ILOILO PROVINCE, THE HEART OF THE PHILIPPINES: WHAT YOU CAN DO?

"The Heart of the Philippines"

📌 ILO-ILO PROVINCE, WESTERN VISAYAS

Did you know that the province of Iloilo is the first province outside Manila to have an electricity, railway, telephones, cinemas, double-deck buses and automobiles? In 1877, the very first department store in the entire Philippines opened up in Iloilo.

Would you believe that the first concrete road in the Philippines is found in Jaro, Iloilo?

Also the erythromycin antibiotic was first discovered in Iloilo. Likewise, the first Filipino to fly a passenger plane is from Iloilo.

One of the islands of Gigantes, municipality of Carles, Iloilo

And wait, Graciano Lopez-Jaena, one of the "illustrados" and founder of the Propaganda Movement during Spanish colonial period, and Eugene Torre, the first Filipino Chess Grandmaster were both hailed from Iloilo.

Historical. Rich. Progressive. Splendid. Stunningly beautiful with a heart.

Those truly make my heart beat in Iloilo, the heart of the Philippines.

#ExploreVisayas #IloIloProvince #IloIloCity #WesterVisayas #UswagIloIlo #PanayIsland

PHOTOS: Some Tourist Spots in Iloilo Province

The 40 Things You Can Do Or Try In... ILOILO PROVINCE, WESTERN VISAYAS

Feel the classical Romanesque style of the 1874-built Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral, believed to where Graciano Lopez-Jaena was baptized.

Complete the only four UNESCO baroque-style Spanish churches in the Philippines with Miagao Church (Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church, 1731).
The other 3 baroque churches are San Agustin in Intramuros, Santa Maria in Ilocos Sur and Paoay in Ilocos Norte, all completed. 👍🙂

Arguably, if not the most beautiful church facade in the Philippines.

Be an agricultural buff at Garin Farm, the most beautiful agro ecological tourism farm I've seen so far.

Make some friends with the nice Ilongga people while spending some chillax mode at the cozy Graciano Lopez Jaena Park towered by the Spanish-era old Jaro Belfry, a national historical landmark.

Be amazed with the different shells and coral fragments found here at Pulopandan Islet. It has the most concentrated shells of myriad species per square meter of all islands in the country that I've seen.

Watch the outline of Masbate and other nearby islands while on the Visayan Sea.

Spot the long tailed macaques among the trees, crevices and burrows of the massive limestone spires of the Islas de Gigantes.

Make your lovable beau smile at Tangke Lagoon surrounded by towering karsts and limestone spires.

Selfie on top of the most photographed spot in Ilo-Ilo Province and one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines, the Cabugao-Gamay (Antonio Island).

Be mystified with the crocodile tail rock and sliced bread rock formations at the palm-fringed Antonia Beach.

Have some rest in the middle of the Visayan Sea at Lantangan Beach, South Gigante Island.

Feel the thrill of talcum-soft sands with your feet at the serene Mini Boracay Beach.

"Athens of the Philippines".
Go back in time of Leonardo DaVinci with this Renaissance Gothic architecture design of Molo Church, made from distinct white coral stone blocks. Don't forget the famous pancit molo after your retreat.

Manifest the faith in God at Parroquia de San Jose Placer. It is a Byzantine-Neoclassic Church planned to look like the elegant Spanish Church of Valencia del Cid.

Amplify the illustrado or creoles in your blood by visiting the Spanish-era Don Ramon Lopez Ancestral House.

Study economics and social sciences here on the very first economic museum in the Philippines, the Museum of Philippine Economic History (MPEH).

Shop at J.M. Basa Street, a historical street located in the old downtown district Iloilo City Proper. The street often referred to as the "Escolta of Iloilo". It is home to several fine examples of historic luxury American era neoclassical, beaux-arts, and art deco buildings. The street has been famous since the Spanish Era.

Bring back the breath of time in the Old Downtown of Calle Real, the Spanish central business district during the good old days.

Prevent hypertension and risk of aneurysm by moderately eating massive and fatty crabs.

Indulge in the bounty of unlimited red scallops found on the waters of Visayan Sea.

Just enjoy the natural beauty anywhere in 7,641 Philippine Islands.

Search for AFAM and let them be your forever at Bantigue Sandbar. Don't forget your OOTD for a great first impression.

Snorkel on the calm and white sand laden waters of Balbagon Island.

Slurp the porky and garlicky broth of the La Paz batchoy noodles, one of Iloilo's most famous food icon.

Touch the massive coral blocks of the 18th century San Nicolas de Tolentino Church (Guimbal Church).

Climb the smallest watchtower of Pescador Moro Watchtower in Guimbal, used to spy approaching Moro pirates and marauders during Hispanic-era.

Be excited with a friendly date at Guimbal Plaza while sipping that palatable guraman-sa-malamig and tasty fish balls dipped with spicy watery vinaigrette.

Testify the truth of Jessica Soho documentary about the ghostly acacia tree that turns into a mansion seen only by people with "third eye". Municipality of Guimbal, Iloilo Province.

Know history at the Casa Real de Iloilo (Royal House of Iloilo), also known as the Old Iloilo Provincial Capitol, the seat of the provincial government of Iloilo in the Philippines since the Spanish colonial period until 2006.

It also served as the residence of the alcalde-mayor, presidente municipal, or governor, who held the highest authority as the Spanish official in Iloilo during the period.

Be geek at Museo Ilo-Ilo which houses an impressive collection of the province's cultural heritage which includes stone age native pottery, fossils, jewelry, burial sites and other artifacts.

Look for night life in different plazas of Iloilo City before going to bed.

Detour at the nearby island province of Guimaras, the home of the sweetest mangoes in the Philippines.

Visit the sister school of Saint Paul University Tuguegarao, the Saint Paul University Ilo-Ilo.

Buy those fancy pearls, clothing, beads and other memorabilia at the super elegant Molo Mansion.

Get that freedom at Plaza Libertad, where the heroes of Panay declared their independence from Spain on December 25, 1898. This is a national historical landmark. Ilo-Ilo was the last Spanish capital in Asia.

Be inspired with the outstanding governance of the City of Ilo-Ilo, one of the most progressive and highly urbanized cities in the Philippines. (Ilo-Ilo City Hall).

Rest your tired legs due to DIY at the benches of Sunburst Park while learning some Hiligaynon words. "Uswag" means progress or forward.

Eat that unlimited rice at the very first branch of Mang Inasal, opened in December 2003 before Jollibee acquired it in 2010. Location, ground floor, Robinsons Mall Carpark Iloilo.

Shed tears in heaven at Heaven On Earth (Stairway To Heaven), San Joaquin, Ilo-Ilo Province.

Be stunned with the drop-dead vista of the triangular Cabugao Grande Island.

Be a one-time seafarer while strolling the galleries of the Museum of Philippine Maritime History. Here, you can see the replicas of indigenous sea vessels used by the early Filipinos.