Little Vigan | Gapan, Nueva Ecija

November 10, 2021September 9, 2022 Rex Lim Lim 2021, gapan, ITINERARY, little vigan, NUEVA ECIJA, tourist attraction, TOURIST SPOTS

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The “Little Vigan” of Gapan just lies across the street from the Virgen La Divina Pastora Church . These are row of ancestral houses that did not immediately caught my attention back then.

little vigan gapan nueva ecija — Virgen La Divina Pastora Church

It was 2017, and I just snapped a few photos of the ancestral houses since it wasn’t as extensive as compared with those in Taal and Vigan. To add, I was curious of what stories these structures might have seen through the years.

These humble abodes have been and seemed like long forgotten by time. Moreover, they were sitting quietly in the bustling city’s corner as if waiting for generations to pass by.

“Little Vigan”

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Fast forward to 2021, as if it was reborn from their almost sorry states, the local government decided to use and celebrate their history by giving the streets a major overhaul.

Lumang Gapan Christmas 2020. Photo from Ayy Sauce Streetfoods FB Page

Lumang Gapan at sunset. Photo from Day hike Enthusiast FB Page

I left Pampanga at around 05:00am in this solo bike trip. It took me 52 kilometers passing by the towns of Sta. Ana, Arayat, Cabiao, San Isidro before reaching Gapan City in Nueva Ecija.

Along the streets of Delos Reyes and Jacinto, the once quiet thoroughfare were now adorned with ornate streetlights akin to that of the Jones Bridge in Manila.

The streets were now paved with cobblestones to give that Vigan feels. As a result, the once “Lumang Gapan” is now called the “Little Vigan” of Gapan, Nueva Ecija

Alas, as I trained my lenses at each of the houses once again, they were now rehabilitated. But the installation of lighting fixtures on the structures itself to give them that unnatural neon glow at night was not a welcome change.

Evoking Grandness of a Distant Past

There’s a lot of well-preserved ancestral houses all around the country. Built mostly during the 1900s by prominent families, the Antillean style houses were lasting legacies of the Spanish rule in the country.

The corner most house next to the church’s gate belongs to the family of actress Eula Valdez. Furthermore, the house was a well preserved bahay-na-bato – made from masonry on the lower level and wood on the second. Wrought iron barrandillas of intricate workmanship adorn the pasamanos while white-washed floral latticework is seen on its ceilings. Large windows with stained glass and arching

Next to the Valdez’s house is the Taruc’s. This one belongs to the family of Jay Taruc, a journalist and a former television news reporter. A traditional bahay-na-bato too, the lower level is made of masonry and brick columns. Then, the second level is made from polished hardwood with large ventanillas.

Then just adjacent to the Valdez’s at Jacinto St. is a white bahay-na-bato with art deco fence which belongs to the family of the late actress Nida Blanca. She was known for her role in the television series “John and Marsha” with the late comedian Dolphy as his longtime partner.

Tourism and Rapid Commercialization

Most of the houses in this street today are still well preserved and most of them are still being used as residence. There’s a few more down the streets of Valmonte and Malgapo, but a number of modern houses now accompany them.

gapan city plaza — Gapan City Plaza. Photo by Mark Velayo

Tagpuan sa Lumang Gapan food park. Photo by Lloyd Emmerson Algodon

The Lumang Gapan tourism project was led by Gapan Mayor Emerson “Emeng” Pascual, reviving interest in the city’s historic roots.

Many people from neighboring provinces now visit these timeless ancestral houses. In addition to this, christmas season is fast approaching and rapid commercialization of the area is now taking place. In fact, there is an ongoing construction of a food park and mixed-use establishment in Delos Reyes St.

The cat is finally out of the bag. Indeed, I was genuinely surprised as how the old street came back to life.

Even without the moniker “Little Vigan”, I think Lumang Gapan can stand on its own. Given the Spanish-era baroque church complementing these antique structures

How To Get There

Little Vigan or Lumang Gapan is located in M. Delos Reyes St. in Gapan City, Nueva Ecija

Coming from SM Pampanga: Take the J. Abad Santos Ave passing through Mexico, Sta. Ana and Arayat in Pampanga. Right after, continue on from Cabiao to San Isidro until you reach Gapan City. (46.9 kilometers)
I came from San Simon Pampanga then followed the route from Sta. Ana to Gapan (52kms)

If coming from Malolos Bulacan: You can access Plaridel Bypass, passing through the towns of Plaridel, Pulilan, Baliuag, Bustos, San Rafael, San Ildefonso, San Miguel until you reach Gapan City in Nueva Ecija. (69.2kms)