Here’s my part 2 of my Ilocos Sur travel series, after the arrival in Vigan, we went to Baluarte to check in our things and chill out with the view and meet the animals in the zoo. Ate a yummy Empanada and chill out again. Then we were informed that we must proceed to Plaza Salcedo to meet Gov. Chavit and check out the project they are developing at the plaza.
I didn’t noticed Plaza Salcedo when we arrived there, because around the plaza is covered with this blue tarp and I just learned that the entire plaza is having a renovation and also re-developing the fountain and other structures in the plaza. Plaza Salcedo came from the name of a Spanish conqueror - Juan de Salcedo, he founded lots of Hispanic settlements in the Philippines.
Elpidio Quirino statue in Plaza Salcedo
He is the 6th President of the Philippines, he is born here in Vigan City. He brought back the economic state of the city after it was devastated by World War 2. At 16 year old, he was appointed as private secretary to Pres. Manuel Quezon. The statue stands infront of the Plaza Salcedo Lagoon.
Ilocos Sur Capitol is also located infront of Plaza Salcedo
I found this city and monument minatures in Plaza Salcedo, almost not in good condition, I ‘m not sure if this is also being rehabilitated. Here’s the Moscow’s St. Basil’s Cathedral
Here’s the lonely Eiffel Tower
We went inside the construction of the Plaza Salcedo Lagoon, and we learned that they installed a state of the art light and fountain effects in the lagoon.
Here’s the back view of the lagoon
Vigan Cathedral infront of the Plaza Salcedo
The plaza is a famous landmark in Vigan, lots of commercial establishment and restaurants are around this Plaza.
Here’s Gov. Singson with a team of Korean developers who worked on the redevelopment of the Plaza Salcedo Lagoon.
With the bloggers…including me…doing a Gangnam Style photo hahahaha.
Plaza Salcedo Obelisk
A focal point of the city’s urban Spanish design, this monument stand in the middle of the Plaza Salcedo Lagoon.
After the tour around the plaza, we spotted Gov. Singson went busy and met some of his people, he got busy as he reviews some paper and signs them, he also discussed something with the Ilocano inquirers.
Around Plaza Salcedo are the commercial establishments, here you see branches of fast food chains – like McDonalds for example, all structure must follow a building standard. The structures are in old Spanish time style. Love to go there at night because of the yellow light effect of the Spanish inspired building.
At first, my thought or rebuilding the entire plaza is not a good idea, because they removed the bridge going to the obelisk / monument in the middle of the plaza. Then I realize that the structure might be deteriorating already due to human contact, that’s why they removed the bridge and installed new fountain and light effects in the lagoon.
I checked an old photo of the lagoon and its still the same like the last time we visit
Old pic of Plaza Salcedo - photo by Estan Cabigas
and here’s the new look of the Plaza Salcedo with a completed lagoon with dancing light and fountain, they launched it already last March 2013.
photo by Edmaration – more pics and video here in his blog - http://www.edmaration.com/2013/03/vigan-dancing-fountain-plaza-salcedo.html
On my next post… is the Vigan Cathedral
How to go here in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
1. There are two travel options – ride the 8 hour bus from Manila to Ilocos Sur or ride the plane go Laoag City Airport in Ilocos Norte + 1 1/2 land travel to Vigan.
2. We went here via chartered plane of Gov. Chavit Singson, we landed at Vigan City airport, if you have a company trip and want to travel by air, you can try a chartered plane by Sea Air, just inquire to their office on how to get a chartered plane.
3. Air - Domestic flights leave Manila daily for Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, which is an hour and a half ride by bus or arranged vehicles to Vigan. The city can be reached from Laoag City via Partas Bus, Fariñas Transportation, Maria De Leon Bus Lines, RCJ Bus Lines, F. Franco Trans, and Florida Bus. – Via http://www.vigancity.gov.ph
4. By Land - The 408 km stretch from Manila to Vigan City is a comfortable eight-hour ride along the scenic Manila-Ilocos Highway. Air-conditioned Partas Bus, Dominion Bus, Aniceto Bus and Viron Transit ply the Manila-Vigan route regularly. – Via http://www.vigancity.gov.ph
5. Getting Around - The best way to explore Vigan is on foot; the city center is small and compact, yet full of excitement. Experience a calesa ride around Vigan at P150.00 per hour per carriage. – Via http://www.vigancity.gov.ph
6. If you are in Vigan City, there are lots of transportation, you can ride the tricycle or the “kalesa”, horse drawn carriage. The “kalesa” can be rented at Php 100 per hour.
Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
http://www.vigancity.gov.ph/
For Schedules of City Events and Tours please contact the City Tourism Office. Tel No: (077) 722-8771,
Baluarte in Vigan City
http://chavitsingson.net/baluarte/index.html
Opens - 7am-6pm eve
ryday, entrance is free
Tel # 6377-722-7186
Historic Town of Vigan @ UNESCO
Established in the 16th century, Vigan is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines, from China and from Europe, resulting in a culture and townscape that have no parallel anywhere in East and South-East Asia.
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/502
Vigan.PH
http://www.vigan.ph
* Thanks to Governor Chavit Singson for inviting us to tour around Vigan City
Read my complete Vigan travel blog series
for any questions or inquiries, feel free to email me at azrael@gmail.com
Discovering Vigan City - Ilocos Sur trip part 1
