Paskong Bigueño

 The Philippines is known to celebrate the world’s longest Christmas season. Every place in the Philippines has its own different and unique ways of celebrating this special time even in the midst of pandemic. There are traditions predominant in each province and festivals celebrated in some places. Celebrating Christmas in the Philippines is truly wholesome, Filipinos make it extra special, with different colors and flavors! And as Ilocanos, we also have our traditions, festivals, and unique way to celebrate the Christmas season, particularly the Bigueños who celebrate the yuletide season with their rich and tangible cultural heritage.


Vigan is one of the best destinations to visit for Christmas Celebrations in the Philippines. “Revisiting history this Christmas” Vigan is known to be a historic city, it is well known for its old houses, preserved old streets of Calle Crisologo, and cobblestone streets. You can also ride kalesa and tour some places of Vigan and there are also souvenir shops where you can see a lot of handmade products by the locals which can be a perfect present to give this Christmas. During the Christmas season, a lot of local and international tourists visit Vigan City, unfortunately, now that we are bounded by the pandemic, tourists that come to Vigan become fewer than before. However, Christmas in the city is still celebrated extra special. Christmas decorations are put up everywhere. As you enter Vigan you can already sight the gigantic decorations of the Ilocos Sur capitol which is decorated with different themes every year, wherein tourists and locals stop by to take pictures. The old streets of Calle Crisologo are filled with Christmas lights, and even the trees surrounding the dancing fountain of Vigan. Just like most Filipinos we also adhere to the Filipino Christmas tradition of simbang gabi or Misa de Gallo and when it comes to food, Ilocano rice cake-like ‘tupig’ is a Christmas reminder to Ilocanos. We Filipinos do family gatherings during Christmas and eat Noche Buena together with our families. On Christmas Eve we celebrate and welcome Christmas with excitement because for most people Christmas is their most awaited time of the year.


Even during the covid-19 pandemic, no one celebrates Christmas better than us Filipinos. This Christmas, we proved that even we are through hard times, we can still celebrate this special time of the year as long as we keep the true spirit of Christmas. Spending Christmas in Vigan City with the Bigueños is awesome! But also, even there are a lot of fun things to do, traditions, and activities during Christmas we should never forget the real reason why we celebrate this special day, where we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. I hope everyone can spend their jolly season happily even we’re amid pandemic. Let’s greet people around us Merry Christmas and as Ilocano and the Bigeuños we say it “Naragsak nga Paskua!”


References:

https://tawidnewsmag.com/christmas-in-vigan-city-2018/

http://www.thebackpackadventures.com/2018/06/top-10-things-to-do-in-vigan-city.html

http://gridcrosser.blogspot.com/2016/11/playing-in-light-and-shadows-vigan-city.html

 

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