the famous Calle Crisologo at night…

8  BEST REASONS TO VISIT ILOCOS SUR

Vigan is one of my favorite places in the country. For those who are contemplating to visit the place, there are hundreds of reasons why you should. I would like to share with you the 8  BEST REASONS TO VISIT ILOCOS SUR:

1. Experience Calle Crisologo

A walk or a calesa ride through Vigan’s Calle Crisologo or Mena Crisologo Street will transform you back to the Philippine-Spanish colonial time. Calle Crisologo is one of the major attractions of Vigan.  This mestizo district is filled with Spanish-style houses that evoke a bygone era when its people lived prosperously because of the Manila-Acapulco maritime trade.

The ambiance of the street changes during night time. To me, it seemed a bit creepy looking into some unoccupied old structures, especially late at night when there are few people walking in the street. However, in the early evening, the street seemed like a Barrio Fiesta; restaurants would extend tables in the streets for their customers and souvenir shops are all open.

2. Dance with the Dancing Fountain

One of the newest attractions of Vigan is its dancing Fountain located in front of the Vigan Cathedral Church & at the center of Plaza Salcedo. You will see the lagoon with a blue clear water during daytime and a light show presentation during night-time. The show starts every 7:30 pm in the evening.  The show lasts for 30 minutes while during weekends the show runs for almost an hour.  You will be amazed at seeing the locals and the tourist dancing and bathing in the fountain.

3. Interact with the animals at Baluarte

Baluarte is a huge property of Ilocos Sur’s political clan, the Singsons. The patriarch and the region’s ex-governor open this place to serve as a tourist spot and to house his exotic animals. Chavit, as he is famously known owns tigers, ostriches, deer, peacocks, miniature horses and deer freely graze in the vast and verdant fields, and there are donkeys, horses, tigers, birds and snakes, even crested serpent eagles, iguanas and Easter bearded dragons to see. The Baluarte has an interactive animal show daily.

4. Syquia Museum

Get a review of your Philippine history; learn the evolution of Filipino houses from Bahay Kubo to Bahay na kahoy into Bahay na bato with the tour guide at Syquia Mansion. The Syquia Mansion, which houses President Quirino’s extensive memorabilia is actually owned by his wife, Dona Alicia Quirino. Her ancestor was a Chinese who made his fortune in the robust trading in Vigan.  They adopted the hispanized Syquia surname later on.

5. Crisologo Museum

The Crisologo museum is the home of former Congressman Floro Crisologo. It showcases the collection of the former Congressman’s family and memorabilia of his time. His wife, Carmeling Crisologo survived a murder attempt. The car she rode with the bullets on it is also part of the collection.

6. Pagburnayan

A must try experience when visiting Vigan is to try by yourself the burnay making.    See for your yourself the potters make the burnay by hand, casting it on a potter’s wheel. It is the potter’s skill that determines how intricate a burnay will be. The jars are then cooked to hardness in a dragon kiln fired to extremely hot temperatures.

7. The Secret Garden

A surprise for every traveler, no one would anticipate that a beautiful garden is located at the heart of Vigan City, where tourists can dine, relax and just enjoy the place. More than the beautiful garden and superb potteries, The Secret Garden   also serves delicious Ilocano food.

8. Empanada, Bagnet and Crispy Dinuguan

Empanada is one of Ilocos’ specialties. It is a type of savory dish filled with ground beef/pork, shredded cabbage and egg deep fried into golden perfection.

In addition, the Bagnet and crispy dinuguan are no doubt some of the must-try dishes when visiting the place. Almost all restaurants and eateries serve these dishes.