History of Vigan

Vigan was an important coastal trading post in pre-colonial times. Long before the Spanish
galleons came, Chinese junks sailed from the South China Sea to Isla de Bigan through the
Mestizo River. Sea-faring merchants came to barter exotic goods from Asian kingdoms in
exchange for gold, beeswax and other mountain products from the Cordilleras. Immigrants,
mostly Chinese, settled in Vigan, intermarried with the natives and started the multi-cultural
bloodline of the Bigueños.

In 1572,King Philip II sent Captain Juan de Salcedo with about 80 soldiers to explore the
coast of Los Ilocano that sailed from Manila on May 20, 1572 and arrived in Vigan on June
12, 1572.

Thus, after the successful expedition and exploration of the North, Don Juan de Salcedo
founded “Villa Fernandina de Vigan” in honor of King Philip II’s son, Prince Ferdinand who
died at the tender age of four.

As a reward for his services to the King, Salcedo was awarded the old province of Ylocos
which then composed of the Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union and some parts of the
Mountain Province as his Encomienda and was accorded the title as Justicia Mayor de esta
Provincia de Ylocos.

In January 1574, Salcedo returned to the capital of his Encomienda, Vigan, bringing with
him some Augustinian Missionaries to pioneer the evangelization of Ylocos and established
a Spanish city, for the purpose of controlling the neighboring countries.

It was believed that when Juan de Salcedo asked a native what the name of the place is,
(as Salcedo spoke in Spanish), the native could not understand a word he was saying.
Salcedo however was pointing on the ground and the native thought that he was actually
asking for the name of the vegetation planted on the ground. He thereupon said “bigaa apo,
bigaa apo”, referring to a tuber plant from the “gabi” or taro family. From then on the
Spaniards named the place Bigan.
Vigan Historical Timeline
1572 Foundation of Vigan as a Spanish colonial settlement by Juan de Salcedo and Fr. Alonzo de
Alvarado, OSA
1595 Establishment of the Diocese of Nueva Segovia in Cagayan Valley with Miguel de Benavides, OP,
as first Bishop.
1758 Transfer of the See of Nueva Segovia from Lallo, Cagayan to Vigan by Bp. Juan de la Fuente Y
Yepez, Sec.
1762 The Silang Revolt: Diego and Gabriela, Ilocano couple freedom fighters.
1783 Construction of the Palacio Episcopal in Vigan by Bp. Juan Ruiz de San Agustin y Garcia, ORSA.
1790 Construction of the Cathedral de Vigan by Bp. Juan Ruiz de San Agustin y Garcia, ORSA.
1818 Creation of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte as separate provinces.
1822 Foundation of the Seminario de la Immaculada Concepcion in Vigan by Bp. Francisco Alban, OP.
1852 Organization of the Cementerio de Vigan by Bp. Vicente Barreiro y Perez, OSA, enshrining in the
chapel a replica of Apo Lakay in Sinait. Separation of Lepanto and Tiagan from the
Ilocos.
1872 Execution of Frs. Burgos, Gomez, and Zamora, proponents of parish secularization movement, at
Bagumbayan Field in Manila.
1883 First Tres de Mayo Festival in Vigan as annual thanksgiving to Apo Lakay after a Peste epidemic.
1889 Leona Florentino, Poetess from Vigan at Paris International Exposition. Amburayan is returned to
Ilocos Sur.
1892 Valentin Diaz of Paoay co-founded the Katipunan. Foundation of the Colegio de Niñas in Vigan
(Rosary College, SPCIS).
1897 Artemio “Vibora” Ricarte of Batac in the Tejeros Convention. Isabelo Artacho of Vigan co-
authored the Biak-na-Bato Constitution. Ventura delos Reyes of Vigan as first Filipino
Diputado to the Spanish Cortes.
1898 The Battle Cry of Candon, I.S. (March 25) led by Isabelo Abaya. Philippine Independence (June 12)
led by Emilio Aguinaldo. The Seven Martyrs of Balaoan led by Luciano Resurrection
(July). The Tinio Brigade in Vigan led by Major Estanislao Reyes (August.)
1901 Arrest of Elueteria Florentino “Capitana Teriang”, Vigan Benefactor of Ilocano Resistance
Movement. Philippine Labor Union Movement led by Isabelo de los Reyes.
1925 Establishment of Colegio de la Immaculada Concepcion in Vigan (DWCV).
1948 Elpidio Quirino from Vigan as Sixth President of the Philippines.
1951 Elevation of Nueva Segovia as an Archdiocese.
1956 Canonical Coronation of N.S. de la Caridad, Queen of Ilocandia.
1958 Bicentennial of the transfer of Nueva Segovia to Vigan.
1972 Quadricentennial of Christianization of Ilocandia; 150 years of the Vigan Seminary; Centennial of
Gomburza.
1981 Silver Jubilee of the Canonical Coronation of Nuestra Señora de la Caridad.
1995 Quadricentennial of Nueva Segovia as a Diocese.
1999 The Historic Town of Vigan was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List of Sites and
Monuments
2000 Jubilee year of the Incarnation of the Lord.
2001 Vigan became the first component city of the province of Ilocos Sur known as the City of Vigan
2008 Vigan celebrated the 250th year on the Transfer of the Seat of the Diocese of Nueva Segovia from
Lallo, Cagayan to Vigan City
2012 Vigan was awarded as UNESCO’s Best Practice in World Heritage Management on the 40th
Anniversary of the World Heritage Convention in Kyoto, Japan
2014 Vigan was named as one of the New Seven Wonders-Cities of the World.
2015 Vigan officially inaugurated (May 7) as a New7Wonders City.

Introduction
The issue of heritage and development has been a constant bone of contention for developing
economies like the Philippines. Often, the question “Heritage? Makakain ba ‘yan? (Heritage? Will that
feed us?)” is sarcastically asked to heritage conservationists. And they can only reply with a blank
helpless stare. Until now, there is an unnerving tension between economics and culture, the peso and
the patrimony, the stomach and the spirit. In the Philippines, this issue came to the fore when, in
October 2002, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the national pension fund institution,
bought “Parisian Life,” a painting by nineteenth century Filipino master Juan Luna, when it was
auctioned at Christie’s. This was controversial because amidst national concerns of poverty alleviation,
housing and security, GSIS shelled out P46 million to buy the masterpiece (NCCA, Sanghaya, 2003).
Previous to this event, other heritage contestations, such as the demolition of the Jai Alai Building in
Manila (Silva, 2000) the best example of American colonial Steamline Modern architecture, and the
destruction of Huluga archaeological site in Cagayan de Oro, a significant pre colonial trading post in
Northern Mindanao, brought attention to the polarizing schism between heritage conservation and
development. Heritage is defined as anything of value from the past that provides identity to the
present and inspires the future generation. Traditionally, it is classified as intangible or tangible,
movable or immovable, natural or cultural, personal or communal. Usually, heritage is perceived as
something without use or practical value and has no return of investment. Moreover, some view its
preservation as something contrary to modernization, westernization or globalization, which are
concepts equated with development. Development has traditionally been defined as the cumulative
effort that seeks to improve the economic well being and quality of life of the community by creating
jobs and growing incomes. In economic formula, it is simplistically equated to the Gross National
product (GNP) or the sum total of consumption plus investment plus government spending and the
balance of export minus import (GNP =.C + I + G + (X – M) ). To generate a development process,
resources of land, labor, capital, technology and entrepreneurship are utilized and combined to produce
economic values like consumption, income, investment and trade (See Diagram of the General Concept
of Development A1). In the 1982 World Conference on Cultural Policies hosted by the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Mexico, “development” is defined as a
“complex, comprehensive and multidimensional process which extends beyond mere economic growth,
to incorporate all dimensions of life and all the energies of a community, all of those whose members
are called upon to make a contribution and expect to share in the benefits” (Felice Sta. Maria, 2001
p.67).
Map of Vigan

Traditions and Cultures of Vigan

"The ramada traditional games happen every Tres de
Mayo. Tres de Mayo is a feast day honoring Apo Lakay or
the Sto Cristo Milagroso de Vigan who is believed to have
saved Vigan from a plague in 1882."
[VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR, PHILIPPINES] ► When you visit Vigan on the first week of May
during the feast of Sto Cristo Milagroso de Vigan, you'll notice that there are huge
structures made of light materials scattered around the city poblacion. These
structures are built on the streets of Vigan. It's like a welcome arch made of
bamboos, palms and/or coconut leaves. Fruits and goods are hanging from these
light structures. In Vigan, we call this ramada.
These ramadas are usually set up in Vigan's poblacion barangays (Brgys I to IX).
I live outside the poblacion barangays of Vigan but I've been seeing
these ramadas ever since my brain started to store memories.

Each ramada is made for the feast of Sto Cristo Milagroso de Vigan or locally
called as Apo Lakay. It's a tradition here in Vigan that every barangay or village
in poblacion should set up a ramada. The main event falls every third day of May
(Fiesta del Tres de Mayo honoring Apo Lakay) where traditional games happen
under the ramadas.

Actually, I've never blogged about ramada before and honestly, I didn't know its
significance in our Bigueño culture. But when I started documenting and sharing
my love for culture and heritage, a huge curiosity developed in my system that in
every little thing I see or observe, many 'whys' occupy the corner of my mind that
is hungry for answers, facts or trivia. So last May 3, I decided to document
this ramadan thingie so I made rounds in the city.
 [VIGAN] ► THIS RAMADA WAS DECORATED WITH FRUITS AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCES THAT ARE COMMON IN ILOCOS LIKE THE ILOCOS GARLIC AND THE VEGETABLES
FOR PINAKBET.

[VIGAN] ► A RAMADA SET UP ON JOSE SINGSON STREET, SANTA ELENA VILLAGE, BRGY VIII
 [VIGAN] ►THIS RAMADAWAS BEING SET UP FOR BRGY I.

[VIGAN] ► RAMADA IN BRGY I

I asked my grandma and my mom why there are ramadas in

Vigan's poblacion district but they too didn't know the answer. My mom was kind
enough to ask his friend (tito Ted) living in Cabasaan (a village in
Vigan's poblacion district in Brgy VIII) who has been into this culture since
childhood.

So I learned that the ramada is about thanksgiving. If you notice, there are fruits
hanging under every ramada. It signifies prosperity and a form of giving thanks to
God for the blessings He showered to the people.
According to tito Ted, during their childhood days, longganisa, bagnet and
even litson were also hung under the ramada. Traditionally, these food I
mentioned are all brought down after the ramada games for the community
picnic. Usually, the rich families of the community donate these stuff but as time
passed by, no one seemed interested to donate anymore.

Today, only fruits, toys and sometimes cash placed inside a transparent plastic
bag are hung. On the third day of May, children of the poblacion barangays
gather under these ramadas to play traditional games.

The ramada traditional games happen every Tres de Mayo. As we all know, Tres
de Mayo is a feast day honoring Apo Lakay or the Sto Cristo Milagroso de Vigan
who is believed to have saved Vigan from a plague in 1882.

The Tres de Mayo feast starts with a mass in front of the Simbaan a Bassit
where the image of Apo Lakay is enshrined. If you notice, the mass platform and
the altar is also placed under a ramada with fruits hanging signifying the bountiful
blessings received by the people of Vigan.

[VIGAN] ► A RAMADA HOUSES THE ALTAR AND THE PLATFORM FOR THE TRES DE MAYO HOLY
MASS

The things I shared above are, I believe, just a little part of the rich culture of
Vigan during Tres de Mayo feast day. I haven't made further research and study
about the ramada tradition so I only have a limited information to share. Next
time, I will post additional photos featuring the children of Vigan playing
traditional games.
Geographic Location and Area
Vigan, the capital town of Ilocos Sur is situated along the western coast of Northern Luzon.
It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Bantay; on the east by the municipality of
Santa; on the south by the municipality of Caoayan; on the west by the municipality of Sta.
Catalina and lastly, on the southwest by the China Sea. It is 408 kilometers from Manila; 80
km. from Laoag City and 139 km. from San Fernando, La Union.

It has a total land area of 2,886.085 hectares or 28.86085 sq. km. The heart of Vigan is
located approximately between the meridian 120 23’15” east longitude and the parallel 17
34’30” north latitude.
Vigan has 39 barangays, the poblacion barangays consist of nine barangays,with a total
land area of 192.45 hectares and the adjoining 30 barangays make 2,693.635 hectares.

Population
Vigan (Ilokano: Siudad ti Vigan; Tagalog: Lungsod ng Vigan; Local pronunciation: [ˈbigän]), officially
the City of Vigan, is a 4th class component city and capital of the province of Ilocos
Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 53,879 people.[3]

Barangays[edit]
Vigan City is subdivided into 39 barrios or barangays. [2]

 Ayusan Norte
 Ayusan Sur
 Barangay I (Poblacion)
 Barangay II (Poblacion)
 Barangay III (Poblacion)
  Barangay IV (Poblacion)
 Pantay Daya
 Pantay Fatima
 Pantay Laud
 Paoa
 Paratong
 Pong-ol
 Purok-a-bassit
 Purok-a-dackel
 Raois
 Rugsuanan
 Salindeg
 San Jose
 San Julian Norte
 San Julian Sur
 San Pedro
 Tamag

Transportation

Kalesa, one of the modes of transportation in Vigan

Metro transport[edit]
Modes of transport within the city are purely land-based. Vehicles for public use
include jeepneys, tricycles, vans-for-hire (or PUVs/public utility vehicles) and calesas (horse-drawn
vehicles). Buses, mini-buses and jeepneys provide transportation to and from Vigan. The metro
Vigan transport system is mostly served by tricycles, which are color- and number-coded to identify
their municipality of origin.

Land transportation[edit]
Vigan City is well-served by a network of roads and a major highway that connects to Manila North
Road, the highway leading to Manila and the rest of the country. Bus companies such as Dominion
Bus Lines, Viron Transit, Partas, and Aniceto/St. Joseph operate terminals in Vigan. GMW Florida
Transport operates a terminal in Bantay, just outside Vigan. Bus companies such as Maria de Leon
and Fariñas pass by Vigan on their way to Laoag. They operate direct and/or indirect bus services
from Vigan City to points in Luzon, mostly to Manila, Baguio, and Laoag and vice versa.

Air transportation[edit]
A secondary airport called Mindoro Airport (also known as Vigan Airport) is located at Brgy. Mindoro.
It has one asphalted runway, 900 meters long and 30 meters wide. The airport was once a dormant
asset of the city for it does not generate revenue, with only chartered and private planes using it; it is
currently being upgraded and is on its way toward commercialization.

Education[edit]
 University of Northern Philippines — in Barangay Tamag, is the oldest state university in
Northern Luzon. It was founded by virtue of Republic Act 4449, authored by Congressman Floro
Crisologo.
 Divine Word College of Vigan (formerly known as the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción) —
the second oldest privately funded school in Ilocos Sur, founded by priests belonging to
the Society of the Divine Word (SVD).
 Macro Colleges Inc. — the first computer college in the province, having evolved from being a
shop that offered computer-based services. The school is now K-to-12 College, located at
Quezon Ave.
 Ilocos Sur National High School (ISNHS) — the major national high school in the province.
 Lyceum de Ylocos — is a new school offering Technical-Vocational courses and is a registered
Senior High School offering various Tracks that include ABM, GAS, HUMSS and TLE-Technical-
Vocational Courses. Situated at the heart of the Heritage City, 3F Vigan Landmark Building,
Brgy. VIII.