~MVI~ (expiring pro account)'s photostream  

The Ilocana poet Leona Florentino is considered as as the "mother of Philippine women's literature" and the "bridge from oral to literary tradition" according to Wikipedia. She also the mother of the great unionist Isabela Delos Reyes. Her stature above announces the gateway to Vigan's heritage town (January 2012).

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE: Vigan was established in the 16th century and is one of the best-preserved example of Spanish colonial town not only in the Philippines but in Asia too. Being such, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. That's when the tourists started coming. I consider myself lucky to have been to the the old town when it was not too yet cute and sexy as shown by the photo below without the hordes, the souvenir shops, and the calesas that now choke the cobbled streets (January 2012).

NCCA NATIONAL HERITAGE SITE. The church is Magsingal's second and was built in 1827. It was probably restored in 1848 and again in 1865 (January 2012).

The church features a magnificent Baroque retablo, and an equally ornate pulpit and choir loft (January 2012).

Many years ago, our mother told us a story about a place where the people lived the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah. They were punished with a flood, their place deluged forever, for not heeding God's warning for them to repent. After some time, people started fishing in what is now a lake and were surprised to catch fish with colorful earrings which, according to our mother, is what became of the materialistic people that once lived there. That legend aside, Paoay Lake is tranquil and provides a refreshing view from the balcony of the Malacanang of the North where this photo was taken (January 2012).