An Unforgettable Farm Experience at Pallon Farm in San Enrique

San Enrique, Iloilo is a truly tranquil and peaceful town guaranteed to help you relax, slow down, and connect with nature. Visit small scale farms— sugar cane and rice fields, corn, water buffalo, and more. Meet happy, smiling people and enjoy their local cuisine.

Amidst the bustling and progressive city pulsating with modern life, Pallon Farm is a unique haven for those who long for the solitude and enjoyment while communing with nature. Where the ambiance will surely soothe the senses and calm your nerves, allowing you to achieve one of the best farm holidays of your life.

PallonFarm, a privately-owned farm in Barangay Bantayan is one of the unique places in Iloilo where you can come to recharge in beautiful scenery with peaceful silence in the farm fields.

Only four (4) kilometers from the town center, Pallon Farm will remind you of a simple yet happy life. This 1.5 hectares developed area of the farm has a fishpond framed by fruit-bearing trees such as rambutan, lanzones, and chico and offers fruit-picking activities when in season.

For the kids, it offers dove and tilapia feeding, egg harvesting and an area for native pigs. Though not yet on a full scale but ostrich farming is another unique type of farming being introduced on the farm. It stands out of the box from the usual cow, chicken, pig and goat farming. Children can also enjoy feed the ostrich.

For the millennials, the farm also offers leisure spots which are not only worthy of visiting but are also Instagrammable. There are 10 areas on the farm that are a sure favorite picture-perfect spot. Its unique details, ambiance, and warm pastel colors will surely lure visitors to capture candid moments and Instagram-worthy photos. These areas are perfect for kids and kids-at-heart. Have fun posing and bring a fun vibe to your Instagram feed.

The farm has fascinating spaces made out of recycled materials for visitors toenjoy. It has recycled chairs, tables, and benches from metal scraps. Used tires, painted can create gardens for chilling out, and they can be molded into different seating arrangements. Certain pieces or parts of machinery, cars, tools, frames, and other items get old, worn out, or used up. Instead of throwing them away, the owner takes these parts and recycle them into wonderful works of art. Thanks to the remarkable ingenuity of Mr. Eugene Pallon, who makes sure nothing is put to waste.

For family or a group of 20 people maximum, a bamboo cottage is available for day-time use. It has a canteen and a memorabilia board.

Pallon Farm is a welcoming, unique tourism attraction comprised of friendly people, the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene and Chona Pallon, running and working in the farm made sure that their organic and sustainable farm will not only put San Enrique in the tourism map of the province but will also provide food and jobs to the local people. A simple farm with heartfelt service to the community.

How amazing it is to be submerged and take part in the real farm life. A breath of fresh air in the hustle and bustle of life. The farm’s fresh and clean rural surroundings and its proximity to Passi City also have many interesting places to visit where you will enjoy the sites of the district.

For more information, please contact Mr. Eugene Baldonado Pallon at 09214022442 or Mrs. Chona Panes Pallon at 09293462015. You may want to visit their Facebook account at Eugene Baldonado.

The Third-Class municipality of San Enrique is situated in the north-central portion of the province and is 54 kilometers from Iloilo City via the Passi City route. It is bounded in the north by Passi City; in the south by Dingle; the east by Banate and Barotac Viejo and; west by Duenas. It has a total land area of 8, 772 hectares, and is politically subdivided into 28 barangays. The town is populated by 33, 911 (2015 Census on Population) San Enriquenhons.

To get to the town, busses via Passi City are available daily at the new Ceres Terminal in Barangay Camalig, Jaro, Iloilo City.

A Weekend Haven at Orilla del Rio Inland Resort

Alimodian, Iloilo is a quiet town packed with great natural and historical attractions. It features amazing sites, views, and landscapes that are surprisingly diverse, with remote upland barangays, rice paddies, tumbling waterfalls and vegetable plantations.

A home for the finest tablea (native chocolate from cacao beans) in the province Alimodian is also known for its sweet delicacy, the sinakol, historical landmarks and tourism inland resorts.

A network of small barangay roads will take visitors to the town’s newest inland resort situated in Barangay Taban Manguining. Located in a secluded and peaceful barangay 2.5 kilometers from the town center is an inland resort where guests will surely have an enjoyable time without too much noise.

The Orilla del Rio Inland Resort will surely give visitors a simple but unforgettable resort experience. It is an ideal point of excursion for backpackers and solo travelers looking for ease of access to the best sites in Alimodian.

Upon arrival, guests will somehow have a glimpse of what the inland resort has to offer. Its ambiance exudes cleanliness and simplicity. It has landscapes that are well-trimmed and the pool water is fresh and clean with the parking space sufficient for quite a number of guests.

The primary offering of the resort is its large swimming pool for adults at 3-5 feet deep, and a kiddie pool only about two (2) feet deep. The pools give you a relaxing feeling even if you are just watching it from your cottage.

There are facilities to meet most budgets. The cottages are not that expensive so guests do not have to worry about spending too much. There are eight (8) open bamboo-made cottages and 14 umbrella huts surrounding the pool.

For overnight stay, there are reasonably priced fan and air-conditioned bamboo huts that can accommodate eight people maximum. There is a pavilion that could handle 300 maximum people for weddings, conferences, birthdays, baptismal, and company events.

So, for those who would like to experience a worthwhile getaway in a not so far-flung inland resort from the city, Orilla del Rio Inland Resort is a good option to choose. For more information, please contact Miss Issabela Alonsabe at 09493689187.

Alimodian is a Third-Class municipality situated south-central of the province. It is 24.6 kilometers away from Iloilo City. The town is bounded in the north by the province of Antique; in the east by the towns of Maasin and Cabatuan, Iloilo; in the south by San Miguel, Iloilo and in the west by Leon, Iloilo. It has a total land area of 14, 480 hectares and politically subdivided into 51 barangays.

Alimodian is populated by 34, 408 (2015 Census on Population) Alimodianons. Market day is every Tuesdays and Sundays. It annually celebrates its Religious Fiesta every 22nd of September in honor of St. Thomas of Villanova.

To get to Alimodian, one can take a jeepney or van at the ALEOSAN Transport Terminal at El 98 Street, Mandurriao, Iloilo City or at the ALEOSAN Transport Terminal in Barangay HIbao-an, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

A Real Eco-Treat with Anilao’s Balunos Mountain Resort

If you are looking to recharge and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul, the best way to do it is to unwind in the presence of Anilao’s natural greenery.

Wake up to the natural sounds of chirping birds and dreamy daylight in Balunos Mountain Resort if you want an express weekend getaway. The resort offers a secluded escape with zero traffic, air and noise pollution.

Balunos Mountain Resort is 13 kilometers or almost a thirty-minute single motorcycle ride away from the town proper. The resort nestles in the lush mountain barangay of Balunos, Sitio Manyakiya was developed as a home away from home for urbanites.

The residence of Mr. Edwin Rendaje Dangautan was fully developed into a nature resort in 2018. The area is rich in the plant life of all kinds. Apart from cozying up to the view of the Anilao’s hills, you can also go trekking to the nearby Mt. Manyakiya where one can get a full view of Anilao and its surrounding towns and Negros island.

Gather your closest friends and chill out in its adult pool at 5-7 feet deep, or just sit back and listen to the sounds of nature. If adventure and exploration are what you are after, the Balunos Mountain Resort offers modest accommodation, perfect for budget travelers.

Uproot yourself from the comfort of your homes and into a reclusive stay in this budget resort. You can find comfortable accommodation all at P250.00 per person overnight. There are two (2) rooms at six persons maximum each room at the second level of the resort; two (2) rooms at the rest-house area at three persons maximum for each room; at the third level is for 10 persons maximum.

With a built-in sound system in the pool area, you can even hold events here like small wedding, debut and baptismal. Although it may seem remote and far from your beloved city, it can exclusively hold up to a hundred persons maximum.

Living in the city and enduring the endless traffic and everyday routine can really take a toll on our mental stamina. Often, we find ourselves so mentally and physically drained that we crave for a quick getaway someplace where we can ease our mind and body and be disconnected from our reality, even if just for a little while.

In Balunos Mountain Resort visitors will find themselves embracing nature’s warmth – an uncommon feeling in the city. Your stay here is a unique and pleasant way to experience some of Anilao’s charm.

For more information, please contact 09182807809. Balunos Mountain Resort, a great place to embrace nature at its best.

The Fourth-Class municipality of Anilao is located in the northeastern portion of the province. It is 45.3 kilometers away from Iloilo City. It is bounded in the north by the town of San Enrique; the highest mountain of the town in the west; in the south by Barotac Nuevo; and the Guimaras Strait in the east. It has a total land area of 7, 538 hectares and is politically subdivided into 21 barangays.

Anilao is populated by 28, 684 (2015 Census on Population) Anilaonons. Market day is every Friday. It annually celebrates its Religious Fiesta every 22nd of May in honor of Sta. Rita de Casia.

To get to Anilao, one can take a van or bus at the new Ceres Terminal in Barangay Camalig, Jaro, Iloilo City.

Silagon Mangrove Eco-Park: A Green Escape to Ajuy

Mangroves are a highly valued resource in the province of Iloilo. They are found along much of Iloilo’s coastline. The most extensive mangroves are found in the northern district with the town of Ajuy having one of the most luxuriant mangrove covers.

Ajuy is home to a diversity of marine organisms. One of the most valuable features of its biodiversity is the presence of a mangrove ecosystem. The town is an ecotourism excursion destination that visitors should include in their itineraries when making plans to explore Iloilo.

Barangay Silagon, situated 10 kilometers from the town proper, is a destination you can consider as an itinerary if you have enough time visit to Ajuy. The area offers lush mangrove forests worth visiting with family and friends who seek a unique experience. The barangay

Opened last December 23, 2019, the Silagon Mangrove Eco-Park is a 240-meter bamboo boardwalk extends beyond the existing mangroves and has become a special feature for visitors to the barangay.

Take a leisurely stroll along this coastal boardwalk, while enjoying the different views of the area’s expansive waters, its lush greenery. During high tide, the boardwalk will bring you half close to the water surface where schools of fishes can be sighted; while at low tide, you can also spot different species of crustaceans found on the extensive mudflat, which is a habitat that supports a wide variety of marine organisms.

The exploratory trail has an elevated pavilion with scenic views of the neighboring islands. It has a series of lookouts with shaded nooks to enjoy the view. Each decorated nook represents the Sitios of Silagon. Future plans to include educational installations and interpretive signages, launching facility for motorized and non-motorized crafts.

The Eco-Park provides visitors with a wide variety of habitats to explore – mudflat, mangroves, coastal forest, and rocky shore. There is a myriad of experiences that will definitely thrill and enrich every visitor’s senses as they embark on this tour. This tranquil nature spot is an oasis of calm for visitors amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.

The people of Barangay Silagon are the key actors who play crucial roles in both maintaining the beauty of the surroundings and the conservation of mangroves in the area. They are working hard to protect, manage and restore priority mangrove habitats in the area.

Each household contributed bamboo poles that were used in building the 240-meter bamboo trail, information center, function hall, and the viewing deck. Without the participation of the community, successful conservation is considered to be impossible. Their participation in the management of mangrove forests will eventually bring sustainable environmental, social and economic benefits.

Key people from the municipal and barangay levels were also involved in the conservation of mangroves in Silagon Mangrove Eco-Park. This included Ajuy Municipal Engineer Nilo Hinojales and Municipal Tourism Officer Romina Capalla and the Barangay officials headed by Barangay Captain Ruben Rojas Jalando-on.

Several recommendations were discussed. Among them is the need to formulate specific policies that support the development and protection of mangroves in the barangay and such policies should provide ample room for participation of local communities in mangrove forest management. Furthermore, to ensure the implementation of such policies, there is a need to develop a specific organization responsible for managing the mangroves. The success of the project is the participation and involvement of the local community. Lastly, the need to raise local awareness of the mangroves and to ensure frequent communication needs to be in place as it will help to increase participation in mangrove forest management.

Mangroves are recognized as one of the richest ecosystems in the world that serves as habitats for the majority of aquatic animals as well as overall and terrestrial animals. There are 54 species of mangroves in the world. The Philippines has 44 recorded species. Unfortunately, mangroves are becoming vulnerable to loss and degradation as numerous tracts of mangrove have been converted to other uses.

To get to Silagon Mangrove Eco-Park in Barangay Silagon, one must take the route in Puente Bunglas going to Concepcion from Ajuy. Tricycles at P200.00 one-way and single motor at P100.00 one-way operates in the area. For those with vehicles, there is limited parking space in the park. The entrance fee is P30.00 for non-residents and P15.00 for residents, students, and PWDs.

The scenic town of Ajuy has a land area of 19,346 hectares subdivided into 34 barangays. It is 91.9 kilometers or a two-hour drive away north from Iloilo City. It is bounded in the north by Sara; south by Ajuy Bay; and the west by Barotac Viejo.

To get to Ajuy, busses are available daily at the new Ceres Bus Terminal in Barangay Camalig, Jaro, Iloilo City. For more information, please contact, Miss Romina Capalla-, Municipal Tourism Officer at 09771126958.

Barangay Bitas and the 10th Burihan Festival

Barangay Bitas, Tigbauan, Iloilo will celebrate the 10th Burihan Festival with the theme, “Maghugpong kag Pasanyugon: Burihan Pride kang Bitasnonon,” on February 11, 2020 highlighted by the annual tribe competition at 3 p.m. Burihan Festival aims to promote the buri industry. Buri weaving has been a traditional industry in the barangay.

Burihan Festival is tipped to be another cracker event. The event officially started in 2011 honoring the barangay’s main industry and to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, the barangays patron saint. It is a thanksgiving jubilee for Evelyn Tupino-Igana, mother of Burihan Festival who was able to send her children to school because of her buri business.

Clad in buri-inspired costumes, from hats to slippers and even trinkets, performers from Tribu Likyad, Luknit, Sasa, Hilo, Karatel will make a joyous celebration in the middle of a vacant farm lot at the back of their Barangay Hall. The annual festival presentation is a symbol of the community’s undying love for the cottage industry that they proudly call their own.

Also known as century plant, the buri is a palm that grows straight and erect reaching a height of 20 to 40 meters and its trunk with a diameter of one to 1.5 meters. There are three kinds of fibers obtained from the tree, namely buri, raffia, and buntal. The buri palm has large fan-shaped leaves that ranges from two to three meters in length. when mature is used for covering tobacco bales or as thatch for houses, while the ribs used for making brooms. The leaf also produces a fiber quite similar to raffia and used in making cloth or strings, and other decorative items. The fiber from the ribs of the palm’s unopened leaves is used in making hats, mats, and baskets.

Major sponsor M/V Rainbow Crew and Officers through Captain Aladin TInambunan and Chemical Engineer Cyril Untalasco, Elsa Tirado, Mr. and Mrs. Jose Tubiano, Engineer Bimboy Terania, Arcega Marketing owned by Bong and Romelia Alinsasaguin, and Engineer Ma. Anita dela Cruz.

The peaceful barangay of Bitas is a 20-minute tricycle ride from the town proper of Tigbauan. The town Tigbauan is a 30-minute drive or 22. 5 kilometers away south of Iloilo City. The town is comprised of 52 barangays squatting on a 6,062-hectare land area. It is bordered in the northwest by Leon; the northeast by San Miguel; east by Oton; west by Guimbal and the Iloilo Strait in the south.

Salakayan: Celebrating Miagao’s Living History

Miagao, Iloilo will celebrate its 304th Foundation Anniversary highlighted by the 22nd Salakayan Festival on February 3-9, 2020. Basically, it is a story about the entire community rebelling against the cruel and tyrannic Moros, now transformed into a festival that attracts thousands of spectators every year.

Salakayan, from the Hiligaynon word “Salakay” or “to attack” is a weekend adventure back in time with the early conquest of Spanish missionaries and the town’s involvement in the Moro Wars, as they bring to life those turbulent days. It is an annual commemoration of the historic battle that happened in May 7, 1754 and interpreted as the central theme of their annual dance-drama competition.

To further Christian missionary efforts and the occupation of the islands, Spain created an implacable enemy---the Muslims of the south. The Spaniards considered conversion through baptism to be a symbol of allegiance to their authority which the Moros resisted.

Spanish chroniclers have recorded major slave-raiding of Christians by Muslim pirates. Quickly and silently spreading out, pirates divided up and waited along the shoreline. At a given signal, firebrands to torch churches and houses, launching a simultaneous attack on the sleeping inhabitants.

Miagaowanons consider Salakayan to be an important part of their culture and like to describe this re-enactment festival as a “liberating” event. Salakayan Festival is definitely one you will remember.

With this year’s theme,” Panawagan sa Kultura sang Dayalogo Padulong sa Paghidait,” series of week-long special events were prepared to entertain the community and its guests. February 3 (Monday) opens with a Pamukaw at 5:00 a.m., Transport Sector Caravan at 6:00 a.m., Salakayan Mass at 8:30 a.m., Opening of Agro and Industrial Fair at 9:30 a.m., Opening Salvo at 2 p.m., Opening Program and Raising of Barangay Banners at 5 p.m., Opening of Food Fair at 6 p.m., Mga Pinili nga Lanton Naton by UPV Miagao Campus at 6:30 p.m., Miss Salakayan Talent’s Night at 7:30 p.m.; February 4 (Tuesday) Laro ng Lahi at 9 a.m., LIGA Night at 6 p.m., Zumbathon at 6 p.m.; February 5 (Wednesday) Pottery (Banga) Painting Contest (Kararaw, Banig, and Salakot) at 9 a.m., Cavalcade of Dances at 2 p.m, Balikbanwa Night at 7 p.m.

February 6 (Thursday) Mountain Bike/ Fun Ride/ Race at 7 a.m., Miss Salakayan Pageant Night at 7 p.m.; February 7 (Friday) Mass and Fluvial Parade at 8 a.m., Salakayan Re-enactment at 10 a.m., Games at Sea at 10:30 a.m., Transport Sectors Night at 7 p.m.; February 8 (Saturday) Tribes Contest at 8 a.m., Float Parade at 2 p.m., Tribes Night at 7 p.m.; February 9 (Sunday) Thanksgiving Mass at 7:30 a.m., Motocross at 8 a.m., and the Coronation of the Queen of Miagao at 7 p.m.

Visitors will get a unique street-level experience at this charming festival, vibrating with the atmosphere of a time gone by. Yes, this is Salakayan Festival of Miagao and it presents an organized event steeped in history. 

The historical town of Miagao is 40.5 kilometers or an hour land trip south from Iloilo City. Composed of 199 barangays with a land area of 13,286 hectares, Miagao is bordered by the towns of Igbaras to its northeast; Guimbal to its east, San Joaquin to its west; and the municipality of Sibalom, Antique Province to its northwest. To get there, one can take a jeepney at the Don Benito Q. Acap Sr. Southern Iloilo Perimeter Boundary Terminal in Barangay Mohon, Oton, Iloilo or at the market at the back of Robinsons Place Iloilo. Metered taxis are also available at the terminal.

Hirinugyaw-Suguidanonay Festival: A Joyous Display of Cultural Pride and Legacy of Calinog

Calinog, Iloilo will be holding one of the most unique and authentic festivals in the province as it celebrates its local identity and roots as part of the annual Hirinugyaw-Suguidanonay Festival that started on January 24 (Friday) and will end on February 2 (Sunday).

The presentation if of two portions, a combination of the pre-Hispanic celebration of the Sulodnons or Panay Bukidnons, and the Catholic tradition of Sr. Sto. Nino. It opens with the Suguidanon segment and ends in Hirinugyaw.

The unique community of the Panay Bukidnons of Calinog seeks to promote and honor their culture and heritage highlighted in the celebration of Iloilo’s most inspiring indigenous festival in this segment performed and displayed in sections from the chosen chapter of the epic ballad Hinilawod, a vibrant celebration brimming with historic costumes, folkloric dances and the re-enactment of several legendary folkloric characters. The segment also showcases unique costumes, music, dance, and cultures that make-up Calinog’s diverse heritage.

Prepare to be swept away by the rhythm of the drums, battle cries, and pounding feet as dance troupes simultaneously perform an array of traditional and contemporary choreographies for the second segment, the Hirinugyaw segment. Intricate hand-crafted headdresses and hand props come together in a sensory burst of color to celebrate Sr. Sto. Nino.

With the theme “Kulturang Calinognon nga may Himpit nga Pagtuo kay Senior Sto. Nino, Dalan sa Pag-uswag ka Banwa kag Turismo,” the highlight of the festivity is the annual tribe competition on February 2 (Sunday) at 7:30 a.m. Series of special events have been calendared that started on January 24 (Friday) the Opening Salvo with a Holy Mass at 3 p.m., Opening Program at 4:30 p.m., Lighted Sto. Nino at 5:30 p.m., Torched Parade at 6:30 p.m., and Jalaudnon Attire and Talents Night Presentation of Search for Linghoron Kag Hamtong nga Lin-ay kag Ulitao 2020 at 8:3 p.m.; January 25 (Saturday) Presentations and Cultural Show with a Holy Mass at 5:30 a.m., District of Calinog II at 6:30 p.m.; January 26 (Sunday) Holy Mass at 5:30 a.m., District of Calinog I Teachers and Pupils at 5:00 p.m.; January 27 (Monday) Linabugan Festival with a Holy Mass at 5:30 a.m., 6th Linabugan Festival with Linabugan Dishes and Appetizer Presentation, Actual Cook-Off Challenge at 7 p.m. January 28 (Tuesday) Car Show with a Holy Mass at 5:30 a.m., Car Show at 5 p.m., 1st Hugyaw Mobile Legends Tournament.

January 29 (Wednesday) Presentations and Cultural Show with a Holy Mass at 5:30 a.m., Brain Quest at 6:30 p.m., the Duke’s Band at 9 p.m.; January 30 (Thursday) Coronation Night with a Holy Mass at 5:30 a.m., Coronation Night of Linghuron nga Lin-ay kag Ulitao at 7:30 p.m.; January 31 (Friday) Coronation Night with a Holy Mass at 5:30 a.m., Coronation Night of Hamtong nga Lin-ay kag Ulitao at 7:30 p.m.; February 1 (Saturday) Holy Mass at 6:30 a.m., Procession of Live Sto. Nino at 7:30 a.m., Agape at 9 a.m., Battle of Mini Sounds at 1 p.m., Tumandok: A Fashion Show of Local Designer at 7 p.m., Live Band at 9 p.m.; February 2 (Sunday) Holy Mass at 6 a.m., Tribe Competition at 7:30 a.m., Live Band at 5 p.m., Announcement of Winners at 7:00 p.m., Fireworks Display at 8 p.m., Live Band.

Hirinugyaw-Suguidanonay Festival is one of the largest indigenous celebrations in Iloilo Province, and it has quickly become a sought-after experience by festival lovers from all over the country. It is the perfect opportunity to explore the intricate cultural threads that weave Calinog’s past, present, and future together.

The First-Class municipality of Calinog is situated at the central portion of the province and is 59.3 kilometers away from Iloilo City. It is bounded in the north by the municipality of Tapaz, Capiz; northeast by the municipality of Bingawan, Iloilo; northeast by the municipality of San Remegio, Antique; south by the town of Lambunao, Iloilo; southeast by the municipality of Dueńas, Iloilo and; southwest by the town of Valderama, Antique. It has a total land area of 23, 280 hectares and politically subdivided into 59 barangays.

Calinog is populated by 60, 413 (2015 Census on Population) Calinognons. Market day is every Tuesday.  It annually celebrates its Religious Fiesta every 8th of December in honor of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception.

To get to the town, one can take a van at the Ungka Transport Terminal (fronting Christ the King Memorial Park) or CBL bus liner at Robinsons Place Pavia Terminal in Barangay Ungka-II, Pavia, Iloilo.