ILOILO: HEART of the PHILIPPINES

The 2nd Batchoy Festival officially opened last January 21 and like the warm Ilonggo spirit, the noodle recipe synonymous with Iloilo City , is boiling to a simmer until January 24, 2021 at the main mall of SM City Iloilo. The success of the first-ever Batchoy Festival last 2020 paved the way to pursue the event despite the challenges this year. After all, this famous soup is what Iloilo is known for. Batchoy is a hearty noodle soup which traces its origin in La Paz district, hence it is often referred to as La Paz Batchoy. The usual ingredients of the Batchoy are Miki (egg noodles), Pork, Liver, Pork Intestines, Chicharon, Garlic and Chives, all sitting on top of the hot broth of pork or beef bones and condiments, boiled for hours to squeeze all the flavor from the ingredients put into the soup. Four iconic Batchoy brands- Inggo’s Original Batchoy since 1920 prides itself as the first batchoy in Iloilo, Popoy’s Original Lapaz Batchoy, a popular brand visited by a...

Megaworld’s Iloilo Business Park township is all set to spread happiness and inspire hope in celebration of the city’s world-renowned Dinagyang Festival, with safety protocols in place.   As a premier lifestyle destination in the city of love, Iloilo Business Park is all geared up to greet revelers with a festivity of fun, fashion and flavors as the world-class festival goes digital for the first time. Dinagyang 2021: Kasanag kag Kalipay (Light and Happiness) will also shine the spotlight on Ilonggo frontliners, which emerged as the real Dinagyang warriors of the city in 2020.  Ilonggos are invited to watch a feast of dancing lights and sparkles at  Glitters in the Sky on Jan. 24, 7 pm at Iloilo Business Park. A much-awaited annual event during the community’s grandest festivity, the grandest fireworks show highlights the vibrant celebration of fun and merrymaking.  Ilonggos can also appreciate artistry and craftsmanship with a showcase of ...

G MA Regional TV (RTV), in partnership with Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. and the Iloilo City Government, is set to air the  Dinagyang Digital 2021  this January 24 via GMA TV 6 Iloilo and simulcast on GMA TV 6 Guimaras, GMA TV 5 Roxas, GMA TV 2 Kalibo, and GMA TV 7 Tablas.   The Memorandum of Agreement signing held on January 8, 2021, was led by GMA Western Visayas Station Manager Jonathan V. Cabillon, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, and Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc (IFFI) President Atty. Joebert Peñaflorida. Virtually attending the MOA signing was GMA Regional TV and Synergy Vice President and Head Oliver Victor Amoroso.   As the annual Dinagyang Festival goes virtual to keep everyone safe while still celebrating, GMA RTV commits to bring Dinagyang Digital 2021 to more Kapusong Ilonggo through GMA RTV 6 Iloilo's wide reach. GMA Regional TV and Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc together with the Iloilo City Gov...

Following strict protocols to ensure a safe Dinagyang 2021, an array of events is prepared for a one-stop experience, complete in one destination— SM City Iloilo  Support and buy lokal! is the battle cry to support Small, Medium and Micro Entrepreneurs to help promote local products. Thus, the  ILOILO 2021 DINAGYANG MARKET MARKET  featuring the widest selections from handmade goods to farm-fresh produce is set up January 18-24 at the Main Mall Event Center. The fair is also a way to strengthen the promotion of homegrown merchandises as well as to showcase the best of Iloilo. We have a reason to be merry as DINAGYANG FESTIVAL COSTUMES are up Northpoint near Ace Hardware for shoppers to enjoy. Mallgoers can snap a selfie at the display on Jan 18-24 of colorful festival costumes, upload in the official SM Facebook Ad and get a chance to WIN exciting prizes! To savor Iloilo, the 2nd Batchoy Festival is happening on January 22-24. Iloilo’s popular Batchoy brands as well as fav...

Globe was cited by no less than Iloilo Mayor Jerry Tre ñ as for its efforts to make the city's environment clean and safe. The citation was in reference to the recent cable clearing operation done by the telco.   In his social media post, Mayor Tre ñ as said, “ We are very grateful to our private sector in partnering with the city in beautifying our streets, and securing the safety of our streets. ”   “ Globe (team) has fixed its facilities underneath the skywalk, and more line teams have helped us in clearing tree branches that impede the bundling of wires and cables ,” he added. With the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to the country, Globe has been working closely with Iloilo City to bring about better connectivity, enabling faster delivery of services to the city by the LGU.  The improved connectivity is benefitting the city's public school students and residents in general.   More cell towers have been installed in the city as Iloilo pivoted and fully-...

With mangroves serving as a  sanctuary to fishes and home to other marine life to the Iloilo River ecosystem, SM CITY ILOILO heeded the call for the collective efforts in conserving the waterway at the heart of Iloilo city. Headed by SM Regional Operations Manager for Visayas 3 Girlie Libo-on, mall employees and agency personnel of SM City Iloilo planted the first batch of mangroves along Esplanade 9 on January 13, 2020. The activity is part of the massive mangrove planting activities of the Iloilo City Government, set to spruce up banks of Iloilo River particularly along new sections of Esplanades. Several batches of employees and personnel will be deployed on specific days to complete the target of 2,000 mangroves along the 9th section of the Iloilo River Esplanade.

As the unforgettable year 2020 ended, SM City Iloilo representatives, together with representatives of CENRO in Barotac Nuevo, visited the 24-hectare tree planting site in Brgy. Cag-an in Anilao town. The 24-hectare land area planted with 12,000 fruit bearing trees is under the care of the Cag-an Upland and Lowland Development Association. CULDA is a people's organization under the supervision of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 6 (DENR 6). SM City Iloilo was represented by Asst Mall Manager Darrel John DEFENSOR, PR Manager Troy Camarista and Building Admin Officer Louie Raner.  The group checked on the progress of the fruit-bearing trees at the 24-hectare area in Brgy. Cag-an Anilao, Iloilo. They were assisted by CENRO representatives May Leysa and Shyne Espinal together with  CULDA people's organization in-charge of maintaining the area.  The visit is one of the series of monitoring done by the mall to ensure t...

There is so much for you to discover in Santa Barbara, Iloilo! From its pivotal role in the quest for freedom for the Ilonggos - as retold in history books, to its heritage as manifested in centuries-old structures, surviving customs, traditional ways of life and gastronomy. No other town has contributed this much to the Iloilo’s history, economy and tourism than Santa Barbara. Check out this heritage walk designed for locals and tourist alike to discover, experience and enjoy what the historic town has to offer. Easy to follow map serving as guide Marvel in the beauty of the newly restored CHURCH and CONVENT (A) built in 1849 and declared as a National Historical Landmark and a National Cultural Treasure. Discover the town’s rich culture and historic past at the CENTENNIAL MUSEUM (B) . See one of the biggest Philippine flags atop one of the tallest flagpoles in the country displayed 24/7 at the FLAGPOLE PARK (C) . A monument dedicated to GEN. MART...