VIGAN: THE HOME OF ANCIENT CULTURAL HISTORY IN THE PHILIPPINES

Historical wonders and tourist spots in the Philippines are too numerous to mention. Perhaps, this is due to the fact that this country is richly blessed with natural resources, which makes the Filipino way of life much more fun.  Aside from this remarkable sociological trait of the Philippines, she is well-endowed with provinces which are not only enigmatically beautiful and splendid; but also culturally enriched. On the northern side of the Philippines, the province of Vigan is something that millions of local and foreign tourists must see. Let this article take you to this relaxing part of the North and discover for yourselves why it is a world-class tourist destination.

VIGAN (PHOTO COURTESY: JHULIUS CAMPOSAGRADO @JHULIUSNOVIO ON INSTAGRAM)

Vigan is said to be a fifth class city in the province of Ilocos Sur in the Philippines. Most importantly, it is a marvelous place which has been included in the roster of heavenly and alluring sites; with endearing and worth knowing historical significance. Accordingly, it is a city province which has a Hispanic atmosphere which can be clearly seen in its cobblestone streets. In addition, this truly mesmerizing and awesome feature of Vigan, Ilocos Sur is an architectural masterpiece which has perfectly and harmoniously combined both Oriental and Philippine building designs. Construction wise, the varying architectural works and wonders in this continuously developing city-province of Ilocos Sur were inspired by the European world. The population of this province is estimated to be at 47, 246 in inhabitants and with active and hardworking households of 91,193, and still counting. As to its timeless legacy and contribution to Philippine history is concerned, Vigan, Ilocos Sur is the birthplace of the sixth president of the Republic of the Philippines, in the person of Elpidio Quirino.

PRES. E. QUIRINO'S CARRIAGE, THE SYQUIA MANSION (PHOTO COURTESY: @IGRAMER ON INSTAGRAM)

How Was the Name Vigan Coined?

Based on the pages of ancient Philippine history, Vigan was originally a haven for business adaptations among the early traders in the province. Incidentally, these business-oriented people came from Fujian Province in China. Due to their Fokkien language pronunciation, These Chinese migrants pronounced the word Vigan, as Bee Gan, which simply means, “Beautiful Shore”. Meanwhile, there was another interesting anecdote as to how Vigan got its captivating name. Since the Basque and Castillian conquistadores had been constantly interchanging the letter V to B, they had chosen to use the misspelled term of Bee Gan, in reference to the province of Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

On the other hand, the Chinese ancestry of this city-province in Ilocus Sur is still very much domineering and eminent at the same time, as many Chinese-creole families, belonging to the elite class of society still reside in Vigan today;  while they are legally using Hispanic names. Accordingly, the most popular legend, with respect to its historic nomenclature had been theorized that it  came from a local plant in the Philippines, which was commonly referred to as the “Biga plant” Therefore, it was believed by people of Vigan that it had once grown, along the riverbanks of the Mestizo River. From then on, the name Vigan was first used by Juan de Salcedo, after he was honestly misunderstood by its early people who had presumed that he was inquiring about the plant specie and not the province’s name itself.

Vigan, as well has other unique names during the Spanish times. To date, its full name was “Villa Fernandina or the “Town of Ferdinand”. Since then, the latter was used as the name of the province to humbly and gloriously honor “Prince Ferdinand, the deceased first- born child of King Philipp II, of Spain. Over the years, as the city evolves and progresses, the former Villa Fernandina is now widely known as Vigan all around the Philippines.

VIGAN - CALLE CRISOLOGO (PHOTO COUTESY: JOBELLE @JOBELLEVP ON INSTAGRAM)

Vigan’s Colorful History

Basically, Vigan was an island cleaved from its mainland, by three main bodies of water, namely, the River of Abra, Mestizo River and the Govanites River. From an island to a historic and illustrious city-province, it uniquely became a world-class tourist destination because it had become the home of many historic and quite extensive Philippine cities, since it was geographically known in the world of Philippine history and culture. Perhaps, most of our readers especially those who belong to a much younger and modern generation do not have an inkling that the architectural structures in Vigan dates back as early as 16th century.

Economy

In terms of economics, Vigan was a former coastal trading post prior to the colonization of Spain in the Philippines. With this kind of an economic environment, Chinese traders were painstakingly traveling from the vastness of South China Sea to Isla de Vigan. They were journeying to the Mestizo River, which was fantastically encapsulating Vigan Island. Similarly, there were also merchants who were trading their commodities to other Asian kingdoms or business empires for items like beeswax, gold and other indigenous byproducts from the richness of Vigan’s mountains.

The Long Search for Vigan Province Was Finally Over

Due to Vigan’s enchanting geographical and natural endowments, Spanish Governor-General Guido de Lavizares had written two epistles to King Philipp II of Spain to send an emissary of his; alongside with around 70 to 80 soldiers to gratifyingly explore the coast of Los Ilocanos, on the shores of Bigan River. Giving in to this earnest request, the ever dynamic and robust Spaniards had marched all the way to the northern part of Manila,  on the 20th day of May 1572 and had finally reached their destination on June 12, 1572.

The Precious Reward of Juan de Salcedo from King Philipp II

Consequently, the successful voyage and fruitful discovery of the North by no less than  Juan de Salcedo himself,  made it possible for him to find at long last the place which was beautifully alluded to as “Villa Fernandina de Vigan”.  From there, Salcedo and his comrades had circumnavigated the tip of Luzon and had to proceed to other provinces like Albay, Camarines and Catanduanes which were all parts of Bicol Region. For a job well-done, the powerful King of Spain had rewarded him the whole and old province of Ilocos; which included nearby provinces like Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union and some parts of Mountain Province. These key provinces of Ilocos were converted into “haciendas” or estates. Ultimately, Salcedo was designated as the “Justicia Mayor de esta Provincia de Ylocos”, or the Province Mayor of Ilocos.

Religion wise, Vigan was evangelized with the help of Augustinian missionaries who were brought forth by de Salcedo in 1576. Previously, the community composition of the province humbly started with a priest, one justice alcalde mayor (presently known as a governor) and a deputy. To be economically sound, the King was collecting 800 tributes which functioned as taxes.

Vigan as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

From this noble beginning, the city-province of Vigan had prospered lot. –Politically, socially and economically. Having reached those historical and unbelievable feats in the course and evolution of Philippine history, the splendid province of Vigan was cited by the UNESCO World Heritage Site as an exemplary model for the preservation of Spanish colonial towns in Asia.  In this regard, the province of Vigan Ilocos Sur has the finest and eye-catching architectural models, which are elegant fusions of cultural elements from China, Philippines and Spain.

VIGAN MARKET (PHOTO COURTESY: @MIGQUESADA ON INSTAGRAM)

Geography and Topography

Vigan can be easily found in the northern part of Luzon. Likewise, it is also known as the capital city of Ilocos Sur province. Meanwhile, its ideal geographical features and location distinctively characterize this tourist destination as conveniently accessible to travelers, around the world. Along this line, this part of Ilocos is only 400 kilometers away from Metro Manila. If you are to ask about its invigorating and exhilarating topography, Vigan possesses 2,511 hectares of land, which are composed of breathtaking hills and mountains that are truly awesome to see.

Subsequently, almost 60% of its total land area is utilized for agriculture purposes. Hence, the remaining portions are mainly used for residential, commercial and industrial endeavors.

The Primitive Urban Structures in Vigan

When the persevering Spanish voyager, Juan de Salcedo had found this former island in the North, he had decided to follow its architectural patterns, according to the urban plan in Intramuros, Manila. However, this was not meant to deliberately replace the original Ciudad de Fernandina in its entirety. Instead, the numerous urban planners who were commissioned to do the job had imitated a model of towns that predominantly existed in this commercial region of the North.  Prior to its urban development and modifications, the Laws of Indies had laid out the plans for its overall and widespread architectural reinventions. So, after the much needed deliberations the urbanization of architectural structures in Vigan was already at hand. Among the most gigantic and historical urban settings in the city-province of Vigan were the following: The central park in Plaza Salcedo, high-rise administrative buildings, which were beamingly front lined by “Casa Real”. More so, the elegant metamorphosis of Vigan was instituted with the establishment of some religious buildings like, the Archdiocese seminary and the Cathedral of Saint Paul’s.

VIGAN CATHEDRAL (PHOTO COURTESY: MARLON COSTALES @MARLONCOSTALES ON INSTAGRAM)

A Blessing in Disguise for Vigan Province

Because of unexpected tragedies, some of these noble structures in Vigan were replaced by more durable and innovative architectural morphologies.  For instance, the old Casa Real which gutted by fire was displaced with a provincial capitol building during the time of the Americans. Insofar as the residential areas were concerned, these were also primal parts of Vigan makeover.  Travelling down the busy streets of Crisologo, it allows every first time visitor to notice the brilliant and well-planned reconstruction of the ancient domiciles of the people in Vigan.

CALLE CRISOLOGO, VIGAN (PHOTO COURTESY: CAMILLE BEATRICE ANG @YOGIBEAISLOVE ON INSTAGRAM)

Weather and Climate

Vigan province falls under the first type of climate in the Philippines. This is characterized by dual seasons- Wet and dry. Usually, the dry season here begins from November to April of every year. On the contrary, the wet season enters during the months of May till the last stretch of October. Thus, the rainfall element of this city province has an annual average of 190.683 millimeters.

Tourism-Related Activities

Of course, any province within the Philippines can never do without its yearly festivities. Therefore, Vigan province celebrates a lot of tourism-related activities regardless of the different socio-economic conditions; which are courageously faced with optimism by the loving and thrifty Ilocanos of Vigan.  Some of these festivals are: the Semana Santa, Viva Vigan Arts and Industry festival among many others.

BALUARTE @ VIGAN ILOCOS SUR (PHOTO COURTESY: ALDRIN GAPUZ @ALDUREEYN ON INSTAGRAM)

Vigan’s Points of Historical and Cultural Interests

Possessing the best of the best cultural heritage and conventional traditions are likewise due to these abounding “points of interests” of Vigan. These innumerable tourism points of interests are randomly enumerated as follows:

• The Vigan Cathedral- This is the center of the Archdiocese of Nuestra Senora Segovia and the birthplace of the great son of Ilocos Sur, Florentino Tolentino.
• Baluarte- A small zoo in the province, which is situated in a place called as “Salindag”. In here, worldwide visitors of Vigan would have the once in a lifetime experience to see diverse kinds of animals, including tigers and lions
• The Syquia Mansion- It is the not so ostentatious home of former Philippine president Quirino

BALUARTE (PHOTO COURTESY: FRANCIS LOY @FRANCISLOY ON INSTAGRAM)

The familiar sage which says, “History repeats itself” is truly one of the nicest things that God and destiny can greatly shower upon any country, like the Philippines. “Why?”.  It is solely because Vigan’s discovery, development and unforgettable modifications have exhibited the undoubted truth; that colorful events in a nation’s past can be rhetorically repeated with PRIDE, SOCIAL PRESTIGE and an unquestionable degree of cultural excellence which can never be taken away by eccentric modern conquerors of today.