The Journey of Vigan: From a Municipality to a City with Vibrant Culture and Full of Treasure

     Walking through the streets of  Vigan is like having a small glimpse of the hidden treasure of what the City went through all the years before. Vigan, as a municipality before, thrived as a vibrant and filled with treasure. A municipality with its Spanish Colonial houses, horse-drawn carriages, and its cobblestone streets: a feature that can capture the attention of many locals and even tourists' attention. There were times when Vigan struggled and faced challenges in terms of preserving its culture due to globalization and technological advancement. Even with these challenges, Vigan as a municipality remained steadfast and kept moving forward. These features of Vigan earned a spot as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    Moving forward, through the Republic Act 8988, Vigan became a City in 2001. Some locals came up with programs to protect the features and treasures of Vigan: the Ancestral houses and many others. Though the advancement of technology is currently taking place, Vigan still managed to preserve its culture and treasures: traditional crafts, weaving, and pottery. Vigan proved that even with hard challenges and big problems, there's still a way to solve them and make your way out, leading you to the right path with you carrying the lessons you've learned.  Today, Vigan City is thriving with life, the taste of the history blends smoothly with modernization. Calle Crisologo, donning its old-world charm, attracts tourists from all walks of life, while the city's developed facilities and eco-friendly activities show that the community is forward-looking. Festivals, local delicacies, and industries now make Vigan not only a tourist destination but a proud, progressive city with deep roots in its culture. It was because of the resilience and dedication of its people that all of these were possible. 

    The story of Vigan made us remember that growing doesn't mean abandoning and forgetting our roots. It simply teaches us to cherish the history while stepping into the future that holds uncertainty. Let us take some inspiration from the journey of Vigan—an event wherein balance is important.

REFERENCES:

1. Pinimg. (n.d.). Image of Vigan City. Pinterest. https://i.pinimg.com/736x/94/61/af/9461af4377bf123b4c19ed569dec5d29.jpg

2. Pinimg. (n.d.). Image of Vigan City. Pinterest. https://i.pinimg.com/736x/2f/86/32/2f8632d009e22393905c9c7235dc2588.jpg

3. Philippine Tourism USA. (2017, September). Vigan City. Philippine Tourism USA. https://www.philippinetourismusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/vigan-slider-3.jpg