[Vigan] ► Holy Tuesday 2015 Scene in Photos

VIGAN CITY ▬ The Lent has come once again and in Vigan, the culture is never to be beaten. It comes out profusely and naturally. Nothing can stop. In addition to the old-age Bigueño culture is the influx of tourists in the heritage city.

The Holy Week, a long vacation for many corporate slaves and industry champions, is where a strong tradition enlivens in Vigan. The core of the Lent has to start yet but hotels in Vigan are already fully-booked, said by Mr Ryan Astom, tourism officer, on his interview at PTV-4 Ylocos Channel.

[ERRATUM] Pardon our watermark. These photos were taken on March 31, 2015. The April 31, 2015 watermarked herein is a mistake.

CROWD AND TRAFFIC BUILD UP IN FRONT OF TRELLI'S RESTOBAR

First Stop: Plaza Burgos Walk

So after the dusk, I decided to visit the Mestizo District to see what's happening on a Holy Tuesday. It's not yet the main days for the Lent but Plaza Burgos is significantly more crowded than usual. Al fresco dining abound. In front of Trelli's Restobar is a growing frenzy of people in al fresco. They can't be tamed.

Second Stop: Calle Crisologo

After a short walk along the Florentino Street side of Plaza Burgos, I reached Calle Crsiologo. The usually empty to half-empty al fresco dining in front of Max's restaurant is filled with action and hungry individuals. The Cafe Leona al fresco is also going wild too.

AL FRESCO DINING IN FRONT OF MAX'S RESTAURANT 
  AL FRESCO DINING IN FRONT OF CAFE LEONA

The crowd and traffic is still manageable but obviously it's building up gradually. The peak of tourist arrival in Vigan starts on a Holy Thursday up to the Easter Sunday.

Third Stop: Vigan Cathedral

The Vigan Cathedral around 7PM of Holy Tuesday this year is laid back. I noticed a few tourists taking selfies in front of the massive church.

VIGAN CATHEDRAL ON A HOLY TUESDAY 
  TOURISTS WALKING OUT THE CHURCH PREMISES AFTER SELFIE-ING

The quietness of the cathedral is expected because all the crowd are waiting in Plaza Salcedo for the start of the Ilocos Sur Dancing Fountain Show. Plaza Salcedo is just a few steps away from the cathedral. So the people are all here.

Fourth Stop: Plaza Salcedo

So I went to Plaza Salcedo and I saw a massive crowd persistently waiting for the fountain show. The bleachers are all filled. Everyone is smartphone-ready. Some have their cameras and other gadgets.

MAJORITY OF THE SPECTATORS ARE TAKING VIDEOS 

THE CROWD IS SPEWING SOUNDS LIKE 'WOW' AND 'WOOOOH' IN SOME PARTS OF THE SHOW

So the church has no crowd because they are all here. As usual, the fountain show is a crowd drawer. Aside from the fountain show is the Bargain-an (bargeynan) along Burgos Street, south of Plaza Salcedo.

A CROWD OF SHOPPERS AND SPECTATORS

While most is busy watching the fountain show, the night market here will stay. This area will be attacked by countless shoppers after the fountain show.

Fifth Stop: Empanadaan

I also went to the Empanadaan to eat empanada and observe what's happening around. Holy Tuesday is building the tension. People start to gather everywhere. Although the Empanadaan is not as crowded as during Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday, the rise of tourists flocking here is significant.

With my cousin, we ordered special empanada each and got our drinks from McDonald's nearby. While in McDo, I noticed that there are a lot of Indians queuing. These Indians love McDo, I guess. Inside McDo seems like a war. There are just a lot of hungry people.

MCDONALD'S VIGAN STORE ON A HOLY TUESDAY

The foregoing are my observations around Vigan this Holy Tuesday. Check out this blog regularly for more updates in Vigan and Ilocos! Explore Ilocos!

YOUR ONLINE CORESPONDENT-BLOGGER SELFIENG IN CALLE CRISOLOGO ON A HOLY TUESDAY

After this quick sight-seeing, I and my cousin went to Calle Crisologo for an obligatory selfie for the Holy Tuesday 2015! A Blessed week everyone!