Iloilo City comes with a lot of surprises in terms of rich culture and heritage. In fact, most of these trademark products, delicacies and tourism spots come in pairs, a package deal to experience and a chance for a mesmerizing trip back in time. Here are some of the best things that you will only find in Iloilo City that comes as a double treat.
Calle Real’s Old-world Flavours
Calle Real. Photo by scrimgeour.wordpress.com
Roberto's Siopao. Photo from foodspotting.com
Plaza Libertad. Photo from betweencoordinates.com
For centuries, Ilonggos and visitors want a piece of Calle Real, the city’s old business district and one of the oldest in the Philippines. Calle Real is the heart and soul of Iloilo’s business circle. This is where the timeless stories of Iloilo’s economic success and international trade relation flourished.
But when it comes to flavours, this old business district has a list of unique local delicacies. Have a bite of Roberto’s Siopio, the only restaurant where Ilonggos never get tired of savouring its rich, tasteful and addicting siopao. Its bestseller is the King and Queen siopao. A short walk from Roberto’s is the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand, Plaza Libertad and San Jose Church proudly stands to remind Ilonggos of their rich culture, and landmarks that contributed to the birth of the city’s world-famous Dinagyang Festival. If you want to get easy-on-the-pocket prices of goods, clothes and accessories, the small retail shops around the place will provide you the assurance that you need. Calle Real’s newly restored heritage buildings are visual attractions for those who would love to look back on Iloilo’s great history as a trade and textile center in the past.
Villa’s Trails of Treat
Mama's Kitchen Cookies. Photo from eatsangge.wordpress.com
Breakthrough Restaurant. Photo from flavoursofiloilo.blogspot.com
Baked Talaba. Photo from burpple.com
Seafood escapade at Villa. Photo from ivanabouttown
Time travel to Iloilo's past at Camina Balay na Bato.
Hot Tsokolate drink from Camina Balay na Bato. Photo from tripadvisor.com
Villa Arevalo is another important district in Iloilo City where tradition and pleasure come together as one. Villa takes pride of its long history in textile industry of the city. This is where we can find the famous heritage site - Sinamay House where traditional weaving tools and industry are preserved. Mama’s Kitchen, the famous local cookies are sold in this heritage house ready for take home and pasalubongs. Beside the Sinamay House is the popular Camina Balay na Bato (Stone House) where old-world lifestyle of Ilonggos are preserved. The house is a frequent destinations for tourists and visitors who are looking back on the city’s vibrant history. Camina Balay na Bato is famous for their traditional Tsokolate tablea drink with paired with biscocho that comes as a package of P150 entrance fee. They also serve traditional Ilonggo buffet lunch or dinner for a minimum group of 5. A few minutes drive from Villa Plaza is Villa Beach, another leisure destination of Ilonggos. Small eateries and famous restaurants like Tatoy’s Manokan and Breakthrough serves luscious seafood dishes. The most popular of all is Baked Talaba (oyster) topped with melted cheese. Small eateries offer a much cheaper price of oysters for about P50-60 per serving. The serene view of the beach overlooking the island of Negros is a bonus for visitors.
Delicacies of La Paz
The legendary La Paz Batchoy.
Traditional coffee made and served at Madge Cafe. Photo from Iloilo.net.ph
Personalized coffee mugs at Madge Cafe. Photo from travellingmorion.com
Ube Brazos de Mercedes at La Paz Bakeshop.
Who said La Paz is only known for its iconic Batchoy? A trip in this famous district in the city will allow you to savor other luscious treats. In La Paz Market where the original La Paz Batchoy was first served in the 1940s after World War II, this is the same place where Iloilo’s famous coffee shop started – Madje Café where young and old come together to sip a cup of Ilonggo-styled flavorful coffee. Old people come here to talk about politics and issues while young people hang out in this place. In fact, loyal patrons or customers have their own personalized mug displayed in the resto. A walk across the street of La Paz Market is the famous La Paz Bakeshop. Aside from their variety of delicious bread and cakes, their most famous product is the Ube Brazos and Brazos de Marcedes ube flavor. Not far away from the Market is the well-known La Paz Plaza where people visit and enjoy a serene ambiance. La Paz proved to be an iconic destination for food lovers and other inspiring interests in the city.
Timeless Jaro
Biscocho Haus. Photo from iloilo.net.ph
Biscocho Haus products. Photo from contrailsharesyougo.blogspot.com
Bibingka from Jaro. Photo from flavoursofiloilo.blogspot.com
The iconic Jaro Cathedral. Photo from ourladyofcandlesnationalshrine.com
Jaro’s original name is “Salog,” a former municipality separate from Iloilo before it became a city. During the Spanish period, it is the center of Catholic Faith in Western Visayas. Its miraculous Our Lady of Candles, Jaro Cathedral and Jaro Belfry come together as divine symbol of Ilonggo faith. The celebration in Jaro comes in full circle every February 2 to hold the famous Jaro Fiesta, where a gorgeous local muse coming from a wealthy clan is crowned as “Jaro Queen” with a pompous celebration. On the same day, devotees of Nuestra Senora Dela Candelaria (Our Lady of Candles) come together for a traditional religious procession. Jaro Plaza transforms into a fun place where various retail stores, local products from plants, jars, shoes and local delicacies are sold. The most famous delicacy sold in Jaro Plaza throughout the year is “Bingka” or Bibingka, a soft sweetened cake topped with coconut strips cooked wooden fire. Other iconic local delicacies in Jaro are “Biscocho” and “Pandesal ni Paa.” Original biscochos are sold in Biscocho Haus just across Jaro Plaza that started in 1975 and became the center of Ilonggo pasalubongs. “Pandesal ni Paa” known its hard texture but chewy-inside quality are sold in Panaderia ni Paa. A visit in Jaro District is like appreciating the past and pleasing your taste buds.
Mesmerizing Molo
Luscious Pancit Molo. Photo from recipeshubs.com
Molo Church and Plaza. Photo from jedmadela.net
Molo is an old Chinatown district of Iloilo City during the Spanish era. Its magnificent St. Anne Church with all-female images of saints is a living testimony of Molo’s deep attachment to the Catholic faith. The Molo Plaza is a classic Greek-inspired leisure destination where Ilonggos enjoy a day of fun and serene attractions. Across the plaza is the newly-restored Molo Mansion considered as one of the most visited heritage houses in the city. Molo is known as the place where Pancit Molo, a famous Ilonggo dish originated. Pancit Molo or Filipino pork dumpling soup is a type of soup using wonton wrappers to cover the meat.
Mandurriao’s Magic
Linaga, a local stew served in Mandurriao. Photo from tilawanta.com
Iloilo River Esplanade. Photo from Iloilo.net.ph
Richmonde Hotel Iloilo
Giant Ensaymada of Richmonde Hotel Iloilo
Glitters in the Park, an annual fireworks display held at IBP every January in time for Dinagyang Festival.
Festive Walk Mall ready for late 2016 opening
Two new BPO buildings - One Techno Place and Two Techno Place soon to open this year.
Courtyard by Marriot, a classy business hotel set to open in the first quarter this year.
IBP Sales and Information Center, the region's biggest showroom.
An artist's perspective of the luxurious lifestyle offered by IBP's premier condominium towers.
Considered as Iloilo’s modern commercial destination is the Mandurriao District where booming nightlife and shopping centers are established for more than a decade. The Smallville strip connecting to Riverside Boardwalk and The Avenue are the locations of some of the best high-end restaurants, bistros, pubs and hotels along the Diversion Road (Benigno Aquino Avenue) linking to the Iloilo River Esplanade. But the magic of Mandurriao started when the Iloilo Airport started in the 1950s. It became the location of the first domestic airport in Panay Island. After its closure and the opening of the IIoilo International Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo, the old airport property was transformed by real estate giant, Megaworld into a mixed-use commercial complex, a modern township called Iloilo Business Park. This 72-hectare vibrant community and upcoming financial center is the location of prestigious establishments and edifices, signalling Iloilo’s rise in terms of investment potential and developments. These high-end buildings include Iloilo Convention Center, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, Courtyard by Marriot Hotel, BPO buildings comprising the largest IT-BPO Park in the region, Festive Walk Mall and the longest VisMin shop-and-dine strip - Street of Festive Walk. The township introduces the region’s most luxurious residential and condominium towers such as One Madison Place, Lafayette Park Square and The Palladium. Richmonde Hotel's "Giant Ensaymada" is now a rising sensation among food lovers exclusively served in the hotel's restaurant, The Granary.
Aside from its modern facet, Mandurriao has something to be proud of in terms of history and heritage with Mandurriao Church or known as Parish of Espousal of Our Lady. It is near the Mandurriao Plaza where people in the community converge and come together during fiestas and other social gatherings. The best “Linaga,” a local Ilonggo stew made of meat and unripe jackfruit can be found in small eateries in Mandurriao. Luis Linagaan along the Diversion Road is the most popular of all eateries that serves authentic “Linaga.”
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