Iloilo Landmarks Inspired by the World's Best

Iloilo City's most gorgeous destinations is inspired by the world's best!

Iloilo City, the Philippines’ "City of Love” and the historical city most favored by Spain through the royal decree of Queen Regent Maria Christina during the Spanish colonial era, is now on its way for a newfound elevation, a magnificent rise as one of the most favored economic centers, a new investment hub, and world-class cultural heritage. A passionate site-seeing within this vibrant metropolis would give visitors and quests some glimpses of different world wonders. These resemblances are often associated with its grandeur history, culture and optimistic people whose values and perspective focuses mainly in their deep cultural pride. Take a journey with us and SEE THE WORLD THROUGH ILOILO…

Singapore’s Esplanade and Iloilo River Esplanade: Nature and Progress Fuses Beautifully

  

The Esplanade is a waterfront location just north of the mouth of the Singapore River in downtown Singapore. It is primarily occupied by the Esplanade Park, and was the venue where one of Singapore's largest congregation of satay outlets until their relocation to Clarke Quay as a result of the construction of a major performance arts venue, the Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay, which took its name from this location.
Iloilo River Esplanade is an esplanade along Iloilo River in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, Philippines that was opened on August 18, 2012. It stretches 1.2 Kilometers from Diversion Road (officially Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue) to Carpenter Bridge. The project cost P58.7 million. and was designed by Paolo Alcazaren, who also designed the Singapore quay and river esplanade.
There are proposals to extend the Esplanade from the Carpenter Bridge to Barangay Sooc, Arevalo, Iloilo City and from the Diversion Road to Jalandoni Bridge.
Singapore’s Esplanade and Iloilo River Esplanade both showcases the harmonious fusion of ecology, progress and stunning scenery, a picturesque vision of sustainability and commitment to our environment where people can truly appreciate. It’s the same vision and passion for nature… SEE THE WORLD THROUGH ILOILO!

Paris Buildings and Iloilo’s Calle Real: Stunning Historical Scenery

Featured in the photo is one of the classic-designed buildings in the city of Paris. Paris is the capital and most-populous city of France. It is situated on the Seine River, in the north of the country. Paris was founded in the 3rd century BC by a Celtic people called the Parisii, who gave the city its name. By the 12th century, Paris was the largest city in the western world, a prosperous trading centre, and the home of the University of Paris, one of the first in Europe. In the 18th century, it was the centre stage for the French Revolution, and became an important centre of finance, commerce, fashion, science, and the arts, a position it still retains today.
Calle Real (Royal Street) or the Iloilo City Heritage and Cultural District old buildings that were constructed in the Commonwealth era in Calle Real, Iznart, Aldeguer and Guanco were declared as a heritage site of Iloilo by the National Historical Institute. Also known as the downtown area of Iloilo City, it is one of the oldest and affluent business districts in the Philippines where the first department store Hoskyn’s was established in 1877.
The classic similarity of buildings in Paris and Calle Real would give onlookers the same feeling of nostalgia. Both refuted as cities of love – Paris and Iloilo exudes passion with their architectural designs from the past and transcends a cultural value in their future. A walk in Calle Real would also give the same view of architectural excellence with the world-famous city of Paris… SEE THE WORLD THROUGH ILOILO!

Covadonga Church and Molo Church: Reflections of Faith

Our Lady of Covadonga is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a Marian shrine devoted to her at Covadonga in the province of Asturias in north west Spain. The Spanish shrine rose to prominence following the Battle of Covadon in 722, at which the Moorish invasion of Spain was first resisted. A statue of the Virgin Mary, secretly hidden in one of the caves, was believed to have miraculously aided the Christian victory. Our Lady of Covadonga is the patron of Asturias, and a basilica was built to house the current statue. Pope John Paul II visited the shrine at Covadonga to honour the Virgin Mary.
Molo Church is a famous Spanish-colonial church and heritage site in Molo District. It known for the prominent red spires that crown its tall bell towers and as “the feminist church” because of the all-women ensemble of saints represented in 16 statues perched on the aisle pillars. Built in neogothic style, the church is one of the Iloilo City’s most familiar landmarks and top tourist attractions.
Probably the greatest link between Spain and the Philippines is their deep-rooted devotion to the Catholic Religion. 300 years of colonialism by Spain, etched a strong ties through Christian faith. In their physical manifestation of religious faith, these two old churches – the Our Lady of Covadonga and St. Anne Church have quite similar architectural concept and design, forged by the same religion and destined to become timeless… SEE THE WORLD THROUGH ILOILO!

 

Sydney Opera House and Iloilo Convention Center: World-Class Venues

The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Situated onBennelong Point in Sydney Harbour, close to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the facility is adjacent to the Sydney central business district and the Royal Botanic Gardens, between Sydney and Farm Coves. Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, the facility formally opened on 20 October 197
Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) is a state-of-the-art convention center in the Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, Philippines which is expected to be completed in 2015 in time for the APEC 2015 hosting. It is built on a 1.7-hectare of lot in the district of Mandurriao donated by the Megaworld Corp. The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority allocated P200 million for the construction of the convention center, while another P250 million was sourced from the Priority Development Assistance Fund of Senator Franklin Drilon.
Australia takes pride of Sydney Opera House as a world-class convention and venue of events. Likewise, Iloilo Convention Center is the most-anticipated convention facility in the Western Visayas region. Both venues can hold thousands of audiences and have cultural connection from the past. They both showcase contemporary architectural design – classy and impressive and a product of vision and dreams. A visit to ICC will also make you feel you’ve visited Sydney’s beautiful convention destination. Would you like to SEE THE WORLD THROUGH ILOILO?

Novotel Nanjing Central and Richmonde Hotel Iloilo: Getty’s Masterpieces

Novotel Nanjing Central is located in the heart of Nanjing, China, convenient to all of its historical centers, commercial complexes and businesses. The hotel boasts with 297 beautifully appointed guest rooms or suites with their magnificent views on Xinjiekou.
Richmonde Hotel Iloilo is the first international hotel that opened in Iloilo Business Park, Megaworld’s 72-hectare business township in Western Visayas region. The hotel boasts with gracious service and world-class accommodation that provides comfort with its 149 rooms and amenities.
Getty’s, one of the world’s most prestigious hotel designers both showcased their expertise and passion to build hotels that exudes masterpiece vision and style. When Getty’s conceptualize impressive designs, they always infuse a large part of the cultural heritage of the city or country where their hotel projects are being built. Both of these hotels showcase unique architectural and interior flair but maintains the same element of perspective – minimalism, dynamism and grandeur. Staying at Richmonde Hotel Iloilo will make you SEE THE WORLD THROUGH ILOILO.

 

Musselburgh Golf Club and Iloilo Golf Club: Legends in their own Right

The Royal Musselburgh Golf Club is a golf club at Prestongrange House, Preston grange near Prestonpans, East Lothian, Sctland. The first golf clubs were founded in the 18th century. The first was the Royal Blackheath Golf Club, instituted in 1706, followed by the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfersin 1744, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in 1754, and the Royal Musselburgh Golf Club in 1774. These clubs gradually accepted some responsibility for the links on which they played.
The Iloilo Golf and Country Club, formerly and informally known as the Santa Barbara Golf Course in Brgy. San Sebastian,Santa Barbara, Iloilo on 35 hectares of plain and rolling hills. It was built in 1907 by a group of British and Scottish expatriates building the Panay line of Panay Railways, also completed in 1907.  The club was the first Philippine club accepted as an affiliate of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in Scotland. Since it is the oldest golf course in the country, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in 2012 approved the placement of a national historical marker.
The Guinness Book of World record considered Royal Musselburgh Golf Club as the oldest in the world while Iloilo Golf and Country Club is considered as one of the oldest in Asia. Both destinations are icons and legends in their own right. Thus, a trip to Iloilo Golf and Country Club would be like visiting the oldest golf club in Scotland… SEE THE WORLD THROUGH ILOILO!

River Thames and Iloilo River: A Tale of Two Timeless Rivers

The River Thames is a river that flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom, after the River Severn. While it is best known for flowing through London, the river also flows alongside other towns and cities, including Oxford, Reading, Henley-on-Thames and Windsor.
The Iloilo River located in the Province of Iloilo, Philippines is actually an estuary.
The river starts in Oton at Batiano River, which is also an estuary, then traverses the Iloilo City districts of Lapuz, Lapaz, Mandurriao Districts, Molo, Arevalo and the city proper, before emptying into the Iloilo Strait.
Iloilo River wharf, including Muelle Loney in the Iloilo City Proper, is a natural harbor which made it a preferred port of call for ships seeking protection from strong winds and tropical monsoons. It serves as port for inter island ferries that travel from Iloilo City to Bacolod on Negros and to Guimaras.
London is hailed as a royal city, the capital of England and home to the British Royal Family. Iloilo is historically considered as the “Queen City of the South” in the Philippines. Both cities take pride with their natural wonder – a grand river of ecological and historical value that sustains life, resources and commitment for preservation. These are veins and lifeblood of both royal cities that creates a synergy between the past and the future. So, a stroll around or boat ride at Iloilo River would give you a heartfelt appreciation for nature and history like those in London… SEE THE WORLD THROUGH ILOILO!

Orchard Road and Iloilo Business Park: Vibrant Spots of Progress

Orchard Road is a 2.2 kilometre-long boulevard that is the retail and entertainment hub of Singapore. It is a huge tourist attraction, in addition to being the most popular shopping enclave in the city-state. Often, the surrounding area is known simply as Orchard, partly because the MRT station that serves the vicinity is named Orchard MRT.
The Orchard Planning Area is one of 55 urban planning areas as specified by the Urban Redevelopment Authority and is a commercial district. It is part of the Central Region and Singapore's central business district, the Central Area.
A 72-hectare master planned mix-used development community project of Megaworld, Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao District is the vibrant future township of business and lifestyle in Western Visayas.
Iloilo Business Park is Megaworld’s biggest single investment outside Luzon of 35 billion. Gorgeously rising in this vibrant township are BPO Buildings, the iconic 7,000-seater Iloilo Convention Center, international hotel brands – Richmonde Hotel and Courtyard by Marriot, lifestyle shopping center Festive Walk Mall, the country’s longest dinning destination – the Street of Festive Walk and luxurious condominium towers – One Madison Place, La Fayette Park Square and The Palladium, the tallest tower in Western Visayas.
Orchard Road is the busiest business capital of Singapore, a proof of its dominance in terms of economy, investments and tourism. Iloilo Business Park is currently the most talked-about business, leisure and tourism, a mixed-used commercial complex in Iloilo and Western Visayas region, giving a great boost for opportunities. People converge in these business centers to chase a good life and work hard to sustain their dreams. The bright lights and vibrant ambiance gives us a glimpse of progress. Therefore, roaming around and starting a life in Iloilo Business Park replicates the same vein of opportunities like any other business centers in the world.

So, are your ready to SEE THE WORLD THROUGH ILOILO? It’s time to open your eyes and widen your vision.

Writer's Note: This article was original posted in 2015 and the photos were used with respect to the copyright owners'photographers. The article format and photos were the same from its original posting.

(Data source: Wikipedia.com)