Father Burgos Museum

Much of Vigan’s history is linked with the Catholic religion spread by the Spanish colonizers. For visitors to have an idea how Filipinos were able to get the best of this faith to further enrich Philippine culture and champion the Filipino race, they should visit the Father Burgos Museum.

Father Jose Burgos was born in this ancestral home to Florencia Garcia and Jose Burgos in February 1837. He finished his primary schooling in Vigan but his higher studies were completed in Manila’s San Juan de Letran and the University of Santo Tomas, where he studied priesthood. He showed remarkable characteristics even as a young student; and as a young priest fought with quiet courage for equal rights for the Filipino clergy.

The just cause he took on made him a target of the machinations of Spanish friars. When a mutiny broke out in Cavite, the Spanish friars saw it as an opportunity to get rid of Father Burgos, including him amongst those who they accused as supporting the rebellion. He was tried in Fort Santiago and executed in February 1872 at Bagumbayan, presently known as Luneta Park in Manila. He died by strangulation with an iron collar together with two other priests, Fathers Gomez and Zamora.

The priests’ deaths further fueled the efforts of Filipino revolutionaries and awakened the lukewarm hearts of some countrymen.

Father Burgos’ home is now a satellite museum of the National Museum. Walking to it from Plaza Salcedo or the center of Vigan City will only take ten minutes. It stands near the provincial jail made famous by being the site of President Elpidio Quirino’s birth, and a school named after the martyred priest. The ancestral home is well-managed and charges only a minimal fee. It is open to the public Tuesdays up to Saturdays, closing for around two hours during lunch time. Tour groups may also schedule viewing during weekends and holidays.

Inside the museum, visitors will see a collection of Father Burgos memorabilia and photographs, family antiques and jewelry, Father Burgos’ quarters and a mini library containing his student Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, which the teacher received as a gift.

Visitors will also be able to view dioramas depicting local history, Ilocano and Tinggian archeological and ethnographic displays and a hall of fame for the heroes and achievers of Ilocos.

Visitors are also enjoined to allot time to take a special look at 14 paintings that were done by Esteban Villanueva which shows scenes of the 1807 Basi Revolt.