You can now get to see actual buildings in selected areas of Panay Island through Google Earth, which has recently released high-resolution images of the island. Google Earth is a free virtual globe application, where you can tour around the world and see satellite images of places. About 2 days ago, Google Earth released the hi-res images for Iloilo City, Guimaras (Jordan, Sibunag, San Lorenzo), Aklan (Kalibo), Antique (Pandan, Hamtik, Sibalom, San Jose), and also Negros Occidetnal (Moises de Padilla, Isabela, Murcia and La Carlota). Having high-resolution images mean that you can see buildings, houses, and even cars on the road.

Patches of high-resolution images of Western Visayas on Google Earth
Here’s the Google Earth satellite image, some are a bit outdated since they were taken a few years ago.
Iloilo City
Jordan, Sibunag, San Lorenzo in Guimaras
Hamtik, Sibalom, and some parts of San Jose in Antique
Pandan in Antique
Moises de Padilla and Isabela in Negros Occidental
Some parts of Murcia and La Carlota in Negros Occidental
More in depth pictures of hi-res Google Earth satellite images coming up in a photo series.
Baras Beach Resort is a great island hideaway in Guimaras. Hidden in a sheltered inlet, it’s the perfect place to take a relaxing break from the fast paced city life. Upon entering the bay, you will see several cottages built with inspirations of Indonesian architecture each hovering on the coast overlooking the sea and surrounded by verdant foliage.


Table tennis, Pool Table, Darts, Volleyball, Basketball, Dinghy Rowing and Canoe Paddling are available free of charge in Baras Beach Resort. You can take one of the boats around the bay and snorkel around the coral gardens near the coast.


Visitors can hire a pumpboat in Baras Beach Resort for a tour around interesting places to explore like caves, interesting coral formations, a turtle sanctuary in turtle island, SEAFDEC Research Station, Taklong Island Marine Reserve, Pulang Pasayan, Natago Beach Resort, and Isla Naburot.

One of the turtles in Turtle Island
Baras Beach Resort has a total of 10 cottages with rates starting at only P700. Each cottage can accommodate two to six persons and the resort can hold a total of 30 pax. The jump-off point to Baras Beach Resort is in Alubihod Bay in Brgy. Poblacion, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, which is just 15 minutes away by pumpboat or motorized outrigger.When planning to go to Baras Beach Resort, it is important to inform the resort of your arrival so that they can prepare the transportation and accommodation.


Contact Details:
Baras Beach Resort
Contact Person: Mike Araneta, Resort Owner
Mobile: 09102101768
GUIMARAS ISLAND—The country’s tourism industry is expected to sustain its growth despite the growing impact of the economic recession in the United States and the global rice supply crisis, according to Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano. Continue Reading »

Find out the latest population levels in Iloilo. The data is based from the 2007 Population Census recently released by the National Statistics Office (NSO). Listed here are demographic information of Iloilo including 2007 population levels, annual population growth rate (2000-2007), projected 2008 population level, and population density (persons per square kilometers). Here are the 2007 Population Census data:
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For the second time, popular ABS CBN morning talk show Boy&Kris featured Iloilo and Guimaras on their episode, which was aired on February 3, 2007. Since the first episode was able to showcase the many places of interest in Iloilo, the second episode featured more on the popular and note-worthy Ilonggo personalities. The show also displayed many of Guimaras’ tourist attractions including their top attraction, the Guimaras mango, touted as the sweetest mango in the world.
Many thanks to jinzer08 for uploading the videos on youtube, here they are:
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Built in 1880, the Navalas Church is the oldest roman catholic church and the only existing heritage church in the Island of Guimaras. Continue Reading »

The Trappist Monastery grounds is a peaceful and sacred enclave in Guimaras run by monks of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance. These monks follow the rule of St. Benedict and are best known for the extreme austerity or strictness that characterizes their discipline. Continue Reading »