A quick visit to Vigan in Ilocos Sur.

Vigan is located 408 kilometers north of Manila on the National Highway on the western side of the main Philippines and includes area of the China Sea as a buffer zone on the western side of the town. Local and foreign authorities describe Vigan as a “place like no other”. Its uniqueness lies in its historic townscape which is an architectural blend of Asian, European and Latin American influences. Vigan brings images of antiquated houses, cobbled narrow streets, calesas and friendly faces peering out of large windows; a place where “time stood still”. Yet, despite all the romantic images this place provokes, much is still unfamiliar about Vigan.

The name came from the Ilocano word “kabiga-an” pertaining to the plant “biga” abounds. Biga is a tuberous plant (alocadia indica) that once grew along the banks of its rivers. Today, Vigan was recently included in the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List and soon to become a city. In partnership with the government of Spain, the Vigan Master Plan is in the process for the revitalization of the historic Vigan.

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