Pacete: Vigan and Silay

Saturday, February 11, 2012

THE recent visit of Mayor Eva Marie Medina of Vigan City in Silay was a pleasant surprise. She was accompanied by her husband, Ferdie, the former mayor, and Vice Mayor Lulu Baquiran. With them were 80 members of the Lakbay – Aral Group composed of councilors, department heads and officials of the barangay council.

Maricar Dabao, their official tour guide, requested me to personally conduct a guided tour at Balay Negrense Museum. The mayor and her entourage were delighted to discover similarities in our culture. Vigan is prating of its amazing heritage treasures while Silay is vaunting of its being the seat of arts and culture in Western Visayas. The mayor admired our way of presenting the genealogy of the families who laid down the foundation of Silay as a premier pueblo in Occidental Negros.

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The pukka lunch prepared by Maida Jison, the director of Balay Negrense, was a typical Silaynon food… langka ensalada, pinangat, boneless bangus – ala Negrense, chicken – pork adobo (specialty of Balay Negrense as part of the national festival) and assorted native delicacies – the trademark of my hometown. Mayor Oti Montelibano and First Lady Marissa with Susan Velez and Solo Locsin wholeheartedly offered the city key to Mayor Eva. Then, exchange of tokens follow. Silay’s gift to go was the food of the barons, the succulent pili square.

Mayor Medina and Mayor Oti proposed for a sisterhood program. In culture and in history, Vigan City and Silay City have the same century-old legacy. The lady mayor narrated what awaits us in Vigan. “You can fly from Manila to Laoag City, and from there we can start the marvelous tour. I will be there to personally meet you and I will provide you a versatile guide.”

Special attractions in Vigan include the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul and the anniversary of Vigan cityhood featuring Fiesta Longganiza (3rd week of January). This is similar to Silay’s Lutong Barangay of Hugyaw Silay and Adobo Festival of Balay Negrense (November 5). There is also the ‘Semana Santa’ wherein tourists and local devotees join the religious procession of life-size statues in carrozas. Silay has it also.

Viva Vigan Festival of the Arts (1st week of May is highlighted by Binatbatan street dancing, calesa parade, fashion show, food fair and rituals. Counterpart of this is Hugyaw Kansilay Festival (June 12). World Heritage Cities Solidarity Day is Visita Museo ken Balbalay, Comidas de Ayer, Fotografias y Recuerdos, exhibits and cultural shows. We have much of this in Silay during our Tourism Month in September, Arte Silaynon in November and Arts Month in February.

There are ‘must see’ places in Vigan. Father Burgos Museum showcases the memorabilia of Fr. Burgos plus the cultural – archaeological and ethnographic treasures with paintings of the 1807 Basi Revolt. Calle Crisologo brings back the mood of the historic Spanish times. One can enjoy strolling along stone houses. Museo Nueva Segovia features ecclesiastical artifacts and archdiocesan archives and other episcopal paraphernalia. (I am reminded of the religious articles collected by Solo Locsin.) Museo San Pablo is the first and only museum in the region committed to conservation of religious heritage through a distinct faith – culture approach.

Plaza Salcedo has the 17th century Juan de Salcedo monument, the oldest of its kind in Northern Luzon. Gabriela Silang, the wife of Diego, was executed there by public hanging in 1763. St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral was built by the Augustinians in a distinctive baroque architecture. Crisologo Museum houses the memorabilia of the late Congressman Floro Crisologo. Simbaan a Bassit and Camposanto was built in 1825 and dedicated to the Sto. Cristo known as ‘Apo Lakay’ in Ilocos.

“More attractions could be found in Vigan. I am really interested for the sisterhood program so that Silay can learn from us and we can learn from you.” Mayor Medina also praises the architourism program of Silay which is specially arranged so that interested parties can have a glimpse of the architectural designs of heritage houses in Silay. “Our houses are connected to each other. Your houses are so big that each house forms a character of its own.”

The Lakbay - Aral group had a good time at Fresh Start Organic Farm of Chin Chin Uy. They were introduced to faith farming that really yields and the herbs are simply telling them to focus on the basics. The lettuce garden is a reminder that you become what you eat just like the organic pig, organic chicken and the organic farmer.

Before their 7pm flight, there was fiesta because Nora Lacson made an instant delicacy showcase on the kitchen food and unique Negrense delicacies that only the Lacson Kitchen can offer.