leona: Viva Vigan! 25th Fiesta

Viva Vigan! 25th Fiesta

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I just spent the most incredible week in Vigan City. While this place is always beautiful, visiting during the Fiesta of the Conversion of St. Paul is a whole different experience. The entire city feels alive with a mix of old-world charm and high-energy celebration.

Everything starts and ends at the Vigan Cathedral. Seeing the plaza and streets filled with people, colorful banners, and witnessing different activities. It’s not just a tourist spot, it’s where the community’s heart beats.

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Furry Friends and Local Pride

On January 19, things got to a cute start with the Dog and Cat Show. It was so heartwarming! It wasn't just a competition, it felt like a big family gathering where everyone showed off their pets. Seeing the cats and dogs wearing some even in little outfits just like weaving through the heritage streets was a highlight I didn't expect.

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The Longganisa Festival Street Dance

By January 22, the energy shifted. You can’t go to Vigan without eating their famous longganisa, but seeing the Longganisa Street Dance is something else. The dancers wore these bright, sausage-themed costumes and performed with so much passion. The beat of the drums against the old stone walls of Calle Crisologo is a sound I’ll never forget. It was loud, proud, and purely Vigan. Also, our school ISNHS won champion in street dance!

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Loud and Joyful Concert

The nights were just as busy. I joined the crowd for the Fiesta Concert, where everyone was singing along under the stars. Watching the singers perform is such a good thing to witness. The songs they sing make me get through myself.

Finally, the Vigan Grand Parade tied it all together. It was a massive procession of floats, marching bands, and local figures. It felt like the entire history of the city was passing right in front of me.

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My takeaway? Vigan isn't just a museum of the past, it's a living, breathing community that knows how to throw a party. If you ever get the chance to join the St. Paul Fiesta, take it. You won't just see the history, you'll feel part of it.