Crisologo Museum: The House of an Ilocano Legend

The Crisologo Museum is the residence of the late Floro S. Crisologo, the head of the Crisologo clan and a well-known congressman in his time. Now a century-old mansion, it is a mute witness to the success and struggles of Floro Crisologo. From authoring laws behind the creation of University of Northern Philippines and Social Security System to his death as he was shot in the head in the 1970s [1]. His death has become the impetus to establish the museum. To date, his death is not yet solved.

Top Left: A painting depicting Floro Crisologo with two of the many laws he authored in the painting caption. Top Right: Floro Crisologo’s law office inside the mansion. Bottom: Another working table outside the law office.

The mansion-turned-museum of the Crisologo clan has no entrance fee all over the week. It showcases antiques, memorabilia, local implements, as well as history-rich collections of the clan.

The museum collection includes antiques from the war. Ammunitions, fuse cans, guns, uniforms are on display.

The ceiling shows the original woods and boards used and with addition of some pieces to strengthen it.

A *dulang* is also on display. I remember having a dulang but with heavier materials as well as wider in our home. *Dulang* (low table) have been documented during pre-and Hispanic period as part of dining experience of Filipinos [2].

A clay stove is also seen in the kitchen aside from the old stoves. Note that such clay stoves are locally produced.

Above are but few things from the massive collections inside the mansion. You’ll notice that the collection are composed of local produce, Hispanic era, war memorabilia, and religious items.

Dining set as well as several receiving sets are also on display.

All of the bedrooms display colonial era beds with different designs and sizes. The above image shows a bed with an intricate head board as well as a *baul* (wooden chest) and a wooden chair at the foot.

Interestingly, the mansion also showcases the rich production equipment in the locality such as the *tillar*. While weaving is common in most households during that time, loom weaving is especially devoted in Ilocos region [3].

The above shows farming and and fishing implements.

The mansion has more to offer than what is described and shown above. There is a library, rooms of different functions, as well as the room that showcases the bloodied garment of Floro Crisologo. Unlike the Syquia Mansion which offers Ilocano Spanish Mansion in its elegance, the museum’s focus is on the political aspect of Crisologo’s life.

In conclusion, when going to Vigan, this place is a must place to visit because of its historical importance as well as it showcases a rich family’s house in Ilocos during the Spanish era. You can also glean how Ilocanos live with the implements and antiques seen inside the mansion.

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How to Get To Crisologo Museum

By land. Take any bus heading to Vigan City or Laoag City.

Manila buses bound to Vigan City are Partas, Dominion Bus, Aniceto Bus, Viron Transit, Florida Bus Line, Fariñas Trans, Maria De Leon Bus Lines, RCJ Bus Lines and F. Franco Transit. Anywhere from Vigan City, hail a tricycle or kalesa [two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage] and tell the driver to drop you at the Crisologo Museum.
From Baguio City, you can take a Partas bus near SM City Baguio or the ordinary mini-buses in Bayanihan. Anywhere from Vigan City, hail a tricycle or kalesa [two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage] and tell the driver to drop you at the Crisologo Museum.
GMW Liner and Florida Liner have buses plying a vice versa Abra and Tuguegarao with a stop in Vigan City route. Anywhere from Vigan City, hail a tricycle or kalesa [two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage] and tell the driver to drop you at Crisologo Museum.

By air. Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines flies from Manila to Laoag International Airport. Take any bus bound to Vigan City. Anywhere from Vigan City, hail a tricycle or kalesa [two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage] and tell the driver to drop you at Crisologo Museum.

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Helpful Local Phrases

Good morning: Naimbag a bigat; Good afternoon: Naimbag a malem; Good day: Naimbag nga aldaw; Good evening: Naimbag a rabii
How are you?: Kumusta
Thank you: Agyamanak
What is your name?: Ania ti nagan mo?
I don’t understand: Diak maawatan
How do I get to…?: Kasantnu ak a makapan sadiay…?
One: maysa, two: duwa, three: tallo, four: uppat, five: lima, six: ennem, seven: pito, eight: walo, nine: siyam, ten: sangapulo
How much is this?: Sagmamano daytoy?
Help!: Arayat!
Sorry: Pakawanennak

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Other Notable Nearby Places

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References

[1] Vigan.ph. n.d. Crisologo Museum | Vigan.Ph. [online] Available at: <https://www.vigan.ph/attractions/crisologo-museum.html> [Accessed 9 April 2020].

[2] Sokolov, R., 1993. Why We Eat What We Eat. New York: Touchstone, p.57.

[3] 1904. Elihu Root Collection Of United States Documents Relating To The Philippine Islands: Volume 129. [online] Available at: <https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=LRZQAAAAYAAJ&rdid=book-LRZQAAAAYAAJ&rdot=1> [Accessed 9 April 2020].

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