ILOILO: HEART of the PHILIPPINES

Eleven miraculous images.  Eleven different stories of faith.  One Señor Santo Niño ! Celebrating its very first Dinagyang, Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo focuses on faith as it unveils its festival centerpiece - an exhibit of antique Sto. Niños Dubbed as PAGTU-O , meaning "faith" in the local dialect, these 11 images from different local parishes and devotees , in varying sizes and origins, have different stories of faith to tell tested through time. “ Prayer should always be part of our day to day for us to open our hearts to many miracles that are happening all around us  "  says Cleofe Albiso, General Manager of Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo. " Seeing the images of the sweet baby Jesus at the lobby in celebration of the entire festival will help remind everyone to offer all joys and sacrifices back to Him who has made everything possible to us. ”  The Holy Child  owned by Kenny Santiago.  Formed by the late Joaquin ‘...

One of the longest streets in Iloilo City is named after him. The regional headquarters of the Philippine National Police for Western Visayas bears his name.  His hometown - Santa Barbara, Iloilo has named the street bordering its plaza  and a baranggay after their most distinguished son. A bronze monument stands in front of the Santa Barbara Municipal Hall and a historical marker has been installed at the place where he raised the Filipino’s flag for the first time in victory outside Luzon. And now, Megaworld Corporation formally unveils it's very own tribute to Gen. Martin Teofilo Delgado with an iconic monument at the heart of the Iloilo Business Park. In Iloilo City where the past is always present in every corner, the bronze statue of the greatest Visayan ‘revolucionario’ General Martin Delgado aka GMTD at the Iloilo Business Park (IBP) is hard to miss. A masterpiece created by Spanish sculptor Gines Serran-Pagan, one of the world’s most renowned i...

Being the premier venue of Dinagyang special events since, SM City Iloilo is set to offer extraordinary events that will make your festival experience more than you expect.  Here is a run down of the happenings you should not miss, so you can experience Dinagyang where you are used to see things first before somewhere else. LUCES IN THE SKY Spectacular fireworks display. Experience the spectacle first in SM City Iloilo on January 25 to jumpstart the party and sing the night away with  WARRIORS PARADE You’ve seen them first in SM City Iloilo and the annual warriors parade will take an extraordinary turn this January 25-27 at 6pm and 8pm. Be sure to be in the mall and witness how this tradition has evolved to bring Dinagyang closer right in your very eyes. EXTRAORDINARY ENTERTAINMENT Be entertained by the country’s extraordinary entertainers as they drum up the festival season in the mall. Catch Hearthrob JK Labajo on January 24 and have some rocki...

  The many coves, islets and beaches of Guimaras offer great opportunities for a terrific summer or anyday getaway.  Aside from beach-combing and swimming; going around the islands proves to be one exciting activity that often highlights a (day) trip to the island. The popularity of Alubihod beach makes it a good jump off point for island hopping for it offers convenience and a lot of other amenities as well. Just pay the entrance fee at any resort (Raymen is recommended) - no need to book for rooms or cottages.  Along the beach you will find a number of boat operators offering boating services with rates standard for the whole of Guimaras.  Or you can book via Raymen Beach Resort. Rates and itinerary at Raymen Beach Resort as of Jan 2019 These boatmen already have an island hopping itinerary but they can also accommodate out-of-the-route requests, weather permitting. The journey begins along the clear waters, coral stone formations and islet...