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“); } ?>The culture of the town of Tigbauan reflects a society with diverse influences and traditions. And to express this cultural richness, Saludan a cultural festivity was organized to showcase the town’s distinct traditional activity in a celebration of dance and music. Continue Reading »
The much-awaited report of the 9th Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) on the planned construction of the P350 million Capitol Convention Center is finally ready. Yet before any public disclosure is made, a closed-door conference will be held today in a pre-session discussion. Called by Third District Board Member Arthur Defensor Jr., Chairman of the SP Committee of the Whole, notices were officially sent out yesterday afternoon by SP Secretary Lorenzo Tubola. Read more »
A ship docks at one of Concepcion’s white sand beaches overlooking unqiue land formations
The town of Concepcion is blessed with one of the most scenic seascapes in the whole province. Forming a safe natural harbor for Concepcion Bay, are 16 islands connected by azure waters and rich marine life.
Brgy. Bucari, located in the mountains of Leon, is known as Iloilo’s little Baguio because of the cool climate and highland attractions that most people tag with places found in the northern part of the country such as Baguio and even Benguet. But unlike what is currently happening to those places, Bucari is still much endowed with verdant landscapes, tall pine trees, pristine springs, and even bountiful harvests from its rice terraces.
An impressive collection of Iloilo’s cultural heritage which includes stone age native pottery; fossils; jewelry; burial sites; trade pottery from China, Annam and Siam; era photos. Mementos and war relics; a British sunken ship; Spanish-era Filipino sculpture; and modern art done by Ilonggo artists and craftmen.
Most of Iloilo’s attractions are its old buildings and churches, which are a reminder of Iloilo’s rich history, cultural, affluence. Food is also another thing that Iloilo is known for. Destinations in the City of Iloilo can be conveniently accessed by jeepney, taxi, or private vehicle. Though, most of the sights, especially in the city proper, are within walking distance from each other. Asking for directions will not be a problem because Ilonggos are generally friendly and helpful.
Plaza Libertad (Downtown) - Where the flag of the First Philippine Republic was raised in triumph after Spain surrendered Iloilo, her last capital in the Philippine Islands.
Old Buildings in Calle Real (J.M. Basa - Iznart Sts.) - Calle Real is the manifestation of Iloilo’s glorious past. The street itself is a museum of old edifices that survived the onslaught of war, elements and time.
Muelle Loney or Iloilo River Wharf (Muelle Loney St.) - Muelle Loney (pronounced as Mool-ye) refers to Iloilo’s River Wharf. It played a central-role in the birth of the prosperous sugar industry of the Visayas during the 1800s to 1900s.
Fort San Pedro (General Hughes Highway) - Fort San Pedro built between 1603 and 1616, played a significant role in the history of Iloilo. It represents the heritage of Ilonggos during the colonial period.
Museo Iloilo (Bonifacio Drive) - Museo Iloilo is the first gov’t sponsored museum outside Metro Manila. It is a great place to explore Iloilo’s history through its impressive collection of Iloilo’s cultural heritage
Iloilo Customs House or Aduana (Muelle Loney St.) - Also called as Iloilo’s “Aduana”, the Customs Building in Iloilo was built during the American colonial period. It is the second biggest Customs House after Manila’s.
Jaro Cemetery - Jaro is the most prominent of Iloilo’s districts. In fact, it was once a separate “cuidad” or city. It was in Jaro where the first millionaire’s row in the country was located since it is where the most influential Ilonggo families lived. It was also in Jaro where they buried their dead.
Smallville - Smallville is a popular night spot in Iloilo. Within the compound is a hotel, the Iloilo Business Hotel, and within walking distance is a row of clubs, bars, restaurants, and coffee shops.
SM City Iloilo - SM City is the biggest and most popular mall in Iloilo City. It’s a great place to shop or just spend some away from the topical heat outside.
Arevalo Church - The church of “La Villa de Arevalo” or just “Arevalo” is named after Santo Niño, the representation of the Child Jesus. The 3rd oldest Santo Niño in the Philippines dating back to 1581 is housed in the Arevalo Church.
Molo Church - the Molo Church is one of the most familiar landmarks of Iloilo. Built in 1831, the church stands as a reminder of Iloilo’s rich history and a monument for Ilonggo artistry.
La Paz Batchoy - Chowing down the steaming broth of La Paz Batchoy will surely stimulate and liven up your senses. This noodle soup, garnished with pork innards, crushed pork cracklings, vegetables, shrimp, chicken breast or beef loin, shrimp broth, chicken stock and round noodles or miki.Southern Iloilo is mostly composed of coastal towns characterized by a long stretch of grey sand beaches while the interior towns are dominated by hilly to mountainous terrain. You can catch a jeep going to Southern Iloilo towns in the Iloilo Terminal Market (located in the City Proper, right beside Robinsons Place), in front of Iloilo Supermart - Molo Branch (at one corner of Molo District Public Plaza), or in Mohon Terminal in Oton.
Oton Church - Oton church, the blending of a Greek or Byzantine plan with Gothic and Classic elements, was one one of the architectural achievements of the colonial period.
Tigbauan Church - The Tigbauan Church is unique in the country because of its Latin American churriquesque architecture. It has one of the most beautiful modern-type interiors made up of colorful stone murals.
Moro Watchtower / Bantayan - built to watch the coast of Guimbal from possible marauders, who used to foray in the town of Guimbal. The watchtowers stand as a symbol of the bravery and heroism of the people of Guimbal.
Guimbal Church - The Guimbal Church is one of the oldest churches in the country. This yellow sandstone church is made made from adobe stones called igang and coral stones quarried from Guimaras. It was built in 1774 by Father Campos.
Guimbal Steel Bridge - Constructed during the American period. The construction was ordered by US President Roosevelt. It is approximately 0.350 kilometers long and made of Pittsburgh Steel, which were imported from Virginia, USA.
RACSOS Woodland Resort - RACSOS Wildlife Resort and Mini-hotel is the only wildlife resort in Western Visayas. It is located along the highway, in Rizal-Tiguisan, Guimbal, Iloilo.
Tubungan Church - The ruined belfry was reconstructed and the facade was restored. Like Leon, the church is a graceful example of Romanesque architecture. The belfry on the other hand is a three-storey Neoclassic structure. the yellowish color of the church enhances its antique beauty.
Nadsadjan Falls - Nadsadjan Falls is a famous tourist destination in Igbaras. Its cool and fresh Prussians blue waters attracts foreign and local tourists every year.
Igbaras Church Ruins - 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.
Miagao Church - The creative and aesthetic abilities of Spanish colonizers are reflected in many colonial churches in the Philippines. This is especially true in Miagao Church - a world-renowned religious structure now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Kota Wachtower - Located in Bgy. Baybay Norte (Poblacion, Miagao, Iloilo Province) a short walk from the poblacion, the Kuta Watchtower was constructed with the same materials as the Roman Catholic church of Miagao.
San Joaquin Church - 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.
San Joaquin Cemetery - Built at the twilight of Spanish rule, San Joaquin cemetery was initiated by Fray Mariano Vamba, the last Augustinian parish priest of the town. Terraced stone steps culminate at the cemetery’s crowning glory—its capilla, sumptuously decorated with stone carvings of a distinct floral and leaf pattern.South Central Iloilo is composed of Alimodian, Leon, and San Miguel. The three towns are often referred to as “ALEOSAN.” Jeepneys going to ALEOSAN can be found at the Jaro Big Market (also referred to as Desamparados)
Leon Church - 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.
Bucari and Imoy Falls - Brgy. Bucari, located in the mountains of Leon, is known as Iloilo’s little Baguio because of the cool climate and highland attractions that most people tag with places found in the northern part of the country such as Baguio and even Benguet.West Central Iloilo is characterized by a predominantly agro-industrial economy. The towns offer different kinds of attractions from an industrial estate, recreational centers, to waterfalls and a mountain lake. A similarity they have is their centuries old churches, which not only serve as a place of worship but also a tourist attraction of sorts. West Central Iloilo can be accessed by riding a jeepney in Ungka Terminal in Jaro District (located in front of Christ the King Cemetery).
Santa Barbara Church and Convent - In 1991, the National Heritage Institute declared the Santa Barbara Church and Convent as a National Landmark. The declaration is a testimony of the significance of the Church especially its important role in the Country’s history as the general headquarters and military hospital of the revolutionary forces against Spain in the Visayas during the late 1800s.
New Iloilo Airport - The new airport of Iloilo (IATA: ILO, ICAO: RPVI) is located approximately 19 kilometers or 30 minutes from Iloilo City, specifically in Barangay Duyan-Duyan in the central town of Cabatuan. 3 airlines namely Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and Air Philippines serve the New Iloilo Airport with regular trips to Manila and Cebu.
Santa Barbara Dam - The first gravity irrigation dam in Iloilo was built in Santa Barbara in 1921 during the Commonwealth period.
Cabatuan Church - The only church in Iloilo which once had three facades and six belfries, in spite of this, four of these belfries were destroyed in the 1948 earthquake.The Church which is Tuscan in style imposes heaviness and massiveness.
Cabatuan Catholic Cemetery - Built of gray stone, the Cabatuan cemetery was built by Fr. Juan Porras and was blessed on 4 February 1894. It is the only extant Spanish cemetery in the Philippines that is a perfect square.
Tinuom of Cabatuan - Cabatuan’s signature dish. Infact its festival is named after Tinuom
Janiuay Church - 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.
Janiuay Cemetery - Inaugurated in 1884, Janiuay cemetery was hailed as the most artistic cemetery in the Philippines. In fact, it was once featured in the National Geographic Magazine.
Yamato International School - The Yamato International School is a private school located in the town of Lambunao.
Marikudo Hills - During Good Friday in the Municipality of Calinog, the “Paghukom” is held. Paghukom or “judgment,” commemorates the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Calinog Church - Formerly called Binocsucan, Calinog was founded in 1742. The facade is similar with the facades of the churches in the northernmost part of Iloilo, the only departure of this church from its “alikes” are the belfriesEast Central Iloilo is a mix of coastal and inland towns. The inland towns are the big rice producing towns in Iloilo except for Passi City, which is known for its Sugar Industry while the coastal town of Dumangas is characterized by hectares of fishponds and saltbeds. East Central Iloilo towns can be accessed by riding a jeep in Tagbak Terminal in Jaro (also called Nothern Iloilo Terminal because it services northern bound jeepneys and buses including those going to other provines like Capiz and Aklan).
Dumangas Church - First stone church in Panay was seen in Dumangas and their present church of “St Augustine” which was constructed in 1887, made of gothic architecture and was one of the most artistic/elegant kind in the whole Philippines.
Barotac Nuevo Roman Catholic Church - The Barotac Church, also called as the St. Anthony of Padua Church, was constructed in the 16th Century by Spanish Missionaries. It is a Neo-classical church that has Roman arches.
Dingle Church - The Dingle Catholic Church was built in 1886. This church of Baroquial style is made of limestone from Bulabog Mountain, painstakingly carried by the early parishioners through narrow, steep and dangerous trails to the present site.
Moro Boro Dam - The Moroboro irrigation dam was constructed in 1955. It serves two main channels in which diversion of water from the Jala-ur River is controlled in the central part by thirteen gates.
Moro Boro Suspension Bridge - Provides tourists an interesting sight to visit and allows them a great vantage point of the Jala-ur River and the Moroboro (Jala-ur) Irrigation Dam.
Duenas Church - The Duenas Church, hardly ever talked about or mentioned in books, is one of Iloilo’s finest examples of Baroque Architecture.
Passi Church - Founded in 1584, Passi is now a chartered city in the Province of Iloilo. It is authentic that Passi City had the most colorful people in the island, the Pintados.Northern Iloilo is the most distinct from other places in Iloilo. Unlike Southern Iloilo, the coast of Northern Iloilo is dotted with islands bordered by white sand beaches and blue waters. Iloilo’s seafood industry is mostly concentrated in these parts because of its rich marine resources. Nothern Iloilo towns can be accessed by riding a Bus or Jeepney in Tagbak Terminal (also called Northern Iloilo Terminal) in Jaro District.
Mt. Manaphag or Mt. Pan de Azucar - Located in Pan de Azucar island (”Sugar loaf”), it is the most commanding landmark in Concepcion. According to legend, a giant named Toya used to inhabit the summit of Manaphag.
Bulubadiangan Island or Sandbar Island Beach Resort - A unique feature of the island is the shifting white sandbar, which would shift from left to right depending on the direction of the wind.
Agho Island - The privately owned eight-hectare island has an extensive white sand beach area and a sprawling coral garden.
Concepcion’s Islands - 16 hidden gems in Iloilo - The islands of Concepcion are highland masses except Baliguian. They appear as half-drowned mountains jutting out from the sea and manifested by sedimentary rocks.
Iloilo is a province of the Philippines, located in the center of the Philippine archipelago. The province comprises the southeastern part of Panay Island with island-province of Guimaras just across its coast. The capital city of the province of Iloilo is the City of Iloilo, which is also one of the major urban centers in the Philippines
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 infamous 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, Aklan, Bacolod City, and Negros Occidental.
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
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