Vigan City: A Touch of Spain

Vigan City is on the western coast of Luzon, and is a famous in the past as the centre of Chinese trade ships during the 15th century, Vigan was once an island itself. After hundreds of years of erosion and silt along the Mestizo River have now made Vigan a part of the mainland of Luzon itself.

Vigan City is like a city set in a time capsule and is still continually being preserved for all the generations to come. The city since 1999 has been credited as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This induction brings light to Vigan and allows for the world to take notice of one of the last remaining Hispanic towns within the Philippines.

Philippines President, Elpidio Quirino and Padre Jose Burgos, a Philippine National Hero, both call Vigan City their home. Quirino was born in 1890, Elpidio in 1919 was elected to the Philippine Congress .He freed the Philippines from American control in 1934 and then became the vice president to Manuel Roxas. Roxas died in 1948 and Quirino became President for six years but his administration suffered from corruption.

If you love history you will enjoy strolling along the cobblestone streets of Calle Crisologo. There is also something for animal lovers who visit Baluarte – a mini zoo owned by former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson.

When visiting the historic area look out for the horse drawn carts which the Mestizo Historic District with its ancestral homes which encompass several architectural designs including Spanish Colonial, European, Filipino and Oriental elements.

There are several districts within the city to see first-hand the time honoured traditions of Abel weaving and pot making. From hand and foot powered looming to kneading of pottery by caribou oxen to produce traditional pots, urns and jars.

Vigan City is a city set in a time capsule and preserved for generations to come. The city has been marked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 and is small in size but big in beauty and history. From the churches of St. Paul’s Cathedral to the bold St. Augustine cathedral the beauty of these structures will astound you. Not only are they beautiful in themselves but the bell tower, cemetery and plaza’s which surround them keep a person in full photographic mode along the way. Many of these sites can be toured on foot or by tricycle transport due to their close proximity.

For those looking for fun adventures outside of the historic distinction visit the Balurate Zoo. From tigers to ostriches this zoo carries many local and regional animals for everyone to see and enjoy. The unique dinosaur statues are another great photo opportunity for the whole family.

From the river tours of the Mestizo River to the distinctive eateries, cafes and local hang outs, Vigan City has it all. One trip and you will fall in love with such a small city with a massive hold on the heart and soul of the Philippine Islands.

Jeff Harvie is an Australian Registered Migration Agent (MARN 0959797) who has given up the quiet life in Australia a few years back for one more adventurous with his Filipina wife and kids in Manila, Philippines. He runs Down Under Visa, which specialises in Australian partner visas for those Aussie men who fall madly in love with the local girls and want to bring them to Australia.

In the Philippines-Batan Islands

When looking at the map of Luzon in the Philippines and to the right at the top you will see the Batanes Islands. The capital of Batan is Basco which was named after Capitán General José Basco who led the Philippines to victory over New Spain, which is now Mexico. He established the Economic Society of Friends of the Country, which revived the tobacco industry in the Philippines and made the colony independent, by freeing it from the control of New Spain, which is today part of Mexico and other Pacific Islands including Philippines.

Basco the capital of Batan has around an 8000 population along with a very small airport that links to Manila the capital. The 1980 Batanes province population of just over 12,000 was only a 6% increase over the 1948 population. The estimated 1989 population of 14,000 was a 6% decrease from the 1988 estimate.

The Japanese invaded the Philippines starting at Batan Island. Their 14th Army began its invasion with a landing on Batan on 8 December 1941, making this the first landing on American territory, which was the same day as the attack on Pearl Harbour. It’s fair to say that Pearl Harbour was the major news story for that month.

The Philippines suffers from natural disasters and on June 1, 2008 a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the Batanes Islands but there were no casualties or damage reported.

Batanes has the smallest province in the Philippines in terms of population and land area and is composed of ten islands and islets located about 270 kilometres north of mainland Luzon and 161 kilometres from the southernmost point of Taiwan. The largest islands are Itbayat, Batan and Sabtang. The Batanes Islands are so far flung out in the China Sea that from Y’ami- some people say that the islands may have belong to Taiwan.

Electricity on the island is provided by a generator, which is only switched on between mid-day and midnight. Most of the Ivatan people here have never travelled to the mainland, let alone the capital. Batan scenery is totally different from elsewhere in the Philippines. The island is dominated by a dormant volcano, Mount Iraya, more than 1,009(1,517) metres.

Mt. Iraya can be climbed, but only during the height of the dry season and with the aid of a guide. The usual way starts at Basco.  A partially well paved road from Basco to Imnajbu in the southeast winds along the island’s rocky cliffs, down to the beaches and rocky shores, and back up again. Though this can be done in one day, at least one overnight stop is suggested.

Jeff Harvie is an Australian Registered Migration Agent (MARN 0959797) who has given up the quiet life in Australia a few years back for one more adventurous with his Filipina wife and kids in Manila, Philippines. He runs Down Under Visa, which specialises in Australian partner visas for those Aussie men who fall madly in love with the local girls and want to bring them to Australia.