Ilocos Sur: The Street We All Love - Calle Crisologo

The last time I was here, I was with a group of friends who have a clear idea why they love Calle Crisologo. A street surrounded by ancestral houses that are still standing through the test of time, the cobblestone pavement that makes it more old and classy and the fixtures that speak nothing but culture and heritage - who wouldn't fall in love with Vigan, Ilocos Sur's Calle Crisologo, right? Well, on my second visit here, I didn't just rekindled my love to this world renowned site, I also made sure that I will have a lasting image of it in my mind that would make me wanna go back here ASAP.

On my first visit here, I can say that I somehow lived the Ilocano's lifestyle. Staying here for almost a week and living in one of the UNSECO World Heritage site, eating nothing but the famous and delicious Ilocano dishes like the Bagnet and the Vigan Longganisa, Vigan, specifically Calle Crisologo has never fail to tell me to know the importance of past to our lives.

Finding a nice and decent place to stay-in here is quite easy - thanks to their local tourism office who are really there helping guests always. Aside from the accommodation, the street is also filled with food nooks that are readily offering the city's best of the best dishes. Like the Cafe Leona, which became our favorite dining spot day in and day out during our recent trip here.

Ilocos Sur: An Overnight at The Cordillera Inn

Going to Vigan without any reservation during the months of July, August and September is actually the last thing any tourist should worry about. A top tourist spot with a diverse kind of accommodations - from the transient types to classy hotels - Vigan City, which serves as the heart of Ilocos Sur houses more of those accommodation that you could think of that comes with the distinct Ilocano flavor that you'll adore even more.

A top choice among tourists whose main concerns are budget and ambiance, The Cordillera Inn was our home during our visit to the historic, captivating and lovely City of Vigan in Ilocos Sur. A convenient place located right along the cobble-stone street of Crisologo, The Cordillera Inn is a must-go-to place if you really wanna experience how it feels like to be living in an upper-class Ilocano-Vigan life.

With rooms fit for couples, family or even large group of friends, The Cordillera Inn shared to me and to four of my friends an astonishing and memorable Ilocandia experience that I would definitely love to feel again. And despite of being just a walk-in, we were welcomed by a remarkable Ilocano hospitality that added color and even flavor to our Northern Luzon escapade.

Ilocos Norte: Revisiting Paoay Church

More than of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, more than of being one of the best Baroque churches in the Philippines, and more than of being an Augustinian Church, one gravitational pull that attracts me to see this place every time I'm here in the Ilocos Norte, is its homey peacefulness vibes that it shed to me every time I see it. That and some more are the reasons why I love visiting Paoay Church.

Settled right at the smack of the lovely town of Paoay, the Church of Saint Augustine or more commonly known as Paoay Church is one of the most visited sites in this part of the country. Still standing strong and grand since it was built in the 1700s, Paoay Church also carries this captivating Javanese architectural design aside from its celebrated Earthquake Baroque architecture.

This is my second time to be here, the last one was way back in 2008. And though I wasn't able to stay in town for a day again, I actually spent longer time now than before since we had our lunch in a cafe restaurant right across the church, the Herencia Cafe.

Ilocos Norte: The Imeldific Malacanang Ti Amianan

Imeldific may be often used when describing shoes, since the word came from the names of a woman who's lavishness for her shoes is so remarkable -  Mrs. Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, but when I paid a visit to the Malacanang of the North, or locally known as Malacanang Ti Amianan once again, I can't help but to fell in love with everything that spells nothing but Imeldific!

In visiting the top most part of our country, one most not miss to see the elegantly looking Presidential Palace of the North located at the very heart of Ilocos Norte the Malacanang Ti Amianan. Currently under the management of the local government of Ilocos Norte, this palace that served as home to President Ferdinand Marcos and his family during their reign is now considered one of the prized tourist destinations in the region offering bits of glam and power of once a powerful family in the land, the Marcoses.

Upon entering this elegant piece of property, you will be welcome by this beautiful red circular staircase that I find really, really attractive. Though the main door to the palace isn't that grand, it is made of very fine wood material that weighs so heavy. A five-peso entrance fee will be asked from every visitor of this Spanish-inspired mansion.