ILOILO: HEART of the PHILIPPINES

"Centuries-old houses and massive developments  -- all these can be seen in Iloilo, where the past is always present!"  Proclaims the latest advertisement of the Department of Tourism for its VISIT PHILIPPINES 2015 campaign. For this shot, its features the seamless transition from the old Iloilo from its majestic mansions and landmarks to the new. Photo collage from THE PHILIPPINES Facebook Page Featured are the mansions (  The Antillan House , Nelly's Garden , Casa Mariquit, Camiña Balay nga Bato and Eagle House), Jaro Belfry and Calle Real representing Iloilo's illustrious past. Portions of Diversion and the  Iloilo Esplanade  capped the 32 second video representing the balanced dynamism and development the Ilonggo's are currently experiencing.  Check this nostalgic video. 

Megaworld, the country’s leader and pioneer in developing integrated urban townships, is opening two new hotels this year in its two townships in Metro Manila and Iloilo.  Richmonde Hotel Iloilo Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, which will occupy eight levels of the 12-storey Richmonde Tower in the 72-hectare Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, is set to open in June this year. The business hotel will be the first Richmonde Hotel outside of Metro Manila and will have 151 guest rooms.  It will house a restaurant and deli, function rooms, business center, fitness gym as well as a lap pool with its own pool bar. Megaworld has commissioned world-renowned architectural firm Gettys to design the hotel’s façade, grand lobby, restaurant and guest rooms. Gettys took inspiration from the city’s rich agricultural roots for the hotel’s design concept. The same firm has designed some of the world’s prestigious hotels such as The Peninsula Hong Kong; Hyatt Regency in Ca...

The ambitious PhP12B Manhattan-like 16-hectare Gaisano Iloilo Center project in West Diversion Road, Brgy. San Rafael, Mandurriao, is envisioned as a mixed-use development of commercial, residential units and offices by mall chain Gaisano Capital and its property developer arm GoldPeach Properties. It will be closely similar to Metro Manila’s Eastwood, Rockwell, Greenbelt or Filinvest Alabang. Ample open spaces, outdoor dining (facilities and amenities) and tree-lined streets are of top priority. Read more about Gaisano Iloilo City Centre . Here are some latest perspective of the Gaisano Iloilo City Centre from their Facebook Page . Be updated with the latest through its master planner TVAPartners . Mall Facade Canals envisioned to be Iloilo's little Venice Boardwalk restaurants and cafes  Promenade More cafe and resto scene Perfect for a stroll People-watching Boardwalk with one of the several bridges Reflecting Iloilo's rive...

More shopping and dining thrills are coming to Iloilo City as Ayala Land's Iloilo development (unofficially) launches The Strip at Atria. Set to complement The Shops, which is now on a dry-run/soft opening, The Strip at Atria would likely be rows of dining and shopping possibilities.  The Strip and The Shops, meanwhile are both accessible and convenient to Seda Hotel Iloilo which is now under construction for a 2016 grand opening. Photos by Datu Marikudo from UrbanScape Philippines Forum

Travelers going to the island of Guimaras from Iloilo will soon have a new and world class ferry terminal as DoubleDragon Properties Corporation will undertake a PhP 135M ferry terminal project. Known as G.I.F.T. (Guimaras Iloilo Ferry Temrinal), it is also a literal "gift" to the Ilonggos as the company of Mang Inasal founder Edgar "Injap" Sia will put up the entire structure and operate it in the next 25 years with option to renew. The city government will not shell out counterpart funding to the project but will even earn from revenues and taxes from the operations of the improved terminal, according to a report by The Daily Guardian . G.I.F.T.  will be located at the old Rotary Park in Fort San Pedro area. Facilities that will rise include a world-class terminal building, People’s Plaza Mall and fuel refilling station (for pump boats) - all in  a fully landscaped 1.3 hectare complex.