So much to learn but so little time. Vigan was very interesting and the landscape was beautiful. Despite the loss of its prestige to the present times, I could still the the wealth and influence of the Villa Fernandina before the turn of the century.
This is not my first time at the coral, I've visited other old houses when I was younger. One particular house I stayed in for a couple of day's is my Tita's in IloIlo. I also have the book Ancestral Houses of the Philippines, and read through it cover to cover. I tried even to reconstruct some of the accounting.
One of the things I could not picture was the Old brick and mortar bridges that have been paved over and collapsed going to vigan from the south. It takes little imagination to reconstruct these old landmarks. Watch out for them if you go by car to Vigan City from the south.
If you think college books are expensive now, back in the day only the Elite could afford them, and thus only they can afford to become doctors and lawyers. Engineering and Science is not a profession people then considered that would advance a family's fortune.
Maps are expensive and very valued. This was a large map of the region, that was taken home by the Lady Governor (wife of the congressman). Since so many people viewed and referred to it, maps are surprisingly a source of prestige and power. If you have the primary map, then all maps copy yours and you Dictate what is on all the other maps. In older times, this means Property lines!
Very very old map.
Easily these mansions were around 500 sqm or abotu 5000sqft per floor. The elite would stay on the upper floor, while all support staff and activities were in the lower floor. Somtimes the floor would be so thin that it can be frightening, since there was was so many heavy wooden furniture. This dining area is easily 120sqms.
A room full of ancestral paintings. If the dynasty was powerful till the present, this would be in a prestigious museum like what the Ayalas have done. These would have been restored, and the universities they patroned would have works and studies dedicated in pealing back the layers of time on these artifacts.
This is the quirino house, about 1000sqm in this level alone. They even have a patio and and open area for parties and functions.
Our Luck - the burgos museum is closed. The risks of going on the off-peak season.
More stroller friendly than Baguio I'd have to say.
To the right is the hotel Villa Fernandina, named after Old Vigan City.
The hotel we stayed in. Not bad, but compared to Le Monet of Baguio its hard to keep its strong points in perspective.
No comments:
Post a Comment