Moments with Vigan City

It was my first time to be in Vigan.  I have always dream to visit the place.  I like old houses; maybe I am a more sentimental person – hehehe.  The night we arrived, I saw how beautiful the place was with yellow lights all over, matching with the old structures everywhere.  It was a bigger and better version of Intramuros.

We arrived in our daughter church that is located in the center of these old structures.  We actually got lost because we can’t find the cross; churches usually have a cross in front of the building.  After asking several Tanods, we finally found the church; it was 4 am in the morning. And there was no cross.  No wonder we can’t find it.  The front of the church is part of the old structures that are preserved by the government.  I thought the church was like a haunted house.  When the gate opened, it was the only time I had a sigh of relief, our church actually have a new and beautiful structure behind those walls –hehehe.  And there was the big cross inside.

The first thing in the morning I did was to try finding a Starbucks… no coffee shop in Vigan. Immediately, I thought maybe this would be a good investment since the church is located in the tourist spot and Starbucks would definitely be a hit in that area for the tourist.

I was able to go around and saw Baluarte, heritage, and hidden garden where they have exotic plants that cost around 150,000 to 300,000 a plant.  I missed the pottery and weaving places due to lack of time.   But anyway, I believe that I would still have future opportunities to visit them.

Life in Vigan is slow, it seems all shops are close before sun down and people in their respective houses early for family dinner.  The streets would be clear by 8pm.  Vigan is a very safe place to live; we even just left the church doors open the whole day without any fear of robbers or thieves.  People are warmth and hospitable. We were greeted by people who we do not know as we walk along the streets.

The historic landmarks were amazing.  I just felt sayang… the government should have invested in restoring the structures rather than just leaving those untouched and a law that prohibits its improvements.  I remember the time when I visited Russia.  When Russia fell into the hands of the Communist, the Communist tried to destroy their heritage including destroying and burning down to the ground both Winter and Summer Palaces of the Czars.  After Russia was liberated, they restored both palaces in full, including the original paintings; wallpapers, woodcrafts and every inch and corner to its original structure using its original components and craftsmanship. Now, the Russians can recollect their heritage and learn from history through these palaces of the mighty Czars who once ruled them.   I personally think the government of Vigan needs to restore those structures so that it can last for the next generation to learn and appreciate our heritage as Filipinos.
I had an opportunity to enter some of these houses; actually they are houses of some of our church members.  It looks elegant as well as creepy… hehehe.   It is elegant because of its history and vast space in every section of the house.  It really represents the house of the affluent during the Spanish Occuptation.  It is also creepy in the sense because they were not allowed to renovate, so as you make your steps around the house, you are thinking the possibility of your foot getting stuck on the floor as it squeaks and cracks… hehehe.   But they are very very nice places to visit, I do not know about living in one, since I have not tried it.  I heard many mystical things that are happening inside these houses… hehehe.