#eploration

A mandatory photo as soon as we got off the car.

Our first stop is the famous, Calle Crisologo.

It’s named after a Filipino politician, poet and writer, Mena Crisologo. A major attraction of Vigan, street full of old Spanish houses where the rich people lived during the era.

Stunning pastel building with satisfying colors of bougainvillea.

I’ve read somewhere, maybe in one of the museums we entered, that just like the Philippines considers Sampaguita as national flower, Ilocos sur has Bougainvillea. I’ve learned a lot, I swear.

Collado Souvenir shop, where my parents bought a lot of their famous chichacorn and Vigan longganisa.

Cheesy photos my sister captured.

Look at the 3 arts, I’ve captured. First art, the old stuff itself. Second, the way how it is arranged, is it even arranged? Third, that person walking.

My sisters, they are fraternal twins. From left - Me, Gem & Get.

Hidden street art Cross randomly saw and took picture of.

I’ve known this store since forever, because of my aunt who goes here in Vigan every year.

She comes home with lots of Tongson’s famous bibingka, the only native cake I eat and Balicutia, my ultimate favorite. It’s a caramel candy made from sugar cane. I’m craving for it while typing.

At the back of the statue of Jose Rizal.

White cheese flavored street ice cream we bought while having a rest at the plaza.

Exterior of Elpidio Quirino Museum, it resembles Pinto Art.

Head statue of our sixth president, Elpidio Quirino.

His extravagant personal collections, shoes and canes.

Though, I’ve heard from our museum guide, President Quirino didn’t really need to use a cane and it’s just for his fashion purposes.

His bed.

This place used to be where Spaniards stay to look over the Indios. Beneath this floor is a prison cell.

The prsion cell.

“Stand there”, he said. “You’re an art”, he said.

Right after we left President Quirino’s museum, we went straight to Crisologo Museum.

The Crisologos are prominent political dynasty, after Floro Crisologo’s death, they converted their ancestral home into a museum.

This museum amazed me more than it should. While walking and exploring how rich people houses really looked before, I’m fascinated. The rooms are beautiful, filled with luxury perfume brands, old beds, it’s like taking a time travel back to Philippine-Spanish era time. Gaahd, I love it. I love it.

He was shot dead inside a cathedral, near their house.

I was craving for Vigan’s famous Bagnet, it took us long to find and buy one. Thanks to that kuya tricycle driver, who helped us. We went to Baluarte, but we didn’t stay that long since everyone’s tired from walking, and the intense heat is adding up to the stress.

My mom who suddenly became part of the animal show. Haha!