Skip to main content

Plazuela de Iloilo - an exciting new mall in Iloilo City

I was about to go home yesterday when all of a sudden I just decided to drop by the still unfinished Plazuela de Iloilo. A month ago it had its soft opening with a few locators open but now, though works are still going on, it has quite created a buzz among Ilonggos. From the architecture and the press releases it had, it showcased it Spanish theme maybe as a reminder that Iloilo was the last Spanish bastion in the country. The name of the mall itself, Plazuela shows obvious reference plus its main activity area is known as Plaza Mayor.
A new concept of malling in the city as opposed to the usual box typed malls and very compact malls, Plazuela de Iloilo makes malling a leisure. It echoes Iloilo’s way of life – not so hurried despite the hustle and bustle of city life. Compared to the adjacent mall, SM City Iloilo, Plazuela is really very spacious – in fact my first impression is it’s actually a waste of space – lol. But a beautiful one – it could be the next most photogenic places in the city when it’s completely finished. While other malls fill up every crack and nook of space for retail, Plazuela has lots to show. Though I can’t be sure how it wills look and feel when its 100% filled up but still its al fresco motif creates and illusion of space.
When I got there yesterday, it had its first event at the Plaza Mayor – the graduation rites of a certain culinary school. Right timing it would seem as they activity center also hosts a 15-day food festival and a bazaar. In tune with the season, the center of the plaza had a giant Christmas tree – the biggest Iloilo City have ever scene.
The back portion of Plazuela has two pocket gardens; on both sides of the Plaza Mayor and further more is the vast parking area. Its color scheme hides the fact that you’re already in the backside as it is still as attractive as the front – actually I find the back portion more engaging.
Among the locators that are already open for business are Padi’s Point, Sony Centre, R. Florete Jewellery, Queenbank, Little Martians and a host of food stalls. Soon to open are Peppy Thai Deli, Deco’s La Paz Batchoy, Hamada Japanese Restaurant, Red Corner by HongKong Kitchen, Al Dente, ICenter – An Apple Concept Store, Rose Pharmacy, Cebu Pacific Ticketing and a lotto outlet to name a few. Plazuela indeed had raised the standards of malling in Iloilo City by way of architecture and maybe tenant quality. It also has given Iloilo City a sort of preview of what to expect with the development of the old Iloilo airport by Megaworld Properties. Surely the district of Mandurriao has positioned itself as the new Central Business District as it houses the new breed of shopping, fun and entertainment in Iloilo City.

Popular posts from this blog

Connie Carillo Diversified Farm in Bingawan: Helping Sustaining a Healthy Community Through Farm Schools

The area around the town of Bingawan, the edge of the central portion of the province is where it ends and the town of Tapaz, Capiz province begins and is very much another unsung corner of Iloilo with warm, friendly, welcoming people. Bingawan has some rich farming land and farming is at the heart of its village life. The landscapes are gorgeous here; with gentle pastures, to the high mountains. The area offers some beautiful hikes and bike trails across its lovely rolling meadows, woodland and a few working farms. The town would be less touristic than its neighboring towns but is well worth exploring. If you are concerned about how organic can contribute to benefit our shared environment, promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved, then a trip to Connie Carillo Diversified Farm is for you. With the governments’ efforts to improve the knowledge and technical skills of the farmers, the Connie Carillo Diversified Fa
Read more

Travelers guide to Iloilo transport terminals (Airport, Jeepneys, Buses, RORO. etc)

Being the biggest city on Panay Island and the center of Western Visayas region, Iloilo City is a transportation hub whether by land, sea or air. These numerous transportation terminals facilitate day to day commerce, light & heavy industries, and tourism, among others. As this is a travel blog, this guide is aimed to tourists who want to experience and explore Iloilo and perhaps even beyond. Iloilo International Airport A little more than five years old, the Iloilo International Airpor t is among the most modern and beautiful in the country today. It is situated around 20 kilometers from Iloilo City , straddling the towns of Cabatuan, San Miguel and Sta. Barbara . It has direct links to Manila, Cebu, Clark, Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro  and Puerto Princesa plus international destinations Hong Kong and Singapore . Among the first hurdles tourists will have to contend is the distance that translates to expensive fare when traveling to and from this airport.
Read more

Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo Levels Up Sustainability Efforts by Eliminating single-use plastic water bottles in guest rooms.

  Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo, a prominent player in the hospitality industry, is proud to announce a significant step forward in its commitment to sustainability. With a dedication to preserving the environment, the hotel is taking substantial measures to reduce its ecological footprint and enhance its sustainable practices.   Hotels have long been contributors to plastic pollution due to the widespread use of single-use bottled water. Recognizing this environmental challenge in the tourism industry, Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo is taking a bold step forward by reducing its plastic footprint significantly by removing single-use bottled water from guest rooms.   Eliminating Single-Use Bottled Water: Embracing Reusable Carafes with UV Filtration Water Stations   Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo places itself at the forefront of the eco-conscious movement by eliminating single-use bottled water from its guest rooms and fully implementing reusable carafes as an amenity from July onwards. Water
Read more