Ever wondered what jails looked like back in the olden days? Don’t stop at just wondering because now, you can actually get inside one! Kidding aside, there is definitely an old jailhouse in Vigan which houses such a rich history. Despite the numerous events that occurred in the place, the building still stands strong until now.
The 300-year old Ilocos Sur provincial jail, located behind the provincial hall and beside the infamous Padre Burgos House, has a rich history. Constructed in 1657 to house the municipal jail, it then became a provincial jail in 1818 when Ilocos Sur became a province. Mariano Quirino was once a warden of the provincial jail in Vigan when his wife, Gregoria Rivera, delivered Elpidio on Nov. 16, 1890, in a room on the second floor of the complex. Who knew that 58 years later, the baby would end up as the country’s sixth president? In the year 1898, the building was seized by revolutionary forces under Colonel Juan Villamor; however in 1899, it was taken over by American Forces who used it as detention cells for political leaders from the province including Mena Crisologo, Estanislao Reyes, and Enrique Quema.
The jail still served its purpose until 2013 when it began its transformation as the new art center of Ilocos Sur. The jail makeover was initiated during the term of then Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson in 2013 when talks with the National Museum started. At the first floor, the row of old prison cells were converted as an exhibition hall that highlights the basi, the quintessential Ilocano liquor from fermented sugarcane juice. In this hall, visitors may see various displays of burnays or stoneware jars made of clay and sand that are used by the locals to store basi, rice, fish sauce, water, and other products. To complement the beautiful Ilocano pottery displays, several Ilocano artifacts, weapons, utensils, furniture, basketry, clothing, beautiful pins, and jewelry showcasing important, historical events are also seen in the museum. An adjacent hall showcases the 14 paintings of Esteban Pichay Villanueva depicting the “1807 Basi Revolt” which the National Museum returned. These 14 Basi Revolt paintings are the oldest secular Filipino set of paintings and one of the cherished treasures of the Ilocandia. The revolt was a result of the locals’ disenchantment with the Spaniards when the latter decided to monopolize the production and sale of the basi. Located in the second floor of the art museum, on the other hand, are five Amorsolo paintings of Quirino and his wife as a bust made by National Artisit Guillermo Tolentino and memorabilia of the late President Elpidio Quirino.
For those history junkies who are merely curious of what it feels like to be in jail, without technically being jailed, this is probably the best place for you to visit.