Vigan Trip

Our trip to Ilocos was just a thought. I am not excited  to go because of the long distance trip.wWjdn my brother arrived from Hawaii, I happened to mention that I want to go to Vigan,Pagudpud and Laoag. He told me that he will drive! That is what I like about him. Always ready to say yes without any ifs! he told me that we will go when he arrives from the province.

I begun planning and Surfing the net for possible resort and hotels in the area. I also planned the itinerary in Vigan, Laoag and Pagudpud.

On the day of the trip. we left Bacoor Cavite by 4AM and by 630am, we are having breakfast in Palaisdaan in Tarlac. It is our second time to have breakfast in this place, the other one when we went to Baguio.

Next to Tarlac, is the province of Pangasinan. We had so much fun guessing what is the next town that we will pass by. My brother bought a map before we enter the province of La Union.

La Union is the longest province in Ilocos region. It is also the regional seat of offices for Region 1. But there was not a boring moment. The roads are well cemented, good traffic, very clean surroundings. We always say that if Jollibee is in town, it must be a progressive town.  We passes by a lot of Jollibees.We planned to drop by Poropoint in San Fernando but the place is close because of the wedding of John Estrada and Precilla Meirelles. Among the towns, San Juan is the most coastal. I hope to be there and poro point in the near future.

Everybody cheered when we saw the welcome arch of ILOCos Sur.  From thAt point we again started counting towns before Vigan. It is past noon but no one is hungry. I think because of excitement.

Like La Union, Ilocos Sur is a very progressive province. We can see corns, tobacco, garlic and onion plantations. Almost all the houses were made of concrete and are beautifully architectured. My mom told me that ILOcos region is the extension of the USA because  many ilocanos are living there.

Alas, our first stop. Vigan. The place is very quiet, very provincial but progressive. We went directly to Crisologo Vilage to check in at Cordillera Inn which is a moderately good hotel. It is an old house converted to an inn. They have maintained the Spanish and antique motiff of the hotel. It is owned by the politically prominent Crisology family, who once the governor and congressman of Ilocos Sur. After settling down, we had our lunch at the famous Cafe Leona, they are known for their bagnet and pinakbet pizza. After lunch, we rented a Calesa to tour the town. We started with the bell tower and San Agustin church. The place is not well kept though we have to give donations upon entering the place for maintenance. I was not able to reach the top of the bell tower but Carlos, Ingrid and Fr did! from there you can see the
whole area of Cordilera province. WE also visited San Agustin.I got scared because I saw a snake skin. After that we check on the Crisologo Museum which housed the artifacts of the Crisologo family. We also drop by a small pottery making area. It was so admiring to see how the magbuburnay molded a pot out of his bare hands. Our last stopped was the Baluarte of Chavit Singsong. It is a mini zoo and the entrance is free. On our way back to the hotel, our coach driver passed us by the houses of Congressman Ronald Singsong  and Elpidio Quirino.