By Germaine De Castro
For lovers of heritage preservation, it would not be surprising that the old City of Vigan, located in Ilocos Sur, would rank as one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines that local and international visitors would love to set foot on its nostalgic splendor.
A so-called heritage village, located around 407 kilometers from Manila, Vigan has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 for both its distinctive Spanish colonial history in Asia and its impressive collection of 16th-century Spanish-built establishments.
Fortunately, located just 94 kilometers from Manila, the town of Gapan in Nueva Ecija, one of the oldest in the Philippines, has now been transformed as a must-see location for nostalgic enthusiasts. Lurking inside this town is a place called “Old Gapan” or “Lumang Gapan”, a tourism project in 2021, wherein its goal is to reawaken interest in the city’s historic roots.
We now explore “Old Gapan”, dubbed as the “Little Vigan” by millions of travelers out there.
The National Shrine of La Virgen Divina Pastora also called Three Kings Parish, was founded in 1589, which makes it the oldest and largest colonial church in the province of Nueva Ecija, and actually one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in the archipelago.
The Munting Bulwagan, is the home-base of the Zabat Band, the first Philippine local brass band, which provides free music lessons to the youth.
The Silvino Valdes – Bárbara Agno House, as per actress Eula Valdes, a great-great-granddaughter of the couple, her great-great-grandparents constructed this house around the 1800s.
Casa Payawal, which was once owned by Exequiel Payawal, was later purchased by Carmelita Pita Cabatuando, and then to the late famous broadcaster Joe Taruc, and is presently owned by Nueva Ecija Congressman Emerson “Emeng” Pascual.
The old municipal building of Gapan has the years 1732 and 1896 seen on its door with a gun and sword. This establishment was restored by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in 2017, and once served as the Post Office of the City of Gapan, a Telegraph Office, as well as a Municipal Prison.
Old Gapan may not showcase that much as against the old aura of the original Vigan, but given its way shorter distance from Manila, this tourist destination situated in Central Luzon is still definitely worth the tourist eyes.
Explore Pinas!