I SPENT SOME TIME IN JAIL.....

Vigan Provincial Jail.....

Election Campaign Poster.....

The Prisoner And The Jail Guards.....

Students From UNP As Tour Guides.....

Jump Shot Daw.....

Relax!!!!! I did spend some time in the Vigan Provincial Jail, which has been renamed Gregoria M. Rivera Memorial Library. This former provincial jail was renamed in honor of the sixth President of the Philippines, Elpidio R. Quirino's mother. Rivera gave birth to the young Quirino on November 16, 1890 in one of the rooms on the second floor since his father, Mariano Quirino was the jail warden. The jail, located behind the provincial capitol and beside the Burgos Museum, still served its purpose until last year when it began its transformation as the new art center of Ilocos Sur.

I was impressed with this new museum because it was air conditioned and had thermostat controls. In one of its chambers, the 14 paintings of Esteban Pichay Villanueva which depicted the 1807 Basi Revolt were showcased. The paintings were originally displayed at the National Museum before it was returned to the provincial government when the art center was finally operational. Other exhibits being displayed were artifacts of tools used for basi making and some woven fabrics. On the second floor, some paintings of the former president Elpidio Quirino and his wife, Alicia Syquia which were all done by Fernando Amorsolo can be seen.

I think more exhibits are in the planning stage at the moment but I am so glad that such a repository of our heritage exists here in Vigan. Don't forget to check out this museum when you find yourself strolling around Vigan City in the future!

VIGAN AT CHRISTMAS TIME.....

Vigan Cathedral At Christmas.....






With The Belfry.....






The Bellfry.....






A Closer View.....






Shopping For Souvenirs.....






Hoping For A Calesa Ride.....






Hagdanan Na Walang Tahanan.....






When I bade my relatives goodbye during my last trip, I went to Vigan to buy some Vigan longganisa to take home to eat. I also decided to buy a whole box of special bibingka as well. I do not have a photo of the longganisa since it was wrap frozen and the bibingka was polished off as soon as I arrived home. Obviously, this is where I boarded the bus heading for Manila.

I haven't seen Vigan at Christmas time. I know from past visits that Crisologo Street is a well lighted area. I became curious if the houses on this well known street have the usual Christmas decors just like any other house and shops during this time. And I wanted to see the contrast, old Spanish houses with Christmas lights blinking or even the presence of a lighted parol outside the premises.

I was disappointed that the shops were bare with the said decorations when I got there. In fact, the only sign that it was still Christmas was the presence of a decorated Christmas tree in front of Vigan Cathedral and a parol on the belfry. I guess I expected to much from this trip. Or perhaps the shopkeepers decided to remove their decors after the New Year.

I think the only way to find out is to return to Vigan next Christmas time (December) and scout the place once again.

CITY AFTER DARK.....

Crisologo By Night.....









Street Signs.....






Waiting For Time.....






Early Morning Rain.....





Shining Light.....






A Scene From The Past.....





A Long Exposure Group Shot.....





We rushed back to Crisologo Street at around 3 am. I always wanted to take a photo of Vigan in the evening and this was the opportunity to do so. Well, technically, it is the early morning but I just wanted to have a "clean" street photo.

We were scheduled to head to Laoag this morning hence the early start. We bade our host goodbye and headed for our shooting location. The first surprise I noticed was that the streetlights were kept on! And we worried that it was to be switch off during the wee hours.

I guess sleep is the last thing one wants to do when you have an area solely for yourself to take photographs of.

OF THINGS SEEN AND INTERPETED.....

Sculpted on Wood.....





Selective Focus.....






Light My Way....





Tool Of The Trade.....






Cosmic Shapes.....






Crisologo Street in Vigan is perhaps the most photographed stretch of road here in the Philippines, its picturesque cobblestones and its Spanish architecture serves as a reminder of our colonization by the Spaniards for 400 years.

Me and my photo buddies walked through the street. There were lots of people moving around as it was summer. We certainly wished it was night time soon, so as to clear the street and we can start taking pictures.

Every diner and cafe was full of hungry tourists. But we decided to eat halo-halo and Vigan empanada first at the town plaza food stalls. We resumed the walk after we finished eating merienda, taking pictures of intricate things like wood carvings and other knick knacks.

The other places that we went to were the pagburnayan, the place where the local pottery is made and the Baluarte Zoo, which is basically Governor Chavit Singsong's house but has a zoo and a chapel.

We had a disappointing time at Cafe Leona, what with the not so delectable food, of other dishes being out of stock without informing us early on and not having to wait for its serving and AGAIN having to wait for a looonggg time before our bill arrived after we asked for it 45 minutes earlier! It made us exit the cafe in a hurry, head back to the empanada food stall and buy empanadas and bibingkas to take home and eat. There was a moment when we considered leaving without paying our bill altogether because of the very poor service and the not so good food we got.

I am so excited to show the gang the food at Saramsam Cafe when we get to Laoag! And I hope that will impress them and appreciate Ilocano food as the way it should! c",)