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■ (From left) Resty Vergara, Josephine Pintor, Gov. Chavit Singson, Hi! Society and Margret Klauser
look forward to. Everytime I go there, it seems like there is always something new to see. Two months ago, the charming Ilocos Sur’s newly elected governor and recently also newly elected chairman of the Governor’s League, hosted a group of 30 fun people to a whole day of amuse- ment and exploration trip to his hometown Vigan, in Ilocos Sur aboard his private jet plane. The 45-minutes flight to Vigan
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was highlighted by a toast of Moet Et Chandon champagne courtesy of Reto and Margret Klauser of the Shangri-La Hotel Makati on board and delicious ensaymadas from GM Leon Keekstra of Manila Hotel. A Partas luxury bus, owned by Manong Chavit, shuttled the guests to the final destination, the huge Baluarte Kingdom.
■ (From left) Camille Agbayani, Josephine Pintor with son Charles and Manette Agbayani
The guests toured the enormous Baluarte Zoo, which Manong Chavit built for his town mates and tourists for free. After that, they proceeded to the entertain- ment area of the zoo for the animal show. The amiable governor served sumptuous buffet lunch after comprising of Ilocano food favorites such as the famous bagnet, pinakbet, crabs, bacalao, hipon, and seaweed salad. Guests focused their attention to the almost 10-story high building rising up on top the mountain. The new building has a scenic elevator providing everyone glimpse of the whole town of Vigan and the China Sea. The latest addition to Chavit’s Baluarte are the gigantic
lifestyle The Manila Times FRIDAY July 23, 2010 Vigan adventure
EVISITING Vigan for the nth time is always something to
HI! SOCIETY
plaster of paris casted dinosaurs, the same dinosaurs that were previously the attraction of the popular Baywalk of former Mayor Lito Atienza of Manila, which was demolished by Mayor Alfredo Lim when he took over three years ago. Manong Chavit acquired the pre- historic concept from the Manila City Government to the tune of several millions of pesos. How- ever, the best new attraction in Baluarte is the “Burning Bush” of biblical proportions and nestled atop the glass tower, it’s certainly a crowd-drawer. The out-of-towners also took a sojourn to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site of Vigan, sauntering along the cobbled stone streets, buying souvenirs, riding the calesa, marveling at the Spanish colonial houses along Calle Crisologo and taking a snack stopover at the Vigan Plaza Hotel for halo-halo and must-try the famous Ilocos empanada paired with vinegar, before heading back to Manila. Everyone went home happy with pabaons of the favorite Vigan longganisa and cassava cake. To our dear Governor, we look forward to another memorable trip to your beautiful Vigan.
■ Beth Victoria (left) and Ambassador Theo Arnold
■ Gov. Chavit Singson (left) and Nivat Chantarachoti
■ (From left) Edwin Espejo, Mina Gervacio, Joy Fong, Joni Dizon and Lani Schoof
■ Emma
Nieto (left) and Geena Zablan
■ (From left) Donnie Ramirez, Kathy Park, Hi! Society, George Sarakinis and Nivat Chantarachoti
■ (From left) Dr. Joni Dizon, Mina Gervacio and Ernest Gonzaga
■ The group playing with a Tiger.
■ Margret Klauser at animal show
■ Leon Keekstra at animal show
■ Sonny Tanchanco at animal show
BECKY GARCIA
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