Let's Travel and Discover the Secrets of ILOILO

WELCOME to Iloilo, A Province that dances with the rhythm of the past and the promise of the future. HALA BIRA!!!

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Capilla de Igbaras: A Remnant of a Glorious Temple

What we have here is a historical religious structure that looks more like a small medieval fortress rather than a chapel built for prayers. Does it remind you of the castles of Northern Europe? Actually the Chapel in Igbaras located just beside the town church is one of the surviving parts of what was once one of the magnificent Spanish Era churches in the province of Iloilo. The original structure was built of yellowish sandstone during the late 19th century but sadly, the temple was ruined in the midst of the 20th century by the 1945 earthquake.
The chapel still stands as one of the extant proofs of Igbaras rich History. The design is simple but the colonial feel is still expressed by its arched portals and windows. It is believed to be the base of the old church's belltower and what is interesring is that it has preserved it's vaulted stone ceiling after all these years.
Igbaras is a rural town located in the Southwestern parts of Iloilo between Miagao and Guimbal which are also noted for their collections of Heritage structures. The Igbaras Chapel truly prooves that wherever a tourist may travel in Iloilo, there is always an interesting place to visit.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Iloilo's Biscocho Haus

A tourist's stay in Iloilo will never be complete if he missed the savoury delights of Biscocho Haus that is one of the most popular bakeshop and pasalubong stores in the entire province. The main branch is located near Jaro Plaza and is known for its delicious 'Biscochos' or toasted bread with milk and sugar. 

Biscocho Haus has been a popular destination for tourists and locals looking for some good snacks and sweets. The enterprise was started on 1975 and soon after, branches began to spread out all over Iloilo where tourists and guests could easily buy some of Biscocho Haus' famous pastries. Biscocho Haus is also known for their butterscotch and piyaya which are also famous Ilonggo delicacies.

Tourists can also buy Biscocho Haus products at the city's major malls like SM City, Robinson's Place and Gaisano. A new branch was also opened in Pavia  where travelers from or going to the New Iloilo Airport can stop over and buy some pastries which they could bring home.

For more information about Biscocho Haus, pls. contact

Biscocho Haus, Main Branch

Lopez Jaena St, Jaro, Iloilo City

(033) 329-0864, (033) 329-0862, (033) 336-4751

Monday, June 8, 2009

The Beaches of Iloilo

Strategically located in the southern shores of Panay Island. Iloilo is not only blessed with magnificent heritage destinations but also with fine beaches that stretches from the northeastern to southern points of the island and this makes Iloilo one of the best beach capitals of the country.

Anhawan Resort is possibly the best beach resort near the city of Iloilo. It is one affordable destination where activities are not only meant for some summer fun but for every occassion as well. Anhawan is located in the town of Oton and is known for its huge party-ready cottages, a nice pool, good service crew and affordable food.A further trip south and you'll reach the towns of Tigbauan and Guimbal which is possibly the beach resort haven of the entire Iloilo province. The towns' most visited beach resorts would be Sol y Mar, Bantayan and Shamrock. Bantayan is known for A Historic Hispanic Watch Tower nearby.

If you take the other way north to the fishing capitals of Iloilo, then you'll not only find some good seafood restaurants but a list of white sand beach resorts in Concepcion, Carles and Ajuy. Marbuena Beach resort in Ajuy and SandBar Island Resort in Bulubadiangan, Concepcion offer a perfect place to spend a relaxing beach vacation where a tourist can indulge themselves in the serene crystal clear waters surrounding the islands.

Anhawan Beach Resort, Oton - (+63)(33)3358949, (+63)9209544138, (+63)9224866475
Sol y Mar Family Beach Resort, Tigbauan - (+63)(033) 511-8288
Shamrock Beach Resort, Guimbal - (+63)(33)5120199
Bantayan Beach Resort, Guimbal - (63)(33)3155009/5120014

Marbuena Island Resort - (+63)(33)8552875
Sandbar Beach Resort - (+63)9068197516