ILOILO CITY: The Venice of the Philippines

Iloilo City is blessed with a wonderful gift – the Iloilo River. This river is the catalyst for the changes in Iloilo especially its marine industry. This river will truly makes Iloilo the beautiful city.

ILOILO CITY: The City of Love

Being a regional Center of Western Visayas, Iloilo's night life is very much active. With the presence of different bars, restaurants and hotels, this city has been delivering one of a kind experienced every night time.

ILOILO CITY: The Queen City of the South

Iloilo City has been making noise in terms of creating pursuing it dreams to become a modern city. High-raised building is now on its way to invade the city, as its tag-line says “My City My Pride”..

ILOILO CITY: The Center of Western Visayas

Welcoming growth and being highly-urbanized city, Iloilo's business growth is fast and becoming enormous. The presence of different intuitions in the city is an indication of being one of the economic centers in the Philippines.

ILOILO CITY: The City with Finest Festival

Paraw Regatta is one of Iloilo's finest festivals. Aside from this festivity Iloilo is also well-known for its Dinagyang which dubbed as the best Festival in the Country.

Friday, April 29, 2011

Barotac Nuevo : The Football Capital


By Nico Ordoñez
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:24:00 04/25/2011

Filed Under: Opinion surveys, local officials, Sport, Football


WHEN I was in Grade 5, I discovered that in the small provincial town of Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, the genuine love for football was alive and kicking. All kids, rich or poor, play football on streets, rice fields, town plaza and anywhere with a flat surface. If other towns in our country were to share in Barotac Nuevo’s passion for football, we would have already established ourselves earlier as a genuine football nation.

While most towns in the Philippines are devoted to basketball, Barotac Nuevo is devoted to football. Call it the Brazil of the Philippines. Like Brazil, the town locals have made playing football part of their daily activity.

Before my Barotac Nuevo experience, I joined our school’s football summer training camp in which our coach invited us to participate in a local football tournament to be held in Barotac Nuevo. Leaving home frightened me but I was very excited to join the training camp because our coach said that Barotac Nuevo players are the most passionate when it comes to football. They eat, sleep and play football daily.

The tournament in Barotac Nuevo was held at Monfort Plaza, a field named after the Monfort brothers who brought football to Iloilo in the 1920s. The field’s location reminded me of a traditional Spanish barangay set-up; a church on one side of the plaza surrounded by different villages. Monfort Plaza was at the center of the town where everyone gathered to watch people play football.

During our first game against Barotac players, I managed to compare how both teams looked like from the side lines. The players in our team wore brand-new football shoes, a fresh pair of long socks and our signature dark blue school jersey, making our team beautifully visible in the field. On the other side of the field were Barotac boys with no game jerseys, no game shorts, no shin guards, and no long socks. Not even color-coded shirts. “How sad...,” I thought to myself. But the thing that caught my attention most was that the other team’s players didn’t have any shoes on. At first, I couldn’t believe that they were going to play against our team barefoot until our coach told us that it was usual to see young Barotac boys play without any shoes. I continued observing the other team because I was amused with their informal get-up. A team without any jersey is a no-no in football tournaments in Manila.

Once the referee blew the whistle, our team had difficulty getting possession of the ball. Even though our team looked more professional with our jerseys, we couldn’t keep up with the speed and passing of the barefoot Barotac boys. When my coach substituted me in to play, I immediately chased one Barotac boy and attempted to get the ball from him. Afterwards, I fell to the ground. That was the first time I felt the incredible strength of a Barotac player. I had never felt a push as strong as his before.

As the game progressed, our team got more and more tired while the Barotac players remained active and strong. I observed them closely so that I could learn their technique. Their team’s strategy was simple. It was non-stop passing and running to an open space until they scored a goal. During our first game, the Barotac team scored three goals in the first half. We had difficulty gaining ball possession because we had never played against a team that ran and passed the ball as quickly as they did. Later on, the Barotac team scored two more goals, eventually winning the game 5-0.

After experiencing an unexpected defeat, we went back to our hotel in low spirits. When my dad asked me how the game went, I felt very embarrassed to tell him that kids without shoes played better than we did. Back in the hotel, our coach told us something that pacified us. He said that the reason behind the winning mentality of Barotac players was that for Barotac players, football is more than just a sport. It was something to look forward to during the day. Most Barotac kids used their mornings to help their families in household chores and used their afternoons to play football. Football kept them in high spirits even if their families couldn’t afford to send them to school, at least for most of them. In short, Barotac kids always cherish each moment every time they play football. When you look at it from that perspective, I guess our team’s loss wasn’t so bad.

While we didn’t have any scheduled games, I strolled around the town plaza watching other football games. During those moments, I observed what the Barotac audience was like. They all came from different backgrounds, lined up along the sides of the field wherever a game was being played. And the moment a goal was scored by one team, everyone rejoiced and cheered. I was amazed to see that all these people coming from different backgrounds stopped to watch kids play football. At that moment, I realized that there was something special about Barotac Nuevo. The town’s passion for football can’t be found anywhere else in the Philippines.

Why are Barotac football players the best when it comes to football? Simply because it’s in their culture. I asked one of my friends from Barotac regarding the town’s passion for football and he said that football is really just the main sport in their town. Barotac kids prefer football over basketball and thus more local tournaments are held giving everybody the opportunity to play. “Kids here play football every day,” he said. Aside from this, Barotac Nuevo has many football icons for locals, both young and old, to look up to. Among them are Yanti Barsales, Ian Araneta and Chieffy Caligdong, all members of the Philippine “Azkals” Football Team.

Playing football at Barotac Nuevo exposed me to the kind of passion for football we need to become a genuine football nation. When Barotac players play, games will always be intense. When Barotac players score, cheers will always be loud. When Barotac players run, plays will always be exciting. I adore these Ilonggos for their strength and skill when it comes to playing football.

The lack of uniforms, shoes and facilities give Barotac players the drive and determination to play every game like it’s their last. This underdog mentality can be our fighting chance on our way to becoming a genuine football nation.

The next time you go to Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo and you see kids playing football, don’t be surprised if they come to you saying “Hampang taha!” That’s the signal it’s time to play with them.

Nico Ordoñez, 18, is a first year student at University of Asia and the Pacific. He played for the NCR Football team during the 2009 Palarong Pambansa.

source:
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

LA RUTA ILONGGA: Iloilo City Jeepneys Street Guide


(as according to street names and certain landmarks)

First timers in Iloilo may seem to get confused in the jeepneys since there are no placards in the windshield indicating places that the jeepney served in its routes and instead a permanent sticker with the name of the jeepney line is indicated.

This guide should be a remedy for confusion in the streets of Iloilo.

Villa
Villa Arevalo District (Villa Plaza. Quezon-Avaceña-Molo Plaza-MH Del Pilar-Gen Luna-Iznart-JMBasa-Iznart-Ledesma-Valeria-GenLuna-to Villa by same route)

Jaro CPU
Lopez-Jaena-Jaro Plaza-E.Lopez-Luna-Bonifacio Drive-Arroyo Fountain-Iznart-JM Basa-Fort San Pedro-Duran-Santo Domingo-Plaza Libertad-to Jaro via same route)

Jaro Liko - NFA
LopezJaena-Jaro Plaza-E.Lopez-Luna-Bonifacio-General Luna-Jalandoni (San Agustin)-DeLeon/Rizal-Super-Aldeguer-JM Basa/Muelle Loney-Bonifacio Drive - back to Jaro via same route)

Jaro Liko - Tagbak
Tagbak, Jaro, Buhang, Jaena-Jaro Plaza-E.Lopez-Luna-Bonifacio-General Luna-Jalandoni (San Agustin)-Paseo de Iloilo, Valeria, Atrium Front, Back of the Capitol, Rizal St., La Paz, E.Lopez-Luna, Jaena-Jaro,Buhang, Tagbak

Jaro CPU-Ungka UI
Same route as Jaro CPU but terminal is at Ungka/UI Pavia, Iloilo and will pass by Christ the King Cemetery, Iloilo Central Line Terminals and CocaCola Phils Iloilo Plant

Ungka UI-Tanza (rare)
Ungka Jaro. Sambag-Dungon Diversion Rd. Cuartero. Diversion Rd. SM City. Infante (same route as Leganes Hi-Way SM within City Proper) and back to Diversion Rd then proceed to Ungka.

Jaro Plaza-Mandurriao
(Route 1 Jaro Plaza/Cathedral. El98/Huwebesan/. Cuartero Diversion. Airport. Q Abeto (West Visayas Medical Center). Mandurriao Proper
(Route 2 SM City. Diversion Road. Bakhaw. El98/Huwebesan. Plaza Jaro.

Bito-on-Jaro Plaza
Jaro Plaza, Cubay, Bito-on/PISAY (Philippine Science High West Visayas) and back

Mandurriao SM
Mandurriao District Proper (different routes) - Airport - Cuartero Jaro - Diversion Road (Bakhaw/EL98 Juncrtion), SM City, Diversion Road, General Luna, Arroyo Fountain. Iznart. Plazoleta Gay. JM Basa. Plaza Libertad. Rizal. Iznart. Ledesma. Fuentes. Delgado. Jalandoni (san agustin). General Luna. Diversion Road (SM City). Airport. Mandurriao District

Mandurriao Molo (Jibao-an)
Mandurriao District Proper (sometimes from Jibao-an). Plaza Mandurriao. Q Abeto. West Visayas Medical Center. Plaza. Tabucan. Carpenter Bridge. Plaza Molo. MH Del Pilar. General Luna. Arroyo Fountain. Iznart. Plazoleta Gay. JM Basa. Plaza Libertad. Rizal. Iznart. Ledesma. Fuentes. Delgado. Jalandoni (san agustin). General Luna. Diversion Road (SM City). Airport. Mandurriao District

LaPaz
La Paz District Proper (Ledesco Junction/Jereos), Comicion Civil. La Paz Plaza. Huervana. La Paz Market . Luna. Bonifacio Dr. General Luna. Jalandoni (San Agustin). De Leon/Rizal (super). Aldeguer. JM Basa. Iznart. Bonifacio Dr. Huervana straight to Ticud Junction and back to LaPaz Plaza to Jereos.

Lapuz
Lapuz Proper (Jalandoni Estate). Quirino-Lopez Bridge. Arroyo fountain. Iznart. JM Basa. Rizal. Iznart. Aldeguer. JM Basa. Iznart. Quirino Lopez. Lapuz

Barrio Obrero
Barrio Obrero Proper. RoRo Terminal. Same route as Lapuz.

SM City Arrastre
SM City Iloilo. Diversion Road. General Luna. Arroyo fountain, Iznart. Plazoleta Gay. JM Basa. Plaza Libertad. Rizal. Iznart. Plazoleta Gay. Ledesma. Fuentes. Delgado. Infante. Diversion. SM City.

Parola-Super
Parola. Muelle Loney River Wharf. Zamora. Plaza Libertad. Rizal. Iznart. J De Leon. Supermarket (same route going back to Parola).

Molo Baluarte
Baluarte Elementary School. Molo Plaza. General Luna. Arroyo Fountain. Iznart. Plazoleta Gay. JM Basa. Plaza Libertad. Rizal. Iznart. Ledesma. Tanza. Baluarte.

Molo Timawa
Timawa/Fundidor (Tibiao Bakery). Delgado. Jalandoni (San Agustin). De Leon/Rizal "Super". Robinsons. Valeria. Delgado. Timawa.

Calaparan/Villa Beach
From Villa Beach/Yulo Drive Jct passing thru Molo Boulevard. Baluarte. Ledesma.

Oton (Anhawan)
From Oton Poblacion passing by the National Highway and to Mohon-Villa. Villa Plaza. San Antonio (Melocoton). Avaceña. Molo Plaza. MH Del Pilar. General Luna. Quezon. J De Leon/Rizal. Valeria. General Luna. (same route out coming in to City Proper)

Oton Derecho
From Oton Botong/Oton-Tigabauan border. Trapiche. Oton Proper (same route as of Oton Anhawan)

Leganes (Hi-way SM)
From Leganes Proper. North Line Terminal. Balantang. McArthur Highway. Tabuc Suba. Simon Ledesma. Lopez Jaena. Plaza Jaro. El98/Huwebesan/Desemparados. Diversion Rd. SM City. Infante. Ledesma. Mabini. J De Leon. Valeria. Delgado. Jalandoni. General Luna. Diversion Rd. Jalandoni (Jaro). Comicion Civil. Washington St. Tabuc Suba and back to Leganes

Leganes (LaPaz)
From Leganes Proper. North Line Terminal. Balantang. McArthur Highway. Tabuc Suba. Simon Ledesma. Lopez Jaena. Plaza Jaro. Comicion Civil. ISAT. LaPaz Plaza. Huervana. Magdalo. Comicion Civil. Plaza Jaro. Tabuc Suba and back to Leganes

Santa Barbara (Hi-Way SM)
From Santa Barbara Proper. Bangga Dama. Cabugao Sur. Pavia Proper. Aganan. Ungka. Sambag Diversion Rd. Dungon. Cuartero. Diversion Rd. SM City. General Luna. Mabini. Delgado. Jalandoni. General Luna (same route out coming in to City Proper)

Santa Barbara (LaPaz)
From Santa Barbara Proper. Bangga Dama. Cabugao Sur. Pavia Proper. Aganan. Ungka. Sambag. Lopez Jaena. Plaza Jaro. Comicion Civil. ISAT. LaPaz Plaza. Huervana. Magdalo. Comicion Civil. Plaza Jaro. Lopez Jaena and back to Santa Barbara.

Monday, April 25, 2011

More Outlets Planned for Waffle Food Cart

by:  Jeffrey O. Valisno

FOOD CART operator Waffle Time, Inc. aims to open more outlets by the end of the year as it aggressively expands in Luzon and Visayas through franchising, a company official said last week.

Grace E. Barañao, Waffle Time vice-president for operations, said the company plans to open at least 50 more outlets this year, 20 of which will be opened to interested franchise partners. The company currently has 423 branches in the Philippines and Indonesia. Out of this total, 171 are franchise-owned outlets.

“Waffle Time is a pioneer of this concept of cooking waffles on site, and having different variants,” Ms. Barañao told BusinessWorld in an interview.

“We think it is time for us to expand are branch network to more areas nationwide,” she said.

Waffle Time began in 1998 with a single cart at the Atrium Mall in Iloilo City offering cheese and hotdog waffles. After opening seven branches in Iloilo City, Waffle Time expanded to Manila in 2002.

Currently, Waffle Time sells 16 variants from savory-filled waffles to sweet-filled waffles .Waffles cost between P10 to P20 each.

The company official said Waffle Time wants to take advantage of its commissary in Dagupan, Pangasinan to open more branches in Luzon.

In particular, she said the company is keen to receive franchise proposals from key cities in Pampanga, Zambales, and the Ilocos region.

Meanwhile, Ms. Barañao said Waffle Time is also interested to open more outlets thru franchising in Mindanao, since the company has a commissary in Davao City, and Cagayan de Oro City.

A three-year franchise package of Waffle Time costs P250,000 net of taxes.

After opening more branches in the country this year, Ms. Barañao said Waffle Time plans to expand in Asia Pacific next year. Waffle Time currently owns eight branches in Indonesia. 

 Source:
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Corporate&title=More-outlets-planned-for-waffle-food-cart&id=30224

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Holy History! Churches in Panay


Miagao Church
Christ is Risen!

Today, we celebrate Christ’s resurrection from the dead. The Semana Santa that preceded today’s celebration saw a number of Catholics visiting churches all over the country for the time-honored tradition of Visita Iglesia.

The faithful visits seven churches to pray and contemplate on the 14 Stations of the Cross and to visit the Blessed Sacrament, which is exposed on the altar on Maundy Thursday.

A journey to the historical churches scattered along the countryside offers not only a religious experience for those who choose to undertake it, but also a glimpse into the rich history and culture of the Philippines.

These help relive the time when churches stood proudly at the center of their towns and churchgoing is a practice observed with pious faith, a far cry from these modern times where Masses are often held at malls for the sake of convenience.

Luckily, in areas such as the Western Visayas region, there are still many beautiful centuries-old churches that offer travelers a chance to experience a solemn and beautiful visit. Here, we take you on a tour of historic churches that have withstood the tests of time.

ILOILO

San Joaquin Church

This beautiful church made of coral stone was constructed in 1859 under the supervision of the Spanish priest Tomas Santaren, who oversaw Spanish and Mexican artists. This grayish-white church became a fort when the Moro raiders invaded the southern Panay coast. Stone carvings found at the entrance of the church depict the Battle of Tetsuan in 1860, where the Spanish colonizers fought off Moro raiders from Mindanao. Instead of a cross, a carving of Nuestra Señora de Angustias was installed. The church is often compared to the Angkor Wat because of its architectural style.

Molo Church

This church is touted to be the most beautiful in the whole Western Visayas, It is also known as the “Women Church” because of the 16 nearly life-size images of female saints occupying the columns on either side of the church’s central aisles. Construction started in 1831, the structure is supported by posts of “ancient” designs in several areas. Dr. Jose Rizal was said to have visited this church on his way from Dapitan in Mindanao to Manila in August 1896. The bells in the belfry can be heard at a radius of one kilometer.

Miagao Church

This sandstone church, built in 1787, has an absolutely stunning façade and has been called “the most truly beautiful of Philippine Churches”. This church is said to exude the native Fiipino touch, because the façade is decorated with reliefs of coconut, banana and papaya trees and stylized guava fruits occupying the pediment which supports a statue of St. Thomas of Villanova. This church was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993.

AKLAN

Kalibo Cathedral

This church is most famous for housing the masses for the Sto. Nino of the Ati-atihan festival. The structure is more modernistic than its neighbors because it was rebuilt in the post-war era, in replacement of the original church that was completed in 1826. A strong magnitude earthquake in 1990 damaged the structure, but restorers, including National Artist Leandro Locsin were able to retain the post-war architectural style.

CAPIZ

Sta. Monica Church

This 200-year-old baroque structure is probably one of the most well-known churches in the country, and one that is usually included in Philippine history books. The church was constructed in 1884 under the supervision of Fr. Jose Beloso. The bellfry houses the famous Panay bell, one of the largest bells in the world, made of seventy sacks of coins donated by the townspeople. It measures seven feet in diameter, five feet in height and weighs 10,400 kilograms. Its inscription reads: “I am God’s voice which shall echo praise from one end of the town of Pan-ay to the other, so that Christ’s faithful followers may enter this house of God to receive heavenly graces.”

"Better late then never, ika nga, kesa walang ipakita!"

Source:
http://mb.com.ph/articles/315280/holy-history

Friday, April 22, 2011

FBI FILES: Ilonggo 101



By Keith Bacongco | Wednesday| April 20, 2011 | Filed under: Mindaviews


DAVAO CITY (19 April 2011) — Since I was young, I have often heard my grandparents talk about their hometowns in Panay Island, Western Visayas.

Even my uncles also talk about their vacation experience in Iloilo, particularly Pototan town, which is about 45 minutes away from Iloilo City.

Just last week, Ruby and I had the chance to visit Panay Island, where most of the settlers in Southwestern Mindanao came from. Having born and grown up in Mindanao, I have always been eager to visit our beloved Iloilo.

There’s a joke among Ilonggos that when you say you’re going to visit Iloilo, you will have to “renew.” It means you have to have your “license to boast” renewed in Iloilo.

It has been a joke that Ilonggos are known “tikalon” or boastful. Tikalon also means talking exaggeratedly. I still wonder why.

There is a joke that says: “Didto sa Iloilo, ang kwarta gina-pala kag gina-piko (In Iloilo, money is shovelled and hoed).” This is the most popular joke that some strangers would tease the Ilonggos about.

When we arrived in Iloilo, I didn’t see people “ga-piko, ga-pala sang kwarta.” But I still find it amusing how some Ilonggos in Iloilo speak or describe something.

Most Ilonggos in Iloilo speak or describe something with hyperbolic terms and exaggerated body expressions. If you’re a stranger, you would really find it comical and even doubt if they are precisely expressing their thoughts.

Some Ilonggos in North Cotabato do not speak the way the Ilonggos in Iloilo do except for those who are in Aleosan, Arakan, M’lang, Matalam and Tulunan. These towns are the known bailiwicks of Ilonggos.

The tone of Ilonggos in North Cotabato is different from those in Iloilo province. Pure Ilonggos speak with a “waving accent” while some Ilonggos in North Cotabato speak the dialect with a “hard accent.”

Some Ilonggos in Mindanao have a joke that in Iloilo, Coke is much longer than in Mindanao because there they say: “Ayooo, mabakaaal koo Cooooooke.” Most Ilonggos in Iloilo speak softly even if they are mad.

“Baw, ti ga balud-balud gid ila hinambalan sa Iloilo,” is how they would describe it.

There were a few words also that amused me when we went around the city. On board a jeep, a passenger told the driver: “Nong sa babaw lang.” It’s my first time to hear “babaw” when telling the driver that you are getting off.

Since it’s my first time to hear the word, I looked outside to see if there’s an overpass or a skyway ahead because for me “babaw” means “top.”

In Cebuano-dominated areas, we say “sa unahan lang” or “lugar lang.” Although when you say “lugar lang,” the drivers in Iloilo would understand it.

In North Cotabato areas, we say “sa unhan lang.”

When we were in Calinog town, about an hour bus-ride north of Iloilo, we asked a vendor how much each bibingka cost. She said “tag-lima,” which means P5 each. But here in Mindanao, we say “singko.” They say “pulo” instead of “dyes” (P10).

In other parts of Iloilo, they also count in the same way.

In Passi City, after disembarking from the bus, we asked the sikad drivers how far the church is.

One of the drivers said: “Marayo pa, sakay lang kamo.” “Marayo” means malayo (far). But after a few meters as we turned around the corner, we already saw the church. Baw, ti marayo gid to para sa ila.

In some parts of Iloilo, some words with “l” are replaced with “r.” This is known as Karay-a dialect. Karay-a dialect is most common among people from Antique province of Panay Island.
Hardcore Karay-a is hard to understand. In Bisaya, we say ugma while it’s buwas in Ilonggo. But in Karay-a, it’s “rum-an.”

I’ve been hearing Karay-a since I was a kid especially if we are in Midsayap with our relatives who are often in Iloilo. They say “bu-ol” or “bul-a” when they tell you to get something. It means “kuhaa” or “get it.”

Other Ilonggo terms also means differently in Cebuano. One time when we were watching a certain game on TV, Ruby said: ”nagkumpol lagi na sila?” I told her: “Paano nakumpol nga ga-dula pa gani sila?”

In Cebuano kumpol means “gather” while in Ilonggo it literally means a person with only one arm.

When we say “karon” in Ilonggo, it means later. While in Cebuano it means right now.

So many terms that I would find amusing when spoken by Cebuano-speaking people and mean the opposite in Ilonggo dialect. But I still find even more amusing to hear my fellow Ilonggo describe or say something with corresponding sound effects and body gestures.

Indi man tikalon ang Ilonggo ah, abi nyo lang na. Nasobrahan lang gid anda nga body gestures kag ga balud-balud.

***

While in Molo district, I asked a traffic officer in blue uniform. So let’s call him Blue Boy:

Kitoy: Ser, diin dire may ga serve sang pancit Molo?
Blue Boy: Ang tawag kaja nga lugar, Molo. Pero daw waay man ga luto kaja sang Molo. Lugar man ning Molo dire Iloilo.
Kitoy: Ti, sige sir ah. Pa Miag-ao na lang kami anay.
Blue Boy: Dira sa babaw, may karinderia jan.Ti basi may pancit jan, pero pancit molo, daw waay gid tana na dire.

(Keith Bacongco is a Mindanews reporter/photographer and is a proud Full Blooded Ilonggo (FBI) married to a Davaoeña in Davao City.)

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Calle Real de Iloilo: A Dying heritage Site



By Patricia Dominique C. Yngcong


A QUOTE from Wednesday’s The Daily Guardian opinion column irked me.


The article was entitled, “A tourist speaks out on Iloilo”. Basically, it was about Danish history professor Julie Blegvad’s impressions about Iloilo City. I agree with Blegvad’s prior thoughts that if Iloilo governance does heed to improving the city’s tourism providing that there are street holes around the city and that the formerly popular Villa Beach is now teeming with coliform bacteria. Did I forget to mention the recent high nighttime crime rates around the dim areas of the city?


So much for the Iloilo City slogan: “My city, my pride!”

The quotation from Blegvad’s statement that frustrated me was the observation that the Iznart and J.M. Basa heritage buildings were just waiting for time to demolish them. How can the Iloilo government allow tourists to witness their neglect towards the preservation of these important heritage sites? These tourists see old decrepit buildings that need to be destroyed instead of noticing a wonderful marvel of late Spanish colonial architecture that needs to be preserved.

Calle Real, as is also called, are decorated with stunning heritage structures which display late 19th century European and American colonial design. In the past, these streets have been used as an avenue for commercial establishments. The buildings have also been considered as a residence for the members of the Ilonggo elite.


Just strolling or riding a jeepney around Downtown Iloilo makes one person feel the glorious vibrancy and pride that these buildings emanate. It almost feels that the façades of these heritage buildings boast about how they have endured the assaults of the war and the deprecating elements of time. Seeing that these buildings appear mistreated and seeing that a fast food chain restaurant across a heritage site garners more attention, really dampers the spirit.


In Iloilo City, there are some 26 heritage buildings that are situated in the central business district. A district heritage zone was placed under the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council (ICCHCC) following the Executive Order No. 46 issued by former Mayor Jerry Treñas. This ordinance is targeted to conserve cultural heritage buildings and structures in the city. Last March, the ICCHCC have been requesting for support for the conservation of heritage buildings in the city.


Iloilo officials seem to be more focused on the commercial developments that are being established in Mandurriao district. However if it were up to me, I’d focus on the preservation of the 26 heritage buildings that bring a distinct quality to the city of Iloilo. So please Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, leave Barbeque Park alone and leave it to be demolished by the powers of time.

SOURCE:
 The Daily Guardian

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Iloilo town hopes to take off from success of local festival

The town of Zarraga, a fourth class municipality situated 15.7 kilometers north of this city, is banking on Saturday’s feat of its "Pantat" Festival to open more opportunities for its residents.

Zarraga Mayor Gregorio S. Brazas said that their winning has given them great pride.

Pantat Festival, a showcase of the major industries of Zarraga, was adjudged second during the Aliwan Fiesta street dancing competition held in Metro Manila over the weekend. It represented Iloilo Dinagyang’s Kasadyahan contest after bagging the championship crown during the 2011 Dinagyang Festival.

It was conceptualized in 2003 with the main purpose of encouraging more fishpond investors to focus on raising of African hito (catfish) or locally known as "Pantat."


Brazas said that currently, African hito are mostly raised in backyards. The local government unit (LGU) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) have been giving them support through the provision of fingerlings and technical assistance.

The mayor said they looked forward to establish their own hatchery to be able to produce own fingerlings to be distributed to those who are interested to raise hito.

Zarraga is now the major supplier of hito for the entire province of Iloilo but Brazas said they looked forward to expand the market of the product.

Meantime, businessmen Mike Plana, who is also from Zarraga and a supporter of the festival expressed hope that they can take off from the success of the festival.

“It has its own uniqueness; we can take off from that,” he said citing the possibility of making the festival a vehicle for tourism promotion and subsequently provide employment to the people of Zarraga.

He added that given some time he looked forward to organize well-meaning individuals and discuss how they can help the two and bring in other development to this fourth class municipality.

“We are looking at something more than the local. A bigger market or processing of hito,” he said.


Annually, some 50 tons of hito are being harvested and daily more than 150 kilos or grilled hito are sold along the national road of Zarraga apart from those that are being bought uncooked.

SOURCE:
 PNA
Byahilo.com

Iloilo City Gov’t Initiates ‘Sinadya sa Suba’

ILOILO CITY, April 19 (PNA) – The city government here, in partnership with the Bantay Suba, an organization that works on the rehabilitation and protection of the Iloilo River, are preparing to launch the first festival by the river initially slated May 20-21.

Dubbed as "Sinadya sa Suba," the activity has three major components - the cleanup of the Iloilo River, first inland angling competition and the "Konsyerto sa Suba" or the Music Festival by the River.

The activity initially aimed to raise funds for the Bantay Suba likewise to raise public awareness and participation in the protection of the Iloilo River.

Funds generated will be used to construct pumpboats that the organization will be utilized in its river rehabilitation and protection campaign.

Also being proposed to add color to the event is the food festival by the river in partnership with the Iloilo Hotels, Restaurants and Resorts Association (IHRRA).

A group of local artists is also planning to float lanterns at the Iloilo River in honor of former Constitutional Commission delegate Ephrain Trenas.

The city government is now working on the rehabilitation of the Iloilo River. Its projects recently won a gold award from the International Awards for Liveable Communities 2010 (LivCom).


 SOURCE:
 PNA

Monday, April 18, 2011

Railway revival planned to link Iloilo and Capiz

Relics of Panay railway in Passi City
By Nestor P. Burgos Jr.
Inquirer Visayas
First Posted 22:35:00 04/17/2011

ROXAS CITY – Panay Island hopes to bring back a part of its historic past with the planned revival of the railway system connecting the provinces of Iloilo and Capiz.

The Regional Development Council (RDC) of Western Visayas in its first quarterly meeting here on Friday approved the P16.017-billion project that is expected to boost the island’s economy and tourism industry.

The railway system will connect the cities of Iloilo and Roxas spanning 170.36 kilometers and will include access routes to the international port in Iloilo City and airport in Cabatuan town in Iloilo.

Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, chair of the RDC’s infrastructure development committee, said the project has been endorsed by the city governments of Roxas and Iloilo, the provinces of Capiz and Iloilo and the municipal governments of areas along the railway system.

Mabilog said the revival of the railway system would provide a much needed alternate mode of transportation that would cut short travel time between Iloilo and Capiz.
The project is the first phase in the revival of the Panay railways system. The second phase involves the railway system from Roxas City to Caticlan in Aklan, the jump-off point to Boracay Island.

Ro-Ann Bacal, regional director of the National Economic Development Authority (Neda), said the project would be implemented on a public-private-partnership (PPP) scheme.
She said Neda had forwarded the project to the PPP Center which would assist the proponents in looking for possible foreign investors.

The late Western Visayas historian Henry F. Funtecha wrote that the railway line between Iloilo and Capiz as among the developed transport systems in the Philippines during the early 20th century.

Funtecha said the origin of the railway system in Panay could be traced in 1906 when the Philippine Commission authorized the Philippine Railway Company in Manila to construct and operate a railway line in other parts of the country.


SOURCE:
 inquirer.net

Dinagyang Dominates ‘Aliwan’

BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
MANILA – Dinagyang Festival was declared the champion in the 2011 Aliwan Fiesta held here over the weekend.

Dinagyang, Iloilo City’s premier festival, was represented by its 2011 champion, Tribu Pan-ay of Fort San Pedro National High School.

Pantat Festival of Iloilo province’s Zarraga town was declared first runner-up. It was the grand champion in this year’s Dinagyang kasadyahan contest.

The Iloilo contingents bested 16 other Philippine festivals that vied for top honors in this annual event that gathers different cultural festivals of the country.

Tribu Pan-ay won P1 million while Tribu Pantat was given P500,000.

In the Reyna ng Aliwan beauty pageant, Ilongga beauty Dominique Braun of Tribu Pantat bagged second runner-up honors.

She was also declared best in talent.

Miss Dinagyang 2011 Samantha Marie Amparo won the Best in Festival Costume Award.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog of Iloilo City lauded Iloilo’s delegation for their sterling Aliwan performance.

Dubbed as “The Mother of All Fiestas,” Aliwan began in 2003.

It aims to showcase the different Filipino cultures and heritage not only to the people in Metro Manila but also to the rest of the world.

The contingents, meanwhile, aim to promote their respective regions both economically and tourism-wise.

Aliwan was originally organized as a visual extravaganza for the Christmas season but it has since been held during the summer months.

Aliwan is a Tagalog word for “entertainment” or “amusement.”

 source:
Panay News

Friday, April 15, 2011

FORT SAN PEDRO: Reviving Iloilo’s historic landmark


 THE centuries-old Fort San Pedro is one of Iloilo City’s historical landmark. It has, however, deteriorated thru years of neglect.


Now, there is a move to restore Fort San Pedro and develop it into a tourist spot.


TIMELINE
• 1603-1616 – Inclusive years when the Spanish government constructed La Fuerza de San Pedro (Fort San Pedro) on a 2,564-square meter property at the Iloilo City waterfront for defense against Dutch and English invaders. The materials used for the fortress were earthworks and wood palisades.


• 1617 – A Dutch squadron of 10 warships engaged the Spanish defenders manning the fort. The Dutch lost the battle.
• 1738 – The Spanish government reconstructed Fort San Pedro, using 30-feet thick stone walls and installing 50 guns and mortars.


• 1899 – Invasion of the Fort by American invaders. At first, the Fort defenders repelled the invaders. On another day, however, a reinforcement of American marines forced the surrender of Spanish defenders. The Fort became a stronghold of the US Navy.


• 1937 – The US Navy turned over Fort San Pedro to the Philippine Army, which turned it into its headquarters.


• 1941-1945 – During World War II, the invading Japanese forces drove the Army out and took over Fort San Pedro, which also served as dungeon for arrested Filipino guerillas.


• March 1945 – Combined forces from the United States Navy and the United States Air Force bombed all Japanese installations in Iloilo City, including Fort San Pedro, which literally perished.


• May 4, 1986 – Consorcia B. Cordova of La Paz, Iloilo City filed a miscellaneous lease application with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for occupancy of Fort San Pedro and establishment of a drive-in restaurant thereat.


• July 10, 1986 – The DENR issued an investigation report recommending the issuance of lease contract to Cordova.


• May 21, 1991 – Cordova and the DENR entered into a 25-year miscellaneous lease agreement – for period covering February 13, 1991 to February 12, 2016 – for use of the property as a drive-in restaurant, the Fort San Pedro Drive-in at the annual rental fee of P36,783.68.


• July 22 and September 18, 1991 – Consorcia Cordova and her husband, Carlos Cordova, died, respectively.


• July 5, 1994 – Transfer of lease contract from the late Consorcia Cordova to her heirs.


• April 14, 1998 – The Department of Tourism (DOT), through Regional Director Edwin Trompeta, wrote a letter to then DENR Regional Executive Director Raoul Geollegue in connection with DOT’s intention to restore Fort San Pedro as a tourist destination. Before it could act on the DOT proposal, however, the DENR had to rescind the lease contract with the children-heirs of the late Corsorcia Cordova. The DENR withdrew the rescission after the heirs contested it in court.


• October 13, 1998 – Trompeta wrote a letter to then Philippine Ports Authority-Iloilo Manager Christian Santillan requesting the PPA to provide a 30-meter buffer zone out of its reclaimed area for conservation of the existing remains of the Fort.


• May 11, 1999 – Trompeta submitted to Sen. Franklin Drilon the preliminary study/design of the proposed Fort San Pedro Conservation Project done by the United Architects of the Philippines, Iloilo Marikudo Chapter.


• January 31, 2003 – The DENR, represented by then Regional Director Raoul Geollegue, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Cordovas reinstating the latter’s occupancy of the leased Fort until expiration date on February 12, 2016; or, in case of rehabilitation of the Fort before that date, a portion of it for restaurant.


• October 2, 2004 – The DENR formally turned over to the DOT the management of Fort San Pedro through a memorandum of agreement signed by DENR Regional Director Vicente Paragas, DOT Regional Director Edwin Trompeta and the heirs of Consorcia Cordova.


• September 15, 2010 – Trompeta wrote a letter to DOT Secretary Alberto Lim requesting for a budget of P100 million for the restoration of Fort San Pedro, which has already been certified by the National Historical Institute as a “historical structure.” It would house a museum, a marine aquarium, a restaurant, a curio shop, an information office and an open-air venue for art and cultural performances.
SOURCE:
 Panay News

Sunday, April 10, 2011

How do you Sell Iloilo City

By: Ben Jimena


OFTENTIMES we ask ourselves, what is there to find in Iloilo City? Or why would visitors come to the place which seems to have nothing interesting to offer? It does not have much of natural wonders except for its river. No waterfalls, no nearby mountains, no hot spring, no caves. Villa beach is black sand.

In the past, we tried to package Iloilo City as a heritage destination. Photos of old baroque churches, antillan mansions, huge pre-Hispanic commercial buildings have been ubiquitous in postcards and other promotional collaterals for Iloilo City which was labeled heritage city.

The heritage branding however did not somehow click and take off. Iloilo City remains in the sideline.