Exploring Vigan On Foot (Part 2)

Vigan's  full name at the time of its Spanish foundation was Villa Fernandina, or "Town of Ferdinand", in honor of Prince Ferdinand, the firstborn son of King Philip II of Spain. As the city grew, and the seat of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia transferred to Vigan, it was later renamed Ciudad Fernandina de Vigan ("Ferdinand's City of Vigan").

The city was a coastal trading post long before the Spaniards arrived; Chinese traders sailing from the South China Sea came to Isla de Vigan (Island of Vigan) via the Mestizo River that surrounded it. 

This is the continuation of my previous blog: Exploring Vigan on Foot about the historical and cultural landmark that sets Vigan apart from other cities.

Bantay Bell Tower

The famous Bantay Tower is actually not a part of Vigan but is located in the nearby town of Bantay along the National Hi Way. It was built in 1591, and was said to be the people’s watchtower, part of the city’s defense that helps to alert against possible enemies. The tower is situated on top of a hill beside the San Agustin Church and stands approximately 40 ft. tall which offers a 360 degree view of Vigan City and some part of Ilocos Sur.

Dancing Fountain in Plaza Salcedo

One of the best place in Vigan to stay during the evening (7:30pm onwards), where a display of world class feature that showcase the dancing fountain- lasers and lights are synched to popular music tune and illuminates the fountains jetting all through the plaza.

Abel Weaver

The Abel Iloko is one of the oldest traditional craft in Vigan which is known throughout the country for their design and ingenuity. The Abel loom weaving still thrives to this day in five barangays namely Camangaan, Bedeng Daya, Mindoro, San Pedro and Cabaroan Daya.

Baluarte

The residence of former Governor Chavit Singson features an interactive mini zoo, souvenir shops, skeet shooting range, butterfly garden, pony ride, function hall and musuem. Visitors are given free admission and free use of facilities in the picnic area.

How to Get There:

1. Located in Ilocos Sur, you can ride a bus bound for Vigan City (Dominion, Partas, Viron Transit)

Exploring Vigan On Foot (Part 1)

Vigan City is the capital of Ilocos Sur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the few Hispanic towns left in the Philippines where the structures remained intact. It is well known for its cobblestone streets and unique architecture that fuses Philippine and Oriental building designs and construction, with colonial European architecture.

The area of Vigan was originally a settlement of traders coming from the Fujian Province, China. At the time of Spanish colonisation, the Chinese settlers, whose language was Southern Fujianese referred to the area as Bee Gan which means "Beautiful Shore." The Spanish conquistadors interchanged V and the B to refer to the /b/ sound and they spelled the Hokkien Chinese name "Bee Gan" as Vigan, which is the name that is used to this day.

(The old Quirino Bridge)

The Pinoy Solo Hiker explored the city of Vigan on foot and was astonished to see the picturesque historical and cultural landmark that sets Vigan apart from other cities, among which are the following:

Calle Crisologo (Mena Crisologo Street)

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

Hidden Garden

It started as a private garden by an innovative nature-lover way back in the 80's, it had grown as a garden with so much to offer and of course a little bit hidden from the main road, thus why it is called Hidden Garden.

Syquia Mansion

The mansion belongs to a wealthy Filipino-Chinese family in Vigan - the Syquia clan. The late President Elpidio Quirino married Alicia Syquia in 1919, thus the mansion was called the first "Malacanang of the North". It now operates as a museum that showcase that lifestyle of rich and famous in the early 1900's including the memorabilia of the late President.

Pagburnayan (Jar Factory)

The traditional earthen jar-making industry in Vigan is believed to have been introduced by the Chinese traders in the 14th century. These terra cotta (earthen jars) were used for fermenting vinegar, basi and salt. The pagnurbayan workshops was established in "Pagbantayan" because of it's accessibility to rich clay deposits.

How to Get There:

1. Located in Ilocos Sur, you can ride a bus bound for Vigan City (Dominion, Partas, Viron Transit)

2. You can check the Part 2 of this blog Exploring Vigan Part 2

Mt Bulalo (Mak-Ban Geothermal)

Mt. Bulalo which is also known as Mak-Ban Geothermal Power Plant has an altitude of 1750ft. above sea level and located about 70 km southeast of Manila. The geothermal field lies beside the foot of Mt. Makiling and within the Macolod corridor, a 40-km wide “rift-like feature” that crosses the Luzon arc. 

The name Mak-Ban comes from the two dormant volcanoes nearby: Makiling and Banahaw, though the power plant is much, more closer to Makiling than it is to Banahaw. Mak-Ban harnesses the geothermal energy located in the Bulalo Field, which is associated with Mt. Bulalo and Mt. Olilia, two smaller peaks located on the southeast flank of Mt. Makiling. The geothermal power plant is one of the two geothermal plant in the Philippines that supplies power to a large portion of Luzon.

The summit can be reached in 20-30 mins. hike that passes through a cemented road on a 500 ft. altitude gain from the guard house (the whole vicinity is a private property owned by Philippine Geothermal). A strong putrid smell of sulfuric gases is also present along the trail. Strong  gush of wind and cool breeze will welcome you on the summit that is composed of open grassland and a grotto, thus making it a favorite retreat during Lenten season. A rewarding view of nearby town of Sto. Tomas, Batangas together with the iconic Napocor power grid tower that passes across Mt. Bulalo can also be seen from the view deck. 

How to Get There:

1. From Bay, Laguna ride a jeep bound to Bitin.

2. The jump off point is beside the Bitin Catholic Chuch, ask the locals for direction.

Venice Grand Canal

Located in McKinley Hills in Taguig City, the Venice Grand Canal opened last February 2016. It is a mall which is a replica from the famed Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. The design was inspired from the Venetian Gothic architectural style that combines the use of the Gothic lancet arch with Byzantine and Moorish architecture influences. The style originated in 14th century Venice with the confluence of Byzantine styles from Constantinople.

Gondola ride is available for 500 pesos per person and will let you experience the romantic feeling of the emerald waters of the canal together with Italian tune that plays on the background. 

How to Get There:
1. From Makati City, you can ride a Citylink buses that are bound for McKinley Hills. 

Mr. Choi Kitchen

Considered by some as one of the best restaurant that serves authentic and traditional Chinese food in Metro Manila.

The resto has a clean premises, comfortable ambiance, wide range of chinese food selection and of course, the price is reasonable compared to some resto that we usually visit during Chinese New Year. The price ranges from affordable to reasonable, in fact they do not even have a service charge billed in the receipt.

We ordered Yang Chang Chow Rice - it tastes good even on it's own and it's not too oily. I also like their chicken lemon - a unique blend of lemon sauce that creates a sweet yet sour taste on the chicken serving. Their seafood roll is also a must try - tender, juicy though a bit sweet, rolled into perfection.

Our orders took a while before it got served, the staff should have at least served our drinks first. They don't have any mounted TV, reading materials or a newspaper to kill the boredom while waiting for your orders to be served. 

Rating:

7 out of 10

Sampaloc Lake

Sampaloc Lake is one of the 7 lakes in San Pablo City and is the largest among the lakes found in the city. Nearly half of the lake's depth has a shallow depression at the lake's bottom, indicating its volcanic origin. The lake is dotted with fishpens and small cottages built on stilts.

A scenic view of the surrounding Mt. Cristobal, Mt. Atimla, Imok Hill and Mt. Kalisungan can be seen from the viewing deck of the lake. A park was also erected beside the lake where anyone can rent a bike for 20 pesos (50 pesos for pedicab) to tour the 3.7km circumference of the lake. Pedal boats are also available for rent, unfortunately only 2 are operational and you can rent it 50 per person.

Sampaloc Lake is a nice sidetrip after a hike from Mt. Kalisungan and Bunga Falls.

Mt Cristobal as seen from the lake

Sunset @ Sampaloc Lake

How to Get There:

1.) Take a bus bound to Lucena (DLTB or Jac Liner), they have terminals in Cubao and LRT Buendia 

2.) Tell the conductor to drop you off in San Pablo City (since, bus were not allowed inside the city you will be drop off at Mahalarlika hiway in San Pablo, you can either ride a trike or take a San Pablo bound jeepneys.

3.) Sampaloc Lake is located beside San Pablo City Hall.

Contis Bakeshop & Restaurant

Contis is a bakeshop & restaurant and they are known for the famous Mango Bravo - a mouth watering seven inch tall cake made of soft butter cake with layers of cashew meringue wafers, mousse, mangoes, and cream ensconced in white cream. It is drizzled with chocolate syrup and topped with mangoes and served frozen. It is both sturdy and delicate, truly a must try for anyone with extreme indulgence to cakes and pastries, which I, myself is guilty of.

Because I've been craving for it's scrumptious taste, I decided to visit one of their branch which is in Greenbelt (I've been to their Nuvali and Trinoma branch). I ordered none other than the famous Mango Bravo, it never fails to satisfy my taste buds. I also ordered  Choco Overload - made with layers of moist chocolate cake with rich choco creams and icings topped with ganache and drizzled with chocolate syrup. For me, this is the best tasting chocolate cake in the local market, they are the best in what they do -  in terms of cakes & pastries. For my main dish I had Chicken ala Kiev, bathe in white cream sauce with corn as a side dish. They also offer bottomless Iced Tea, which tastes good made of "real" tea compared to ice teas that are served in other fast food.

One of the best resto I can recommend for the whole family most especially for their cakes & patries. Good ambience, the food taste great, affordable (not really), quality and they have branches in several locations. (This is not a paid advertisement, I paid for my own bill).

Rating:

7 out of 10