ILOILO: HEART of the PHILIPPINES

The birthplace of the Philippines’ Grill Expert,  Mang  Inasal  Robinsons Place Iloilo, has officially reopened—refreshed, reimagined, and ready for the future.   On Sunday, August 31, 2025, Mang  Inasal  celebrated the blessing and digital relaunch of its very first branch, originally opened in 2003, ahead of its grand reopening on September 1. The milestone event was led by Mang  Inasal  President Mike V. Castro, brand ambassador Coco Martin, and  Iloilo City Vice Mayor Love Baronda , underscoring both the brand’s commitment to innovation and its deep cultural roots.   ​ From a single store in Iloilo founded by Edgar “ Injap ” Sia II, Mang  Inasal  has grown into one of the country’s most successful homegrown brands. Further strengthened by the Jollibee Group, it has become beloved for its signature Chicken  Inasal ,  Unli -Rice offering, and iconic  Ihaw-Sarap (deliciously grilled) dining experience. With over...

Heritage and gastronomy are two of Iloilo’s main attractions and one can experience both in just one setting – at the Camiña Balay nga Bato.  A LIVING MUSEUM “Welcome and make yourselves feel at home” greets Luth Camiña. With husband Gerard, the couple are among the 4th generation descendants of the Avanceñas, and call this heritage house their home. It took them more than a decade to renovate the structure from its worn out state. “The old house had sawali (bamboo weavings) for ceiling which we replaced with pressed tin sheets as it was a fire hazard” reveals Ms Luth. “We just retained some original structures like the windows with ventanillas (air vents), the escalera (ladder-like stairs) and the stilt-like pillars on the ground floor.”  Eugene Jamerlan, who worked with the Camiñas in the restoration explains that the number of these pillars was a status symbol back in the 19th century. “This house has a total of 24 pillars making the household among the...