After Cebu, the other island in the Philippines I did not miss to went through was in Panay Island where Iloilo City is located. Known as The City of Love. An hour away from Manila by air. As a first time visitor, I already felt at ease when I arrived at the airport.
Experienced flight delays at late night but then, I did not worry because locals are friendly and helpful without asking for any return. They are also approachable as they wear a smile when you asked about anything. The only thing I have noticed is you can’t buy the snacks outside the airport when you arrived late at night because there are no food stalls left open, so it is advisable to buy the food while at the airport before getting a public taxi. Surprisingly, there are no Uber or Grab services available for booking. Only public taxis are usually waiting at the airport to take the passengers to their respective places.
For accommodations, there are expensive and budget hotels depending on your lifestyle.
From my first day of stay, I can really feel the distinction of the place. Unlike Manila, the place is not so crowded and not as busier as the latter. A touch of nature is visible in the city. The ” Ilonggo”, the locals of Iloilo lived a simple life. Even if you stayed in an urban area, you can still feel the scenery in the province and feels like a native. If you want a more convenient stay, the city proper of Iloilo suits you.
There are shopping malls and dining hubs alongside. Seafood restaurants scattered anywhere Fresh seafood is abundant and cheaper as Iloilo is surrounded by the large bodies of water.
When it comes to specialty, if Cebu has lechon, Iloilo has its own original “La Paz batchoy” which is a famous dish all over the Philippines. City nightlife is also good to discover like KTV bars and disco houses and very accessible to go. You can site some points in the city proper to make your travels worth. An experience to treasure and surely to get back to.
