V i g a n

Ilocos Sur

Along the narrow streets of cobblestone lined the old Castillan houses which stood the ravage of time and modernization. The old-age lamp light the path of calesas (horse drawn carriages) which busied its corners and intersections. Some century old churches of baroque architecture reminisce the town's glorious past and its strong Iberian influence. This is the legacy of Vigan, the once mighty of the old Nueva Segniova province.

Vigan has a total land area of 2,740 hectares, 60.7% of which are agricultural ands. With the total population of 41,540, Vigan has 9 poblacion and 30 rural barangays. Bigueños are conversant of three languages: Ilocano (the mother tongue), Filipino and English. Dry season starts in November and ends in May, while the wet season covers the period of June to October. Minimum-maximum temperatures are 21.1 degrees celcius and 30.9 degrees centigrade.

The seven hours ride to Vigan covers some 408 kilometers roads north of Manila passing through the scenic provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, and La Union. Vigan is the capital of Ilocos Sur, the southern province of Ilocandia is situated along the western coast of Northern Luzon. It is bordered on the north by Ilocos Norte, Abra on the northeast, Mt. Province on the east, Benguet on the southeast, La Union on the south while the China Sea border its western part. The 2,576.58 kilometeres land ares of the province occupy about 20.11% of the total land area of Region I, also known as "the Tobacco Country". It is undulating to rolling topography provides a scenic and inviting countryside. It has an elevation ranging from 100 to 1,700 meters above sea level.

How to get there:

Commercial buses ply the route of Manila to Vigan or Manila to Laoag and if in a hurry you can fly via Philippines Airlines to Laoag and take a one hour bus ride from Laoag to Vigan.

POINTS OF ATTRACTION AND FESTIVALS