ILOILO: HEART of the PHILIPPINES

As the heart of the SM Group, SM Foundation continues to pursue its mission of improving the quality of life of Filipinos by helping provide access to quality healthcare.  At the recent SM Foundation turnover of the newly upgraded pediatric ward of the West Visayas State University Medical Center (WVSUMC) in Iloilo City, SM Foundation’s executive director Connie Angeles in her speech said: “For West Visayas State University Medical Center, we helped improve the non-infectious pediatric ward, the step down NICU, Treatment Room, toilets and installed a mobile play cabinet and made sure that we provide the ward with the needed furniture, equipment and appliances. “SM Foundation will also help with its maintenance and upkeep and needed repairs,” she added. SM Foundation executive director Connie Angeles gives this mom and her daughter an SM Cares bear and toys from Toy Kingdom SM Supermalls President Steven Tan disclosed that “SM group has renovated over 189 health and wellness centers...

ILOILO City – After successfully co-hosting the Dinagyang Festival with the local government, SM City Iloilo is once again the center of yet another landmark celebration in the city. Themed “Ilonggo Tsinoys: Celebrating Resiliency and Strength”, SM City Iloilo is hosting the Chinese New Year program of the Chinese-Filipino community in Iloilo. KUNG HEI FAT CHOI!  SM City Iloilo is festive once again. It is hosting the Chinese New Year celebration of the Chinese-Filipino community in Iloilo City. This year’s celebration is the first face-to-face Chinese New Year fete in two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chinese New Year officially started on Jan. 22. According to Novee Yap, secretary of the Chinese New Year 2023 Task Force, today’s event is the highlight of the Chinese New Year celebration which includes a Lion Dance Eye-Dotting Ceremony at 4 p.m. to be followed by a grand cultural show headlined by four big Chinese-Filipino schools in this southern city – Sun Yat Sen High...

With thousands of domestic and foreign visitors packing various festival activities, Dinagyang’s return to the city’s streets exceeded expectations, according to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas. A “complete success” was how he described the festival’s return to a face-to-face celebration after two years of restrictions due to the coronavirus disease pandemic. “Everyone wanted a strong comeback…It was a complete success and this showed that Dinagyang and our Sto. Niño are beyond politics,” added Treñas. Dinagyang Festival is known far and wide for its participants’ impressive choreography and striking costumes that reflect Ilonggo ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry. Treñas congratulated the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), organizer of Dinagyang 2023, the participating tribes and corporate sponsors, among others. “I acknowledge all our sponsors from the private sector for their significant contributions in the success of Dinagyang. Of course, sa inyo tanan, mga pinalangga ko nga Ilong...

The stars of the highly-anticipated live-action adaptation of “ Voltes V: Legacy ” are set to ‘volt-in’ and amp up the return of in-person celebrations of the Dinagyang Festival this weekend.   Iloilo’s annual festival is definitely back and GMA Network’s regional arm,  GMA Regional TV , is treating Kapusong Ilonggos to a special Saturdate on January 21 with “Voltes V: Legacy” cast  Miguel Tanfelix, Ysabel Ortega, Radson Flores, Matt Lozano , and  Raphael Landicho . Catch Steve, Jamie, Mark, Big Bert, and Little Jon at Robinsons Iloilo for a Kapuso Mall Show at 4 PM.   Last week, the Voltes V: Legacy cast celebrated with Kapusong Cebuano during the return of the Sinulog Festival. Miguel, Ysabel, Radson, Matt, and Raphael bannered the back-to-back Kapuso Mall Shows last January 14 and further brightened the Sinulog Grand Parade as they boarded the Kapuso Float the following day.   “For the past two years, GMA Regional TV celebrated Dinagyang Festival by airi...

Culminating and star-studded events to greet festival visitors at Iloilo City’s premier business and lifestyle district Mandurriao, Iloilo City -  All roads lead to Iloilo Business Park this Dinagyang Festival weekend as the 72-hectare township plays hosts to the grandest and most exciting events of this year’s annual festivity.   An array of culminating and star-studded events of the Dinagyang Festival are all happening inside Iloilo Business Park from Jan. 20  to 22, with the  Grand Finale of the first-ever Dinagyang ILOMINATION Showdown  serving as the main highlight.    Seven tribes donning illuminated warrior costumes and representing the city’s seven district will have their final showdown at Iloilo Business Park. These include City Proper, Lapuz, La Paz, Molo, Jaro, Mandurriao and Arevalo.   One the must-see events of the annual Dinagyang Festival, the Dinagyang Floats Parade of Lights  will feature  14 illuminated floats, which w...

With the unstoppable progress of Iloilo City, SM City Iloilo aligns and goes hand in hand with the objective in bringing Iloilo to the Next Level, as aims to provide the AweSM Dinagyang experience through spectacular installations and events that will elevate the festival experience of every local, balikbayan and visitors. Bigger, bolder and brighter is the battle cry of the Dinagyang celebration this January 2023. The Iloilo Dinagyang pasasalamat kay Señor Sto. Niño Poster making contest on January 14 at the Main Mall Event Center at 2pm is a fitting kick-off for the festivities.  In line with the theme “Iloilo Dinagyang Pasalamat kay Señor Sto. Niño”, the activity is a timely reminder for the graces received during the pandemic and how the city was able to recover thereafter.   Earlier on the same day, the 1st Mayor Jerry P. Treñas Dinagyang Half Marathon 2023 happened at 4:30am. Rotary Club of La Paz together with the different local running teams in Iloilo City, invit...

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Iloilo Chapter (PCCI- Iloilo) is set to take the Dinagyang Festival experience to the next levet as it hosts the Dinagyang 2023 Iloilo Business Expo (ILOBEX) this January 16-22, 2023. Keeping up with its tradition of holding simultaneous  events in different venues, ILOBEX is seen to be the  grandest trade fair in the city where over 100 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are expected to participate at Festive Walk Iloilo, SM City Iloilo, and Robinsons Place Iloilo. The exhibitors will showcase various products from hablon making/weaving, local delicacies, fresh produce, accessories, native products, and a lot more. Dinagyang Festival takes back its glory this 2023, ILOBEX hopes to bring together corporate partners, sponsors, and government organizations to assist local businesses and entrepreneurs in addition to promoting the best of Iloilo. More importantly, it will enable local entrepreneurs to expand their busi...

With Ilonggos making up a large chunk of the Philippines modern day seafarers, it is just fitting for the National Historical Commission of the Philippines to have its museum dedicated maritime history put up in Iloilo City. Located at the ground floor of the Iloilo Customs House popularly referred to as "aduana", the newly restored heritage building beside the Iloilo River is the perfect setting for the NHCP Museum of Philippine Maritime History. The museum narrates the deep history of the Filipino people's relationship with the sea and other bodies of water. It features miniature boats, navigational tools, and other original artifacts from the NHCP Collections, including those donated by Project Saysay and some individuals. The Nayong Pilipino Foundation and the Arella-Suguitan Museum also lent ethnographic items. The ceremony was led by NHCP Chairman Dr. Rene R. Escalante and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas. Former Senate President Franklin Drilon served as guest of hon...