Iloilo City lockdown unveils hidden world-famous landmarks lurking in the City of Love

You've probably seen those pictures of Metro Manila with the Sierra Madre mountains visible in the horizon. Or that of the megalopolis with clear blue skies and without that blanket of smog.

How about that of Manila Bay with its waters comparable to the turqouise waters of Boracay? But my favorite is the of the iconic Manila sunset framing the gigantic cross atop Mt. Samat in Bataan.

LOCKDOWN. With less people on the move means less pollution on and above the ground (no planes either) revealing clear blue skies and Mother Nature reminding us what we haven't seen.

But Iloilo is no stranger to blue skies as it is less polluted compared to the big city. But that didn't hinder the wild imagination and creative editing skills of JM Acuña (Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jmikz ) to create an imaginary scenario of what's "hidden in and around Iloilo City under the clearer blue skies..."

EIFEL TOWER. The iconic Parisian landmark is best viewed from the monument of Ilonggo hero, Gen. Martin T. Delgado fronting ILOMOCA or the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art at Megaworld's Iloilo Business Park.

MOUNT FUJI. Still at the Iloilo Business Park, Japan's most revered volcano is clearly visible with its snowcapped peak as viewed from Megaworld Boulevard.

GREAT WALL. Just a stone's throw away, at SM City Iloilo, the most famous wall in the world makes a perfect backdrop for the largest mall in the region.

TAJ MAHAL. The most beautiful mausoleum in the world is just at the tip of the Iloilo Esplanade with the clean Iloilo river giving it a romantic setting.

COLOSSEUM. On the other end of the river stands the majestic edifice once used in gladiators versus gladiators or animals duel. Now it would be a great cockfighting arena!

NIAGARA FALLS. And the Iloilo river itself unveils its most beautiful secret - a mesmerizong cascade of water creating a mist likened to a bridal veil.

STATUE OF LIBERTY. With its dramatic setting in the mountains of Guimaras and with Fort San Pedro as the perfect viewing deck, it symbolizes liberty enlightening the world.

A glimmer of hope that will soon become a spark and eventually a guiding light that will deliver us all from the CoViD-19 pandemic that rocked and shocked the whole world.

Now, which is your favorite imaginary landmark?

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 airp...

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...

St. Joseph Chapel at Festive Walk Iloilo's The Deck

While most malls around the country host Sunday masses in some obscure hallway filled with plastic chairs with a makeshift altar, some malls have built niches or transformed unused spaces into places of worship. And Ilonggos should be proud that one of the newest malls in Iloilo City has actually a chapel located in a prime spot and one that boasts both beauty and serenity. The St. Joseph Chapel at Festive Walk Iloilo is located in one of its al fresco areas known as The Deck located at the 3rd level. While this open air area also has a mini plaza and dog park (and soon - cafes and restaurants) it is the chapel that highlights this al fresco part of the mall. Eucharistic mass services are held every Sunday at 11am while first Friday masses at 5pm. It is open to the public everyday for personal moments of silence and solitude. The Deck and everything in it is open from 10am to 10pm with the entrance located betwee...

ILOILO: HEART of the PHILIPPINES

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