To his favorite city! Vigan!

2 years ago, My block-mates and I helped a friend on his research for our school in Architecture. She got Vigan and that's the first time I'll be going to Vigan. After that trip, I thought of changing my thesis that would be related to Vigan so I could come back whenever I want. I loved the city so much I tried going there as much as possible on my own.

 

Well this blog wasn't about the adventure we've been through just to be in Vigan. I've been to Vigan so many times last year. Made 4 site visits, passed-by 6 times during Pagudpud trips and 1 spontaneous night of going day trip to Vigan because we wanted too :)\

About Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines

Brief history of Vigan.

The Episcopal See of Manila was erected by Pope Gregory XVIII with the publication of his Bull Fulti Praesidio on December 21, 1581. It was elevated into a Metropolitan Church on August 14, 1595 through the Bull of erection of Pope Clement VIII with the Diocese of Santisimo Nombre de Jesus in Cebu, the Diocese of Nueva Caceres in Vigan and the Diocese of Nueva Segovia in Lallo, Cagayan as its suffrage.

The Bull of Pope Clement VIII likewise elevated the seat of the four diocese including Lallo, Cagayan to the dignity of a city being the center of evangelization in their respective territories.
For 160 years from 1595 to 1758, all the Bishops of the Diocese of Nueva Segovia in Lallo Cagayan, starting with Fray Miguel Benavides to Fray Diego de Soria preferred to stay in Vigan due to the deteriorating condition of Lallo at that time. Malaria was endemic to the place and was constantly
flooded during the rainy season. The Rio Grande de Cagayan was eroding and destroying the site of the Diocese leading to a progressive decay of the town.

In sharp contrast, Vigan, during the same period, was a flourishing Spanish settlement nearer to Manila. It was fast developing into the center of Spanish influence and politico-economic power in the north. When Don Juan de la Fuentes de Yepes became Bishop of Nueva Segovia in 1755, he requested the King Spain and the Pope for the transfer of the Diocese from Lallo, Cagayan to Vigan, which was at the height of its progress as center of religious, commercial and socio-cultural activities. He summoned three former Alcalde Mayores: Don Maximino Ballero of Vigan, Don Juan Antonio Panelo of Pangasinan, and Don Francisco Ledem of Cagayan to testify and give their support of the requested transfer of the Diocese. Aside from the former Alcalde Mayores, Bishop Yepes also solicited the favorable endorsement of Fray Bernardo Ustaris of the Dominican Order and Fray Manuel Carillo of the Augustinians. The transfer of the Seat of the Diocese of Nueva Segovia from Lallo, Cagayan to Vigan was formally approved during the Pontificate of Pope Benedict XIV during the reign of Fernando VI, King of Spain by virtue of the Royal Decree of September 7, 1758.

By this Royal Decree, Villa Fernandina which became the new seat of the Diocese, automatically elevated its status as a City known as Ciudad Fernandina de Vigan in honor of the then current King of Spain. By 1764, there were already 21 sitios or Barangays in Vigan as mentioned by Father Pedro de Vivar in the document entitled as ―Relacion de los Alzamientos dela Ciudad de Vigan, Cavesera de la Provincia de Ilocos Sur el los Años 1762 y 1763.‖ In 1803, Ciudad Fernandina de Vigan has a population of 10,585 souls with 1,966 paying tributes. The natives were working on agricultural land and the mestizos engaged in business with other provinces including Manila. The mestizos played a very important role in the progress and prosperity of the city of Vigan.
 
The Chinese in Vigan on the other hand, settled in a place called ―Pariancillo‖ while in Manila they were in ―Parian‖. With their talent and knowledge in business as well as their skills and mastery of the art of manufacturing, the Chinese became rich and powerful in society. They opened business in the heart of Vigan, employed the naturales, intermarried with the natives and mestizos of Vigan and as time passed by; they rose into the class of the elite. They triggered a business boom in the community and engaged in domestic and foreign trade. They exported indigo, lime, maguey, basi, jars, tobacco, woven cloth called abel, and other local products to Europe, China, Borneo and Malaysia. As a consequence of this business boom, there was a mark change in the lifestyle of the inhabitants.

“A civilization is a heritage of beliefs, customs and knowledge slowlyaccumulated in the course of centuries.” –Antoine De Saint-Excupery

A little line from my thesis research for Vigan.

Calle Crisologo during one of my morning walks. I love walking in Crisologo during mornings when stores and people haven't occupied the street. I quite hard to take a photograph of this street without any people inside the frame and it can only be done during the morning..

Don't forget the souvenirs!

 

Marker of Philippines-Spain friendship and the Municipal Hall of Vigan..

 

The old granary is Calle Crisologo.. Not all knew that this was the granary in Vigan city..

The Current Capitol of Ilocos Sure and St. Paul Cathedral and an old sketch of the two during the Spanish era..

 

The Crisologo Museum..

 

Baluarte.. A tricycle ride from town proper.. It's an interactive zoo owned by Chavit Singson where you can get a close encounter on his pets..

 

Nightlife in Vigan.. Just got lucky with the fireworks :) 

If you guys are wondering what this is, you might want to check it out inside the bookstore behind the Municipal Hall.. 

Nightlife in Vigan?

Nahhh, but I do recommend that you guys drink in Calle Crisologo and there's a small club/bar there called Superclub if I can still remember and I think it's still open up today :)

Ohh the Most Famous FAQ how to get there? To Vigan? (Copied it from there website):

Air - Domestic flights leave Manila daily for Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, which is an hour and a half ride by bus or arranged vehicles to Vigan. The city can be reached from Laoag City via Partas Bus, Fariñas Transportation, Maria De Leon Bus Lines, RCJ Bus Lines, F. Franco Trans, and Florida Bus.

By Land - The 408 km stretch from Manila to Vigan City is a comfortable eight-hour ride along the scenic Manila-Ilocos Highway. Air-conditioned Partas Bus, Dominion Bus, Aniceto Bus and Viron Transit ply the Manila-Vigan route regularly.

Getting Around - The best way to explore Vigan is on foot; the city center is small and compact, yet full of excitement. Experience a calesa ride around Vigan at P150.00 per hour per carriage.

Budget?? You know that already :) 

Here's the schedule of Festivals in Vigan City according to what I researched before.. 

 

Here's the website of Vigan for more information:

http://www.vigancity.gov.ph/default.asp

Thank you! :))