Vigan : Through The Years 🎶

Vigan Cityhood – Vigan as a Municipality Then and Vigan as a City Now

Vigan, a gem in the northern Philippines, showcases a rich history and transformation that reflects its people's resilience and pride. Vigan exemplifies the harmonious coexistence of heritage and modern progress from a humble municipality to a recognized city.

THEN

Before its cityhood, Vigan was a successful municipality with deep historical roots. It was known as “Ciudad Fernandina” during the Spanish era, serving as a vital political, religious, and trade hub. The town’s unique charm stemmed from its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and bustling trade brought by Chinese and Filipino merchants.

https://www.tatlerasia.com/lifestyle/travel/in-its-full-glory

During its time as a municipality, Vigan maintained its cultural significance. Local leaders and residents worked tirelessly to preserve its identity, even as modernization crept in. The town flourished with its agriculture and handicrafts, such as pottery and weaving, which became key sources of livelihood for many Biguenios.

https://yoorekka.com/magazine/baguio-northern-luzon/2023/11/02/burnay-pottery-in-ilocos-burnay-jars-burnay-making-in-vigan

https://www.lakadpilipinas.com/2014/09/abel-weaving-ilocos-caoayan.html?m=1

Despite its small size, Vigan’s reputation as a historical and cultural treasure grew over the years. Its heritage and commitment to preservation made it stand out, setting the stage for its eventual recognition as a city. The Vigan Convention Center has a history timeline with pictures.

photos were taken by me

NOW

On January 22, 2001, Republic Act No. 8988 officially made Vigan a city. This marked a new chapter in its development while ensuring the preservation of its rich history. As a city, Vigan has successfully balanced growth with cultural heritage, making it a unique and achieving destination.

Today, Vigan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that attracts both local and international tourists. The iconic Calle Crisologo, lined with ancestral houses and kalesas, remains a symbol of the city’s vibrant past. Meanwhile, modern amenities and infrastructure have been developed to meet the needs of its growing population and visitors.

The local government has also taken significant steps in promoting sustainable tourism and protecting its historical landmarks. Events like the Vigan City Fiesta and Longganisa Festival showcase the city’s traditions and culinary delights, bringing the community closer and sharing its culture with the world.

https://www.ourheritagehomes.com/hi/reliving-the-vibrancy-of-vigan-longganisa-festival/

Moreover, Vigan’s transformation into a city has brought economic opportunities to its residents. Tourism continues to drive its economy, and it is supported by a growing number of local businesses and entrepreneurs who celebrate Vigan’s heritage through their products and services.

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Vigan’s journey from a municipality to a city is a story of resilience, pride, and a deep respect for history. It models how cities can grow without losing their identity, proving that progress and heritage can thrive together. As Vigan continues to shine on the global stage, it remains a living reminder of the Philippines’ rich cultural tapestry.

Resources:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigan

https://tawidnewsmag.com/vigan-city-to-celebrate-cityhood-founded-on-spanish-royal-decree-of-1757/

Information is also gathered in the Vigan Convention Center (History Timeline)

New year, New me or Maybe the other way around?

New Year, New Who???

This year... is kinda new for me, well to be honest, I can't really say that I will change many things about myself...  So first, I want to deepen and improve my relationship with God Jehiovagh, I was busy last year especially because I was in 9th grade which is the school year I really experienced a hard time. This year I will improve and deepen my relationship with God Jehovah in many ways actually. Second, I will broaden my horizons, I want to have a more productive life this 2025 and honestly, I kinda started this year pretty smoothly. Third, love my family, our brothers and sisters, friends, and many more, It's not like I didn't show them enough love last year, I just want to show them more (you know what I mean?) Technically I mean being kind to others.

It seems like I have to Improve a lot of things about myself, and I really want to make that happen. In school, I have many improvements that I wanna do too, some of them I really locked myself in this time, I've been waking up early same thing as last year because I usually wake up early to cook my breakfast but this year, I've been waking up way more earlier which results to having a "me time". Avoid Cramming!!! As much as possible, I want to avoid Cramming T-T

 

Old Me is still here. I won't change anything about Myself... or maybe... I don't know what will happen in the future, so all the things I just mentioned, may eventually come to a stop. But I had a good start, so... Who Knows???

Celebrating Life, Not Holidays

 Holidays… Christmas..? My experiences… Not much really…

Well… Here’s the thing, we don’t actually celebrate Christmas… Who are we? Me and my Family so practically this ‘Christmas’ and ‘New Year’ are just normal days for us, but that doesn’t mean that we’re not allowed to have fun!! You (yea you! the person reading this) may be wondering why we don’t celebrate these “Holidays”. First, my entire family and I are Jehovah’s Witnesses (it’s a religion), not just me and my family, we have a whole congregation. Second, there are many misconceptions about us not celebrating Christmas like “Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas because they do not believe in Jesus. ” Therefore, the truth is according to the bible specifically in Luke 22:19,20 “Jesus commanded that we commemorate his death, not his birth.” I’ve been reading the bible and There is no proof that Jesus was born in December 25; his birth date is not recorded in the Bible. Lastly, although we choose not to celebrate Christmas ourselves, we respect each person’s right to decide for himself in this matter. We do not interfere in the Christmas celebrations of others.

Now, My experiences…? hmmmmmm…

As I have mentioned earlier, we don’t celebrate Christmas and New Year meaning no ‘Noche Buena’, no decorations and many more but that doesn’t mean our life is boring and we’re not allowed to have fun… Of course, Holidays mean no school (hehehehe) that’s really fun for me  Since It’s a Holiday, we planned a fun bonding with our Congregation in a pool resort, where we played many fun games, a potluck which many of our brothers and sisters brought delicious foods, and lastly swimming!!! I don’t know about you but what we did was a lot of fun!

New year… 

#newyearsameme

I couldn’t sleep… so I stayed up all night, it was loud and my mom and I looked after our dogs because of all of the fireworks (BOOM here BOOM there). No, I didn’t jump around or eat grapes under the table (hahahaha), that’s what I heard people do during New Year (correct me if I’m wrong pleasee) This Holiday was fun and honestly a bit short T-T 2024 was a year filled with many unforgettable memories, 2025 please be good to me ^^

(All contents are based from my personal experiences)

                       For more information about our religion, scan here~!

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