Vigan Rampage!

Together with some cousins, we explored the beauty that lies within the historic City of Vigan.

Check out the places we’ve been:

BURGOS MUSEUM

Diorama of the execution of GOMBURZA (Father Gomez, Father Burgos, Father Zamora) with a 'garote'

This is the two-story ancestral house of Father Jose Burgos turned into a museum. The first floor displays a gallery of heroes and prominent personalities in Ilocos history. Dioramas depicting local history, ethnic and archeological artifacts can also be found here.

Left Photo: The things used in the Mummification process by an ilocano ethnic tribe. The chair is used for the 'pausok' for the body to shrink. (Parang sauna lang *kidding*)

Right Photo: A diorama of the battle of Tirad Pass & the death of Gregorio del Pilar.

Left Photo: The making of Paoay Church in Laoag.

Right Photo: Tobacco is one source of living in Ilocos. My father is a farmer too. Ginagawa din namin yung 'panagtudok' ng tobacco when we were younger.

The second floor houses a collection of photographs, memorabilia, antique furniture and jewelries belonging to the Burgos family:

I liked the vintage 'aura' of the second floor of the museum. A lot of old things! I personally love the telephone (lower left photo) which looks exactly like spongebob. Agree?

Good thing there was a tour guide who explained everything that can be found inside the museum (with some havey and waley jokes) and who patiently answered our questions. Entrance fee is very minimal (HINT: below Php50).

CRISOLOGO MUSEUM

The Crisologo Museum/Mansion houses the different prized possessions of Floro S. Crisologo and his family including book collections, news clippings and the bloodied clothing of the late congressman.

The one on the left is a wooden fridge. Cute!

Floro S. Crisologo is a former congressman of Ilocos Sur who’s popular for authoring laws behind the establishment of the Social Security System. He was shot in the head by still an unidentified gunman while inside the St. Paul Cathedral in Vigan City. Sadly, Congressman Crisologo’s murder case remains unsolved up to this day.

The kitchen area is really creepy! Reminded me of the movie "Pridyider". Hah!

I don’t know kung matutuwa ako with the lady-with-a-loudspeaker along the entrance of the museum who REPEATEDLY remind every guest entering to not forget to drop a little amount of cash donation for the mansion’s maintenance to the point na medyo nakakahiya naman nang pumasok na walang nilalagay. Thanks Rhadzie for saving us! *lol*

SYQUIA MANSION

The Syquia Mansion is owned by Dona Alicia Quirino, wife of the Philippines’ sixth president, Elpidio Quirino. Inside this grand ancestral house are different oil portraits, and antique collections.

I was not aware about this information, not until I read about it on www.vigan.ph. No one informed us about it eh. Although there was one man who was at the ‘front desk’ when we entered but left din after telling us we can go anywhere around the mansion just that we’re not allowed to touch anything.

A replica of  the famous painting by Juan Luna, Spoliarium.

Hindi naman ako masyadong natuwa sa mga lamps! He he

I personally love the dining area and the balcony! It’s so grand! Just goes to show the Syquia's way of living.

HIDDEN GARDEN

It’s not-so-hidden anymore. The Hidden Garden of Vigan is one of the most visited places in the city. I’m a nature lover so I like everything that has something to do with nature.

I don’t have any pic when we were there except for the halo-halo we ate when we got tired of our “tour”. There's nothing special about it though. It's like a regular halo-halo, pero 'kebz' na lang. Rhadzie's treat kaya I'm good with that! *wink*

The air purifying plant! They told me to put red ribbon on it, although I don't know the significance of putting it to the growth of the plant. Mama's other plants have red ribbons too!

Rhadzie bought us an air purifying plant (I don’t remember the name). They’re in this mini pots sold for Php 50.00 each.

BANTAY, ILOCOS SUR

Bantay is a neighboring town of Vigan City. Found here is the Saint Augustine Parish Church, established in 1590, famous for its old historic belfry or the Bantay Bell Tower. The church was named after its patron saint, St. Augustine of Hippo.

[Left] Sagrada Familia. [Right] St. Augustine Church

The bell tower used to be a watchtower for pirates way back the Spanish colonial time. That’s where the town got its name “Bantay” which is Ilocano for “guard”.

Left Photo: A view of the bell tower from below.

Right photo: That's my cousin Rhadzie beside the old bell (unfortunately, i didn't like my shots when we were on top kaya I posted Rhadzie's.)

We had fun while on top although I didn't move from my place that much. It's the wooden stairs and the wooden floor that I was so afraid of, considering my weight and not much to support from falling.

I don’t remember if it was an entrance fee or just donation but surely we dropped some cash before entering the bell tower. It’s very minimal lang naman and it’s sulit because the place is so nice.

ST. PAUL'S METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL

CALLE CRISOLOGO/VIGAN HERITAGE VILLAGE

A lot of souvenir shops along Calle Crisologo. Souvenir shirts are sold for Php100-Php350 depending on the style and quality. This printed shirt we bought for Php100.00

Yes, that's me on the right. Nagfifeeling turista!

Calle Crisologo or the Heritage Village is a major attraction of Vigan City where it takes you back to the Spanish colonial times with its old Spanish houses and cobble street. It's a lost to everyone going to the city to not visit the place.

There's a lot of souvenir shops on both sides of the street. Thanks Rhadzie for the shirt. *wink wink*

Here are some photos I had fun playing around with Camera 360 and Instagram’s filters:

VIGAN DANCING FOUNTAIN / PLAZA SALCEDO

The dancing fountain of Vigan is a popular attraction at night to the locals and tourists. Kids will enjoy every bit of the show. It starts at around 7:30pm and lasts for about 30minutes. There’s too much crowd but it’s definitely one of the best I’ve dancing fountain shows I've seen in the country.

It is located at the Plaza Salcedo Lagoon, in front of the Ilocos Sur capitol.

The Ilocos Sur capitol

...and that's a wrap! Sa uulitin! There's more to discover when in Vigan.