Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines: Photos 21 to 42

This is part 1 of our Ilocos Tour. Do check out the succeeding blogs for entries on Laoag and Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

GETTING THERE

Our Vigan adventure starts off on Christmas Day 2005. Armed only with half a day’s worth of research, money and clothes to last us five days, my sister and I boarded the Partas bus bound for Laoag City at 10PM. First discovery: fare has gone up 25% from P450 last May (according to my notes) to P600.

The bus was clean and comfortable, with reclining seats, adjustable aircon vents (unfortunately, you can’t turn it off completely which was especially painful because it soon turned very cold) and best of all, the headrest has side supports so that your head does not fall off the seat as you sleep :)

It being Christmas Day, traffic was very light. First stopover was at Dau. After 15 minutes, the bus proceeded on its trip, taking McArthur Highway and passing by the towns of Pampanga. Not surprisingly, there were a lot of passengers on the road even during the wee hours of the morning, probably coming from Christmas gatherings.

Second stopover was at Sison, Pangasinan. Restrooms

Full Text Entry: Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines

this place is a must see area for the local and foreign tourist. keep the good work. enjoyed very much the articles and well taken pictures.

love how u guys portrayed Vigan.. ganda tlga ng Vigan..pero ngaun nio poh lang na noticed.... i came there... proud to be.. ganda tlga and it's a pleasant and wonderful place to live..

very nice pictures,gave me an idea what to do in vigan this coming march, thank's for sharing!!!

hello guyz, we are planning to go in vigan this summer, can you give me an idea what are the things we can see there and that was nice for photography...jus send me an email to angelpia11@yahoo.com.... hope you can help me in regards to this problem

My Family will be in Vigan on April 22-24, 2006. After reading this, I got a lot of ideas where to go to Vigan, We will surely visit all the places you mentioned.

of Bingbong Crisologo. Mr. Floro Crisologo was the one who got shot in the church and not Carmeling. My entire high school class had the very good fortune of having her as our host for our Ilocandia tour in 1985. Good blog though. I plan to visit Ilocos this month.

interesting read. my father's family owns and manages Villa Angela and you're right, the policy is that it's closed when there are guests billeted for privacy purposes.but do visit again on regular days as our cook, Manang Claring, makes the best Ilocano dishes. hehe! thanks!

I was impressed..... ang ganda na pala ng Vigan Specially sa plaza burgos,.empanada wow i really miss it. Anyway I'm from Bantay,Ilocos Sur and recently here in Hawaii for 10 years. Thanks for portraiting Saint Augustine church/tower,Bantay,Ilocos Sur. My 8yr. old son loves your articles., Hindi pa nagvacation sa Philippines.E-mail jeanb713@aol.com

i just arrive here in canada last feb...i studied in vigan (back of the church..DWCV) for almost 7 years..after our class in the afternoon we always go to plaza burgos to eat empanada so i really miss empanada.. by the way the image in front of the church is plaza salcedo..

can you please send me an exact address of the mini of Mr. Singson... i also want to go there but i dont know where exactly in vigan. thnx in advance

thanks for your travelblog on vigan--very helpful. my friends told me to make the trip to Pagudpud and to make Laoag our base. you've convinced me to go staright to Vigan and soak in all its charm and history.

Ive been to Vigan for how many times, sobrang ganda dito.. Try kayong mgride ng kalesa, i think the last time we went to vigan we paid for the kalesa About PHP 300 for almost 2 hours.. madami ka ng pu2nthan sa 2hours na yun.. Its all worth it.. The Best..

My husband and i are going to vigan to celebrate our 2nd Wedding Anniversary on the 18th of December, thanks for your travelblog, im sure this will guide us....im very excited na....thank you very much

Great work Miss Uy! I wonder if you can help me, im doing a reserach about that same Calesa that rep. Imee Marcos used in her wedding. It's right here in Cebu now, purchased by my boss, Raphael King. I hope you can give me any info about its historical origins miss uy. pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaseeee!!! email at casselyst@yahoo.com! Please po!!!!

Nice photos and write-up on Vigan. I'm from Vigan and proud to be one.

i love vigan so much, the mem'ries particularly. visited the place april 2005 with a very special person...we stayed in vigan plaza hotel...absolutely a great place to stay if you have the right budget P2500/night with free bfast. king size antique bed, very comfy and relaxed. try the pinakbet at grandpa's inn just few blocks away...huh the best pakbet i've ever tasted in my whole life...and the chichacorn from small stores along vigan heritage villas is great. the empanadas? i guess, i had 4 in one sitting...hehe..i brought some bagnet, fried big pork chop (like lechon kawali) and sundried, best for sauteed veggies. My bro loved it. A wonderful experience...i wish i could go back...i love the memory and the man still...

hi. i read above that the calesa w/c rep imee used on her wedding is already in cebu? is that right? i've just been communicating with the Versoza's (owner of the villa) for inquiries on my wedding plans and they did mention that calesa and sounded like it's still there and can be rented for weddings.

Hi kara, I was in Vigan over the Holy Week and did not anymore see the calesa in Villa Angela. Last year, someone emailed me asking for more historical details on that calesa because an antique collector wanted to buy it -- maybe someone really has bought it already.

hello... vigan city is the best in IlOcOs... I Love and I'm Proud to be an IlOcana... PLS... COME AND VISIT OUR pLACE.... i'M sure u will enjoy ur vacation here... thnx.... and MoRE POWER to evryone....

Vigan is really a very beautiful place,Its nice to take pictures at vigan! I Love Vigan!

HI everyone, I was fascinated by VIGAN. They are very much rich in history and culture.. Churches and belfry at Bantay is really beautiful.. I gonna get some visit again... Try to take pictures on simple houses or simple views and it will turn out us one great shot! Amazing!

i wil be soon 2 yrs here in Israel n until now i can't get rid of my beautiful homtown vigan in my mind.. i grew up der, 25yrs n i can't compare it to anything else in the entire world aside frm the thought der's rily no place like hom esp this is d kind of place,, try it guyzz, it will worth everything u have when u visit der.. beliv me. gosh how i wish i'm still der, havin a stroll around w/ my motorbike n goin to church evry sunday, den afer d mass well cyempre mwawala ba ang empanada na snak hehe.. wel gudluck guyzz.. c for yourself the beauty n enjoyment ul feel in my dear homtown

Hi! Does nayone know if there is a way to get to ilocos through sagada, without going back to baguio?

Buenas Dias,,, i congratulate fro your job well done..how nice Vigan is pla...never gone dr yet.. please help me search about the whole History of late Floro and Bingbong Crisologo...... wanna know about themmm,,please,,,email me - april.jnny@gmail.com domo aregato guisaimasu Godbless..

VIGAN-...1 word to describe this place---magical paradise!lol,is it cheap?well,im from ilocos norte but i have never seen a place like this before..walang ganito sa laoag!..i love to walk around plaza maestro and HIDDEN GARDEN..what a fantastic place and a place where you can enjoy talking with the talking parrots

hi! My family and I are planning to go to Pagudpud and make a stop both at Vigan and Laoag. Imagining the long trip ahead, of course I wanted to make a full tour of the place - ALL the tourist spots before we proceed to Pagudpud. We are not bringing our car because super long drive is tiring for my husband. I hope you can help me find somebody in Ilocos for the tour. Thanks in advance!!!

Hi Marlyn! Unfortunately, I'm no longer in contact with the husband and wife who toured us around Laoag. What you can do is inquire with the hotel where you will be staying. When we were there, I heard some tourists inquiring about tours from our hotel's concierge. As for Vigan, you don't need a car -- what you need is a calesa! :)

back in the day vigan was not as touristy as today (we see occasional tourists). one thing stuck in my mind is the orasyon @ 6 PM, when the church bell rung everybody (around plaza) stops and do their prayer, very solemn. there are things i had taken for granted growing up vigan. when i go back in vigan it is all seeing & chitchatting with my relatives & friends, riding calesa, food tripping ( oh yeah we love to eat )

As early as now, i'm already planning for a getaway together with my husband in time for our 2nd wedding anniversary this coming November 24th. When I asked my husband to which place he'd like to go - Subic, Batanes or Vigan - he quickly replied "VIGAN!" And Vigan it is! I'm surfing the net and came upon your blog. It made me so excited that I can no longer wait until November to visit the beautiful city that is Vigan. Thanks for sharing your Vigan trip... it gives tourists exciting expectations of the place. :)

You're welcome Jac :) Maganda ang Pilipinas so let's tell people about it :)

nice site. the next time you visit ilocos please stay a D'outbase lodging house or visit www.outbase.multiply.com

hi there...taga vigan ako...nice place talaga cia..! but if your planning to visit vigan..I suggest the following places and itenerary: 1. Baluarte at Caoayan (house of Gov. Chavit)-take a tricycle or a calesa ride...(free yung entrance sa baluarte) 2. Bantay Church and Belltower- try nyo umakyat sa belltower...ask the key to the caretaker (with donation po ito!) P.S. Dito nagshouting sina Judy Ann at Rico Yan from the film "Kay tagal" 3. Burgos Musuem-birthplace ni Padre Burgos...additional info...sa tabi ng musuem na ito ay may kulungan....dito sa kulungan na ito pinanganak si Elpidio Quirino 4. Plaza Salcedo-May lagoon doon... 5. archdiocese of nueva Segovia-my musuem dito...maganda siya..kinda scary... 6. Vigan Cathedral--nice place to get married...ideal cia... 7. Empanada Eating---located near the belltower just beside the church... 8. Try also the SINANGLAW..the best cia...pagnakakain kayo nito...complete na ang vacation nyo... 9. Heritage Village-puros old houses cia...P.S. ingat may dumudungaw bigla sa mga binatana...enjoy shopping here for your pasalubong; Syquia Mansion-Try to find this place..it's the house of Former President Elpidio Quirino... 10. Crisologo Musuem-house of former governor of Ilocos Sur, Crisologo...Nice antique house... 11. Pagbunaryan---limited lang ang pumupunta dito...but i highly suggest punta kayo dito.... 12. Vigan Public Market--nice place to buy pasalubong such as bagnet (250-300/kilo), vigan longaniza (100-120/dozen), and chichacorn... Try also tinubong... Have a safe trip..enjoy...

whoa! this place really rocks!! its like traveling in old times, old houses were preserve, people are very warmth and my most fave part hahahah.. the food trip! lots of good and appetizing dishes, and guess what?? we have tasted the very famous Longanisa and bagnet at Max's Restaurant, yes! i was surprise too.. my grandmas favorite resto serves all original ilocano dish.. well, we'll surely come by again next year!! see yah!!

Hi; yes im from vigan too.. i grew up there but now im here in the busisiest part of the philippines...i miss vigan alot; cool unpolluted air...historical sites..grandous festivals..accomodating people..and deicious food..i always talk about vigan with my colleages and they really want to go there..i know vigan is advance ryt now..and hopefully; im looking forward to have an interactive chat room to know about people of vigan nowadys...balitaan ba? ho[pe to have that;; vj

All very nice, but where are the room rates published for Vigan Plaza Hotel?

i am from ilocos sur..but have never gone to vigan much as you have done...reading ur comments and those of others, makes me feel very homesick n sentimental...u motivated me to book a vacation flight soonest, GOD willing. I would suggest that you please write more about ilocos sur. hopefully, others will read and go home for a visit..thank you...

yeah! Vigan is a good place... proud to be a BigueÑo... try the bottom less sabaw of SINANGLAO... early in the morning beside Lyric sinema, or in the post office.. the best food to start the day... oh boi! i miss that sinanglao... sabaw with fresh chopped onion on it..

Would like to visit there someday...whoever can help me with this please email me back @ nitaspohn2001@yahoo.ca

went to elem. of burgos mem. sch. and ilocos sur national high school and two years college at the university of northern philippines

nice place in vigan. i love vigan so that's why i want to work there who can help me to find a job there?? thank you!

Thanks for the memories. I attented (CIC) elementary school very close to St Paul Cathedral Church. Don't know if school is still in existence. That was 2 scores and 14 years ago. Enjoyed the scenic photography taken. Thanks for sharing.

this place is a must see area for the local and foreign tourist. keep the good work. enjoyed very much the articles and well taken pictures.

love how u guys portrayed Vigan.. ganda tlga ng Vigan..pero ngaun nio poh lang na noticed.... i came there... proud to be.. ganda tlga and it's a pleasant and wonderful place to live..

very nice pictures,gave me an idea what to do in vigan this coming march, thank's for sharing!!!

hello guyz, we are planning to go in vigan this summer, can you give me an idea what are the things we can see there and that was nice for photography...jus send me an email to angelpia11@yahoo.com.... hope you can help me in regards to this problem

My Family will be in Vigan on April 22-24, 2006. After reading this, I got a lot of ideas where to go to Vigan, We will surely visit all the places you mentioned.

of Bingbong Crisologo. Mr. Floro Crisologo was the one who got shot in the church and not Carmeling. My entire high school class had the very good fortune of having her as our host for our Ilocandia tour in 1985. Good blog though. I plan to visit Ilocos this month.

interesting read. my father's family owns and manages Villa Angela and you're right, the policy is that it's closed when there are guests billeted for privacy purposes.but do visit again on regular days as our cook, Manang Claring, makes the best Ilocano dishes. hehe! thanks!

I was impressed..... ang ganda na pala ng Vigan Specially sa plaza burgos,.empanada wow i really miss it. Anyway I'm from Bantay,Ilocos Sur and recently here in Hawaii for 10 years. Thanks for portraiting Saint Augustine church/tower,Bantay,Ilocos Sur. My 8yr. old son loves your articles., Hindi pa nagvacation sa Philippines.E-mail jeanb713@aol.com

i just arrive here in canada last feb...i studied in vigan (back of the church..DWCV) for almost 7 years..after our class in the afternoon we always go to plaza burgos to eat empanada so i really miss empanada.. by the way the image in front of the church is plaza salcedo..

can you please send me an exact address of the mini of Mr. Singson... i also want to go there but i dont know where exactly in vigan. thnx in advance

thanks for your travelblog on vigan--very helpful. my friends told me to make the trip to Pagudpud and to make Laoag our base. you've convinced me to go staright to Vigan and soak in all its charm and history.

Ive been to Vigan for how many times, sobrang ganda dito.. Try kayong mgride ng kalesa, i think the last time we went to vigan we paid for the kalesa About PHP 300 for almost 2 hours.. madami ka ng pu2nthan sa 2hours na yun.. Its all worth it.. The Best..

My husband and i are going to vigan to celebrate our 2nd Wedding Anniversary on the 18th of December, thanks for your travelblog, im sure this will guide us....im very excited na....thank you very much

Great work Miss Uy! I wonder if you can help me, im doing a reserach about that same Calesa that rep. Imee Marcos used in her wedding. It's right here in Cebu now, purchased by my boss, Raphael King. I hope you can give me any info about its historical origins miss uy. pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaseeee!!! email at casselyst@yahoo.com! Please po!!!!

Nice photos and write-up on Vigan. I'm from Vigan and proud to be one.

i love vigan so much, the mem'ries particularly. visited the place april 2005 with a very special person...we stayed in vigan plaza hotel...absolutely a great place to stay if you have the right budget P2500/night with free bfast. king size antique bed, very comfy and relaxed. try the pinakbet at grandpa's inn just few blocks away...huh the best pakbet i've ever tasted in my whole life...and the chichacorn from small stores along vigan heritage villas is great. the empanadas? i guess, i had 4 in one sitting...hehe..i brought some bagnet, fried big pork chop (like lechon kawali) and sundried, best for sauteed veggies. My bro loved it. A wonderful experience...i wish i could go back...i love the memory and the man still...

hi. i read above that the calesa w/c rep imee used on her wedding is already in cebu? is that right? i've just been communicating with the Versoza's (owner of the villa) for inquiries on my wedding plans and they did mention that calesa and sounded like it's still there and can be rented for weddings.

Hi kara, I was in Vigan over the Holy Week and did not anymore see the calesa in Villa Angela. Last year, someone emailed me asking for more historical details on that calesa because an antique collector wanted to buy it -- maybe someone really has bought it already.

hello... vigan city is the best in IlOcOs... I Love and I'm Proud to be an IlOcana... PLS... COME AND VISIT OUR pLACE.... i'M sure u will enjoy ur vacation here... thnx.... and MoRE POWER to evryone....

Vigan is really a very beautiful place,Its nice to take pictures at vigan! I Love Vigan!

HI everyone, I was fascinated by VIGAN. They are very much rich in history and culture.. Churches and belfry at Bantay is really beautiful.. I gonna get some visit again... Try to take pictures on simple houses or simple views and it will turn out us one great shot! Amazing!

i wil be soon 2 yrs here in Israel n until now i can't get rid of my beautiful homtown vigan in my mind.. i grew up der, 25yrs n i can't compare it to anything else in the entire world aside frm the thought der's rily no place like hom esp this is d kind of place,, try it guyzz, it will worth everything u have when u visit der.. beliv me. gosh how i wish i'm still der, havin a stroll around w/ my motorbike n goin to church evry sunday, den afer d mass well cyempre mwawala ba ang empanada na snak hehe.. wel gudluck guyzz.. c for yourself the beauty n enjoyment ul feel in my dear homtown

Hi! Does nayone know if there is a way to get to ilocos through sagada, without going back to baguio?

Buenas Dias,,, i congratulate fro your job well done..how nice Vigan is pla...never gone dr yet.. please help me search about the whole History of late Floro and Bingbong Crisologo...... wanna know about themmm,,please,,,email me - april.jnny@gmail.com domo aregato guisaimasu Godbless..

VIGAN-...1 word to describe this place---magical paradise!lol,is it cheap?well,im from ilocos norte but i have never seen a place like this before..walang ganito sa laoag!..i love to walk around plaza maestro and HIDDEN GARDEN..what a fantastic place and a place where you can enjoy talking with the talking parrots

hi! My family and I are planning to go to Pagudpud and make a stop both at Vigan and Laoag. Imagining the long trip ahead, of course I wanted to make a full tour of the place - ALL the tourist spots before we proceed to Pagudpud. We are not bringing our car because super long drive is tiring for my husband. I hope you can help me find somebody in Ilocos for the tour. Thanks in advance!!!

Hi Marlyn! Unfortunately, I'm no longer in contact with the husband and wife who toured us around Laoag. What you can do is inquire with the hotel where you will be staying. When we were there, I heard some tourists inquiring about tours from our hotel's concierge. As for Vigan, you don't need a car -- what you need is a calesa! :)

back in the day vigan was not as touristy as today (we see occasional tourists). one thing stuck in my mind is the orasyon @ 6 PM, when the church bell rung everybody (around plaza) stops and do their prayer, very solemn. there are things i had taken for granted growing up vigan. when i go back in vigan it is all seeing & chitchatting with my relatives & friends, riding calesa, food tripping ( oh yeah we love to eat )

As early as now, i'm already planning for a getaway together with my husband in time for our 2nd wedding anniversary this coming November 24th. When I asked my husband to which place he'd like to go - Subic, Batanes or Vigan - he quickly replied "VIGAN!" And Vigan it is! I'm surfing the net and came upon your blog. It made me so excited that I can no longer wait until November to visit the beautiful city that is Vigan. Thanks for sharing your Vigan trip... it gives tourists exciting expectations of the place. :)

You're welcome Jac :) Maganda ang Pilipinas so let's tell people about it :)

nice site. the next time you visit ilocos please stay a D'outbase lodging house or visit www.outbase.multiply.com

hi there...taga vigan ako...nice place talaga cia..! but if your planning to visit vigan..I suggest the following places and itenerary: 1. Baluarte at Caoayan (house of Gov. Chavit)-take a tricycle or a calesa ride...(free yung entrance sa baluarte) 2. Bantay Church and Belltower- try nyo umakyat sa belltower...ask the key to the caretaker (with donation po ito!) P.S. Dito nagshouting sina Judy Ann at Rico Yan from the film "Kay tagal" 3. Burgos Musuem-birthplace ni Padre Burgos...additional info...sa tabi ng musuem na ito ay may kulungan....dito sa kulungan na ito pinanganak si Elpidio Quirino 4. Plaza Salcedo-May lagoon doon... 5. archdiocese of nueva Segovia-my musuem dito...maganda siya..kinda scary... 6. Vigan Cathedral--nice place to get married...ideal cia... 7. Empanada Eating---located near the belltower just beside the church... 8. Try also the SINANGLAW..the best cia...pagnakakain kayo nito...complete na ang vacation nyo... 9. Heritage Village-puros old houses cia...P.S. ingat may dumudungaw bigla sa mga binatana...enjoy shopping here for your pasalubong; Syquia Mansion-Try to find this place..it's the house of Former President Elpidio Quirino... 10. Crisologo Musuem-house of former governor of Ilocos Sur, Crisologo...Nice antique house... 11. Pagbunaryan---limited lang ang pumupunta dito...but i highly suggest punta kayo dito.... 12. Vigan Public Market--nice place to buy pasalubong such as bagnet (250-300/kilo), vigan longaniza (100-120/dozen), and chichacorn... Try also tinubong... Have a safe trip..enjoy...

whoa! this place really rocks!! its like traveling in old times, old houses were preserve, people are very warmth and my most fave part hahahah.. the food trip! lots of good and appetizing dishes, and guess what?? we have tasted the very famous Longanisa and bagnet at Max's Restaurant, yes! i was surprise too.. my grandmas favorite resto serves all original ilocano dish.. well, we'll surely come by again next year!! see yah!!

Hi; yes im from vigan too.. i grew up there but now im here in the busisiest part of the philippines...i miss vigan alot; cool unpolluted air...historical sites..grandous festivals..accomodating people..and deicious food..i always talk about vigan with my colleages and they really want to go there..i know vigan is advance ryt now..and hopefully; im looking forward to have an interactive chat room to know about people of vigan nowadys...balitaan ba? ho[pe to have that;; vj

All very nice, but where are the room rates published for Vigan Plaza Hotel?

i am from ilocos sur..but have never gone to vigan much as you have done...reading ur comments and those of others, makes me feel very homesick n sentimental...u motivated me to book a vacation flight soonest, GOD willing. I would suggest that you please write more about ilocos sur. hopefully, others will read and go home for a visit..thank you...

yeah! Vigan is a good place... proud to be a BigueÑo... try the bottom less sabaw of SINANGLAO... early in the morning beside Lyric sinema, or in the post office.. the best food to start the day... oh boi! i miss that sinanglao... sabaw with fresh chopped onion on it..

Would like to visit there someday...whoever can help me with this please email me back @ nitaspohn2001@yahoo.ca

went to elem. of burgos mem. sch. and ilocos sur national high school and two years college at the university of northern philippines

nice place in vigan. i love vigan so that's why i want to work there who can help me to find a job there?? thank you!

Thanks for the memories. I attented (CIC) elementary school very close to St Paul Cathedral Church. Don't know if school is still in existence. That was 2 scores and 14 years ago. Enjoyed the scenic photography taken. Thanks for sharing.