Rediscovering Iloilo
Talking about the province of Iloilo, what instantly comes to our mind are thoughts of the exemplary taste of the original La Paz Batchoy and Pancit Molo, the renowned Visayan noodles that started off from the two towns of this province. You can savor best batchoy and pancit in no other place than their birthplace ---the marketplace of La Paz (for batchoy) and Molo (for pancit). But there are more to these Visayan specialties...
Going There
Iloilo is a southern province of the Philippines that can be reached less than an hour by air or through a 20-hour-ferry journey. It’s easy to get there as most airlines and ferry services offer regular daily trips. For a weekend-vacationer, I recommend taking an air flight, but those who prefer to stay there for weeks can try the sea journey which offers plenty of leisure activities, but of course that depends on the ferry services. Some of ferries facilities include swimming pool and sauna services, children’s playgrounds, bars and disco.
We took an early flight which brought us to the Iloilo airport before seven in the morning. Just a few minutes of cab ride we arrived at the Tourism office where we were warmly welcomed by the local tourism officers and given our itinerary for two days. To maximize a weekend getaway it is always wise to contact the local tourism of the particular destination to make sure that you will cover the best sites. Of course, you can always modify the itinerary as you wish. The itinerary (or at least a list of places) serves as a sitemap to guide your adventures in an unfamiliar place. It’s good to ask the local people for direction as most of them know how to communicate in Tagalog and English, but it is smarter to have a concept of the place before touring it.
All The Fun
Our first stop is the Museo Iloilo where I marveled at how well Ilonggos have preserved their past. The museum houses priceless collections that include wares and stuff excavated from various shipwrecks and sites, swords and other ancient weapons, idols and other religious images. There is also a gallery where local artists showcase their geniuses.
Next, we set off outside the city proper to visit Iloilo’s grandiose old churches. But before that, we gave in to our craving for the appetite satisfying meal of La Paz Batchoy served with puto (locally made rice cakes). A 15-minute jeepney ride from the town of La Paz (remember, the best place to eat the LaPaz Batchoy is from its birthplace!) brought us to the first cathedral built in Panay, an island where Iloilo is part of. This Jaro Cathedral at the Jaro District is where the great Filipino statesman Graciano Lopez Jaena was baptized.
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