TRAVENTURE
V O L U M E 1 I S S U E 1 O C T O B E R
WELCOME TO VIGAN!
SPECIAL POINT OF Vigan is an island,
INTEREST which used to be de-
tached from the main-
land by three rivers
the great Abra River, the
History of Vigan Mestizo River and the
Govantes River. It is
unique among the Philip-
pine towns because it is
Location of Vigan
the countrys most ex-
tensive and only surviv-
ing historic city that
Beautiful Destina- dates back to the 16th
tions century Spanish colonial
period. Vigan was an im-
portant coastal trading
post in pre-colonial
Vigan Cuisine
times. Long before the
Spanish galleons, Chi-
Commentaries
HISTORY OF VIGAN
The city is unique
in the Philippines be-
cause it is one of many
extensive surviving Phil-
ippine historic cities, da-
ting back to the 16th
century. Vigan was a
coastal trading post long
before the Spaniards ar-
2 0 1 7
nese junks sailing from kingdoms in exchange for
the South China Sea gold, beeswax and other
came to Isla de Bigan mountain products
through the Mestizo Riv- brought down by natives
from the Cordille-
ras. Immigrants, mostly
Chinese, settled in Vigan,
intermarried with the na-
tives and started the multi
-cultural bloodline of the
Bigueos.
er that surrounded the
island. On board were
sea-faring merchants
that came to barter ex-
otic goods from Asian
rived; Chinese traders from other Asian king-
sailing from the South doms in exchange for
China Sea came to Isla gold, beeswax, and other
de Vigan (Island of Vigan) mountain products
via the Mestizo River brought by the indigenous
that surrounded it. On peoples from the Cordil-
board their ships were lera region.
seafaring merchants who
came to trade goods
 Location of Vigan
T Vigan is a city in
the Philippines, on the
horse-drawn carriag-
es and rustic man-

R
west coast of Luzon
island. It's known for
its preserved Spanish
colonial and Asian ar-
sions. Near the white
baroque Vigan Cathe-
dral are Plaza
Salcedo, offering

A
chitecture. Calle
Crisologo dominates
the Mestizo district,
with its cobblestone
streets, malecn,
fountain light shows,
and Plaza Burgos,
known for its street-
food stalls.

V
Beautiful Destinations in Vigan
E BANTAY BELL CHURCH
The church was heavily damaged during World War II and re-

N building was started in 1950. The restored faade is of Neo-

Gothic design mixed with pseudo-Romanesque materials and ele-
ments. It is de- PAGE 2
signed to be
grandiose and re min is ce nt

T of Spanish ar-
uses materials
as bricks and
chitecture. It
s u c h
mud. The bel-
fry sits on a hilltop over-

U looking a green
the province
was used as a
pasture and
of Abra. It
watchtower
for invading en- emy forces

R during World Wars I and II

because of its strategic location. The Bantay Church and bell tower are
monumental witnesses to various atrocities and uprisings.

E
 BANAOANG BRIDGE
An important landmark of Ilocandia, this
456-meterbridge is also called Banaoang Bridge as
it's located in Barangay Banaoang, Santa, Ilocos Sur.
It is no longer used and replaced with a new-
er bridge that also connects the towns of Santa
and Bantay. The scenic arch bridge is considered
an iconic symbol of Ilocos Sur.

CALLE CRISOLOGO
The major attraction of Vigan is its mestizo
district which is filled with Spanish-style houses
that evoke a bygone era when its people lived
prosperously because of the Manila-Acapulco mari-
time trade. For visitors who want to experience
being transported back to this period in Philippine
Spanish colonial time, a walk or a calesa ride
through Vigans Calle Crisologo or Mena Crisologo
Street is a must.

SYQUIA MANSION
Vigan is the proud birthplace of the Philippines sixth president, Elpidio Quirino. President Qui-
rino is best remembered as the chief author of economic developments undertaken by the country
that helped it rise from the devastation of World War II, as well as the countrys foreign policy direc-
tion during that time. Visitors should also not pass up on the opportunity to look through the peeping
holes found in the masters bedroom and the second floor which are used to view visitors in the re-
ceiving area before they are allowed to enter the grand living room. A caretaker of the Syquia family is
always around when the mansion is open to accompany visitors. Visitors can get important details from
 VIGAN CUISINE
Vigan cuisine is more than the iconic Vigan empanada, longganisa and kankanen. These Vigan
must-tastes are just the tip of the culinary experience that can be had in this city. To ready the food ad-
venturers, they must be informed that Vigan cuisine is simple and leans towards keeping the natural fla-
vor of each ingredient, which are mostly vegetables. Ilocano dishes are characterized by sweet, sour or
salty taste. Noteworthy is the favor towards bitter flavor that can be attested by its presence in its most
-loved dish, the pinakbet. The pinakbet uses bitter melon, eggplant, squash and okra cooked with ba-
goong or fermented shrimp fry and bagnet or sun-dried pork belly, which is fried to a crisp prior to mix-
ing with the vegetable.

BAGNET LONGGANISA LUMPIANADA

DINAKDAKAN TINUBOG VIGAN BASI

COME & LETS VISIT VIGAN!