Discovering Incredible Iloilo

Hello Steemians! Back from a month of fun and learning. :)

Sharing with you guys all of the fantastic sights and scenes from our Iloilo trip. It was my first time there, but I'm pretty sure it won't be the last!

Iloilo marker in The Molo Mansion.

For those of you who aren't from the Philippines, Iloilo is located in Western Visayas, in the island of Panay. Last month, my department and I were lucky enough to have been sent there for a teacher-training cum workshop.

From Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, we took a connecting flight to Iloilo via Manila. (Just a bit of a side note, since I'm still very thrilled by it, we took photos with the band IV of Spades in the NAIA Airport. They are very cute.)

Our team then set off to where we're staying- Punta Villa Resort in Arevalo. Arevalo is a beach-side area and the whole place is sprawling with seafood. It was terribly hot when we got to Iloilo, but when we reached the resort, it was a sight to behold.

Punta Villa is one of the oldest, yet most beautiful places in Iloilo.

The whole Villa is painted white, its architecture well-maintained, truly a piece of Philippine history. The staff were really friendly and kind, too.

'Hacienda' feels all over the place. The beautiful infrastructures are surrounded by trees and plants.

At times likes these, I try to imagine what it would be like to actually live IN a Villa. I mean, if a family of five owned a Villa, would they own like one building each? How would they communicate? Would they shout at each other from a distance? No one can truly know. Haha. This is all just in my head, of course.

Our session was held in their grand ballroom, which is the 'heart' of the resort.

But that doesn't mean the place is boring! The Villa also boasts two pools, and is a go-to-place for parties and functions, even just cooling off. They have a pool-side bar and resto as well. On our second night, the delegates for the seminar were partying the night away, with a live band and a lot of lively music and dancing. Not to mention the food.... oh, and the booze. I don't drink, but ones does not need to to enjoy the night!

They also had a pool! Best way to beat the summer heat in the afternoon is to swim at night :)

The seminar-workshop lasted for 3 days, and we went out on the fourth day. It was a day tour, so I'm wearing the same clothes in the photos. Don't mind me. Iloilo is also near two popular islands, the Gigantes Islands and the Guimaras Islands... both of which we didn't go to because of the time constraints. That's going in my bucket list.

Garin Farm's entrance. Hundreds of vacationers and pilgrims flock here every day.

The first place we went to was the Garin Farm. Garin Farm is located in San Joaquin, and is one of the more popular tourist sights in Iloilo. It's a long drive from the city, but once you get there, it would be all worth it. I was told hundreds of tourists and pilgrims flock the place.

Garin Farm is lush with plants and animals.

Upon entering Garin farm, you will be met with an arch of flowers which lead all uphill to where the pilgrimage area is. Just a fair warning, since Garin IS a farm, there are a lot of farm animals, and with that comes the smell which is quite normal (and honestly is expected). But the farm's beauty overpowers whatever 'smells' there are. When we were there, we saw flocks of doves and pigeons fly around, returning to their birdhouses briefly, and then setting off once again. I think that's one of the unique experiences I've had there, too.

Aside from the flora and fauna, Garin Farm is almost famous for its pilgrimage site.

The highlight of the tour was the pilgrimage. The famous Divine Mercy Shrine rests atop a hill and you have to climb up 456 steps to get there. On the way up, there are several stations, the stations of the cross, where people can rest and pray. I was one of the braver ones who went up the stairs. My companions took a buggy going up- which was actually a pretty smart move to conserve energy. I just liked the challenge.

Once up the steps, you will be met by an entrance which leads to an artificial 'cave'. The pathway is very dark. The tablet outside says that it represents our journey in earth, that we grope around in the darkness, almost blind. In the middle of the tunnel, there is a room where people pray. There's a large cross with light streaming through it. A few meters away lies the exit.

On top of the 'stairway to heaven' is a heavenly sight, sprawled in white, laden with angels.

Once you come out from the dark tunnel, you will be met with a very bright light. Musical hymns are blasted over the speakers. This sight is truly immaculate. For Catholics, this is a point of reflection, and of happiness. After journeying through the heat and after the climb up the steep stairway, 'heaven' is within reach. I've seen people cry as they entered the area, while others couldn't stop smiling. It was a surreal moment.

Iloilo is also a deeply Catholic, spiritual place. We also made the most out of the tour by visiting some of the churches there.

San Joaquin Church

Most, if not all, of the churches in Iloilo are heritage sites. The architecture is maintained, and they are reminders of how much people value their faith and beliefs.

Miag-ao Church in Zulueta Ave.

Miag-ao really stood out for me. I'm very much into Baroque Architecture and the church is a prime example of that. The walls are embellished with exquisite carvings and statues.

Guimbal Church near the Iloilo National Highway.

The government puts a lot of effort into restoring and maintaining these sites. An example of which is Guimbal Church which was under renovation when we arrived.

Molo Church in San Pedro Street.

The last church we went to was in Molo. Yup, home to the famous 'Pancit Molo', the Molo area has a lot of go-to places. Aside from the church, there's also the Molo Mansion.

The Molo Mansion.

The Molo Mansion is an prime example of Iloilo Architecture. When we were going around the city, we could see a lot of these mansions. Iloilo is also very well-kept and clean. We seldom saw garbage just lying around. Going back to the Molo Mansion, it had a big 'Iloilo' Marker (as seen earlier in the post) and also has a giftshop and a cafe!

The Molo Mansion Cafe serves a variety of beverages and snacks! Including the famous pancit Molo!

After the Molo Mansion, we filled our hungry bellies with food. Now, I'm not exaggerating when I say this, but Iloilo HAS THE BEST FOOD.

When in Iloilo, this restaurant is a MUST try! You will not regret it.

An example of this is the Freska Restaurant located in Ayala Technohub, Smallville Complex, San Rafael, Mandurriao. For 300 Pesos, you can experience a taste of heaven through their eat-all-you can buffet.

They have dishes from beef, to pork, to seafood... and basically everything in between.

When I say eat all you can, I mean it. They have all assortments of food, from their stews to their pancit. There was an abundance of seafood. There were oysters and crabs, and tempura. They also served other Filipino delicacies. It also has its own Halo-halo bar, where you can choose your won mix! 'Dirty Ice Cream' is unlimited, too!

Oh, and did I mention you get to make... your own... HALO-HALO?!

After filling our bellies with the most delicious food you can imagine, we then headed off to Bisocho House. I wasn't able to take photos because I went on a serious pasalubong rampage, but Biscocho House favorites include Butterscotch and, of course Biscocho.

Near Biscocho House is the Tinukib Cafe and Pasalubong Center.

Tinukib Cafe and Pasalubong Center.

Tinukib is a quaint cafe, with a mini-museum in the second floor. Unfortunately for us, the Museum was closed because it was the weekend, but there was still an assortment of beautiful weavings and crafts made available in their pasalubong center.

The Cafe supports its local Indigenous People, as part proceeds from the cafe funds community projects.

The cafe also has Kopi Luwak or Civet Coffee! Proceeds from the coffee fund local projects. It's quaint cafe, too. It's perfect for a quiet afternoon indoors with a book or just really good company.

Once we've bought our shirts and pasalubong, we headed off to our last destination- the famous La Paz Batchoy.

And of course, the famous La Paz Batchoy.

There are several La Paz Batchoy shops inside the La Paz Market, but we chose Netong's Batchoy. Where do I begin? As a batchoy lover for years, I was very thrilled to try the ORIGINAL La Paz Batchoy, and I definitely wasn't disappointed.

The batchoy isn't scalding, yet it's warm enough to make you sweat. The soup is definitely heavenly, as it complements the noodles very well. The toppings? An overload of flavor. The chicharon, liver, green onion stalks and meat, with a serving of egg on the side made my batchoy dreams come true. I'm not kidding. I stared at it for a good five minutes before digging in.

Don't let that tummy show. Uhhh...

With hearts full and tummies fuller, we bid goodbye to Iloilo. It has indeed been a wonderful experience. Now that I think about it, it was not just the food that made a big impression. It was the warm people that really made the experience worthwhile. The Ilonggos are always smiling and helpful, they are courteous and generous, and that's something that will stay with me, and will look forward to, when I'll be back.

Iloilo being incredible is an understatement.