"The roof is part of the ancestral house package. Better see an original one before everything will vanish through time."

Every Vigan visitor will surely never leave the city without seeing the ancestral houses. Some even want to touch them and examine closely. Some sleep in ancestral homes turned into hotels and inns to experience the old time. However, only a few are aware how does, and should, the rooftop (of Vigan ancestral houses) look like.On this post, I'll show you photos of ancestral houses rooftops.

[VIGAN] rooftop of ancestral houses along Calle Crisologo


The original ancestral houses of Vigan were made by Chinese traders who settled here. The architectural influence of the Chinese is evident in the roofing of these houses.

A Chinese Influence

The early Chinese traders who settled in this world heritage city introduced terracotta-related industries like the jar-making in Pagburnayan which is a century-old industry.

[VIGAN] MESTIZO DISTRICT

[VIGAN] an example of a typical ancestral house roofing

[VIGAN] roofing made from 'baked clay'


These influences are also present in the Vigan ancestral homes. The thick walls of these houses are terracotta tiles piled together (locally called nardillo). The roofing is not excused from this ancient trend since brick tiles were also used as rooftop.

A Law for Preservation

An ordinance in Vigan provides that the original roofs and ceilings of ancestral houses should be retained. The functional and decorative features of these houses that are significant in defining the historic character of the building should be preserved too and identified.

[VIGAN] ANCESTRAL HOUSES ROOFING]

[VIGAN] The brick roof is replaced by galvanized iron.

[VIGAN] ANCESTRAL HOUSES ROOFING]

[VIGAN] relatively modern roof


Before the existence of an ordinance that define and regulate the renovation of ancestral houses, some houses have been restored improperly turning them to modern houses.

[VIGAN] ANCESTRAL HOUSES

[VIGAN] a well-preserved roof (left) along Gen Luna Street

[VIGAN] ANCESTRAL HOUSES

[VIGAN] rooftop of houses in Calle Crisologo


Thanks to the Bigueรฑos who advocated for the preservation of Vigan's ancestral homes. There are also some who are not from Vigan but took part in the advocacy of preserving these houses. These people are heroes of Vigan. The city has been saved from the threats of modernity. Somehow, it's good to point out that although modernity has embraced the heritage city, it has not significantly changed the townscape of Vigan. The past and the present are living together making Vigan an exceptional example of a successfully preserved heritage city with community involvement.

Preservation was successful but it never became perfect. Some original roofs have been replaced by improper roofing so a guideline was passed into a law. Section 16 of Municipal Ordinance No 4 Series of 2000 provides:

1. Any of the following types of roof shall be allowed:
  • a. Pitched, hip, or gable based on historical precedent, with or without lantern-type air vents.
  • b. Flat-deck azoteas with balustrades and/or parapet walls.

2. Roof finishes shall be any of the following types:
  • a. Clay/brick roof tiles
  • b. Corrugated galvanized iron
  • c. Galvanized tile sheet
  • d. Tiled decks

[VIGAN] ANCESTRAL HOUSE SOFFIT

[VIGAN] Soffit should look like this...

[VIGAN] ANCESTRAL HOUSE ROOF EAVE

[VIGAN] ...and should be as detailed as this.


3. The eaves shall be detailed and shall, whenever applicable, conform to the following requirements for each portion enumerated herein as may be required by the design:
  • a. Fascia/edge of roof
  • b. Downspout and gutters
  • c. Under eaves/soffit treatment which shall be in wood, sheet metal or masonry
  • d. Cornice which shall be in wood or masonry
  • e. Brackets
The Roof Today

There is nothing permanent in this world, even these ancestral houses that the people of Vigan are obligated to preserve. Somehow, the only practical remedy to retain the old world in Vigan when nothing's left to preserve is to do a replica. 

[VIGAN] ANCESTRAL HOUSE ROOF EAVE

[VIGAN] old and new together: solar panels on a rooftop


Many don't even know how the roof of a Vigan ancestral house look like. The roof is part of the ancestral house package. Better see an original one before everything will vanish through time.

Today, the brick roof has been replaced by modern roofing but the law made it sure that the replacement should still look like the original. With the advancement of technology, solar panels now invade the ancestral houses roofs. Truly, there is nothing permanent in this world but the people of Vigan made it sure that the heritage they love preserving will still be seen by future generations the way they see it now. In Vigan, the old world does not adjust to fit to the modern world. Instead, the modern world is adjusting to fit the old world in Vigan. /end

Vigan #TownExplorations Series

Map Showing the Location of #Vigan



Click map to view latest articles covering ILOCOS SUR


MORE POSTS FROM THIS CATEGORY: *ANCESTRAL HOUSES*

[BATAC] Ricarte National Shrine, Museum & the Father of Philippine Army

_________________
TEASER ► "Now I know how the weapons during World War II looked like (before my eyes). In this museum, it will feed your curiosity if ever you bring that."

[VIGAN] Arzobispado Nueva Segovia: Oldest Surviving Archbishop Palace

_________________
TEASER ► "This is indeed a very historic landmark that tourists and travelers who are going to Vigan fail to visit or worse, even fail to discover the significance of it."

[BATAC] Ilocos Norte: Old Houses, New Lessons

_________________
TEASER ► "Being curious is sometimes very rewarding. No wonder scientists become instant celebrities when they discover something out of their curious brains."

[SARIAYA] Quezon: Ancestral Houses Must Stand Still

_________________
TEASER ► "...it is happening to towns like Sariaya and new buildings do not conform with the baseline old architectural harmony. They disrupt the beauty and with the mushrooming growth of new buildings, tangling power lines keep appearing in an inevitable manner."

[DARAGA] Albay: Visiting an Albay Ancestral House

_________________
TEASER ► "The lampshades, the flooring, the walls, the table, the chairs, the furnishing, the furniture, the ceiling fan and everything - there is nothing new in sight, they all look old!"

[VIGAN] The "Real" Color Behind Vigan's Painted Ancestral Houses

_________________
TEASER ► "Some old houses were demolished and now their real color is popping out. The color of greed is now slowly glowing in the old houses transforming them as attractive it could be for business."

YOU MIGHT LIKE: MORE CATEGORIES TO READ, EXPLORE AND DISCOVER

SPEAK YOUR HEART OUT. DON'T BE SHY TO POST YOUR COMMENT, THOUGHTS, OR FEEDBACK. MAG-REREPLY AKO ONCE MAKITA KO ANG COMMENT MO. :)

Axact

EDMAR GUQUIB y DEL CASTILLO

Born and Raised in Vigan, Philippines. Hardcore Ilocano-Cordilleran. Professional Nurse on Weekdays. Coffee Addict. Travel Blogger in Between. For collaboration or partnership, email your business proposal at admin@edmaration.com.

Post A Comment:

4 comments:

  1. I love articles about ancestral houses! Kudos Ed!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pondering Paodaolei | Hey Pau-Pau! Yes, I know that :)
    I've seen some of your ancestral houses features. Keep it up too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AM Construction was very helpful we have an HOA and he helped us for a smoother process and also Danny the installer. We love our sliding doors and windows and it’s all worth it. We highly recommend them. Thank you! We're really happy with the result, will request them for our other Windows and would recommend them to anyone at www.amconj.com.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hail, heavy rain, high winds, snow/ice dams – extreme weather can damage your roof, causing leaks that can harm your home.
    Commercial roofing

    ReplyDelete

Huwag mahiyang mag-comment at magtanong. Magrereply ako once mabasa ko ang comment mo. ๐Ÿ’š

Puwede mo rin akong i-follow or mag-message sa:
• Facebook: @edmaration
• Twitter: @edmaration
• YouTube: @edmaration
• Instagram: @edmaration
• TikTok: @edmaration
• Email: admin@edmaration.com