Information About Pagburnayan Jar Factory

The village of Pagburnayan in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur is home to a number of

factories that use the centuries-old method of producing clay jars, known
locally as burnay. Burnay jars are handcrafted by local potters who have
mastered the art of kneading, molding, and baking clay along with water and
sand to form the finished product. 
Before the Spanish colonization of the Philippines in the 16th century,
Chinese merchants were already trading with natives from Vigan. Eventually,
a number of Chinese immigrants chose to live in Vigan and, seeing the rich
natural supply of premium grade clay in western parts of Vigan, pioneered the
craft of jar making or pagbuburnay.
This skillful trade of pottery is also said to have significance on the Japanese’
preference for “ruson tsubo,” pertaining to highly prized antique jars imported
from Luzon back in the 16th century. Historical accounts say that the
Japanese referred to Luzon as “Ruson” and that Japanese tea masters valued
jars from Luzon because they were good for storing tea leaves and keeping
them fresh.
Locally, burnay jars are where people store water or grains as well as the
native Basi wine and bagoong, which both need fermentation. Compared with
terracotta pots, which are also clay-based but are used for gardening,
pagburnayan jars are considered more durable.

Pagburnayan Jar Making is one of the famous and must see attraction in Ilocos Sur. It is
located in Brgy. Pagburnayan Vigan. Pagburnayan is a place where they used the old
and authentic methods in pottery. The root word “burnay” is an earthenware jar crafted
by potter’s hands with the aid of a potter’s wheel. It uses fine sand (anay) as a
tempering material and fired at a high temperature in a huge brick-and-clay ground kiln
that make it is harder and more durable than other terra cotta. The local bagoong(fish
sauce), sugarcane vinegar, and basi wine would not taste as good as if not fermented in
burnay jars.
Tourists can also experience pottery making with their bare hands for free. There are
also souvenir shops around the area and it’s cheaper compared to those stores in Calle
Crisologo. One of the famous shops is the Ruby Pottery, it is open daily from 9:00 AM –
4PM. There are so many designs and sizes available for tourist to buy. 

It was so cool. You can try it! I was lazy to wash my hands afterwards so I didn’t try it.  

Established in 1922, its origin goes way back to the pre-colonial era when Chinese
immigrants learned about the abundant source of clay in the lands of Vigan, and settled
to start the industry of pagbuburnay or jar making. The materials for burnay jars only
consists of clay, water, and sand.

What are burnay jars?

Locally, burnay jars are where people store water or grains as well as the
native Basi wine and bagoong, which both need fermentation. Compared with
terracotta pots, which are also clay-based but are used for gardening,
pagburnayan jars are considered more durable.

What are the major jar factories in Pagburnayan Jar Factory?

There are at least two remaining major jar factories in Vigan City’s
Pagburnayan village, namely RG Jar Factory and Ruby’s Pottery. You can
visit these shops, which are open daily.

What can you do at Pagburnayan Jar Factory?

You’ll be able to see up-close how potters mold masterpiece jars on a potter’s
wheel and then cook them inside massive high-temperature kilns once they’ve
been air dried.

You’re also welcome to make your own clay pots for souvenir and bring them
home with you. If you’re willing, you can leave some donation money for the
shop and its potter, although it’s not mandatory.

Is there an entrance fee?

There is no entrance fee to RG Jar Factory and Ruby’s Pottery. However, you
can donate or buy some souvenirs before leaving the cultural site.
How to get there

Aside from joining a guided tour, you can get here by walking or by driving to
Liberation Boulevard. The two potteries are located at the end of the
boulevard near Gomez Street.
 
https://guidetothephilippines.ph/destinations-and-attractions/pagburnayan-jar-
factory

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factory.html