Explore.Dream.Discover: Ilocos Sur - La Union Birthday Adventures

Vigan City - Santiago Cove - Bauang - Agoo

November 01 - 03, 2023

It was a special day - my birthday, the 2nd of November. The day was also declare a regular non-working holiday throughout the country in observance of the "All Souls Day" for Christian Catholics. It was a long weekend.

I thought of bringing my family somewhere out of the city to spend the long weekend meaningfully and to celebrate my special day with them. I had always been celebrating my birthday at home in Isabela Province with my family and relatives.

There were several choices I had in mind. First was to stay overnight at Corregidor and have a family tour around the island. My family will enjoy the reach history of the island particularly during the last World War II. Second was to spend a night at Subic, visit Subic Safari, enjoy a short trek inside the jungle, cook lunch with the natives using bamboo tree and have lunch together. Third was to have a tour in Pagudpud Ilocos Norte and enjoy the white sand beaches.

Planning for the whole activities started in mid September. The idea was to conduct activities that are fit for every member of my family so that everyone will enjoy, relax and unwind - a family bonding.

After considering several factors such as travel time/distance, accessibility of the place and weather, I had decided to bring my family up north in Ilocos Sur for them to experience a heritage tour within the UNESCO World Heritage City, experience the famous "Santorini" of the north at Vitalis Villas south of the City of Vigan in the municipality of Santiago and to meet old friends. It was in 2016 when I had my first visit at Vitalis Villas for a company anniversary.

ORGANIZING THE TRIP

My first idea was to explore Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte and neighboring places for my family to enjoy the white sand beach, take photos at the wind mills, climb the Kapurpurawan rock formation and marvel at the lush green landscape from atop Cape Bojeador. However, with the limited time allotted for all the activities and considering the travel time from Manila, I decided to explore Ilocos Sur instead. Besides, Ilocos Norte is no longer new to my family. We already had previous trips to the white sand beaches of the Province in the past.

Speaking of Ilocos Sur, one would immediately think of Vigan City, the capital of the province considered a premiere heritage site of the Philippines. Visiting Ilocos Sur means visiting Vigan City.

To complement the heritage tour activities, I decided to bring my family at Vitalis Villas after moving around the heritage sites in Vigan City. Santorini inspired Villas known as "Vitalis Villas" would be a perfect place to rest, unwind and relax for the whole family. It is a unique resort perched on a rocky mountain side facing Santiago Cove in the town of Santiago, Ilocos Sur.

Santorini inspired Vitalis Villas

After making arrangements for the Villa, I contacted sir John Noel "Janoh" Andaya, head of the provincial tourism of Ilocos Sur, for a quick heritage tour within the city and also made arrangements with ma'am Joan Mendiola of Nokarin Travel for our transport service.

Vitalis Villa from the sky.

THE TRIP: ALL IS READY!

Nov 01

2100H ETD Sampaloc Manila to Ilocos Sur

Nov 02

0500H ETA Santiago Ilocos Sur; Prepare to check-in the Villa

0600H Breakfast at white beach

0700H ETD Vigan City

0800H Start Tour

Walking tour within the heritage city

Kalesa tour around city outskirts

1200H Lunch at Hidden Garden

1330H ETD Sta. Maria Ilocos Sur

1400H Explore Sta. Maria Church (World Heritage Site)

1430H ETD Sta. Maria Ilocos Sur

1500H ETA Santiago Ilocos Sur; Check-in at the Villas

1900H Dinner; Bonding

Nov 03

0600H Breakfast at the Villas; Bonding

1200H Check-out

1330H Explore Gonzales Grape Farm (Bauang, La Union)

1400H Lunch at Lakay Apo (Agoo, La Union)

1500H ETD Manila

2200H ETA Manila

Nov 01: Travel to Ilocos Sur

At exactly 2100H on the night of the 1st of November, we traveled North onboard a Van from Sampaloc. We were 6 including sir John, our professional Van driver.

Santiago in Ilocos Sur is approximately 315 KM from Sampaloc, according to Google Maps. Estimated travel time is 8H including traffic along the way.

It was a Wednesday, a holiday throughout the country and as expected, the roads and highways were clear of any traffic and obstacles. It was a comfortable ride for everyone inside a clean and spacious van that was safely maneuvered by sir John.

I did not reveal the destination at first for a little surprise to everyone.

We had our first stop-over at a Petron Kilometer 134 Gas Station along NLEX in Victoria, Tarlac for refreshments. From NLEX, we took TPLEX and reached Balaoan, La Union at 1402M and had another stop-over to rest.

From Balaoan, we traveled further north via MacArthur Highway. We reached the La Union - Ilocos Sur boarder at 1432H. This place is Tagudin, first town of Ilocos Sur coming from La Union. We had a stop-over for a coffee and photo ops with Ilocos Sur welcome arc.

At 1600H, we reached Santiago Cove in Santiago, Ilocos Sur and proceeded to the main gate of Vitalis Villas to unload our things at the reception area. We stayed at the resort for two hours to rest.

Thanks to sir John for the safe travel and thanks to the Lord for the nice weather. At 0600H, we took the Van and started our journey to the Heritage City of Vigan.

Nov 02: Heritage Tour in Vigan City | Family Bonding at Vitalis Villas

Helpful Tour Guide

We reached the City of Vigan at 0743H, alighted at Calle Crisologo and walked towards the center of the City. We decided to take a quick breakfast near the Bell Tower. We enjoyed Vigan's Sinanglaoan and Longaniza along with rice and coffee.

From the Bell Tower, we walked slowly towards the City Plaza where the dancing light is and met sir Janoh infront of the Provincial Capitol building

Heritage Tour

Destination 01 City Tour - UNESCO World Heritage Marker

Our first tour destination was at the center of the City where the UNESCO World Heritage seal is located. Few meters away from the site is the New 7 Wonder Cities seal.

Vigan City is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a New 7 Wonder Cities of the World.

Established in the 16th century, Vigan is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines, from China and from Europe, resulting in a culture and townscape that have no parallel anywhere in East and South-East Asia (UNESCO).

It was inscribed in 1999.

Destination 02 Bantay Church, Bell Tower, Kalesa Ride

One of the highlights of our Heritage Tour in Vigan was the experience to ride a horse drawn carriage called "Calesa/Kalesa". Got 3 Kalesa for all of us including sir Janoh.

Our second destination was the Bantay Church and Bell Tower. The church and its Bell Tower predates the Vigan Cathedral, according to sir Janoh.

These infrastructures are few of the oldest in the province.

Destination 03 Padre Burgos, Provincial Jail

Birthplace and residence of Padre Burgos, one of the Martyrs of GOMBURZA.

Old Ilocos Sur Jail (now restored as Museum). At the lower level of the museum, there are paintings depicting the Basi Revolt in Ilocos. Also displayed inside the museum are important Iloco heritage collections one of which is the "Pagdapilan" (old sugarcane juicer).

Sir Janoh carefully explained the history of the Basi Revolt and the way the executions were carried out. "Basi" is a native Iloco wine made from sugarcane.

At the second level of the museum is a showcase of collections from the late President Elpedio Quirino and his wife Alicia Sy-Quia Quirino.

Destination 04 Pagburnayan

We reached Pagburnayan at 0948HH. Pagburnayan in the Iloco vernacular comes from the word "Burnay" a hand-crafted unglazed clay jar (pot) made in Vigan.

The Pagburnayan, according to sir Janoh, is owned and managed by Apo Fidel Antiporda Go. In 1990, the National Commission on Culture and Arts recognized him as a National Folk Artist. According to sir Janoh, it will take days to dry a freshly made pot and several days more to bake it.

Destination 05 Vigan Conservation Complex

An interactive museum. We learned a lot about Vigan's history and founders including the different types of Vigan houses influenced by Spanish and Americans - thus the fusion of different building styles.

Destination 06 Crisologo Museum

The residence of the Crisologo family in Vigan converted into a museum. It houses the memorabilia of the Crisologos and original furnishings of a typical Vigan ancestral house.

Destination 07 Hidden Garden

Located in Bulala (a barrio known for its making of bricks, pots, and other objects made of clay), it is a wonderland of greenery, with a mini-snack bar nestled somewhere in the middle and a restaurant.

We enjoyed various Ilocano dishes at the Hidden Garden restaurant together with sir Janoh and Sir John.

Destination 08 Baluarte

A zoo located in Salindeg where visitors can see a variety of animals (including tigers and ostriches). It is also a popular venue for special events such as seminars and conferences. The owner of Baluarte is former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson.

At the top of Baluarte tower overlooking the entire City of Vigan and even neighboring places. The Banaoang bridge can also be seen from afar.

Destination 09 Safari Gallery

This is located inside Baluarte. It housed a wide variety of animals. Most of them are free range, it is well maintained, and well-known attraction in the region.

Destination 10 Safari Hotel and Villas

Safari Hotel & Villas is situated in the olden city of Vigan Ilocos Sur. Designed and dedicated as an interactive haven, the new sanctuary of wildlife in the North.

Destination 11 Vigan Longaniza Factory in Capangpangan

Visited Gonzales Vigan Longaniza at Capangpangan district.

EXPLORING STA. MARIA CHURCH

The Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion Church in Santa Maria (also known as Sta. Maria Church) has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993 as part of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines collection of four Spanish-era churches.

Unlike other town churches in the Philippines, which conform to the Spanish tradition of sitting them on the central plaza, the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion in Santa Maria with its convento are on a hill surrounded by a defensive wall.