Experiences to add to your bucket list
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Miagao Church
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Because of its geographical placement in the middle of the country, Iloilo has been hailed as The Heart of the Philippines. Iloilo is home to historical landmarks, quaint beaches and islands, heritage homes, plus tasty and unique cuisine. The province’s picturesque natural wonders and the friendly locals will make this a destination that will feel like a second home.
Best time of year: November – May
Irong-Irong appears in the Maragtas legend of the coming of the ten Bornean Datus to Panay who bartered gold for the plains and valleys of the island from a local Ati chieftain. One datu, Paiburong by name, was given the territory of Irong-Irong in what is now Iloilo. For 300 years before the coming of the Spaniards, the islanders lived in comparative prosperity and peace under an organized government and such laws as the Code of Kalantiaw.
8 kms. from the town
Ideal for hunting due to abundance of wild pigs, monkeys, deer and wild chickens.
60 kms. southwest of Iloilo City
Has beautiful marine garden; ideal for scuba diving.
A dynamic mass presentation expressing beliefs, views, visions and aspirations of the Janiuaynons.
A celebration in honor of the Infant Jesus characterized by a pool of dance by the people.
An annual 3-day festivity to commemorate the Earth Day celebration.
A celebration that highlights the importance of the bantayan (watchtower) to the history of Guimbal.
A festival that promotes the bamboo industry of the town where students dressed in colorful costumes dance to the beat of the bamboo instruments.
A revival of an old tradition in celebrating the New Year by making loud sounds through bamboo canons (bayong).
Depicts the values, life and culture of the Dumangasnon during "pahaw-as" (bangus harvest)
A grand celebration of the Earth and one of its primary products - rice.
A celebration of the separation of Anilao from Banate which also features various sports and cultural activities.
A celebration of thanksgiving for having a good harvest and surpassing the trails and crises during lean months.
Atreet dancing festivity participated by various offices and NGOs in Cabatuan, Iloilo.
A festival to honor St. John de Baptist by intentionally dousing water on someone or a group of people.
A sport activity held every 31st of May in honor of Sta. Ana.
A carousel-type cultural presentation depicting the various historical aspects of the town.
A festival that gives tribute to the profession of fishing which is the livelihood of the Estanciahanon.
An annual festivity of Calinog's devotion to Sr. Sto Niño consisting of food fest, live Sto. Niño contest, tribe dancing competition and Search for Lin-ay sang Hinirugyaw.
A dance-drama type performance on the streets of Miagao which depicts events of the past. Also includes food fair, photo exhibits, fluvial parades agro-industrial trade fair, and the coronation of queen of Miagao.
This is the residents way of celebrating the New Year by making loud sounds through bamboo "kanyons."
A race among carabaos each pulling a bamboo sled called carroza, on a 40-meter course.
Bullfights staged at the hillside of San Joaquin, Iloilo.
Lenten presentation depicting the judgment, crucifixion, death & resurrection of Jesus Christ.
A yearly depiction of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
A kaleidoscope of multicolored lights in a 6 ha. plaza with dancing fountain & food festival
Celebrated in commemoration of the first cry of revolution against Spain in Iloilo.
Activities include grand parade with participants dressed in Spanish costumes, games and cultural presentations.
22 kms. southwest of Iloilo City
Baroque facade; behind the rectory was the first Jesuit school for boys in the Philippines established in 1592.
Available transport - jeepney.
Monteclaro served as the 1st Municipal Mayor of the town during the American period. An active revolutionary leader instrumental in the surrender of many Spanish officials.
53 kms. southwest of Iloilo City
Built in 1892 of coral rock; a hexagonal chapel crowns a 20 step staircase flanked by stone balustrades; rose windows at the main entrance.
Available transport - jeepney.
Where according to legend the Barter of Panay took place.
Available transport - jeepney.
300 meters from Banate town proper
A historical landmark known as the hiding place of the Spanish authorities from the Moros
Available transport - jeepney
Where Capt. Yugis Mohammed commanding the 6th Infantry assaulted the Japanese soldiers.
Where Juan Salgado fought against the pirates in 1604 and defeated them twice.
53 kms. southwest of Iloilo City;
Built in 1982 of coral rock; a hexagonal chapel crowns a 20 step staircase flanked by stone balustrades; rose windows at the main entrance.
Available transport - jeepney
53 kms. southwest of Iloilo City
The only church in the Philippines sporting bas-relief of historic battle between Christians of Spain and Moors of Morocco in Tetuan in 1859
Available transport - jeepney
16 kms. north of Iloilo city proper
18-hole; 37 hectares of golf course which is the oldest in the country; built in 1907.
Available transport - jeepney.
16 kms. north of Iloilo City;
A neo-classical church where Gen. Martin Delgado of the Visayan revolutionary government convened the junta that raised the first cry of revolution against Spain in Iloilo.
Available transport - jeepney.
13 kms. northwest of Iloilo City;
Red brick church of Byzantine style built by Spanish Augustinians and used as garrison by the Japanese who drew guerilla raids that pockmarked the walls.
Available transport - jeepney
23 kms. southwest of Iloilo City; c
Commemorates American liberation of Panay from the Japanese in 1945.
Available transport - jeepney.
11 kms. southwest of Iloilo City
Seat of Confederation of Madia-as under Datu Paiburong;
Where the temple in honor of Virgin Mary was built by Fr. Martin de Rada around 1570; 1st pueblo in Panay in 1571; accepted on May 3.
40 kms. southwest of Iloilo City; built in 1786
Declared as national landmark in 1973; in UNESCO's World Heritage List.
Available transport - jeepney.
Ancient renaissance-Romanesque church.
Available transport - jeepney.
Stone watchtower constructed with the same material as the Roman Catholic church of Miagao.
Built by Japanese as a lookout for enemies.
Available transport - jeepney.
Ruins of the beautiful church with bells made in 1871 and 1898.
Available transport - jeepney.
A thousand hectare school campus, centers on fisheries.
32 kms. from Iloilo City
Hispano-Filipino cemetery built in 1875.
Available transport - jeepney.
Site of the Barter of Panay.
Also known as Virginia Bridge. Constructed during the American period.
Approximately .50 kms. long
Constructed during the Spanish colonial period; build of adobe stones called igang and coral stones quarried from Guimaras.
Available transport - jeepney.
29 kms. southwest of Iloilo City proper;
Called "bantayan:, built to warn the people of pirates
Available transport - jeepneys
Constructed in 1887, finished in 1895, imposing cultural structure
Built by Japanese during World War II
Available transport - jeepney.
Old Spanish Fortress which symbolizes a significant historical account of the fighting between the Moro marauders and the Spaniards who allied with the local residents; Fortress served as watchtowers against Moro invaders during the Spanish era.
Old Spanish Fortress which symbolizes a significant historical account of the fighting between the Moro marauders and the Spaniards who allied with the local residents; Fortress served as watchtowers against Moro invaders during the Spanish era.
Neo-classical Church; built in early 1880s.
Available transport - jeepney.
Ancient church of yellow sandstone built during Spanish times.
Available transport - jeepney
Old neo-classical church that has Roman Arches and its façade has ionic pilasters below.
Available transport - jeepney
Landing site of the 10 Bornean Datu.
The Baroque-Romanesque style of the iconic St. Thomas of Villanova Parish popularly known as Miagao Church in Barangay Tacas is this town’s representative attraction. It was constructed in 1786 and completed in 1797. It was built as a place of worship and as a watchtower to protect the natives from Muslim pirates that regularly pillaged the town. The huge stone blocks were quarried in Sitio Tubug, San Joaquin and in the mountains of Igbaras.
The church sinks six meters deep in the ground with walls 2.5 meters thick including the outside buttresses. It boasts of its native façade with a unique explosion of botanical motif of coconut, banana, papaya tree, and a stylized guava fruit. Its centerpiece is San Cristobal in rolled pants carrying the child Jesus. It was declared as a National Shrine in 1973 and was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993—the only one in the Visayas and Mindanao.
4 hectares covered all throughout with ferns.
Unique formation or rocks formed into little castles.
The barren and stiff formations of the rock and the dusty trails resembles the feature of a Colorado Mountain.
Single flat rock formation at the top of the mountain.
Various verdant forest areas bordering the hinterlands of Miagao.
An accessible and unspoiled waterfalls with fresh & clear running waters.
The cave provides a two-hour one way tour passing from arrays of stalactites and stalagmites and chambers around the little cathedral intertwined by lase of underground waters.
Ten times bigger than the ordinary swimming pool; Has elevation of 3,000 feet above sea level.
1 km. from town proper lush vegetation; attracts the adventurous.
A seascape with hectares-wide of different kinds and colors of corals viewed especially during low tide.
Landmark of Concepcion. It is a mountain situated in Brgy. Tambaliza with craggy slopes and ideal for mountain climbers (7,148 ft. the second highest spot in Panay).
Famous for its stone tables beach and other wonderful figures sculptured through centuries by wind and waves and noted for its lovers lane.
50 kms. from Iloilo city proper
Has virginal forest, and abundant wildlife.
Twin mountain with similar striking tips with perfect cones at a distance of 20 meters from the tips.
Where a person has to lower himself about 30 ft. below the side of a cliff to have access to its entrance.
Has natural springs as the main source of water surrounded by wild flowers
Where the hidden sea lies
Integrated agricultural livelihood demonstration resort. Has caromata ride, kids goat ride, horseback riding, cottages, fishing, restaurant, vegetable gardens, viewing tower, fruit trees, processing buildings, butterfly garden and children's playground.
Serves as a link and as a focal point for regional collaboration among public and private development institutions.
A museum-aquarium-eco park built to promote informal education needed for responsible aquaculture and fisheries in particular and for environment protection and sustainable development in general.
The first dynamic/interactive science museum in Region VI which seeks to draw children & adults into the world of Science & Technology - a world of learning, discovery and fun.
A multi-national aquaculture research center; undertakes artificial breeding of prawns and milkfish.
With free flowing spring
5 kms. from the poblacion
Small cave and small enchanting waterfall.
8 kms. from the poblacion
Surrounded by trees, boulders; situated at the foot of Mt. Manyakiya, the highest peak in the municipality.
6.2 kms. from Sara town proper; a series of falls and pools located in a valley of lush vegetation.
Features 1.5 kms. of rushing spring water.
30 to 40 min. from the Poblacion
Known as Little Baguio consists of 14 contiguous barangays in the Municipality of Leon & adjoining barangays in the Municipality of Alimodian.An eco-tourism site which boasts of vast varieties of Fauna & Flora, waterfalls, springs & streams and a cool invigorating climate like Baguio.
41 kms. from Iloilo City
Pre-war resort; has pools fed by mountain spring with rest areas for excursionists.
In Sitio Bagingbong, Brgy. Balabag, 8 kms. from the town proper of Anilao
Lush vegetation; situated at the foot of Mt. Manyakiya, the highest peak in the municipality.
60 kms. southwest of Iloilo City
Has beautiful marine garden; ideal for scuba diving.
73 kms. north of Iloilo City
A lake situated in a plateau surrounded by rolling hills of Lambunao, Iloilo
39 kms. southwest of Iloilo City
A 100-foot high falls dropping on a giant cauldron-like natural swimming pool.
Fishes and corals abound in the area.
9 kms. from the town proper
Ideal picnic ground
6 nautical miles from Ajuy Poblacion
Ideal for day and night swimming.
A white sand island with an area of 50 hectares facing Sicogon.
An island facing the town of Estancia with an area of 30 hectares. Noted for crystal clear water, wildlife and fishes.
Scuba diving and white sand beach.
Ideal for scuba divers.
The guerilla sanctuary island with white beaches
White Sand Beach
The place is located below Mt. Apitong wherein sea water enters during high tide and turns to fresh water during low tide, within it is a spring famous for its medicinal waters.
Its magnificent caves abound with guano and Alagit-it nests.
A coral reef rising only a few feet above sea level with its lighthouse and beach of white corals and shells.
The home of Tabon birds that lay oversized eggs.
12 kms. east of Estancia
Where 15th century burial caves are still found. One cave has a stone elephant and a natural swimming pool
Wide beach with limped lagoon.
5 kms. from the town proper of Estancia, 137 kms. northeast of Iloilo City
A 1,104 hectare white sand palm-fringed island gradually sloping down to some 350 feet beyond the shoreline
9 kms. from the poblacion
Rocks and colored stones beautifully laid along the shore and under the sea.
