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The love that saved a town, the historic town of Vigan. Vigan, which is located in the north

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of the island of Luzon in the Philippines, began its history as a colonial port under

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Spanish rule in 1574. Originally a trading post for commerce with China, 80% of Vigan's

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population is of mixed Chinese and Filipino origin. The Abra River produced gold and glistened

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in gold, hence the name meaning beautiful bank. Quisologo Street, the main street running

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along the center of the town, only allows horse carts to pass. Thirty or so historic

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buildings line the kilometer-long pavement. They're built in stone in a Spanish style.

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The upper part is built with wood. What you see here is the influence of Chinese architecture.

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A family came to live here in 1943. It was the family of a general from the Japanese

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Imperial Army, which occupied the town during the Second World War. The general and his

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family took up residence in a typical Vigan style home. The general's wife was in fact

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a Filipino. Sliding doors were fitted into the living room, the general's favorite. But

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the screens were made of thinly polished capiz shells rather than Japanese washi paper.

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The war began to turn into a nightmare for the Japanese in 1945. American troops advanced

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throughout the Philippines. The Japanese army usually burned down towns as they retreated.

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No one doubted that Vigan would meet the same fate too. Before retreating, the general decided

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to leave his wife and daughters in the care of the priest of this church. In doing so,

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the general and the priest exchanged promises. I will never set the beautiful town of Vigan

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alight, but in exchange, please take care of my family. The general is said to have

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died in battle. His family survived the war protected by the town. Vigan was the only

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16th century colonial town in the Philippines to survive.