Calle Crisologo sa Vigan

           Well, this may be too mainstream but, let me write something about Vigan. The city is famous for its cobblestone street and old houses, this doesn't make any differences to other Hispanic towns in the Philippines. But, what do you think, Vigan is so special that it captures tourists and be captivated by its beauty?

           In this blog of mine about Vigan, I will only focus on the town itself. To explain further, Vigan is a city, and it is the capital of Ilocos Sur province. With the two visits I made in Vigan from two different years, I may say a lot has changed. 

         I will advice that you should conduct your tour in Vigan during daytime, because if you do it at night, well its a mayhem. Vigan for me during my last visit has already lost its touch, because believe it or not the old houses fronting Calle Crisologo were already turned into establishments which somehow disappoints me.

             To give you an idea what else can be found in Vigan at the town itself, you may go to the Saint Paul Metropolitan Cathedral Parish, the house of Padre Burgos, the provincial capital, Plaza Salcedo, and the famous Calle Crisologo. 

             Famous Filipino personalities also hails from Vigan, they are Leona Florentino a female poet, whose house was turned into a cafe, another is Padre Burgos one of the three priests of GomBurZa whose house is now the Vigan Museum, Gabriela Silang and Diego Silang also hailed from Vigan and former President Elpidio Quirino came from Vigan as well, the late President's house is now a museum as well, it is called Syquia's mansion. 

             Aside from museums you may also visit Paburnayan wherein you can make your own clay jar. If you want to visit a zoo, you may go to Baluarte which is owned by Chavit Singson, anyway the zoo's entrance is free. 

         Furthermore, my experience in Vigan is somehow exhausting, in a way I don't know if I enjoyed it, because we arrive at Vigan at sunset and the town is clogged in traffic we immediately find transients or cheap hotels, unfortunately we didn't found one. Instead of wasting time we just decided to tour the town, but the famous Calle Crisologo are full of tourists and the shops are crowded, and we decided not to waste time finding our way through the crowd, instead we went to watch the dancing fountain in Plaza Salcedo.

        In addition to that all the transients and hotels are fully booked as well, even those in the neighboring towns near Vigan, I may advice that you should book everything ahead of time and not on the last minute especially if it is a peak season.

So, here are the pictures:

Vigan's Welcome Arch

After a long drive from the province of La Union, and few stops in different tourist spots in some of the towns in the province of Ilocos Sur, we then arrive at Vigan before sunset.

The famous street signage

You will immediately notice where Calle Crisologo is, you don't even need to find the signage, just go where the crowd leads you, and in no time you will walk on its cobblestone street.

We went to Vigan last 2014, well during that time Vigan is already famous, you should expect a lot of people in the city, especially at night. 

The 1st floor of Leona Florentino's house was turned into a cafe. I heard that the food there is good, I didn't had the chance to try it because it is crowded and you need to wait in long cue lines before you can be served. 

Saint Paul the first Hermit Metropolitan Cathedral

In all the churches I've visited in Ilocos Sur, almost all the belfry of the church are situated apart from the church itself. Up to now I still wonder why. 

Across the church is the Plaza Salcedo where the dancing fountain is located, well its dances along with the rhythm of the music being played, its a 30 minute show. 

Plaza Salcedo's dancing fountain

              Since we didn't enjoyed the first visit to Vigan because of too much crowd blocking the view, we decided to go back to it after we finish exploring Ilocos Norte. The result satisfied me, you will not be disappointed if you visit the city early at the morning, you don't need to make your way in a crowd in order to see every establishments and old houses. 

Calle Crisologo at daytime

              I really suggest that you go to Vigan as early as you can, you will see a lot of beautiful things that you may not see at night. An example of it is this kalesa.

            You must also have a budget whenever you will buy some souvenirs, because I'm telling you it is expensive, but nonetheless, because I can still use the souvenir I bought last 2014. 

           I also suggest to Vigan's tourist officials that they should add some sceneries at night in order for the famous street not to be crowded at night.

          As for the food, the city is famous for its Vigan longganisa,  it is really delicious if its partnered with the right mixture of vinegar, I also suggest not to dip Vigan empanada in vinegar, it is not a match, I'm telling you. 

         Well, I am looking forward to go back here and spend a day walking and exploring the city itself in the future. 

All the photos used are mine.