Uncovering The Granary: Culinary Fare, Giant Ensaymadas

Tickle your taste buds and experience classy dining at The Granary, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo’s high-end restaurant always ready to serve food lovers with local and international cuisine. The bistro is fast becoming the “talk of the town” for its great ambiance and sumptuous gastronomy in Iloilo Business Park in Madurriao District. 

From local fare to international cuisine, The Granary upholds first-class dining services, presentation and passion when serving customers. Daily buffet is served for hotel guests and walk-in clients that provides them with unique gastronomic delights, something that makes this restaurant close to everybody's heart. 

Another pride of Richmonde Hotel Iloilo is its very own "giant Ensaymade" topped with overflowing cheese, a yummy culinary delight comes close to the Ilonggos' sweet tooth. The giant Ensayamada is a perfect pair with a cup of espresso or cocoa, both are regular beverages served in The Granary.

Natalie Lim, the hotel’s general manager, said the ensaymada is the most sought-after item on the menu of the Granary.

“Since we opened over a month ago, guests have been coming over, looking for it. It has become famous,” she said. “Some guests enjoy the delectable treat as merienda (snack) or dessert, and others drop by to order boxes they could bring as pasalubong (keepsake)”

The Granary's signature pasalubong delight - the giant Ensaymada and its mouth-watering culinary fare syncs  well to the palate of guests and meticulous taste buds of Ilonggos, adding another prestigious dining destination in Iloilo City. As a visual treat, you get to enjoy the scenery outside the hotel, the swift developments of Iloilo Business Park where dining escapade converges perfectly with the appeal of this vibrant township.

For reservation, call (033) 328-7888 or visit www.richmondehotels.com.ph

SPOOKY PAW-RADE: The region’s biggest Dog Halloween Event at IBP

More than 150 dogs and dog owners participated in SPOOKY PAW-RADE, the first ever Dog Halloween Costume Parade and Fun Match held in front of Richmonde Tower at Iloilo Business Park last October 24, 2:30PM to 7PM. The event started off with a Dog Parade from Richmonde Tower going to McDonald’s IBP. The first-ever Dog Blessing was officiated by Rev. Father Dennis Galon. It was followed by a formal opening program with IBP Marketing Head, Jennifer Ann Palmares-Fong who willingly shared her excitement through a short welcome message.

Rev. Father Dennis Galon officiated the Dog Blessing

Head Dog Trainer, Joseph Jiro Gabasa, event hosts Nancy Enicola and Nanette Bajador

IBP Marketing Head, Jennifer Ann Palmares-Fong shared her words of welcome to all the participants

Mr. Bong Ledesma, an expert dog trainer entertained the crowd with his dog tricks

Dr. Harold Demaisip, judged the fun match and dog conformation 

Expert dog trainer, Bong Ledesma showcased various dog tricks that entrainment the crowd as an intermission performance. Around 5:30PM, the Dog Fun Match and Conformation started off by introducing seasoned veterinarian, Dr. Harold Demaisip as competition judge. The Fun Match and Conformation was divided into four categories such as Puppy, Small Breed, Medium Breed and Large Breed. Pack Leader K9 Dog Training Head, Joseph Jiro Gabasa demonstrated with his dog Connan, a Belgian Malinois on how to train your pets in protecting you against aggression. The highlight of the event is the Dog Halloween Costume Contest and Mini-fashion where dog owners and their pets paraded onstage with creatively scary and colorful attires. Jennifer Ann Palmares-Fong, IBP’s Marketing Head is the sole judge of the Dog Halloween Costume Contest.

IBP Marketing Head, Jennifer Ann Palmares-Fong received her certificate as the sole judge of the Dog Halloween Costume Contest from Joseph Jiro Gabasa

 The event emphasizes Iloilo Business Park as a dog-friendly destination and a township where dog lovers can find a serene place to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle. The event is co-organized by Megaworld- Iloilo Business Park in partnership with Pack Leader K9 Dog Training and Jaro Dog Lovers. The event was made possible through the following sponsors: Rebadulla Animal Hospital, AsVet, Pomelo T-shirts, Wood Fashion, Gab’s Pizza, Spa Riviera, Dog Full, Lori pet care products, Uratex Foam, Pet Palace and Fil Sonza Photography Studio.

Spooky Paw-Rade Contests Result:

 Dog Conformation and Fun Match

Best in Puppy Category: Maxine, 5-month-old female Belgian Malinois dog, handler: Wewen (dog trainer, Iloilo)

 

Best in Small Dog Category: Yuki, 6-year-old-female mini-pinscher; owner: Irish P. Jeongco

 Best in Medium Dog Category: Shane, 7-month-old female Beagle dog; Handler: Wewen (Dog Tainer, Iloilo)

Best in Large Dog Category: Scotch, 4-year-old-male Bull Mastiff dog; Owner: Am-Am Lorca

Best in Show: Yuki 6 year old female mini-pinscher; owner: Irish P. Jeongco

Best Dog Halloween Costume Contest

Special Award (Spookiest Costume):  Gracie, 7-year-old female mini-pinscher dog; owner: Virgie Tarrigue, costume concept: Cerberus (3-headed dog)

3rd Place:  Yuki, 6-year-old female mini-pinscher dog; owner: Irish P. Jeongco, costume concept: Egyptian God with golden wings

2nd Place: Atticus, 1-year-and-5-month old male Belgian Malinois dog; owner: Santiago Sudaria, costume concept: horse-like dog with 'tiyanak' riding on top

1st Place (Best in Costume): Sasshi, 1-year-and-7-month female Chihuahua; owner: Jel Rose Casiano, costume concept: enchanted dog in a dark and scary prom theme

Iloilo's Full Circle of Historical Reflection

History has always been set to repeat itself. Everything goes on a cycle as we traverse life. Life in Iloilo used to be simple yet beautiful, a once sleepy town turned into a bustling city in 1889 when Spain’s royal majesty Queen Ma. Cristina granted it a special title as the most loyal city during the Spanish colonization era in the Philippines. Moving forward, Iloilo became a bustling city, an international port for textile industry, an attractive destination, center of commerce and trade next to Manila. For the most part of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Iloilo dominated the trading business, commerce and reached its peak as an affluent metropolis in the Southern Philippines. They say, that a country or a city with a strong connection to its cultural past and heritage can easily attain social and economic maturity because the past bridges the present towards a future of synergistic richness and prosperity.

The stunning Iloilo River Esplanade, photo by Felipe Uygongco

Calle Real, one of the oldest business districts in the Philippines, photo by Felipe Uygongco

The Paraw Regatta Festival held every February is Southeast Asia's oldest sailboat race, photo by Felipe Uygongco

The magnificent Molo Church and Plaza, photo by Felipe Uygongco

The world-famous Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo's cultural spectacle performing at the Iloilo Convention Center during the APEC ministerial meetings this year, photos by Felipe Uygcongco

Angelia Ong, Miss Philippines Earth 2015 is a typical Ilongga wearing the world-famous Hablon gown designed by Totong Gellagarin, photo by Felipe Uygongco

An Ilongga exude the natural charisma and passion. Hablon gown designed by Totong Gellagarin and photo by Felipe Uygongco

Looking at the present rise of Iloilo City as an envisioned setting of a strong economic prominence in Western Visayas, investment potential is surging high that paved way for visitors and investors to consider the city as a future business destination. Iloilo remained adamant to preserve its glorious historical past visible through the city government’s several projects that rebuild, revive and promote major historical landmarks including the old Calle Real, one of the country’s oldest business districts. An Eco-centered project such as the Iloilo River Esplanade anchored in the tourism development aspect of the city is making a name as the next most-watched destinations in the Philippines. The people, the sweet-loving Ilonggos and the charming Ilonggas, women of the southern Philippines whose charisma defines passion, true hospitality and soft-spoken nature that creates a welcoming image for Iloilo as a destination of people-centered culture. Visiting the city will tempt you to sink your palate to the countless delicacies and favorite local cuisines such as Batchoy, Biscocho, Pancit Molo, Seafood dishes and a lot more, a long-history of culinary passion preserved through the Ilonggo tradition. Ilonggos are also known as the most colorful people in the Philippines, and probably in the world, visualized through its prominent Dinagyang Festival and Asia’s oldest sailboat race – the Paraw Regatta. Iloilo presents a deep-rooted devotion to the Roman Catholic and well-known as a faith-based pilgrimage city with the existence of centuries old churches in Jaro District celebrating the annual “Jaro Candelaria” and St. Anne Church in Molo District. Central Philippine University is Iloilo’s version of an old American Protestant-founded university emerging as a tourism destination. Prominent infrastructure projects are filling up the “visual imagery” of Iloilo as a city of expanding modern metropolis yet passionate to preserve its past and harmonize with its ecological aspect. Social, cultural, ecological and, yes, spiritual aspects of Iloilo pieces up a puzzle of a ONE beautiful, harmonious, prosperous and progress-driven metropolis, one of the most livable, “next wave” cities in the world.

The 3,700-seater Iloilo Convention Center, photo by Felipe Uygongco

Richmonde Hote Iloilo, the first luxury hotel that opened at Iloilo Business Park this year, photo by Felipe Uygongco

Visualizing Iloilo City on a higher ground of tangible changes, there is one “phenomenal” reason why this city magnetized a lot more investors and visitors to come in the past few years – Iloilo Business Park. Megaworld, the Philippines’ leading real estate developer and BPO office landlord realize the potential of Iloilo as a potential economic center and investment hub. The company invested P35 billion in a 72-hectare property in the old Iloilo Airport  located in Mandurriao District to developed the area into a highly-urbane township intended for business, lifestyle elevation, tourism and create a new destination for pleasure-seekers, tourists and people wanting to immerse themselves in the colorful yet passionate culture of Iloilo. Major shopping center, the longest dining strip in the country, international hotels, BPO office buildings, rising central business district, international-standard convention venue and various points of interests will emerge in this vast, all-expanding, and larger-than-life Megaworld township. Iloilo Business Park is the city’s high-life magnet and newest claim-to-fame in terms of investment credential.

The magnitude of progress, developments, cultural pride, dreams-turning-into-reality, and opening a doorway for global opportunities for this once sleepy yet beautiful city of “many wonders” are coming together, falling into place and rising up as ONE destination we can truly OWN. In the crystal clear waters of the Iloilo River, the present facet of the city’s modern image is reflected like those in the past. It is not about reclaiming a historical title as the original “Queen[’s] City” (owning it or embodying it), it has always been there etched in the deepest recesses of our cultural identity as Ilonggos. We are part of its pieced-up puzzle, full reflection of passion and splendor waiting to make the world see this city sparkle in full brilliance.  Iloilo steps up in full circle. Its history is destined to repeat itself through Iloilo Business Park... OUR OWN STORY to TELL soon.

Dreaming to invest in Iloilo City? call us at (033) 330-3465, visit us online at www.iloilobusinesspark.ph  or see for yourself the lifestyle you desire at our IBP Showroom located at the ground floor of Richmonde Tower, 8 Enterprise Road, Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.