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| Calle Crisologo named after Marcelino "Mena" Crisologo |
Vigan, known as the “Heritage
City” is a UNESCO World Heritage Site declared in 1999 and in 2015, hailed as one of
the New7Wonders Cities in the world (I remember
voting for this online). Vigan is among the few locations in the
Philippines that has able to preserved up to this date few of Spanish remains that
reminds us of their over 3 centuries reign in the archipelago.
The unique architectural
structures that reflects Filipino, Chinese and European (Spanish) elements
makes the town unique among other cultural heritage in the South East Pacific
Asia region. The city offers a unique blend of Hispanic and Fil-Chinese
landscape dated back in the 16th century and survived all through
the years. Long years before the Spanish colonization, Vigan was a major trading
post in Luzon where Chinese traders sails from the West Philippine Sea (South
China Sea) thru Mestizo River. The riverbanks plays an important role in Vigan’s
pre-colonial existence and even after the arrival of Spanish conquistador, this
was a used as a pass-thru. Intramuros in Manila, known as the walled city is
where Vigan’s urban plan co-patterned.
Vigan is the capital of Ilocos
Sur, located in northern part of Luzon Island. Some of the country’s oldest
educational institution is in Vigan such that of University of Northern
Philippines believed to start in 1902 and the Divine Word College of Vigan formerly
known as the Colegio de la Immaculada Concepcion in 1822. Ancient city of Vigan
founded in the 16th century while its cityhood earned in 2001.
Speaking of Vigan, let’s check
out what’s the local attractions in one of the country’s emblem of Hispanic regime.
Trip to Vigan covered exploring the Baluarte Zoo, Bantay Bell Tower, Plaza
Burgos, Saint Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral and the infamous Calle Crisologo.
Baluarte Zoo
Baluarte Zoo, owned by Chavit
Singson, one of the prominent and elite political figure in the country and of
Ilocano origin is a hundred-hectare zoological park in Vigan. Animals like lions,
tigers, deers, zebras, camels, donkeys and even reptiles can be spotted in this
area. Originally designed by Singson himself for Ilocanos to prevent them from
going out to visit metropolis to see and experience such
wonders of nature.
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| Baluarte Zoological Park |
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| Safari Gallery at Baluarte Zoo |
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| Preserved Hippo |
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| Preserved Different Species of Reindeer's Head |
Bantay means “to guard”. Dedicated
to Saint Augustine of Hippo, established in 1590, the church is among the
oldest in the Ilocos Region. It was restored when heavily damaged during the World
War II and of Neo-Gothic design mixed with pseudo-Romanesque made of bricks and
mud.
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| Bantay Bellfry (Bantay Tower) |
The belfry served as a watchtower
back in the Spanish colonization because of its strategic location and
overlooking the province of Abra. Rumor has it that it was a favorite love nest
of Filipino revolutionists and national heroes, Diego and Gabriela Silang who
are both Ilocanos. A few meters away is the Saint Augustine Parish Church or
Bantay Church is the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity (Shrine of Nuestra Señora de
la Caridad). Surviving over 400+ years, Bantay Bell Tower was a silent witness of
the province various outrages and victories.
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| Travel Joiner Group Photo |
Plaza Burgos
Plaza Burgos built to commemorate
one of the three priests, Father Jose P. Burgos also known as “GomBurZa” who
were executed in Manila’s Bagumbayan during the Spanish revolution. Not as huge
as Plaza Salcedo, Plaza Burgos can be found just beside the grandeur Saint Paul
Cathedral.
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| Plaza Burgos [The only one I have] |
The structure or monument filled
with information related to the martyr priest, who is the only national heroes
came from the clergy. Father Jose Burgos is a local of Vigan born in 1837 and
was died in 1872 at the age of 35 after being charged with sedition. He is one
of the active leaders and a reformist together with Father Mariano Gomez and
Father Jacinto Zamora.
Saint Paul Metropolitan Cathedral (Vigan Cathedral)
Similar to Paoay Church, Vigan
Cathedral or the Saint Paul Metropolitan Cathedral is made of earthquake
baroque style with large buttresses on the side to support the interior and
exterior of the building. Founded in the order of Juan de Salcedo after he came
to Vigan in 1574, but it was only then in 1641 when the first church built but
after several damages due to earthquakes, typhoons and fires, it was only in
1790 to 1800 when it was truly established up to present day.
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| St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral |
When UNESCO declared Vigan as one
of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, Vigan Cathedral is part of it.
Calle Crisologo
Calle means "street". Perhaps the most beautiful street
in the country is Calle Crisologo. A mestizo district filled with Hispanic
influence houses that brought us back together to the rich Fil-Chinese and
Spanish era. It is a two-story building made of stones and wood accented with capiz
shell windows to provide more ventilation. Back those days, the first floor was
actually a shop were you can buy merchantable items such as abel cloth, tobacco,
antiques, jewelry, woodcrafts, even gold and other goods that being traded to
Vigan and all over the North. And even up to this date, some of the houses are
still selling of Vigan and Ilocano delicacies, food and souvenirs.
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| A picturesque spot in Calle Crisologo |
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| Calle Crisologo Street Mark |
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| Calle Crisolgo Ice Cream Parlor |
The street named after a notable
politician, a writer and a poet, Marcelino Crisologo also known as Mena
Crisologo and one of the most respected Ilocanos. Calle Crisologo transformed
into a street that is full of life so make sure to experience coming in here at
night.
Any comments and suggestions, improvements and future travel escapade, please feel free to comment down below or visit my official Facebook page @TheVisayanLakwatsero.
