Vigan City Where Past Is A Powerful Presence

CEBU, Philippines - For the first time, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. conducted an inter- Philippine trade mission and explored the renowned heritage site of Ilocos Region, Laoag City, and Vigan City last August 28 to 31.

Twenty-three members of CCCI from the following companies joined the business mission: Coast Pacific Mfg. Corp., Global Carrier Phils., Inc., Cebu Advertising Services & Promotions, Profood International Corp., Northern Transcription Works, Inc., Alenaire Cebu Inc., Interior Basics Export Corp., Signal Trading Corp., Cebu Hong Tin Soy Factory Co., Premiere Beverage Corporation, Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corporation, B. Benedicto & Sons Co., Inc., and Cebu Oversea Hardware Co., Inc.

The Vigan City Government, through its energetic Mayor Eva Marie Singson Medina, hosted a welcome dinner for the group on our first night at the Vigan Cultural Trade Center. We were also entertained by the Vigan Children's Theatre showcasing the history of Vigan; the Vigan Cultural Dance Troupe and Hayapo Kudrep Society. Right after dinner, we were treated by Jose "Bonito" Singson at his residence where he showed us various antique collections that reminded us of the history of Vigan.

The next day, a business matching session was successfully conducted with the 32 members of Vigan Chamber of Commerce and Industry headed by its President Dr. Esperanza Lahoz and Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Vigan President Mr. Cirilo Lao. The business matching was pre-arranged by the City Tourism and Investment Promotions Officer Mr. Edgar De La Cruz. Most of their members are into Construction, Hardware, Mall, Hotel & Resort operations, hospital, realty, food & restaurant, distributors of longaniza and other meat products, antiques, and furniture, Vigan jars and tobacco business. They had signified to join next year's Cebu Business Month. Investment opportunities in Vigan were presented to the group by Mrs. Geozita Guerrero, Chief Manpower Development Officer. CCCI, on the other hand, showed AVP presentations courtesy of the Cebu Investment Promotions Center (CIPC), and Department of Tourism Region 7.

Ilocos Region has a lot of raw materials that we can use for our export like their wood, fruits and food produce. We also learned a lot from them such as how we can present Philippine made products in a way that reflects our unique identity as Filipinos. We really learned a lot from them because the Ilocanos have very strong identity and respect of heritage.

The small city of Vigan has a population of only 50,157. Commercial activities include retail & wholesale trade, banking and lending services, tourism related businesses, and processing. Their main industries are: traditional industries, agriculture, livestock, animal breeding and fattening, and tobacco re-drying. Leading fast food chains such as Jollibee, Chowking, McDonald's, Max's Restaurant and Red Ribbon Bakeshop can also be seen in the City. Big commercial banks have their branches also in this small city.

Vigan was a vital trading post in the Spanish colonial period became a UNESCO World Heritage City. It represents a unique fusion of Asian building design and construction with European colonial architecture and planning. It is exceptionally intact and well preserved example of a European trading town in East and Southeast Asia.

While we're in Vigan, it brings back the mood of the historic Spanish times. The town center is small and compact, yet full of excitement. We experienced the grandeur of the past as we strolled down the cobblestone streets and alongside ancestral houses in Calle Crisologo, an excellent spot to shop for antiques and souvenir items. I myself did try an excellent calesa ride at the Heritage Village. It is also safe to walk at night.

The 16th century churches, bell tower, local handicrafts and native delicacies truly gave us a glimpse of the rich culture and history of its people, especially when we visited their museums showcasing archeological artifacts, relics, pottery and porcelains.

Never miss to visit Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson's Baluarte that features a mini zoo, skeet shooting range, pony rides and animal show. Feel the thrill of molding your own jars in Pagburnayan where traditional burnay jars of varied shapes, designs and sizes are made. Also experience the traditional art of handloom weaving as they offer a variety of intricately designed colorful Abel Iloco woven materials on sale.

Vigan and Laoag City Business Mission Chairman Ms. Cristina Lo, together with her mom Un Liu Chan and siblings Lucy Barba, Rosemarie Lim and Romeo Chan made sure that our stay in Vigan was worthy….it exceeded beyond our expectations. They prepared appetizing selections of authentic Ilocano, Asian and Western dishes the night before we left Vigan for Laoag City.

Ilocos is also known for its native cuisine. We tried their signature vegetable dishes such as pinakbet and sinanglao, the Vigan longaniza (garlic flavored pork sausage), and bagnet (pan-fried pork meat). There are also equally tasty snacks and desserts such as chichacorn (corn bits), special Vigan empanada, royal bibingka (oven baked sticky rice cake) and tinubong ( rice, coconut inside the bamboo pole stick).

On our third day, we left early to visit other historical sites in Ilocos Norte particularly in Laoag City. We are so privileged that Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos permitted us to tour around in their private residence, the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum in Batac which are associated with the late President Ferdinand Marcos. Then, we proceeded to Malacanang of the North before we checked-in at "The Fort Ilocandia," the only five star hotel & resort in Laoag City.

The President of Laoag Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mr. John Chua, Jr. also hosted a welcome dinner for the delegates at Fort Ilocandia. A three nights and four day stay in Ilocos Region was indeed a wonderful experience.

Special thanks to the following who warmly accommodated the CCCI delegation namely: Vigan City Mayor Eva Marie Singson Medina, Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, Laoag Chamber of Commerce & Industry President Mr. John Chua, Jr., Mr. Jose "Bonito" Singson, Un Liu Chan & Family and to Honey Girl Pacpaco & Ferreza Felipe of Gordion Travel & Tours. ?