Explore Iloilo » ruins

Marbuena Island Resort

Marcos — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 04:00:23 +0000

The unspoiled paradise islands and white sand beaches that dot the northern part of Iloilo are slowly gaining the attention of a growing number of tourists. A common concern of there potential tourists is that there are little to no accommodations if they wish to visit these sought after parts of the province. Fortunately, they can now have the choice of spending a relaxing weekend getaway at Marbuena Island resort, a charming full featured island resort blessed with a white sand beach, azure blue waters, great islandscape panoramic views, excellent facilities, and a whole lot of nature’s surprises and discoveries.

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Antique, Philippines

Marcos — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:19:42 +0000

Allow yourself some enchantment and adventure. Visit Antique, historic land of the Binirayan festival, majestic mountains, cascading waterfalls, white beaches, rich fishing grounds and white water kayaking. Antique is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is San Jose and is located at the western portion of Panay Island, bordering Aklan, Capiz, and Iloilo to the east. Antique faces the Sulu Sea to the west.

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 AntiqueÃ±os. 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, Philippines

Marcos — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:14:52 +0000

Experience a happy blending of cosmopolitan and rustic lifestyle in Negros Occidental, the sugar capital of the country. Celebrate nature’s blessings: waterfalls, caves, mountains, rivers, springs and valleys. Go hiking and camping, fishing and angling, scubadiving and snorkeling, mountain biking and sky diving with guidance from reliable locals.

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

San Joaquin Church: A Cultural Gem of the Philippines

Marcos — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 07:00:45 +0000

The militaristic motif of the San Joaquin Church distinguishes itself from other churches in the Country. Carved on a disproportionately large pediment on the church’s facade is an intricate sculptural relief depicting the Spanish victory over Moroccan forces in the Battle of Tetuan.

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Miagao Cemetery: A heritage destination

Marcos — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 07:00:38 +0000

The Miagao cemetery located at Bgy. Baybay Norte (formerly Cota Baybay) houses an exceptional capilla or funerary chapel. In olden times, masses were held here on All Saint’s Day, Sundays and other important feast days.

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Igbaras Church Ruins: A window to the past

Marcos — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 07:00:15 +0000

The glorious old Church of Igbaras lie in ruins beside the town’s new church. Built in 1878, the old limestone church of Igbaras used to have a big convent and was one of the longest churches in Iloilo. Read the rest of Igbaras Church Ruins: A window to the past (One comment)

Calle Real de Iloilo

habagatcentral — Tue, 29 May 2007 07:00:21 +0000

Time stood still amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown traffic of modernity. Decades old establishments still stand against the test of time, reflecting the glorious days of commerce and trade of what was then, the Queen City of the South.Read the rest of Calle Real de Iloilo (8 comments)

Guisi Beach and Lighthouse in Guimaras

Marcos — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 15:53:45 +0000

Visitors to Guisi Beach and Lighthouseare rewarded with beautiful island seascapes of Guimaras and the charm of its heritage. Situated at the southwestern coast of Guimaras, Guisi Beach is blessed with golden-yellow sand, emerald green waters, stunning rock formations, and an 18th century Spanish-colonial lighthouse. The beach sits in a natural enclave, which is protected from harsh sea currents and strong winds. The sand in Guisi might not be perfectly white or fine but its alluring waters and rugged coastline more than make up for it.

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Leon Church

Marcos — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 12:09:36 +0000

The Neo-classical styled Leon Church stands in front of a beautiful and well-maintained plaza. It was planned to be one of Iloilo’s biggest and grandest church but for some reason it was left unfinished. Read the rest of Leon Church (11 comments)

Janiuay Church Ruins

Marcos — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 11:27:34 +0000

The old structure of the Janiuay Church, destroyed during World War II. It was built between 1830 to 1871. The ruins of the old church of Janiuay is located right beside its new church.Read the rest of Janiuay Church Ruins (7 comments)