Stories of town explorations.
"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.
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.
A Chinese Influence
![[VIGAN] MESTIZO DISTRICT](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3901/15071579470_391fb15545_z.jpg "...brick tiles were also used as rooftop.")
[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.
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]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodbbwdmGC20DLTqTkhGsmELk-I99IaA48wzf_K8SBmbjr86qMGY9_kBlxtTsMSoPI0Gy6RFkLEL9gpm8h3PrHq_tA06mByw5QSgUl4EGolA7tX_AF7o49RtlnHm8VieTD7ctdP_CZ1tU/s1600/%5BVigan%5D+Rooftop+of+Ancestral+Houses+(4).jpg "Preservation was successful but it never became perfect.")
![[VIGAN] ANCESTRAL HOUSES ROOFING]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpaueG6Dtpu6N3pLeo0Lvb_dt4DRP5mseGoA0V6bLEOC6hASYBfgibjuzLgTX5ESZRTNZOOY26IkAhknx_xmUC5f3zJzt3awqd-Duzktsx5m0Vg483GbsgGJyqpC0ga0vLALYPC1ruC0/s1600/%5BVigan%5D+Rooftop+of+Ancestral+Houses+(6).jpg "Some original roofs have been replaced...")
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](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qFPzZ9l4IdFfH8f9evIGhZShFv8WDo2XBS9ZKNZF82qyOftBFJEHIlUh2TX4f2lcmTWfF9Yth97o5mGvfznYSq1hQTJ9GRnmt6792g1wXS6uZkaxhwUS2j1_jJw0p4-EObdubjXUn18/s1600/%5BVigan%5D+Rooftop+of+Ancestral+Houses+(5).jpg "The functional and decorative features of these houses [...] should be preserved too...")
![[VIGAN] ANCESTRAL HOUSES](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3848/15071699297_047668a37c_b.jpg "The functional and decorative features of these houses [...] should be preserved too...")
Thanks to the Bigueños 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:
A Law for Preservation
[VIGAN] The brick roof is replaced by galvanized iron.
[VIGAN] relatively modern roof
[VIGAN] a well-preserved roof (left) along Gen Luna Street
[VIGAN] rooftop of houses in Calle Crisologo
Thanks to the Bigueños 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](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEcQCesBlzVgQpx4zvVzTb96tvAu6b5mst9H0rlIcCvJwaA4wzHmfXlYvI1ddVgFvQXsshlY14Ed8K1kyDKcfXYGWB7h_KQch-h73xi1zzPhx88fGKUv1LR3a5L5d_6A8ThQWWNPD1II/s1600/%5BVigan%5D+Rooftop+of+Ancestral+Houses+(2).jpg "The eaves shall be detailed...")
[VIGAN] Soffit should look like this...
![[VIGAN] ANCESTRAL HOUSE ROOF EAVE](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyh3DLMovUPtsDl2WAmoj5ZzuDPY-4uCuHKc15e_ApxAA5J4lKuiDyroDLKx39ehvQhWE74klE0m32k9ao2HeFf5x2itcqp27Psl-4lq-uYwExJq9ucX_H-1t078pivt4GcGNWXgJbiM8/s1600/%5BVigan%5D+Rooftop+of+Ancestral+Houses+(3).jpg "Under eaves/soffit treatment which shall be in wood, sheet metal or masonry")
[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](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-PuTxV8yPhY-GwPqKFBs2qh6CN91Iiv8SpSa71uS5LITDIC-rCXg-HKX9jmOw19TQD9o_lBSPcGZYa2ZVuHBz9AmNvwuUeD9CIzYf47s_rTQTQx1zNaI5rRiHcCY9CF4kapPjG2Ulto/s1600/%5BVigan%5D+Rooftop+of+Ancestral+Houses+(7).jpg "...solar panels now invade the ancestral houses roofs.")
[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
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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."
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NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.
Stories of town explorations.
"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."
Whenever I visit a town or a city, the first thing that I always want to know is if there's a museum. I tend to visit museums first before fully exploring a town because it serves as a great teaser about the history of the town. It will educate you and will fill your heart with passion, gives you the desire to discover more and makes you a responsible traveler by learning the importance or value of our heritage, whether it is natural, cultural, etc.
Ricarte National Shrine Overview
I was reading his entry in the Wikipedia and it turned out to be a moving write-up. I am referring to Gen. Artemio Ricarte, considered by the AFP as the Father of Philippine Army who was born in the city of Batac in the province of Ilocos Norte.
Exploring the city of Batac in one day, I was able to find two museums in the city, the Marcos Museum and Ricarte Museum.
The moment I stepped onto the streets of the city, I wasn't aware that a shrine called Gen. Ricarte National Shrine exists. They say this is the birthouse of Artemio Ricarte. I won't be adding his biography here anymore because I believe you want to search it in Wikipedia. If you are curious who is this man and on how he fought the Philippines for it's freedom, better check it out to at least understand better this blog post, here is the link -- Artemio Ricarte Biography.
Ricarte National Shrine is located within the commercial districts of Batac City. It is composed of two elegant looking houses identical in appearance. It has a museum, library and a park where a statue of the latter stands.
Through a house bill with the help of Ferdinand Marcos, Fidel V. Ramos and the incumbent Mayor and Congressman of Ilocos Norte 2nd District that time, a law was passed creating this area as the General Ricarte National Shrine.
How I Discovered this Shrine?
I went to Batac randomly. I have no itinerary that time. As I walk along Washington Street, I saw an arch with the label "Ricarte National Shrine." Of course, I don't ignore things like this, instead, I become curious.
Of course I asked him with due respect and all that. The guard started to tell the story and he was mainly telling about the life of Gen. Artemio Ricarte. He was warm. This time, I was the lone visitor. I don't know if tourists ever include this in their itinerary. The museum was empty but never lonely.
Ricarte Museum and the Free Book
I asked the guard if I can go upstairs. He didn't hesitate to say "Yes!" Since I am new in this place and it was my first time to learn about a man named Artemio Ricarte, I requested the guard if he can give me a brochure or any material that will educate me what this shrine is all about.
 |
| Hallway to the Museum |
So what the heck I asked for it if in the long run, I won't be caring to read it?
Uhhh, I know I am just lazy to read it but I believe that somewhere in the future, I will read that book! The big problem now is I don't know where I have placed it. Call it misplaced but I know it is somewehre out there. The museum is at the second floor and you'll need to pass by the clean and well-lighted hallway.
It has shiny red floor in tiles and at the walls are framed old pictures (some are portraits while some are non-wacky group pics) of Artemio Ricarte during World War II and to some points in his life.
So what to expect inside the Ricarte Museum? Expect weapons-of-war used during, of course, war -- World War II to be exact.
Aside from those rifles, there are also plates from Japan. If you read the biography of Artemio Ricarte, you will learn what is the role of Japan in his life.
Ricarte Park and Statue
In front of the museum building is a park called Ricarte Park named after the latter. Located near the middle of the park is another explosive weapon used during World War II displayed before the public. That vintage weapon looks like a joke to me thinking how the weapons in my generation has turned so sophisticated... and complicated, and one push of the button will cause the life of one city. These weapons will just serve as good subject for research and definitely not for use now, LOL!
But of course I value the history behind that thing. Maybe I am just preoccupied by the things I am living with now like the present technology in this digital age which makes vintage weapon-of-war like this obsolete.
Indeed, this museum visit was of worth and never have I regret. I was learning, I was enjoying and at the same time feeding my curiosity. /end
Batac #TownExploration Series
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NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.