Getting Around In Vigan City By Jonalee Lorie V. Naife

Vigan is an example of a Spanish colonial town in the Philippines. It is a "place no other". Its uniqueness lies in its historic townscape which is an architectural blend of Asian, European and Latin American influences. It's a noisy Filipino town like many others. You may appreciate the places where history is alive, where you can smell the aroma of freshly baked empanadas wafting past antique shops, pottery collectives and capiz-shell windows.

Beautiful lights, excellent music, warm night, you can't beat that large area for viewing. Plus, several places to eat right near the lights. If you go to Vigan, be sure to see the "dancing fountains".

Dancing Fountains in the middle of Plaza Salcedo

You may also want to see the "hidden garden" and their famous restaurant, the place is cool because it's surrounded by plants. The food and service here is very nice.








Vigan weavers are known for using abel, a locally produced cotton fabric, to hand-weave shawls, tablecloths, napkins and barong (traditional Filipino shirts).

Burnay jars are specifically types of jars that are uniquely Vigan-made. They use bantog clays that can be found in the city itself. They use it to ferment sugarcane wine (basi), sugarcane vinegar, fish sauce (bagoong isda), and other stuff. They say that using a burnay jar for these products can actually improve its taste.

(Tricyles and karitela are the main mode of transportation in Vigan City)

The Syquia mansion was owned by the family of the wife of the Philippines' sixth president, Elpidio Quirino. His wife, Dona Alicia Quirino, was from a Chinese clan whom made a huge trading in Vigan in early years. Sy Kia, her father, later on adopt a spanish name, thus Syquia. You can see portraits of the early descendants in the mansion. Inside the house, aside from antiques from all over the world, there were paintings painted by Ferdinand Amorsolo and a replica of Spolarium by Juan Luna. Both are national artists and knowned painters. 

(Watch out also for peeping holes and secret doors

in Syqia Mansion)

Plaza Burgos is where the famed empanadahan is situated. Different stalls that sell legit Vigan empanada lined the street at the side of the plaza. 

(Plaza Burgos)

A few tumblings away from Plaza Burgos is the Vigan Cathedral (St. Paul Cathedral). It was in 1574 when the construction of this simple church made of wood started. Destroyed by an earthquake and fire, it was restored in 1790 and was completed in 1800 (made of adobe materials). 

Vigan City is located 408 kilometers away from Manila. From Manila, the usual way to get to Vigan City is by taking a bus. The trip takes about eight to ten hours long. Most tourists, including myself, take the night trip to sleep off the long ride and arrive at the city early the next morning. 

There are numerous places to stay while in Vigan City. There are backpacker inns, moderately-priced lodges and luxurious hotels to choose from. It’s also preferable to find a place near the Meztizo District where Calle Crisologo is located since most of the tourist spots and restaurants are only a hop away from there. 

Being located in the province of Ilocos Sur, Ilocano is the native dialiect of Bigueños. Although tourists from  other parts of the country, or the globe for that matter, won’t be having a hard time communicating with the locals as most of them are also fluent in Tagalog and English.