ILOILO: HEART of the PHILIPPINES

  The MORE Power expansion bill, authored by Representative Janette Garin, was approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives of the Philippines during its session last Tuesday. The measure seeks to include the municipalities of Iloilo’s 1st District in the franchise area of MORE Electric and Power Corporation. The approval came after Jeffrey Ferrer, chair of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, presented the panel’s favorable recommendation to the plenary. House Bill 7647 proposes amendments to Sections 11, 16, and 21 of Republic Act No. 11212, as previously amended by Republic Act No. 11918. The original law granted MORE Power a franchise to establish, operate, and maintain an electric power distribution system in Iloilo City and districts two and four, ensuring the continuous and reliable delivery of electricity to consumers within its service area. During the plenary vote, the bill garnered overwhelming support, with 247 lawmakers voting in favor,...

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...

A stone’s throw away from Molo plaza is the Dominican Sisters Motherhouse.  The religious complex houses a church, offices and residences for its congregation plus a well curated museum among others.  The latter displays religious artifacts as well as non-religious items from its world-wide networks of missions. But the highlight is everything about its founder Mother Rosario who used to tread the grounds of this sanctuary in which also one can find the crypt that houses her remains. There you’ll find relics, personals and other things associated with Venerable* Mother Rosario as well as other ecclesiastical artifacts as well as relics. ( Taking Photos in a specified area is NOT allowed) The museum is open MWF around 9 to 11am and 2 to 4pm.  Just contact Dominican Sisters of the Philippines Motherhouse - Molo, Iloilo City for inquiries.  * Beatification (and eventual Canonization) is currently being processed and in the hands of the Vatican for her called Blessed and...

As an SG first-timer, excitement was in the air even days before this upcoming flight. I will be part of the maiden voyage of Cebu Pacific for the resumption of its Iloilo to/from Singapore flights. Together with my fellow Iloilo Bloggers Inc travel buddies, it was time for another adventure outside the country. A month before, we were also part of the Iloilo to-from HongKong maiden voyage, so it'll be another fun and unforgettable travel in the making. Good thing immigration at ILO is just a breeze so it was a great start for our SG adventure.  And just after a little more than 3-hour flight (enjoyed my 1A seat), we touched down at Changi Airport, proving that the airport is among the very best in the world - efficient immigration, spotlessly clean everywhere, conducive to arriving passengers plus a whole lot more! As tiredness kicked in,  we were ready to recharge. We just took a Grab ride from Changi all the way to Downtown SG and  checked in in our "home away from hom...