of yesterday that was preserved for the next generation. My eyes couldn’t believe of what I saw, just like going back
in the time of Spanish colonization and
yes my heart rejoices and
my world stop and time freezes as
I look around.
Right after the
tour across the plaza, Kuya Jun drove me to my place, afterwards we
had a breakfast in old
post office where the best Sinanglao is
deserved
I was not able to enter and reach the top of the Bell Tower due to rain, slippery and high risk, and for safety purposes, it is closed until such time the weather is back to normal. next time, perhaps.
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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2018
This carinderia served sinanglao- one of the famous Ilocano dish. located near the public market and Pure Gold. It is open everyday as early as 4.30 am. Below is the picture of Sinanglao partnered with mongo beans.
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| Calle Crisologo at night. The beauty and history that people love most. |
The early walk gives me an
immense pleasure of what life is all about and I cannot help but to be relax
and happy, a NIRVANA inside of my head, beauty captured the past of what
the future will be. As my eyes
glaze on the ruins, an inner
thoughts race thru every corner
where bricks layer by layer echoed as I
looked and be amazed.
Few of the shots I have taken, colour has been edited for enhancement.
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| Kuya Jun Ragasa, local trike driver who toured me around Vigan. Good guy |
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| If you are in Vigan and would like to eat the best sinanglao, just ask the trike driver to take you to the old POST OFFICE building. Open at 7 am. . Sinanglaw is a Filipino soup dish prepared with beef and beef offal ... A very rustic soup dish from the province of Vigan,
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The famous Saint Augustine Parish Church, commonly known as Bantay Church, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bantay_Church
I was not able to enter and reach the top of the Bell Tower due to rain, slippery and high risk, and for safety purposes, it is closed until such time the weather is back to normal. next time, perhaps.
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| Another angle shot taken. I cannot stop to be amazed. |
The Saint Augustine Church is
another way to represent Ilocos
Sur, simple yet majestically
done in a way for the worshippers to appreciate the beauty of the
church, Roman Catholic is
the dominant religion in the Ilocos region since the Spanish Colonization
had a great influence among the people
in the region dated back 400 years ago. Above left is the statue of Virgin Mary and on the right inside the church.
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| Majestically crafted in God's hand ************************************   |
Vigan at night.
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| The famous pottery making industry in Ilocos. I have learned that this industry is about to extinct since no one is no longer interested to continue the industry. According to Manong even his son is not interested to replace him someday, his son prefer to play computer games instead. For me, the local government should create a concrete program that will encourage the young ones to participate and or learn the pottery making and be part of the losing industry. |
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Vigan Longanisa, Bagnet, Empanada
and Okoy are famous food that people and or local tourist enjoy most. Probably
not all may enjoy it but it is the trademark that Vigan embedded in their culture, a local tourist like me cannot reject or say NO to these food, not only a must try but it is something I will never get tired of eating. :) Bon Appetite
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Architectural design of how rich the culture and what it symbolizes within. These piece of design speaks the the kind of life of the society, cleverness and influence.
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Baluarte owned by Gov, Chavit Singson, one of the tourist spot that locals do visits. A sanctuary for animals like tiger and lion.
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Looming industry business is in Vigan is another tourist attraction that helps the local thus creates job and income for lower class family where the produce is sold locally, affordable and quality.
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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2018
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