ILOILO: The Heart of the Philippines

[kicking_pinay]

hi guys, plano ko magpunta ng iloilo, wala akong friends or relatives doon, gusto ko lang pumunta, kumain ng la paz batchoy na masarap day. ask ko lang kung san murang mag stay, how much at kung ano pa ang mga must-see doon. thanks!!!

[whyte]

http://www.iloilo.net/dot/iloilo1.html

* Almost all hotels are just 15 minutes away from the airport. the rates are absolutely lower than those in Manila but with the same accomodation
* The city has everything URBAN but with provincial charm. Life is somewhat slow.
* TEDs Lapaz Batchoy is the most famous batchoyan with more than 10 branches around the city.
* Yung mga pasalubong (delicacies) are mostly found sa mga groceries. Malaki ang patong sa airport. For dried fish,etc go to CENTRAL MARKET.
* Dine at Tatoy's manokan or Breakthrough in Villa. Great food with seaside view.
* You can also hop to GUIMARAS island . Undiscovered paradise. home of the world famous mangoes.
* MALLified na rin ang city with more than 5 distributed within the city. SM Mandurriao (may 2 pa kasing SM dun), Robinsons, MaryMart, Atrium yung iba medyo

punta

[whyte]

http://www.iloilo.net/dot/iloilo1.html

* Almost all hotels are just 15 minutes away from the airport. the rates are absolutely lower than those in Manila but with the same accomodation
* The city has everything URBAN but with provincial charm. Life is somewhat slow.
* TEDs Lapaz Batchoy is the most famous batchoyan with more than 10 branches around the city.
* Yung mga pasalubong (delicacies) are mostly found sa mga groceries. Malaki ang patong sa airport. For dried fish,etc go to CENTRAL MARKET.
* Dine at Tatoy's manokan or Breakthrough in Villa. Great food with seaside view.
* You can also hop to GUIMARAS island . Undiscovered paradise. home of the world famous mangoes.
* MALLified na rin ang city with more than 5 distributed within the city. SM Mandurriao (may 2 pa kasing SM dun), Robinsons, MaryMart, Atrium yung iba medyo

[kicking_pinay]

whyte thanks ha!!! mga magkano kaya ang budget ko? mag isa lang ako, mga 4 days lang ako mag i stay...

[RALPH WALDO]

Check out pictures from my recent Iloilo trip:

photos.yahoo.com/ralph_canlapan

[whyte]

* try to stay in a budget hotel (FINE ROCK, okay naman ito) para hindi masyadong mabigat sa bulsa. last time i "stayed" in that hotel mga P550/2 person. so konting dagdag for single occupancy. cant be sure kung ganun pa rin yung rate.

* the big bulk of your budget will go to AIR FARE & HOTEL. the remaining will be divided into your daily meals, pasalubong, fares,etc.

* rough estimate, P1000/nyt yung hotel mo. 4days/3nyts so thats P3000. then yung airfare not more than RT P6000. pero this estimate is "very rough" and you could actually save more than P1000.

* you should have been there during DINAGYANG every january its a weekend long party.

[lupin]

don't miss the food trip at "tatoy's", seafoods galore & the walang kasing sarap na lechon manok.... panalo!

try also to visit the old churches; miag-ao church, molo church (sa may likod nun ang bahay ng lolo ko ) and jaro cathedral.

go to guimaras, the place for mangoes, beaches and coves. it's just a 15-minute boat ride from ilo-ilo port. 2 yrs ago 7.50 pesoses lang yung boat fare, with the inflation baka 10 pesos na ngayon you could find cheap pero maganda naman na resort in alubihod then just hire a boat if you want to go snorkelling, caving or just to visit the expensive resorts like isla naburot.

enjoy!

[sabine92575]

hi there! my friends and i were in iloilo (and guimaras too!) last holy week. you can read about trip and see our pics in our website

http://holyweek.tripod.com

hope it'll help you plan your travels!

[whyte]

sabine92575
post ko lang yung ILOILO diary niyo sa PANAY ADVENTURES niyo

http://holyweek.50megs.com/iloilo/index.htm

April 8 - After changing our clothes by Suhot Springs in Dumalag, Capiz, we immediately went straight to Janiuay, the first municipality of Iloilo right after Capiz. There, we went to the San Julian de Cuenca Parish. The church is quite new, but the ruins of the old church was still standing beside the new one.

Next, we went to the San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish in Cabatuan. This neo-classical church was built in the early 1880's and every side of the church is a facade in itself. We also went up to the belltower (again!), this time, leaving 1 camera to Kuya Bong so he can take our picture from the roadside.

Our next stop was the Church and Convent of Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara. Although we were not able to go inside the church as they do not allow anyone wearing sando, low necklines and shorts within the church, we took our pictures outside and beside the church where the grotto was.

Next, we went to the ever famous and our favorite KA-TED-RAL, the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria in Jaro. This cathedral houses the statue of Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria, which was said to be growing. In front of the church was the Jaro Belfry, one of the remaining belfries in the country today that stands apart from the church. After all the picture takings, I asked a Baranggay Tanod watching over the statue what the name of the church was. He answered "katedral." I asked him again and clarified that I was actually asking for the specific name of the church. Looking at me straight in the eye as if I'm some moron who doesn't know what he said earlier means, he answered "KA-TED-RAL." Oh, okay... sige na nga, KA-TED-RAL na itu!!!

We went straight to Fort San Pedro to inquire about the pump boat trips to Guimaras. There were available pump boats the next day so there was no need for us to hurry and leave this day. We also inquired at the Ortiz Pier where there were more pump boats to Guimaras.

Right after knowing the schedules of the pump boats, we went straight to Roselle's Lola's house in San Miguel. There, we also met her Auntie who will be with us in Guimaras. After the introductions and the merienda, we immediately left the house to continue our church tour.

We went first to Mandurriao. Although the Parish of the Spousal of our Lady didn't look historic at all, we still went down the Revo, went inside and took a picture of it, just so we can complete our Visita Iglesia.

Our last church stop for that day was the St. Anne Parish, a Gothic Renaissance church in Molo. A Lenten procession was underway by the time we got there.

It was almost dark when we left Molo. Since we knew that dinner wasn't ready yet in San Miguel, we decided to look for Ted's to buy batchoy. Unfortunately, most of the branches we went to were closed as it was already Holy Thursday then. We were told that the one inside Gaisano Mall might still be open, so Kuya Bong sped off to the only remaining mall which was open in Iloilo. As soon as we got there, instead of directly going to Ted's to buy batchoy, we ended up shopping first (shopping na naman!).

April 9 - We were suppose to leave Iloilo by 5AM, but it was almost 8AM when we finally got to Ortiz Pier where Kuya Bong dropped us off so we can take the pump boat going to Guimaras. After taking our traditional picture with him, we thanked him and bid him goodbye!

April 10 - The schedules we set for this day, touring the southern part of Antique and the western part of Iloilo, were postponed as we got to Iloilo from Guimaras quite late in the afternoon already. We decided to tour the said areas the next day and just spent the rest of the day shopping for souvenirs (na naman!) in SM City Iloilo. So, we hired a jeepney to bring us all back to San Miguel, drop our things and went straight to SM City Iloilo. It was already night time when we got back to San Miguel.

April 11 - Since it's Easter Sunday, the day started with the Travellers attending the Easter Sunday Mass in the Parish of the Spousal of our Lady in Mandurriao by 4AM. Barok & Jelay were left at home sleeping.

By 8AM, the 6 came back to Lola's house. Right after breakfast, we immediately started our roadtrip.

The jeepney that we hired sped off towards San Joaquin (as in sped off! Bawal humikab kasi hahanginin laway mo!). In an hour's time, we reached the municipality of San Joaquin and went straight to the Parish of San Joaquin. We also tried looking for the historic Sirawagan River, which was said to be the site where the legendary 10 Bornean datus landed in the 13th century. We found it alright but was quite disappointed to see that there's no water left at all in the river.

Next, we decided to drop by at the San Joaquin Cemetery and took a picture of the hexagonal chapel on top of a 20-step staircase.

Our next destination was Miag-ao. We first passed by the University of the Philippines in the Visayas and went down for picture taking. Then, we went straight to the famous Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva, one of the 4 Baroque churches in the Philippines included in UNESCO's Heritage List. It was declared a national landmark in 1973.

Next, we went to San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish in Guimbal. After the picture taking, we set out to look for the Guimbal Watchtower, popularly known as 'Bantayan.' We ended up in a beach resort where the Bantayan was located. There was an entrance fee of PhP 20 but we felt that the Bantayan wasn't such a spectacular spot to look at so we decided to proceed to our next destination.

Our last church stop for the day was the St. John of Sahagun Parish in Tigbauan. We would have made a stopover at Oton, but the church there was fairly new so decided to just go home in San Miguel and spend the remaining time fixing our things.

It was almost 4PM when our hired jeepney came to Lola's house to fetch us and bring us to the Iloilo Airport. After the traditional picture taking with Lola and Auntie in front of their house, we placed all our backpacks, suitcases, mangoes, etc., inside the jeepney. By 4:30PM, we were already at the airport.

Since our flight was scheduled at 6:30, we decided to eat in a restaurant in front of the airport right after checking in at Cebu Pacific. By 6PM, we all went inside the airport. Good thing, our flight wasn't delayed. We boarded Cebu Pacific where Os and I won prices in their in-flight games! Yahoo!

[whyte]

http://www.lakbaypilipinas.com/travel_iloilo.html

ILOILO
Home of the famous Dinagyang Festival

Iloilo province and its city ranks as one of the country's foremost centers of culture, industry and trade. A 45-minute flight from Manila, Iloilo has stretches of breathtaking, unpolluted seaside communities and beach resorts. Scuba diving, swimming and snorkeling can be done in perfection in the islands of Guimaras and Sicogon as its underwater seascape are one of the most undisturbed in the country.

Other sports to be tried are windsurfing, yachting or just plain beachcombing. Iloilo is also a place to see spectacular structure as evident in the period churches and century-old houses. The Miag-ao Fortress Church is a grand example of a medieval bastion church with ornate floral designs on the facade.

Iloilo province is primarily the commercial and trade center of Western Visayas, with commercial, industrial development and rural banks, financial and investment houses, insurance companies, and real estate agencies and developers. Nevertheless, agriculture is the province's main source of livelihood. In fact Iloilo's production of rice, sugar and mango has made it one of the country's top agricultural producers.

Iloilo is a trove of historical sites. Tour the province's famous sunset strip, Fort San Pedro or the flower-decked La Villa Rica de Arevalo, site of the Hispanic governance. Or one can visit another historical landmark, Plaza Libertad in the central city district where the flag of the Philippine revolutionaries was first raised upon Spain's final surrender.

Old paintings, tapestries, furniture and memorabilia may be viewed in the Museo Iloilo and also in private galleries deeo in the heart of the city.

It's famous Dinagyang festival, a local mardi gras, held every January in honor of the Infant Jesus is a major tourist attraction. Another event Iloilo is known for is the Paraw Regatta which is participated in by local and foreign sportsmen.

[whyte]

Establishment Address / Telephone No. / Email Address

1. Barcelo Sarabia Manor Hotel (First Class) Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City / 335-1021 / smxhotel@iloilo.net

2. Hotel del Rio (Standard Class) M.H. del Pilar St., Molo Iloilo City / 335-1171 to 76 hdelrio@iloilo.net

3. Amigo Terrace Hotel (First Class) Iznart-Delgado Sts. Iloilo City / 335-0908 / amigo@iloilo.net

4. The Residence Hotel (Standard Class) Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City / 337-2454 (FAX)

5. River Queen Hotel (Economy Class) Bonifacio Drive, Iloilo City / 337-6667

6. Castle Hotel (Economy Class) Bonifacio Drive, Iloilo City / 338-10-21

7. Chito's Iloilo Penn (Economy Class) 130 De Leon St., Iloilo City / 337-6415 / chitoshotel@yahoo.com

8. Iloilo Midtown Hotel (Economy Class) Yulo St., Iloilo City / 335-0215/
midtownhotel@iloilo.worldtelphil.com

9. La Fiesta Hotel (Standard Class) M.H. Del Pilar St., Molo, Iloilo City / 338-0044 / lafiesta@iloilo.net

10. Harbor Town Hotel (Economy Class) J.M. Basa-Aldeguer Sts., Iloilo City / 337-2384 / harborth@iloilo.worldtelphil.com

11. Days Hotel (First Class) Bonifacio-Gen. Luna Sts., Iloilo City / 337-3297 / days@skyinet.net

12. Four Seasons Hotel (Standard Class) Fuentes-Delgado Sts., Iloilo City / 336-1070 / 4season@iloilo.hapenet.org

13. Chateau Angelique (Economy Class) 39 Arguelles St., Jaro, Iloilo City / 329-0240 to 44 / cahotel@iloilo.worldtelphil.com

14. Centennial Plaza Hotel (Standard Class) Jalandoni St., Iloilo City / 337-2277 / cenplaza@i-iloilo.com.ph

15. Fine Rock Hotel (Economy Class) Jalandoni St., Iloilo City / 336-9075

16. Jaro Bellevue Pensionne (Economy Class) Carter West Centre, Lopez-Jaena St.
Jaro, Iloilo City / 320-9521 to 23

[kicking_pinay]

guys guys salamat **** sa info!!! pasalubungan ko kayo ng mangga!!! post ko na lang dito *joke* tnx ha!!!! mwah mwah!!

[Leigh]

kicking_pinay - i was there during the Dinagyang Festival. It was really a great experience. Took the bus from Boracay to Iloilo.

For a 4 day 3 night stay, you'll probably spend around P8,000. Sobrang mura ng food doon! 8k is actually high already.

Food is great, sobrang mura pa. Ted's is a must try. Breakwater, and Tatoy' serve good and fresh seafood.

Churches are the best!!! Molo, Tigbauan, Miag-ao...If you don't have a car, you can just take the jeepney and just go down when you see a church. Better start early in the morning

You should also visit Guimaras ( i didn't have time to do that anymore) but maybe next time.

[whyte]

its BREAKTHROUGH, miss Leigh
try their GRILLED SCALLOPS

i was also there last DINAGYANG. pero watched it only on TV
FYI, ninong ko yung isa sa mga "top persons" sa dinagyang
si PGMA ang nagaward sa winners.
our town (sta.barbara)won in the KASADYAHAN festival for the 3rd straight year yata.

[sabine92575]

yup, tatoy's is superb... for a great la paz batchoy, go to ted's...


whyte - thanks for posting our website story here. :-) would have to revise that one soon coz daming kulang na info :-(

[whyte]

kulang pa ba
dagdag mo kung anong pasalubong ang binili niyo dun.
TEDs is the BATCHOYAN of ILOILO.
pero NATS is very generous sa toppings. cant be sure now pero dati ganun.

ang Iloilo if you want to visit churches.

[kicking_pinay]

naku sobra sobra naaaaaaaaaaa!!! salamat sa lahat!!!!!!!!! parang time ko yata ang kulang hehehe...after ilo, balik ako ng manila, tapos punta ko ng davao, pero barko lang uli. baka mag mega value lang ako..

[Chase_Meridian]

Try JO's INATO. I LOOOOVE their buco halo.

[kicking_pinay]

chase_meridian, na try ko na na ang buco halo, merong jo's inato sa may visayas avenue. sarap nga!!!!!

[whyte]

yup. JO's Inato is NOt a "native" of Iloilo its from DUMAGUETE yata.

agree! ang sarap ng buco halo nila. thats of course not ocunting their chicken na para yatang alaga ni san pedro

dati P40 lang yata ang buco halo. ewan ko ngayon. may JO'S nga dito sa manila sa visyas ave as pointed above.

in iloilo marami na ring CHICKEN resto with catchy names like CHICKEN NENE pero Jo's still stands out.

guimaras is still an undiscvoered paradise. hopefully you can "uncover". sana magkatulay na ang panay-guimaras.