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Located in Pan de Azucar island, Mt. Manaphag or more popularly called Mt. Pan de Azucar is the most commanding landmark in Concepcion. According to legend, a giant named Toya used to inhabit the summit of Manaphag. Toya takes a bath in a lagoon on the summit, using for a scoop the shell of a gigantic manlot or clam. It is also home to white-breasted hawks and a community of wild monkeys.
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The islands of Concepcion, Iloilo as seen from the white sand beach of Agho Island

The busy City of Iloilo with the Island of Guimaras off its Coast.

Iloilo has always been one of the country’s most important provinces. Merchants from China and India have long traded with the Ilonggos even before the Spaniards came; evidences of this flourishing civilization are displayed in Museums and Private Galleries.

Museo Iloilo serves as a repository of Iloilo’s cultural heritage.

Even during the Spanish and American colonial period, Iloilo still proved to be an important trading post. Iloilo has a beautiful harbor with serene and calm waters, safe for navigation because it is protected from the open sea by scenic Guimaras Island. This excellent port facility made Iloilo the center of trade at the turn of the century, with the whole world doing business in this port especially during the heyday of the sugar industry. In fact, Iloilo was given the title of “Queen City of the South” for being the Philippine’s second city, after Manila.

You can still see the old buildings that surprisingly are European and American inspired such as stately mansions, majestic century-old churches, and heritage commercial buildings.

The Iloilo Customs House watches over Iloilo’s River Wharf. The building is a remnant of Iloilo’s glorious past

The Miagao Church is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO

Iloilo’s rich heritage is showcased in multifarious festivals celebrated in the city and various towns of the province. Dubbed as the “Province of Festivals“, Iloilo is proud of its nationally acclaimed Dinagyang Festival, together with smaller but similarly riveting festivities in the province, blends the pagan and the Christian in a street dance masquerade honoring Sto. Nino.

The famous Dinagyang Festival is held every 4th week of January

Iloilo is endowed with natural wonders. Highland attractions from the cascades and waterfalls of the mountains of Iloilo to rice terraces and heights in its hinderlands. Worth visiting are various islands and islets of Iloilo that abound with white sand beaches and ornamented with tropical palms. Experience breezy fun while on an island hopping getaway. Explorations in Iloilo’s northern coast such as the myterious caves of Gigantes island and the sea charms of Sicogon and nearby islets, as well as the splendid silhouette of Pan de Azucar in Concepcion town herald quaint stories and enchanting folklores.

Agho Island, one of Concepcion town’s 16 islands, with the towering Pan de Azucar in the background

Rice terraces and lush mountains of Bucari, Leon

Iloilo takes pride in being the Food basket and Rice Granary of the Region owing to its fertile lands and seas that yield plentiful harvest. Rice is the major crop in the province of Iloilo. Fish and marine products are considered the main source of livelihood in the southern and northern Iloilo. Tourists will find many restaurants offering a gastronomic treat of fresh sea foods and famous Ilonggo dishes such as La Paz Batchoy, Chicken Inasal, and Pancit Molo.

The La Paz Batchoy, which originated from La Paz District of Iloilo City, is an Ilonggo dish that has achieved nation-wide popularity.

Iloilo is a fast-growing modern city but has kept its old charm and unspoiled environment. Today, Iloilo is a popular convention and meeting destination, with its many first class accommodations and New Airport of International standards. Tourists will find sprawling malls scattered across the city wherein they can replenish supplies as well as their energies for the hectic sand-and-water environment that are soon to follow. Hotels and restaurants abound; a world-class golf course is located just outside the city proper in Sta. Barbara.

Bars, Restaurants, Clubs, Hotels, and Coffee Shops line “Smallville“, Iloilo’s most popular night spot

The Santa Barbara Golf Course located 30 minutes from the city is the oldest Golf Course in South East Asia

Iloilo serves as the gateway to the region. It is a stopover for tourists heading to the beaches of Boracay and Palawan and the nearby provinces of Guimaras, Antique, Capiz, and Aklan.

Iloilo boasts of a new airport, considered as one of the most beautiful and modern in the country

Ilonggos travel daily to Guimaras as if it was next door, and so with Guimarasnons to Iloilo. The trip across the strait taken only 15 minutes on a smooth sailing pumpboat, or 25 minutes by barge if you are bringing your vehicle.

Guimaras is a popular weekend destination because of its white sand beaches, tranquil waters, and peaceful countrysides

People from Iloilo are called Ilonggos. They are known for their charm and sweetness that comes from the musical tonation of their dialect, Hiligaynon. You would not be able to tell if an Ilonggo is mad at you by the way they speak, which always sounds like some one crooning a love song to you. Kiniray-a, which is a dialect very similar to Hiligaynon is used in Iloilo’s countrysides. English and Tagalog are also widely spoken and understood especially in urban areas.

A nightshot of General Luna St., one of Iloilo’s major roads

Metro Iloilo-Guimaras or MIG is a metropolitan area encompassing the highly urbanized city of Iloilo City, nearby towns, island of Guimaras. Guimaras Province assumes the role of agri-eco-tourism center; Pavia as the agro-industrial center, Leganes as the center for light industries, San Miguel as the agricultural basket, Oton as the dormitory and Sta. Barbara as the international air travel gateway. Iloilo City will remain as the residential, financial, commercial, governance and educational hub not only for Guimaras Island and the five satellite municipalities but also for the entire Region VI.

A busy sunset rush hour with Iloilo City’s old structures “woven” into a modern lifestyle.

Source: Department of Tourism – Western Visayas, Wikipedia, Iloilo Province Official Website, Iloilo City Official Website
Iloilo Province Brochure by Bombette Marin, Iloilo Provincial Tourism Officer.

1. bato sumpit hidden falls ( brgy. igtubli )
2. bato simbahan falls ( brgy. igtubli )
3. bato simbahan falls upper level ( brgy. igtubli )
4. bato simbahan twin falls ( brgy. igtubli )
5. bato simbahan central level falls ( brgy. igtubli )
6. bato simbahan lower level falls ( brgy. igtubli )
7. labay falls upper level ( brgy. igtubli )
8. labay falls lower cascade ( brgy. igtubli )
9. labay falls underground ( brgy. igtubli )
10. linaw jose ( brgy. igpajo )
11. bugsokan falls ( brgy. igpajo )
12. linaw gangaan ( brgy. igpajo )
13. lomboy falls ( brgy. igpajo )
14. linaw kanor ( brgy. igpajo )
15. linaw kadi ( brgy. igpajo )
16. linaw swela ( brgy. igpajo )
17. linaw lihidan ( brgy. igpajo )
18. kipot falls ( brgy. igpajo )
19. busay lindasan ( brgy. igpajo )
20. lingalan falls ( brgy. igpajo )
21. sinundoan falls ( brgy. igpajo )

Antique Province location map

Iloilo and Aklan are the gateways to Antique by land. It is also accessible from Palawan, Manila, Romblon, and Mindoro by sea. Buses and Vans bound for San Jose and Libertad are stationed at the terminal in Molo District, Iloilo City. Transportion time from Iloilo City to the capital San Jose is 3 hours.

Provincial Capitol of Antique in San Jose

Highland destinations abound in the long stretch of Mountain ranges that divide Antique from the rest of Panay island. Mt. Madia-as in Culasi is a dormant volcano with lakes and 14 waterfalls. It is said to be the legendary home of Bulalakaw, the supreme god of the ancients and beckons as a challenge for hikers and trekkers.

Mountain landscapes in Barbaza

For the more aventurous, climbing Mt. Nangtud, considered as the highest peak in Panay, offers a great view and the experience of discovering unexplored sights. The rugged and varied land of Antique offers visitors a variety of exciting outdoor activities from white water kayaking and white river rafting in the northern town of Tibiao to rexaling in Sira-an Hot Springs of Anini-y, Antique’s southernmost town.

Refreshing Waterfalls of Camp Eupre in Barbaza

Antique got its tagline “Where the mountains meet the sea” because of the relatively short distance between its mountains and its coast, which lies parallel to it. Just like its highland attractions, there’s absolutely a lot to explore in Antique’s long coastal area aside from providing an unobstructed view of the sunset. On the souhern most tip of Antique is Nogas Island, an uninhabited 26-hectare marine and bird sanctuary.

Picturesque Sunset in Antique

Batbat and Punta Coral Reefs in Barbaza and Seco Island in Tibiao feature unparalleled wonders of marine life. Antique’s best kept secret though is the Caluya group of islands, with nautral beauty and resources that can easily compete with what the world famous Boracay can offer. Tourists that can bear the 3 hour travel to Caluya are rewarded with white, powdery sand beaches surrounded with pristine waters and diverse species of marine life that have not yet been touched with commercialism.

White sand beaches of Caluya

Unspoilt island landscape of Caluya

Another attraction in Antique is its historical sights. The Catholic Church holds a very strong influence on Antiqueños. For centuries, the churches were the physical vanguards of the people. Being a coastal province, and having been vulnerable to attacks by Moro raiders, Antique was guarded by a series of watchtowers, like the ‘Old Watchtower’ in Libertad and Estaca Hill in Bugasong all of which were built under the direction of the Spanish friars. A lot of these heritage structures still stand as a reminder of Antique’s history and culture.

Old Church Ruins in Brgy. San Pedro, San Jose

According to oral history, related as the legend of Maragtas, Antique is believed to be the landing site of ten Bornean Datus who escaped persecution from Sri-Vishaya, a Hindu-Malay empire that existed at that time in Borneo and Sumatra. There they met the Negrito/Ati (earliest settlers of Panay) chieftain Marikudo. They bought the island from the chieftain for a golden saduk (headpiece or helmet), and a golden necklace, among other gifts, the event is known as the “Barter of Panay”. The Negritos then retreated to the mountains, while the Borneans settled in the lowlands. Today, the landing is commemorated every year in Antique in the Binirayan festival on the month of April with highlights on April 27 to 29.

Antique’s Booth in the Fiesta of the City of SM City Iloilo

The Antiqueños are noted for their industry. They are renowned weavers through out the Visayas. The Bugasong patadyong, a tube cotton fabric of plaid design, is highly valued because of its fineness of weaving. Piña cloth is also produced in looms throughout the province. Wine manufactured from the sap of the coconut is a cottage industry. Muscovado sugar production is also a big industry in Antique, which has become an attraction of sorts because of Antique’s native delicacies derived from muscovado sugar.

Native Muscovado Delicacies of Antique

Most people of Antique can speak and understand English. They also have developed their own distinct language called Kinaray-a. This dialect is of Austronesian origins characterized by the predominancy of r’s and schwa sounds spoken with a lilting gentle intonation.

Source: Wikipedia, Department of Tourism Region VI

Negros Occidental Location Map

Negros Occidental is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Bacolod City and occupies at the northwestern half of Negros island; Negros Oriental is at the southeastern half. Across the Panay Gulf and the Guimaras Strait to the northwest is the island-province of Guimaras and the province of Iloilo on Panay island.

Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol

At the turn of the century, the City of Silay was then known as the “Paris of Negros” – the center of arts and culture in the Province. Silay has been declared as a “living city museum” on the Philippines and one of the 25 anchor tourist destinations in the country.

Heritage Buildings in Silay City

The Negrense countryside is characterized mainly by the scenery provided by sugarcane plantations – the lifeblood of the negros economy. Go north of Bacolod and visit the Victorias Milling Company, one of the lagest sugar mills in the world or south where a visit to Bago will enable you a glimpse of the ruins of an ancient sugar mill or a ride in a vintage train that was once used to transport volumes of Sugar in Negros Occidental.

Sugarcane fields in Negros Occidental

At the highlands of Negros Occidental is a thick cover of rainforests that shroud the mountains with wonderful sights and a allure of mysticism. The whole island is capped by Mt. Kanlaon – the “sacred” volcano of his island. Murcia is a popular tourist destination because of the Mambukal Resort, where visitors can take a dip in its 7 waterfalls, swimming pools, or natural hot springs. There also also numerous other highland destinations in Negros that tourists can explore like Patag in Silay, Kipot Twin Falls in Bago, Mag-aso falls in Kabankalan among others.

Waterfalls in Patag , Silay City

At the northernmost and southern most points of Negros are its beach and island destinations. In the north, Sagay is home to an vast marine reserve called carbin reef and Cadiz has many excellent resorts. In the south, there’s Sipalay, which attracts a growing number of local and foreign tourists because of its white sand beaches and pristine waters.

Mag-aso Falls in Kabankalan

Most residents are of Austronesian heritage. Residents of Negros are called “Negrenses”. Negros Occidental is predominantly a Hiligaynon-speaking province. However, on the east coast of the island (Negros Oriental), facing Cebu Island, a few cities and towns are Cebuano-speaking. English is widely spoken in both sides of the island.

Bacolod, the capital of Negros Occidental, is one of the major urban centers in the Philippines

Source: Wikipedia, Negros Occidental Provincial Tourism Office

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