Calle Crisologo (Photo by RONALD JAYME)
MANILA, Philippines — Bagnet. Empanada. Longganisa. Kalesa. Spanish-era houses. These are the pictures that come to mind when Vigan, Ilocos Sur is mentioned. But there’s more to Vigan than meets the eye (or the stomach for that matter). Through the efforts of Governor Chavit Singson, local and international tourists visiting the province are now in for a lot more fun and adventure.
The Ilocos Sur Adventure Zone was recently launched by the provincial government and droves of actors, actresses, models, hosts and sports enthusiasts came to sample the newest attraction.
“We want to offer a different type of vacation to our tourists, local and international. Our province has a lot to offer in terms of scenic or historical sites, culture, beaches and gastronomic delights. Pero marami kasi sa kanila naghahanap pa ng ibang adventure, and this is the reason why we came up with this idea, thus the sports adventure zone has been created,” Singson said.
Dubbed as the Traverse Ilocos Sur Adventure Challenge, the guests and participants tried their luck in looking for clues at the museum, inside an empanada and the bell tower; conquered their fear of heights in the Wall Climbing and Rappelling; went kayaking at the Abra River; and raced to the finish line.
Out of the five teams with three members each, the Orange Team composed of PBB sensation Mickey Perz, Starstruck winner Tyrone Perez and Fear Factor contestant Jommy Teotico emerged as the champions and won P50,000.00
Just a few minutes away were the Yellow Team composed of veteran actor Emilio Garcia, models Manuel Chua and Jeff Gaitan who bagged the second place and P30,000 cash; and coming in third was the crowd favorite because of "Born to be Wild" host Kiko Rustia, host Cai Cortez and model Cara Eriguel of the Green Team taking the P15,000 prize.
Adding glitz was the Purple Team which was dubbed as the “Power Puff Girls” composed of models and actresses Jade Lopez, Gee-ann Abraham and Lou Munoz. Surprisingly, the Purple Team even beat the all-men Blue Team composed of PBB participant Jovic Susim, host and actor JC Cuadrado and internet sensation and host Bekimon.
To cap the all-day tour was a concert at Plaza Salcedo by the Brownman Revival who made the Ilocanos, the locals and the guests dance their hearts and inhibitions away.
Ilocos Sur 1st District Rep. Ryan Singson had high hopes that the opening of the Ilocos Sur Adventure Zone will further boost the province’s tourism industry.
Based on the report of the Department of Tourism-Region 1 office, tourist arrivals in the region for the first quarter alone surpassed the almost half a million tourist arrivals in the region last year.
Vice Governor Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano is optimistic that this new adventure zone will turn Ilocos Sur into a world-class tourism destination.
“This will mark our province as the newest tourism hub in the country and will eventually entice more tourists to visit our province,” Savellano said.
Source: Manila Bulletin
