Sign in with Facebook- Join for free
- Sign In
Sign in with FacebookTop Iloilo City hotels
Panay Island is known as the Seafood Capital of the Philippines and the whole region, of which Iloilo City is included, has many seafood restaurants and stalls that offer a dizzying variety of local seafoods, both freshly caught and harvested from the fishing farms and they are very cheap. The varieties are endless like Tanigue, Blue Marlin, Crabs, Oysters, Milkfish, Mahi Mahi and more. they are cooked in an endless variety but most are grilled or made into kilawin or into Siningang (sour broth) and again are very cheap. When in Iloilo City, you must try to eat the cheap but flavorful seafoods of Iloilo.
Written May 25, 2012
Address: all Around the City
In Most Roman Catholic Churches in the Philippines, the belfry is usually located beside the Church or cathedral but here at the Jaro Cathedral, it is located across the streep in fron of the park since it is the remains of the earlier Jaro Church that was destroyed by an earthquake in the 1700's.
Iloilo City has many churches and has two major cathedrals, This Jaro Cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jaro which has control of the churches of Iloilo Province. The Bell Tower of the Church is located across the street from the church of which it was the remains of the original chruch before it was destroyed by an earthquake. The original cathedral was built in 1874 by the first bishop of Jaro, Mariano Cuartero, O.P. It was destroyed by an earthquake in January 1948 and later repaired in 1956 by the first Archbishop of Jaro, Jose Maria Cuenco. It is known as the shrine of Our Lady of the Candles under the original patronage of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and is open everyday for both parishioners and gawking tourists. The Cathedral is just beside a big SM Supermarket.
Opens: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm everyday
Written May 25, 2012
Address: Eugenio Lopez Street, Jaro District, Iloilo City
Phone: (+63)(33)329-1625
Iloilo City has many churches and has two major cathedrals, This Jaro Cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jaro which has control of the churches of Iloilo Province. The Bell Tower of the Church is located across the street from the church of which it was the remains of the original chruch before it was destroyed by an earthquake. The original cathedral was built in 1874 by the first bishop of Jaro, Mariano Cuartero, O.P. It was destroyed by an earthquake in January 1948 and later repaired in 1956 by the first Archbishop of Jaro, Jose Maria Cuenco. It is known as the shrine of Our Lady of the Candles under the original patronage of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and is open everyday for both parishioners and gawking tourists. The Cathedral is just beside a big SM Supermarket.
Opens: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm everyday
Written May 25, 2012
Address: Eugenio Lopez Street, Jaro District, Iloilo City
Phone: (+63)(33)329-1625
Helpfulness
I saw many old houses in Iloilo city but since I have problem with my battery I took only some. Most are typical Spanish Houses or what we called "Bahay na Bato". Houses with concrete first floors and wooden second floors.
Updated Sep 3, 2011
Address: iloilo city
Helpfulness
The Iloilo Dinagyang Festival is considered the best of the best festivals in the Philippines. It is a religious and cultural festivity in Iloilo City celebrated for the dual purpose of honoring the Santo Nino (Holy Child Jesus) and celebrating the arrival of the Malay settlers in Panay, and the concomitant selling of the island by the Atis. Dinagyang is a month-long city celebration but the culminating activities are held every fourth Sunday of January, just a week after Cebu’s Sinulog and Aklan’s Ati-Atihan.
The 2011 Iloilo Dinagyang Festival was a celebration of green life, conceived to push barangays and towns to protect the environment and take on new directions for a more vibrant, prosperous, healthy and safe community living. The Dinagyang Festival had for its 2011 theme "Senor Santo Nino: Source of Our Unity, Bond of Our Family", while the tagline was "Iloilo’s Finest, Nation’s Best."
Hubby and I were fortunate to have gone to the 2011 Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City. It was a dream photo shoot for us who are both photography enthusiasts, with special interest on local festivals. We had the honor and privilege of being accepted by the Dinagyang committee for media accreditation to cover the festival as accredited photographers. Lady luck was with us; we were assigned to Judging Area No. 2 near the Provincial Capitol. It was a choice place because we would get to see the Dinagyang Tribes perform right infront of us.
Updated May 12, 2011
Address: Iloilo City
Helpfulness
Dinagyang Food Festival is a much awaited event by both locals and tourists. For four days starting January 20, 2010, the major streets in the City Proper were closed to traffic, from Delgado Street to Iznart & Quezon Streets, and from Ledesma to Valeria Streets up to Gen. Luna. The streets were lined with kiosks and food stalls selling fresh oysters, catfish and other seafoods that people asked to be cooked the way they wanted their food (grilled or steamed or whatever). There were also all kinds of Ilonggo BBQ and Ilonggo delicacies. Of course, there were cold beer and softdrinks. At the Capitol grounds, we also saw many BBQ stalls and kiosks of participating restaurants.
It was so amusing seeing all kinds of foods cooked the Ilonggo way. My mouth watered for their oysters and catfish, but hubby reminded me that I didn't have my anti-allergy medication that day and we didn't have time to look for the nearest pharmacy, so I shouldn't take the risk of having an allergy attack that day.
Updated May 12, 2011
Address: Iloilo City Proper
Helpfulness
I'm a coffee lover and I am from Iloilo. Though I don't live there at the moment, I know a good coffee when I taste one. It could be a matter of having tasted so many variant of commercialized coffee that my taste buds have changed its taste preferences to something organic or, I could just probably be pulling your leg just so I can get you to visit my hometown. Either way, the choice you pick is the best.
If you don't have an astute preference in dining or coffee drinking style, Madge Cafe is a must-visit place if you are in Iloilo City. Its location is within the La Paz Market, which is not difficult to find at all. Your landmark would be The Grand Dame Hotel that is right across the market.
What you get.
The coffee they serve is brewed the old-fashioned way. Once you enter the place, you will see where they make your coffee. You will not find any of the expensive coffeemaker that you normally see at Starbucks, though. Also, don't expect to see a wide variety of coffee menu list. At Madge, the classics prevail! Even when they don't have a wide coffee selection, the taste of what they brew is just too difficult to resist. It's so far, my favorite blend of coffee!
What they serve.
Madge doesn't only serve coffee for politicians, health buffs, or tourists. They have a selection of various Filipino viand, soup, Ilonggo delicacies, and drinks.
How it looks.
At first glance, it looks ordinary. But once you get inside, the noticeable display of mugs with names arranged on the mounted cupboard behind the ladies making the coffee is interesting. A friend who introduced me to the place tells me that the mugs were owned by regular customers of the cafe so that each time they come for a cuppa joe, they have their own mug to use -- personalized especially for them!
How much?
I normally order a strong cup of coffee and three buttered pan de sal in under 80 pesos!
What else is there?
I have to make a statement about the owner of the cafe. He is such a warm and friendly person. He is very accommodating and it's only in this kind of place where I can sincerely feel the gratitude that this owner has to give to his visitors.
Updated Mar 25, 2011
Address: Inside La Paz Market, fronting Grand Dame Hotel
Helpfulness
The Province of Iloilo is known for beautiful heritage churches in its municipalities. You need not go far to see a sample of such heritage church. Within Iloilo City, you can visit either or both of the Molo Church a.k.a. St. Anne Parish and/or Jaro Cathedral. Then there's Sto. Nino de Arevalo Parish, a small church serving as home to the 3rd oldest original image of the Sto. Nino.
In the City Proper, you'll find another heritage church, the San Jose Parish. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to take photos since there were always ceremonies being held there during the Dinagyang festivity.
Updated Mar 24, 2011
Address: Iloilo City
Helpfulness
While strolling at the Capitol compound, I noticed Museo Iloilo. I went inside, paid the admission fee and made a cursory look. I wasn’t impressed with the display in the museum. They lacked information materials. The absence of proper labels in the showcases was very disappointing. There wasn’t even a systematic flow of visitor traffic to the displays/showcases. Ventilation was very poor; it was so hot inside. I didn’t stay long. I couldn’t help but compare it with other museums which had a very organized display of artifacts. I left without that good feeling of having absorbed Iloilo’s rich history. I was wondering why the museum looked neglected. I hope to see it in a better state when I come back.
Written Mar 10, 2011
Address: Iloilo City
Helpfulness
Like other old capitol buildings in other provinces of the Philippines, the old Iloilo Provincial Capitol was known as Casa Real. The Casa Real building has undergone a lot of repairs, renovations and extentions since it became Iloilo's seat of the civil government in 1901. The place was then used as a military garrison by Japanese Imperial Forces during WWII.
When the much bigger new Provincial Capitol building was built, the original capitol building was not given much attention. The National Historical Institute (NHI) took notice and early this year, declared it as a "National Historical Site". Today, there is a move to restore the architecture of Casa Real to its original style. The Casa Real building is envisioned to be a big tourist attraction as historical landmark in the city. When the restoration project is finally complete, the building will serve as showcase of Iloilo’s rich heritage.
Updated Mar 10, 2011
Address: Iloilo City
Sponsored Links
Amigo Terrace Hotel & Mall Iloilo City
3 Reviews and 33 Opinions I spent more than two months in total in 2008 and 2009. It is high class hotel in central Iloilo...
Century 21 Hotel Iloilo City
2 Reviews and 26 Opinions Highly recommended. Century 21 is a new multi-storey budget hotel which I think caters to true...
Sponsored Links
Comments