Mestizo SectionMestizo Section is a National Cultural Treasure, National Museum; Marked Structure, NHCP (for House of Father Jose Burgos); Marked Structure, NHCP (for Leona Florentino Ancestral House | Leona Florentino Marker; Isabelo F. de los Reyes (1864-1938); Registered Property, City o located at Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, Region I.
Mestizo Section
The Mestizo District, or Kasanglayan ('where the Chinese live'), is a grid of streets hemmed in between Plaza Burgos and Liberation Blvd and bisected by the beautifully preserved Crisologo Street.
Vigan is famous for its historic townscape, an architechtural blend of Asian, Latin, American and European influences. Formerly the Chines Quarters of “Kasanglayan”, heritage houses still line the cobbled narrow streets of the Old Mestizo district. From 1758 to the late 19th century, Vigan was known as Ciudad Fernandina and was once a center for trade and commerce in the Ilocandia and the Cordilleras. The name Vigan was derived from an Ilocano word “kaibiga-an” where the plant “biga” abounds. It is a tuberous plant, Alocandia indica, that once flourished along the banks of the Vigan river.
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PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 756 July 30, 1975
AMENDING P.D. 260 TO INCLUDE THE MESTIZO SECTION, THE HOUSES OF PADRE JOSE BURGOS AND LEONA FLORENTINO IN ITS SCOPE
WHEREAS, Presidential Decree 260 vests upon the National Museum and the National Historical Institute the authority to study, declare and supervise the restoration of Historical sites, Buildings, Churches and Monuments of historical and/or cultural significance.
WHEREAS, in the course of Preliminary inventory work conducted by the National Museum Vigan, Ilocos Sur was deemed to have special significance particularly the Mestizo section and the houses of Padre Jose Burgos and Leona Florentino.
WHEREAS, There is noted a trend in the modernization of certain parts of Vigan which would eventually eat up the portions named above.
WHEREAS, in the development of Tourism and in the preservation of the country's history and Culture, these areas need to be preserved.
THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines do hereby declare the above named areas to be incorporated and made part of P.D. 260, thus no demolition, repair or renovation of building in these areas shall be undertaken without prior study, consultation and approval by the National Museum.
Done in the City of Manila this 30th day of July in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-five.