The towns of Ilocos offer good food, astounding scenery, and remarkable historical sites. The itinerary I made had led us to 8 towns in 3 days. Sounds like an amazing race. These 3 glorious days have fulfilled us with impressive information of our history and filled our stomachs with heavenly delicacies. Join us as we travel from Vigan to the top of the Philippines, Pagudpud.
VIGAN. We left Manila through Fariñas Transit at 10:00 pm. The bus drop us at Bantayan, which is the entrance to Vigan proper, at 5:00am. We took a tricycle and drop us at Burgos Plaza. Since everything is still close, we take a stroll around the plaza. Locals of Vigan are health buffs, there is a free aerobics class near the church, teenagers playing basketball, people jogging in groups around town. While waiting for the Crisologo Street to open, we visit the Cathedral of Vigan which was built in 1641 and take pictures of the old houses around town. The Crisologo St. will bring you back in time of its old houses made of bricks in European design and cobblestone pathway complete with horse drawn carriages "kalesa". The houses are now used as souvenir shops and hotels. Here, you will feel how it's like to live hundred years old from now.
Crisologo St. at 6:00am
Crisologo St. at 6:00am
The oldest house in Crisologo Street.
The grumpy old woman's store. So far we have encountered kind and accommodating Ilocanos, except for the old woman who owns this store. Masungit!
Ilocos is in unity to campaign for Bong Bong Marcos.
Eating hopia while waiting for the souvenir stores to open.
There's nothing to do this early. Eastley tried to knock on this old house, daring himself to see a ghost!
It is extremely hot in Vigan so keep hydrated.
Finally, someone opened his souvenir shop!
While waiting for the Crisologo Museum to open, we pass by a carenderia where they serve sinanglao. Though it is really hot, I eat a bowlful of it!Of course with rice!
The carinderia beside Crisologo Museum serve this authentic Ilocano cuisine which they call "sinanglao" in Manila we call it "papaitan". Very good! Especially if you put sukang Iloco!
Then at 8:30 am, the Crisologo Museum is finally open. This was the house of Floro Crisologo, the former congressman of Ilocos Sur. He was also the father of SSS (Social Security System). The former statesman and was veteran was assassinated while attending a Sunday Mass at Vigan Cathedral. It was believed that his political rivals made the hideous murder. Crisologo's widow Carmeling, then the province's governor, promised she wouldn't exact revenge and she didn't. But her distraught eldest son Bingbong did, infamously burning down a village occupied by followers of their family's political opponents. He went to jail for that and became born-again. A movie was made about his life. Some years after his release, Bingbong was elected to congress to represent Quezon City.
The family wanted the people to remember how he was murdered that they converted the family mansion into a museum which houses his memorabilias and personal belongings. Crisologo's supporters volunteer to run and clean the museum. Entrance is free but donations are welcome.
The Crisologo Museum is located at Liberation Blvd.
Floro Crisologo was a WWII Veteran.
The family's enormous book collection.
Governor Carmeling Crisologo (wife of Floro Crisologo) was ambushed but survived in this car on May 10, 1961 at Bacsil, San Juan, Ilocos Sur.
This carriage was used in Jose Rizal movie of Cesar Montano.
The former congressman's desk at his law office.
Eastley was thrilled to see this toy jeepney. He has the same toy when he was young.
The second floor of the house.
The master's bedroom.
Carmeling Crisologo's shoe collection.
Potty
to be continued... up next Pres. Elpidio Quirino's Mansion
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