Father Burgos Museum of Vigan

Father Jose Burgos was born in this ancestral home to Florencia Garcia and Jose Burgos in February 1837. He finished his primary schooling in Vigan but his higher studies were completed in Manila’s San Juan de Letran and the University of Santo Tomas, where he studied priesthood. He showed remarkable characteristics even as a young student; and as a young priest fought with quiet courage for equal rights for the Filipino clergy. The just cause he took on made him a target of the machinations of Spanish friars. When a mutiny broke out in Cavite, the Spanish friars saw it as an opportunity to get rid of Father Burgos, including him amongst those who they accused as supporting the rebellion. He was tried in Fort Santiago and executed in February 1872 at Bagumbayan, presently known as Luneta Park in Manila. He died by strangulation with an iron collar together with two other priests, Fathers Gomez and Zamora. The priests’ deaths further fueled the efforts of Filipino revolutionaries and awakened the lukewarm hearts of some countrymen.  Father Burgos’ home is now a satellite museum of the National Museum. Walking to it from Plaza Salcedo or the center of Vigan City will only take ten minutes. It stands near the provincial jail made famous by being the site of President Elpidio Quirino’s birth, and a school named after the martyred priest. The ancestral home is well-managed and charges only a minimal fee. It is open to the public Tuesdays up to Saturdays, closing for around two hours during lunch time. Tour groups may also schedule viewing during weekends and holidays. Inside the museum, visitors will see a collection of Father Burgos memorabilia and photographs, family antiques and jewelry, Father Burgos’ quarters and a mini library containing his student Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, which the teacher received as a gift. Visitors will also be able to view dioramas depicting local history, Ilocano and Tinggian archeological and ethnographic displays and a hall of fame for the heroes and achievers of Ilocos.  Visitors are also enjoined to allot time to take a special look at 14 paintings that were done by Esteban Villanueva which shows scenes of the 1807 Basi Revolt.

http://www.vigan.ph/father_burgos_museum.html

http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/nationalmuseumbeta/ASBMD/padreburgos.gif

Vigan Cathedral

            The St. Paul’s Cathedral is also known as the metropolitan Cathedral. It is considered a major religious landmark not only of northern Luzon but the country as well. Visitors must include a visit to the cathedral when in Vigan as it has been a center of Roman Catholic devotion for centuries. The church as it stands now was completed in 1800. The original structure was built in 1574 upon the command of the Spanish founder of Vigan, Juan de Salcedo. It was a mere chapel then, made of wood and thatch. In 1641, the chapel was replaced by a church.

When the seat of the Nueva Segovia Diocese was transferred to Villa Fernandina de Vigan from Cagayan’s Lal-lo in 1758, the church was elevated to the status of a cathedral and became the center of Catholic faith in the north. Another structure was ordered by then Governor Jose de Basco to be built to replace the existing church in 1786. With the Augustinians, the cornerstone of the new church was laid in the beginning of 1790. Overall, the cathedral follows a Baroque architectural design that has been modified by Ilocanos to strengthen the structure against earthquakes. This is now known as earthquake Baroque. Testament to the style’s effectivity is the fact that the structure’s original interior walls have remained complete. Other influences can be observed from the architecture of St. Paul Cathedral, that of neo-Gothic, pseudo-Romanesque and Chinese craftsmanship.  Facing the cathedral, visitors are greeted by the statue of St. Paul above the main opening. There are also carvings of Fu dogs or lion dogs by the outermost doors. In the alcove are scenes of Saint Paul’s conversion. Though some people may find that the façade is not as impressive as other churches, the cathedral’s interior is something to be admired. The presence of a silver-paneled main altar, three naves, 12 minor altars and brass communion handrails forged in China gives the inside of the church a feeling of grandeur. The area for the choir is located at the loft, making use of the big church’s acoustics.  Surrounding St. Paul Cathedral are the other historic buildings of the city. There are the Episcopal Palace or the bishop’s residence, the diocesan seminary and the Vigan Municipal Hall. It is also beside two plazas, one named after Vigan’s founder, Plaza Salcedo, and another named after a revolutionary hero, Plaza Burgos. It shows how central the cathedral’s role is not only in the religious life of the people, but the social, economic, educational and political aspects as well.

http://www.vigan.ph/st.paul_cathedral_vigan.html

http://www.fabulousphilippines.com/st-pauls-cathedral-vigan.html

Camarines Sur

        If you fancy a rough, rugged, and wild getaway — Survivor style — then Bicol’s Caramoan is for you. Even castaways can’t get enough of the island. The 2008 seasons of the French and Bulgarian versions of the hit reality TV show Survivor were shot on location here, and now the Israelis are filming in these Virgin Islands as well. You can hire a boat to take you from one island to the next, until you find your dream getaway. Then you can ask the boatman to leave you there with only your camping gear. (Of course, he can come back for you too.)

http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/off-the-beaten-track-islands/#

Palawan Honda Bay

Palawan Honda Bay is one of the tourist spots in Palawan that any traveler should go to. Famous for its clear water and the different islets scattered around it, you can experience the best of Honda Bay by going in an island hopping day trip adventure. The islets that comprise of Honda Bay Palawan have their own specialties and all of them are perfect for water sports such as diving, swimming and snorkeling.

How to get to Palawan Honda Bay

Honda Bay is only 12 kilometers away from Puerto Princesa City proper. From Puerto Princesa City, one can either take the jeepney or get in a tricycle to get to Santa Lourdes wharf and the ride should take less than half an hour. From the Santa Lourdes wharf, several pump boats await ready to take one to any island that one desires and all one has to do is simple tell them to go to Honda Bay.

You can also ask your hotel or travel agency to arrange a Honda Bay Island Hopping day trip. It would only cost PhP 1,100 per person and that is inclusive of land transfer to Sta. Lourdes Wharf, boat ride for the island hopping, entrance fee to the islets, lunch, and a tour guide.

http://philippinetouristspots.net/tourist-spots-in-palawan-honda-bay/#more-87