Comments on: Villa Angela, Vigan, Ilocos Sur

By: Davjd A.G. Johnson, Jr.

Davjd A.G. Johnson, Jr. — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 03:15:09 +0000

I just returned from a trip to the Philippines and without a doubt Vigan was the highlight of my sojourn. Villa Angela is not for those devoid of appreciating a more leisurely period of existence. One must bring something to this extraordinary cultural and historical interlude. The silent voices of people satisfyingly engage the visitor in tune with things past.

Villa Angela’s charm lay less in the Tom Cruise stay but conversations over a substantial breakfast with the eager couteous staff who were more than pleased to engage truly interested guests.

I was happy to gaze out of the capiz windows and hear the wind whistling against them during the dramatic rainy season.

Every inch of Villa Angela speaks boldy to guests whose infectious curiosity allows a dance with life that has disappeared. By all means drink fully from the well of a bygone era.

You won’t be disappointed but enlightened without measure.

David A. G. Johnson, Jr.

By: Emerita Manansala

Emerita Manansala — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 04:25:24 +0000

In a book entitled “100 resorts in the Philippines,” by Dominique Grele and Lily Yousry-Jouve, Villa Angela was described as “a charming, beautiful old house still filled with traces of the past, as it was not subjected to major renovations.” The reason some capiz squares on the windows were left unrepaired is for effect, just as some plasters on the walls were left broken to reveal the Vigan tiles. The thin foam mattresses are just right for sulihiya beds (these traditional classic furniture actually do not need mattresses to preserve their air-cooled and well-ventilated quality and the mosquito nets are part of the ambience, not necessary since all the rooms are completely air-conditioned). All the bathrooms are now completely renovated (separate showers from the toilets) and completely encased with glass to the ceiling, with exhaust fans. The monkey was already returned to its owner long time ago. I suggest you re-visit Vigan and stay at Villa Angela, and capture the essence of a rapidly vanishing lifestyle.

By: MasPinaSarap

MasPinaSarap — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 19:34:08 +0000

Skunkeye: Try Oxon Hill for restaurants, bakeries, and groceries; all Filipino. It is not too far from the Baltimore area.

By: corrine

corrine — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 10:48:00 +0000

Mariano, that is a great idea of Lito Perez. Hope to see his Taal B & B soon. Students should have a field trip to this type of places.

By: JE

JE — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 06:58:48 +0000

Just wanted to pipe in that I was also able to stay here a year or two ago, as part of the tail-end of our trip to Pagudpud and Ilocos. The place was great, and I do agree that it is a good value for money. The place was just a few blocks away from Crisologo, and I think we stayed there while a fiesta was ongoing, so there was a lot of stuff to do while in Vigan.

The house itself was in great condition, with only the requisite modern quirk (a TV in the living room). The breakfast was decent, and the people there also helped us get to the bus terminal for our departure, as well as help us get some good bagnet.

I seriously wouldn’t mind going back there at some point. It’s good that write-ups like these exist, so that we can push for more local travel. Good on you, sir.

By: caryn

caryn — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 06:52:43 +0000

hahaha! this was a fun post!

The ‘Tom Cruise’ suite was occupied when we went there last, so we checked out the dorm rooms below. I agree completely about the poorly-lit rooms. The 2nd level areas were light and airy, but the ones downstairs were musty. and i do remember the ceiling-less bathroom … Two of our companions could not take the idea and we checked into the Vigan Plaza instead.

But i do applaud the idea of turning a heritage house into an inn. This is a constructive use of built cultural property. I just wish they’d spend more on upkeep and invest in conveniences.

By: andie

andie — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 06:26:06 +0000

We chanced upon Villa Angela by accident. We were coming from Pagudpud and we were too tired to continue the long drive to Manila in one go. We decided to spend the night in Vigan since Vigan had so much to offer and we only had a quick stop on our way to Pagudpud. When we reached Vigan, I borrowed a local directory and called hotels to check for availability, instead of going around at our very tired state. Who would’ve thought that a quick call would lead us to such a charming place! Although I have to admit, seeing the old house when we checked in at around 8pm did send some shivers, the beauty of the well-maintained house and very warm staff dispelled any fear in me. (for scaredy cats like me, there were no ghosts!)

The next morning, when I woke up in Cuarto de las Hijas, I almost thought that I was transported back in time. The house was simply that beautiful. We adored the place and I would recommend it to anybody who plans to go to Vigan.

By: Blaise

Blaise — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 03:52:06 +0000

ooops.. typo, it’s http://www.villangela.com

By: Blaise

Blaise — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 03:51:25 +0000

Actually, I scheduled a three-day-two-nights stay in Villa Angela, supposedly last summer but didn’t push through (my friend backed out, tsk tsk), I was so charmed when I saw its picture on their website at http://www.villagella.com..

Hopefully, one of these days I’d get to travel in Vigan and stay in Villa Angela..

By: wil-b cariaga

wil-b cariaga — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 03:36:57 +0000

as a kid and until my high school years Villa Angela was my hang out place, Our house is just beside it, so the cooks there and caretakers personally know me, i go there when i’m bored just wandering around the house, playing around the yard, or playing the piano when it was still in tune. . . and as neighbors i had the chance to go there and watch shootings of local movies. . . i miss the place :)