One of the most elegant examples of big stone houses in Vigan is the Syquia Mansion, owned by the sixth Ilocano-born President of the Philippines Elpidio Quirino’s wife, Doña Alicia Syquia Quirino. (Read our Vigan Travel Guide )

This century-old mansion was built in 1830 and was given as a dowry when President Quirino married the descendant of the Syquia family. Previously, it was used to hold government functions and meetings by the Quirino administration. At present, it is a museum.