27 Jun 2023

Viva Vigan!

We had a busy day ahead of us as Heritage Adventurer landed in Currimao, Ilocos Norte province of the Philippines. Despite the overcast weather with temperatures expected to reach 32°C, we were excited to begin our historical journey. Our first stop was the Minor Basilica of St. John the Baptist, also known as the Shrine of La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc. This 17th-century Baroque-style Roman Catholic church houses the miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary. With its dedication to John the Baptist and the title of a minor basilica since 2018, it stood as an impressive testament to faith.

We then proceeded to the remarkable Juan and Antonio Luna Shrine, the birthplace of Juan Luna, a national hero renowned for his painting The Spoliarium. This shrine held great historical significance. Another stop on our itinerary was the St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, a declared cultural and historical structure that further enriched our understanding of the region's heritage.

To appreciate the traditional Ilocano handicrafts, we visited a traditional woodworking store in Vigan City, watching the workers carve huge pieces of tree trunks into everyday furniture. Following that, we ventured to a pottery shop where we witnessed an Ilocos Sur potter skilfully mould a famed Brunay Jar (unglazed clay pot) using the traditional Pagburnayan technique.

For lunch we savoured authentic Ilocano dishes at the Hidden Garden Restaurant, enjoying the delightful ambiance of the garden surroundings. As the dominant ethnic group in the northern part of the Philippines, the Ilocano people take pride in their cultural heritage, and we immersed ourselves in their traditions through karaoke and dancing during the lunchtime festivities.

Soon, we hopped into horse carriages to explore the Vigan City Museum centre. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vigan City is renowned for its remarkably preserved Spanish colonial character, including its grid street pattern and historic urban layout. Our next stop was Plaza Burgos, a landmark tribute to Father Jose P. Burgos, one of the three Filipino martyr priests who were executed by the Spaniards for advocating church reforms. Despite a heavy downpour, our spirits remained undampened as we continued our exploration, capturing the rich history and culture of the region. We returned to Heritage Adventurer and raised a glass in the bar to celebrate another incredible expedition day.

Images (c) by: F.Wardle