Padre Burgos House

Padre Burgos House / National Museum
Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

From the Bantay Church, Ria and I decided to walk back to Vigan City so we could have pictures at the Vigan welcome arch. From there we visited the Vigan Cathedral, but since there was a celebration, we didn't stay that long.


Near the Vigan Cathedral is the Padre Burgos House, also known as the National Museum. I have visited this place numerous times in the past, so I didn't set myself to take that much pictures. Writing this post made me wish though that I should've taken pictures as if it was my first there.


Last time I visited this museum, there was a photo expo and the galleon replicas had to be taken elsewhere for the meantime. Seeing the galleons again made me remember memories of the first time I visited this museum.


Nearby the galleons are some diorama that depicted life in Vigan and Ilocos Region during the Spanish era. This particular diorama shows the Battle of Tirad Pass, in which Brigadier General Gregorio del Pilar [Gregorio S. Del Pilar] succumbed to 500 Americans of the 33rd Infantry Regiment under Major Peyton C. March, while delaying the American advance to ensure Emilio Aguinaldo's escape. {source}


Upstairs is one could see the house's different rooms. This old flat iron caught my interest - I knew back then my aunt and cousins use charcoal to heat up the flat iron, but the iron itself looked like the ones we use nowadays (electric powered). This, is also used with charcoal, but it just looks pretty, isn't it?


All rooms in the house are open to guests, except for this one - the masters' dining area. Though the door was open, but there was a rope to prevent people from coming in, just to protect the delicate and very vintage china wares.


This is my friend Ria at the kitchen / servants' dining area. See how different it was compared to the masters' dining area... the masters use china wares, the servants use tin-like plates.

The museum is located near the Capitol. It's open daily except during Mondays, and tourists are asked for 10 pesos (approx. 0.25usd) entrance fee.

Father’s Day Breaks: Wembley

Father’s Day 2012 takes place on 17 June this year, a handy time for giving your dad the surprise of his life. Don’t let dad settle for ties, socks and beer this year, give him something really special and book your sporting mad dad into the heart of the 2012 Olympics.

Some hotels near Wembley Arena still have rooms available between 27 and 12 August, when the Games are taking place. Check online and book a budget hotel to avoid disappointment when you travel into the city.

Although many of the events for this summer’s Games are taking place at the Olympic Stadium near Stratford, the ideal destination for dads is Wembley.

Wembley Stadium has been named as the home for the 2012 Olympic Football matches. Watch as the world battles it out to be in with a chance of winning an Olympic Gold Medal.

Participating countries have been split into groups and details of the matches are now detailed on both the London 2012 and the Wembley website. Tickets vary in price and are currently still available to purchase. Book yours as early as possible, they are flying out fast.

Staying in hotels near Wembley Arena puts your dad in a central spot for some fantastic eateries too. Grab a bite to eat in the contemporary Arena Square, before hitting the designer outlet to pick up some gear at bargain basement prices.


For when you aren’t caught up watching world class football at the Wembley Stadium, be sure you’ve pre-booked tickets for the Wembley Tour.

There’s one thing better than watching the game, and that’s living it. The 75 minute tour will take you backstage at this world famous Stadium into the dressing rooms, players’ tunnel and the Exhibition of Champions, ‘celebrating 56 UEFA Champions League Finals from 1956 to 2011’.

Choose from the bargain hotels near Wembley Arena now and book your Dad the sporting break of his dreams for Father’s Day.