Vista Land Builds Better Futures Inspired by Spanish Heritage in Ilocos

November 19, 2024

Metro Vigan in Ilocos Sur is unique in that it is the most extensive and only surviving historic city from the 16th century. It is breathtaking and well-preserved, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, and elected as one of the New 7 Wonders Cities in 2014. 

Laoag in Ilocos Norte was a thriving commercial and trading hub before the Spanish settlement, and they especially selected the place as a key seat for Christianity during their occupation. On vast tracks of land, magnificent churches and bell towers rose to call all to the new religion. Military garrisons were often built beside the churches to safeguard the faith, creating airy plazas that one can still see remnants of in many towns. 

It is to connect to this lingering era in our past that Vista Land is creating two townships where Filipinos who seek their forever sanctuaries can find their place and build better tomorrows. Querencia—aptly named from the Spanish word for something desired—will rise on 16 beautiful hectares in Metro Vigan. For those who yearn for the sun, Bramasole recreates the Tuscan countryside on 20 stunning hectares in Laoag.

The names of many towns and cities in the Philippines have origins rooted in miscommunication between the colonial Spanish and the local Filipino population, and Vigan is a notable example. According to local legend, a Spaniard strolling along the Mestizo River inquired about the name of the area. Believing he was referring to the taro plants growing nearby, the locals informed him that they were called Bigaa. Consequently, the Spaniards began to refer to the location as Vigan. Another story suggests that the name derives from the Hokkien term bee gan, which translates to beautiful shore. Long before the occupation, Vigan was recognized as a significant Asian trading center.

Perched on the western coast of Luzon and looking out onto the West Philippine Sea, Vigan is the provincial capital of Ilocos Sur, admired for its Belgian block streets and architecture that is unique to the city. Home designs combine Filipino and oriental building design with colonial Spanish architecture, creating residences that echo old European towns yet are adapted to tropical climates and built with local materials.

Vigan is a breathtaking 2,511 hectares of mostly delicately gentle hills and greenery. It is located a distant but scenic 407 kilometers from Manila, another 82 kilometers from Laoag, and 138 kilometers from the regional capital of the Ilocos Region, San Fernando in La Union. Here, in the town of Bantay, the arresting master planned Spanish township of Querencia will rise. 

A third-class municipality, Bantay is loved for the majestic Bantay Bell Tower and the Saint Augustine Church. Girded by the Abra River and the majestic Mounts Tupira and Caniao, Bantay protects its natural wealth while expanding into an economic hub for the Ilocos region.

Echoing the Mission-style architecture that rose largely in Alta California––and named for the historic Mission trail that dots Highway 101––Querencia will be composed of charming hamlets and tower clusters of white stucco topped with the undulating clay-tile roofs so loved in the California landscape. Architecture reminiscent of Santa Barbara will blanket the micro city and breathe fascinating new life into Bantay. The exquisitely painted Azulejo tiles will line the township walkways and park trails and imbibe commercial areas and charming amenity spaces with Spanish art, life, and color. The commercial hub will be named Azulejos and is inspired by Paseo Nuevo—the sprawling open-air shopping and dining center of Santa Barbara. Querencia will be a refuge where tribute is paid to the past yet is designed to foster the most awe-inspiring tomorrows.

Located at the northern tip of the Northwestern Luzon Growth Quadrangle, Laoag is within two hours by plane to many East Asian economic tigers taking off from the Laoag International Airport: Hong Kong, China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan. It also stands at the forefront of green technology. The towering windmills of the Bangui Wind Farm feed the first wind-driven power plant in Southeast Asia. 

Nestled within this historical yet thoroughly progressive city is Bramasole. The estate aims to replicate the quintessential Tuscan way of life with its lifescapes––inspired by the villas of the mountain town of Cortona in Italy. Cortona is a cherished historical site with stunning piazzas and palazzos, cobbled streets, trattorias, and old-world artisanal shops. Rising within the estate is Bramasole Residences, a cluster of vertical residential towers with smart features and globally inspired amenities and facilities, including a clubhouse with a pavilion, swimming pool, play areas, and landscaped parks and gardens. Bramasole will offer the comforts and necessities of modern-day living yet set in the beauty, calm, and inspiration of days past.

As the holding company of the housing ventures of Vista Group, Vista Land is primarily engaged in developing horizontal properties, master planned communities, and the construction of vertical residences in the Philippines‘ key growth areas.

Filipinos deserve the best—this driving belief has been integral to Vista Land and its day-to-day operations and is the secret to its success. Creating better, expansive, and global-oriented offerings and experiences for its residents, as well as delivering excellent long-term investment growth for its stakeholders, has always been the impetus behind the conglomerate’s continuous evolution.

Learn more about Vista Land master planned developments nationwide. Visit www.vistaestates.vistaland.com.ph and follow @VistaLandAndLifescapesOfficial for news and offerings.

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