A Look Back at This City's Transition: The Cityhood of Vigan

February 03, 2025

Vigan, before being granted the status of a City, was buzzing with life as a municipality in Ilocos Sur. However, Vigan’s appeal as a city and as a municipality is rooted in shedding light in the deep seated culture and history that lies within its borders. One can easily visualize the airy clip clop of horse drawn carriages filling the cobblestone streets turning into the echoing sounds of daily life, while the sea breeze embraces the town through mouthwatering scents of freshly fried empanadas. The heart of the municipality was alive in every sense, whether it be through the rich traditions that encompass the people or their firm attachment to the land. The spirit and identity of a city is oftentimes difficult to grasp, but Vigan proves to be an uncanny exception. From stunning culture to tightly woven history, Vigan has it all and this period undoubtedly laid its foundation.

It is the convenient lively spirit of this town that allows modern day citizens to transcend back in time and allows us to understand exactly how Vigan was able to shift from being a quiet municipality to a city. The change meant so much more than just getting additional resources or infrastructure, it laid the groundwork for what the city had the potential to become.

The historical center of the city, known for its preserved Spanish colonial buildings, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, enabling tourists from all over the world to visit the city. The other benefits that came with this increase in tourism was economic profit and international popularity for Vigan. However, the positive changes that Vigan has brought in has also brought its fair share of complications. Striking a balance between preserving the incredible history of the city and modernizing to aid globalization is a challenge. City development is one step at a time, making sure the changes add value instead of taking away from Vigan's historical magic.

It is fascinating how Vigan was as a municipality as compared when it was granted city status. The municipality had strong sense of belonging coupled with its unique charm, which was replaced with more developed services, improved infrastructure, and economic opportunities. The transition, however, hasn't been without its complexities. The balancing act of development and modernization without losing the rich history of Vigan is being fulfilled. The people of Vigan are incredibly resilient and full of vision allowing them to honor the city’s past while ushering in a bright future, allowing transformation while never forgetting the history of this incredible city.