I L O I L O with L O V E

DAY 1- RAINY SATURDAY

After having our Boracay Trip cancelled, and since we couldn’t go back to Tacloban earlier because of our scheduled return flight, Me, Kit, Chary, Duncan and Lyner decided to make our three days in Iloilo City worth it by taking a tour in the city, savoring their delicious cuisine, looking into their tourists spots and experiencing the modern and busy life of Ilonggos.

Riding a SM City – City Proper jeepney right in front of OngBun Pension House we first headed to Plazuela de Iloilo. I remember the structure catching my attention the very moment we arrived in Iloilo. It was a Venetian inspired commercial complex located just beside SM City Iloilo. It houses various restaurants and coffee shops that made the place perfect for relaxation after shopping or even during ordinary days. After taking some pictures, together with Angel, Paul, Jacob and Daj (UAPSA- WVCST Officers), we went to our next stop – JARO.

The structure looks grand with its Venetian columns and modernized roofing

It took us Php7.00 and a 10-minute JARO LIKO jeepney ride before we reached JARO, ILOILO. Since it was time for dinner, we first headed to town’s famous American grilled burger restaurant, PERRI TODD’S. Located not far from the center of the town (the name of the street which I forgot to ask people around), the burger house is famous with its mouth-watering 6” burger that is good for two to three persons and their taste-like-heaven thinner and crunchy version of Mojo, Todd’s Potato with dip. At first, we thought that eating the big burger would be a problem but we end up dealing with our bloated stomachs and saying.”Namit gid aah”.

After minutes of rest, we managed to reach JARO CATHEDRAL and BELLFRY TOWER between walks and jogs because of the rain.

Jaro Cathedral jam-packed with cars during Sunday Mass

The BELL FRY TOWER was the first one I noticed as we reached the place, I was stunned by it’s beauty at the same time wondering why a an old and colossal Spanish-era tower is standing in the middle of the town’s busiest road. JARO CATHEDRAL is an art deco cathedral that stands just in front of the tower. The cathedral is indeed old, like I saw in pictures I saw days ago before arriving in Iloilo, the two high staircases leading to a Sto. Niño replica adds more beauty to the famous church.

Bellfry Tower

Walking further, while eating Creamhorn, white crusty bread with a luscious white cream inside (courtesy of out tour guides) you’ll be delighted seeing various heritage houses. Like some featured houses on horror movies, the structures gave us creepy feeling at first thinking that they’re built decades or even centuries ago making it a perfect lounging place for ghost but at the same time they amazed us how they’re able to stand for such period of time making them more fine-looking and extra ordinary. It’s like Vigan transferred in Jaro, the only difference is that heritage houses are sandwiched between modern establishments, a good example of a great blend of the past and present era. We even saw the house of famous personalities like Sen. Franklin Drilon and the breath taking mansion of Lopez’s, owned by ABS-CBN’s CEO and Owner Gabby Lopez and a heritage restaurant that looked out of place in the city.

Creamhorn are only available at Margee’s Deli.

As the night gets darker, we decided to end our tour for that day and head back to the hotel.

DAY 2- SUNDAY FUNDAY

Having a “see food diet” (any food you see, you eat),sipping a tasteful La Paz Batchoy at Ted’s Old Timer was a great thing to do on a Sunday morning before going to church. Ted’s serves its batchoy-for-all-time in Super, Super Special and Extra Special bowl. They also have this combo meal, for Php49 you’ll get a small bowl of La Paz Batchoy, 2 pcs. of either pandesal or puto and a glass of soft drink(good for people who are on budgeting).Ted’s specialty is really something you’ll crave for.

 Ted's Budget Meal

After spending time in the church, I consumed time strolling in the city, riding from jeepney to jeepney. (The first thing you’d notice when you arrived in Lilo is that their jeepney are unique, unlike the typical, theirs are long with low ceiling but the thing that will make you enjoy every ride, its like they don’t go for the minimum or additional kilometer fare. You pay for Php8 for a distance that is far. Well, another factor that makes travelling more comfortable aside from knowing that Ilonggos are sweet and kind hearted people. Barato ang bayad sa jeep gale...)

Since we’d been eating since we arrived in Iloilo, having a walk in Esplanade was perfect to start another Lagaw-lagaw. Esplanade is a long bay walk that shows the province’s long river and also connects Iloilo City and the Town of Molo. The place is a great example of a waterfront. It has restobars, a common concession space, and a picnic ground over looking at the river. The place also serves as Taebo Grounds, a jogging & biking park for Ilonggos. Reaching the end of Esplanade, we walk straight to Molo plaza.

Molo Church's Interior

If a mosquito dared to enter my mouth, it succeeded, surely. I was astonished by the sight of Molo Church. The structure itself boasts how old and massive it is. From its columns to the main façade, you can say that the church really deserves to be one of UNESCO’s Heritages. Since there’s a mass going on, we weren’t able to go inside of the church but we managed to take some pictures of its interior from afar. Beside it is Convento de Molo, another heritage structure. In the town’s history, it was mentioned that Dr. Jose Rizal once visited the place during his journey in Iloilo making it more famous. And in front of the cathedral is Molo Plaza wherein we ate Iloilo’s version of Bibingka (Salamuch to Jacob Divinagracia for buying us some..Libre to). Thinner and smaller compare to Tacloban’s Bibingka that tastes really good. After a long walk, tired and hungry we went back to SM City.

Since there’s no SM Mall in Tacloban City, strolling around was a great thing to do. Also because it’s our last night in the city, our “friends” wanted to make it memorable than ever. (And yes, they did, really). Going for a 4d ride, which is Mask Rider, a good-for-five minutes roller coaster ride is extra-ordinary and a real adventure being squeezed between my new-found friends and shouting my heart out as the ride goes to its climax. The ride made us hungry, ending up at Mang Inasal. The dinner was quiet long (ung tipong last supper..xD) sharing stories and jokes with the OrComs and because it’s Sunday, the night was young and we’re so stuck on loving Iloilo, we decided to go somewhere.

Together with Jacob and Paul, we headed to Go Mart at Smallvile. Nightlife in Iloilo is found in this area where a lot of hotels like West Town and Iloilo Business Hotel, various bars, restaurants and coffee shops. Buildings are modern, showing excellent works of Architects. The other good factor is the safe makes you feel safer seeing roving guards. After having a cup of coffee at Coffee Break and some good-to-keep memories we finally call it a night and head back to Ong Bun thanking the two guys who we spent the night with.     

DAY 3- LAST DAY MONDAY

 Having hours left in Iloilo, we started packing our thing with the feeling of not wanting to leave city but (but of buts) we needed to be at the airport at 4pm. we went straight to SM City’s Traveler Lounge where we deposited our luggage and pent our last hour buying pasalubong and souvenir items. I bought a box of pasalubong from Biscocho Haus (Banana Loaf, Biscocho, Piyaya and Meringue Cookies).  After claiming our baggage at Traveler’s Lounge, we bid goodbye to Jacob with a heavy feeling and rode the taxi to Iloilo Airport.