ILOILO: HEART of the PHILIPPINES

I renewed my Philippine Passport (expiring next month) yesterday at the Department of Foreign Affairs regional consular office inside Robinsons Place Iloilo. And it was just a short 2-3 hours of transaction or it could have been shorter if I already knew a tip or two Opened only last February of 2014, the (relocation of the) DFA regional consular office at the 3rd level of Robinsons Place Iloilo is among the government's thrusts of making its services more convenient, accessible and available to the people. I've applied and renewed my Philippine passport at the old DFA office along Yulo Street before and back then it was already sort of orderly and convenient. But nothing beats the convenience the new DFA has to offer on top of the prime location. -------------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT REMINDER: -------------------------------------------------------------------- On-Line appointment through  http://www.passport.com...

Iloilo City recently made headlines when it was declared as among the winners of the 1st Livable Cities Design Challenge. The said competition seeks to encourage cities to plan and design their cities for resilience and livability. The objectives of the competition is to get city planners to better plan their respective cities for a climate-defined future. At the same time, city planners will be encouraged to design livable cities that offer safety, convenience, livelihood, lifestyle, and sustainability, thus attracting people to live, work and play, further enhancing the overall competitiveness of their cities. The Livable Cities Design Challenge conceptualized by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) in March 2014 together with the following institutions:  Asia Society Philippines, Alliance for Safe and Sustainable Reconstruction (ASSURE), APEC 2015 National Organizing Council (APEC 2015  – NOC), Microsoft Philippines, Urban Land Institute Philippines and the Wor...

Recognized as the first SM built outside Manila, SM Delgado has been delighting the Ilonggos for more than 35 years with shopping, food, grocery and other conveniences. SM Delgado in the 80s Photo from Old Iloilo FB Page From a single building back in 1979, it grew to two buildings in the 80s. Then the two buildings were connected and a mezzanine level was built. Eventually in 2005, coinciding with its 25th year anniversary, it was relaunched into a mini-mall with anchor  stores like the SM Store, SM Grocery, SM Appliance Center, BDO and ACE Hardware (situated in an annex building). The newly launched SM Delgado in 2004 Photo from JRP Design Inc Now, on its 35th year, renders of a more modern SM Delgado surfaced online from design firm Point Design Inc. , speculating a bigger and better renovation works for the three and a half decade SM Store. Though, there's no official press release about the said expansion - only this set of 5 photos. Everything's sti...

The biggest mall in the region gets even bigger as SM City Iloilo gears up for expansion and more development. Information from all over the internet reveals that the mall is not going only to expand the main building but also complement the existing structure with other developments.From  the projects contractor's website  MONOLITH , here's how the expansion building will look with the construction details. Online information ( unofficial ) state the following developments for SM City Iloilo: INJAP Tower across SM City Iloilo provides a bird's eye view of the mall's expansion. A 4-level mall expansion (to be "attached" to the current building ) which is rumored to include stores like Forever 21, Uniqlo, Vikings Buffet , among others. Public transport terminal being constructed in front on the existing building with access to the pedestrian overpass New SM City Iloilo jeepney terminal under construction. A 150-room hote...

Megaworld Inc. adds another gem to its roster of condominiums in Iloilo as it reveals plan to build Western Visayas’ tallest residential tower in Iloilo Business Park. Named after one of the earth’s rarest precious elements, The Palladium will be built as a stylish urban oasis with four sky gardens where residents can relax and enjoy serene moments with nature.  THE PALLADIUM Four sky gardens. An infinity pool. Loft units. Two levels of retail spaces. The country’s leading real estate developer and pioneer of townships, introduces another modern luxury residential condominium that is poised to be the tallest building in the region. Standing 80 meters high at 22 storeys, The Palladium will also be Western Visayas’ first residential tower with its own skygardens in various floors overlooking the spectacular views of the booming city. During today's press conference, Jennifer Palmares-Fong, head of marketing for the Iloilo Business Park informed last year, Megaworld Inc ha...

This is the rumoured internationally branded highrise that will rise beside the Iloilo Esplanade and change the "land and riverscape" of Iloilo. Part of the Blue Investments  (portfolio) which came to Iloilo City a few weeks ago, the said project is rumored to be branded as "Hyatt". Right beside Medicus, will rise"Hyatt" Iloilo. Photo by RRFORSHORT from UrbanScape Philippines It will rise beside the Medicus Complex (check out the upper left render on the topmost photo), Iloilo Esplanade and Boardwalk Complex with its main entrance along the Dra. Rizalina Berbanrdo Avenue. Rumors also state that its a twin tower complex with the high rise reaching up to more than 40 storeys, one tower being the hotel and another being the residential component. A set of photos were first posted on Instagram  (and now on Facebook ) An International Branded High Rise Residence Soon to Arrive in Iloilo City   Overlooking the Iloilo River, Riverside Hote...

Iloilo City's newest landmark -  Injap Tower Hotel , was my home away from home during the Blog The City of Love campaign of the hotel to promote Iloilo City. For 3-days and 2-nights bloggers and writers from around the Philippines made this newly opened 21-storey edifice their pitstop for this heritage, cultural, historical and gastronomic tour of the City of Love. As I traversed the long pedestrian walkway, I wondered which among the almost 200 rooms will be my sanctuary during the course of the event. It was around two months ago when Injap Tower Hotel opened with a big bang that got Ilonggos very excited. Seeing the tallest structure in the region, from almost anywhere in the city is imposing enough but the view from atop the tower was another thing. Injap Tower Hotel's opening night kaboom! Photo by King Erlano After a brief check in at the front desk, I found myself on the 14th floor of the tower with my room just outside the elevator and facing th Iloilo Di...