ILOILO: HEART of the PHILIPPINES

A young runner from Balasan, Iloilo, recently went viral on social media after photos of her surfaced online. RHEA BULLOS joined an athletics competition barefoot and had only a makeshift Nike cover on her feet during Iloilo Schools Sports Council (ISSC) Meet 2019. On December 11, Rhea was privately invited to The SM Store Iloilo and was surprised with actual Nikes, socks, and a new sports bag – all of which she had selected. This short visit was facilitated by The SM Store Asst. Branch Manager, Yvonnie Delgado. After the said visit was posted by her coach in social media, it was learned from the comments that there are other runners aside from Rhea and that they also joined the competition barefooted. The incident even caught the attention of no other than the Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho team, who also featured Rhea and the other members pf the team. Last December 13, 2019, The SM Store Iloilo warmly welcomed 24 student-athletes from ...

The Santa Barbara Church and Convent — a National Historical Landmark, joined heritage sites across the country as the Philippines officially start the 500-Day countdown for the Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines in 2021. Dubbed as LIGHTS ON, this nationwide ceremony, covered by RTVMalacañang and PTV 4, held last December 14, 2019 with twenty one (21) chosen Philippine heritage sites across the archipelago "lighting up" their respective historical significance with the main celebration taking place in Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan, Cebu. The parish convent hosted a series of meetings of the Ejercito Libertador led by Gen. Martin T. Delgado during the Spanish regime that led to the "Cry of Santa Barbara" on November 17, 1898 - the first Philippine flag raising outside of Luzon. Santa Barbara Mayor Rema B. Somo led the countdown ceremony together with Vice Mayor Jeffrey Sumbilla and the SB Sangguniang Bayan members. Highlighting the eve...

The Dinagyang fever is on!  The traditional Pamukaw kicked off last December 14, 2019 to the excitement of all Ilonggos for Dinagyang 2020, with simultaneous performances of different Baranggay tribes in Iloilo City. The Pamukaw started with a program at 7:30pm at Iloilo City Hall grounds as Mayor Jerry P. Treñas declared the start of Dinagyang with the first drum beat, followed by the simultaneous performances of the tribes in different areas. The veteran tribes revived the old vibe of merry-making in various venues: Tribu Molave – Arevalo Plaza; Familia Sagrada – Mandurriao Plaza; Tribu Parianon – Molo Plaza; Tribu Kanyao – Jaro Plaza; Tribu Aninipay – La Paz Plaza; Tribu Hamili and Sagasa – Plaza Libertad; Tribu Panaad – Sunburst Park; and Tribu Angola – SM City Iloilo. SM City Iloilo, the only mall who played host to the said event, complemented the barangay perfomances and filled with festival drumbeats and energetic perf...

For this Yuletide season, Hotel Del Rio is paying tribute to the classic Filipino Christmas, putting Ilonggo families at the center of it all. Iloilo City's homegrown hotel prepared a slate of events and offerings that seek to bring back nostalgia for the Yuletide season of yore at the same embracing its more than five-decade legacy as one of the city's enduring icons.  With its unique vista overlooking the Iloilo River, Hotel Del Rio was first established in 1965, now boasting a more than half a century legacy as an Ilonggo landmark and icon - a pioneer of the city's hospitality industry for more than 50 years now. And starting this Dec. 16, the hotel begins its '9 Mornings Breakfast Buffet' to coincide with the annual Simbang Gabi.  Café Del Prado will be opening as early as 5 in the morning to welcome churchgoers with a sumptuous breakfast spread that includes the quintessential after Simbang Gabi treats bibingka with salted egg ...

In yet another display of integrity and sincerity in the conduct of their jobs, two SM City Iloilo security personnel returned valuable items they found in separate occasions left by customers in the mall. On November 24, 2019, a security guard in the person of SG Liza H. Huyo of NMISA Security, while conducting clearing operations at SM Cinema 7 around 6:10pm, found a blue wallet containing cash amounting to Php 22,183.50 and Phil. Nurses Assoc. ID named after Ms.Ivy B. Borro of Baldoza Lapaz, Iloilo. Meanwhile, at around 8:30pm of the same day, SG Glenn Galido of NMISA Security Agency, while conducting Clearing at Cinema 6, found a blue belt bag containing cash amounting to P14,000.00 and Identification cards belonging to Mr. John Aldren A. Sajonia of San Miguel Iloilo.  Mr. Sajonia and Ms. Borro arrived at CRS Office to claim the recovered items and after thorough verification, their belongings were returned to them. SG Huyo and SG Galido were endo...

In line with its thrust of accelerating the digital transformation of the Philippines, Globe has established another milestone partnership through its GoWiFi services - this time, with the local government of Iloilo City.     (L-R)  Mr Francis Cruz, MIS Head of Iloilo CIty;  Atty. Edgardo Gil, Chief City Legal Officer of Iloilo City  ;           Paulette Villaflor, Industry Head, Visayas- Globe Business; Hon. Geronimo "Jerry" P. Treñas          Mayor of Iloilo City;  Janis Racpan, Director- WiFi Business Group at Globe; Carlo John  Ortiz,         Cluster Head Vismin-Globe Business; Jun Juada, Region Sales Head (Western Visayas) at Globe; and        Liezyl Villanueva, Retail Area Head- Globe Business at the MOA signing held at the City Hall of Iloilo The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Ag...

Hotel Del Rio is treating Ilonggos to the best of the classic Filipino Christmas this 2019.  The home-grown Iloilo hotel kicked off the Holiday celebration last Dec. 8, Sunday, with its very first 'Joyful Cheers' Christmas Lighting Ceremony to finally unveil its festive new décor for the month of December. Arch. Edgar Suelo poses with his classy creation Hotel Del Rio's lobby features rustic Yuletide scenes and charming sinamay parols designed by yhe celebrated Ilonggo artist and interior designer Architect Edgardo "Edgar" Lopez Suelo Iloilo  City Mayor Jerry Treñas with Mr. Alfonso Tan anf family led the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. These classy decors pays homage to the aesthetic of a classic Filipiniana Chrisymae and showcasing the exquisiteness of quality Ilonggo craftsmanship. Ms Edna Gepte "Today, Hotel Del Rio stands as the sole truly Ilonggo hospitality brand in the city: said Edna Gepte, Hotel Del Rio and Iloi...

Surely it's not only Santa who's making a list this year. We bet you've also done your homework and checking it twice. So before anyone else starts to pout tell them to better watch out because we'll tell you why as we give you the things you can do for the holidays this year!  Say Gobble Gobble! Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo is looking to make your life much easier this year by giving you the option of buying an all-inclusive feast for just P4,888. The whole roasted turkey package comes with 5kg turkey, savory bread stuffing (1kg), green beans with brown butter and almonds (1kg), Chef's green salad (650g), mashed potato (1kg), cranberry relish (500g), mushroom gravy (750g), 1 piece pumpkin pie, 1 piece apple pie, and pad thai.  It's the season of endless festivities and parties, at home and at work. So skip the preparation hassle and bring magic easily to your tables with Courtyards turkey package. Offer available from November 15 t...

RealMe is celebrating its 1st year anniversary in the Philippines with the opening of its biggest concept store in the country at SM City Iloilo. “We are thankful to our Western Visayas Realme squad for their unwavering support since our launch last year"shares by realme Philippines Marketing Director Austine Huang. "With Iloilo being one of the key cities in the Philippines, we find it an opportune time for our brand to establish a strong foothold in the province" she continues. Realme’s biggest offline store to date will house the brand’s complete lineup of smartphones, merchandise and accessories, including iconic cases and realme buds. Huang says that through this flagship store, RealMe can better cater to the mobile communication needs of the Ilonggos and the people of Panay Island, and deliver to them great value and powerful performance. After achieving a series of milestones this year from a string of successful ...