ILOILO: HEART of the PHILIPPINES

More than just a place for shopping for daily essentials, public markets are the windows of a city’s soul. It is a shared space for the community and a living connection between the past, present, and future reflecting how the city and its people continue to evolve.  A visit to the markets gives one a close view of everyday life and a taste of cultural heritage through the food, crafts, produce, and commodities offered to shoppers. These retail spaces are also a hub for small businesses as well as homegrown brands and local products. Countries around the world are leveraging their local markets as destinations as part of their tourism strategy. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul Turkey, for example, is often cited as one of the oldest enclosed markets in the world, dating to the 15th century. The Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey   Stock photo from Dreamstime.com It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985 and remains to be a must-see attraction in Istanbul, drawing ...

Go Hotels Iloilo is all set to welcome and fulfill its promise for guests to #GoExplore More while offering affordable and quality convenience for travelers and tourists in Iloilo. lloilo is referred to as "The Heart of the Philippines" due to its location in the middle of the Philippine archipelago. Historic sites, beaches, colonial residences, delicious food, and historical landmarks can all be found in Iloilo. With its rich culture, Go Hotels Iloilo is committed to making travelers enjoy the historic island, leaving guests wanting for more. "In Go Hotels Iloilo, we want you to have the opportunity to learn about the culture and tradition in Iloilo. Go Hotels Iloilo is strategically located in the bustling streets of Iloilo and neighboring tourist attractions to create an experience of learning, having fun, and forging unforgettable moments" Robinsons Hotels and Resorts, Group Director of Sales and Marketing Joy De Mesa says. Besides its access to historic tourist...

Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines' leading airline, welcomes ‘ CEB-tember’  with a #CEBSuperSeatFest this 9.9 for both domestic and international destinations. From 10:00AM on September 9, until September 13, 2022, CEB is gifting everyJuan with a SUPER early seat sale to allow them to plot ahead next year’s summer vacation plans. With a travel period from March 31 to August 1, 2023, travelers are bound to find value-for-money deals with domestic flights up for grabs for as low as PHP 79 one-way base fare, while international seats are available for as low as PHP 199 one-way base fare.     Domestic flights as low as PHP 79, international flights as low as PHP 199 “We are encouraged to see more people confidently flying nowadays, not only within the Philippines but internationally as well. It has always been our core mission to stimulate travel so we are excited to offer yet another special seat sale as we enter the –ber months,” says Candice Iyog, Vice President for...

Pioneering township developer Megaworld is set to open its second homegrown hotel development inside its 30-hectare The Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu by fourth quarter this year. This will be the 12th hotel property of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, the country’s largest operator of homegrown hotel brands.  The 20-storey Belmont Hotel Mactan will have 550 guestrooms and suites, composed of a mix of Twin Suites, Queen Suites, Junior Suites, Executive Suites, and Specially-abled Suites, with most units featuring an expansive view of the Hilutungan Channel. All rooms will be fully-equipped with essential amenities, in-room electronic safety box, wall-mounted TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, a minibar, and wireless Internet connection. Total room keys at The Mactan Newtown to reach 1,100, making Megaworld the largest hotel operator in Cebu  The new hotel will be located just beside Savoy Hotel Mactan along Newtown Boulevard, and only a few minutes’ walk from the Mac...

Festive Walk Iloilo and the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) will host  Panagbo: Encounters with Tradition expo showcasing the dynamic and cultural relationship between Roxas City and Iloilo City.  The event slated this September and October, Panagbo has two components open to the public. The Roxas City Food & Crafts Fair  features fresh seafood products as well as locally-made souvenir products from September 3 to 7. Guests can shop for the local products at the Garden Atrium of Festive Walk Iloilo. Panagbo, the exhibition at Hulot Gallery at ILOMOCA  opens from September 4 to October 21. Curated by Marika Constantino, the exhibition features artists and art groups based in Roxas City and Capiz. Panagbo is a local fishing tradition rooted from the Capiznon word “tagbo” which means to meet. It is a custom that refers to community members gathering in the shoreline to meet arriving fisherfolks who carry bounty from their voyages.  “[The] convergenc...

A 2009 graduate of Iloilo National High School - Regular Class dreamt of being an accountant and she had all the reason to. Having a fun and fruitful childhood, Jessica Aliana Habunal considers this stage the happiest period of her life. With the help of SM Foundation, Jessica achieved her dream to be a Certified Public Accountant and is able to do the things she loves to do, like travelling, enjoying time with friends and most especially, sharing blessings to her family Being the only child was no reason for her to be lonely as he had her cousins with her growing up. She got to experience both the city life and farm life, which she considers a big contribution on how she sees life. That life's hardship should not be a hindrance but an opportunity. Jessica’s father is a farmer while her mother is a housewife. Her parents lived separately because her father need to stay in Capiz to take care of the farm of her grandparents and she only gets to see him every vacation, while her mothe...