Me at the Heritage City of Vigan

This post might be a bit late, but I wanted to share an experience anyway.

I never saw it coming; me, going to the Heritage City of Vigan. I’ve heard of the place before and known it to be a City of Heritage but I shrugged the thought of it, and never considered it on my lifetime itinerary.

I went to the Vigan to participate in the 5^th Political Science Students Association of the Philippines convention and join an essay writing contest. I went there with my fellow Political Science students who’s also gonna join competitions like debate, quiz bee and political discourse. We also had an adviser with us who doesn’t look much like a Professor. :D

If I were to tell everything that happened for 5 days in that historic place, this post would be pretty leeengttthhhyyyyy. Yet, if I were to sum it up, I would just say, I had fun and it was nice. Haha

The travel experience was really back, butt, and knee breaking. Why? Because we sat in the bus for 11 hours with 3 or 4 stopovers on Pampanga, Pangasinan, La Union, and Candon. But before that tiresome land travel, of course, boarded a plane for 1 hour.

At NAIA with Sir Reymund, Jude, and Nong Arvill

Partas Terminal, Partas bus, and us. :D

By the way, we befriended a Finnish girl named Laura Heino who was off to La Union with a Malaysian guy. We befriended him too, but I forgot his name. I mentioned this coz im gonna let her see this post. (Hi Laura!!! Hope you had fun in La Union, but most especially the Philippines. It’s more fun here. haha)

Me and Laura. Why does her hair look so messy yet stay so pretty? Haha. I have a messy hair too, but, oh well. Haha

What’s so sad about bringing a camera is that you have fewer pictures. Worse is not having pictures of yourself at all, but worst is not having any picture of anything. So better bring a camera, a good camera especially on places like Vigan. It was such a pain carrying a DSLR around but it was worth it.

We arrived at Vigan around 9 PM. We haven’t had our dinner yet so, after settling down at Green R Hotel, we went straight to the Plaza. We were unfortunate and fortunate because food chains were almost closing. McDonalds was still open but it didn’t have rice anymore so we headed for Jollibee, and had nothing but chicken joy value meal. But we were all pretty hungry so, it was still good food. :D

The Ancient McDonalds, Chowking, and Max's

The next day was our first daylight at Vigan. We had breakfast at the market across the hotel. Note, we’re still in our night clothes. During the whole course of the day, we walked around Vigan, settle things we have to do, and took some rest before heading out for the opening ceremony of the PSSAP Convention.

UNP’s venues were extravagant maybe because the local government of Vigan helped them too. So to fast track, we had the opening ceremony, got bored and took lots of pictures of our selves.

Boredom is eminent. haha

The next day was contest day. I was really nervous. There are lots of what ifs on my mind. I know within myself that I haven’t read much about the theme. I just read the previous night, and just hoped I’ll manage. I read all night, and tried to formulate a general introduction related to the theme and a conclusion. I also asked Sir to give me a few possible questions for me to think over.

Before being confined for an hour

Co-essayist rather than opponents :D

 I was really not confident with how I’m gonna write. The essay’s guidelines were to write in an hour with 700 words maximum and a few other things I forgot.

1 hour was really quick. I had no time to think much of what to write. I only wrote what came on my mind first, and expounded. I’m happy that I was able to finish my essay in an hour. I was even happier when I knew some of my opponents haven’t finished theirs, or just had their drafts passed. It means I had more chances of winning. I was really happy about that.

 I entitled my piece, “Cultural Preservation: Commencing at Oneself.” Well, I didn’t win. I wish I had known my rank, but it was already impossible because of certain circumstances. Though I didn’t win, I made few friends with my co-essayists, and that a win in itself.

The rest of the afternoon were just contests. Essay, quizbee and debate and boredom and vain moments. haha.

Quiz bee

debate

The next night was spent roaming around the small city, and of course pictures were taken. Vigan was definitely breathtaking especially at Calle Crisologo. It was like entering a portal which brought you back at the Spanish era. I'm gonna post another just for picures of Vigan. At the moment, enjoy our faces. :D

Just so you know, i haven't edited anything except putting them all together in a frame. The lighting is really orange. Cool, isn't it? The retro ambiance is perfect.

The next day was another set of lectures and contests. After having my own competition done, I felt relaxed and decided to just enjoy our stay in Vigan, and of course support our remaining contestants.

I don't want to mention in detail what happened at the convention and other contests coz it really sucks and the contest guidelines and results were really disappointing. I'd rather tell you about other stuff aside from those.

The night worth noting is the solidarity night where all of the delegates have to wear a Filipiniana or our cultural clothes. This would be my second time wearing a Filipiniana. The last time was when I was in grade 2 or 3 and participated in a balagtasan as the tagahatol. This night was also the awarding night. I was really nervous with the results because I know within myself that I at least have a chance to win. Well, unfortunately i didn't. I did my best, but i guess my best wasn't good enough. haha.

I was also so proud of my self because I was the one who did my own make up. So here we are in our cultural attire. 

I also had a few pictures with certain people.

with beautiful Nang Rudilen

With Lorraine, Nong Reyky, and Meg (who wasn't aware the world will end any minute)

With the best debater I've ever known and always will be, the bitch, Honeelee (haha)

With Lloyd from Bohol with his Professor. I do not know the person beside me.

With Christie, from University of San Carlos Cebu, the first among the delegates I befriended, 2nd place  essay writing.  Congrats, Christie!

With my section's ever devoted careerwoman, Henna. I aso have Honee and I don't know who but seemed very familiar.

With Laurence/Lorence from St. La Salle Bacolod.

With Junnel from Romblon, who looks much like my bestfriend Honey's boyfriend, Chester. haha

Lalaine, of USM Kabacan, my friend since last year's PSSAP Convention.

With Sir Reymund, our Professor, who doesn't look(all the time) and act (sometimes) like a Professor. Oh. haha

As you can notice, I have some people I don't know in the pictures. Just to be polite, of course I invited them to join us. But I only intended to take pictures for two. Oh well.

The night we first visited Calle Crisologo, we jested about going there in our Filipinianas after the Solidarity Night. And hell yeah, we really did. There were no taxis at Vigan so we had no choice but to ride a tricycle in our Filipinianas and Barongs. We really haven't thought of riding a kalesa. (My greatest disappointment).

Please brace yourselves for the pictures that will unfold before your eyes. LOL

My favorite picture. hahaha

Wacky naman.

Nong Kazper's Mystery girl

And presenting. . . The calendar models!

We toured around Vigan the next day, and by the 4pm, prepared to be encapsulated in the bus for 11 hours again. So here are some photos of the tour. 

 I was disappointed with how the PSSAP Convention went. It wasn't like yesteryear; though I wouldn't say this because we were the host last year. I know within ourselves that we did our best in organizing this huge event, and it was a success. Though it's not that extravagant as this 5th National Convention. If it hadn't been because of Vigan, this event could have been a disaster. I was really sad about not being able to ride a kalesa, but I somehow managed to see one and took photos of it.

We enjoyed Vigan's scenery, the heritage houses, the ancient ambiance. Just having pictures of it, was a real treat. See you Vigan. I hope I could go back.