A trip to Vigan is something to do at least once in a lifetime. Especially for Filipinos and foreign nationals of Filipino descent. It is something to be proud of. The cultural influence of Spain is very apparent in the churches and other structures, the houses, the streets. But the Filipino psyche is still very apparent.
Vigan is one of the very few places I have gone to where I felt so at home, at peace and happy. The place evokes images of the Filipinos a long time ago, the houses of affluent Filipinos which can be seen everywhere you turn. I could imagine ladies walking around in their Maria Clara's with a Spanish fan in one hand and a parasol on the other. And the gentlemen in their flimsy barong showing off to the ladies. And Filipino food that's a mix between the Spanish cuisine and local delights. And "caratelas" filling the streets and the resounding clippety-clap as the horses pull their loads over cobbled streets.
Being in Vigan makes one proud to be a Filipino.
The Genteel Life
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vigan cathedral belfry
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Bantay cathedral
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Inside the Bantay Cathedral
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 | waaahhh!!! i like!!! hahaha... c",) |
| ganda po ng shot na ito sir jun.. c",) |
| kampanaryo po ba sa english ay belfry? :D |
 | hi jc. yes, that church pic was taken very early in the morning- past 5am. i didn't take my car but instead we took a caratela around vigan including the Bantay watchtower which is beside this church. a bit of low light situation and I used a tripod. i went there after i took the shots of the old houses at the Heritage while it was still dark. I did take some shots the night before but it was raining and I had a difficult time taking a shot. so, i had to go back early the next morning. See what i do for photography? and you're to blame for it because you were the one who was able to convince me to finally go into photography (which i have always wanted to do but never got to it for such a long time). hehehe |
| yeah. you're right. kampanaryo. |
 | i've been here once, to attend an ordination, have you tried their empanadas in the streets, the best.nagdaan din kami Paoay Church kaya lang po gabi na, and mapudpod sa Pagudgpod. Also the old houses, parang ibinabalik ka sa kasaysayan. thanks for sharing this pix sir. |
 | sarap mag relax..nice shot |
 | Ive been here a few years back (actually many years ago pala). It was during holy week. Went to different churches for "visita iglesia" unfortunately, i didnt have a camera yet. Would like to see these sites again. Great shots Mr. Jun! |
| Hi Eli. Yeah, i really enjoyed my overnight stay in Vigan although the hotel where we stayed was an old house. The wooden floor would creak but that was okay with me because I remembered our old house, too. But then, my companions were scared because they said it was haunted. Well, anyway, I liked the ambience of the whole place. |
| Hi Ken. Yeah. I also sat down there to get the feel of the whole scene. It was like a dream, being transported in time and having no care in the world. Just being there and enjoying the moment. What serenity! |
| Hi Rex. I can imagine what it would be like during Holy Week there. I think there were two big churches and a small one right in the middle of a cemetery which was located in the town proper. I hope they are able to maintain this. |
 | just like living in the old times. Good shot here sir. |
| thanks 6ladys. It really makes you feel you've travelled to the past and you wonder how affluent people must have been and how they must have lived a good life, unhurried and peaceful. |
| elise wrote on Aug 5, '07 Ganda ng mga pictures. :) |
| thanks elise. I'm glad you like it. |
 | i love how black and white pictures speak volumes! |
| hi josh. i'm glad you like it. |
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The wooden floor would creak but that was okay with me because I remembered our old house, too. But then, my companions were scared because they said it was haunted. Well, anyway, I liked the ambience of the whole place. 
