The Vigan City, Ilocos Sur!
Vigan is an island,which used to be detached from the mainland by three rivers – the great Abra River, the Mestizo River and the Govantes River. It is unique among the 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.
Vigan was an important coastal trading post in pre-colonial times. Long before the Spanish galleons, Chinese junks sailing from the South China Sea came to Isla de Bigan through the Mestizo River that surrounded the island. On board were sea-faring merchants that came to barter exotic goods from Asian kingdoms in exchange for gold, beeswax and other mountain products brought down by natives from the Cordilleras. Immigrants, mostly Chinese, settled in Vigan, intermarried with the natives and started the multi-cultural bloodline of the Bigueños.
In the book, The Philippine Island, Vol. III, p. 276, Blair and Robertson, two letters of Governor General Guido de Lavezares to King Philip II of Spain mentions: “It seemed best to send Captain Juan de Salcedo with 70 or 80 soldiers to people the coast of Los Ilocano on the shores of the river called Bigan.” Salcedo then sailed from Manila on May 20, 1572 and arrived in Vigan on June 12, 1572.
Thus, after the successful expedition and exploration of the North, Don Juan de Salcedo founded “Villa Fernandina de Vigan” in honor of King Philip II’s son, Prince Ferdinand who died at the tender age of four. From Vigan, Salcedo rounded the tip of Luzon and proceeded to pacify Camarines, Albay, and Catanduanes.
As a reward for his services to the King, Salcedo was awarded the old province of Ylocos which then composed of the Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union and some part of Mountain Province as his Encomienda and was accorded the title as Justicia Mayor de esta Provincia de Ylocos.
Governor General Gomez Perez Darmarinas, in his Account of Encomienda dated in Manila on May 31, 1591 states: “The town of Vigan called Villa Fernandina has five or six Spanish citizens with one priest, a Justice, one Alcalde Mayor (Governor) and a Deputy. The King collects 800 tributes (equivalent to 3,200 subjects). During this period, the old Vigan was composed of 19 barrios.
In 1645-1660, Vigan was already divided into 21 Cavezas de Barangay as mentioned in the “Libro de Casamiento”, the oldest records of the parish house of Vigan found in its Archives. Separated from the naturales, the Chinese have their own place of settlement called pariancillo, “Los Sangleyes del parian” and the Spaniards were residents in a villa called “Los Españoles de la Villa”.
How Vigan got its name is told from an anecdote carried by the tongue of generations, which tells of a Spaniard walking along the banks of the Mestizo River. There, he met a native of the place and stopped to inquire: “Como se Ilama usted de esta lugar?”
Not understanding a word of Spanish, the native scratched his head and upon seeing that the Spaniard was pointing to a plant, exclaimed in Ilocano: “Bigaa Apo”. Bigaa being Alcasia Macroniza, a giant Taro plant belonging to the Gabi family which used to thrive at the bank of the Mestizo River. From the name of the plant – Bigaa, whence Vigan derived its name.
6 must-see tourist spots in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
On December 2, 1999, Vigan became part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, thanks to its unique Spanish colonial history in Asia, well-preserved Spanish monuments and edifices, and thriving cultural heritage. When you’ve finally decided to drive up north and visit, don’t miss this Skyscanner list of the best tourist spots in Vigan. Put on your bakya or your most comfortable walking footwear, and step back in time to a period that’s quaint, romantic and truly magical.
1. Take an early Calle Crisologo walk
Set your alarm early, preferably before dawn. Get your camera ready, or your sketch pad, or your notebook and pen—whatever your personal artistic tool of preference is. Just before the dawn breaks all over the archipelago, find yourself along Calle Crisologo, sans the hustling and bustling tourists, all shops still closed, the street mostly quiet except for the waking sounds of nature.
Snap away, or draw, or write all the details down in your notebook. When the shops open go ahead and get satisfy your shopping itch with souvenirs, antiques, and hard-to-find jewelry. This is one magical experience you’ll want to treasure forever.
Photo credit: Flickr/Dusk at Crisologo/fitri agung/CC-BY
2. Dine at Cafe Leona for a mouthwatering longganisa meal
This world famous restaurant was named after poetess Leona Florentino, the Mother of Philippine women’s literature. Her ancestral home is now a busy restaurant, which all tourists to Vigan City cannot afford to miss. This is where you must eat the Vigan longganisa and bagnet, although their menu also carries Filipino, Japanese, Italian and Thai cuisine. Cafe Leona is located along Calle Crisologo, so it’s the perfect spot for your breakfast (or lunch, or dinner)!
3. Cruise along Mestizo River
Soak up on history and get fascinated by the rich history of Vigan City via the River Cruise. The cruise lasts for 45 minutes as you float by five tableaus, each telling a chapter of Vigan’s story: its discovery, to the conquest by the Spanish, to the present. This has got to be the most relaxing and beautifully visual history lesson you’ll ever get—something you might have missed out on back in school!
Just visit the Ilocos Sur Tourism Office (it is right beside Cafe Leona along Calle Crisologo) and inquire about the Vigan River Cruise. Make sure to ask about a free shuttle ride to Mestizo River! Bring your cameras and sunblock!
4. Witness Abel weavers at their craft
Rowilda’s Loomweaving was established in 1989 by Manong Dominic Panela. Their showroom is located in Camanggaan. They create the finest hand-woven Abel-Iloko products like table runners, shawls, hand towels, table napkins, dress materials , pillow cases, bathrobes and blankets. There is a Zen-like quality in the weavers’ focus and laser precision. “You are suspended in a state of timelessness,” as one tourist described. “There is a music to their movements and then suddenly, before your eyes, a beautiful blanket emerges!”
5. Bantay Bell Tower is worth the climb
Aside from the aerobic benefits, Bantay Bell Tower offers you postcard perfect scenery, a musical cacophony of bells ringing, the wonderful expanse of the sky, and tall, brick edifice that has been a witness to Vigan’s centuries of history. It stands beside the Sanctuary of the Nuestra Señora de La Caridad, one of the oldest churches in Ilocos Sur, where mass is still held regularly in one of its ruins.
5. Bantay Bell Tower is worth the climb
Aside from the aerobic benefits, Bantay Bell Tower offers you postcard perfect scenery, a musical cacophony of bells ringing, the wonderful expanse of the sky, and tall, brick edifice that has been a witness to Vigan’s centuries of history. It stands beside the Sanctuary of the Nuestra Señora de La Caridad, one of the oldest churches in Ilocos Sur, where mass is still held regularly in one of its ruins.
Photo credit: Flickr/Bantay City/fitri agung/CC-BY
6. Visit Baluarte
Fond of animals? For every Juan’s favorite price of zero pesos, you can set foot inside Baluarte, and catch a sight of a variety of animals from the Philippines and other countries. Owned by Chavit Singson, Balaurte also offers an animal museum and an interactive wildlife show that takes place every afternoon.
Vigan City in Ilocos Sur is waiting for your visit. It has been waiting for you for the past four centuries. And like Basi, Vigan’s local wine brewed from sugar cane, the Hispanic City grows ever more beautiful as it ages.
EXPERIENCE VIGAN CUISINES
Empanada, kankanen, and longganisa… just a few of the iconic Vigan dishes. When visiting the historical city, don’t forget to try their cuisines offered in various establishments found at the place. Ilocano cuisines can be distinguished by the sweetness, sourness or saltiness of the food. For the adventurous travelers, the food stall or caridnerias in the Vigan Public market are a nice place for gastronomic adventures. Try the Vigan’s bagnet, longganisa, Ilocuscrispy dinuguan and pinakbet along with a bottle of basi or local sugarcane wine.
Another must-try delicacies in Ilocos Sur is their Tinubong. Tinubong is a ground malagkit (sticky rice) stuck inside a bamboo. To eat the Tinubong, one must literally smash the bamboo to break it and eat what is inside.
Visiting Vigan City will never be complete without tasting its faved cuisines – Vigan City Travel Guide
Tinubong, Ilocos Sur’s native delicacy
WHERE TO STAY IN VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR
There are several Hotels and Inns found in Vigan City.
TIPS WHEN TRAVELING TO VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR
- Wear your most comfortable attire when traveling.
- Visiting Tourist Attractions of the place may require some walking, it would be best to wear your comfortable walking shoes.
- You don’t want to get burnt by the heat of the sun, so wearing sunscreen is highly recommended.
- During my last visit I had a difficulty of finding one so to be sure, bring it before leaving your home.
- You might also want to bring a foldable umbrella, especially when visiting the place during the wet season.
- There weren’t much of mosquitos during my visit, but for those who are highly sensitive, just bring a small bottle of Insect repellant Lotion with you.
- You will surely take a lot of photographs during your trip, so don’t forget to bring your camera with extra memory cards.
- You will be hitting the road most of the time, so don’t forget to bring your power bank to keep your mobile phone alive.
- While drugstores are found in the area it would still be best to bring your own medicine especially if you have some maintenance.
GETTING AROUND VIGAN CITY
While the Calesa is a nice mode of transportation reaching quite a distant destination can be reached easily through a tricycle. It would be best to negotiate first with the driver regarding the fare before hopping in. Of course, the air-conditioned Van is very comfortable when visiting several places, especially during summer. Several Van for rent is available in the city. Just ask your hotel where to contact them.
HOW TO GET TO VIGAN CITY, ILOCOS SUR
The nearest airport in Ilocos Sur is the one found in Laoag, Ilocos Norte. From Laoag, take a bus going to Vigan City.
There are buses traveling from Manila to Ilocos Sur such as Partas Buses, Dominion Bus Lines, Aniceto Bus, and Viron Transit. Travel time from Manila is approximately 8 10 hours covering 408-kilometer ride.
This place reminds me about in the year 1892, the book I read which is absolutely about the history of the pre-colonial spanish. So I want to go and visit here! Hope you and enjoy.
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