To see some spectacular architecture, Iloilo is the city for you. Visit the Miag-ao Church, declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the coralline San Joaquin Church, or the Santa Ana Molo Church, whose walls are lined with women saints.

The Ilonggo's love for life is evident in its year round explosionn of colorful and musical festivities like the Dinagyang festival in January which honors the Santo Nino. For the food lover, try some of Iloilo's famous delicacies like Pancit Molo and batchoy.

Tee off on the oldest golf course in the country, the Iloilo Golf and Country Club in Santa Barbara, built in 1908 by Irish engineers. For the beach lover, sail away to the nearby island of Guimaras and plunge into its unspoiled coves and reefs.

Lose yourself in its enchanting caves or hop over to its many islets. And for the more adventurous, Isla Naburot Resort just of Iloilo sits on a coral island brimming with tropical fish swimming among her coves. Drop-offs at Balbalan Island are an explosion of colorful underwater scenery.

Iloilo City is situated in the central Visayas region. Considered the jewel of the Philippine south, it is a city rich in history and cultural heritage, which is reflected in its ancestral mansions, old churches, artistically designed handicrafts, colorful festivals, unspoiled seaside communities with pristine beaches, islands, and coastal towns in its outskirts. It is also known for its superb seafood cuisine and native delicacies.

Iloilo used to be called Irong-Irong-a name given by Bornean chief Datu Paliburong, who bought the coastal shores from native chieftain Marikudo in the 13th century. Irong-Irong, meaning nose-like, refers to the proboscis-like outline of the city center. When Juan Miguel de Legaspi arrived in 1566, he found existing thriving towns and made Ogtong the capital. In 1667, it was moved to Iloilo, where the river mouth area was provided better protection against raids by the Muslim, Dutch, and English pirates. Today, Iloilo City is not very different from other port towns of similar size, but its image has recently been improved.

There are daily flights and boat trips to Iloilo from Manila.

Visitors can enjoy a relaxing weekend on its beautiful beaches-swimming, diving, or island hopping. Costa Aguada, Isla Naburot, Nagarao, Tatlong Pulong, and Siete Pecados Islands of Guimaras are just some of the best places to go. For those who want to explore more adventurous spots, there is the Catilaran Cave, the Pawikan Cave (you have to be an experienced climber to get here), and the Elephant and Tinihagan Caves on Gigantes Sur and Norte. You may also get to see the gray monkeys on the islands. Visitors can also go birdwatching at Taklong Island-the first Visayan marine park and sanctuary.

If you want to immerse yourself in Iloilo's culture, visit the numerous, age-old churches, and ancestral mansions in the south coast, or see the artistically designed handicrafts and antique collections in the city. The small "Window on the Past" in Museo Iloilo is also worth a visit. It houses a well-labeled collection of prehistoric fossil finds, pottery from sunken ships, burials, saints and religious articles, and an exhibit of recent creations of local aritsts. On request, visitors are shown videos of the attractions of Panay and various Philippine festivals.

Enjoy the best of Iloilo's native specialties and delicacies such as the famous La Paz batchoy, pancit molo, biscocho, and barquillos, and fresh seafood at Seaside, Del Rio's, and Ocean City Restaurant. There are also hotels that range from the simple and inexpensive to the more expensive, and restaurants that serve the best native food.

Blend in Iloilo's tradition by joining in the Dinagyang Festival which is held in January. It is a Mardi Gras-like celebration where costumed "tribes" parade the streets. The Paraw Regatta, a race between outrigger sailboats on the Iloilo Strait, is a colorful race celebrated in the middle of February.

Philippine Airlines flies daily from Manila to Iloilo in 1 hour and 10 minutes. Daily flights from Cebu take 40 minutes. Taxis, jeepeneys nd buses are plentiful. There are also car rental companies.

Exquisite pina "pineapple" and just fabrics.antiques, capiz and shellcraft. Fresh fruit, baked goodies and sweets.

Iloilo Musuem. Molo and Jaro district. Miag-ao and San Joaquin Church. Guimaras Island.

Iloilo Golf and Country Club in Santa Barbara. Swimming Sailing and island hopping.

Local favourites are soupy noodle dishes like batchoy from the La Paz district and pancit molo from the Molo district. Try biscocho, the local version of melba toast.

Travel by seas from Iloilo to Bacolod by Sea Angels