The village was established in the 16th century when trade and community activity started to flourish and is considered the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. ^[1]

The Vigan Heritage Village mostly covers two streets: Plaridel Street and Mena Crisologo Street. Mena Crisologo is also known as Calle Crisologo, where I chose to wander and take night photographs.

It is also listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since December 2, 1999 for its cobble-stoned streets and unique Spanish Era ancestral houses which are well preserved since 18th century. Read more…

I am one of the lucky girls who just experienced a 5-day all-expense-paid road trip to Northern Luzon. What’s more fascinating is that I shared these experience with my girl friends Hannah and Nikki.

This video is now airing on your favorite local TV channel!

Visiting Northern Luzon has always been my dream destination since I started traveling. The two UNESCO World Heritage Baroque Churches in the Philippines, Paoay Chuch and Santa Maria Church, is in North. Even the famous Bangui Windmills is in North.

When I received a 5-day road trip invitation from Vaseline, I didn’t hesitate to decline the offer! What makes me more excited is that this an all-expense-paid road trip plus with my girl friends Hannah and Nikki.

I know you girls envy our road trip because it is totally free. The news I am going to tell you is that YOU can also get this opportunity by joining Vaseline’s Road Trip of a Lifetime Contest.

How to join the Vaseline’s Road Trip of a Lifetime Contest:

1. Visit vaselineroadtrip.com.
2. Answer the road trip of a lifetime question.
3. Upload a photo which clearly depict how excited your are to step in to the sun and go in this road trip.
4. Hit Submit.

For the ‘My Favorite Vaseline Road Trip Stop’ question, refer to my Vaseline Road Trip of a Lifetime posts to explore the places we have been then choose your favorite!

Do not forget to read Terms and Conditions of the contest in the Vaseline road trip website. This contest is open to all Filipino women 18 years old and above residing in the Philippines.

Wait boys, don’t make that face, invite your girl friends, sister, or whoever girl you knew to join this contest! If she won, SHE will surely bring you!

Prize at Stake:
An all-expenses-paid roadtrip for Northern Luzon for you and THREE (3) of your friends, exclusively from Vaseline.

Receive an invitation like this!

Don’t forget to visit Hannah and Nikki‘s blogs as well for you to choose more favorite stop during our road trip experience!

*Photo by Jeck Simbulan

I am sure you girls are excited for the grand contest question where you can win an all-expense-paid trip to North Luzon. Don’t worry, we will announce it on Monday.

Here are the following winners for the Vaseline daily contest question:

My blog winners:
Day 1 Jaine De Guzman
Day 2 Willitt Alayon
Day 3 Emiliana Sison
Day 4 Bagel Betorin
Day 5 Emby
Day 6 Annaliza Martin

Don’t worry if you didn’t win! You can check out Hannah and Nikki‘s blog to see if you won in it!

And don’t forget that there is one more contest awaits you! It’s the grand contest where you can win the All-Expense-Paid Trip to North Luzon like we did!!

Please pick up your prize before June 4, 2010 at
Media Contacts Philippines
2104 East Tower Philippine Stock Exchange Center
ExchangeRoad, Ortigas Center, Ortigas Pasig City
9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Don’t forget to bring your valid IDs!

Going to historical town of Vigan is one of my most awaited places during our road trip.

Welcome to Vigan! With my blogger friends Nikki and Hannah. Photo by Jeck Simbulan.

I have seen lots of photos of Vigan City featuring Calle Crisologo most and amazed by the unique architecture of the houses and commercial establishments here.

I am not satisfied with my composition here. It’s my first time shooting in low light situation. I hope I got it right.

Our journey starts by visiting one of the houses where the famous Vigan jars are made. Vigan jars are also called burnay.

Barrio Pagburnayan is where tourists can see how these jars are made.

Jars are being kept in shelter to harden naturally. Hardening the jars under sunlight would cause brittleness.

Mr. Go let us experience the pottery making. He said that it will took 1 to 2 weeks for an individual to master a new design or shape.

Mr. Go will make a big jar out of this small clay.

He suggests that while creating the pot or jars, you should be able to picture it in your mind. But there is something in my mind which made my pot look like this.

I accidentally made this shape! Photo by Jeck Simbulan

My friends Nikki and Hannah, made a perfect one except me. After pottery making, we headed for a calesa ride.

Who wouldn’t want to experience the calesa ride in this historical town? Riding a calesa with P150 per hour is not bad as you get to witness the numerous Hispanic towns with no sweat.

Vast number of souvenir shops in Calle Crisologo. By the way, that’s Dolly our horsey with flower on top.

Souvenir shop is everywhere. We can’t control ourselves but to go down to try and look for their items.

Trying out hats with Hannah and Nikki. Photo by Jeck Simbulan

Girls kiss! Photo by Jeck Simbulan

And we head back again to our calesa. I asked manong if I were to buy one house here in Vigan, how much would it cost.

Direk Gerald of Orange House shooting us.

But manong said that these houses are not for sale. Some are apparently owned by government and some are originally owned by families from their ancestors during Hispanic times.

Photo by Jeck Simbulan.

After the 1-hour calesa ride, we finally get to enjoy ourselves in Calle Crisologo.

Photo by Jeck Simbulan.

We are very thankful to Vaseline for making this road trip possible. To be honest, it’s my first time using whitening lotion since I always use sunblock to protect my skin and it leaves sticky feeling on my skin!

Photo by Jeck Simbulan.

But this lotion is the only lotion which gives wonders on my skin — lightening and protection. Since Vaseline Lotion has SPF 24 content, I don’t have to worry because it gives me 3x protection from harmful rays of the sun. Plus, it doesn’t leave sticky feeling on the skin!

People from Unilever (Vaseline), Media Contacts Philippines, and Orange House.

Vigan is famous on its beautiful night shot. So we didn’t miss this chance to have a wacky night shot with them.

I am sure you envy us girls. I encourage you to join the Vaseline Road Trip of a Lifetime contest which will be posted on Monday!

Are you ready for the exciting All-Expense-Paid Vaseline Road Trip of a Lifetime like we did?

You have to join this Day 6 Contest first before we proceed to the Grand Final Contest for the Road Trip of a lifetime with 3 of your friends!

Would you believe that I did all of these for the first time?

1. Played golf

2. Wore a dress

3. Wore a sleeveless

4. Bought a skirt

The question is:
Why do you think that I have finally did it? Limit your answer to 2 sentences only.

The reader who will hit the good point will win P1,000 worth of gift packs from Vaseline.

To Join:
1. One comment per person.
2. Enter your name and email address on the comment field.
3. Only girls can join! Sorry guys, but you can invite your girls to join!

Do you want more chances of winning? You can join these daily contests too!
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5

Contests will be closed on May 30, 2010, Sunday at 11:59PM. Announcement of all winners will be on May 31, 2010, Monday.

Subscribe to my blog by entering your email address below to receive updates about winning the Road Trip to North Luzon with 3 of your friends!

HURRY!