ILOILO: HEART of the PHILIPPINES

Much has been said about people going for “green” and sustainable practices. Weather changes abruptly and the globe goes warm- hence everyone gives “greening” a second thought. Whether it be in daily routines or in building and maintaining homes, “green” is in. There is, however, the perception that green is posh and therefore not affordable. Well, perceptions are often without basis. Green is in fact, inexpensive… More Than Just A House What is a green home? It is a house that uses environment-friendly designs and affordable construction materials thus making a house a home. Such features bring the owner closer to owning a sustainable eco-friendly home that allows saving on electricity and water. It is a home that allows one to experience new, comfortable, and easy lifestyle which is certainly worth having. Such a home is now within your reach. Greenovate Corporation Builds Green Homes Greenovate Corporation is Cebu's leading supplier of eco-friendly and healthful ...

Long before Boracay, there was Sicogon island as a top tourist destination in Asia that was famous for its long coastline lined with coconut trees, creamy sand and clear blue waters. Before operations closed down in the 1980’s, the island had resort facilities like a clubhouse, cottages, swimming pools, sports and other recreational facilities, a wharf and an airstrip. The island continues to attract back packing scuba divers and snorkelers with its abundant coral reefs and giant clams, and trekkers along its forested slopes that offer a rich biodiversity. Various animal species include among others, the large swamp frog, the Philippine bent-toed gecko, variable Malay monitor lizard, the reticulated python, common island flying fox, Visayan warty pig, Visayan leopard cat and the long-tailed macaque. Tree species endemic to Panay that are found in the island include the Batuan, Apitong, Gayong-gayong, Malakadios, Inyam and Banaui, etc. Northeast of barangay Buaya is the...

Or as our host, Flord Nicson Calawag, said " Tanum, lagaw kag pamahaw sa Tibiao ". Indeed our visit to this municipality in the province of Antique last weekend was filled with adventure and gastronomy for a cause. The town's 1st Agri-Enviromental Tourism Tree Planting program dubbed as Tanum-Lagaw sa Tibiao was foremost a tree planting activity organized the office of Congressman Paolo Javier & the Provincial Government (through the initiatives of SP Victor Condez, Committee Head on DENR) in cooperation with the local government Unit of Tibiao (through the leadership of Mayor Walden Lim). It aims to promote environmental awareness on the value of forests that serve as carbon sink, enriching nutrition through planting fruits trees and providing employment opportunities through tourism development. This is also in line with Tibiao's thrust of becoming the adventure capital not only of the province but for the whole island of Panay as it hosts an international k...

CASA REAL DE ILOILO. The provincial government of Iloilo is restoring the original Provincial Building of Iloilo, historically known as the Casa Real de Iloilo. This is a computer-generated image of the architectural design for the restoration project. Restoration of old Iloilo capitol underway ILOILO CITY, July 14 (PNA) – The restoration of the old Iloilo capitol is now underway after its architectural perspective was approved by the provincial government. Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. said that architect Guillermo Hisancha has already presented to him the perspective and that they are now rushing the program of work necessary for the bidding. Gov. Defensor said that the provincial government has already an approved initial budget of P20 million to be used to start the exterior restoration. “The old capitol will become a tourist attraction. It will be where the ceremonial hall will be situated,” the governor said. The restoration of the old capitol is one of the major p...

Iloilo is the home of some of the most modern and beautful jeepneys in the Philippines. Nowhere you can find sleek and somewhat "futuristic" designs that not only looks good but really works. Most of these are adapted from popular car and vans designs and one can just stare in awe when seeing them for the first time. But now, its my turn to stare in awe as I found these tricycle designs on Facebook. For a tricycle, these designs are superb and makes you want to be in them a longer period of time. It's like riding on a brand new car, with everyone you pass by look and stares. Despite the "lowly" status of the tricycle, this one's gonna make a big change not only in the people's outlook. Got this from Hawili Hurom Photography on Facebook with the followoing info " For order please contact: Elmer Abella 09103435758 Suvisor Nonard 09105258422 " . It is indeed a marketing ploy to promote their business but in a very big way this business can turn in...

“IF there is no Injap Sia, there is a need to invent him.” This was how Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog described the significance of Mang Inasal founder Edgar Sia II to the city during the groundbreaking ceremony of the 21-storey Injap Tower in Mandurriao district Thursday. According to Mabilog, the soaring structure is another contribution of the 34-year-old Sia that will further boost the economic confidence of Iloilo City. Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog “This will serve as a new landmark that signifies the rapid growth of the city,” Mabilog said. Mabilog foresees that the structure will address concerns of investment locators, particularly in the field of business process outsourcing (BPO), that the city does not have business infrastructures with the exception of shopping malls. “This will surely attract investors,” Mabilog added. The 21-storey structure of Injap Land Corporation is poised to become the city’s tallest building. It will feature 202 condo units with furniture...

Known for having the sweetest mangoes in the world, the island of Guimaras capitalizes on this fruit to boost its image to tourists. So it's no wonder, why this fruit became the motif when Gov. Felipe Nava requested a custom made mode of transport to be used by the Capitol to ferry guests to and from various attractions on the island. Our group was fortunate enough to have been accommodated in this stylish jeepney of our way to Camp Alfredo. The jeep can seat 13 people comfortably (not including the driver) but can go maximum with 18. It even has a space at the back to put some bulky thing that may take up the leg room.The seat covers, ceiling, exteriors and interiors play with a lot of mangoes (both green and yellow) that you'll feel the sweetness of it during the travel. This jeepney was specially built be Pasajero Sosyal industries of Pavia, Iloilo (as the sign said) and small wonder since the company is known to make stylish jeepneys back in Iloilo. You explain, they desig...

From its humble beginnings as a fishing community along the swamps at the southeast end of Panay Island, Iloilo has become one of the country’s most important provinces. It has long been considered the cultural, religious, educational, commercial, manufacturing and transportation center of Western Visayas. After the Spanish colonial government opened the seaport of Iloilo to international trade in 1855, Iloilo proved to be an important trading post. With its harbor protected from the open seas by the scenic Guimaras Islands, many traders found Iloilo’s serene and calm waters safe for navigation. When former British vice-consul Nicolas Loney introduced modern sugar farming in the province at the turn of the century, Iloilo further solidified its reputation as the center of trade in the region. The whole world was doing business in the port, especially during the heyday of the sugar industry. With sugar in abundance in the province, many made their fortunes as they cashed...

Megaworld Corporation, the country’s #1 residential condominium and business process outsourcing (BPO) office developer, is set to break ground today, May 6, on its Iloilo Business Park project. The company is setting aside P2.5 billion initially over the next two years to develop the road network within the 54.5-hectare IT park and for the construction of Richmonde Hotel Ilo ilo and Richmonde Tower plus two more BPO office towers within this time frame. The first retail component of the project, Festive Walk, will be completed in the latter part of 2012, after which M egaworld is set to invest more to bankroll the development until 2020. The site of the project is the former Iloilo Airport, which Megaworld acquired from the National Government in 2007 for P1.2 billion in cash. “With our groundbreaking rites today, we affirm the strong business prospects of Iloilo City and the Western Visayas region in particular. The Iloilo Business Pa rk is an important component...