VIGAN KALESA TOUR-VILLA ANGELA HERITAGE HOUSE

 

Manong kutsero brought me to the old house called Villa Angela Heritage House where the local movie “Maruja” was filmed.

Villa Angela Heritage House personifies the charm of old world Vigan. It is located along Quirino Boulevard.  Gobernadorcillo Agapito B. Florendo had it built in 1870 in a 2,000 square meter property.

Upon entering the garden of Villa Angela, you will see a wooden carriage, said to have been used by Irene Marcos, daughter of former President Ferdinand Marcos. It was allegedly used to transport her to Sta. Monica Cathedral in Ilocos Norte on her wedding in 1983.

Villa Angela counts among its visitors Hollywood actor Tom Cruise. This heritage house is said to be where Tom Cruise stayed in 1989 while he was filming Oliver Stone’s Born on the Fourth of July. A picture of him with the owner hangs in one of the main rooms.

Villa Angela’s living room area has huge windows made of capiz or windowglass shells. There visitors can rest in big, old wooden chairs called butaka while imagining listening to the victrola (old phonograph) or giant harp that decorate the living room together with antique oil lamps and jars.

In the dining room or comedor, visitors will also see many antique dining and kitchen objects like copper pots, porcelain and china ware. There is even a huge old jar that was used to keep food fresh or chilled, much like a refrigerator.

Effort has been made in each room to keep the ambiance of the old Spanish period. That’s why Villa Angela has been used also for the filming of the movie “Jose Rizal.”
 

Villa Angela is opened to the public, as venue for weddings, birthdays, baptismal parties, workshops, meetings and other important gatherings. They specialize in catering traditional Ilocano food to guests and participants.

They are now also a bed and breakfast hotel. All the rooms are air-conditioned, with private baths and cable television. Breakfast is included in the rates. Guest  may choose to stay in the rooms with verandas and four-poster canopy beds.

Note: This is not a paid post. The author is a travel blogger and her passion is traveling on a shoe string. The Villa Angela tour is one of her stop during her kalesa tour.

VIGAN KALESA TOUR:Burnay Factory

VIGAN KALESA TOUR:Burnay Factory

My visit to the Burnay Factory in Vigan is one of the best ever experience I had in Vigan.

The Burnay Factory (earthen jar or pottery) at Barangay Pagburnayan, Vigan City is one of the best keep secrets of Vigan!

Hundreds of Burnay (earthen jar or pottery) is on display at the grounds of the factory.

If you find yourself  in Vigan, don't you miss this place.

Nothing compares in seeing the earthen jars in person. 

I tried to make an earthen jar to no avail, so I just pose for posterity with the earthen jar made by the son of the owner. It is said that pottery making calms the mind and promotes relaxation so you better try it if you have time.

It is more fun in the Philippines! Visit and enjoy pottery making at the Burnay Factory in Vigan.

VIGAN KALESA TOUR- BELL TOWER AND ST. AUGUSTINE CHURCH

VIGAN KALESA TOUR- BELL TOWER AND ST. AUGUSTINE CHURCH

St. Augustine Church

After my tour around Padre Burgos house we went to Bantay Bell Tower and St. Augustine Church.

The St. Augustine Church is the oldest church in Region 1.  It is a beautiful old church with a glorious maroon and white façade.

 

This is where the original Panday movies by the late FPJ was shot according to manong kutsero.

Manong Kutsero (carriage driver) brought me to Bantay the next town after Vigan. There you will find the Bantay Bell Tower. Towering over the town, the Bantay Bell Tower is a sight to behold, standing separately over a hilltop next to the equally beautiful St. Augustine Parish Church.

The bell tower original structure was built by Augustinian Missionaries in 1591, most likely as a part of the parish church nearby.  It was made of bricks, rocks, and a mixture of seashells and sugar cane. There are hardly any renovations done to the structure, except for the repairs of the stairs inside the tower.

The bell tower stands on the tallest point in town.  It was used as a watch tower during the Spanish colonial period.  That's the reason why the tower is named “bantay” which in Ilocano means “mountain” and “guard.”

Climbing up the second level of the belfry is no problem, but going up the third level may take a bit more guts. The wooden stairs are new, but the rickety sound and the tall open windows may trigger a heart attack to the weak. But mind you the views from both levels are absolutely breath-taking.  The bell tower provides a good view of the town and the mountain in the horizon.

The bell tower is also quite popular because according to manong kutsero because it is the  location of the film- Panday by the late Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ)

The next time you find yourself in Vigan, ride a kalesa ( horse carriage) and tour the different glorious locations of the province.