Our Full-Packed Ilocandia Tour: Vigan Tour

Ilocos represents to two provinces which are Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. The first part of the tour is in Ilocos Sur. Ilocos Sur provincial capital is Vigan City. Everybody knows that once Vigan was mentioned, first thing comes in your mind is the Spanish theme streets or the Empanada. For me, visiting Vigan is like a travel back through time. 

Our tour started by visiting The Baluarte by Gov. Chavit Singson. It’s a 10 minute drive from Vigan proper. 

The Baluarte

The Baluarte started as a rest house in 1991. Gov. Chavit loves nature and shows passion for animals. And since Gov. Chavit with numbers of animals such as lizards, snakes, birds and Tigers cannot accommodate more visitors that are fascinated with his love for animals; Baluarte was constructed to cater more visitors including the public. 

And because I am an animal lover too, I immediately noticed that the animals here are well fed. The aim to develop this 80 hectares land for the animals is impressive.  Enough space to imitate their natural habitat. Entrance is free.

Animals here in Baluarte

We are colorful

You can ride a small horse-drawn carriage, watch an animal show, visit the Butterfly garden or even feed and pet the animals if you want.

You can give a tip to kuya for a short ride.

I love Tigers and I salute Chavit for being able to take care of them.

And this is very famous for this kind of shot.

After the quick animal encounter. We went to our 2^nd stop which is the Pagburnayan Pottery Making. By casting the burnay (jars) in the potter’s wheel by hand, the potter can create various shape and sizes of jars. This jar clay will be cooked in Pugon to harden. They said that the pottery industry business was set up in 1922 by a Chinese artisan who bought the Burnay technology to Vigan that was now called Ruby Pottery. Yes, I did my research on that. :p

The work area.

Jars that are carefully handcrafted.

And here's kuya showing us how to do it.  

The closest finish product we can c/o Carlo.

The 3^rd stop is the Syquia Mansion. This mansion was owned by the wife of our 6^th president Mr. Elpidio Quirino that was also born in Vigan. The wife, Dona Alicia Quirino’s ancestor was a Chinese who made fortune in trading in Vigan.

Spacious receiving area

The mansion shows how the historical gathering takes place, the elegant furnishings shows how elite the family during those times and how they used to view visitors in the secret hole from their room. 

Antique furniture's with the painting of President Quirino. 

The mirror is real gold plated, the kalesa and the vase from ming dynasty.

After the informative tour from the caretaker that we really enjoyed. We went to my most favorite spot. Our 4th stop is the Calle Crisologo. It's just a few blocks from our previous location. 

Indeed the most beautiful street in the Philippines. It was preserved from paved streets and Spanish houses. And because of a love story; the place was untouched during World War II. They said that a Japanese General fell in love to a Filipina in Vigan and he promised to the parish priest that he will make sure not that nothing will happen to Calle Crisologo as long as he will take care of his Family. All because of love.

A walked from the past.

And we captured the town even just for a while.

We skip riding a Kalesa because we spent more time checking for pasalubong. 

To see more view and to feel more of it. 

You can also ride an actual Kalesa and take advantage of the souvenir shops everywhere. Or you can just simply sit down for a while and make a feel of its history.

Restored Casa Feril

I really waited for this.

There are lots of souvenir shops here. 

Abel Iloko weave is also known in Vigan. Blankets, table runners, towels are everywhere plus other Filipino products and souvenirs.

And more of the Calle Crisologo

I wish we also visited the town at night. They said it was more elegant looking because of the yellow street lights. After the visit; we headed to Batac City for lunch and to try Empanada and Mami which they are known of. Food choices here are very affordable. After our lunch, we went to Marcos Museum our 5th Stop. 

Marcos history and images

For Every Tear You Shed, There Will Be Victory - Do you agree?

In front of the museum. 

We also had a chance to see Marcos Mausoleum but no picture taking allowed inside. It’s a bit creepy inside. They said it was his real body but I am not sure. Well, who can say? 

Then we went to our 7^th stop. And since Ilocos is the town of the Marcos clan, you can also see here the Malacañang of the North. It’s a rest house but visitors are allowed so it’s more like a museum or a popular tourist attraction here in Ilocos. The huge and spacious house illustrates how powerful and rich the family was then during their era. It has its wide grassland and was facing the Paoay Lake. The large window panes allow the wind to flow freely. And the structure of the house is remarkable.

Malacañang of the North

I actually got tired exploring the house itself. 

The garden area.

The Veranda

The view by the window at the 2nd floor. 

Just a quick shot before we left. 

And you'll feel like a princess going down. 

Then the last stop which is also my favorite. The Paoay Church, The Roman Catholic Church that is also known as St. Augustine Church is also included in the World Heritage list. 

The bell tower that was made of coral stones stand to the right of the church served as an observation post during 1896. The entire Church walls were made of baked bricks, coral rocks, salbot (tree sap) and lumber, and with 24 carved massive walls for support.

The Paoay Church was also labeled as most admired “Earthquake Baroque” church in the Philippines. No doubt on it as it was also popular of its Gothic, Baroque and Oriental architectural designs.

And that ended our Day 1.  

After exploring the heart of Ilocos Sur, we all headed back to Java hotel for a rest. One day is not enough to fully spend time in every location. Maybe next time I’ll visit Calle Crisologo again during the festive celebrations. Or maybe I can splurge with popular restaurants in Vigan for their specialty, or ride a Kalesa. Yes, there are lots of other things to do here that will definitely bring you back. 

Next post is our Northern – Pagudpud Tour.   

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“If you have a past with which you feel dissatisfied, then forget it, now. Imagine a new story for your life and believe in it. Focus only on the moments when you achieved what you desired, and that strength will help you to get what you want.” 

― Paulo Coelho, The Fifth Mountain

Our Full-Packed Ilocandia Tour

Agyamanak Ilocos! (Thank you) I’ve been to Ilocos once and we stayed in Pagudpud during the visit. We only had our North bound tour last time and exploring Vigan is one of my wish list. After the trip, I admit, Ilocos is really one of my favourite.

Till next time Ilocandia!

I do appreciate the richness of the province and its simplicity, or maybe the history behind it. Years back, all I know about Ilocos was about the Ilocanos being “kuripot” (thrifty) but I haven’t proved it yet except from our neighbour who is an Ilocana that would like to keep all the old stuffs because she doesn’t want to waste anything and it would take ages for his son to ask for money. Maybe it’s only her. :D

So when I was invited by my former officemate, my closest friend that is now working in Singapore, I did think twice (papilit pa) but was really glad to come back. It was a planned trip that Carlo and Roseann organized for his borgs and others. So before I start showcasing Northern and Southern Ilocos on this post, I will grab this opportunity to thank Carlo for sponsoring big portion of the trip. And also, I would like to say sorry again because of the “I cannot count anymore” times we had fights. I know you still hate me until now but I am still not giving up on you. Be happy out there Muymoy! 

From left to right - Yours Truly, Jenjie, Carlo-manager, Kiko, Alfie, Nohj, Julie and Rose. 

Night trip is the best trip for an 8-hour ride going to Ilocos if you opted to travel by land. After the long drive, we finally reached Vigan and had our breakfast in Grandpa’s Inn. Eating here is a great start because of the same historic ambiance and vintage touch. We immediately proceed to our Vigan Tour after breakfast.  

Grandpa's Inn

Quick picture taking before the full packed tour.

Ilocos longganisa is a must try delicacy.

Before anything else, I’ll show you where we stayed during the trip. The Java hotel in Laoag. It is in Balinese Moroccan style with a bit of Spanish look. I love the structure and it’s highly recommendable for those who wanted a first class service in the region. 

Java Hotel

We had to finish our Vigan tour first before we went here  to relax. The place is very clean and spacious. It’s a very relaxing place to stay after a tiring tour.

Clean and spacious room for us.

And more of the hotel facilities.

We had a quick dip in the pool, had our dinner and ended the day. The boys had their drinking sessions on the other room. All I can say is it feels so good to see old friends again around. Hope you’re all doing well today.

Here’s our Ilocandia tour itinerary, we skipped some spots due to time constraints and added Kapurpurawan Rocks on our list:

Day 1

7:00AM - ETA in Vigan City
   Breakfast at Granpa's Inn

8:00AM - Call time for Vigan Tour

   Baluarte ni Gov. Singson 

   Pottery Making 

   Syquia Mansion 

   Calle Crisologo “Vigan Heritage Village” 

11:00 - Left Vigan City

12:00 - ETA Batac City 

   Lunch

   Marcos Museum

   Paoay Church

   Malacanag of the North

4:00PM - Check in at Java Hotel, Laoag City

Day 2 

8:00PM - Call time for Northern Tour – Pagudpud Tour 

   Kapurpurawan Rocks

   Burgos Lighthouse 

   Bangui Windmill
12:00-1:00 - Lunch at Pagudpud

   Patapat Viaduct 

   Paraiso ni Anton

  Kabigan Falls

  Blue Lagoon

5:00PM - Left Pagudpud

7:00PM ETA - Back to Java Hotel

Day 3 

7:00-8:00 AM - Checked out

   La Paz Sand Dunes
   Proceed to Vigan 

   Ilocos Bawang and Suka at Pinili on the way

11:00AM - ETA at Vigan City

   Last minute pasalubong hunt in Calle Crisologo

1:00PM - Lunch 

3:00PM - Left Vigan City

12:00PM - ETA in Manila

I’ll end my post for now because I am being eaten by my laziness. On my next post is our Vigan Tour. Sorry for my “bitin” post. Full-packed Vigan Tour is coming!

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The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another 

must wait till that other is ready. ~ Henry David Thoreau

Credit to the map used above.