The Lure of Vigan
More than a decade ago, Vigan was a sleepy old town bereft of appeal except of its old “bahay na bato” or Castilian houses made of massive walls, tiled roofs, and capiz windows equally massive but definitely tropical, lined up in several streets now called The Heritage Village.
Its appeal attracted not only former (and deceased) presidential aspirant Fernando Poe Jr. but also international moviemakers using the town either as a historic European town or a Spanish pueblo for location shoots.
Although much of the anachronistic stores and auto repair shops still dot some of the area’s tourist spot, Vigan has improved a lot since the joint Spanish and Local Government projects focused on architectural renovation. Soon after, the town became a city in early 2000 and bloomed like a fair lady coming of age.
In visiting Vigan, there are a lot more surprises than the walk along Florentino or Crisologo Streets and visits in museums. The area along the Plaza Burgos and Saint Paul Cathedral had been developed by the BCS Realty Group and now brags of Plaza Maestro which was like an Ayala Center in lay-out and design, adapting Vigan architecture with open piazzas and retaining old acacia trees within its premises. It houses several international and local boutiques and fast food outlets, as well as National Bookstore.
Another regular Vigan fare is the “empanadahan” which has been moved from the east to the southern part of Plaza Burgos where visitors see what they actually eat and how it is done as kneading, mixing of ingredients and cooking is done right in front of the customers.
Construction boom in Vigan is prevalent even along the entryway from the Banaoang Bridge in Bantay as housing subdivisions and development are on-going --- such as Alta Mira. New hotels dot the area going to the revived city (as Vigan was used to be Ciudad Fernandina).
Whereas there had been limited choices of places to stay in Vigan before, today, one of the most modern yet still Castilian in design is Vigan Plaza Hotel. I have been in and around the place courtesy of former managing director Randy Singson and it reminded me of Casa Manila, and some modern hotels of Boracay. Luxurious, elegant, modern, and still totally Spanish as this was renovated with the tiling of roofs alone undertaken for three years. Old antique woods were carefully replaced as authentic furniture and amenities were added.
Of course, there are still a lot of other choices such as the Vigan Heritage Hotel, the Aniceto Mansion beside VPH with an authentic indoor wishing well (rumor has it that the well is an underground tunnel that connects to the nearby convento of the cathedral!) old Grandpa’s Inn, Mom’s, Cool Spot, El Juliana, Paraiso ni Don Juan, Heritage Resort, Baley Park, or Mel-Sol’s Inn.
But before I close this one, when in Vigan, you might as well visit the Hidden Garden in the southern part of the city where once can experience a tropical solitude beneath bamboo grooves and well-kept flora collection while contemplating on what Vigan pot fits a plant variety you might fancy.
Also, one last note, is Governor Chavit’s Baluarte where one may hitch a ride with tiny spunky horses while gazing at lions, tigers, anaconda’s and road runners around… Then have a glimpse of the infamous mahjong tiles that make-up the gate towards the the mansion on the hill allegedly funded by a round of a gambling session by a former republic president.
And the estimated cost? No doubt an affordable one as Vigan is a tourist destination of international surprises fit for local budget. (Photo taken from wowpinoy.net. Published in Pangasinan Express Trends & Traditions)
Its appeal attracted not only former (and deceased) presidential aspirant Fernando Poe Jr. but also international moviemakers using the town either as a historic European town or a Spanish pueblo for location shoots.
Although much of the anachronistic stores and auto repair shops still dot some of the area’s tourist spot, Vigan has improved a lot since the joint Spanish and Local Government projects focused on architectural renovation. Soon after, the town became a city in early 2000 and bloomed like a fair lady coming of age.
In visiting Vigan, there are a lot more surprises than the walk along Florentino or Crisologo Streets and visits in museums. The area along the Plaza Burgos and Saint Paul Cathedral had been developed by the BCS Realty Group and now brags of Plaza Maestro which was like an Ayala Center in lay-out and design, adapting Vigan architecture with open piazzas and retaining old acacia trees within its premises. It houses several international and local boutiques and fast food outlets, as well as National Bookstore.
Another regular Vigan fare is the “empanadahan” which has been moved from the east to the southern part of Plaza Burgos where visitors see what they actually eat and how it is done as kneading, mixing of ingredients and cooking is done right in front of the customers.
Construction boom in Vigan is prevalent even along the entryway from the Banaoang Bridge in Bantay as housing subdivisions and development are on-going --- such as Alta Mira. New hotels dot the area going to the revived city (as Vigan was used to be Ciudad Fernandina).
Whereas there had been limited choices of places to stay in Vigan before, today, one of the most modern yet still Castilian in design is Vigan Plaza Hotel. I have been in and around the place courtesy of former managing director Randy Singson and it reminded me of Casa Manila, and some modern hotels of Boracay. Luxurious, elegant, modern, and still totally Spanish as this was renovated with the tiling of roofs alone undertaken for three years. Old antique woods were carefully replaced as authentic furniture and amenities were added.
Of course, there are still a lot of other choices such as the Vigan Heritage Hotel, the Aniceto Mansion beside VPH with an authentic indoor wishing well (rumor has it that the well is an underground tunnel that connects to the nearby convento of the cathedral!) old Grandpa’s Inn, Mom’s, Cool Spot, El Juliana, Paraiso ni Don Juan, Heritage Resort, Baley Park, or Mel-Sol’s Inn.
But before I close this one, when in Vigan, you might as well visit the Hidden Garden in the southern part of the city where once can experience a tropical solitude beneath bamboo grooves and well-kept flora collection while contemplating on what Vigan pot fits a plant variety you might fancy.
Also, one last note, is Governor Chavit’s Baluarte where one may hitch a ride with tiny spunky horses while gazing at lions, tigers, anaconda’s and road runners around… Then have a glimpse of the infamous mahjong tiles that make-up the gate towards the the mansion on the hill allegedly funded by a round of a gambling session by a former republic president.
And the estimated cost? No doubt an affordable one as Vigan is a tourist destination of international surprises fit for local budget. (Photo taken from wowpinoy.net. Published in Pangasinan Express Trends & Traditions)
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