Plaza Burgos
Plaza Burgos is the smaller of the two major plazas
in the city of Vigan. It can be found just right beside
Saint Paul Cathedral’s Bell Tower.
While Plaza Salcedo was constructed to honor a foreign
conqueror, Juan de Salcedo, Plaza Burgos was built to
remember the martyrdom of Father Jose P. Burgos, one of
Vigan’s illustrious sons put to death by the Spaniards.
Vigan has produced a lot of the country’s heroes who
came from various fields. Father Burgos is the only
one
from the clergy. He fought for ecclesiastical reforms to
ease the inequality suffered by Filipino priests
during
his time. He was executed in Manila’s Bagumbayan
together with two other clergy reformists.
They are
collectively known in Philippine history as the
Gomburza, which stands for their surnames Gomez, Burgos
and Zamora.
Visitors can learn more about this scholar-priest when
they visit his monument in Plaza Burgos.
They can read
important information about him and view his likeness in
the statue that was erected there.
True to the spirit of Father Burgos, his plaza is a
great place to be in if one is more inclined to
discovering how the locals interact, unwind and spend
their leisure time. It is the locals’ favorite hang-out.
Here one can just occupy a corner of the plaza to watch
the people walking-by, kids playing in the mini
children’s park, and skateboarders do their maneuvers in
the plaza square. Better yet, visitors can strike a
conversation with the friendly Biguenos and learn more
about the city’s history, culture and everyday life.
Plaza Burgos is best-known for its empanadahan (place
for eating a local meat and vegetable-filled pastry)
and
other street food. It is true that where local people
converge the best of local food can be found.
Food
kiosks increase in number in the Plaza later in the day.
Visitors are enjoined not to leave Vigan without trying
the Vigan empanada in Plaza Burgos.
They can add to
their Plaza Burgos food adventure the tasting of the
Vigan okoy (shrimp patty), which like the empanada is to
be dipped in Vigan vinegar to have the full gustatory
experience. Follow this with a taste of barbequed
marinated meat in wooden skewers with sweet-sauce glaze.
To end the food adventure in a sweeter note, the
adventurer is advised to try the local ice-cream peddled
in the plaza which is served in a cone or in the popular
Filipino bread called pan de sal. One may also try the
cheaper ice candy, which is a hardened mixture of water
mixed with the flavor and bits of local fruits.
Visitors may also venture to Tongson’s, at the corner of
Plaza Burgos, where one can have a taste of Vigan’s
royal bibingka, a rice-based sweet.
Plaza Burgos is well-lighted at night, very conducive
for a stroll. One may even chance upon a local event
being held on its stage or an exhibition during one of
Vigan’s many festivals throughout the year. |
