Downtown loosely refers to the portion of Iloilo City’s City Proper district that stretches from the Capitol Complex to Plaza Libertad. A typical tour of Downtown Iloilo starts at the Capitol Complex along Bonifacio Drive. A cloudy day would be the most ideal since it is mostly a walking tour with most of it’s attractions within walking distance with some jeepney rides now and then.Museo Iloilo provides a perfect backdrop for tourists who want to have some landmark photos of their visit. Inside the museum offers artifacts ranging from ancient to early 19th and 20th century which were Iloilo’s golden years. From scientifically date fossils, shells, rocks. Stone Age flake tools, native pottery and ornamented teeth among others, all indicating the age of Panay Island. Collections of photos and literatures of the old Iloilo are on display plus some paintings of modern local and national artists are exhibited in the at times.
A few steps away is the Capitol complex showcasing both the old and new capitols of the Iloilo. The new capitol, aside from being the center of governance of the province, is also a good photo op venue. Among the tallest structures in the area, it offers breathtaking views of Iloilo City and Guimaras. The old capitol known as Casa Gobyerno is undergoing restoration works to bring back its former glory.
In front is the Arroyo Fountain, aside from being aesthetic, it also marks Kilometer 0 for the whole island of Panay. Distances from all over the island are measured based on this starting point. It is also a rotunda where streets coming from and leading to various districts of Iloilo convene and part ways. It’s also the start/end of the historic Calle Real – the original commercial center of Iloilo City.
Iznart Street comprises half of Calle Real, is among the bustling streets teeming with commercial establishments. Halfway through it is a controversial landmark just referred to as “The Obelisk” constructed by a private organization. Traversing JM Basa Street brings nostalgia as this street reflects the colonial past of the city. Heritage buildings and historic structures house commercial establishments that reflect the aura of the past. Bargain shops selling all kinds of items flood the area – school supplies, books, foot wear, RTW clothes, fruits and street foods. You name it, you’ll find it. Now with the renewed interest in heritage, some of the old buildings are being restored to their former glory like the former International Hotel
Almost near its apex is Freedom Grandstand and as the name implies it has seen countless gatherings from political, cultural, religious entertainment and others. But the most famous of which is during Dinagyang Festival as it serves as the main and primary venue for the event.
Behind it is landmark structure that provides good photo ops whether up or down. From below, the Customs House building known as Aduana is a regal structure that offers a commanding view and complements Muelle Loney. High above its tower, a nearer vie of Guimaras and the surroundings makes a perfect bird eye view of the heritage district of Iloilo. There are still many notable buildings just hidden behind years of grimes and neglect but just look beyond and you’ll see its grandeur open before your eyes.Plaza Libertad is dedicated to the national hero Dr. Jose Rizal and is among the city’s better maintained plazas. Typical of most, it has a church on one side, the brick clad San Jose church and a house of power on another – the new Iloilo City Hall. Patterned after many of the city’s historic buildings like that Masonic Temple across the plaza, the city hall is set to become another attraction in that part of the city.
A little further gives another glimpse of the historic past of Iloilo as mansions from rich families still survives and now made into restaurants, schools, or still being lived in. Then finally there’s the historic Fort San Pedro, a stronghold that protected the city from its invaders over the centuries. Sadly, only a minute trace of if remains to be seen and years of neglect have caused its deterioration. But a view of the island of Guimaras and a beautiful sunset are the saving grace for this part of town.
Surely a historic tour of this kind is tiring and makes one hungry. But don’t fret, since this part of the city also holds a lot of gastronomy – and some historical too. A few blocks bring one to Roberto’s. Among the city’s iconic restaurant, Roberto’s is famous for its pancit, fried meat, hamburger and of course the royalties Ilonggos revere – the King and Queen sio pao.
The area is also known as the Chinese district and Chinese restaurants abound take your pick from KongKee, Dainty, Summer House, Mama Gan and a whole lot more. The Central Market a few meters off JM Basa Street offer great buys too from flowers to handicrafts to dried seafoods for pasalubong. Take your pick from, dried squid, fish tocino, boneless dilis, danggit and more. A popular hole in the wall (literally) bakery has been serving Ilonggos hot bread and tasty bread for years. Buho (hole) Bakery is popularly known as such because of the hole where one can get their orders before opening and beyond closing times.
A walk along Valeria Street and its vicinity is like a food trip for the street hosts a lot of food places serving local and modern cuisine. The La Salette building has reinvented itself to be a modern gastronomic destination housing mostly local food chains. Luna’s serves the most popular Arroz caldo in town, Ted’s and Deco’s have batchoy. Native restaurants like Dapli by Breakthrough and Buto’t Balat serves Ilonggo faves like fresh lumpia, chicken binakol and a whole lot more. Also check out cafes like Bluejay and Dulgies for your sweet cravings. Check out Balbi’s for pancit palabok, dinuguan, ensaimada & cheese rolls and Iloilo Birdhouse for a variety of sweets and snack items sans the expensive price.
The area also hosts big shopping centers like the first SM outside Manila – SM Delgado. Erected in the late 70’s it has gone several reconstructions until the present two storey building. The Amigo Plaza mall and hotel complex has existed since the 80’s and is among the newest to be refurbished. Awaiting rehabilitation is Mary Mart Mall known as the ukay ukay mall with its numerous stalls selling less expensive stuff. The Atrium further down Valeria also houses a hotel plus a mall, grocery, and various food places.
Gen. Luna Street is also a gastronomical avenue dotted with restaurants, bars, cafes and more. Thanks to the numerous schools, hospitals, hotels and establishments along this street marked with two flyovers that momentarily give a good view of the Iloilo River at its peak.
A Robinson’s mall occupies almost a whole block, not to mention almost a whole baranggay too. It’s mostly out of the way but has created quite a niche in itself. Though young compared with the rest it has placed it self in the map simple because of Mang Inasal. The fastest growing (native) fast food chain in the Philippines today had its humble beginnings in the car park of this mall. So when you crave for Mang Inasal when in Iloilo, make it more significant by dining at Mang Inasal branch number 1. And picture yourself beside that monster cock that symbolizes it might as it takes the country by storm – opening 100 branches a year!