Iloilo « Valerie Caulin – freelance writer

Archive for the ‘Iloilo’ Category

Before they go away

Sunday, February 12th, 2012

Other than the gentle nature of the Ilonggos, I fell in love with Iloilo’s architectural landmarks from heritages churches to its grand mansions. It is just sad that these structures could have withstood time and calamities but society’s need for “progress” cut their life shorter.

Just like the Laguda Mansion..

Way back in college, this house has that irresistible glory that even if it was gated with G.I sheets with illegal dwellers on its grounds, “wow” was on my mind whenever I see it.

It is now gone, bulldozed ( luckily, we got to take some photos). They should have developed this ala The Ruins in Talisay City, Negros.

I can’t help but wonder, what’s gonna happen to this structure?

The city is finishing their new city hall threatening the old office of Nicholas Loney dubbed as the “Father of Philippine Sugar Industry” from a historical landmark to mere parking lot. I hope Iloilo will think about its past as the “Queen City of the South”.

And this Ledesma Mansion described by my friend Denis, an architect, as a “structural failure” . I just keep my fingers crossed that I get to watch this for the next 5 years every time we pass by along Jaro Plaza. They even had a “House and Lot for Sale. Please apply inside ( lol)”signage on its rusty gate.

Same with the Mirasol ancestral house along Hughes Street. My heart sank when Afrique’s, a famous chain of restaurants in the city left. It was the perfect ambiance for their European cuisine. Dining out for me was enjoying my crab and mango salad on its veranda.

I love dining there and even brought my barkada when they visited me years ago. Their sad reactions are vivid when I told them about “Afrique’s old house”.

Photo by: Ace Francisco

Buildings and houses of supreme architectural styles and designs, I hope my own boys can still see them as long as they could. I know that they will be vagabonds when they reach the right age. I hope these edifices will give them a reason to miss Iloilo that our family has called home.

Tags: architecture, buildings, Iloilo, old houses, style
Posted in ancestral and heritage homes, Iloilo | No Comments »

Jaro Belfry

Sunday, January 22nd, 2012

I think it is not a secret anymore why I fell in love with Iloilo. From its old grand houses to heritage churches, Iloilo continues to amaze me with its landmarks that are well preserved to remind us that indeed it was the “Queen City of the South.

Calling Jaro ( one of the districts of the city) home for almost half decade now, one of the structures that I can’t afford not to admire is the Jaro Belfry. Locally known as campanario, a Spanish word for “bell tower” ( Hiligaynon has plenty of Spanish words), it one of the few of its kind in the country that is separated from the main church. The other one that I have seen in the sinking belltower in Laoag, Ilocos Norte.

Jaro’s belfry is massive, grand and visually exquisite even for the less artistic eyes. It is hard not to literally look up whenever we pass by. It is one of the oldest structures in the city built in the 18th century. Serving not just to house the adjacent church’s bell to “call” residents for Mass, it was also used as a watchtower and a clock ( like Big Ben?).

Through the centuries, it experienced massive damages mostly earthquakes like in 1787, 1881 and 1948. In terms of style, I read that is is Neoclassical but I take the word of an architect I know that put it under the umbrella of “mestizo” architecture. As he explained, it is a mixture of different architectural styles which I think is very possible since Jaro belfry underwent different renovations.

Made mostly of terracotta and limestone, this 3-storey tower stands 29 meters. It faces the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral and stands just outside Jaro Plaza.

To get here, you can take jeepneys bound for Jaro or take a taxi.

Tags: belfry, belltower, jaro, jaro belfry
Posted in Iloilo, landmarks | 2 Comments »

My Own #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines Photo

Monday, January 9th, 2012

I’m one of those who got caught in the frenzy of making photo series for DOT’s campaign slogan. It is actually fun and it is very nationalistic. Self-confessed dumb when it comes to photo editing (haha!), it took me hours to do this simple task. There is a site where you can just upload your photo and write your tagline but I did mine from scratch.

So here is my share for “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” photo series. Hope you like it

That is the San Joaquin ( Iloilo) Cemetery.

Tags: itsmorefuninthe philippin
Posted in Iloilo | 1 Comment »

Anhawan Beach Resort and Spa

Monday, December 5th, 2011

No, this is not a review. I haven’t tried all their amenities and facilities. It wouldn’t be fair. Nor this is a sponsored post. I am just thinking of having a little interruption from my “Davao series”.

So let us start….

If you are living in an archipelago and a travel writer, then you would understand why I often write about beaches. Who doesn’t like the beach anyway?

If you want a nice beach getaway when in Iloilo, the best bet is to go to Guimaras Island. Less than an hour of boat-ride and you will be transported to an unspoiled firefly-painted nights. Motherhood limited this vagabond activity of mine and if my preschooler would say ” I miss the beach”, then that would mean driving to Anhawan Beach Resort and Spa .

Living in Iloilo City for 5 years now ( I don’t count my 4 years in UP Miag-ao), I’ve only been here thrice. The first time was when my firstborn, Aki was then 6 months old. That time, Anhawan was just new and they still have their “no-outside-foods-allowed-complete- with-inspection-from-manong guard” policy. haha!

That was one of the reasons why we often bypass Anhawan no matter how nice its shore is. We love bringing our own food.

Fast forward…half a decade after ( makes me old)..we came back with my SIL

I know she wanted to go to Boracay but weather and time constraints..they were not meant for each other.

It was my baby Liam’s first time too!

And Aki’s first time to ride a pony (20pesos per ride).

On our third visit ( the latest so far)..we brought this

No more Jollibee school parties for him. And they just enjoyed this Angry Bird balloons I bought for 40 pesos each.

Look how big you are now my little love!

I have two boys with a baby who is now running like a headless chicken all day. So that means whenever I’m out with them, it should be somewhere spacious. .

Adjacent is Guimaras Island. So near yet so far..

I want a place with unobstructed view of my kids. Where I can “relax” a little as they do their thing

Yes, I let them play with dirt. As long as its pure dirt ( no broken glass or poopies. hehe) and they wash their hands after.

There are some policies of this resort that I’m still trying to accept but I still recommend this beach resort to my friends. My reasons why I opt to spend a day at Anhawan Beach Resort are :

Spacious and green…like a vacation home

Calm shore..

and the water is refreshingly clean..

that’s it.

Thank you for reading!

Tags: anhawan beach resort and spa, beaches, Iloilo, oton
Posted in beaches, Iloilo | No Comments »

Ang Pinalangga Ko Nga Peyups!

Monday, October 24th, 2011

If Angelina Jolie thinks that a single journey to Cambodia changed her life, in my case it was a small check mark on a box. I’m talking about my UPCAT application when I randomly chose Iloilo as one of the UP campuses I wish to enroll.

And so I did. Spent four years living in a coastal town of Miag-ao – no family and the only Hiligaynon ( the local dialect) words I knew were piyak (the other side?), hibi (cry) and agi (gay). My college education not only gave me a degree in History that helped a lot in my career as a freelance writer but gave me friends and independence.

A trip to Miag-ao is one of my favorites because it means a trip to memory lane. Let me share our beautiful campus…this is just a peak though.

Yummy obli.haha!

Our Administration building sits on a man-made hill. Due to threats of landslides, it is half-abandoned with few offices being housed here..

Going up to our classrooms with comic memories on how tricycle engines would stop along the slope. My son calls this “Dora’s spooky forest”. haha

UP in the Visayas is home to the famous College of Fisheries. Here is “Diwata ng Dagat” aka Obli’s lover.

College of Arts and Sciences..Tomas Fonacier Hall

My classmate Jason to our American teacher, Bruce Hall: "Sir, How are you related to Tomas Finacier Hall?".haha!

“Hundred Steps”..I think it is still “closed” now. Earthquake precautions.

OMP’s..no need for words. haha!

My sister-in-law said my school resembles a lot like American universities. Harvard?! hehe

Our multipurpose soccer field. wink!

Ah..student life..

Iska’s finish line..thank God I did it within 4 years. haha

As I said, this is just a sneak peak. Our campus is the biggest in terms of land area so other campus sites means another blog post.

Madamo nga salamat!

Tags: UP, UP miagao
Posted in Iloilo | 3 Comments »

Links to ShoeString Diaries: Iloilo

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

My article for SMILe Magazine this month is filled with various interesting travel points in Iloilo. I would like to assist you more if you plan to follow my route. Aside from being a freelance writer, I have this social yearning to promote my adopted land as a top heritage destination in the Philippines.

Feel free to visit these links for more information on what I have mentioned in my article , “ShoeString Diaries: Iloilo”. Note: I have not blogged to ALL places that I mentioned in my magazine feature.

DAY 1

Center for West Visayan Studies

Museo Iloilo

Old Houses and Mansions

DAY 2

Day 3

Mama’s Kitchen and Sinamay House

Oyster’s House

Tibiao Fish Spa

If you need more information, feel free to ask your freelance writer on duty! Enjoy Iloilo!

Tags: iloilo itinerary, iloilo trip, magazine, smile magazine
Posted in Iloilo | 1 Comment »

ShoeString Diaries: Iloilo

Saturday, October 1st, 2011

Warning: I will be tooting my horns in this post. If you can’t bear it, don’t read.

If I called you, emailed you or sent text messages about this, again, please endure. I have been waiting for this story to be published for months. Agony? Sort of..nah, I’m patient.

And with the waiting I’m still on cloud nine knowing that this is not my first publication. I have contributed articles for Mabuhay Magazine for their February – April 2011 issues. I said, I will be tooting my own horns..

For this month, my article is on SMILE Magazine, the in-flight magazine for Cebu Pacific Airlines. This is my first feature article but I was one of their “local travel guides” for their November 2010 issue.

Here is the cover

This is their anniversary issue. Ok, I love the spotlight now. Haha

Here is my piece..Its about traveling in Iloilo for 72 hours with a budget of 3,000 pesos for their “Shoestring Diaries” section. And I am their shoestring traveler for this month (I hope your ear drums are still intact from my blabbering). haha!

Blithe feeling surrounds me now. A piece about two things I love – history and Iloilo. I’m not originally from Iloilo but there is something about this place that mystified me. And now this is my home. I am proud to share one of the things that makes Iloilo, my palangga.

Come and visit the city of love, where I have found love and will continue to love..

To read, click here.

Tags: magazine, smile magazine october 2011, smile magzine
Posted in Iloilo | 8 Comments »

Mamatchoy ta! Batchoy like no other

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011

It may be touristy for some, but part of traveling is savoring local dishes that has tagged to a particular destination. You have heard it all ” You have never been in _____ if you haven’t tasted _____”.

In Iloilo of course, its batchoy.

Hmmm..comfort food especially this rainy season. Ilonggos eat batchoy as a snack. Yup, snacks is a heavy meal here. haha. Batchoy may sound Chinese plus the miki noodle ( some stores let you choose the noodle like misua) but it is 100% Ilonggo. Batchoy, a local dish of noodles, pork and internal organs like liver and intestines swimming in broth topped with chicharon, scallions and garlic.

It was “invented” by a butcher named Federico in La Paz Market and as a resourceful person like any Filipino ( should I say, madiskarte?) he made a dish that will serve pig’s internal organs which are not really cooked or eaten. And why miki? His targeted market were Chinese living in Iloilo. And the rest is not just history but heritage.

Batchoy satisfied generations of diners…

A bowl of Batchoy costs at least 59PHP, more if you go a bigger serving. I recommend you drink it with soda and manapla puto ( a local rice cake). For non-Ilonggos, just have it as your lunch. It is really heavy. Haha.

Where is the best place to eat batchoy? I personally recommend where it all started, in La Paz Market. Dine at Deco’s ( a popular chain now partially franchised my Mang Inasal) fronting Grand Dame Hotel. If you want convenience go to local malls and you can find Ted’s and Deco’s.

When you tasted batchoy, please come back and tell me how it was. Happy eating!

Tags: batchoy, deco's
Posted in food and local cuisine, Iloilo | 3 Comments »

The Oyster House Seafood Restaurant

Sunday, July 31st, 2011

During certain days of the month, hubby is on a “tense” mode hoping his district would reach their target sales. While waiting for updates from his team and me “working”, I bought him lunch ( a rare occasion for 10 years of being together. haha!). We went to Oyster House in Arevalo.

We have passed this restaurant whenever we go to Miag-ao on Sundays. I finally gave it a try since my college roommate ( one of my many roommates during my 4-year independence at UP..:) ) Junalie wrote this

So I took her “advice” and went to this talabahan. I’m not a fan of oyster or talaba but hubby is. Since I was also a freelance writer on assignment that time, we took a ride to Oyster House Seafood Restaurant.

From the name itself, we had oyster but we skipped the regular steamed oyster. We can always have it at Doming’s.

We had spicy baked oyster on half shells

I mean my hubby had spicy oyster. I can’t stand spicy and hot dishes. To savor its taste, I had to scrape the spices. So impressive, each shell is crowned with tomatoes, chili peppers, bell peppers, scallions,etc.

Believe it or not, it only costs 70PHP. Perfect for my article on traveling on a shoestring..

I am a simple girl who orders carbonara and iced tea. For this food trip, I ordered baked oyster with cheese, garlic and butter

Oh la la la…drool over!

I don’t drink beer but I recommend that you pair this meal with beverage from malted grain. no ~~need for~~ rice.

This restaurant have many food choices. We also had seaweed salad

They have grilled bangus and other stuff.

To have a complete list of their menu and other information, visit their FB page.

DISCLAIMER: I’m not associated with Oyster House Seafood Restaurant but I wouldn’t say no to free lunch. haha!

Tags: dining in Iloilo, oyster house, talaba
Posted in food and local cuisine, Iloilo | 2 Comments »

Sinamay and Cookie House in Iloilo

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

I think we are all guilty of bringing back home some goodies after some days of R&R. Aside from photos and maybe t-shirts, local delicacies are one of the most common souvenir items to buy.

In Iloilo, you can take home the biscocho but I highly recommend visiting Mama’s Kitchen and Sinamay House in Arevalo before you say adieu to Iloilo City.

Sorry for the blurry photo. This is Mama’s Kitchen, located at the lower part of the Villanueva ancestral house. You can buy their mango crunchies, chocolate crunchies and the likes for 120PHP per box (some cost a little higher like 130PHP, depending on the variety).

These goodies are perfect for your coffee time. A nice treat to give to your office mates or boss? Haha. Kids will love it too. And before we arrived home, one box was gone. Haha. The cookies are very light yet flavorful and they are all made from local ingredients like the local chocolate from home-grown cacao seeds.

But if you some like a heritage-classy remembrance from Iloilo, go upstairs and purchase their sinamay products. Oh, I think before that you should check out their “mini-museum” a few steps from where they display their cookies.

This is a loom which they still use today for their weaving products ( they also get some items from local weavers). Panay’s weaving industry has been one of my beloved topics, fashion meets heritage – that is perfectly me. So it was not hard for me to pitch a story for Mabuhay magazine about Aklan’s weaving industry.

A large turbine-looking booby to separate the fibers before their assembly to the loom.

And this is my son’s favorite item

It reminded him of one of the main characters of the movie “Cars”. A cadillac, a symbol of the family’s status in society back then.

Now, let’s go back to sinamay. Sinamay is another local fabric made from abaca. It is one of the best Philippine fabrics. To learn more about this fabric, click here.

At the Villanueva Ancestral House a.k.a Arevalo Sinamay House, you can buy fans, hankies, tablecloths or this..

Royal blue caftan for only 600PHP. If only I can have a deal with Rumpelstilskin and become Gretchen Barretto (right spelling? hehe) for a day, I can surely pull this off.

Unlucky girls like me can buy other items. I bought two sinamay fans – hand embroidered.

Here is a list of their items and their corresponding prices..

To go to Arevalo:

Ride a jeepney going south like Oton and stop at the Arevalo Plaza. Inform the driver beforehand that you will be stopping at Mama’s Kitchen in Arevalo.

Enjoy Shopping!

Tags: arevalo, mama's kitchen, sinamay
Posted in food and local cuisine, Iloilo | No Comments »

Valerie Caulin