Footsteps: Going to Guimaras

Book a flight going to Iloilo. Our airline of choice is Cebu Pacific. As you reach Iloilo International Airport, hire a van and ask to take you at Ortiz Port. The usual van route will take you up to SM Iloilo but since the new airport is far from the city proper, it is advisable to hire a van. We paid around P 500.

 

When you reach Ortiz Port, take a boat going to Jordan. The trip is less than 30 minutes and the fare is P 13. Remember that it is strictly prohibited to bring mango fruit, seedling and the like in Guimaras to protect their mango variety and the industry.

 

As you reach Jordan, you have option to hire a multi-cab or take a jeepney or tricycle to bring you to your destination. We opted to hire a multicab for P 400. The price is standardized so no need to worry.

 

Guimaras people are very accommodating as evidenced by our encounter with the multicab driver, boatman, resort staff, and others. They maintain that Illonngo culture of being malambing. Though life in Guimaras is simple, they take pride of their interesting places and mangoes .

 

It was a good retreat!  it's worth the trip!

ortiz port, iloilo

on air

iloilo airport

inside the boat

inday mar ferry boat

boat

iloilo airport

iloilo airport

iloilo airport

Footnote: One Lourdes Dormitel, Fuentes Iloilo City

We already made reservation before going to Iloilo in another hotel but our friends who came from Bora told us there was a relatively new but cheaper hotel named One Lourdes Dormitel in Fuentes St., Iloilo City. When we arrived in Ortiz port from Guimaras, we took a cab and asked the manong to drop us in the said hotel. The driver didn’t know its exact location so we had to drive along the entire Fuentes Street. When we found the hotel, you may immediately notice that it is a hotel unless you see their signage because the ground floor is being used as a warehouse. You have to pass by the gate on the side of the building for you to find the entrance to the dormitel.



The lobby is relatively small but its interior is good as you will also be greeted by its accommodating staff. The dormitel is a three-floor accommodation that offers amenities such as: dining area, elevator, free wifi, room service, arrangement for airport transfer, among others.

What I like about this dormitel is they managed to maximize their space without compromising comfort of its guests. We booked a room that is good for four that only cost Php 900 a night. It has air-conditioner, two matrimonial beds, TV, desk, cabinet, comfort room with hot and cold shower among others.

Since we felt at home in this hotel, we scrapped some late night plans just to spend time bumming around our room. The hotel exceeded our expectations though we only stayed overnight. Now we have a second home when you go back to Iloilo.

contact information:

Address : Fuentes St., City Proper, Iloilo City Telefax : (63)(033) 3384288 / 3358572 / 3378734

Iloilo Churches

We decided to visit some churches in Iloilo after we ate at Tatoy’s. We took a jeep from Tatoy’s and went to Sto. Nino De Arevalo Parish Church in Arevalo. After that, we took another jeep that has a sign “Villa” and dropped by Molo Church in Molo, Iloilo. Then we took another jeep going to Baluarte to visit San Jose Church in Libertad.

As we went along, I can’t help but notice the usual Spanish Colonial setting where the Church is always near the public plaza and schools. It was a good feeling staying on these Plazas for a while and see people from different walks of life make their own escape and find space within a cool breeze of fresh air to relieve stress and set perspective. One can’t replace that feeling of oneness with your own world while killing some time in a public plaza.

sto. nino de arevalo church

sto. nino de arevalo church

plaza in front of molo church

molo church

molo church

molo church

molo church

san jose church, libertad
san jose church

san jose church

rizal monument in front of san jose church

plaza libertad: monument of greatness of heroes of panay. the revolutionary army headed by Hen. Martin Delgado gathered here to raise the Philippine Flag, to symbolize the end of Spanish regime in Panay on December 25, 1898. This was made as national historical marker on November 17, 2003.

Iloilo flora and fauna

After our church hopping, we decided to drop by Robinson's Place Iloilo to buy supplies when we saw flowers and plants being sold right at the central plaza. Display on recently held Dinagyang Festival can still be seen in the mall. 

Pitstop: Iloilo Foodies

Right after we went back to Iloilo and checked-in in One Lourdes Dormitel, we headed straight to Tatoy’s which is considered as one of the most popular restaurant in Iloilo. We took a cab since it’s a bit far from the city proper as it is located along the sea side in a place called Villa. Tatoy’s interior is simple as it is made of wood and uses bamboo as dining tables. I thought we just have to sit and the waiter will take our order but we had to approach the counter to make our order.

too much seafoods

meat foodies also available

more food

We ordered their famous litson manok which is grilled using native chicken. Their one whole chicken was relatively smaller compared to whole chicken you can buy from supermarket but the taste was good especially when dipped in their special sauce.

sinigang na tanigue

We also ordered lechon which was so tasty coz you may eat it on its own with or without the sauce. I think this is the distinction of lechon made in Visayas region; they put spices right inside the lechon so you may eat it on its own.

native litson manok

The healthiest among the food we tasted was sinigang na tanigue. I personally liked how they prepared it because it was not too sour and the fish was so fresh which are complemented by vegetables.

After a sumptuous meal, buko juice flushed all the toxins as the coconut meat was also served on its own coconut shell. We paid around Php 800 and it’s all worth it.

special lechon sauce

lechon doble

chicken

When it comes to pasalubong, one can find delicious delicacies at Bicocho Haus. Aside from their special bischoco, you can also buy other foodies such as crunchy mamon, mango bar, barquillos, barquiroll, etc.

bischoco haus

perfect pasalubong

On that same night, we were treated by family friends of Marj at Alfrique’s, an Italian restaurant situated in an ancestral house transformed into a resto. They had pizza and pasta for us which are at par with some Italian-inspired restaurant in Manila. We had a bottle of beer in MO2 located in Small Ville afterwards. Smallville is considered as the gimmick place in Iloilo since it is where high-end bars, hotels and restaurants are located.

FOOT STEPS: Iloilo and Guimaras for only P 300+

Yup, we'll only pay P 300+ for a two-way trip to Iloilo on February. Thanks to the December 25-26 seat sale of Cebu Pacific. They offered limited seats for travels made from February to March. It was a feast! We were just finalizing our plans to go to Davao for less than 500 pesos but when I was about to refresh their website, it's gone! It sold like pancakes so we ended up booking for an Iloilo flight and will go to Guimaras just to avail the promo. 

Hope Cebu Pacific would offer new year seat sale. For more information, you may go to www.cebupacificair.com. 

By the way, if you know places of interest and cheap but clean accomodation in Iloilo and Guimaras feel free to post. We don't know yet how to travel from Iloilo Airport to Guimaras. hehe...