Discovering Pacita Mansions, Vigan’s new crown jewel

The invitation to come to Vigan came weeks ahead. We juggled our schedule, making sure that no matter what, come hell or high water, we would make it there. We promised ourselves we should go the distance despite the protracted longest travel time of our life.

For an old soul and a romantic at heart—although most of the time, it doesn’t seem to show—Vigan holds a special memory, like strings attached. More than the old houses, the great food, lots of venerable veggies at Pinakbet Farm, the cobbled streets, the calesa ride, it is the feeling of being in an Old World setting that keeps me coming back for more.

Besides, who can say ‘No’ to an invite that comes from a person known for being the epitome of grace and everything else that makes a 43-year old woman a lady? We are lucky to have found a friend in one such lady, Ms. Rhea Anicoche-Tan, president and founder of Beautederm Corporation, a leading beauty and wellness brand with a long list of home and beauty products on the shelf reaching out to markets throughout the country and even abroad. Beautederm is also home to Rhea’s other businesses – A-List Avenue, Beautéhaus, AK Studios, and Beauté Beanery.

Talking off in a huge coaster from Quezon City at 7 a.m. and after a brief stop at the Beautederm headquarters in Angeles City to pick up our packed lunch, we were finally on our way to Ilocos Sur. Doreen Canyong, our attending escort, warned us it was going to be a 10-hour trip from QC. Ms. Rhea had carefully planned our comfort, making sure we were all provided with a traveler’s kit that included, among others, a neck pillow to allow us a comfortable nap along the way.

I just have to say this as we passed by the towns of Narvacan, Bauang, Santo Tomas, Agoo, Aringay, Naguilian, San Fernando, San Juan, Bacnotan in La Union. The national highway straddling the entire province has been widened, allowing smoother flow of traffic. Road extensions on both sides of the highway are maintained free of any encumbrances, such as parked vehicles and food kiosks, which are common in other areas.

In other places, like in Metro Manila and Southern Tagalog provinces, for instance, it is common for people to transform these road widening efforts into their own parking lots or commercial spaces. In this regard, I truly admire the discipline of Ilocanos.

We finally arrive in Vigan around 5 p.m. only to be amazed at our grand accommodation. Called the Pacita Mansions, it is the home Ms. Rhea had built for her mother, after whom the house is named. 

Rising to three levels and rendered in immaculate white, the house sits on prime property just a minute walk away from Crisologo Street, which is the city’s chief destination, lined by antiquated houses converted into hotels with stories of their own.

In the future, we foresee that Pacita Mansions with its many rooms and amenities, including a swim pool, shall also consider itself one. The lady of the house, Pacita Anicoche, says the house has become some sort of a tourist attraction as locals and foreign guests alike stop by to take pictures of themselves before it. Some even ask to be let in. Others have offered to sleep over.

I must say the rooms are pretty nice, the beds too comfy, everything’s first class, like a 5-star hotel, the only one of its kind in Vigan following Spanish-American colonial architecture and design. 

Ms. Rhea says the home is her gift to her 72-year old mother, an accomplished state university educator from whom she learned her values in life. One of the lessons she cherishes the most from her mother is to continue being a blessing to others. The lady is known for her widespread generosity, most of the time, to a fault.

In a conversation with us after breakfast of igado, corned beef and fried eggs the next morning, Mama Pacita told us she sometimes has to tell her daughter to save some for herself. “One day, you’re up there, but the next day, you’ll never know,” she said.

Rhea says her mother taught her and her younger sister, Bambie, to always work hard.

To always remain humble, grounded and approachable in the face of success. 

All of these, we see for ourselves during each and every encounter, here, there and everywhere, with the President and Chief Executive Officer of Beautederm.