ILOILO: HEART of the PHILIPPINES

Rising generation and transmission costs continue to push up power rates across the country, with distribution utilities affected whenever the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) places the Visayas under yellow or red alert. Manual load-shedding during these alerts, caused by supply shortfalls, has disrupted normal operations. Limited supply amid high demand has driven prices higher, forcing many distribution utilities and electric cooperatives to raise their rates. In June, MORE Power relied more on bilateral suppliers because prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) surged. Sixty-two percent of MORE Power’s supply came from bilateral contracts and 38 percent from WESM. Spot market prices climbed from ₱4.45/kWh to ₱10.30/kWh. Overall, the generation rate rose by ₱2.10/kWh, reaching ₱7.735/kWh. Meanwhile, MORE Power’s average distribution charge remains unchanged at ₱1.85/kWh and has been stable for more than three years. This June, MORE Power’s rate reach...

“Getting there is half the fun”.  It depends whether you take it figuratively or literally. In my case, it is always a mix of both as I have discovered in my travels. While leisure travel is not essential right now, a #throwback trip will be as unforgettable. To continue, my most recent visit to Hong Kong was back in 2019, I really enjoyed my journey and discovered a lot - even before I reached my destination! “Asia’s World City” is my first trip abroad and to “celebrate” its anniversary, I went back to rediscover and uncover more, in 2017. Good thing, there’s a direct flight from Iloilo to Hong Kong (v.v.) and there are more to choose from if connecting via Manila, Cebu and Kalibo (to name a few). Once connected, the massive and modern Hong Kong International Airport welcomes you to the city that never sleeps - in this part of the world. And that’s where the discovery of the iconic rides of Hong Kong begins… One of Hong Kong's signature views as seen from The Peak I...

More than just a place for shopping for daily essentials, public markets are the windows of a city’s soul. It is a shared space for the community and a living connection between the past, present, and future reflecting how the city and its people continue to evolve.  A visit to the markets gives one a close view of everyday life and a taste of cultural heritage through the food, crafts, produce, and commodities offered to shoppers. These retail spaces are also a hub for small businesses as well as homegrown brands and local products. Countries around the world are leveraging their local markets as destinations as part of their tourism strategy. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul Turkey, for example, is often cited as one of the oldest enclosed markets in the world, dating to the 15th century. The Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey   Stock photo from Dreamstime.com It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985 and remains to be a must-see attraction in Istanbul, drawing ...

Under the midday sun and hopeful clear blue skies, shovels pierced the ground as a significant step toward expanding educational opportunities in Iloilo City marked with the site blessing and groundbreaking ceremony of the New Tuburan Study Center, a project developed by Daguiao Foundation Inc.  On June 27, 2026, the ceremony was attended by Most Rev. Midyphil Billones, DD, Archbishop of Jaro; Governor Arthur Defensor Jr.; Mr. Roel Castro of MORE Power; Mr. Antonio Jon, President, Daguiao Foundation, Inc.; Engr. Rene Tan, Director, Tuburan Study Center, and various personalities. Located along General Luna Street, Barangay Villa Anita, the Tuburan Study Center is envisioned to become a multi-story learning facility designed to provide students with spaces to study, mentoring, reflection, and personal growth spiritually.  More than just a building, Daguiao Foundation Inc. seeks an answer to the growing needs of students for environments that encourage discipline, focus, and val...

A stone’s throw away from Molo plaza is the Dominican Sisters Motherhouse.  The religious complex houses a church, offices and residences for its congregation plus a well curated museum among others.  The latter displays religious artifacts as well as non-religious items from its world-wide networks of missions. But the highlight is everything about its founder Mother Rosario who used to tread the grounds of this sanctuary in which also one can find the crypt that houses her remains. There you’ll find relics, personals and other things associated with Venerable* Mother Rosario as well as other ecclesiastical artifacts as well as relics. ( Taking Photos in a specified area is NOT allowed) The museum is open MWF around 9 to 11am and 2 to 4pm.  Just contact Dominican Sisters of the Philippines Motherhouse - Molo, Iloilo City for inquiries.  * Beatification (and eventual Canonization) is currently being processed and in the hands of the Vatican for her called Blessed and...