Heritage City of Vigan (Part 2)

12:00mn-6:00am
Biyahe pa rin, nasiraan ng gulong along the way, na-delay rin kami ng 30 minutes dahil dun. Nag stop over sa Sison, Pangasinan, nag stay nalang ako sa bus at nag-Wifi nang kaunti. Thanks nga pala Jay sa drinks and food at hindi ako nakabili. Si Mark na katabi ko, hindi rin makatulog despite na kung anu-ano nalang ang ginagawa namin gaya ng pagtalukbong, pilit na pagpikit, pero wala talaga, hindi lang sanay matulog sa bus kaya nakakainggit yung mga himbing matulog.

6:00am
Nadaanan ang Santa, Ilocos Sur, gusto sana namin bumaba para magpakuha ng pics pero nasa public bus kami kaya sayang. Yung father ko me picture nito dun sa town marker nila na 2 isda. Sayang at hindi ako nakapag pakuha, next time nalang siguro pag nakasama ako sa road trip.

6:30am
Woot! Vigan na! Daming plantation ng tabako along the way bago mag Vigan. Pagka-unload ng mga bagahe sa bus, nagaabang na si Uncle na brother ni Tita Patricia sa tricycle kaya no hassle rin ang pagpunta namin sa bahay nila.

7:00am
After mag refresh at breakfast sa bahay nila Uncle eh nag prep up na kami sa Vigan Tour and again swerte namin, bukod sa free accomodation eh pati na rin ang transportation, napagpasyahan nalang namin na shoulder ang gasolina para ma maximize na rin namin ang Vigan visit namin.

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. (source: Vigan.ph)

kulit ng parrot na ito, buti nalang at naka-cap ako!

honglaki ng ostrich, kala ko maliit lang siya pag nakikita ko sa TV

ang lulusog ng mga tiger dito, sarap alagaan sa bahay!

During Spain’s colonization of the Philippines, Vigan’s Mestizo District (where Calle Crisologo is located) was known as Kasanglayan (Chinese Quarters) from the word sangley which was used to classify a pure Chinese person. If a person was of an ancestry mixed between Chinese and indigenous (called indio), he was classified as mestizo de sangley, the finest example of which was Dr. Jose Rizal (it should be noted though that it was his wish to be classified as an indio instead). It was on the Mestizo District where some of these rich Chinese-Filipinos built their houses, which are still intact today and can be observed on Calle Crisologo. (source: Serial Tripper)

glimpse at century old houses

trip back to Old Spanish colonial time thru a callesa

antiqued religious artifacts

Leona Florentino (April 19, 1849-October 4, 1884) was a Filipino poet in the Spanish and Ilocano languages. She is considered as the "mother of Philippine women's literature" and the "bridge from oral to literary tradition". Born to a wealthy and prominent family in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Florentino began to write her first verses in Ilocano at a young age. Despite her potential, she was not allowed to receive a university education because of her gender. Florentino was instead tutored by her mother, and then a series of private teachers. An educated Ilocano priest taught her advanced Spanish and encouraged her to develop her voice in poetry. Her lyrical poetry in Spanish, especially in Ilocano, gained attention with their exhibition in various international forums in Spain, Paris and St. Louis, Missouri. Her literary contributions - particularly 22 preserved poems - were recognized when she was included in the Encyclopedia Internationale des Oeuvres des Femmes (International Encyclopedia of Women’s Works) in 1889. She is believed to be the first Filipino to receive this international recognition, a homage that occurred only after her untimely death. (source: Wikipedia)

Vigan Cathedral (also known as St Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral) faces Plaza Salcedo, and is an imposing creamy-white building built in the "earthquake baroque" style with thick buttresses to support it through earthquakes and typhoons. A separate belltower (or belfry) was built 15 meters away from the main building -- so that if one structure was destroyed in an earthquake, then the other might still remain standing. The belltower is about 25 meters high and it is surmounted by a large bronze weathercock that is said to symbolize St Peter. (source: Fabulous Philippines)

The Vigan jar is made in Barangay VII more popularly known as Pagburnayan. Up to this date, this southwesternmost part of the poblacion is where all the burnay camarin (cottage factories) are located. Unsurprisingly, the manufacture of burnay essentially remains faithful to the technique introduced some five hundred years ago by Chinese artisans. The primary material is the rich red Ilocos clay. When fashioned by hand on a potter’s wheel, mixed with find sand (“anay") as tempering material and baked at a high temperature in a huge brick-and-clay ground kiln, burnay is known to be stronger than ordinary terra cotta. (Source: Farl's Photojourneys)

If you are visiting Vigan, you shouldn’t miss to visit the Hidden Garden. Especially if you are a flower and plant lover. Experience the beauty of the garden. For sure you will fancy the floral collection, air plants growing on driftwood, and bonsai tree. It is a garden of lush tropical plants and coffee shop. They serve coffee, coconut juice, orange empanada, and fresh fruit shake. I loved the landscape of the garden, too! A lot of celebrity and prominent people have visited this place. You are next to discover this lovely garden of Vigan, too. (Source: Kreztin)

Website: www.hiddengardenvigan.com.ph

fellow explorers with Auntie Patricia and Mr. Francis "Bobot" Flores, owner of Hidden Garden

yummy Empanada de Iloko with Halo-Halo on a coconut shell - Ilocos style

one of the captivating flora found on the Hidden Garden

with Sir Flores, parang magkapatid lang, haha!

Many Thanks to Sir Flores for the warm hospitality and special mention during our stay at the Hidden Garden, ang sarap ng food nila and very accomdating ang staff plus super ganda ng garden!