Posts Tagged ‘Ilocos Sur Philippines’

Like the month of April in the Philippines, a Philippine May festivity also starts at very first day of the month. But May 1 is not a really boisterous festivity in the Philippines, for as we know it, it is a Day of all the workers not only in the Philippines but also to other countries in the world. It is day of political and social demonstration of the workers who wanted to voice out their voice to their respective governments. Most Filipino workers take advantage also of this special day to protest complains.

Coincide with this May 1 Labor Day demonstration and protests of the workers of the Philippines, is an Aliwan Grand Fiesta celebration being held at CCP Complex at Roxas Boulevard, Manila Philippines celebrating the Philippines’ 16 Regions in all grandest with floats and carnival-style parades, fireworks, and all the pride products of the 16 Regions of the Philippines all in displayed.

Moreover, alongside with this Aliwan Grand Fiesta celebration at Roxas Boulevard Manila Philippines is a similar float parade competition at Davao Oriental Philippines. This May 1 Davao celebration is called “Davao Gulf Regatta”. This celebration features decorated bancas and vintas in celebration of Davao gulfs.

May 1 is also the start of Flores de Mayo or Santacruzan in the whole month of May in the Philippines. All the regions of the Philippines held this kind of parade procession. It is the reenactment of Queen Elena of Constantinople in her search for the holy cross of Jesus. Queen Elena is said to be collecting all the memorabilia of Jesus. Similar with this religious festivity that is also held during May 1 is the Antipolo Pilgrimage which is held at Antipolo Rizal. This religious festivity is a long pilgrimage or like the santacruzan, from Manila Philippines to Antipolo Philippines. It is religious pilgrimage for Our Lady of Good Voyage.

Another solemn festivity during May 1 in the Philippines is the Viva Vigan Festival of the Arts held, of course at Vigan City Philippines, Ilocos Sur Philippines. It is a festival commemorating and reminiscing the history and cultural treasures of Vigan City.

May 1 festivity in the Philippines does not end at Vigan City, it still extends to Calape Bohol Philippines that celebrates Pahinungod Festival, the Pilipinyan Festival at Tagaytay city Philippines, the Balangay Festival at Butuan City Philippines, the 100 Island Festivals at Aliminos Pangasinan Philippines, the Araw ng Santiago at Santiago city Philippines, the Pista ng Produktong Pilipino at Subic, Olongapo City Philippines, the Boa- Boahan “Alinsangan “ Festival at Nabua Camarines Sur Philippines, and the Magayon Festival which celebrates Mt. Mayon at Albay Philippines.

Following the May 1 festivity is Dayaw Dalan Festivity held during May 2 at San Jacinto Ticao Philippines, simultaneous with Holy Cross Festival at Alitagtag and Baun Batangas Philippines. Then on May 3 the Carabao-Carroza Festival is held at Iloilo city Philippines where of course decorated carroza being pulled by carabaos. On May 3 also is the Feast of the Holy Cross held at Sta. Cruz Marinduque Philippines.

Like May 1, May 3 also is full of festivity in the Philippines aside from what I mention above,on May 3 also the Sublian Festival is held at Batangas City Philippines as well as the Garlic Festival at Sinait Ilocos Sur Philippines.

Within our Philippine travel, Ilocos Sur Philippines is more depicted as the most cultural province in the Philippines and most popular cultural tourist spot in the history of Philippine tourism, due to Vigan City is at its center. However, Ilocos Sur Philippines is also rich in Philippine beaches and resort, a beach lover could enjoy. Its beach resorts are also one of the best Philippines resort and Philippines vacation destination.

Let’s take for example the Cabugao Beach Resort which is said to be the small Boracay Philippines of the North or Northern Luzon Philippines. Cabugao Ilocos Sur is second last municipality in the borders of Ilocos Sur Philippines. This Beach Resort is simple, quiet, and beautiful beach and inexpensive to unwind and relax yourself. It has white sand like to Boracay Philippines and Palm trees and a swimming pool in front of the beach itself, in case you are afraid surfing the waves you can instead swim at the adjacent swimming pool. Cabugao Beach Resort has its own restaurant which serves a free delicious breakfast to those tourists visiting the resort. Cabugao Beach Resort is formerly known as Cabugao Public Beach and Park, it is a municipality-owned beach resort at Cabugao Ilocos Sur Philippines.

However, aside from Cabugao Beach Resort you could found at Cabugao Ilocos Sur in the Philippines, there a private owned beach resort also which is, the Ponce Del Mar and Restaurant Beach Resort.

These two beach resorts at Cabugao Ilocos Sur in the Philippines are collectively known as the Pug-os Beach. These beaches were along the highway of Cabugao Ilocos Sur Philippines at barangay Pug-os.

However, there is an alternative beach resort at Cabugao aside from Pug-os Beach that is the Salapasap Beach. It is said this beach resort has cheaper rates that Pug-os Beach.

Aside from beach resort one could enjoy at Cabugao Ilocos Sur Philippines, there is this Salomague Island which is a favorite Port of seafarers, merchants, and traders from various Asian countries long time ago. This island is said to be best for scuba diving and sports fishing.

There are a lot of things you can do at Cabugao Ilocos Sur Philippines which I could no longer state here.

Other popular beach at Ilocos Sur Philippines is the Santiago Cove beach Resort; it is not a white sand beach but golden sand along the shores. It is indeed a unique and beautiful rare golden sand beach. Its resort is complete with amenities. Of course, it is located at Santiago Ilocos Sur Philippines. However, some thought the sand is white but actually it is really golden in the sense.

Another unique beach at Ilocos Sur Philippines is the Sulvec Beach. This Beach has a rocky shore and has a grotto atop a rock. This beach is favorite stop-over of commuters and those who are at Narvacan Ilocos Sur.

There are other two beaches one could visit at Ilocos Sur Philippines, namely, the Apatot beach resort where the beach is surrounded with apatot trees, and the Candon Beach.

Aside from beaches, Ilocos Sur has a mini-zoo park which is called Baluarte. It a 20 hectare land developed by Chavit Singson. This mini-zoo is located at Vigan City Philippines.

Aside from Vigan City Philippines’s ancestral homes, Sta. Maria Church, Tirad Pass National Shrine, and Bessang Pass, there are cultural heritage sites one could visit and witness at Ilocos Sur Philippines, namely, beautiful museums and churches.

One of these is the Bantay Church or the St. Agustine Church and the Bell Tower aloof only a few meters away from it. Both the St. Agustine Church and the Bell Tower were said to be built during 1530s at Spanish occupation in the Philippines. They were just reconstructed after they were hit by the calamities brought by World War I and II. St. Agustine Church and Bell Tower can be found at Bantay, Ilocos Sur Philippines.

Another cultural heritage of Ilocos Sur in the Philippines is the Father Burgos Museum. This Museum was erected in memory of Father Burgos or one of the three known martyred priest. The museum which is of course the former house of Father Burgos is full of memorabilia’s of Father Burgos as well as classical paintings Of Esteban Pichay Villanueva depicting the times of Father Burgos or 1800s. The museum is filled with antique collections, a library, dioramas, archeological and ethnological treasures and other artifacts. Father Burgos Museum is located at Vigan City Philippines.

Another cultural heritage of Ilocos Sur at Vigan City also is the Archbishop Palace and Museum or the Palacio Del Arzopispado. This archbishop palace is the only surviving 18 century palace in the Philippines which miraculously survived the vehement blows of World War II. This archbishop palace also serves as headquarters of Emilio Aguinaldo during 1898 and a garrison place during 1899.

There is a Museum within this palace, which is the Museo Nueva Segovia. It is a museum that preserved a large collection of ecclesiastical artifacts and relics from all the region of Ilocos Sur.

Another cultural heritage of Ilocos Sur Philippines is the Crisologo Museum which is also of Vigan city Philippines at Liberation Boulevard. It caters Crisologos memorabilia’s. By the way, who are the Crisologo? This ancestral house turn into a Museum is a former house of the former congressman of Vigan, which is Floro Crisologo. In the Museum you could see a lot of paintings and pictures of the Crisologos and their vintage car that almost eaten up by rust but however, preserved in any way. Moreover, you could also see a vintage vehicle there which is somewhat a modern calesa with four to six seater on the back.

Another Cultural church in Vigan city Philippines that is beautifully crafted is the St. Paul Church or St. Paul Cathedral. The Cathedral has an earthquake baroque architecture style with white cream in color. Aloof a few centimeters away are its separate Bell tower. Its present baroque style is only a reconstruction of the original church during 1574 which was damaged by an earthquake during 1600s.The reconstruction took place during 1800s.

Another cultural heritage of Ilocos Sur is the Leona Florentino House and Statue where a large Statue of Leona Florentino was erected in front of the house. I guess the house already houses the Max restaurant. Leona Florentino is a famous Ilocano poet, satirists and playright artist during the Spanish times.

Who says “its April fool’s Day” during the month of April at the Philippines? The very start of the month the Philippines have already round-off revelries within the archipelago. Take for example the Butanding Festival at Donsol Sorsogon where street parades were held in thanksgiving for the blessings the whale sharks or butanding gave to Sorsogon. And in simultaneous celebrations are the Suroyta festival at Davao city Philippines where everyone have free tours in the city, the Annivesary of Enchanted Kingdom at Laguna Philippines that features fireworks competitions, the Fiesta Pasiklab at Commonwealth Avenue ,Quezon City Philippines where it highlights and celebrates the twelve famous and known festivals in the Philippines like the Ati-atihan Festival of Aklan Philippines, the Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo Philippines, the Higantes festival of Angono Philippines, the Pahiyas Festival of Lucban Quezon Philippines, the Kadayawan Festival at Davao city Philippines, the  Viva Vigan Festival of Ilocos Sur Philippines, the Masskara Festival of  Bacolod Philippines, the Hermosa Festival of Zamboanga city Philippines, the Penafrancia Festival of Naga City Philippines, the Parada ng Lechon of  Batangas Philippines, the Pintados Festival of Tacloban City Philippines, and the Sinulog festival of Cebu Philippines; the Human Canvas Body Competition held at Mandaluyong city inside SM Megamall that celebrates body arts in order to drive out the misconception that this kind of Art is pornography.

Another April 1 celebration is the Banana Festival of Negros Occidental at La Castellana where of course showcases different varieties of banana. And the Kesong Puti Festival of Sta. Cruz Laguna Philippines also celebrates this festival beginning April 1, which of course features the Kesong Puti or White Cheese made from the carabao’s milk.

April 1 in the Philippines is not a ‘fool’s Day’ but the start of the April Festivities in the Philippines. But the Festivals which I mentioned above never stop at April 1 only but continue on the succeeding days of celebration.

Following the April 1 revelries is the Agricultural and Industrial festival in Liliw Laguna Philippines which parades floats relating to agriculture and industry. This festival is called Liliw Gat Tayaw Footwear Festival. This festival is held during April 3 which showcases of course Liliw’s agricultural and industrial products.

Another April Festival is the ASEAN Paragames which is held during April 7 -9 at Zamboanga city Philippines,however, it can also change the location of the games. It a Paralethics games of the paralethic of Visayas Philippines and Mindanao Philippines. Along with this Visayas and Mindanao festival is the National Invitational Skimboarding Competition being held at Misamis Oriental.

Of course, April festivities in the Philippines will not be completed without the April’s main event in the Philippines, that is, the Araw ng Kagitingan Day which is held at April 9. I thought this is a National Holiday in the Philippines. It celebrates the defense and bravery of the Filipino soldiers to defend Bataan Philippines, which eventually fall into the hands of the conquering foreigners.

There are still April festivities in the Philippines which we could no longer discuss on this brief article.

The Nostalgic Vigan City Philippines

The moment you step in into this city, a nostalgia of Spanish era in the

Philippines will flashback your soul in this era in the Philippines as if you

immediately return into the past life and settings of the Philippines during the

Spanish times. That is the thrill Vigan City Philippines will give you once you

visit this city. Both local of the Philippines and foreigners who visit this

place were awe by the nostalgic beauty of Vigan City Philippines and exclaim “It

is a place no other”.

The landscape of the whole city or town is all dressed up during the Spanish era

in the Philippines. The town is filled with antiquated houses with a blend of

Spanish, Latin American, European and Asian architecture with cobbled narrow

streets and calesas. However, these ancestral houses were built by the Chinese

taipans at that time but manage to survive during World War II. You could see

these 180 ancestral houses and other historical landmarks strung altogether at

Mestizo District.

Moreover, did you know that Vigan’s historical town was place by UNESCO World

Heritage Convention side by side with the Pyramids of Egypt, Taj Mahal of India,

The Great Wall of China, and other famous world heritage? Yes, you heard it

right, UNESCO World Heritage Convention did. At December 2, 1999 UNESCO World

Heritage Convention inscribed Vigan City among the list of World Heritage

Cultural Properties for the exceptional and universal beauty of Vigan’s historic

town.

So, where is Vigan City in the Philippines located and how to get there? Vigan city

Philippines is located at the northern Luzon Philippines at the province of

Ilocos Sur Philippines. It is 408 kilometers away from Manila Philippines, 139

kilometers away from San Fernando La union Philippines and 80 kilometers away

from Laog city Philippines.

Once you get there, you can either ride their calesas or jeep or tricyle to tour

the town. Moreover, if you like to stay for few days in Vigan’s historic town,

you can pay for board and lodging there at the historical town. For some

ancestral houses there were turn into hotel for the accommodations of some

tourist who want to stay for few days at the area. However, there are also hotels

in Vigan city which of rural settings if you don’t like to stay at the ancestral

houses. However, there are also resorts accommodations in rural settings if you

don’t want to feel the nostalgia effect of the town.

Aside from nostalgic Vigan’s historical town, you could also witness the Burnay

Industry or Vigan’s earthenware jars process how a potter’s hand molds

earthenware. Is that exciting to see? Moreover, we could also see the art of

“abel-weaving”. Abel-weaving is the art of making fabrics using a wooden handloom

and other accessories use in it to produce clothings, blankets, etc. It is one of

the industrial prides of Vigan City aside from earthenware jar making.

There is also the “damili” industry or the terra-cotta craft which indigenous

people of Vigan city in the Philippines made and produces cooking pots, water vessels, charcoal-fed

-cooking stoves, etc.