Punta Villa Hotel and Resort

It's never difficult to find a good place to stay whenever you're in Iloilo. Being one of the tourism gateways of the country, Iloilo itself has become a major travel destination in the Philippines for the past few years thus bring thousands and thousands of local and foreign tourists every year. This is one reason why Iloilo's Hotel and Real Estate industry grew and flourished.

Amongst the most popular hotel and resort destinations in Iloilo is Punta Villa, which is located in Arevalo District. It is strategically located near the Villa beach where you can find the famous sea side restaurants Tatoy's and Breakthrough . The resort not only comes with a beautiful neoclassic colonial hotel but it also has large swimming pool for adults and a kiddie pool equipped with slides for children. The restaurant also serves good food and the best part is that it's not even very expensive. It is a popular place for wedding receptions, conventions and basically any other celebration there is to name.

The rooms at hotel are also cozy and will definitely make you feel at home. From family rooms to presidential suites, Punta Villa has it all complete with all the necessary amenities that'll make your stay as comfortable as possible.

My favorite part of Punta Villa is the Gloria Maris Garden which is an outdoor reception area for weddings. Like most buildings in the resort, that garden, complete with a gazebo has a touch of Spanish and Filipino Architecture thus showcasing colonial art which Iloilo is fanous for.  

The Beautiful Iloilo River: The very Life-vein of the City

Named after its peculiar nose-like shape or 'Ilong', the river of Iloilo is one of the most important rivers there is in the country not only for the fact that it runs through the heart of Iloilo City itself but for it also hosts one of the most busiest ports in the Philippines; El Puerto de Muelle Loney.

Before the Spaniards came in the Island, the marshland surrounding the river of Iloilo has been known as a rich trading settlement between local and foreign merchants. Here, traders from China, India and other countries flock to exchange goods with the locals. This is the very reason why the Spaniards built a port in the mouth of the river which will serve as a gateway between Panay and its neighboring islands. In 1855, El Puerto de Muelle Loney, one of the first international sea ports in the country was opened and spurred the economy of the city making it the second most richest city after Manila.

Today Iloilo River serves as a major tourist attraction. The river bank is home to 22 species out of the countries 35 known species of Mangrove trees. Hotels such as Hotel del Rio, The Castle Hotel, River Queen Hotel and Sarabia Manor are located facing Iloilo River as well. Aside from that Marina, Barbeque Village, Tijuana and many more famous Ilonggo restaurants runs along the riverside and so as the famous Iloilo River Boulevard which is Iloilo's version of Dumaguete's Rizal Boulevard and Manila Bay.

The Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral's restored elegance

When one speaks of a town called Jaro, known in the hispanic era as Xaro, he might as well mention of magnificent mansions and of Hispanic ancestral stone houses, of a beautiful 19th century belltower and of a religious Catholic fiesta that would last for more than a month or two. Yes! Jaro is indeed Iloilo City’s very own folklore town.
But if Jaro is known for one thing aside from its antiques, then it would be the Metropolitan Cathedral which is also the highest seat of Roman Catholicism in the Region. The Cathedral of Candelaria-which it is fondly called by the townspeople- is known as largest house worship in the entire province.The walls are built of white and cream colored fossil rock and coral stones. It’s exterior is baroque in its simplest form though recent additions to the 19th century structure include some neogothic and neoclassic elements. The terrace before the facade holds the miraculous Virgin of Candelaria that is believed to have outgrown its former niche. The archwindows are wide and tall and there is a minimal usage of rose windows, unlike its neighboring churches. The main entrance is flanked by flights of stairs leading to the miraculous Virgin's terrace where Pope John Paul II stood and faced hundreds or perhaps thousands of devotees from all over the region, when he visited the Philippines in 1981.
Though war and calamities took away the cathedral’s once magnificent beauty, it is currently being restored at least to bring back its former glory as an icon of art and architecture. The interior, once critiqued by many, is now amongst the most beautiful in the country. The paintings on its vaulted ceiling would remind you of artistically decorated churches in latin america and Spain and its baroque retablos are definitely the most well decorated just like the ones at the Feminist Neogothic church of Santa Ana in Molo.

Stories behind the beautiful Cabatuan Church

Considered as one of the most beautiful churches in the Philippines, the church of Cabatuan in the heart of Iloilo province is also amongst the most exemplary examples of Colonial architecture in the country.
What tourists should know about this church is that it is an example of an Earthquake Baroque Structure hidden the simplest details of Neoclassicism, making it a unique mixture colonial art and architecture.
Interiorly, a tourist will find the largest altar and the tallest stone retable in all of Iloilo and perhaps in the entire Visayan Islands. It also boasts its spacious baptistery that has an artistic neoclassic retable of it's own, a detail that is not common with churches in the region.
Inside, before the huge stone retable, is the replica of the 'Arc of the Covenant', an important artifact in Christian History and is also known for it's beautiful collection of stained glass windows. The Santo Niño de Cabatuan like the Santo Niño de Santa Barbara are known for their unique appearance. The Santo Niño inspired the creation of newer versions built for an empty retable in Bacolor Church in Pampanga.
So why should tourist add this remarkable heritage destination to their itenary? Well, I guess it's because it is obviously something they shouldn't miss while in Iloilo.

Calle Santo Rosario: Iloilo's Heritage Street

Welcome to Santo Rosario street, one of the oldest and most historical avenues in city of Iloilo. Calle Santo Rosario is known for a number of Spanish Era houses that would welcome tourists whenever they would pass by or visit the coastal part of the city. Evident in their architectural forms, these houses typically shows what Iloilo streets looked long before war and modernization changed the humble city.
The street appears to be like a simpler and smaller version of Vigan's Calle Crisologo that is the most well preserved Spanish-Filipino village in all of the Philippines. Another feature that would delight tourists is that Calle Santo Rosario is located very near Plaza Libertad and San Jose Church which are perhaps the most popular tourist attractions in the downtown city. The street also leads to the ruins of Casino Espanol de Iloilo, one of the earliest social centers for Spanish Filipinos in the country.
What makes Calle Santo Rosario special is that, perhaps in the entire province, it has the most intact collection of heritage buildings dating from the Spanish rule to the American colonial period. It adds up as one of downtown Iloilo's historical points like Hughes Street and the famous Calle Real that is definitely touristy in their very own ways.

The Courtyard of Alimodian Church

Before it was ruined by an earthquake, the Alimodian Church once showcased the tallest Bell tower in all of Western Visayas. The structure was built of brownish limestone and was a magnificent example of a Neoclassic structure with elaborate classical details. The church then had a very large Convent that was also said to be the longest in the entire province of Iloilo.
In 1948, the church was devastated by an earthquake that also ruined many churches in the region. The fine bell tower collapsed and so as many of the significant parts of the temple. What was left of the church was then restored and the ruins of the grand convent was then transformed into a small courtyard that is known in Iloilo for it's aviary and a collection of floras sprawling from one corner to another. 
The church's old bell that was made centuries ago is being displayed at one corner of the courtyard while some paintings about the history of the church and of the town are being showcased at the lower part of the convent ruins.
Though not very impressive as many of the other Historical tourist destinations in Iloilo, the Alimodian Church carries an old world ambiance that breathes a peaceful charm and a relaxing atmosphere to every visitor, a very feature that reasons why the structure is one wonderful tourist site.

Tigbauan Church and her Intricate Facade

Considered as one of the earliest Churches built in the Philippines, The Church of San Juan de Sahagun in the coastal town of Tigbauan was constructed in the 16th century, in a time when some towns in Iloilo were not yet even established. Like the churches of Miag-ao and San Joaquin, the facade of Tigbauan Church is overwhelmed by artistic carvings. The facade however  is inspired by Churrisgueresque Architecture, a type of Baroque architecture that originated in Spain and flourished in Mexico and Texas, thus making the church the only one of it's kind in the country.
The sprawling 'bas-relief' decorating the facade portal appears to be like a 'retablo' and is overwhelmed by floral designs, a very intricate version of the Agustinian symbol of the transfixed heart and a cherub that appears to be more like a crown of the church door.
What makes Tigbauan Church unique is that the walls of the interior is built with beautiful mosaics depicting important events in Christ's life. This feature, makes the church a one of a kind tourist destination and an art gallery that is surprisingly awe-spiring.

Puerto de Muelle Loney; History beyond the seas...

Muelle Loney Street, one of the most important sea ports in the Philippines is one of the many reasons why Iloilo flourished in the Hispanic and American Era as a vital trading city.

The Muelle Loney St. is the busiest seaport in Iloilo and Panay. In 1855, the port was opened to international trade thus spurring the city's trading industrty making Iloilo City one of the wealthiest cities in the country. Goods from all over the province and neighboring Islands like Guimaras and Negros are sent to Iloilo before being exported out of the country.

However, The glory of Muelle Loney didn't last longer because some ports were established in the nearby Islands in the early 20th century. Today Muelle Loney still serves as the portal between Negros, Guimaras and Iloilo. Now, the wealth that it once claimed is only manifested by some if its old historic buildings of which some were forgotten by time itself...