Vigan
| City of Vigan Ciudad ti Bigan Lungsod ng Vigan |
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| — City — | |
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| Nickname(s): Ciudad Fernandina de Vigan | |
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| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Ilocos Region (Region I) |
| Districts | 1st District of Ilocos Sur |
| Barrios or Barangays | 39 |
| Cityhood | January 22, 2001 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Eva Marie Singson-Medina |
| Area | |
| • Total | 11 km2 (4 sq mi) |
| Population (2007) | |
| • Total | 47,246 |
| • Density | 4,295/km2 (11,120/sq mi) |
| Time zone | PST (UTC+8) |
| Area code(s) | 77 |
| Website | www.vigancity.gov.ph |
| Population Census of Vigan City | |||
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| Census | Pop. | Rate | |
| 1995 | 42,067 |
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| 2000 | 45,143 | 1.53% | |
| 2007 | 47,246 | 0.63% | |
The City of Vigan (Ilocano: Dak-ili ti Bigan; Tagalog: Vīgân; 美岸, Hokkien (Pe̍h-ōe-jī): Bîgá; Mandarin Chinese (Pinyin): Měiàn) is a 5th class city in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. It is the capital of the Province of Ilocos Sur. The city is located on the western coast of the large island of Luzon, facing the West Philippine Sea.
It is a World Heritage Site in that it is one of the few Hispanic towns left in the Philippines, and is well-known for its cobblestone streets, and a unique architecture that fuses Philippine and Oriental building designs and construction, with colonial European architecture.
According to the latest Philippines census, it has a population of 47,246 people in 9,193 households.
Former Philippine president Elpidio Quirino, the 6th president of the Philippines, was born in Vigan, at the current location of the Provincial Jail (his father was a warden); and resided in the Syquia Mansion.
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[edit] Etymology
The area of Vigan was originally a settlement of traders coming from the Fujian Province, China. At the time of Spanish colonisation, the Chinese settlers, whose language was Southern Fujianese (Min Nan, often referred to as "Hokkien" by most Filipinos), referred to the area as "Bee Gan" (美岸 ; Mandarin pinyin: Měi Àn), which means "Beautiful Shore." Since the Castillian and Basque Spanish conquistadors interchanged V and the B to refer to the B sound, they spelled the Hokkien Chinese name "Bee Gan" (美岸) as "Vigan", which is the name used to this day.
Vigan's Chinese heritage is still evident from the numerous elite Chinese creole families who come from the area, many of whom adopted Hispanic family names. Others, such as the Sy-Quia family, have retained Chinese-derived surnames, though most, if not all, of the Christian Chinese creole families fully Hispanicised themselves culturally.
The most commonly known source of the city's name is from the Biga'a plant, which once grew abundantly along the banks of the Meztiso River, from which captain Juan de Salcedo derived the city's name (after a misunderstanding with the locals, thinking he was asking the name of the plants).
[edit] Other names
The city's full name at the time of its Spanish foundation was "Villa Fernandina", or "Town of Ferdinand", in honour of Prince Ferdinand, the firstborn son of King Philip II of Spain. As the city grew, and the seat of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia transferred to Vigan, it was later re-named "Ciudad Fernandina de Vigan" ("Ferdinand's City of Vigan").
[edit] History
| Historic Town of Vigan * | |
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| Country | Philippines |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | ii, iv |
| Reference | 502 |
| Region ** | Asia-Pacific |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 1999 (23rd Session) |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List ** Region as classified by UNESCO |
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Vigan is an island which is separated from the mainland by three bodies of water:[citation needed] the Abra River, the Mestizo River, and the Govantes River. The city is unique in the Philippines because it is one of many extensive surviving Philippine historic cities, dating back to the 16th century.
Vigan was a coastal trading post long before the Spaniards arrived; Chinese traders sailing from the South China Sea came to Isla de Vigan (Island of Vigan) via the Mestizo River that surrounded the island. On board their ships were sea-faring merchants that came to trade goods from other Asian kingdoms in exchange for gold, beeswax, and other mountain products brought by the indigenous peoples from the Cordilleras region.
In the book The Philippine Island (Vol. III, p. 276, Blair and Robertson) two letters from Governor General Guido de Lavezaris to King Philip II of Spain mention: "It seemed best to send Captain Juan de Salcedo with 70 or 80 soldiers to explore the coast of Los Ilocano on the shores of the river called Bigan." The Spaniards marched north from Manila on May 20, 1572 and arrived in Vigan on June 12, 1572.
Thus, after the successful expedition and the exploration of the North, Juan de Salcedo founded "Villa Fernandina de Vigan" in honor of King Philip II’s son, Prince Ferdinand, who died at the age of four. From Vigan, Salcedo rounded the tip of Luzon and proceeded to pacify Camarines, Albay, and Catanduanes.
As a reward for his services to the King of Spain, Salcedo was awarded the old province of Ilocos which consisted of the modern provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union and part of Mountain Province as his hacienda (estate), and was accorded the title of "Justicia Mayor de esta Provincia de Ylocos" (Province Mayor of Ilocos).
In 1576, Salcedo returned to the capital of his encomienda (trusteeship), Vigan, bringing with him his soldiers, and some Augustinian missionaries to pioneer the evangelization of the Ilocos region. He established a Spanish city for the purpose of controlling the neighboring country.
Governor General Gómez Pérez Dasmariñas, in his Account of encomienda dated in Manila on May 31, 1591 states: "The town of Vigan called Villa Fernandina consisted of Spanish settlers; a priest; a Justice Alcalde Mayor (Governor); and a Deputy. The King collects 800 tributes (equivalent to 3,200 subjects)." During this period, Vigan was composed of 19 barrios (districts).
Between 1645 to 1660, Vigan was divided into 21 Cavezas de Barrios (Town Mayors) as mentioned in the Libro de Casamiento (Book of Marriage); from the records of the parish house of Vigan found in its Archives. Separated from the indigenous population; the Chinese migrants were residents in a neighbourhood called pariancillo, Los Sangleyes del parian (The Sangleyes of Parian); and the Spanish settlers were residents in a town called Los Españoles de la Villa (The Town of the Spaniards).
During the Philippine Revolution of 1896 to 1898, Philippine Revolutionary forces, supported by the Ilocano rebels, attacked and defeated the Spanish Colonial forces and captured the city in the Siege of Vigan. Starting from the Philippine-American War from 1899 to 1901, American Colonial troops occupied the city. Forces led by Col. James Parker occupied the Cathedral.
During World War II, Japanese Imperial Army planes bombed Vigan on December 1941 and Japanese troops occupied the town in 1942. In 1945, combined U.S. and Philippine Commonwealth ground troops, aided by Ilocano resistance fighters, defeated the Japanese Imperial forces and liberated Vigan.
[edit] Districts
Vigan City is subdivided into 39 barrios or barangays.
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[edit] Points of interest
- Vigan Cathedral/St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral - the seat of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia. Burial place of the great Ilocano poet Leona Florentino. It also houses the replica of the Miraculous Santo Cristo Milagroso (the original being in Sinait, Ilocos Sur).
- Archbishop's Residence - Located next to the Vigan Cathedral, it is the only Archbishop's Residence still in use that was built during the Spanish Era.
- Father Jose Burgos' Residence - Located almost behind the Provincial Capitol. The birthplace of Father Jose Burgos, one of the three martyred Filipino priests at Bagumbayan (GOMBURZA).
- Plaza Burgos - dedicated to the memory of Father Jose Burgos. Located beside the Vigan Cathedral. Depending on the weather, the streets surrounding it (except for the street adjacent to the Empanadaan) is closed off to motorized traffic every Saturday and Sunday to allow people to walk the streets freely.
- Vigan Empanadaan - a reserved location where visitors can sample Vigan's famous empanada; as well as sinanglao (traditional hotpot made of beef innards). Located at the eastern part of Plaza Burgos.
- Baluarte - a mini-zoo located in Salindeg where visitors can see a variety of animals (including tigers and ostriches). It is also a popular venue for special events such as seminars and conferences.
- Pagburnayan - a barrio in Vigan where tourists can see how the famous Vigan jars (burnay) are made.
- Pagpartian - where the great conquistador Juan de Salcedo landed when he arrived in Vigan through the Mestizo River. Also the site of the city slaughterhouse, built during the Spanish Era.
- Hidden Garden - Located in Bulala (a barrio known for its making of bricks, pots, and other objects made of clay), it is a wonderland of greenery, with a mini-snack bar nestled somewhere in the middle.
- Quezon Avenue - the business center of Vigan
- Vigan Public Market - where visitors can purchase delicacies like Vigan Longanisa (native pork sausages) and bagnet (deep-fried crispy pork).
- Plaza Salcedo - dedicated to the memory of the great conquistador Juan de Salcedo. It is also the site of Gabriela Silang's public hanging in 1763. Located in front of the Vigan Cathedral.
- Vigan Heritage Village - Also known as the Mestizo District, it is what Vigan City is known for--streets lined with Spanish Era houses and cobble-stoned streets, which led to Vigan's inscription in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Tourists can buy souvenirs or even ride a calesa (horse-drawn buggy). The Heritage Village centers on two streets: Plaridel Street and (mostly) Mena Crisologo Street.
- Syquia Mansion - the Vigan residence of Elpidio Quirino, 6th President of the Philippines.
- Crisologo Museum - the residence of the Crisologo family in Vigan converted into a museum.
- Quema House - the residence of the Quema family, considered by sociologist Fernando Zialcita as most representative of 18th-century Philippine architectural style.
- Mindoro Beach - the only seaside location in the city, just adjacent to the Vigan International Airport.
- Simbaan A Bassit - it has a Bell-gable design, the only one in the region and it is a cemetery chapel. It is a Ilocano phrase for a small church.
[edit] Major schools based in Vigan
- University of Northern Philippines - Located in Barangay Tamag, it is the oldest State University in Northern Luzon, which was founded by virtue of Republic Act 4449, authored by the late Congressman Floro Crisologo
- Saint Paul College of Ilocos Sur (formerly Rosary College) - the oldest privately-funded school in Ilocos Sur, founded as an all-girls' educational institution by the Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres in Vigan. Its former campus near the Vigan Cathedral is now the site of a shopping mall, having recently fully transferred to nearby Bantay. It has recently joined the Saint Paul University System.
- Divine Word College of Vigan - the second oldest privately-funded school in Ilocos Sur, founded by priests belonging to the Society of the Divine Word (SVD). It is located just behind the Vigan Cathedral.
- Macro Colleges Inc. - One of the first in Ilocos Sur to offer computer-based services, it evolved into the first computer college in the province. It was established by five pioneering Ilocanos whose vision was to provide quality computer education to the youth of Ilocos Sur. Established in a shop along Salcedo Street, it has transferred to nearby Bantay as the school expanded.
[edit] Communications and mass media
Vigan City is home to three AM radio stations and three FM stations. However, Bantay town, part of Metro Vigan, is the official address of the cable provider Eagle Vision which is the home of such cable channels: UPS-18, CORE TV, and Iluko Heritage Channel. ABS-CBN Vigan also holds their office address in Bantay. The city is also the home of some of the local print publications in the province, notably Timek ti Amianan, published by the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia.
[edit] TV stations
- ABS-CBN: Channel 11
- NBN: Channel 4
- SMNI: Channel 31
- Studio 23: Channel 34 (Pending Request from NTC)
[edit] Cable providers and cable stations
- Vigan Satellite
- Eagle Vision CATV Systems
- UPS-18
- CORE TV
- Iluko Heritage Channel (IHC)
- Unlimited Ilocos
[edit] FM radio stations
- 94.1 DWVN Magik FM, located in Vigan, owned by the Century Broadcasting Network
- 98.9 DWIS J FM (although is based in Bantay), owned by the Southern Broadcasting Network
- 105.5 DWNP UNP Campus Radio - billed as the only education-oriented radio station in Ilocos Sur, it is owned and operated by the University of Northern Philippines.
[edit] AM radio stations
- DWRS - Commando Radio, founded as part of the Solidnorth Broadcasting System, still located in Tamag since its incorporation in the 80s. It is now a part of Radio Mindanao Network.
- DZVV - owned by Consolidated Broadcasting System, which is part of Bombo Radyo Philippines Network. "VV" means "Voice of Vigan," it was once located on the current site of La Mirada Spa and Restaurant but has transferred to its current location along with its radio mast (formerly located at the banks of the Govantes River, near its boundary with Bantay)) in Tamag
- DZNS - owned by the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia, part of the Catholic Media Network, located in Pantay Daya. "NS" means "New Sound" and "Nueva Segovia."
- DZXE - "Radyo Tirador," owned by Fairwaves Broadcasting Network, now currently off-air; located just a few meters from the gate of Northern Tobacco Redrying Plant in Mira Hills. A former affiliate station of ABS-CBN's DZMM AM radio station.
[edit] Gallery
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A colonial-era house in Vigan
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Baluarte, a zoo in Vigan
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Animals roaming freely in Baluarte
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Vigan City |
Vigan travel guide from Wikitravel
- Vigan.ph
- Heritage City of Vigan
- Liga ng mga Barangay Vigan City
- Philippine Standard Geographic Code
- 1995 Philippine Census Information
- 2000 Philippine Census Information
- 2007 Philippine Census Information
- Calle Crisologo, Vigan
- Local Governance Performance Management System
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