The Philippines: ILOCOS SUR, Heritage City of Vigan (Part 2)

Our three of four stops in Vigan City were Bantay Bell Tower, Baluarte and Grandpa's Inn.

Vigan is the hometown of the 6th Philippine president, Elpidio Quirino, born in 1890 (and if the calesa or horse-drawn-carriage driver is to be believed) inside the provincial jail where his father was working as a warden.  

Vigan is also home to Fr. Jose Burgos, one of three priests martyred during the Spanish era, due to charges of mutiny in 1872.  The three priests were collectively known as GOMBURZA: Gomez, Burgos and Zamora.

The main church in Vigan is St. Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral: above the church doorway is an alcove depicting the conversion of St. Paul.  Unfortunately, due to politics, the church is tainted with the blood of a politician who was gunned down inside the cathedral.

Historic Town of Vigan (Destination 4 of 4)

UNESCO World Heritage Site

"Established in the 16th century, Vigan is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines, from China and from Europe, resulting in a culture and townscape that have no parallel anywhere in East and South-East Asia." (UNESCO)

This "town" is reminiscent of Spanish times and is perfect for time travel adventures.  The streets have brick tiles, structures are made of wood and antique shops, selling antique wares and souvenirs, line the streets.  Some parts are still well-preserved, while maintenance in other parts are somewhat lacking and will have to be improved to continue the preservation of a heritage.  There is no other part of the country like this...old, peaceful, simple, quaint, inspiring and charming.

Calle Crisologo

Antique Shop

 This ended our tour of lovely Vigan, Ilocos Sur.  If one has the time, it is best to spend a night in this city and enjoy the view in the moonlight.

Part 1 of the Ilocos Sur trip can be read here.

COSTS TO VISIT VIGAN
In Vigan City, the tourist spots are free of charge.  One only needs to spend for transportation, food and accommodation.

For transportation, one can go around the tourist places on calesas or horse-drawn carriages for USD3.50 per hour or ride any public vehicle like tricycles or ride a rented van.

For sumptuous Ilocano food, average cost of meals range from USD10-20 per person.

For accommodation, a night would cost around USD50 a night for double occupancy.

Fall in love with Vigan...

The Philippines: ILOCOS SUR, Heritage City of Vigan (Part 1)

Ilocos Sur ("sur" means south) is located south of Ilocos Norte.  The main tourist attraction is the heritage city of Ilocos Sur which can be toured in one day.

Getting around.  A calesa (horse-driven carriage) can take one around the heritage city for USD3.5 per hour IF and ONLY IF you did not rent a van for the trip.  The calesa will take one around the heritage city - Baluarte, bell tower, clay making, etc.  But again, if you rented a van, the van can take you around these same places.  

Bantay Bell Tower (Destination 1 of 4)
An old structure in the St. Augustine's Parish Church compound...one can see Ilocos Sur skyline from the bellfry.

Bantay bell tower in the background

Chavit Singson's BALUARTE (Destination 2 of 4)
Open 7am-6pm
"Where animals graze freely and wander around with the humans" - this is one rare sight in the Philippines.  A zoo, by itself is a rare thing in this country, much more a zoo with animals that roam together with humans! And what's more, entrance and rides are free!  Of course there's a donation box, but nobody is watching if you put in donation or not.  In the Philippines, this is impressive.

True to its by-line in their website, Baluarte is "Not just a zoo, Baluarte is an interactive wildlife sanctuary and facility".  There are shows scheduled all throughout the day and if one is lucky or can wait for the schedule, one can also watch them for free.

One can ride the "tiburin", a small-horse-drawn carriage and camel for free.

One can take pictures with these white and colorful birds for free!  Better try this out in Baluarte...in Jurong Bird Park in Singapore, posing with even smaller birds costs $5!

The deers in the place are allowed to roam around like dogs.  Imagine yourself in the streets along with some stray dog, that's the scene in Baluarte, really cute!  A deer would come near you and check you out by sniffing, like dogs do!

ostriches, tiburins and deers graze freely

Modesty aside, we've been to zoos in Singapore, Bangkok and Hongkong with an impressive number of animals in custody but it was only in Baluarte that the experience was "interactive" and for free.  If only for this, Baluarte is worth the trip!


Grandpa's Inn (Destination 3 of 4)
We had our lunch at Grandpa's Inn, one of the many old brick houses within the heritage city, that is both an inn and a restaurant.  The furnitures and fixtures are really antique and with a little imagination, one can be transported back centuries ago.

upstairs receiving area

room accommodation

restaurant

In the next post is our visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site in Vigan...

PHL: CEBU 2011 Sinulog "IMAGES" of the Feast of Sto. Nino

The Philippines is an archipelago, made up of three major islands:  Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.  Cebu is an island in the Visayas.

January is a special month for Cebuanos (residents of Cebu) in the Philippines.  Every third Sunday of the month, the Feast of the Sto. Nino is celebrated through religious activities and the SINULOG, a festival that commemorates the events that happened in 1521, when the Sto. Nino was accepted by the then pagan Queen Juana from Ferdinand Magellan of Spain.  That marked the start of the Catholicism in the Philippines.  

Sto. Nino de Cebu
Photo by Vicmaro

This year, the 12-day celebration of the feast of the Sto. Nino, began Jan. 6.  Novena masses were said for nine days from Jan. 6 until Jan. 14.   There are 10 masses each novena day...despite the schedule, the Basilica del Sto. Nino was always full of devotees and pilgrims from mass to mass.  In the novena masses, the famous GOZOS is always the offertory song.

Devotees and pilgrims flock and fill the novena masses in honor of the Sto. Nino
Photo by Vicmaro

These are the activities and images of the feast of the Sto. Nino:

Jan. 6 - 14  Novena Masses

Basilica Minore del Santo Nino
Taken at 1230nn, in between novena masses
Photo by Vicmaro

Jan. 6  Solemn foot procession from Fuente Osmena to the Basilica
Jan. 7  The Sinulog Foundation kicked off its activities with a mass and a parade from the church to the Cebu City Sports Complex (CCSC).
Jan. 8 Sinulog sa Kabataan - Lalawigan (province schools contingents)

Sinulog sa Kabataan - Lalawigan contingent
Photo by Ariel Aying Salupan

Jan. 9 Cebu City Marathon - the biggest event of its kind to hit Cebu

Aerial shot of the start/finish line
Photo by Arni Aclao of Sunstar Cebu/www.sunstar.com.ph

Sinulog sa Kabataan - Dakbayan (city schools contingents)
A separate presentation and contest, called Sinulog sa Kabataan (Youth) was held for the youth or the students, usually from public schools within the city and province.  The winners get the chance to compete in the SINULOG contest on festival day.

Sinulog sa Kabataan - Dakbayan (city) contingent

Photo by H.Port

Sinulog sa Kabataan - Dakbayan (city) contingent

Photo by H.Port

Jan. 12  Miss Cebu 2011 was held at Waterfront Hotel and Casinos
Jan. 14  Walk with Mary (foot procession), followed by Traslacion

Motorcade of the image of Sto. Nino from the Basilica to St. Joseph Parish during the Traslacion
Photo by Vicmaro

Jan. 14 Judging and crowning of Sinulog Festival Queen 2011

2011 Sinulog Festival Queen
Photo by H. Port

Jan. 15 Fluvial Procession in the morning and Solemn (foot) Procession in the afternoon

Fluvial procession, also a re-enactment of the coming of the Spaniards to colonize Cebu
Photo by Vicmaro

Galeon and trade
Photo and text by Sunstar Cebu, Cebu's leading newspaper ( www.sunstar.com.ph)

Despite really heavy downpour, devotees stayed with the Sto. Nino all throughout the procession route
Photo by Sunstar Cebu, Cebu's leading newspaper (www.sunstar.com.ph)

Jan. 16 Feast of the Sto. Nino and the SINULOG Festival 

The day starts with a Mananita Mass, followed by the Pontifical Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Cebu Jose Palma.  Again, despite heavy rain, the Basilica square was full of devotees honoring the Sto. Nino.

At the Cebu City Sports Complex, on the other hand, the Sinulog Festival and Grand Parade was declared open by 10am.  The SINULOG is the cultural aspect of the feast, where contingents from all over the country perform Sinulog-based and free interpretation dances.  

Photo by Vicmaro

The dance steps reflect movement of the sea, its tide and current. SINULOG comes from the word "sulog", a native word meaning sea current.  

Photo by Vicmaro

The SINULOG originated as an activity to mimic the movement of the sea, and is basically a two-step forward and a step-backward routine. The sea is relevant in the coming of the Sto. Nino, being brought to Cebu on a galeon ship from Spain.  

Photo by Vicmaro

There are many contingents vying to win the prestige of the contest.  Since the prize money is usually not enough to cover the expenses of the contingents, it is believed that the performance is more of an offering and more for the prestige than the money.  

Placer Masbate won (again!) the First Place in the Free Interpretation Category of the Sinulog Contest
Photo by Sunstar Cebu, Cebu's leading newspaper/www.sunstar.com.ph

The festivities last for more than a week.  Nightly, there are activities in the city, both sponsored by the government and private sector.  Except for the Miss Cebu pageant and the entrance at the Cebu City Sports Complex, where one gets a good view of the performances from the bleachers, almost all (if not all) activities during the period are FREE!  One may not even purchase tickets for the grandstand, since the dancers and their props dance around the city in a carousel route.  Watching from the streets gives one a chance to watch the performance for free, in addition to enjoying the festive atmosphere in the streets.

One only pays for hotel accommodation ($20-$100) and airfare or boat fare (depends on where you're from!) coming to Cebu, and the number of days stay in Cebu depends on one's budget.  Average cost of meals in Cebu is from $2-$10 per person.

For Sinulog tips, go here.

PHL: CEBU 2011 Sinulog Festival "Grand Parade Route"

January 16, 2011

Today is the Feast of the Sto. Nino, held every third Sunday of January in Cebu City Philippines.  Today, a Mananita Mass was held at the Basilica.  The Pontifical Mass at 6am was officiated by the newly installed Archbishop of Cebu, Jose Palma, his first mass at the Sto. Nino as an archbishop.  Masses will be held every one-hour-and-a-half all throughout the day from 830am until 7pm, the last mass.  After the last mass, the traditional Sinulog dance will be performed by devotees, young and old.

The archbishop also held mass at the Cebu City Sports Complex, where the SINULOG parade contingents will make the "greatest performance of their lives" before the judges.  After the Mass, the Mayor of Cebu City and the President of the Republic of the Philippines, made a speech to the Cebuanos and the whole world and declared the SINULOG officially open.

Grand Parade Route (Source: www.sinulog.ph)

The SINULOG is the cultural aspect of the feast, where contingents from all over the country perform Sinulog-based and free interpretation dances.  The dance steps reflect movement of the sea, its tide and current. SINULOG comes from the word "sulog", a native word meaning sea current.  The SINULOG originated as an activity to mimic the movement of the sea, and is basically a two-step forward and a step-backward routine. The sea is relevant in the coming of the Sto. Nino, being brought to Cebu on a galeon ship from Spain.  There are many contingents vying to win the prestige of the contest.  Since the prize money is usually not enough to cover the expenses of the contingents, it is believed that the performance is more of an offering and more for the prestige than the money.  There are also  HIGANTES (giants) and FLOATS joining the parade route.  Participants of contingents, higantes, and floats go around the city to dance and perform before the millions of revelers. The route is a carousel, where one ends in the designated starting area.

PHL: CEBU 2011 Feast of Sto. Nino "FLUVIAL AND FOOT PROCESSION"

January 15, 2011

Today, two processions take place: FLUVIAL, from Ouano Wharf in Mandaue City, traversing sea towards Cebu City.  On the spiritual aspect of the celebration, the fluvial procession takes the Sto. Nino, Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Joseph back to the Basilica, from St. Joseph Parish in Mandaue, where the Sto. Nino spent the night, one with the Holy Family (see Traslacion).  On the cultural aspect, the FLUVIAL procession re-enacts the coming of the Spaniards on board galeon ships, in 1521, to colonize the island.  The sight on the sea is very beautiful and extra-ordinary, as one does not see many ships sail together at the same time, everyday.  The sea current called "sulog" is the word from where the SINULOG festival is coined after.

This ship is where the Sto. Nino rides with, as re-enactment of the galeon VICTORIA, Magellan's ship from Spain to the Cebu, when he brought the Sto. Nino image to Queen Juana

On the same day, in the afternoon, the Solemn Procession (on foot) was held around the city.  The new archbishop of Cebu, archbishops and priests, were joined by millions of devotees during the procession.  Despite heavy rain, the procession was as solemn as ever, devotees unfazed and ever faithful to the Sto. Nino.  The procession route was said to be 7km-long, started 1pm and ended 530pm, right after which a Pontifical Mass was held at the Basilica.  After the mass, the devotees performed the traditional Sinulog dance in front of the altar, even though drenched and wet from the rain.

Image of the Sto. Nino during the Solemn Procession, cordoned

Devotees and pilgrims joining the Solemn Procession, outside the cordoned area

PHL: CEBU 2011 Feast of Sto. Nino "Route of Solemn Procession"

January 15, 2011

Today, Saturday, is the VESPERAS or the day before the feast of the Sto. Nino, two solemn processions will take place.

In the morning, a fluvial (at sea) procession, takes the Sto. Nino from St. Joseph Parish in Mandaue City, back to Cebu City.  This happens a day after the Traslacion.

In the afternoon, a solemn foot procession takes the Sto. Nino around major parts of Cebu City.  This year, the route goes:

Source: http://basilicasantonino.org.ph 

PHL: CEBU 2011 Sinulog Festival QUEEN

January 14, 2011
Each Sinulog contingent participating in the Grand Parade, has its queen.  She is the one holding the Sto. Nino, thus making her the human center of attraction...the Queen.  Each year, the Sinulog foundation chooses a Festival Queen based on some criteria.

This year, a Parade of Costumes was held in a mall in Cebu City, a day before the Festival Queen contest.  Here are the photos of the event, courtesy of Ariel Salupan of www.aying-designs-photography.com.

The actual judging for choosing the Festival Queen for 2011 was on Friday, January 14, two days before the Feast of the Sto. Nino.

Crowned Festival Queen 2011
Steffi Rose Pearson Aberasturi
Lumad Basakanon
Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City

1st runner-up
Jey Ann Avenido
Daanbantayan Cebu

These photos are from Vicmaro...

2nd Runner up
Barbette Joanne M. Badaocdoc
Pintados Festival
Tacloban Leyte

4th runner up
Denice Marie Caminade
Talamban Elementary School
Cebu City

PHL: CEBU 2011 Feast of Sto. Nino "GOZOS"

A special report on ABS-CBN TV said that there is no composer of this song, rather it is a compilation of prayers of the faithful and devotees over the years... and it is the BEST Sto. Nino song, sung by Cebuanos, pilgrims and devotees of all ages.  


Singing this song gives one warmth, hope and a lifting of the spirit.  It's true then, that the best ones are those that come from the heart...Pit Senyor!

GOZOS

Batobalani sa gugma,

Sa daan tawo palanga.

KANAMO MALOOY KA UNTA

NGA KANIMO NANGILABA

Dinhi sa siudad sa Sugbo

ang matahum larawan.

sa unang mga misionero,

sa usang balay hipalgan.

Kanila ikaw nagpakita

gikan da sa imong gugma.

KANAMO MALOOY KA UNTA

NGA KANIMO NANGILABA

Giludhan ikaw gisingba

niadtong mga kaparian

sa tanan nga katawhan

sa mga ponoan nila:

kay sa pagtan-aw kanimo

Kristianos sila nahimo.

KANAMO MALOOY KA UNTA

NGA KANIMO NANGILABA

Ang singbahan gipatindog

niadtong mga tawhana,

aron ang larawan nimo

dunay usang puluyanan.

ug didto gihangyo nila

nga kaluyan nimo sila.

KANAMO MALOOY KA UNTA

NGA KANIMO NANGILABA

Nangayo kami kanimo

nga ang matahum mong larawan,

sa sulud sa kalag namo

makahimong puluyanan,

kay sa tanan kinahanglan

ikaw ang among dalangpan.

KANAMO MALOOY KA UNTA

NGA KANIMO NANGILABA

(http://basilicasantonino.org.ph)

PHL: CEBU 2011 Feast of Sto. Nino "TRASLACION"

January 14, 2011

On the Friday before the feast of Sto. Nino de Cebu, is the day of the Translacion.

The day's activities will start with the Walk with Mary, a foot procession from the church in Guadalupe, where devotees of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mother Mary), patroness of Cebu, will bring the Mother of Sto. Nino to Fuente Osmena.
(Trivia: A few years ago, Our Lady of Guadalupe was made patroness of Cebu because the Sto. Nino, became Jesus himself, cannot be patron of Cebu.)

At the same time, the Sto. Nino from the Angel of Peace Seminary in Cansojong, Talisay City, will also make way to the Basilica del Sto. Nino. There, the Sto. Nino will meet his mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Inside the Basilica, at 7am, the Misa de Traslacion will be held.  After the mass, the Sto. Nino and Our Lady of Guadalupe, on a motorcade, will now be on the way to the St. Joseph Parish in Mandaue City, so Mother and Son will be reunited with (the foster father) St. Joseph.

Thus, in St. Joseph Parish in Mandaue, the Holy Family is re-united!  The three will stay in Mandaue overnight.

The next day, Saturday (January 15, 2011), devotees join the fluvial procession (yes, procession at sea!) from Mandaue City to Cebu City, when Sto. Nino goes back to the Basilica.

In the afternoon of Saturday, the Solemn Procession for the Sto. Nino will be held around the city.