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BEST BUYS
Iloilo delicacies
like
biscocho, barquillos
and
butterscotch at Biscocho Haus.
LOCAL SPEAK
“Namit!”
means “Delicious!” and
“Kaon ta!”
means “Let’s eat!”
BEST FESTIVAL
Don’t miss
the Dinagyang Festival, which
happens every fourth Sunday of
January.
Jill J.
Villanueva
marketing
practitioner
AREA CODE
(34)
CURRENCY
Philippine Peso (PHP1 = US$.02)
TOUCHDOWN
One arrives in Negros through
the Bacolod-Silay airport in Silay City. That’s
about 15km northeast of Bacolod City, or about
a 30-minute drive if there are no traffic jams. In
Bacolod, there are plenty of tricycles.
BY DAY
Take a city tour that includes the Negros
Museum, the Pope John Paul II Tower which
houses his relic, and the Barangay sang Birhen
chapel’s altar made of fine, natural shells. Visit the
certified organic farms in Silay and Bago.
BY NIGHT
After the ribs dinner at Ribhouse, walk
the grounds of the Bacolod Government Center to
check out the music and water fountain. Then end
your evening with a treatment at the O’Fisher Spa
& Wellness Center.
SLEEP
East View Hotel, which is barely two years
old, has spacious rooms and soft beds. It is within
walking distance of banks, malls, restaurants and
call centers.
www.eastviewhotel.com
BEST SOUVENIRS
Masskara
T-shirts by Azatri, which are available
at Merci Pasalubong Centers.
BEST BUYS
Dried fish at Central
Market and fashion accessories at the
Negros Showroom.
MUST-TRY
Never leave Bacolod
without passing by Merci Pasalubong
Center
(www.merci.com.ph)
and eating
chicken
inasal
at Manokan Country.
PHILIPPINES
ILOILO
PHILIPPINES
BACOLOD
Maricar J.
Dabao
tour operator
DIDYOU
KNOW?
AREA CODE
(33)
CURRENCY
Philippine Peso (PHP1 = US$0.02)
TOUCHDOWN
There are taxi services available
from PHP300 upwards. You can also hire
metered cabs right outside the airport. It’s a 30- to
45-minute ride to the city. Within the city, there
are tricycles and jeepneys.
BY DAY
Visit the beautiful heritage churches of
Iloilo: Jaro, Molo, Miagao, Lapaz and Villa. Iloilo
is a food haven, so savoring Ilonggo cuisine like
batchoy
is a must. Tour the city by simply taking a
leisurely walk around.
BY NIGHT
Everyone will tell you not to miss
Smallville, which is considered Iloilo’s central
nightlife spot. Have some booze and baby back
ribs at Bourbon Street and Freska, if you still
haven’t had enough of Ilonggo cuisine.
SLEEP
Sarabia Manor Hotel along General Luna
St. is spacious and has an excellent location.
Rooms start at PHP800++ per night for simple
accommodations.
www.sarabiamanorhotel.com
LESTER LEDESMA
09LKH Smile
Ser 4
Bacolod is fast becoming a favorite
destination for mountain biking.
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