Iloilo City and Province - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 64

wecky

February 21st, 2007, 08:15 PM

The thread title is very appropriate and in line with Iloilo's bullish economy. "Iloilo- Getting Into A Bigger Picture" is a theme or slogan used by Dinagyang Festival (probably last year or this year). As Iloilo enters new year, it sees great improvements lined up for accelerating better services, more aggressive tourism promotion, improved infrastructure facilities, and over all strong economic indicators. It showed great developments on the later part of 2006. Moreso, 2007 sees greater opportunities for all Ilonggos when the upcoming new Iloilo Airport in Sta. Barbara's due to open this April. With so many ongoing projects as well at the moment, Iloilo will surely takes another level of confidence and prosperity in facing today's challenges. As for further developments, I'll take another challenge by quoting another Dinagyang's slogan ... "Catch, Watch, and Match!". Let's keep the ball rolling.
challenging quotes, slogans, adverts, titles, etc. make a one hell of a tease. It's an attention grabber for most readers and guests alike, making them wonder and awe on things behind the "phrase". Anyway, nice input @Kirby and thanks for starting the thread @Space.

Every now and again, the major attraction highlighted is the opening of the new airport in Sta. Barbara-Cabatuan area. Sometimes we tend to forget that there are numerous big projects ongoing in Iloilo at present. One thing for sure is the Iloilo Flood Control Project. This is also a multi-billion project with a very impressive components (please refer to Iloilo Infra Thread for more details). And once fully realised, it'll definitely give a good boost to Iloilo's economy as well. On the other side, tourism and agriculture are also on its upswing, adding to an already raging economy of the city and province.

Welcome to ILOILO, The Heart of the Philippines (T32) !

wecky

February 21st, 2007, 08:24 PM

That's nice of you. Just let us know the outcome or of any response from Mr. Yap. On the other hand, do continue visiting Iloilo@Upclose (http://iloiloupclose.wordpress.com/) by Manuel Mejorada. It's purely opinionated blog which focused on things going round politically in Iloilo. It's a funny business when he starts talking about the Justice acting secretary Gonzalez and his stupidity, and the same time hitting TESDA secretary Syjuco. On whether there's a massive truth behind some issues, I really don't know. BUt it just kinda tick off some of vital points on Mr. Armada's sad state, making himself look fool and greedy.

I always loved to read somebody's opinion and I suggest that Mejorada's blog is one of the best read in town. It's mostly one-sided comment however, you can really get something out of it. What fascinates me more is that I am from the second district of Iloilo. The more expose' he offered with Syjuco's anomaly, the more curious I am what's going on. To tell you the truth, there's no major project given to Alimodian lately, with our roads becoming more and more dilapidated due to massive quarrying. And it's really sad to note that we are paying our taxes and we're not getting much out of it. It's absolutely awful but it's a major awakening.

wecky

February 21st, 2007, 09:06 PM

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/160/394371679_719640e38e.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/184/394347304_a047fa2451.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/176/394347301_a07be5d901.jpg

wecky

February 21st, 2007, 09:10 PM

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/177/394371678_10e3a2ce7f.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/123/394347275_ab05a1d385.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/394371671_7ae7873c7c.jpg

kirby21

February 22nd, 2007, 02:20 AM

nice pictures Wecky. I liked the colours of LaSallette building. Nandiyan pa rin ang TEDs?

habagatcentral1

February 22nd, 2007, 02:22 AM

I think Ted's still there. :)

kirby21

February 22nd, 2007, 02:31 AM

Thanks Bernie. It was where I first ate my LaPaz batchoy.

There were also few more shops and restos in the building before. I hoped they'll still be around. We used to go there for a haircut in the second or third floor. I forgot the name of parlor shop though.

kirby21

February 22nd, 2007, 02:57 AM

Ombudsman-Iloilo to hold Caravan ‘07
By Atty. Ma. Sonnette S. Daquita
Associate Graft Investigation Officer II

THE Ombudsman-Iloilo slates a pionering Caravan ’07 to promote the main objectives and the thrust of the office aside from bringing it closer to the people in the countryside.

The first part of the activity is a Public Accountability Forum to be participated by public school teachers, municipal officers and barangay officials. The second part will be open to the public and shall include rendering of public assistance through receiving of request for assistance, acceptance of Ombudsman clearance applications, receiving of complaints and rendering legal advice to the public.

An information campaign will jump start Caravan’07. Ms. Evangeline Nuñal, Engr. Fernando Bauzon Jr., and Ronald Alan Cainglet will take charge of the print, television, and radio media, respectively.

The OMB-Iloilo employees and staff shall be responsible for the preparation and organization of the Caravan.

Three municipalities in the First District of Iloilo namely Tigbauan, Guimbal and Miag-ao are the participants of this Caravan set on Feb. 27, in Miag-ao subject to the acceptance of the invitation by the Office of the Municipal Mayor, district supervisor, barangay captains and councilors and the availability of speakers from the Office of the Ombudsman(Visayas).

The Municipality of Miag-ao shall be requested to provide and prepare the venue. Each municipality is tasked to select and submit the list of participants to the organizers. A maximum of 300 participants from all the municipalities will join the said activity. Each municipality is entitled to 100 participants. Thirty of these are officers of the municipality, 50 are public school teachers and the last 20 are barangay officials.

It is always the dilemma of a newly established office that only a few members of the society are being catered to. The OMB-Iloilo Caravan 2007 will effectively promote the Office of the Ombudsman and eventually makes its presence strongly felt not only in the Province of Iloilo but in the entire Western Visayas Region.

taken from: The Guardian Iloilo
link: http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/localnews0.php?id=1930

Canadian doctors conduct medical mission

MIAGAO, Iloilo – Some 410 patients from the 1st Congressional District were examined and treated for ear and eye cases by 21 Canadian doctors in a surgical mission conducted February 5 - 8 at Rep. Pedro G. Trono Memorial Hospital in Guimbal town.

Mayor Gerardo Flores said the medical mission formed part of the week-long activity in celebration of the town’s 291st Founding Anniversary and Salakayan Festival 2007.

Of the 410 qualified patients, 129 were examined and 94 others were treated through surgeries. Cases involved cataract, thyroidectory, pterygium and cyst, among others.

Also, 180 patients were given eyeglasses and seven patients were installed with hearing aids. The patients came from the seven towns of San Joaquin, Miagao, Guimbal, Igbaras, Tubungan, Tigbauan and Oton.

The 21 Canadian doctors were assisted by nurses and volunteers. During the surgeries, they were divided into two groups. One was for ear examination headed by Dr. Dan Vargas and the other for eye examination by Doctors Hough Parsons, Anthony Townsend, Anderson and Ahmed.

The team also conducted a lecture for ophthalmologists on Retinal Surgery at Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) in Mandurriao.

Aside from the medical mission, the doctors also donated medical equipment and supplies to WVMC for use of its ophthalmology department.

“The mission was realized through the effort of Atty. Ted Britanico as his gesture of gratitude to us for choosing his daughter as Queen of Miagao in 2004,” Flores said. (Adora Bandorio-Mande)

taken from: The Guardian Iloilo
link: http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/localnews0.php?id=1932

lewdsaint

February 22nd, 2007, 03:10 AM

A bold ambition of Mayor Jerry Treñas. Hope that this will realize.

ROUTES
BY ALAIN RUSS DIMZON

Treñas’ squatterless Iloilo City?

I HAD a talk with United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN Habitat) consultant Ma. Adelaida Antonette Mamonong (I call her Adelaide) last Feb 9. Adelaide is a community development specialist. She was a resource person in a workshop on Local Shelter Plan Formulation Training for the Local Government of Iloilo City.

It is encouraging to know that Mayor Jerry Treñas has not set aside his plan for a squatterless Iloilo City. “Squatterless” sounds ambitious, but housing is a priority issue of a highly urbanized city, which is further developing rapidly.

When UN Habitat High Commissioner Farouk Tebhal was here three years ago, I also had a one-on-one talk with the amiable Algerian as I would refer to him. Tebhal pointed out the Philippines as an area of high concern together with India and South Africa.

In 2004, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared the military lots on Veteran’s Village as on-site development housing areas. I had prior knowledge on that and was one of the first to know that the areas were to be declared as such because I was then the translator of the speeches of the president.

The recent workshop of the UN Habitat was the first in a series of four with the overall development objective that is “to ensure the availability of expertise on local shelter planning.” After the completion of the workshop, stakeholders will be expected to be capacitated to prepare the local shelter plan for Iloilo City.

Notable is the multipartite paradigm in development common in most Treñas projects. Planning should not be a monopoly of the technical people of LGUs. The LGU of Iloilo City was correct in doing this. I don’t want to give praise where none is due.

The Iloilo City urban poor through the PO Iloilo City Urban Poor Federation led by Benfred Tacuyan sector was there. The NGO Homeless People’s Federation of the Philippines (HPFP was there. Also there were the National Housing Authority (NHA), the Philippine Commission on the Urban Poor (PCUP), and the realtor’s group CREBA. The national government, local government, the NGOs, POs and the private sector were there. That makes it cross-sectoral, hence representative. I would prefer calling it multipartite as my wife Agnes who is also a development worker and co-author of the Ford Foundation and UP Center for Women Studies book “Gender and Population and Development” would also prefer to call it.

I have never heard of an Iloilo City leader who has the boldness to say “squatterless Iloilo City” except Treñas. I have anticipations that Treñas may need more time to implement this. But development starts with a commitment and his commitment has been made public through the “squatterless Iloilo City vision and declaration. I will look forward to this.

Treñas urban poor office, the ICUPAO, is at the helm of the local shelter initiative. The urban poor office has a delimited mandate. It was created to handle urban poor issues, not housing primarily. But to be objective and fair I must say that since Mr. Rony Firmeza assumed the chairmanship of the ICUPAO, no violent dismantling and resettlement has ever been heard. The administration before Firmeza was a mess of undiplomatic management and a rowdiness of promises. I would say that the administration before Treñas did not really have that commitment for the urban poor as seen in its loud confrontational but never effectual way.

By the time, the workshop on shelter planning will have been completed, we can expect that stakeholders themselves will be the ones to lead the formulation and implementation of the plan. Again, I will look forward to that.

From : www.panaynews.com.ph

Rolls-Royce

February 22nd, 2007, 04:04 AM

No squatters? Oh la la, j'espoir mon ami. Mon Dieu! C'est grand projet pour la ville de Iloilo. I hope so my friend. A big plan indeed, hmm...sounds a bit wishy-washy. lol

whyte

February 22nd, 2007, 04:23 AM

Originally Posted by kirby21
Same here Whyte. There's few other things I wanted to quote in the thread. How your Iloilo City's map doing? Thanks for keeping them updated.

last update was december pa
and many restos and hotels/etc have sprouted since then

I'll try to visit Whyte's map of Iloilo City later. I'm sure I can spot any difference if he amended some things around. :) Kudos to Whyte for doing this map.

thanks.please do suggest new establishment

-----------------------

though i may have a "hard" time editing it now since the new pc im assigned has no ms visio application :(

whyte

February 22nd, 2007, 04:30 AM

spacewagon1

February 22nd, 2007, 06:59 AM

No squatters? Oh la la, j'espoir mon ami. Mon Dieu! C'est grand projet pour la ville de Iloilo. I hope so my friend. A big plan indeed, hmm...sounds a bit wishy-washy. lol
A big and ambitious plan indeed for the city of Iloilo. But Trenas is a visionary, and he can start pulling resources from government departments and international agencies. In the same way, he's taking great efforts of involving private and non-government organisations to improve services around the metropolis. This project will only be realised NOT because of Trenas alone but because Ilonggos are helping each other to address poverty concerns. It's a multisectoral effort with collaboration of funds, services, and will to make it work. Again, this will take time, but at least we've started already. The challenge is how to keep the ball rolling to make these plans work. Kudos to Trenas for spearheading the project !

spacewagon1

February 22nd, 2007, 07:06 AM

by the way id like to suggest the regular banner makers to create a banner of the new iloilo airport and we can email the admin for consider putting it sa banner on the day or a few days after its inauguration :)
good idea Whyte. It would be better if we also get the Philippine moderators involved with the plan of putting up a banner one day. You can PM Sinjin or GreyX for more details.

last update was december pa
and many restos and hotels/etc have sprouted since then

thanks.please do suggest new establishment

-----------------------

though i may have a "hard" time editing it now since the new pc im assigned has no ms visio application :(
I guess there's few restos and hotels recently opened in Iloilo City - we have the MO2 Westown Hotel and Convention Center in Smallville, Coffeebreak in Smallville, Times Square/Residence Inn in Gen Luna Street, Centennial Resort Hotel and Convention Center in Jaro, The Castle Hotel in Bonifacio Drive, and a lot more.

spacewagon1

February 22nd, 2007, 07:12 AM

nice pictures Weck. And more than anything else, this one reminds me with lots of memories. This is a highway leading to the town of Alimodian and Leon. It diverges along Bancal area, where the district hospital's located.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/176/394347301_a07be5d901.jpg

Sinjin P.

February 22nd, 2007, 07:13 AM

shyaman

February 22nd, 2007, 07:39 AM

Suggestion ko lang sa mga maniniyut naton diri:

Why don't you guys create a collage of your photos, classified into different categories like churches all in one collage, dinagyang, paraw regatta, plazas, monuments, new buildings, old buildings, and other what-have-yous. Each picture in the collage should not be small enough, say 3-4 in each row. This way, we can minimize screen space while browsing. Then post these on the first page of every thread para continuous promotion.

whyte

February 22nd, 2007, 08:33 AM

I guess there's few restos and hotels recently opened in Iloilo City - we have the MO2 Westown Hotel and Convention Center in Smallville, Coffeebreak in Smallville, Times Square/Residence Inn in Gen Luna Street, Centennial Resort Hotel and Convention Center in Jaro, The Castle Hotel in Bonifacio Drive, and a lot more.

thanks ill be updating my notes first then find the right time to edit

good idea Whyte. It would be better if we also get the Philippine moderators involved with the plan of putting up a banner one day. You can PM Sinjin or GreyX for more details.

Please send it to me (Jhaelnis) via PM and I'll make sure it gets a slot up there.
thanks
ayan ready na si MOD sinjin aka jhaelnis :D

I doubt if there will be fireworks during the opening night though we can "incorporate" fireworks sa banner :lol:

whyte

February 22nd, 2007, 08:50 AM

ILOILO CITY PROPER

more >>>>>>>>

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/whyte/ILOILO/ILOILOCityProper.jpg
thanks to berniemack for the airplane photos :D

whyte

February 22nd, 2007, 10:07 AM

Ayala Land mulls Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro projects
CHERYL ARCIBAL, GMANews.TV
02/21/2007 | 11:06 PM

Ayala Land Inc, the Philippines largest property developer, said it is considering Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro cities for new residential projects.

The projects would be among developments for which it will spend P16.2 billion this year, said the company’s chief finance officer, Jaime Ysmael.

The Philippines premier builder this year will begin construction on 10 buildings in University of the Philippines property in Diliman, expand Ayala Center mall in Cebu, open a portion of Greenbelt 5 in Makati City and soft-open the North Triangle Mall (Trinoma) in Quezon City.

“We are also starting the construction of a mall in Angeles City in Pampanga. The project will be a mixed-use project and will have a residential component," Ysmael told reporters at the sidelines of a Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines event.

The Angeles City project will occupy 20 hectares.

“It will probably combine the features of Greenbelt, Glorietta and Market Market," Ysmael said.

As for Trinoma, Ysmael said the company is optimistic that it will perform well, noting that nearby SM City North Edsa has been the best performing mall of the Sy-led SM Group.

“The lease prices for the mall are even higher than what we expected. We believe that that part of Quezon City will be able to accommodate two large malls because people all the way from Bulacan are attracted to that area," he said. -GMANews.TV

habagatcentral1

February 22nd, 2007, 11:25 AM

^^ Shessh...Residential liwat? When will Iloilo have its "other" mall?

kirby21

February 22nd, 2007, 12:53 PM

^^ Shessh...Residential liwat? When will Iloilo have its "other" mall?
we harbour all residential projects in Iloilo at present. :) Do you know the exact location of this Ayala's residential project in Iloilo? Cos I haven't heard anything about it til this news article posted today.

It's really nice development, just in case.

On the other hand, there's also a bigger noise of Ayala's eagerness to acquire the old airport's site. I wonder why people back home are so keen with what's going to happen to the old Mandurriao Airport? It's something we really have to let go after serving Ilonggos and their visitors all these years. We all gonna missed it.

Whyte, is there any other article to support the one you posted above. I'm looking forward to read more about Ayala's development in the province or city of Iloilo.

Thank you.

habagatcentral1

February 22nd, 2007, 01:02 PM

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Iloilo%20and%20Negros/P1100479.jpg
Lone Paraw in Villa

kirby21

February 22nd, 2007, 01:08 PM

Please send it to me (Jhaelnis) via PM and I'll make sure it gets a slot up there. :)
There you go. Sinjin's already gave a go signal for creating Iloilo's banner (that of the new Iloilo Airport) in time of the new airport's opening this April. I hope we can come up with this banner as early as next week or in two weeks' time for further review. Thanks Sinjin.

Suggestion ko lang sa mga maniniyut naton diri:

Why don't you guys create a collage of your photos, classified into different categories like churches all in one collage, dinagyang, paraw regatta, plazas, monuments, new buildings, old buildings, and other what-have-yous. Each picture in the collage should not be small enough, say 3-4 in each row. This way, we can minimize screen space while browsing. Then post these on the first page of every thread para continuous promotion.
good idea Shyaman. Man aton iya variety - ti, variety is a spice of life man kuno hambal nila. ha ha. I think we already have a collage of churches by Chymera and Pacific. We just need to modify the sizes, I guess. On some other categories, I believe we have to develop them - still.

nice pictures Weck. And more than anything else, this one reminds me with lots of memories. This is a highway leading to the town of Alimodian and Leon. It diverges along Bancal area, where the district hospital's located.
I think Wecky loves his town so much. Gin-feature niya guid diri oh. Other than visiting Alimodian several times in the past, I had the privilege of having a three weeks duty in Aleosan District Hospital during my college days. Sus, I enjoyed my assignment gid iya. It's not the hospital actually that ticked me off but the people around. And yes, it's located in Brgy. Bancal?Bangkal area.

kirby21

February 22nd, 2007, 01:27 PM

A big and ambitious plan indeed for the city of Iloilo. But Trenas is a visionary, and he can start pulling resources from government departments and international agencies. In the same way, he's taking great efforts of involving private and non-government organisations to improve services around the metropolis. This project will only be realised NOT because of Trenas alone but because Ilonggos are helping each other to address poverty concerns. It's a multisectoral effort with collaboration of funds, services, and will to make it work. Again, this will take time, but at least we've started already. The challenge is how to keep the ball rolling to make these plans work. Kudos to Trenas for spearheading the project !
I can only agree, my friend. I wish Trenas all the best of luck. Indi ko tani magkumpanya diri but IBOTO si TRENAS ! I can see the city's evolving fast in his liking. With projects at hand and Trenas good governance (not really perfect though), Iloilo City is definitely moving to a higher but different level of economic rennaisance. I believe there is more to come pa !

kirby21

February 22nd, 2007, 01:42 PM

35th Paraw Regatta:
A sea of colors
By Tara Yap

http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/tourism/photo/tourism.jpg
http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/tourism/photo/tourism7.jpg
http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/tourism/photo/tourism1.jpghttp://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/tourism/photo/tourism2.jpg

Once again, Iloilo Strait became a sea of colors when the Paraw Regatta, the annual boat race among native outriggers separating the island of Panay from Guimaras, was held February 17 and 18 at the Villa district of Iloilo City.

More than 40 floats lined up the shoreline of Villa beach early Sunday morning in preparation for the race, which kicked off at around 9am and ended at noon. The sailboats cruised across an oval course between Iloilo and Guimaras.

http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/tourism/photo/tourism3.jpg
http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/tourism/photo/tourism8.jpg

taken from: The Guadian Iloilo
link: http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/tourism.php

spacewagon1

February 22nd, 2007, 08:44 PM

Lopezes shell out P1M for Jaro Cathedral rehab
By DAVID ISRAEL SINAY

ILOILO City – The Lopez of Group of Companies donated P1 million for the rehabilitation of the historic Jaro Cathedral.

Yesterday, Lopez of Group of Companies Chairman Oscar Lopez handed the check to the surprised Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo during the Gawad Kalinga Village turnover in Brgy. Buntatala, Jaro district.

Lopez led the turnover ceremonies for 20 houses. The Lopez family is sponsoring 50 Gawad Kalingan houses.

The site of the housing project has been named Eugenio Lopez Sr. - GK Village in honor of the philanthropic Lopez patriarch.

Gawad Kalinga aims to build 114 houses on the 1.6-hectare lot in Brgy. Buntatala with support from The Lopez Group of Companies (50), Association of Ilonggos in Metro Wshington, D.C. (57), and from the Archdiocese of Jaro (7).

Last February 2 during the fiesta of Jaro, Lagdameo called on the faithful to help in the rehabilitation of the Jaro Cathedral. The church is in dire need of repair, he stressed.

According to the archbishop, also the president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Philippines (CBCP), the Church needs some P10 million for the rehabilitation.

Lopez said he was “shocked” of the condition of the centuries-old cathedral. Among others, its ceiling is getting dilapidated. Its dome also badly needs repairs.

Yesterday’s turnover was attended by volunteers who helped build the Gawad Kalinga homes led by the students and ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) cadets from the Lopez-owned University of Iloilo, and other schools.

The GK Village is part of the Lopez family’s social development projects being coordinated by the Lopez Group Foundation, Inc. for their hometown.

Beneficiaries were screened by the Archdiocese of Jaro.

Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center Director Monsignor Meliton Oso said beneficiaries were pastoral workers “who have worked for at least 10 years in the church.”

“It is a gift for those who has faithfully served the Church” he said.

The initial beneficiaries are: Sotero Tubola, Reynaldo Tamonan, Wilfredo Jabian, Luz Emperado, Rogelio Arenga, Reynaldo Sitchon, Jona Rose Ann Gayanelo, May Cabilinga, Ma. Nima Balmes, Nilo Pahigdana, Vicente Esmores, Helen Roa, Rosalinda Gajete, Vicente Mejorada, Aurelia Borcillo, Angeles Balatongle, Milagros Baylon, Ana Paja and Cecilia Llona.

Today, a Lopez Group of Companies member, Meralco Millennium Foundation, Inc., led by Manuel Lopez will in turn inaugurate their “Sibol” building – a daycare center, at the GK site.

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynews.com.ph/news3.htm)

_____________
seems Lopezes are coming back and pourig money in Iloilo. A welcome philanthropic acts from the Lopezes who's been gone for a while in their home province. Kudos !

spacewagon1

February 22nd, 2007, 08:56 PM

spacewagon1

February 22nd, 2007, 09:14 PM

I can only agree, my friend. I wish Trenas all the best of luck. Indi ko tani magkumpanya diri but IBOTO si TRENAS ! I can see the city's evolving fast in his liking. With projects at hand and Trenas good governance (not really perfect though), Iloilo City is definitely moving to a higher but different level of economic rennaisance. I believe there is more to come pa !
But you did campaign for him. ha ha. All I can say is we have to support him in this very good cause. I wouldn't delve thinking what tricks or schemes he's going to have; it's the desired effect I wanted to see.

Please send it to me (Jhaelnis) via PM and I'll make sure it gets a slot up there. :)
Thank you, Jhaelnis. Now, paging those who are capable of doing this banner, Chymera, IAMME, Pacific, Incognito and Whyte. Whyte, I know you already have a good idea. Why don't you try to put them here. And let's call for a little votation before sending the winner to the moderator. Thank you.

KOREAN INVASION

WITH the start of direct flights from Kalibo to Seoul, South Korea next month, many Koreans are expected to visit Western Visayas, particularly the world-famous Boracay Island and Iloilo City – the center of commerce and trade in the region.

There are already many Koreans around, mostly students studying how to speak English because the cost of education in their country is ultra expensive.

With the influx of tourists also comes security concerns.
We hope that government agencies concerned such as the PNP and Bureau of Immigration will be very vigilant.

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynews.com.ph/lapsus.htm)
^^ we're getting a chunk out of this direct flights, too. Wow! Good luck Kalibo. Two more weeks to go before the inaugural flight of Asian Spirit and barely a month more for Pacific Pearl to follow through. We'll surely have a massive Korean invasion in coming years to come.

spacewagon1

February 22nd, 2007, 09:19 PM

February 21, 2007
River lessons
Filed under: Renewing the Public Realm — Nereo C. Lujan @ 8:06 pm

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — While the Iloilo River is not as grand as the Chao Phraya River in Thailand, there are similarities between the two bodies of water. BA view of the Iloilo Riveroth navigable, they have become septic tanks for homes, industries and hotels in cities with sizes respectively proportional to their length and breadth. The 11-km Iloilo River, actually an arm of the sea, traverses 35 barangays with a total population of 53,830, serving as natural sewerage of the Iloilo City proper and the districts of Lapaz, Molo and Mandurriao. The same role is played by the Chao Phraya, which runs from north to south for 372 km from the central plains to Bangkok and the Gulf of Thailand, passing 10 cities.

The pollution problems besetting these two rivers gave rise to various efforts to restore their respective ecological balance. Here in Iloilo City, a rehabilitation program has been launched more than a decade ago but none has made inroads so far, except for the physical infrastructure built along the river, which is purely for aesthetic purposes. City residents, industries and businesses using the river as dumpsite of their wastes couldn’t just appreciate its value to the economic well-being of the city. Its tourism and business potentials can bring in much-needed revenues for the local government, as well as jobs for jobless residents.

Even now in its sorry-state, the Iloilo River still contribute to the city, what with the many restaurants banking on its gracefulness to attract customers. But as they continue to earn from the river, they contribute heavily to its continued deterioration, giving rise to health and environmental issues that have far-reaching effects.

In Thailand, a successful river appreciation program has been running since 1995, giving young and adults the opportunity to understand the life and the value of the mighty Chao Phraya River. Dubbed as the Magic Eyes Barge Program, participants spend 4-5 days aboard a 20-meter teak rice barge to investigate, discover and explore the different elements that comprise the river and the communities along it. The curriculum is a combination of topics that includes river ecology and water quality, community and natural resources, and Thai culture and history.

Back in December 2004, I had the opportunity to experience this program. The cruise starts with some sort of a “sight seeing” where we were tasked to record everything that contributes to the pollution of the river. This was followed by group discussions and some ice breakers. Early the next day, we explored a local market along the river in an attempt to find out how human activity affects its ecosystem. In the afternoon, we were taught about water quality and how to measure indicators like dissolved oxygen and biological oxygen demand, among others.

The core of the program centers on the “Compass of Sustainability” where participants are divided into four groups and tasked to investigate the sustainability of Koh Kret Island based on four indicators, each representing a point in the compass – Nature, Economy, Well-being of the individuals and Society. The compass is a family of tools used for framing, defining, assessing, and measuring progress towards sustainability. Koh Kret Island, the subject of the investigation, is in the middle of the river. It is actually a man-made island that was sliced from the mainland after a canal was built in 1722 in order to bypass a large bend in the river. The Thai king at that time was trying to save on sailing time for ships heading up to the then capital in Ayutthaya. The tide soon changed direction and the little canal became a raging river.

After spending time at the barge and on Koh Kret, the program is capped by two exciting sessions — Building the Pyramid and the Amoeba Game. The first is a very versatile group-process tool for capacity-building on sustainable development, collaborative planning for creating new initiatives, projects, visions, or strategies, and as a multi-stakeholder process for building consensus around a course of action. The second is a role-playing game used to analyze stakeholders’ responsibility in spreading ideas and how to avoid or neutralize the reactionary forces that make change difficult or impossible.

The Magic Eyes Barge Program started when Thai architect M. L. Tridhosyuth Devakul had a vision of creating a floating school that would provide the young people of Thailand with an experience that would both alert them to the problems facing the Chao Phraya River, and inspire them to act to improve and restore it to it previous ecological health. Through a collaboration with the Chewonki Foundation, a leading environmental education institution in the United States, he purchased and renovated a 20-meter teak rice barge, turning its empty hull into a floating living and learning laboratory and spearheading the launching of a highly innovative education program for Thailand.

Such a program is very much replicable here in Iloilo City. A number of our leaders had the same vision as Mr. Tridhosyuth and there had been various initiatives for the IIoilo River. When the late Roding Ganzon became mayor after the 1986 Edsa Revolution, he had proposed to turn the Iloilo River into a tourist area, where gondolas would cruise along it. This was followed by Senator Franklin Drilon, who championed the rehabilitation of the river, starting with infrastructure development. There are also a number of non-government organizations, science groups and academic institutions that would want to see the river restored to its former greatness which can be tapped for an endeavor like this.

The concern of people on the river was demonstrated in 2002, when they participated in a participatory planning that resulted to a master plan that divided the river into four stations and proposed interventions to rehabilitate it. Station 1, which starts from its mouth up to the Quirino Bridge, is dedicated for wharf development. Dredging was done years back to deepen necessary channels for the navigation of boats. Section 2 occupies the area from Quirino Bridge up to the Diversion Road Bridge, which is for park and recreational development. The area from the Diversion Road Bridge up to the Oton boundary, which are assigned as Sections 3 and 4, is for environmental rehabilitation.

The master plan, now under the Iloilo River Development Council, has many noble features but it has to be marketed socially to gain acceptance from all river stakeholders. One proof that it has not been accepted (Has it been disseminated?) is the fact that one hotel has recently erected an extension along the river, in a section dedicated for environmental rehabilitation and not for park and recreational development. Social marketing goes beyond information and communication campaigns focused on the mass media. It has to employ innovative approaches like the Magic Eyes Barge Program, where stakeholders understand the value of the river deeper after experiencing it.

As the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said, “I see, I forget; I hear, I remember; I do, I understand.”

source; MIGEDC Official Website (http://philippines.canurb.com/ideasforthecity/)

whyte

February 23rd, 2007, 04:43 AM

^^ Shessh...Residential liwat? When will Iloilo have its "other" mall?

i hope that is different from their airport bid.
im sure the ayalas know that the old temrinal they will bid on will be more apt for commercial rather than residential

lewdsaint

February 23rd, 2007, 05:17 AM

More infra projects eyed to boost economic dev’t
by Jemin B. Guillermo

Roxas City (23 February) -- The government is now improving and speeding up economic activities in the countryside by putting up more infrastructure projects.

In the recent conference on Economic Growth, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said that her administration will invest a trillion pesos to build the infrastructures.

The infrastructure projects, which will be built up in the next three and a half years, will support the economy and attract further investments.

As part of the national agenda, particularly the strong nautical highway program, the Panay Island Package project of the national government is underway.

Capiz Governor Vicente Bermejo, who chairs the Provincial Development Council, had already made a favorable endorsement to the Regional Development Council (RDC) of the proposal for the implementation of the said island package.

Capiz First District Engineer Juby Cordon of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) explained that the Panay Island Package covers the rehabilitation of the 89.885-kilometer Zarraga, Iloilo - Ivisan, Capiz national highway.

Cordon revealed that said package also include the Caticlan-Kalibo, Aklan to Capiz boundary road.

Meanwhile, Gov. Bermejo requested DPWH through the RDC for the possible inclusion in said package of the national highways of Ivisan, Sigma, Mambusao towns and Roxas City that are being utilized in the Roll-On/Roll-Off (Ro-Ro) project of the national government.

The rehabilitation of the national highways is one of the results of the social gains that the government is paying back to the public after the tough economic and fiscal reforms the Arroyo administration has initiated. (PIA)

kirby21

February 23rd, 2007, 06:45 AM

But you did campaign for him. ha ha. All I can say is we have to support him in this very good cause. I wouldn't delve thinking what tricks or schemes he's going to have; it's the desired effect I wanted to see.
same here, amigo. More detailed information please.

Thank you, Jhaelnis. Now, paging those who are capable of doing this banner, Chymera, IAMME, Pacific, Incognito and Whyte. Whyte, I know you already have a good idea. Why don't you try to put them here. And let's call for a little votation before sending the winner to the moderator. Thank you.
yes! yes! yes!

KOREAN INVASION

WITH the start of direct flights from Kalibo to Seoul, South Korea next month, many Koreans are expected to visit Western Visayas, particularly the world-famous Boracay Island and Iloilo City – the center of commerce and trade in the region.

There are already many Koreans around, mostly students studying how to speak English because the cost of education in their country is ultra expensive.

With the influx of tourists also comes security concerns.
We hope that government agencies concerned such as the PNP and Bureau of Immigration will be very vigilant.

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynews.com.ph/lapsus.htm)
^^ we're getting a chunk out of this direct flights, too. Wow! Good luck Kalibo. Two more weeks to go before the inaugural flight of Asian Spirit and barely a month more for Pacific Pearl to follow through. We'll surely have a massive Korean invasion in coming years to come.
Wow! Aklan's development is awesome. In a matter of month, two airlines decided to have direct fights from South Korea to Kalibo. I hope to see more flights coming from other neighbouring countries. It's definitely for the best of Panay. Go, go, go Kalibo!

kirby21

February 23rd, 2007, 06:56 AM

very impressive development I should say. Any further informations regarding the project please post 'em here.

And how about Ayala's keeness to acquire the old Mandurriao Airport site and developed it into a new CBDs? Any updates about the issue? Like Kirby says, lots of rumours hounding these past months re Ayalas determined acquisition of the airport site even before the proper bidding commenced? Btw, ano nga month ang bidding. We're hitting March late next week. Tani may report na sa bagay ng ini.
we're still waiting for the bidding, which is like taking for years to happen. Oh dear, i couldn't wait for the results. I'm becoming edgy now. :lol: :lol:

Lopezes shell out P1M for Jaro Cathedral rehab
By DAVID ISRAEL SINAY

_____________
seems Lopezes are coming back and pourig money in Iloilo. A welcome philanthropic acts from the Lopezes who's been gone for a while in their home province. Kudos !
oh la la la. Are they for real? It's nice to know they still care. And I would really loved to see Lopezes investing in Iloilo once again. It's their home. It's where they come from. And it's nice to see the prodigal son coming back home. Yikes, I'm becoming more biblical now. blah blah blah.

kirby21

February 23rd, 2007, 06:58 AM

PSHS-WV: Leading the way towards scientific culture
By Garlit June Grecia

PHILIPPINE Science High School, Western Visayas Campus in Barangay Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City held their Science, Math and Technology Fair 20007 on February 8-9, 2007.

It was started by the opening of exhibits, which were prepared by the students around the academic building. The highlight of the event was the Science Congress where 15 groups of students compete for their research projects. There were four categories namely Medicine, Health and Food sponsored by the Philippine College of Pharmaceutical Medicine (PCPM), Plant and Animal and Ecological Studies sponsored by Pfizer Philippines, Agriculture and Applied Studies and Physical Sciences, both were sponsored by Globe Telecom.

The official list of congress participants under the Medicine, Health and Food were: "Antifungal Activity of Aqueous Extracts of Allium Plants Against Rice Pathogens" (Baes, Charis J., Ledesma, Kristine Claire P., Olivares, Hanna O), The "Antihyperglycemic Responses of Domestic White Mice to induced Hyperglycemia after Feeding on Kamote Tops, Kangkong Leaves and Banana Flowers Enriched Noodles" (Abad, Kimberly C., Arciaga, Aaron J., Atas, Adrian B., Medrano, Hilda Luzelle S.), "The Potential of Liquid Korean Propolis as Natural Preservative of Raw Goat's Milk" (Alava, Lannie A. Diaz, ann Margaret D., Sabando, Glorieaester B.) and "Antibacterial property of crocodile serum of captive saltwater (Crocodylus porosus) and Philippine freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus mindorensis) at different growth stages on human pathogens Enterobacter aerogens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus subtilis" (Cruz, Criselda Jean G., Garcesa, Anne Margaret T., Subosa, Bemboy Nino F.).

In the Plant, Animal and Ecological Studies, they are: "The Effect of the Post Harvest Fumigation Treatment with Essential Oils of Eucalyptus and Peppermint on the Quality of Carabao Mango" (Bondoc, Christian Earvin D., Quitasol, Remedios Monica G., Tamayo, Jed Mark D.), "Water Quality Assessment and Taxonomic Classification of Diatoms in Badbaran River" (Aguro, Marvie D., reyes, Mary Camille E. Lagtapon, Xenia Enrika F.) and "Determination of Crude Protein, Carbohydrates and Fat Content of Selected Edible Seaweed from Pandan, Antique" (Santizo, R., Sorcoso, A., and Torre, R.E.).

In the Agriculture and Applied Science, they are: "Effect of Seaweed Extracts from Sargassum spp. at Various pH Levels on the Growth and Yield of Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum)" (John Dale B. Dianala, Emil Emmanuel C. Estilo, Sherry Rose S. Mombay), "Effectiveness of Wild Tomato Extracts in the Repellence of Green Peach Aphids from the Sweet Pepper Plant" (de Asis, Katherine Marie J., Jamero, Gizelle Danine P., Lucero, Stephanie Grace C.), "Effect of Bio-N and Organic Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield Performance of Green Onions" (Agaton, r., del Rosario Eufemia Lilia Anne S., Fernandez, Gemma M., Vedasto, Kenny Ryan D.), "Insecticidal Activity of Rhizophora mucronata extracts against subterranean termites (Coptotermes formosanus)" (De la Pena, Sarah Jane E. Villalobos, Khristy Belle M.) and "Effects of Essential Oils of Oregano and Virgin Coconut on the Microbial Population of Lactobacilli, E. coli, Salmonella in Chick Fecal Matter" (Arroz, Matthew Terence L., Juan Arsenic V., Manejero, James Patrick P.).

Lastly, the last category that is Physical Sciences, involved in the list are: "Automated Bell System for the Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus" (Blanco, Julius Ceasar F., Villanueva, Ronnie Elson Emmanuel P.), "Effect of Different Carbon Source Concentrations on the Amount of Polyhydroxybutyrate Production of Lactobacillus casei Exoposed to Different Incubation Periods" (Alcanzo, Jan Hilary A., Rose, Pette Bernard T., Yap, Marielle J.) and "Determining the Effects of Various Slopes in Theater House Floors on Facilitating the Escape of Panicking White Mice" (dela Pena, Hasmin Cecila S., Depasupil, Koan Victoria G., Malayan, Kristel Joy J.)

Dr. Luisito T. Conducta, chairman, Life Science Department of Central University and Demy D. Catedral, research assistant of Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center were the judges for the two categories, which are Medicine, Health and Food and Plant, Animal and Ecological Studies. In Agriculture and Applied Research and Physical Sciences, the judges were Prof. Lucia Lastimoza, Project Manager of Mariit Conservation Park, WVSU-CAS Lambunao, Engr. Naomi Cossette R. Luis, Senior Science Specialist of Department of Science and Technology RO6 and Engr. Sheila L. Oberio, Science research specialist, DOST RO6.

PSHSWV is looking forward for the students from various campuses like Cebu, Iloilo, Quezon City, Bicol among others to compete. This is one way of encouraging students to come up with excellent research outputs. Under secretary Professor Fortunato De la Pena of DOST said that this event will enable the students to learn how to carry out research and will let them discover interesting new knowledge.

Science, Math and Technology Fair 2007 wants to show people that even at a young age, students can come up with innovations that the outside world will be interested in. This event is also an instrument of attracting supporters and collaborators where they can get external help for the competition for future projects. "The Philippines will benefit a lot from the future scientists of PSHSWV since our different regions have a large development potential and science and technology is moving fast to a higher level", says Professor De la Pena.

taken from: Sunstar Iloilo
link: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ilo/2007/02/23/life/pshs.wv.leading.the.way.towards.scientific.culture.html

BYAHILO

February 23rd, 2007, 07:50 AM

Cabatuan Church, kuha ko sang sabado sang nag libot kmi ni Gian sa Iloilo...

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i149/ericd001/Image00001-2.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i149/ericd001/Image00002-2.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i149/ericd001/Image00003-2.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i149/ericd001/Image00004-1.jpg

spacewagon1

February 23rd, 2007, 08:17 AM

^^ ^^ very nice Cabatuan Church, Eric. I believe Cabatuan, Miag-ao, Jaro and Molo churches are the most featured churches here in Iloilo Thread. Thanks for sharing thoe pictures with us.

spacewagon1

February 23rd, 2007, 08:25 AM

we're still waiting for the bidding, which is like taking for years to happen. Oh dear, i couldn't wait for the results. I'm becoming edgy now. :lol: :lol:

oh la la la. Are they for real? It's nice to know they still care. And I would really loved to see Lopezes investing in Iloilo once again. It's their home. It's where they come from. And it's nice to see the prodigal son coming back home. Yikes, I'm becoming more biblical now. blah blah blah.
I always loved the Lopezes back home. I'm hoping to see them investing back in Iloilo.

I would be very happy too, if they'll announce the bidding of the old airport's site. But I'm pretty sure by the time the news article about the Mandurriao airport comes up, it will be the results of the bidding already. Seemed that we have different bet for this one, Kirby.

spacewagon1

February 23rd, 2007, 08:29 AM

spacewagon1

February 23rd, 2007, 08:38 AM

spacewagon1

February 23rd, 2007, 08:47 AM

Lines Across Time
By Zedric Señeres

As a nostalgic tribute to the built environment in the Queen Jewel of the Philippine South, Iloilo City, the posh Museo Iloilo played host this February to the Fundacion Santiago’s 9th travelling exhibition dubbed “Lines Across Time.”

This historical exhibition of abundant graphic documentations of the legacy left by Spain’s military and civil engineers is the product of the rich ensemble of talents that include newspaper columnist and heritage preservation advocate Augusto Villalon and scale model artist Ignacio Perez.

For three weeks this month, Ilonggos will be treated to a glimpse of life in 19th Century Philippines through this nostalgic endeavour which includes interactive kiosks and a learning kit created by Fundacion Santiago and the University of the Philippines’ College of Architecture. Its aim is to inspire and engage teachers, students, architects, urban planners and heritage enthusiasts.

source: The Guardian ILOILO (http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/lifestyle.php)

BYAHILO

February 23rd, 2007, 09:32 AM

i was at that line accross time exhibit last weekend .. :)

impressive work..

habagatcentral1

February 23rd, 2007, 01:19 PM

Tribu Paghida-it in Dinagyang Festival 2007

BxCKCvSGyt8
Iloilo City, Philippines

video courtesy of Incognito

BYAHILO

February 23rd, 2007, 02:48 PM

ano ina?? im seeing Red X.. or is it just me?

wecky

February 23rd, 2007, 02:52 PM

City tourism officer off to Nepal
By Maricar M. Calubiran

City Mayor Jerry Treñas said City Tourism chief Ben Jimena will go to Kathmandu in Nepal for a three-day leadership training and workshop on Localizing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Asian Cities through Innovative Leadership and Community Empowerment next month.

Treñas said Jimena will present the Dinagyang festival during the workshop. The Iloilo Dinagyang had been endorsed by the United Nations Development Program-Millennium Development Goal from among the festivals in the world but with the arrangement that the festival will reflect the MDGs program.

The leadership training is sponsored by CITYNET ( The Regional Network of Local Authorities For the Management of Human Settlements). The organizers will cover Jimena's airfare and accommodation. The city government will not spend anything on the trip.

Treñas made a statement on Jimena's trip to clarify that winning tribes in the recent Dinagyang 2007 competition will be brought to Nepal to perform. It is only Jimena who will go to Nepal and present the Dinagyang festival, he said.

The CITYNET is also the same organization that invited Councilor Ely Estante to India.

The News Today

wecky

February 23rd, 2007, 03:00 PM

Tribu Paghida-it in Dinagyang Festival 2007

BxCKCvSGyt8
Iloilo City, Philippines

video courtesy of Incognito
I liked Tribu Paghidaet though. Actually, it was my first bet to get the first prize during the recently concluded Dinagyang Festival. Good choreography indeed.

wecky

February 23rd, 2007, 03:01 PM

Jaro Agro-Fair nets P300T income
By Maricar M. Calubiran

The Jaro Agro-Industrial and Charity Fair garnered a net income of P300,508 for its more than a month of conducting business inside the Jaro Plaza in relation to its district fiesta. The gross income totaled to P1,677,565 and they incurred P1,333,057 for its operating expenses and other miscellaneous. Apart from the P300,508 net income, they still have a collectibles of P20,000.

Based on the financial statement rendered by Minda Labiero, assistant treasurer/disbursing officer, the charity fair has collected amounts for its tickets, stalls/kiosk, advertisement, sponsored nights and chairs rentals.

Bigger income came from the ticket sale amounting to P1,110,000. Tickets were sold at P10 and P15 during the fiesta day. They started the ticket sale last January 20 until February 4, 2007. The income for rentals for stalls/kiosk is P460,000; advertisement P87,000; sponsored nights P19,500 and chairs rental is only P215.

The financial statement was prepared by Minda Labiero, assistant treasurer/disbursing officer and audited by Sinon Janay Jr. The financial statement was attested by Julieta Diamante, president of the Association of Barangay Captains in Jaro. The Jaro Agro-Industrial and Charity Fair is being managed by the Association of Barangay Captains in Jaro.

In the operating expenses, the wages of personnel got a bigger slice of the expenditures. The expenditures for the wages of personnel amounted to P474,395. They have an expenses of P122,500 and only have some P20,000 collectibles.

In the expenses, the Jaro Agro-Industrial and Charity Fair also spent P42,500 for the Christmas party of the Association of Barangay Captains last year. And another P42,000 for the Christmas bonus of punong barangays.

The association had also made a donation of P230,000. Of the P230,00, P50,000 went to the Iloilo City Task Force Street Children which is P50,000; Iloilo City Police Precinct P20,000; Iloilo City Crisis Management P3,000; Iloilo City Rehabilitation Center P3,000; Jaro Parish Pastoral P10,500; Jaro District Police Precinct P5,000; Jaro I Health Center P3,000; Jaro II Health Center P3,000; Jaro I CSWDO P2,000; Jaro II CSWDO P2,000; Jaro Fire Department P2,000; Lopez Jaena Foundation P5,000; Jaro Elementary School District Office P20,000; Jaro National High School P2,000; Jaro City ENRO P3,000; Buntatala fire victims P10,000; incentives for punong barangay P84,000 and Iloilo City Hall Press Corps P3,000.

The News Today

wecky

February 23rd, 2007, 03:19 PM

Lines Across Time @ Museo Iloilo

http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/lifestyle/photo/lifestyle1.jpg
This unique illustration by Jose Lozano shows the façade, interior and plan of a house during 19th century Philippines. The property was so huge there was enough room for azoteas, stables and a garden shaded by several trees.

http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/lifestyle/photo/lifestyle2.jpg
A vintage Spanish house picture on exhibit which shows the Spanish influnce in the interior of this living room.

http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/lifestyle/photo/lifestyle3.jpg
The bahay na bato is an example of Filipino-Hispanic design. These and other images of the 19th century built environment can be viewed in LINES ACROSS TIME @ Museo Iloilo.

source: The Guardian ILOILO (http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/lifestyle.php)

Lines Across Time
By Zedric Señeres

As a nostalgic tribute to the built environment in the Queen Jewel of the Philippine South, Iloilo City, the posh Museo Iloilo played host this February to the Fundacion Santiago’s 9th travelling exhibition dubbed “Lines Across Time.”

This historical exhibition of abundant graphic documentations of the legacy left by Spain’s military and civil engineers is the product of the rich ensemble of talents that include newspaper columnist and heritage preservation advocate Augusto Villalon and scale model artist Ignacio Perez.

For three weeks this month, Ilonggos will be treated to a glimpse of life in 19th Century Philippines through this nostalgic endeavour which includes interactive kiosks and a learning kit created by Fundacion Santiago and the University of the Philippines’ College of Architecture. Its aim is to inspire and engage teachers, students, architects, urban planners and heritage enthusiasts.

source: The Guardian ILOILO (http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/lifestyle.php)
Very brilliant display in Museo Iloilo. I wish to see more of Museo's arts, displays, galleries, exhibits in the future.

IMPRESARIO

February 23rd, 2007, 04:01 PM

I liked Tribu Paghidaet though. Actually, it was my first bet to get the first prize during the recently concluded Dinagyang Festival. Good choreography indeed.

^^they were my bet to win,very energtic, loved the santo nino costumes and the fiery red colors.i hope they get to perform and be invited to other festivals too.:) , pasensya na sa video ko, hulagan sa ako abi, naga picture ako,naga-videocam ,kag nagalantaw all at the same time, ginalikawan ko pa ang mga naga labay nga mga tawo para hinde ko ma-video.eheheh :lol:

BYAHILO

February 23rd, 2007, 04:55 PM

IMPRESARIO

February 23rd, 2007, 05:57 PM

^^i know Tribu Iloganon's performance in this dinagyang was 8 mins long, so this means they have to shorten it abit more, hope it will be more energetic,and less costume changes in the routine.

spacewagon1

February 23rd, 2007, 10:26 PM

Actually, I liked the way they (Tribu Ilonganon) performed. Kanugon lang ni tungod sa time limit nila. But there you go, we have to follow the rules. Aside from Kahilwayan of Sta Barbara and Tribu Ilonganon, are there any more contigents from other festivals in the province? (ie. Pintados de Pasi, Tultugan, Hinirugyaw, Salakyan, etc.

spacewagon1

February 23rd, 2007, 10:29 PM

China seeks stronger economic
ties with Visayas, Mindanao
By DAVID ISRAEL SINAY

ILOILO City – The People’s Republic of China hopes to strengthen its economic relationship with the Visayas and Mindanao regions, said Ambassador Li Jin Jun.

“(China’s) economic relationship (with the Philippines) is focused in Luzon… we hope to extend it to the Visayas and Mindanao over the next few years,” Li told Mayor Jerry Treñas through an interpreter.

Yesterday, Li graced the 95th Foundation Day of the Iloilo Chinese Commercial High School.

He lauded the city government for harmonizing the Chinese and Filipino communities in the metropolis through projects or programs that need cooperation such as the recent Chinese New Year celebration.

Li urged the local Filipino-Chinese community here to continue helping Iloilo City. He is confident that the economic relationship of China and the City of Iloilo, in particular, will improve.

Li noted the significant increase in the number of Chinese tourists coming into the country. He encouraged investors to come over.

The observance of the Chinese New Year in some parts of the country have encouraged Chinese tourists to visit the country, he said.

Ambassador Li said he will join next years’ celebration of the Chinese New Year in this city. He encouraged Treñas to come up with more sisterhood pacts with Chinese cities.

The City of Iloilo’s sister city in China is the City of Qing Dao.

source: Sunstar ILOILO (http://www.panaynews.com.ph/news1.htm)

spacewagon1

February 23rd, 2007, 10:33 PM

ano ina?? im seeing Red X.. or is it just me?
Think there's a problem with your computer Eric since we can see it here with us very clearly. :)

i hope that is different from their airport bid.
im sure the ayalas know that the old temrinal they will bid on will be more apt for commercial rather than residential
I hope so, too, Whyte. But I'm three-quarter confident that Ayala's residential project in Iloilo is different from the one in Iloilo Mandurriao Airport site. Keep us posted for more details.

spacewagon1

February 23rd, 2007, 10:44 PM

Chinese officials arrive in Iloilo and Bacolod today
By Lydia C. Pendon

Chinese Ambassador Li Jin Jun of the People’s Republic of China will arrive in Iloilo City today as special guest of the 95th anniversary celebration of the Iloilo Central Commercial High School in Iloilo City.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Trenas will host a testimonial dinner on Saturday, February 24 in honor of the Chinese Ambassador.

On the other hand, all roads in Negros will lead to Bacolod today as the city celebrates its second BacoLaodiat Festival focusing on the Tsinoy population of this highly urbanized city in the Visayas.

Consul General Cui Lou Sheng of the People’s Republic of China, Consul Wang Siu Lin, Consul Tsai Wun Tsi, Vice Consul Nay Tzi Pheng and other Chinese officials will grace the celebration in Bacolod City as part of the Chinese New Year feast this month of February.

The celebration will be highlighted by the conferment of Ambassador Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco as Honorary Mayor and Adopted Son of Bacolod City. City Mayor Evilio “Bing” Leonardia will lead in the welcoming the guests as the city celebrates its own version of the Chinese New Year.

Meanwhile, the Iloilo Central Commercial High School, also known as Hwasiong, is the second oldest Filipino-Chinese school in the country established in 1912 by the Iloilo Chinese Chamber of Commerce at the Yu Tiak Ha Building along Aldeguer Street in Iloilo City.

From its modest beginnings, the school grew and is now known as the center of excellence in academics and sports where several of its high school students win regional and national honors.

Show business watchers are thrilled to know that famous singer Jose Mari Chan and PBA player Kenneth Bono are products of the school. PBA champion James Yap, husband of movie and television icon Kris Aquino, is a product of the school who started and honed his dribbling skills here.

As of 1996, the school population increased to some 2,000 and both the faculty and student body were integrated into the mainstream of the Filipino society. The Ledesco branch was opened in 1992 and has a wide children’s playground and a mini-forest conducive to learning, In February 2002, the Ledesco campus had a new three-storey building, library, auditorium and gymnasium. A new swimming pool and pavilion will be inaugurated today.

source: The Iloilo Daily Informer (http://dailyinformer.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=963&Itemid=137)

spacewagon1

February 24th, 2007, 12:19 AM

I always loved to read somebody's opinion and I suggest that Mejorada's blog is one of the best read in town. It's mostly one-sided comment however, you can really get something out of it. What fascinates me more is that I am from the second district of Iloilo. The more expose' he offered with Syjuco's anomaly, the more curious I am what's going on. To tell you the truth, there's no major project given to Alimodian lately, with our roads becoming more and more dilapidated due to massive quarrying. And it's really sad to note that we are paying our taxes and we're not getting much out of it. It's absolutely awful but it's a major awakening.
Keep monitoring them Weck. It's a very insteresting and enlightening site for all of us Ilonggos. I hope he'll present it satiritical way. Kudos to Manong Boy.

kirby21

February 24th, 2007, 06:53 AM

i heard from sources that Ilonganon is now starting to rehearse their new routine for the Aliwan. they need to re-invent their routine since Aliwan allows perfoamances of up to 5 minutes only. Standard dinagyang performance is usually up to 12 minutes.

On March 2, Manila Broadcasting Company will be releasing the official list of Aliwan contingents. Ive already submitted my press accreditation request. so im expecting a better set of photos compared to last year. and i just hope that dinagyang wont be at the tailend again. kay kabudlay gid mag shoot kung low-light.
When is Aliwan Festival, Eric? It'll be nice to witness all festivals coming and performing from different corners of the Philippines in just one setting. Seeing the best of every festivals across the country makes Aliwan a definite crowd-drawer. Btw, do you think TFC will cover this festival live from Manila?

kirby21

February 24th, 2007, 06:55 AM

kirby21

February 24th, 2007, 07:00 AM

Chinese envoy vows to ‘sell’ Iloilo City
Jeehan V. Fernandez

CHINESE Ambassador to the Philippines Li Jinjun yesterday said he will personally promote Iloilo City in China, particularly to tourists and investors.

Junjin, who arrived in the city to grace the 95th foundation anniversary of the Iloilo Chinese Commercial High School (ICCHS), paid a courtesy call to Mayor Jerry Treñas at the City Hall yesterday.

Jinjun also took the opportunity to greet the Chinese-Filipino community here on the occasion of Chinese New Year.

Treñas said Jinjun might grace the city’s Chinese New Year fete next year together with a Chinese delegation and an acrobat group to add color to the festivity.

Meanwhile, the mayor will host a testimonial dinner for the Chinese diplomat at Amigo Hotel tonight.

Speaking before reporters, Jinjun also emphasized on several ties that linked Iloilo and China.

“I heard quite a lot with Iloilo City since a long time. And, that there is a great achievement in economic and social developments here over the past few years. I was also told that the Chinese community here is living in harmony and peace with the local community,” said Jinjun.

“Iloilo City has very special relations with China. A long time ago, there was a group of Chinese people who came and stayed here. I believe that in the future, the local Chinese-Filipino community will continue to make our efforts and contribution for development and prosperity,” Jinjun added.

Jinjun also urged local Chinese leaders to serve as a link or bridge for China’s friendship with the Philippines.

Iloilo City has established harmonious relationship with its sister city of Qingdao, China.

“I hope that the special relations between Iloilo City and China will become closer and closer and there will be more and more Chinese tourists and investors who will come to your city,” Jinjun said.

“The mayor and other city officials and a handful of journalists should also have the opportunity to visit China, not only in your sister city but also in other cities,” he added.

Jinjun said there is a significant increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting the Philippines although they know more of Manila, Palawan, Boracay and Bohol and “only a little about Iloilo.”

“After my visit here, I will give more introduction and publicity for Iloilo so that the economic relations between China and Iloilo will be more active,” Jinjun said, adding it is one of his purposes in coming over to the metropolis.

“One thing that we could do is to encourage Chinese tourists to come over because they could boost the economy of the city especially the service industry. When I come back to attend the Chinese New Year here next year, I hope to see more of them,” Jinjun said.

Treñas said they are eyeing to establish links with more sister-cities in China which will father promote Iloilo City’s tourism and economic potentials.

take from: The Guardian Iloilo
link: http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/localnews0.php?id=1948

kirby21

February 24th, 2007, 07:08 AM

First Paraw Regatta rowing, paddling tilts to be held
By Rachel N. Manero

JOHN B Lacson Maritime University (JBLMU) sponsored the first rowing and paddling competition for the annual Paraw Regatta Celebration of the City of Iloilo that made a grand start at the Iloilo River last February 16.

Sophomore students of the JBLMU Arevalo Campus, who are taking the rowing and paddling lessons participated in all four categories; Sprint Paddling, sprint rowing, long distance paddling and long distance rowing. Dr. Mary Lou Arcelo, President of the university and who this year is a board member of the Paraw Regatta foundation, encouraged the campus to promote the activity because she believes that JBLMU as the first maritime university in the Philippines should be of help to the community. According to her it is among the institution's missions to promote the city of Iloilo and the whole region VI in terms of maritime tourism by engaging itself in activities related to sea and life at sea.

Since paddling and rowing are offered as part of the Physical Education (PE) subjects of the university, the activity was pushed through. The head of the Physical Education Department, Dr. Roberto Somosa, all PE instructors and members of the working committee; Capt. Alfonso Garingalao, 3/M Rene Fullon and Marlon Teruñez, required the participation of all their students in the said competition. The purpose of which is to help the university in its goal and at the same time to test the students as to their capability and competency on the said fields after a semester of training. Dr. Ralph Pador, Campus Administrator allocated a budget to make the said event possible.

Winners of the said competition were sections Polaris 2, Gienah and Enif for the first, second and third places respectively for the Rowing Sprint Catergory; sections Altair, Kochab and Slad for the first, second and third places for the Paddling Sprint category; sections NSA2, Betelguese and Gienah also for the first, second and third places for the Rowing Long Distance; and sections Aldebaran, Regulus and Irregulars for the Paddling Long Distance Category.

Hundreds of on-lookers witnessed the said event. Its success will definitely lead to continuous organization and realization of the Rowing and Paddling Competition as an annual event as part of the Paraw Regatta celebration.

taken from: Sunstar Iloilo
link: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ilo/2007/02/24/life/first.paraw.regatta.rowing.paddling.tilts.to.be.held.html

kirby21

February 24th, 2007, 07:10 AM

Regional dev’t body okays P8.75M for forest-mangroves project

ENVIRONMENTAL efforts in Western Visayas get a boost with the approval of the Regional Development Council (RDC) of a proposal to finance the “Community–Based Forest and Mangrove Management Program” in Panay Island and Negros Occidental.

Germany-based KFW was tapped to fund the project whose main objective is to improve environment conditions and reduce poverty incidence in Panay and Negros Occidental that is in line with the sustainable development thrust of the region.

The project focuses on forest mangrove rehabilitation and management, rural infrastructure, natural resource-based livelihood and capacity building of the target beneficiaries.

Recipients of the project are people’s organization with existing and proposed Community-Based Management Agreements (CBFMA) and farmers and fisher folks in environmentally critical areas.

taken from: Sunstar Iloilo
link: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ilo/2007/02/24/news/regional.dev.t.body.okays.p8.75m.for.forest.mangroves.project.html

IMPRESARIO

February 24th, 2007, 07:31 AM

First Paraw Regatta rowing, paddling tilts to be held
By Rachel N. Manero

JOHN B Lacson Maritime University (JBLMU) sponsored the first rowing and paddling competition for the annual Paraw Regatta Celebration of the City of Iloilo that made a grand start at the Iloilo River last February 16.

Sophomore students of the JBLMU Arevalo Campus, who are taking the rowing and paddling lessons participated in all four categories; Sprint Paddling, sprint rowing, long distance paddling and long distance rowing. Dr. Mary Lou Arcelo, President of the university and who this year is a board member of the Paraw Regatta foundation, encouraged the campus to promote the activity because she believes that JBLMU as the first maritime university in the Philippines should be of help to the community. According to her it is among the institution's missions to promote the city of Iloilo and the whole region VI in terms of maritime tourism by engaging itself in activities related to sea and life at sea.

Winners of the said competition were sections Polaris 2, Gienah and Enif for the first, second and third places respectively for the Rowing Sprint Catergory; sections Altair, Kochab and Slad for the first, second and third places for the Paddling Sprint category; sections NSA2, Betelguese and Gienah also for the first, second and third places for the Rowing Long Distance; and sections Aldebaran, Regulus and Irregulars for the Paddling Long Distance Category.

Hundreds of on-lookers witnessed the said event. Its success will definitely lead to continuous organization and realization of the Rowing and Paddling Competition as an annual event as part of the Paraw Regatta celebration.

taken from: Sunstar Iloilo
link: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ilo/2007/02/24/life/first.paraw.regatta.rowing.paddling.tilts.to.be.held.html

^^I expect this rowing event to continue annually like the Regatta. Hopefully other schools will join too.
Who knows,we might have something similar to the Popular Oxford-Cambridge Rowing Competition or Harvard-Yale Boat Race. Wouldn't that be nice?! a rowing competition in the Iloilo river between the Top Schools in Iloilo. It would be a crowd-drawing event.

kirby21

February 24th, 2007, 07:51 AM

^^ that's right Incognito. It would be another catchy event of Paraw Regatta Festival in the years to come. Thanks for John B Lacson Foundation University for spearheading the competition and rowing activites in Iloilo City. Kudos to Dr Arcelo ! :banana: :banana: Btw, I support Cambridge Rowing Team here in UK.

kirby21

February 24th, 2007, 07:57 AM

Chinese envoy concretes more trade, sisterhood pacts for Iloilo City

Chinese Ambassador Li Jin Jun assures more sisterhood ties between Iloilo City and Chinese cities, investments and trade opportunities in this city and visitors from mainland China.

In his courtesy call at the office of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Trenas Friday morning, the Ambassador also reiterated the closer cooperation and friendship between the Ilonggos and Filipino-Chinese community here. A first-time visitor in Iloilo, the Ambassador was impressed with what he had heard about the fourth Chinese New Year celebration here held last February 17, 2007 and said he will return in 2008 to grace the fifth Chinese New Year celebration in this city.

The Ambassador also lauded the contribution of more than 5,000 Filipino-Chinese residents here to help develop the economic landscape of the city.

Aside from business enterprises, the Filipino-Chinese here are also very much involved in socio-civic activities in the city such as three volunteer fire brigades, Christmas cheers during December to more than 5,000 indigent families, schoolbuildings and cultural presentations like the Chinese New Year activities, among others.

“I am going to pave the way for more sisterhood cities in China and more Chinese tourists to come to the Philippines and Iloilo,” he said.

Iloilo City has already one sister city, Zhing Dao, in mainland China concreted a year ago by Trenas in a move to open more trade and commerce, technology and livelihood opportunities between two cities.

The Department of Tourism has also projected an upsurge of Chinese tourists to the Philippines and predicted 1 million going out of China to travel all over the world by 2020.

“Chinese tourists only know of Manila, Palawan, Boracay and Bohol but not Iloilo. It is time for introduction of Iloilo to the Chinese travelers,” the Ambassador said.

The Chinese embassy has estimated 30,000 Chinese tourists in the Philippines in 2004; 100,000 in 2005 and 150,000 in 2006 and it is not farfetched that some of the tourist will go to Iloilo upon the recommendation of the Chinese envoy.

On the other hand, Trenas told the ambassador that one of the contractors of the P4 billion mega floodway project here is from China. The China Waters is currently constructing the seven culverts component of the project to pass the main canal artery from Pavia to La Paz district.

taken from: The Iloilo Daily Informer
link: http://dailyinformer.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=971&Itemid=137

BYAHILO

February 24th, 2007, 08:22 AM

more gopopd new for iloilo city!!! clap clap!! :banana: :banana:

habagatcentral1

February 24th, 2007, 11:51 AM

@Chy, have you received my text message last night? Their deadline is on the morning of 27February. I'll call or text you later with the details so that we can agree on it.

Good news for Iloilo! Anyway, I hope I can flood more pictures but since I have so little time spent there, I've got only few.

I'll be promoting Iloilo starting by inviting friends to come in this sanctuary. :)

ferrersky

February 24th, 2007, 12:33 PM

Isn't it that the SM Annex in Delgado will be opening somewhere in the middle of March? Don't know 'bout the design but I believe that Max will be wanting to open there...

ferrersky

February 24th, 2007, 12:38 PM

Iloilo guv, DOT exec say IOPC compensation a great help
By Annabel J. Petinglay

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 23 (PNA) - Iloilo Gov. Niel D. Tupas, Sr. and Department of Tourism (DOT) Assistant Regional Dir. Helen Camarista said the announcement of the International Oil Pollution Compensation (IOPC) Fund that it would soon be giving compensation to the fisherfolks of the province and to the tourism stakeholders in Guimaras is really a welcome development and would be a great help to those affected by the oil spill.

Tupas, in an interview, expressed hope the fisherfolks could get their compensation by end of this month.

He explained that because of the oil slick, those affected could not go fishing and sell their catch.
Camarista, meanwhile, said that out of the 24 resorts in Guimaras province, seven had been directly affected by the oil spill caused by the sinking of MT Solar I last year.

Among these resorts are Nagarao, Inampulugan, and Costa Aguada that are being frequented by foreign and domestic tourists.

"The compensation will be for the best interest and welfare of the tourism industry," Camarista said. She added that the compensation would be able to offset what the resort owners have lost from cancellations of bookings.

The compensation could somehow ease the negative effects on the tourism industry of Guimaras although it would take sometime to ease the stigma, she added.

IOPC Director Willem Osterveen who came here last February 19, himself committed to help the affected fisherfolks and the tourism stakeholders until the problem is resolved.

The IOPC has paid approximately 11,000 fisherfolk-claimants in Guimaras as of last January. (PNA)

LAP/AJP/vlo

-pna

ferrersky

February 25th, 2007, 03:52 AM

Chinese envoy envisions stronger economic relations between China and Iloilo City

By Perla G. Lena

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 23 (PNA) - The ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Philippines is looking forward to the strengthening of economic ties between his country and Iloilo City.

Ambassador Li Jin Jun is here in Iloilo City to attend the 95th Foundation Day of the Iloilo Central Commercial High School and at the same time to assess the city's economic condition and development.

He mentioned that he has heard a lot about the great economic and social development of Iloilo City under the leadership of Mayor Jerry P. Treñas although this is his first time to set foot in this part of the country.

He cited that even before, the local Chinese-Filipinos have made their own contribution to the development of the city. He expressed hopes that they "will continue to make efforts to contribute to the prosperity and development of Iloilo City."
The ambassador expressed hope, however, that in the future, the "cooperation and relations between Iloilo City and China will be closer and closer." He said he looked forward to making the leaders of the various Filipino-Chinese community here as important links and bridges for the strengthening of the relations.

"I hope in the future, more Chinese investors are encouraged to come to your city," he said. "I believe economic relations in China and Iloilo will be more active. That is also one of my purposes for the visit."

He noted that during the state visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to the Philippines, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo mentioned her vision to extend the country's relation with China in Visayas and Mindanao.

Ambassador Li Jin Jun explained that during that time, the more than 20 economic cooperation documents signed by the two heads of states were focused in Luzon regions while those for Visayas and Mindanao were limited.

"Over the next few years, I hope our two countries would strengthen cooperation in this part of the country," he said.

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas will host a testimonial dinner for the ambassador in appreciation of his visit this weekend. (PNA)

LAP/AJP/PGL/vlo

_________________________________________________________________

- www.pna.gov.ph

ferrersky

February 25th, 2007, 04:00 AM

Fight against TB gets added support

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 24 (PNA) - The fight against the proliferation of tuberculosis gets added support with the signing on Thursday of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the city government of Iloilo, Department of Health (DOH) and World Vision Development Foundation Inc.

The MOA is expected to enhance the scope of the National TB Control Program (NTP) of the DOH and the local government , incorporating the Social Mobilization on Tuberculosis (SMT) health program of World Vision.

SMT aims to empower communities to manage and sustain community-based activities that will increase TB symptomatic consultation to health facilities and patient?s compliance to treatment; thus improving the case detection and cure rates in line with the DOH benchmarks.

The city is currently implementing the Directly Observed Treatment Short course (DOTS) which was proven effective and feasible in pilot areas and shall be the strategy to improve case holding which would ensure TB patients are cured.

The World Health Organization (WHO) report showed that tuberculosis is the largest cause of deaths from a single infection worldwide and affects one-third of the world's population.

A 1996 WHO report placed the Philippines second in highest reported TB cases in Asia and continues to claim 62 Filipino lives everyday, making it the fifth highest cause of morbidity.

The MOA was signed by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Trenas, DOH-6 regional director Lydia Depra-Ramos and World Vision executive director Elnora B. Avarientos and shall be implemented until September 2008. (PNA)
LGI/AJP/LCP/vlo

ferrersky

February 25th, 2007, 04:03 AM

It's funny you know...

The posts reflected on my name shows that for the past 3 or 4 years I've only posted 7 messages. Heheheh! :lol:

BYAHILO

February 25th, 2007, 07:18 AM

bern i already gt a confirmation email sa 5J magazine. theyre considering using my images too. :D

neways ga talang akon kalag nag lain na naman ang setup sang SSC threads ehehehe

spacewagon1

February 25th, 2007, 08:12 AM

^^ ^^ thanks for posting these great new articles, Ferrersky. Good developments indeed for Iloilo.

spacewagon1

February 25th, 2007, 08:18 AM

Isn't it that the SM Annex in Delgado will be opening somewhere in the middle of March? Don't know 'bout the design but I believe that Max will be wanting to open there...
that's a bit fast and deinitely a good addition of growing business of SM in Iloilo. I hope they'll add another level and more expansion in the future. SM Delagdo is the site of the first SM outside Metro Manila. And it's relatively growing despite the number of SM stores in Iloilo City considering that SM City Iloilo is also considered the biggest SM Mall in Western Visayas. MOre for SM !

spacewagon1

February 25th, 2007, 08:27 AM

^^I expect this rowing event to continue annually like the Regatta. Hopefully other schools will join too.
Who knows,we might have something similar to the Popular Oxford-Cambridge Rowing Competition or Harvard-Yale Boat Race. Wouldn't that be nice?! a rowing competition in the Iloilo river between the Top Schools in Iloilo. It would be a crowd-drawing event.
Very good idea indeed, Incognito. I'm sure Iloilo River will become more turistic if this thing happens. I hope the Iloilo River Development Program will continue to progress. Slowly though, we are getting there.

this is really a good start. We need more promotion of Iloilo and Dinagyang worldwide. It's one way we can attract tourists to visit our city and province. I hope Jimena's trip to UN Assembly will bring more investments and spur tourism industry of Iloilo.
More and continuous promotion of Dinagyang worldwide. That'll be the aim of IDFI, I guess. Actually, of all promoting agencies back home, IDFI is the most successful one (in my opinion). They manage to raise certain amount (actually bigger amount) from sponsors to fund Dinagyang Festival. And by the looks of it, Dinagyang's budget is getting bigger and bigger every year. I hope bigger and grandeur festival yearly. On the other hand, Jaro Fiesta, Iloilo Chinese New Year and Paraw Regatta is slowly catching up, too.

When is Aliwan Festival, Eric? It'll be nice to witness all festivals coming and performing from different corners of the Philippines in just one setting. Seeing the best of every festivals across the country makes Aliwan a definite crowd-drawer. Btw, do you think TFC will cover this festival live from Manila?
Hoping to see them performing live via TFC.

BYAHILO

February 25th, 2007, 09:04 AM

nag decrease na naman ang post count? ferresky, hindi ka nag iisa. nag decrease man post count ko..

Pacific_leopard

February 25th, 2007, 12:13 PM

haha.. la na gid ko ya gani pag post di... kun kis-a nlang... ga lurk lang ko..:)

BYAHILO

February 25th, 2007, 12:14 PM

got nothing to do.. its a boring sunday here at work. kaya ang pic ko na naman napag tripan ko. hihihi

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i149/ericd001/magazine7268240.jpg

waaaa bag o ko lng na notice

wrong spelling ko sa Caribbean grrr ma ubra lng ko liwat hihi

BYAHILO

February 25th, 2007, 01:59 PM

When is Aliwan Festival, Eric? It'll be nice to witness all festivals coming and performing from different corners of the Philippines in just one setting. Seeing the best of every festivals across the country makes Aliwan a definite crowd-drawer. Btw, do you think TFC will cover this festival live from Manila?

Aliwan's gonna be on April 26-28. the grand parade will be on the 28th. I guess Lewdsaint and i will meet again kag mag dungan lakat didto.

Some festivals expected to join

Ilonganon (confirmed)
Sinulog 's Lumad Basakanon (confirmed)
Sinulog's Tribe from Compostela (subject for confirmation)

others, subject for confirmation pa, hwile others waiting for their budget:

Pamulinawen festival of Laoag
Masskara Festival of Bacolod
Surigao's Bonok Bonok Marajao Karajao
Pagadian's Pasalamat Festival

I dont think TFC will cover this, since this is a project of Manila Broadcasting Co. another media outfit.

MBC will release the list of contingents on March 2.

spacewagon1

February 25th, 2007, 04:11 PM

Holy Week has tourism potential, too
By DAVID ISRAEL SINAY

ILOILO City – The Metro Iloilo-Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC) invites pilgrims to visit churches and heritage structures during their “soul-searching” this Easter – on April 5-9.

The MIGEDC – composed of the municipalities of Leganes, Pavia, Oton, San Miguel, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo City and the Province of Guimaras – will launch “Go Churching in Iloilo - A Holy Week Pilgrimage.”

The project aims to revive the old-fashioned observance of Holy Week in Iloilo and Guimaras such as the visita iglesia (church visits) and revive the interest in traditional pilgrim and tourist sites – Bala-an Bukid, Pagtaltal sa Guimaras and the Trappist Monastery, among others.

The project is a Holy Week package tour in Iloilo – four-night-five-day stay starting Maundy Thursday until Monday after Easter – for pilgrims to experience spiritual renewal and a tour of sort.

The package includes visits to the historic Jaro Cathedral, Molo Church, Arevalo Church, San Jose Church, St. Clements Church, Miag-ao Fortress Church, Guimbal Church and the churches of Leganes, Pavia, Sta, Barbara, San Miguel and Oton.

Those who shall avail themselves of the package tour shall also be introduced to a non-meat culinary experience like the bibingka of Balasan and Arevalo, biscocho of Jaro and buko pie in Oton; attendance in a Good Friday procession featuring antique sculptures and carrosa (Jaro/Molo/Leganes); and other activities pertaining to the observance of the Holy Week.

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynews.com.ph/news2.htm)

IMPRESARIO

February 25th, 2007, 04:36 PM

Negros Occ. champion in WVRAA meet

BACOLOD City- Negros Occidental romped off with the overall crown of the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) meet in both elementary and secondary divisions.

The closing rites of the games was held at Panaad Park and Sports Stadium in Brgy. Mansilingan here.

Team Negros garnered a total of 333 points in the elementary and 390 points in the secondary to reign in this year's meet against arch-rival Iloilo with 319.5 points in the elementary and 306 points in the secondary.

Antique came a surprise third, dominated before by Capiz province with 92.5 points in the elementary. Capiz got 155.5 points in the secondary.

Aladin Flores of Negros Occidental was the most be-medaled athlete in the elementary boys with his domination of the 800; 1,500 and 400 meters.

Mylene Torento of Iloilo Province was the most be-medalled athlete in the elementary girls with her gold medal performances in 200 and 400 meters. She also placed third in 100 meter dash.

Last year, the Negrenses lost the overall title in the secondary division but claimed the elementary level in the tournament held in Roxas City, Capiz.

source: http://www.panaynews.com.ph/news6.htm
--------------------
^^congrats to Negros and of course good job Iloilo and the rest of WV provinces!

IMPRESARIO

February 25th, 2007, 04:47 PM

The New Iloilo Airport
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/wecky/ILOILO20072169.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/wecky/ILOILO20072173.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/wecky/ILOILO20072174.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/wecky/ILOILO20072175.jpg
pics courtesy of wecky

BYAHILO

February 25th, 2007, 05:08 PM

chymera00

February 25th, 2007, 07:41 PM

sang nag labay kmi ni gian sa sta barbara sang nag lagaw kmi kanami na sang dalan pakadto sa airport. and im looking forward mag landing didto.

if in anycase maka pa bacolod mag panaad festival, sa iloilo ko ma landing para ma feel ko man ang bag o nga airport.

i jaz hope that panaad will not coincide with the Aliwan Fiesta, kay sako gd ako by that time.
I've gone to a barangay, a 1 hour motorcycle ride (single) from Calinog Poblacion yesterday (post pics soon) ... I noticed that the Sta. Barbara bypass has been closed off already and it seems that the it will be 4 lanes only. Sigh ... but it's better than a rundown road, oh well. I was hoping that the highway from the New airport to Iloilo City should be at least 6 lanes wide to cater to future traffic and development in the area.

chymera00

February 25th, 2007, 08:35 PM

MIGEDC has a new official website, here's the new url:
http://www.migedc.org.ph/

Hmm... if you look closely at the picture of the Iloilo Customs House, it exactly resembles a pic that I took.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/82/253376606_28fd4e2a3b_o.jpg

It's not the first time that a project from CanUrb used a photo of mine and didn't ask permission. I've already emailed them my sentiments if they don't reply then I guess I'll have to visit their office nlng. Tani maski photo credits lang man ...

kirby21

February 25th, 2007, 11:26 PM

Pictures' perfect. Thanks for reposting them here Incognito. The news articles were all briliant, too.

Guys, Lenten is coming soon. Let's promote Visita Iglesia in Iloilo. Our churches are all grand and source of pride to all of us Ilonggos. I hope to see more visitors spending their Lenten holidays in Iloilo. Help create and promote tourism for Iloilo.

kirby21

February 25th, 2007, 11:32 PM

I've gone to a barangay, a 1 hour motorcycle ride (single) from Calinog Poblacion yesterday (post pics soon) ... I noticed that the Sta. Barbara bypass has been closed off already and it seems that the it will be 4 lanes only. Sigh ... but it's better than a rundown road, oh well. I was hoping that the highway from the New airport to Iloilo City should be at least 6 lanes wide to cater to future traffic and development in the area.
Big similarity indeed. Try to call their office though. This time, an explanation is really needed. Wecky told me that this time, it's only two lanes on each side of the road BUT a plan of expanding it to 3 to 4 lanes each side depending on the volume of traffic it'll create. The hangers on every side of each road is almost the same as the size of the road itself, if you noticed.

Aliwan's gonna be on April 26-28. the grand parade will be on the 28th. I guess Lewdsaint and i will meet again kag mag dungan lakat didto.

Some festivals expected to join

Ilonganon (confirmed)
Sinulog 's Lumad Basakanon (confirmed)
Sinulog's Tribe from Compostela (subject for confirmation)

others, subject for confirmation pa, hwile others waiting for their budget:

Pamulinawen festival of Laoag
Masskara Festival of Bacolod
Surigao's Bonok Bonok Marajao Karajao
Pagadian's Pasalamat Festival

I dont think TFC will cover this, since this is a project of Manila Broadcasting Co. another media outfit.

MBC will release the list of contingents on March 2.
Thanks for posting the infos here Eric. There's two more months preparation for the upcoming Aliwan Festival.

kirby21

February 25th, 2007, 11:36 PM

Isn't it that the SM Annex in Delgado will be opening somewhere in the middle of March? Don't know 'bout the design but I believe that Max will be wanting to open there...
Do you have an updated pictures of SM Dlegado expansion, Ferrersky? Will the new building hold 20 more shops in a row? I believe that there's a gap (can accomodate 2 cars at one time) between the main building and the annex. Am I right?

whyte

February 26th, 2007, 04:21 AM

BYAHILO

February 26th, 2007, 05:15 AM

repost lang... wrong speeling ang akon Caribbean. aheheh

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i149/ericd001/magazine7268240.jpg

habagatcentral1

February 26th, 2007, 05:18 AM

E-mail from the City Tourism Officer (now) Ben Jimena of Iloilo City:

Hi Bernie,

Please do not hesitate to approach next time you see. I would like to meet you and personally exchange information. I am glad you have been much concerned about our city.

Regarding that crown, I was not aware of its location but I will look for it at Plaza Arevalo.

I just came back from the DTI-sponsored e-Business Forum at Edsa Shangrila last week where Iloilo City was presented and promoted as an ICT locale. We are hoping to have another big call center opening very soon, we are just waiting for the lease agreement to be signed. There is just this PEZA requirement that stalls the project but we are positive this will push through not later than April.

Iloilo City has been identified as the second-tier destination for ICT-related business. It is because of our very stable peace and order situation and we are spared from natural calamities like typhoon. You are right, it's our power that's been giving us problem with investors. But I think, the quality of our human resource can cover up for such weakness. Iloilo has 17,000 graduates last year and that's a good potential for the call centers and BPOs.

By the way, Iloilo City is fast becoming a convention destination with nine groups having their national conferences here for the next months: Save the Children Foundation will have their international conference here on the first week of March, PAMET (med techs), PICPA, Pains Society of the Phils. (anestheseologists), local civil registrars, sherrifs, cooperatives, surgeons, and a group which at the moment skipped my mind.

Iloilo City has been invited by Citynet to Nepal to present a case study on Dinagyang's involvement with the Millennium Development Goals. This will happen March 21-23, 2007 in Kathmandu.

Please advise where do I send the DVD copy of the 15-minute presentation - Iloilo City: the Next Big Thing!

Ben Jimena

@Chy, padayunon pa?

BYAHILO

February 26th, 2007, 05:30 AM

sakpa man ko da sang kopy sang DVD ha...

lewdsaint

February 26th, 2007, 05:31 AM

Ayos ah! Digto naman kita assemble liwat sa hideout. Ano menu 'ta sa panyaga? hehehe! i-request ko liwat si ambok maluto panyag. Sin-o pa maupod liwat sa aton? I'm sure si yoj kag mayflor indi makaupod...hehehe!

Aliwan's gonna be on April 26-28. the grand parade will be on the 28th. I guess Lewdsaint and i will meet again kag mag dungan lakat didto.

Some festivals expected to join

Ilonganon (confirmed)
Sinulog 's Lumad Basakanon (confirmed)
Sinulog's Tribe from Compostela (subject for confirmation)

others, subject for confirmation pa, hwile others waiting for their budget:

Pamulinawen festival of Laoag
Masskara Festival of Bacolod
Surigao's Bonok Bonok Marajao Karajao
Pagadian's Pasalamat Festival

I dont think TFC will cover this, since this is a project of Manila Broadcasting Co. another media outfit.

MBC will release the list of contingents on March 2.

wecky

February 26th, 2007, 10:23 AM

sakpa man ko da sang kopy sang DVD ha...

and me, too. I'm bit curious sang unod sang DVD nga ini. Something special daw @Bern?

wecky

February 26th, 2007, 10:32 AM

at last
a start of the holy week tours promotion

hopefully the city govt could may "transfer" paraw regatta to march para every month may celebration kita sa Iloilo

jan- dinagyang
feb-candelaria/chinese new year
march-paraw/holy week
april-holyweek
I think we need to bank on our festivals back home since we don't have much to offer to tourists at present other than churches and the lame buildings of Calle Real. We really need to be innovative when it comes to this one. On the latter part of the year, Iloilo's tourism become stagnant. We should have another big festival between September to November to sustain tourism's growth in the city. The province is full of festival but the city itself is spared during last quarters of each year.

wecky

February 26th, 2007, 10:34 AM

repost lang... wrong speeling ang akon Caribbean. aheheh

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i149/ericd001/magazine7268240.jpg
Vry nice idea @Eric. Really cool, mate.

habagatcentral1

February 26th, 2007, 10:36 AM

and me, too. I'm bit curious sang unod sang DVD nga ini. Something special daw @Bern?

It was broadcasted first in SkyCable before the Dinagyang.
Its something like a video-brochure of Iloilo City.

wecky

February 26th, 2007, 10:39 AM

Gawad Kalinga project gets boost
By Maricar M. Calubiran

Good news! More prominent families in Iloilo City expressed willingness to donate additional lots for the Gawad Kalinga (GK) project to accommodate the city's homeless families.

City Mayor Jerry Treñas said former Undersecretary Cornelio Hison as well as the Ledesma family have told him that they would donate lots for the GK project.

He said Hison wants to donate some two hectares of his property in Sooc, Arevalo. The property is near the present Smart/PLDT Uswag Village.

The other would-be donor is his classmate, a member of the Ledesma clan and is now based in the US. “He is asking me to check on the area as it needs an access road before any development could be made in the property,” Treñas said.

Treñas added, GK head Tony Meloto assured that he will look for more pledges in building the homes for the city's homeless.

The GK project is being implemented in the different parts of the country to address the housing needs of the poor. The same project is initiated by the Couples of Christ with the help of big business corporations and individuals.

Recently, the Lopez Group of Companies through its chair Oscar M. Lopez turned over 19 newly-completed units in Buntatala, Jaro. Said housing housing units are part of the the 144 GK houses committed by the the Lopez family which traces its roots in Iloilo.

The News Today

wecky

February 26th, 2007, 10:42 AM

It was broadcasted first in SkyCable before the Dinagyang.
Its something like a video-brochure of Iloilo City.
can we get or buy it from other stores in Iloilo City? Or available in Department of Tourism Office? Any idea @Bern?

wecky

February 26th, 2007, 10:45 AM

P1.6B for central RP super region

ILOILO City – The Central Philippines super region got P6.7 billion from the P37.3 billion contributed by Land Bank of the Philippines in the pump priming projects of the government last year.

Central Philippines is one of the four super-regions under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's massive investment program designed to sustain economic growth and spread progress to all areas of the country.

The other three super regions include Northern Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle, Luzon Urban Beltway and Agribusiness Mindanao.

Central Philippines, with tourism as its development theme, is composed of Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Bicol, and Mimaropa (Mindoro-Marinduque-Romblon-Palawan).

In its recent press report, Land Bank said that from January to December 31, 2006 it has released a total of P37.3 billion for the super regions of the country. Of the total amount, 44.7 percent or P16.7 billion went to the Luzon Urban Beltway, P9.5 billion to Agri-Business Mindanao, 6.7 billion to Central Philippines and P4.4 billion to the North Luzon Agri-business Quadrangle.

The report further showed that agricultural production accounted for the bulk of the loans at P21.9 billion, in terms of project type, followed by agri-processing with P10.8 billion. Other projects financed were agri-infrastructure that include water, sanitation and solid waste management projects at P3.9 billion and housing projects at P600 million.

Landbank President and Chief Executive Officer Gilda Pico said that through their financing support for developmental projects particularly those related to agri-processing, agri-infrastructure, housing and agricultural production they are helping the government strengthen the country's major growth areas by improving productivity and generating job employment.

The loans were availed of by various cooperatives, countryside financial institutions, small and medium enterprises and Quendancor.

Panay News

-----
How much is alloted for Iloilo and Western Visayas, if I may ask?

lewdsaint

February 26th, 2007, 10:51 AM

Iloilo celebrates Year of the Boar
Text & photos by Tara Yap

http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/tourism/photo/tourism0.jpg

Even though a big Chinese community exists, Iloilo City cannot boast of having a Chinatown. However, this didn’t stop the Ilonggos from welcoming the Year of the Boar last weekend.

Plazoleta Gay in the heart of the downtown Iloilo City once again played host to the biggest Chinese New Year celebration outside of Manila’s famed Binondo district.

http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/tourism/photo/tourism4a.jpg

The festivity kicked off Saturday afternoon with a parade along the streets of Iznart, old Calle Real and Aldeguer. Of course, there was the usual lion dance and dragon dance, as well as the different tribal dances depicting the diverse culture of China.

An explosive fireworks show by nightfall paved way to the food festival and the midnight countdown of ushering the Year of the Boar.

http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/tourism/photo/tourism1a.jpg

http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/tourism/photo/tourism2a.jpg

http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/tourism/photo/tourism3a.jpg

http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/tourism/photo/tourism7a.jpg

From : http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph

wecky

February 26th, 2007, 10:52 AM

like the first photo @Lew. Yohooo!!!! :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

wecky

February 26th, 2007, 11:11 AM

P1.3M raised for Cathedral repair
Francis Allan L. Angelo

DONATIONS continue to pour in for the much-needed repair of the historic Jaro Cathedral.

Fr. Philip Neil Antenor-Cruz, Project 20-11 BC in-charge, said they were able to raise P1.3 million in just three weeks of fund-raising drive.

Topping the list of donors is businessman Oscar Lopez, chair of the Lopez Group of Companies, who personally handed a P1-million check to Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo last week.

“Project 20-11 BC” aims to raise P20 million in 11 months for the general repair of the Cathedral which is home to the image of the Nuestra Sra. De Candelaria (Our Lady of Candles).

Lagdameo formally launched the project in his homily for the annual religious Fiesta of Jaro Feb. 2.

“The response has been very good and help continues to come our way,” Antenor-Cruz said.

The Cathedral was constructed by the first Jaro Bishop Mariano Cuartero in 1874.

Since then, the church was repaired twice in 1948 after it suffered damages from a strong earthquake and the ravages of World War 2; and in the 1980s during the time of Archbishop Alberto Piamonte.

While some roof beams were replaced with steel, most of these supports are still made of wood which date back to 1874.

Recently, caretakers and Archdiocese officials noticed that portions of the Cathedral’s roof were already sagging.

Watermarks, which are signs of leak or cracks, were also discovered in upper portions of the Cathedral’s walls.

“Some of the galvanized iron sheets been detached from the rotten wooden purlins because of their age. And rust has also corroded some of the sheets,” Antenor-Cruz said.

Antenor-Cruz assured that the Cathedral is still safe for mass goers “but we can’t wait that’s why we initiated this project.”

“The basic structure of the church is still there but we cannot wait until next year, thus the time frame of 11 months,” he added.

The scope of works will include replacement of the rotting beams, overhaul of the electrical system and repainting.

The Archdiocese even formulated ways to maximize the fund-raising efforts such as the Halad (offering) Cards which is coursed through the Barangay Apostolic Coordinators.

“The coordinators will distribute the cards to barangays in Jaro. The donors can sign the Halad Cards and give whatever amount they can offer,” Antenor-Cruz said.

Sponsors can also pledge a certain amount in 10 months.

“A donor can pledge P10,000 in 10 months. Basically, we will program the pledges so that the donor will have an idea on how we used their money.”

Antenor-Cruz said they have been flooded with requests and invitations to share the projects to prospective donors.

“Hopefully, if we have P5 million we can start the works in April after the Holy Week and finish everything by February 2008,” Antenor-Cruz said.

The Guardian Iloilo

wecky

February 26th, 2007, 11:16 AM

St. Joseph (The Worker) Church in Jaro

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/126/397901584_9c29f1fc01.jpg

The Jaro Cathedral - Nestra Senora de la Candelaria, Jaro, Iloilo City

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/188/397901576_fb026225e0.jpg

lewdsaint

February 26th, 2007, 11:22 AM

IMPRESARIO

February 26th, 2007, 11:23 AM

It was broadcasted first in SkyCable before the Dinagyang.
Its something like a video-brochure of Iloilo City.

^^Can somebody upload this on youtube.com pls.

Hmm... if you look closely at the picture of the Iloilo Customs House, it exactly resembles a pic that I took.
It's not the first time that a project from CanUrb used a photo of mine and didn't ask permission. I've already emailed them my sentiments if they don't reply then I guess I'll have to visit their office nlng. Tani maski photo credits lang man ...

^^oh its definitely yours chy, the boats docking are the same on both pics. unless their photographer was there beside you when you took that shot that very same day,eheheh

Iloilo celebrates Year of the Boar
Text & photos by Tara Yap

http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/tourism/photo/tourism0.jpg

^^Fab. picture! loved it!

IMPRESARIO

February 26th, 2007, 11:30 AM

chy,there's a photo credit of the same pic with your name on this one > http://philippines.canurb.com/ideasforthecity/

wecky

February 26th, 2007, 11:50 AM

Agree with you weck that Iloilo City should sustain Tourist attractions whole year round not only in January with the Dinagyang Festival and in Febuary with the Jaro Fiesta, Chinese New Year and Paraw Regatta.

It's nice to know that Metro Iloilo-Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC) is considering the Holy Week as a tourism potential. With our historic churches around the province; Jaro Cathedral, Molo Church, Arevalo Church, San Jose Church, St. Clements Church, Miag-ao Fortress Church, Guimbal Church and the churches of Leganes, Pavia, Sta, Barbara, San Miguel and Oton, are perfect for visita iglesia (church visits) .

Guimaras has the Balaan Bukid, Pagtaltal sa Guimaras and the Trappist Monastery for traditional pilgrim and tourist sites.
we'll look for better way to promote our province if we're really serious with tourism. This move by the MIGEDC will surely help sustain our tourism industry and our bid for opening ourselves to more tourists and visitors alike all year round in the city and province of Iloilo. I hope the City's department of tourism will look at all ways in bringing tourists to Iloilo City and the rest of Metro members. We really need to push this hard. We're up a bit when it comes for bidding of convention venue yet we still have to muscle up for more and bigger international conventions in the future. At the rate of 9 big conventions in half a year alone creates a big boost to our once idle and sleeping sector already. Again, there's no time for rest when it comes to Iloilo Tourism promotion. Let's make Iloilo a hyperactive city and province once again.

wecky

February 26th, 2007, 12:08 PM

February 25, 2007
MIGEDC to attract Easter pilgrims
Filed under: Building the Regional City, Renewing the Public Realm, Regenerating the Economy — Nereo C. Lujan @ 10:34 pm

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – The Metro Iloilo-Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC) invites pilgrims to visit churches and heritage structures during their “soul-searching” this Easter – on April 5-9.

The MIGEDC – composed of the municipalities of Leganes, Pavia, Oton, San Miguel, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo City and the Province of Guimaras – will launch “Go Churching in Iloilo: A Holy Week Pilgrimage.”

The project aims to revive the old-fashioned observance of Holy Week in Iloilo and Guimaras such as the visita iglesia (church visits) and revive the interest in traditional pilgrim and tourist sites – Bala-an Bukid, Pagtaltal sa Guimaras and the Trappist Monastery, among others.

The project is a Holy Week package tour in Iloilo – four-night-five-day stay starting Maundy Thursday until Monday after Easter – for pilgrims to experience spiritual renewal and a tour of sort.

The package includes visits to the historic Jaro Cathedral, Molo Church, Arevalo Church, San Jose Church, St. Clements Church, Miag-ao Fortress Church, Guimbal Church and the churches of Leganes, Pavia, Sta, Barbara, San Miguel and Oton.

Those who shall avail themselves of the package tour shall also be introduced to a non-meat culinary experience like the bibingka of Balasan and Arevalo, biscocho of Jaro and buko pie in Oton; attendance in a Good Friday procession featuring antique sculptures and carrosa (Jaro/Molo/Leganes); and other activities pertaining to the observance of the Holy Week.

MIGEDC Official Website

BYAHILO

February 26th, 2007, 02:04 PM

yudi kanami sang pics ya... may time sila ya mag photoshop ba ahahaha

habagatcentral1

February 26th, 2007, 02:18 PM

^^Can somebody upload this on youtube.com pls.

Thats what I'll do. I asked permission to Sir Ben Jimena about it. Lets just cross our fingers that 15min video would fit with YouTube's 10MB upload limit.

I'm also eyeing if we can also have the Iloilo City Heritage Sites video too. :)\

chy,there's a photo credit of the same pic with your name on this one > http://philippines.canurb.com/ideasforthecity/

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/untitled-8.jpg

^^ Here we go, Chy! Congrats! :banana:
Anyway, @CHy, have you received my e-mail already? Just text me if you have questions.

BYAHILO

February 26th, 2007, 02:28 PM

bernie, i know whre you are right now: NETOPIA

ahah that ugly adverts spanning lower section of the PC is visible ahahahha

spacewagon1

February 26th, 2007, 05:39 PM

2006 tourist arrivals up by 32 percent
By DAVID ISRAEL SINAY

ILOILO City – The various celebrations in the metropolis sustained the influx of foreign tourists here.

Based on the report of the Tourism Information and Assistance Center at the Mandurriao Airport, from January to December 2006 the influx of foreign tourists here increased by 31.94 percent compared to 2005.

In 2005, 1,127 foreigners arrived at the Mandurriao Airport with tourists from Asia (951), Europe (62), Oceania (15), North America (94), and Middle East (5) with Koreans, Singaporeans, Americans, Canadians, Australians, and Germans topping the list.

Last year, the number of tourist arrivals immensely increased to 1,487 individuals with foreigners from Asia (1,229), Europe (129), Oceania (23), North America (105) and Middle East (1).

The recorded foreign arrivals to have high in statistics were during the summer season on the months of March and April and during December for the Christmas holidays. Tourist arrivals during this months reached more than 30,000.

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynews.com.ph/news3.htm)

spacewagon1

February 26th, 2007, 05:45 PM

‘Iloilo City starts reaping
fruits of economic labors’
By DAVID ISRAEL SINAY

ILOILO City – The city government is now starting to reap the fruits of its labor, especially in the area of enhancing the local economy.

Mayor Jerry Treñas said the different festivities here – Dinagyang Festival, Feast of the Our Lady of Candles, Chinese New Year, and the Paraw Regatta – contributed a great deal in promoting the City of Iloilo.

Treñas also disclosed that eight associations want to hold their national conventions here – a good development for a city that wants to be known as a “convention city.”

These associations are groups of cooperatives, local civil registrars, anesthesiologists, medical technologies, certified public accountants, surgeons and sheriffs.

The Save the Children Foundation also wants to hold an international convention here, said City Tourism Officer Benito Jimena.

“Dinagyang Festival has contributed a lot. Dinagyang tribe performances are always sought during fellowship nights of conferences. They want to know what Dinagyang is,” Jimena added.

Treñas said he encourages department heads to have their respective organizations hold their national conventions in this city; in return, the department head’s office concerned shall have P200,000 worth of office supplies and equipments allocated.

Emil Diez, president of the Iloilo Convention and Visitors Bureau (ICVB), said they want to invite the organizers of the ad congress to have the prestigious event held in this city.

Diez said that with the availability of new facilities – a new airport and more hotels -- “we will try to have the ad congress in this city. It will really put the city in the map.”

This year, the ad congress will be held in Subic.

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynews.com.ph/news4.htm)

spacewagon1

February 26th, 2007, 05:53 PM

Loren rallies Iloilo’s
‘weavers of dreams’

ILOILO – In 2003, Senator Loren Legarda secured a grant of P1.4 million from the British Embassy to bring into the world fashion map Iloilo through the legendary loom weavers of the historic municipality of Miag-ao.

Today, Loren and her fellow senatorial candidates from the Genuine Opposition (GO) coalition are expected to receive a warm and rousing welcome from Ilonggos at the start of GO’s two-day campaign sortie in this province and Iloilo City.

This time around, Loren is rallying Ilonggos not only to revive their art of weaving “hablon” for the world market, but also to find other enterprises that would spur economic prosperity for themselves and for Iloilo.

“My heart goes to you who have made Iloilo and the whole of the Philippines proud of your craft,” Loren, author of the Tropical Fabric Law, said.

It should be noted that upon receipt of the British government grant secured by Loren, the Salakayan Development Foundation of Miag-ao launched the Hablon Loom-Weaving Development Project, which has constructed thus far two loom-weaving centers.

The loom weaving centers, built at the cost of almost half a million pesos, are capable of housing eight looms and employing over 100 women and out-of-school youth.

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynews.com.ph/news1.htm)

spacewagon1

February 26th, 2007, 06:05 PM

1st IHT Day at SM City Iloilo

The Institute of HRM and Tourism of Central Philippine University will stage its first ever IHT Day at the Activity Center of SM City Iloilo on March 5, 2007. This event is a celebration for the institute’s continuous progress and foundation despite the difficulties and challenges it has encountered.

The celebration will begin with a motorcade from CPU to SM City, passing through the Iloilo Capitol, Atrium, Gen. Luna St. and Diversion Road.

Activities such as the IHT Mind for the intellectually inclined, IHT Popstar for those gifted with golden voices and the IHT Fashion Show by the IHT’s potential models. The officers of the IHT Council have also prepared the first ever Search for Mr. and Ms. Institute of HRM and Tourism wherein the winner of this spectacle will represent the Institute in next year’s Mr. and Ms. CPU. IHT is proud to be the home of last year’s Ms. CPU and Ms. Dinagyang Cherry Mae Barbo.

To culminate the day, there will be a first ever Student Awards which will be handed to teachers and students who were unanimously chosen as the Friendliest Teacher, Best Dressed Teacher, Bartender of the Year, Best in Tour Guiding and other outstanding awards. The Institute’s Cream of the Crop will also be handed their individual citations.

BS Hotel and Restaurant Management and BS Management and BS Tourism programs were offered through the initiative of Dr. Perla A. Suyo, the Chairperson of the Department of Home Economics and Nutrition under the supervision of the College of Education on June 1999 which was later renamed the Department of Home Economics, Nutrition, HRM and Tourism and later into Institute of HRM and Tourism on June 2004.

The Institute is now offering Ladderized Curriculum for Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management, registered under the Technical Educational and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). A new curriculum for Bachelor of Science in Tourism is now offered. The new curriculum has new subjects that provide the needed skills and knowledge by future hospitality and tourism industry professionals. For more inquiries about the Institute’s course offerings, please call the institute Chairperson at 3291971 local 1042.

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynews.com.ph/news11.htm)

spacewagon1

February 26th, 2007, 08:43 PM

we'll look for better way to promote our province if we're really serious with tourism. This move by the MIGEDC will surely help sustain our tourism industry and our bid for opening ourselves to more tourists and visitors alike all year round in the city and province of Iloilo. I hope the City's department of tourism will look at all ways in bringing tourists to Iloilo City and the rest of Metro members. We really need to push this hard. We're up a bit when it comes for bidding of convention venue yet we still have to muscle up for more and bigger international conventions in the future. At the rate of 9 big conventions in half a year alone creates a big boost to our once idle and sleeping sector already. Again, there's no time for rest when it comes to Iloilo Tourism promotion. Let's make Iloilo a hyperactive city and province once again.
I have noticed that the city tourism office is very much alive now. How about our provincial tourism department? What are the projects lined up for them in a year? Are they still talking about town's festivals, churches, etc? And what are their plans to create turistic atmosphere within the provincial level. Iloilo City have IDFI, Paraw Regatta Foundation, Iloilo Chinese Associations, Iloilo Convention Bureau, Iloilo Hotel and Restaurant Association, Iloilo City Heritage Association, so on and so forth. But the Iloilo Province hasn't have any at all except for Mr Marin in Provincial Capitol. Are there any tourism arms notably by the province itself? The province of Iloilo amidst press releases of supporting tourism of Visayas Mega-region, is in the offing. Meaning, it is non-existent at all. The capitol still focuses on the agricultural aspect of provincial economy, which I believe is successful in ther own rights. But devolution is not only agriculture. It should be diversified to create jobs in the smallest baranggay of the province. Anyway, since you mentioned tourism, I hope we'll take this thing seriously.

February 25, 2007
MIGEDC to attract Easter pilgrims
Filed under: Building the Regional City, Renewing the Public Realm, Regenerating the Economy — Nereo C. Lujan @ 10:34 pm

nice to know that Metro Iloilo is developing this kind of tourism. Of course we have so much to offer during the Lenten season. One thing I'm happy about is the collaboration effort by the metro members to raise tourism in a different level. With great support from the whole of MIGEDC and its partners, religious tourism in Metro Iloilo during Lenten Season will be a great success.

Agree with you weck that Iloilo City should sustain Tourist attractions whole year round not only in January with the Dinagyang Festival and in Febuary with the Jaro Fiesta, Chinese New Year and Paraw Regatta.

It's nice to know that Metro Iloilo-Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC) is considering the Holy Week as a tourism potential. With our historic churches around the province; Jaro Cathedral, Molo Church, Arevalo Church, San Jose Church, St. Clements Church, Miag-ao Fortress Church, Guimbal Church and the churches of Leganes, Pavia, Sta, Barbara, San Miguel and Oton, are perfect for visita iglesia (church visits) .

Guimaras has the Balaan Bukid, Pagtaltal sa Guimaras and the Trappist Monastery for traditional pilgrim and tourist sites.
I agree, too,Lewdsaint. We ned to sustain the level and/number of tourists visiting our place for the entire year. September or October is the best month to have another festival. That will at least give us four to 5 months to prepare for Dinagyang Festival by January. I suggest this festival would be a little different from Dinagyang or Paraw Regatta. I could not think of anything right now but I hope to see another festivity taking place soon.

With regards to conventions, we're slowly getting there. I wish to see bigger conventions in the future, too.

spacewagon1

February 26th, 2007, 08:48 PM

Bermejo pushes for rehab of
highway from Iloilo to Capiz

ROXAS City – Capiz Gov. Vicente Bermejo, who chairs the Provincial Development Council, made a favorable endorsement to the Regional Development Council (RDC) of the proposal for the implementation of the Panay Island Package project.

The Panay Island Package covers the rehabilitation of the 89.885-kilometer Zarraga, Iloilo - Ivisan, Capiz national highway, said Capiz First District Engineer Juby Cordon of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Cordon also revealed that said package include the Caticlan-Kalibo, Aklan to Capiz boundary road.

Meanwhile, Gov. Bermejo requested DPWH through the RDC for the possible inclusion in said package of the national highways of Ivisan, Sigma, Mambusao towns and Roxas City that are being utilized in the Roll-On/Roll-Off (Ro-Ro) project of the national government.

The government is now improving and speeding up economic activities in the countryside by putting up more infrastructure projects.

In the recent conference on economic growth, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said that her administration will invest a trillion pesos to build the infrastructures.

The infrastructure projects, which will be built up in the next three and a half years, will support the economy and attract further investments.

As part of the national agenda, particularly the strong nautical highway program, the Panay Island Package project of the national government is being worked out.

sourceL Panay News (http://www.panaynews.com.ph/news9.htm)

kirby21

February 26th, 2007, 10:42 PM

:banana: :carrot: :banana: Wow! 32% increase in international tourist arrival is really a big thing for Iloilo last 2006. I can't wait to see the 2007 stats next year on whether there's more development happening in our tourism industry. No wonder more hotels are sprouting out in the city lately. Other than that, local, regional, national and international conferences are growing in numbers as well. I hope we will maintain the momentum of increasing numbers of visitors in our province in the years to come. :okay: :applause: :applause:

kirby21

February 26th, 2007, 11:01 PM

Hi Bernie,

Please do not hesitate to approach next time you see. I would like to meet you and personally exchange information. I am glad you have been much concerned about our city.

Regarding that crown, I was not aware of its location but I will look for it at Plaza Arevalo.

I just came back from the DTI-sponsored e-Business Forum at Edsa Shangrila last week where Iloilo City was presented and promoted as an ICT locale. We are hoping to have another big call center opening very soon, we are just waiting for the lease agreement to be signed. There is just this PEZA requirement that stalls the project but we are positive this will push through not later than April.

Iloilo City has been identified as the second-tier destination for ICT-related business. It is because of our very stable peace and order situation and we are spared from natural calamities like typhoon. You are right, it's our power that's been giving us problem with investors. But I think, the quality of our human resource can cover up for such weakness. Iloilo has 17,000 graduates last year and that's a good potential for the call centers and BPOs.

By the way, Iloilo City is fast becoming a convention destination with nine groups having their national conferences here for the next months: Save the Children Foundation will have their international conference here on the first week of March, PAMET (med techs), PICPA, Pains Society of the Phils. (anestheseologists), local civil registrars, sherrifs, cooperatives, surgeons, and a group which at the moment skipped my mind.

Iloilo City has been invited by Citynet to Nepal to present a case study on Dinagyang's involvement with the Millennium Development Goals. This will happen March 21-23, 2007 in Kathmandu.

Please advise where do I send the DVD copy of the 15-minute presentation - Iloilo City: the Next Big Thing!

Ben Jimena

_____________

I reposted it here Bernie so we can start giving comment to Mr. Jimena's letter as such. Glad to know that you have a direct contact with him. It's a great help indeed. At least we'll have an idea what's going on in Iloilo City's tourism office at present. We're waiting for NTB and Bombette Marin's posts. I just wish NTB is still around though to help us answer some of our queries here in the forum.

He actually highlighted good human resource that can surpass power problem to which I readily agreed. Call Centers consider the number of employees they can get to do the job rather than high cost of electricity. I think, he's even referring to the lack of power supply more than the cost itslef since call centers operate 24 hours a day. Anyhow, good development though coming from the city's executive office.

What about this 15-minute DVD? This one seems to interest me more. I asked Wecky to get me a copy of any Iloilo promo items when he visited Iloilo last month but he wasn't able to acquire one 'cept for the 2005 Iloilo Yearbook by The News Today. Btw, the 2007 edition will be out soon accdg to him cos he went to TNT's office to inquire for one.

kirby21

February 26th, 2007, 11:19 PM

More prominent families in Iloilo City expressed willingness to donate additional lots for the Gawad Kalinga (GK) project to accommodate the city's homeless families.

City Mayor Jerry Treñas said former Undersecretary Cornelio Hison as well as the Ledesma family have told him that they would donate lots for the GK project.

He said Hison wants to donate some two hectares of his property in Sooc, Arevalo. The property is near the present Smart/PLDT Uswag Village.
glad to read this improvement lately. Better homes for our unfortunate kasimanwas in Iloilo - and more fortunate kasimanwas looking after the welfare of others. I wish to see massive relocation of Calumpang squatters soon paving a way to a better and well-developed Villa Beach area. All I want to see is Villa Beach resurrecting from its present state to become Iloilo's topmost tourist destination AGAIN, like it used to be in the past. Aside from Villa, the Iloilo River (Batiano) is another potential tourist haven in the future. Kayaking, other water sports and river cruises are ideal for this type of setting. Trenas already managed to clear the river area from its mouth in Muelle Loney all thru the Diversion Area from fishpens. If possible, the clearing will continue to the end part of the river in Oton district. Presently, the river bed is heavily silted and needs dredging. With Iloilo River Development Committee's doing their best to address river issues, Iloilo River will be back to life once more (I hope!)

kirby21

February 26th, 2007, 11:29 PM

Eugenio Lopez Sr. GK Village: A testimony to the continuing Lopez legacy
Text and photos by Janice V. Busil

http://www.thenewstoday.info/2007/02/26/lopez1.jpg

For those who were born with a silver spoon, it is easy to live a luxurious life and care less about the concerns of others. But that is not the case for the Lopezes. Deemed as one of the country's most influential and respected member of the high society, the Lopezes never fail to share their blessings to the country that nurtured their forefathers. Their form of philanthropy covers almost every aspect of life from caring for the environment through their Bantay Kalikasan and Save La Mesa Dam projects to honing the young Filipinos by providing programs that aims to improve the educational system of the country like the Knowledge Channel. The latest of which is their strong alliance to the Gawad Kalinga.

Gawad Kalinga, which literally means “to give care”, is a project that was initiated by the Couples for Christ in 1995 which is envisioned to answer the worsening problem of poverty in the country by providing decent shelter for the homeless, land for the landless, and food for the hungry as well as restoring the dignity and peace in every Filipino family.

With the belief that if each and every wealthy Filipino family will simply trace back their roots and help the community in which they came from will help mitigate the burden of poverty, Lopez Group of Companies Chair Oscar Lopez, his better-half Connie Rufino-Lopez, son Jay Lopez, daughters Angela Lopez-Guingona, Cedie Lopez-Vargas and Rina Lopez-Bautista (of Knowledge Channel) jetted back to Iloilo last February 22, 2007 to formally turn-over the house keys of 19 (out of 50) newly-built Gawad Kalinga houses at the Eugenio Lopez, Sr. GK Village at Brgy. Buntatala, Jaro, Iloilo City. The beneficiaries of said new houses mainly consist of church workers. Mr. Lopez was joined by Gawad Kalinga Executive Director Antonio P. Meloto and CBCP President and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo in finally making his go-back-to-your-roots advocacy a reality. Also present during the ceremonial turn-over and unveiling of the Eugenio Lopez Sr. GK Village marker were GK Iloilo Head Angel de Leon, GK Head of Partners Management Group Peter Tiu, Jaro Archdiocese Social Action Center DirectorMsgr. Meliton Oso, Association of Ilonggos in Metropolitan Washington D.C representatives Mr. and Mrs. Jim Taylor, University of Iloilo Vice President for Administration Mrs. Cecelia Ortiz, the Sisters of Our Lady of Angels-Belgium headed by Sr. Mary Peter, Janiuay Mayor Ben Margarico, students from University of Iloilo and GK officers and homepartners.

Likewise, spouses Sarah and Judgee Peña, Oscar Lopez's niece and nephew, gave their all-out support to their uncle all throughout the day.

The Eugenio Lopez, Sr. GK Village will house a mini-museum which will contain some of the family's treasured memorabilia. It will be the first museum to be put up within the GK Village in the country. This is in honor of the family's commitment in uplifting the lives of the many Filipinos who lives in slum areas. The 3 million pesos which was used to build all the 50 houses within the 1.6 hectare GK village came from Mr. Oscar Lopez's own pocket and not from the Lopez Group of Companies though the Sibol building, a daycare center located within the site, that was donated by the Lopez-owned Meralco Millenium Foundation, Inc under the leadership of Mr. Manuel M. Lopez. Sibol is the first daycare center to be funded by the Meralco outside their area.

The Lopez legacy does not stop with the Gawad Kalinga. In fact, Mr. Oscar Lopez donated an amount of one million pesos to the Jaro Cathedral which he personally handed out to Archbishop Lagdameo. The donation will help complete the ten million pesos fund which is being raised by the archdiocese to renovate the historically famous Jaro Cathedral and to save it from collapsing.

The young generation of Lopezes also showed their gene-inherited philanthropy through a brief gift-giving activity wherein Angela Lopez-Guingona and her three daughters distributed packs of school supplies to the children of GK homepartners.

The Gawad Kalinga is just the beginning of the many projects of the reigning Jaro Fiesta Queen Maria Katrina “Maiki” Lopez Abello, granddaughter of Mr. Oscar M. Lopez. This is in legacy of her great grandfather Don Eugenio Lopez, Sr.

taken from: The News Today
link: http://www.thenewstoday.info/2007/02/26/eugenio.lopez.sr.gk.village.html

kirby21

February 26th, 2007, 11:50 PM

we'll look for better way to promote our province if we're really serious with tourism. This move by the MIGEDC will surely help sustain our tourism industry and our bid for opening ourselves to more tourists and visitors alike all year round in the city and province of Iloilo. I hope the City's department of tourism will look at all ways in bringing tourists to Iloilo City and the rest of Metro members. We really need to push this hard. We're up a bit when it comes for bidding of convention venue yet we still have to muscle up for more and bigger international conventions in the future. At the rate of 9 big conventions in half a year alone creates a big boost to our once idle and sleeping sector already. Again, there's no time for rest when it comes to Iloilo Tourism promotion. Let's make Iloilo a hyperactive city and province once again.

speaking of Iloilo, being a hyperactive province brings me to re-post this "not-so-old" article. Maybe 2 years ago, I think.

Tourism, Commerce & Industry Transform Iloilo into a Hyper Active Province
By Carmencita H. Acosta

(Iloilo City) A busy gateway to Western Visayas, Iloilo City continues to flourish, with increasing tourist arrivals, both local and foreign, especially Koreans, Japanese, and other nationals from neighboring Asian countries.

The city's Tourism Information Assistance Center recently reported to Mayor Jerry Treñas that accommodations establishments had recorded a total of 191,328 tourist arrivals for the first half of 2005, compared with the 142,627 during the same period in 2004.

In an interview requested by What's On & Expat during the Arts Festival held in Iloilo City September 29-30, Dr. Teresa Sarabia, chair of the Iloilo Convention Bureau, said that a bigger and more exotic arts festival is being mulled for next year, based on the favorable response to this year's. "We aim to project Iloilo as it really is-a coastal city with safe harbors, clean beaches, a wide choice of excellent hotels, restaurants, resorts, shops and parks."

Dr. Sarabia also said that Iloilo offers a wide variety of activities to the visitor, as well as an extensive array of world-class handicraft souvenirs. "The gracious Ilonggo hospitality completes the formula for a successful tour of Iloilo," she added.

The province of Iloilo is a gateway to the flourishing region of Western Visayas. It has two cities: Iloilo which is its capital, and Passi. Agriculture is the province's primary industry, and its cottage industry, which is also booming, includes pottery, ceramics, weaving, woodcraft, and handicrafts. The province is a primary commercial and trade center of Western Visayas with around 100 banks, financial investment firms, insurance companies and real estate developers. Truly, Iloilo has become, in these initial years of the 21st century, a hyperactive province.

Let's keep promoting Iloilo. We still have a very long way to go. We need to develop and redevelop our exisiting tourist spots and places of interest here in the province. We need to convince tourists (local and foreign) that we offer what they're looking for in respect to tourism. We have the amenities, the infrastructure are evolving, historically and culturally influential, and so many untapped natural wonders that needs to be unleashed STILL. Iloilo City is definitely a PLACE TO BE!

habagatcentral1

February 27th, 2007, 03:02 AM

To the people who hasn't read about this yet. I'll repost this e-mail from the city hall:

Hi Bernie,

Please do not hesitate to approach next time you see. I would like to meet you and personally exchange information. I am glad you have been much concerned about our city.

Regarding that crown, I was not aware of its location but I will look for it at Plaza Arevalo.

I just came back from the DTI-sponsored e-Business Forum at Edsa Shangrila last week where Iloilo City was presented and promoted as an ICT locale. We are hoping to have another big call center opening very soon, we are just waiting for the lease agreement to be signed. There is just this PEZA requirement that stalls the project but we are positive this will push through not later than April.

Iloilo City has been identified as the second-tier destination for ICT-related business. It is because of our very stable peace and order situation and we are spared from natural calamities like typhoon. You are right, it's our power that's been giving us problem with investors. But I think, the quality of our human resource can cover up for such weakness. Iloilo has 17,000 graduates last year and that's a good potential for the call centers and BPOs.

By the way, Iloilo City is fast becoming a convention destination with nine groups having their national conferences here for the next months: Save the Children Foundation will have their international conference here on the first week of March, PAMET (med techs), PICPA, Pains Society of the Phils. (anestheseologists), local civil registrars, sherrifs, cooperatives, surgeons, and a group which at the moment skipped my mind.

Iloilo City has been invited by Citynet to Nepal to present a case study on Dinagyang's involvement with the Millennium Development Goals. This will happen March 21-23, 2007 in Kathmandu.

Please advise where do I send the DVD copy of the 15-minute presentation - Iloilo City: the Next Big Thing!

Ben Jimena

lewdsaint

February 27th, 2007, 03:02 AM

Iloilo City fast rising as WV’s convention center

Jeehan V. Fernandez
2007-02-27

ILOILO CITY is fast becoming the convention center of Western Visayas, said Mayor Jerry Treñas.

Believing that attracting big gatherings will boost the local economy, Treñas said “Iloilo will be the convention city of Western Visayas. We should promote and help sell Iloilo City to allow investments to grow and provide additional employment opportunities to the people.”

Treñas made the pronouncement as eight national organizations are scheduled to hold their respective conventions in the metropolis starting next month. On top of these is an international convention, the first for the city, to be attended by delegates from around the globe.

City Tourism Office (CTO) chief Ben Jimena said the Save the Children, a global organization promoting children’s welfare, will hold its international conference in a hotel resort in Jaro district March 5.

Jimena added the Association of Cooperatives will also hold its national conference here next month.

The Association of Sheriffs, the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET), the anesthesiologists’ group Pain Society of the Philippines, the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) and the Association of Philippine Surgeons will also gather in separate meetings in April.

The Philippine Association of Civil Registrars with more than 1,000 members plans to hold its meeting here in June.

This early, Jimena said, the association of obstetrician-gynecologists in the country has also set their national conference in the city in April 2008.

Jimena added the organizers of the conventions requested a performance of the winning Dinagyang to add color to their activities.

“The Dinagyang performance is in demand as the visitors want a tribal presentation during their opening program or closing ceremony,” said Jimena, who is also the executive director of Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI).

Treñas said he urged City Hall department heads to encourage their respective organizations to hold their conventions here.

He said every City Hall department that could bring in at least 1,000 delegates will be given P200,000 worth of office equipment as incentive.

Treñas also lauded the Iloilo Convention and Visitors Bureau (ICVB), Iloilo City Tourism and Cultural Council (ICTCC) and Iloilo Hotels, Restaurants and Resorts Association (IHRRA) for attracting tourists to the city.

ICVB chair Emil Diez said they will bid for the hosting of the Ad Congress, which can draw more than 3,000 delegates, next year.
“We will organize a familiarization tour with the participants first and solicit their suggestions on what they need for the convention so that we can prepare,” Diez explained.

Diez said a major setback is the lack of hotel rooms for huge conventions but they are slowly augmenting their accommodation facilities.

The ICVB registered more than 20 percent increase in the number of conventions held in the city last year.

From : http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/localnews0.php?id=1981

whyte

February 27th, 2007, 03:40 AM

Iloilo City fast rising as WV’s convention center

Jeehan V. Fernandez
2007-02-27

..............
ICVB chair Emil Diez said they will bid for the hosting of the Ad Congress, which can draw more than 3,000 delegates, next year.
“We will organize a familiarization tour with the participants first and solicit their suggestions on what they need for the convention so that we can prepare,” Diez explained.
..............

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

I really hope Iloilo City can host the AD Congress
By that time the new airport is already in full swing
plus new hotels already open

this will be BIG promo (if not the biggest) Iloilo would/could have in years.
media and advertisers all in iloilo city for 2-3 days

:banana: :banana:

spacewagon1

February 27th, 2007, 04:14 AM

spacewagon1

February 27th, 2007, 04:18 AM

Housing project bridges rich, poor
Jeehan V. Fernandez

TONY Meloto, founder of popular nation-building initiative Gawad Kalinga (GK), said the housing project has been bridging the rich and the poor.

Meloto made the statement during the turn-over of at least 19 newly-built houses in Eugenio Lopez Sr.-GK Village at Brgy. Buntatala in Jaro District last week.

The prominent Lopez family which traces its roots in Jaro, Iloilo City has committed to build a total of 50 housing units inside the 1.6-hectare site donated by the Archdiocese of Jaro for homeless church-workers.

Oscar M. Lopez, chair of Lopez Group of Companies, said their donation was part of their social development projects coordinated by the Lopez Group Foundation Inc. (LGFI) for their hometown.

Lopez added the GK project also marked the 105th birth anniversary of their father Eugenio Lopez Sr.

Meanwhile, Manuel M. Lopez, chair of Meralco Millennium Foundation Inc., led the turn-over of P.5-million school building project also at the said site.

Meloto said the GK village highlighted the “Lopez family’s legacy to return to their roots.”

“Their (Lopezes) efforts will encourage other rich families to follow their example. Being the most prominent family in Iloilo, they are championing this province,” he added.

“If every rich family in this country will make the poor also their heirs, then there will be no poor. If you understand what I’m saying, we can see a prosperous country because of sharing – the wealth is there all along,” said Meloto.

Meloto explained the GK is not just giving house and lot packages to the homeless and landless but restoring their lowly plight so they can have an opportunity to live fruitfully.

“We are not giving land but dignity and security…They are squatters who build shanties in slum communities…There is security because they will be not evicted anymore,” Meloto stressed.

source: The Guardian ILOILO (http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/localnews0.php?id=1983)

lewdsaint

February 27th, 2007, 05:32 AM

2007 National Prisaa Games slated on April 18-22 in Iloilo City.

Daw wala pa batian ang preparasyon sang Ciudad kag Probinsya haw?

IMPRESARIO

February 27th, 2007, 06:36 AM

^^one word: elections!

lewdsaint

February 27th, 2007, 07:25 AM

They still have more than a month to prepare the said National Prisaa Meet tani hindi lang nila pagtagaan sang dyutay nga pagtamod. This is also another opportunity to promote our city and province.

I dunno kung pila ka delegates ang maattend sa Prisaa.

habagatcentral1

February 27th, 2007, 07:49 AM

habagatcentral1

February 27th, 2007, 08:13 AM

Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva, Miag-ao, Iloilo, Philippines

http://anonymizer4.merletn.org/tcp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Iloilo%20and%20Negros/P1100550.jpg

http://anonymizer4.merletn.org/tcp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Iloilo%20and%20Negros/P1100548.jpg

IMPRESARIO

February 27th, 2007, 09:04 AM

My wish for 2007 for Iloilo:

Hopefully despite the differences in the Party (Administration & Opposition), politicians should work side by side for progress.

We see the trend already: the City of Iloilo is Administration and the Province of Iloilo is dominantly Opposition now.

I just hope that because of this sort of ying-yang that we have now in our hometown, we're hoping that the politicians would think and do for the people since they were voted by the people.

As what the writings on Cebu's Capitol said: "The Authority of the Government emanates from the People".

^^i totally agree with this view. unfortunately "some" of our politicians only think of propagating their own interests in the expense of the people they serve. nepotism and corruption still is rampant in gov't service. I hope that they (politicians and public servants) be genuine in their zeal to serve the people.

Yeah, Iloilo City is still heavily pro-admin, i think ilonggos are generally pro-admin (pro-arroyo) as evidenced from the previous 2 elections. i also remember our very own Inday Miriam Defensor-Santiago didn't even enter in the top 12 senators tally in Iloilo when she run under Eraps party in 2001. But when she ran as senator again under Arroyo's party in 2004 she won heavily.

In this years election, we might see a change, i don't think that the admin. party will win "big" in Iloilo. IMO.

IMPRESARIO

February 27th, 2007, 09:51 AM

http://www.exploreiloilo.com

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3272/explorexo4.jpg

:okay: Iloilo's Best on the Net!

lewdsaint

February 28th, 2007, 02:02 AM

This is it. The government is slowly and surely addressing the problems on illegal squatting. Hope someday that the city will have no squatters.

Iloilo City allots P15-M to address illegal squatting
Tuesday, February 27 2007 @ 08:38 PM GMT

The Iloilo City government has in its coffers P15 million that will be used to acquire lots intended for urban poor families, according to housing czar Roy Firmeza.

Firmeza who heads the Iloilo City Urban Poor Affairs Office (ICUPAO) said this year, the city government has allotted P10 million for the land acquisition project. This will be added to the P5 million savings in 2006.

ICUPAO has ventured into a land-banking project since 2002, an option where the city government will purchase lots in advance for squatter families that might face eviction.

Firmeza explained that the fund would give them leeway to purchase lots for families who might lose their homes until 2008.

The housing czar mentioned that the city has a little less than 10,000 informal dwellers. This estimate is based on the structural census they did in 2007.

During the census, they identified the coastal area from Molo Boulevard down to the city boundary in Oton town as the most thickly-populated.

The census also pegged the number of squatters along the coastal area at 6,000, representing almost 60 percent of the city's informal settlers.

Firmeza said other squatter families could be found within the property owned by the Panay Railways and the Diversion Road.

Meanwhile, there was a decrease in the number of squatter families in private properties and in danger areas as most of them have already been addressed.

At the moment, the city is looking for lots that can be converted into possible relocations sites. Firmeza then urged private owners who would like to sell their properties to the city or who might just want to donate lots to visit them in their office. (PNA)

A big and ambitious plan indeed for the city of Iloilo. But Trenas is a visionary, and he can start pulling resources from government departments and international agencies. In the same way, he's taking great efforts of involving private and non-government organisations to improve services around the metropolis. This project will only be realised NOT because of Trenas alone but because Ilonggos are helping each other to address poverty concerns. It's a multisectoral effort with collaboration of funds, services, and will to make it work. Again, this will take time, but at least we've started already. The challenge is how to keep the ball rolling to make these plans work. Kudos to Trenas for spearheading the project !

whyte

February 28th, 2007, 06:14 AM

I say keep the conventions coming! More conventions, conferences, workshops, meetings, etc for Iloilo City. I hope to see continuous expansion of our hotel industry back home. We also need bigger hotel players to put up their business in Iloilo.

yup.in the past year alone, the city hosted many national conventions.
i really hope we "get" the ad congress next year as per the article posted above.but it makes me wonder where can they hold the congress?
personally, IMO the ad congress organizers woouldn't consider the centennial convention center :lol:

lewdsaint

February 28th, 2007, 10:29 AM

The place of Dueñas in Philippine history
By Joy S. Lagos and Nazaria “Charie” Lagos

(Descendants of National Heroine Nazaria L. Lagos)

Did you know that the first Capital of the Philippines is Simsiman, “the Old Panay”?

Did you also know that the “heart” of the Philippines is Panay and the “heart” of Panay is the old town Laglag (Dueñas)? When the town Dueñas was still known as, “Laglag”, the towns of Janiuay, Lambunao, Calinog, Passi, San Enrique, Dingle and Pototan were once part of (Laglag) Dueñas.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/panaymap.jpg

My favorite writer once said, “It is only through the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential and what is invisible to the eyes”.

Ramon L. Lagos, Sr., my grandfather and a local historian, devoted his heart and soul in writing numerous books which are of great value to present and future generation. He said, “the noble and heroic past should be appreciated by us, for the same holds the key to a better and brighter nation”. When my grandfather wrote the “History of Dueñas”, Simsiman occupied only a few lines in it. But Simsiman played an important part in the History of Panay and of the Philippines. We believe that its heroic past should be recorded as a precious legacy for the future generations.

The world is very different now. Sometimes the new generation dares to forget our past – our History. But I dare you all, not to forget, that we are the heirs of our forefathers. The torch has been passed to a new generation of Filipinos. In our hands will rest the final success or failure of our course.

Based on my grandfather's interview of some Negritoes in 1916, Tan Martin was the Chief of the Aetas in Panay from 1888 up to 1948. When he died, Goyang, an officer under Tan Martin and an accomplished Balitao Dancer, and Ati Elder Tiago, who assisted Tan Martin in his governmental affairs, were the direct descendants of the blue blood Negritoes that lived in Simsiman.

Historian Ramon L. Lagos Sr. got most of the rich sources of information about Simsiman through the old folks of Laglag (now Dueñas) like Bartolome Lagos, Juan dela Cruz Lagos and Segundo Lagos (husband of the National Heroine Nazaria Lagos) and other early ancestors.

Bartolome Lagos, founder of Dueñas, got his story from his immediate grandfather Apoy Benito Lagos, the Patriarch of Simsiman in 1595, and the first Gobernadorcillo of Laglag in 1600. Bartolome handed down his story about Simsiman to his son Segundo Lagos (husband of National Heroine Nazaria Lagos). Later in 1898, Segundo Lagos himself became President of Dueñas.

It is very discouraging to know that some foreign writers of our history were not able to make thorough research about our past. They stayed in the country in so short a time, mostly in the capital, and whatever data they obtained was either mythical or hearsay. Hopefully, with this write-up would be of great help to historians, researchers and students.

The Far East historians reveal that 25,000 years ago, the small black people of Asia immigrated to these islands. According to them our islands were once connected with the mainland of Asia. Later, after their arrival, the island bridges which connected us to Asia submerged. Thus, the small black people whom we called Aetas became the first inhabitants of our country. The Ati were called by the Spaniards “Negritoes” which means “little blacks”.

The Aetas while yet in Asia were educated with the art of the Chinese Government. They learned much of the Chinese culture. There were intermarriages between the Aetas and the Chinese. So, when these small black people immigrated to the Philippines, some were already Ati-Chinese mestizos. They brought with them Chinese civilization and no wonder when they settled in the Philippines they were able to organize a government similar to that of the Chinese. Their Chief of State was called Datu.

Before the year 1212, according to Ati Tan Martin and collaborated by Ati Elder Goyang, the whole Aetas of the Philippines were under Datu Pulpulan and at this time the Philippines was called by the aetas, “Mga pulo sang Ati”, or “Island of Aetas”. During those days the islands had no name except that the Aetas called the island “Island of Simsiman”. So goes the Old Panay or “Mal-am nga Panay” as termed by Elder Tiago. (To be continued)

* Based on the book “History of Simsiman” (the Old Panay) Copyright 1968 written by Ramon L. Lagos, Sr. who was the 6th son of National Heroine Nazaria P. Lagos. He was a former politician, pharmacist (a graduate of U.P Manila. Top 9 in the Pharmacy Board in the whole Philippines), businessman, philanthropist, former chairman of the Municipal Historical committee in Dueñas, and author of almost 20 books.

From : The News Today Iloilo (http://www.thenewstoday.info/2007/02/28/the.place.of.duenas.in.philippine.history.html)

lewdsaint

February 28th, 2007, 10:45 AM

Polibiz
Nelson C. Robles

Estancia as prime mover in economic development in N. Iloilo.

(Excerpts of the message of Mayor Rene S. Cordero during the First Investment Forum held at NIPSC Mini-Theater , Estancia, Iloilo on February 15, 2007)

Greetings… Ladies and Gentlemen and fellow workers in government…

My friends and beloved Estanciahanons, we have formulated a sustainable economic road map for development in short, medium and long term stages and phases. This road map for development is embodied in our Comprehensive Land Use Plan wherein we have plotted out our ten – point agenda for action, namely:

to upgrade agricultural and fishery production, processing and marketing without compromising the integrity of the environment;
to enhance and improve the delivery of basic services;
to improve peace and order and promote social justice;
to develop livelihood, economic enterprises and other income generating projects;
to promote environment, tourism, trade and industry;
to promote culture, arts and sciences;
to encourage the growth of cooperatives, NGOs and Pos;
to establish linkages and networks for investments, both local and foreign;
to harness “Estancia Brainpower for Development” or “Balik Estancia Program’;
to promote programs for the youth and sports, the elderly and the physically handicapped.

My friends, ladies and gentlemen, this is the rationale of this First Investment Forum we are hosting today. As servant steward of this municipality, we live politics behind. Work for the greater good of our people is our focus. Therefore, as servant leaders of this community, we endeavor to build partnerships that encourage and facilitate convergence among the critical actors or stakeholders in the public sector and the citizens’ or the private sectors’ participation in the planning and decision making processes. We believe, that engaging the participation of the various stakeholders will promote shared ownership of plans and shared responsibility for results. This strategic methodology we employ, surely provides avenues for consensus among diverse stakeholders in pursuing a set of unified actions designed to bring about the desired changes in the community as envisioned in our road map for development…. This is what we call “shared vision… shared responsibility”.

The second reason why we are holding this Investment Forum is the fact that Estancia is now the emerging “hub of economic activities” in this part of the country. It has grown to be a major player in production and production center of commercial fishing industry in this part of the country. Our Feeder Port is teeming with marine products and trading activities has brought income to our people, especially to our marginal fisher folks. Businessmen both local and foreign are coming in to invest. But they do not know where to put their money or capital. As steward of this municipality, it is my sworn duty to inform these investors of the LGU’s short, medium and long term priorities. Our Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator, Mr. Eugene V. Tentativa, has posted this forum in our website: http//www.lgu-estancia.org/main. A lot of inquiries have poured in, like, “which hotel shall we stay?”; “what can you offer to us as economic incentives, if we invest?”, and other questions about the opportunities and potentials of our municipality.

Friends, ladies and gentlemen, records from the Bureau of Local Government Finance show that Estancia has an annual average actual income of P 39.56 million. And it is for this reason that we requested the upgrading of class of our municipality from Fourth Class to First Class Municipality – one heart beat to city hood. Congressman Rolex T. Suplico and or his brother Boy Suplico will help us on this concern. He has plans to make the Municipalities of Batad, Balasan, Carles and Estancia a “metro municipalities” in Northern Iloilo , utilizing the Integrated Area Development approach to hasten development in this part of the country.

Tomorrow is a new day, day full of fresh hope, for all Estanciahanons and the neighboring municipalities. As the saying Goes: “Every sunrise brings new chances to grow, new lessons to learn, new places to explore and the promise of a new day that brings us closer to the reality of our dreams”. So, it is time to “re-invent Estancia as prime mover in economic development in the northern Iloilo.

Link : http://www.thenewstoday.info/2007/02/28/estancia.as.prime.mover.html

habagatcentral1

February 28th, 2007, 12:28 PM

The place of Dueñas in Philippine history
By Joy S. Lagos and Nazaria “Charie” Lagos

(Descendants of National Heroine Nazaria L. Lagos)

Did you know that the first Capital of the Philippines is Simsiman, “the Old Panay”?

^^ I recommend people to read Ramon Lagos' work: History of Dueñas. It is very thick and comprises the history from its mythical or pre-Hispanic origins all the way to the mysterious persona of Tinyente Gimo.

There's one in Center for West Visayan Studies in UP Visayas. :)

demented_pigeon

February 28th, 2007, 12:32 PM

^^ I recommend people to read Ramon Lagos' work: History of Dueñas. It is very thick and comprises the history from its mythical or pre-Hispanic origins all the way to the mysterious persona of Tinyente Gimo.

There's one in Center for West Visayan Studies in UP Visayas. :)

^^ magkano?

habagatcentral1

February 28th, 2007, 12:34 PM

^^ magkano?

Di binebenta. Nasa shelf. Wala akong makitang binebentang libro na yan sa kahit anong bookstore sa Iloilo.

If you want to reaserch about it, try going to UP Main Library. I think I saw it on their OPAC (Online Catalog).

Pacific_leopard

February 28th, 2007, 12:46 PM

I think I saw a similar book in CPU's library- Filipiniana secion. Its quite old... hardbound pa.

habagatcentral1

February 28th, 2007, 12:51 PM

demented_pigeon

February 28th, 2007, 01:25 PM

Di binebenta. Nasa shelf. Wala akong makitang binebentang libro na yan sa kahit anong bookstore sa Iloilo.

If you want to reaserch about it, try going to UP Main Library. I think I saw it on their OPAC (Online Catalog).

yun minsang malabo sa UP... ayaw magpapasok ng undergrads... kaya iniba ko tuloy yung research topic ko sa history. from cebuano history to the history of the lava brothers.

demented_pigeon

February 28th, 2007, 01:26 PM

^^ Yeah. And I think I saw one too in West Visayas State U Libe. But if you want to feel the authentic touch and speak to the son of the author, go to Dueñas and speak with Pastor Lagos.

For many who believe that Tinyente Gimo's myth of cannibalism, most of the Dueñasnons would dismiss such as political propaganda during those times.

As what one of the segment producers that told me: "Hindi mga patay ang aswang, tayo-tayong mga buhay ang mga aswang!

saka diba, yung aswang ay panawag din ng mga kastila sa mga indio na hindi pumayag na mapasakop sa plaza complex at colonization nila. Kaya yung mga katutubong pilipino na hindi nagpasakop sa kanila tinawag na tulisan, malechores, remontado, at siyempre... aswang.

habagatcentral1

February 28th, 2007, 01:39 PM

yun minsang malabo sa UP... ayaw magpapasok ng undergrads... kaya iniba ko tuloy yung research topic ko sa history. from cebuano history to the history of the lava brothers.

saka diba, yung aswang ay panawag din ng mga kastila sa mga indio na hindi pumayag na mapasakop sa plaza complex at colonization nila. Kaya yung mga katutubong pilipino na hindi nagpasakop sa kanila tinawag na tulisan, malechores, remontado, at siyempre... aswang.

Because of the strong movement of babaylanismo or shamanism in Panay Island. Right up to this day, vesitges of the pre-Hispanic Panay can still be seen through the indigenous peoples of Sulod-Bukidnon and the Atis.

Just a heads up:

The Spanish friars accuse those who resist baptismal and the ones who believe that the foreigners have no right to occupy their lands. Therefore, giving bad names to these powerful shamans (not only religious aspect but also of the pre-Hispanic society as well) using psychological warfare. They (babaylanes) are aswang, diablos, or yawa because its simply that they do not believe in Christianity and they refuse to bow down to the Spanish Crown and Cross.

Some towns were believed to be "cursed" by the friars by spreading stories of aswangs in such towns. Historians and students speculate that this is a "propaganda" to supress the natives and also give a bad name to the town itself.

Also, the Panaynon mythology is very intricate, somewhat a bit mysterious and has a heirarchy of tamawos & aswangs and mythical places and beliefs. This has been planted so deeply to most Panaynons that they still believe in as such heirarchy merged with present religion.

demented_pigeon

February 28th, 2007, 03:28 PM

Because of the strong movement of babaylanismo or shamanism in Panay Island. Right up to this day, vesitges of the pre-Hispanic Panay can still be seen through the indigenous peoples of Sulod-Bukidnon and the Atis.

Just a heads up:

The Spanish friars accuse those who resist baptismal and the ones who believe that the foreigners have no right to occupy their lands. Therefore, giving bad names to these powerful shamans (not only religious aspect but also of the pre-Hispanic society as well) using psychological warfare. They (babaylanes) are aswang, diablos, or yawa because its simply that they do not believe in Christianity and they refuse to bow down to the Spanish Crown and Cross.

Some towns were believed to be "cursed" by the friars by spreading stories of aswangs in such towns. Historians and students speculate that this is a "propaganda" to supress the natives and also give a bad name to the town itself.

Also, the Panaynon mythology is very intricate, somewhat a bit mysterious and has a heirarchy of tamawos & aswangs and mythical places and beliefs. This has been planted so deeply to most Panaynons that they still believe in as such heirarchy merged with present religion.

heheh, that's a historian for you... hehehe... ituloy mo na kasi ang masterals mo tapos tuloy na sa doctorate.

death327

February 28th, 2007, 04:19 PM

Study underway to bridge
7 islands in the Visayas

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental leaders in Western Visayas are embarking on a grand plan to link seven Visayas islands through bridges.

Negros Occ. Gov. Joseph Marañon said the Regional Development Council (RDC) recently approved a resolution to conduct a study to link seven Visayan islands dubbed "Trans-Visayas Friendship Bridges."

The study centers on finding out if it is feasible to construct bridges connecting Bohol to Cebu, Bohol to Southern Leyte, Cebu to Negros Oriental, Negros Occ. to Iloilo and Iloilo to Guimaras.

According to Marañon, League of Provinces President Gov. Erico Aumentado told him that the study is now being prepared by a Japanese firm- Philippine Consultancy Inc.
Marañon said he hopes the plan would push through because this will increase commerce and industry in the Visayas Region.

from: http://www.panaynews.com.ph/news12.htm
----

Isnt it exciting?

chymera00

February 28th, 2007, 04:22 PM

IMPRESARIO

February 28th, 2007, 04:40 PM

^^Amen,to that.

Budget woes hound
nat'l Prisaa hosting

The Western Visayas Private Schools and Athletics Association lacks funds for its hosting of this year's National PRISAA Games in Iloilo City from April 15-21 Roger Banzuela, chairman of the Western Visayas PRISAA technical committee, said yesterday.

Banzuela said the fund constraints stemmed from the expenses that the delegation spent in its campaign during last year's edition of the national meet in Pangasinan.

Banzuela added that because of the association's budget problems, the Negros delegation's transportation expenses will be shouldered by the Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural and Educational Association delegation instead of the PRISAA.

In a telephone interview however, Nenitte Bajador, general sports manager of the Iloilo PRISAA, said that the lack of funds will not affect their hosting of the school-based national meet.

She added that aside from the financial support of the Iloilo City local and provincial governments, they have also set a walk-for-a-cause program to augment their budget, particularly for the event's venue development.

The Iloilo PRISAA Walk for a Cause slated on March 4 will be a three-kilometer "fun walk" from the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand to the La Paz plaza and will be participated in by PRISAA member schools in the city.*PP

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/February/28/sportnews4.htm

hmmp

February 28th, 2007, 08:19 PM

kung mag-open na ang Iloilo Int'l Airport, dako gid ang posibilidad nga ang Sta. Barbara & Cabatuan magiging CITY na in the near future. Syempre, dira gid na dra damo mapatindog business ky lapit sa aiport.

Sta. Barabara City and Cabatuan City

excited na ako nga madugangan city ang Iloilo.

Iloilo City
Passi City
Sta. Barbara City
Cabatuan City

:cheers1:

kirby21

February 28th, 2007, 09:05 PM

welcome hmmp to Iloilo Thread.

Don't forget that Pototan is gearing to be the third city of Iloilo. Na-impede lang subong due to raise income, etc. Also, Pavia is very much a potential since the RAIC located in this town. However, I believe that Sta. Barbara will take the limelight from both towns mentioned above if they lack promotion and investment. Sta. Barbara location is very advantageous and can easily pick up investors once the new airport will be opeartional.

kirby21

February 28th, 2007, 09:12 PM

kirby21

February 28th, 2007, 09:16 PM

The place of Dueñas in Philippine history
By Joy S. Lagos and Nazaria “Charie” Lagos

(Descendants of National Heroine Nazaria L. Lagos)

Did you know that the first Capital of the Philippines is Simsiman, “the Old Panay”?

From : The News Today Iloilo (http://www.thenewstoday.info/2007/02/28/the.place.of.duenas.in.philippine.history.html)
Are we going to start writing history 'again'? Is this article really true that Panay is the first capital of the Philippines? I know that Aklan is the first province historically. And I never knew that Duenas played an important role as well in history. This is really good. We can definitely capitalise on historical value of our province and the whole Panay Island.

kirby21

February 28th, 2007, 09:23 PM

Loren sees the whole of Iloilo progressing

ILOILO City – Genuine Opposition (GO) senatorial candidate Loren Legarda said the economic development of the Queen City of the South can be made to trickle down to the rest of the province of Iloilo, given proper government support.

Loren pointed out that while Iloilo City has served as the commercial hub of Western Visayas since the Spanish times, the disparity in the income and living conditions of the people in Iloilo City and those in Iloilo province remains very big.

"The average annual family income in Iloilo City was pegged at around P170,000, twice over the average outside of the city which was estimated at just P84,000," said Loren.

The first female to serve as majority floor leader in the Senate after topping the 1998 elections with over 15 million votes, Loren pointed out that Iloilo is historically one of the major agricultural centers of the Philippines.

"Iloilo had been exporting sugar, copra, bananas, mangos and other natural resources during the Spanish and American colonial periods. However, globalization severely limits now our agricultural exports," she said.

"Thus, emphasis should be given by the next Congress to the development of industries that export finished products that command higher prices," Loren said.

She added that the rest of Iloilo should not be left behind by Iloilo City, since the whole province should take advantage of its developed sea and air ports.

Shifting to environmental concerns, Loren, founding chair of Luntiang Pilipinas, urged Ilonggos to directly address the big problem of soil erosion in the province.

Loren noted that severe erosion was observed in nearly one-fifth of the province, especially in deforested areas.

"While the forest reserves in the province were estimated at still around 40,000 hectares, these were primarily secondary forest growths," she said.

“Sure, massive tree-planting activities should be undertaken in Iloilo. However, there is also the need to protect age-old trees that hold soil together," Loren explained.

Loren's Luntian has planted over a million trees nationwide. The author of the Clean Air Act, she has the distinction of being elected into the Global 500 Honor Roll of the United Nations Development Program.

taken from: Panay News
link: http://www.panaynews.com.ph/news3.htm

kirby21

February 28th, 2007, 09:29 PM

more on Trenas drive for a "Squatterless ILOILO CITY"

Iloilo City allots P15M to
address illegal squatting

ILOILO City – The city government has in its coffers P15 million that will be used to acquire lots intended for urban poor families, according to housing czar Roy Firmeza.

Firmeza, who heads the Iloilo City Urban Poor Affairs Office (ICUPAO), said that this year, the city government has allotted P10 million for the land acquisition project. This will be added to the P5 million savings in 2006.

ICUPAO has ventured into a land-banking project since 2002, an option where the city government will purchase lots in advance for squatter families that might face eviction.

Firmeza explained that the fund would give them leeway to purchase lots for families who might lose their homes until 2008.

The housing czar mentioned that the city has a little less than 10,000 informal dwellers. This estimate is based on the structural census they did in 2007.

During the census, they identified the coastal area from Molo Boulevard down to the city boundary in Oton town as the most thickly-populated.

The census also pegged the number of squatters along the coastal area at 6,000, representing almost 60 percent of the city's informal settlers.

Firmeza said other squatter families could be found within the property owned by the Panay Railways and the Diversion Road.

Meanwhile, there was a decrease in the number of squatter families in private properties and in danger areas as most of them have already been addressed.

At the moment, the city is looking for lots that can be converted into possible relocations sites. Firmeza then urged private owners who would like to sell their properties to the city or who might just want to donate lots to visit them in their office.

More homeless Ilonggos to find
refuge in Gawad Kalinga project

ILOILO City – The Gawad Kalinga (GK) project here in Iloilo City will not only serve Ilonggos who have been classified as informal dwellers but also other sectors such as the overseas Filipino workers and even homeless members of the media.

Iloilo City Urban Poor Affairs Office (ICUPAO) chairman Roy Firmeza said the remaining 16 houses of the 34 units that will be erected at the Gawad Kalinga Village in Brgy. Sooc, Arevalo are about to be completed and will soon be turned over to the recipient families.

Late last year, 18 families of street children received their housing units from the GK.

Dubbed as the Uswag PLDT/SMART GK Village, the 1.2-hectare lot purchased by the city is slated for 100 housing units, all to be built by the said giant telecommunication firm.

Firmeza said the takers of the remaining 66 houses are now being deliberated on by the Couples for Christ (CFC), Task Force on Street Children (TFSC), and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

Meanwhile, the ICUPAO is documenting OFW families in the city whose cannot afford to build a house neither purchase a parcel of land. Firmeza said initially, they are looking into the possibility of accommodating 100 OFW families.

In addition, Firmeza stressed that they would also help some members of the local media avail of a house and lot. The media village will be situated adjacent to the area that will be provided to the OFW families.

Recently, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas and Cong. Raul Gonzalez Jr. signed a memorandum of agreement for the latter's donation of another 100 houses.

At the moment, the city has in its trust fund the financial support of Senator Francis Pangilinan good for 32 housing units and P120,000 from the Ateneo's Order of Utopia enough for one duplex.

Still, the city is set to receive funds from the Iloilo City Council and Councilor Eduardo Peñaredondo who pledged for one unit each. Likewise, House Speaker Jose de Venecia assured a counterpart to any donation that will be made by any congressman to the Gawad Kalinga.

However, Treñas hinted that the city is now looking for lot donors who would want to partner with the Gawad Kalinga.

Treñas said GK executive director Antonio Meloto assured him that they are more than willing to look for funds should there be interested parties that will donate lots for the project.

Firmeza expressed hope that more Ilonggos will appreciate the noble intention of GK and gladly donate portion of their lots to the project.

Iloilo City is the first local government unit to enter into a partnership with the Gawad Kalinga for the purpose of building homes for indigent families.

articles taken from: Panay News

kirby21

February 28th, 2007, 09:34 PM

kirby21

February 28th, 2007, 09:36 PM

http://www.exploreiloilo.com

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3272/explorexo4.jpg

:okay: Iloilo's Best on the Net!

:applause: :applause: :applause:
Viva ExploreIloilo.Com !
:banana: :banana: :banana:

habagatcentral1

March 1st, 2007, 01:56 AM

Don't want to spoil but here's the latest about the Capitol Seige:

Click here (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view_article.php?article_id=52130)

Yey! Eleksyon na guid sa Pilipinas ai! :D And so the story goes...

whyte

March 1st, 2007, 03:35 AM

Sinjin P.

March 1st, 2007, 04:09 AM

Iloilo Customs named as best in collection

The Bureau of Customs (BoC) recently awarded the Port of Iloilo (District No. 6) under the stewardship of Dennis Azaragga, collector from January 1, 2006 to July 17, 2006, and lawyer Ma Lourdes Mangaoang, district collector from July 18 to present, as the Best Collection District among Category C ports.

Under this category are the ports of Legaspi, Tacloban, Surigao, Zamboanga, Iloilo and Clark International Airport Customhouse.

During the celebration of the bureau’s 105th anniversary celebration at the Social Hall of the Port of Manila attended by Finance Secretary Margarito Teves and Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Commissioner Napoleon L. Morales lauded the District Port of Iloilo for being the topnotcher in terms of percentage deviation and its consistent monthly collection performance.

Morales also extolled the performance of the entire BoC family and challenged them to again surpass the P228-billion target assigned by the Department of Finance for 2007. The amount is 15.08 percent (P22.9 billion) higher than the 2006 target.

From being the perennial laggard in terms of collection, Port of Iloilo exceeded its collection target for CY 2006 by a whopping 205.76 percent. Based on actual customs data on collection performance from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2006, Port of Iloilo’s year end take reached P306 million, P159 million (108.19 percent) or more than twice the 2006 target (the best nationwide).

Other port awardees were the Port of Batangas, with a P40.866 billion collection, P10 billion over its assigned target of P30.847; Port of Tacloban, exceeding its P351-million target by P104 million; Port of Zamboanga with P56 million in collections, exceeding its P52-million target by P4 million; Port of Clark, with a P585-million collection and P1.4 million in excess the Port of Legazpi, exceeding its P17.2-million target by P100,000.

"We have made the impossible happen," said Morales, referring to the skepticism faced by his office last year. "People kept telling me that it was impossible to meet the assigned target set by the finance department as it was then the highest in the bureau’s history."

Bureau of Treasury records shows the bureau collected P198.175 billion for 2006, or 1.1 percent more than the assigned target of P195.976 billion.

BYAHILO

March 1st, 2007, 07:12 AM

wow,, can we safely say that the Iloilo customs is the Least evil among the Customs "demons"? ahehe

cheers iloilo!

BYAHILO

March 1st, 2007, 10:59 AM

i jaz want to share the interview sheet i had with UK Travel site "The Cooler" http://www.thecooler.info/travel i think theyre going to feature me next week. if im not mistaken, ill be the first pinoy to grace their website :D

Briefly, please could you tell us a bit about yourself?
(A good place to promote your blog. If you'd like a photo of yourself included in the interview, please just attach it to the email)

I’m Enrico Dee 28 years old, working as a Technical Support Engineer in Makati City, Philippines. I took up Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in University of Saint La Salle in Bacolod City. One of my greatest passions in life is traveling. During free time, I usually travel from one city to another, exploring its wonderful sights and appreciating the city’s local history and culture. I also love seeing the various festivals of the Philippines. These festivals showcase the unique and colorful life of the people in our country. I have traveled the northern Philippines up to Laoag City in the province of Ilocos Norte, 500 kilometers north of Manila, down to the province of Basilan in Mindanao, some 900 kilometers south of Manila. All of these journeys are documented in my travel blog called “BYAHILO: Your Journey Begins Here” at http://www.byahilo.com. Byahilo is a combination of two Filipino words “Byahe” meaning to travel, and “Hilo” meaning nausea. Literally, byahilo means a travel sickness.

How long have you lived in the Philippines?

I have lived in the Philippines for 28 years. I was born and raised in Bacolod City, some 600 kilometers south of Manila for 24 years, then in 2003, I moved residency to Makati City, Metro Manila.

What do you like most about living in the Philippines?

The Philippines has just so much to offer. There are 7,107 islands in our country. 7,107 ways to enjoy the sun, sea and sand. More than a thousand ways to marvel at the great architectural masterpieces. More than a hundred ways to learn our historic past. There’s always something new everyday. You will never run out of adventure here in the Philippines.

Is there anything you do not like about living in t he Philippines?

The politics, like in any other country, is dragging the progress of our country to a standstill. The horrendous traffic jam in Metro Manila during peak hours. The traffic jam in Manila is second only to Bangkok’s.

Why should travellers visit the Philippines?

The Philippines is made of 7,107 islands. White sand beaches are all over the archipelago. Fantastic view of the sunrise and the sunset. We have the most perfect cone volcano. The Philippines is home to hundreds of animals endemic only to the islands. We have colonial houses, churches and even cemeteries of outstanding architecture that are centuries old and are well-preserved. Many of our sites have already been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Filipinos are noted as one of the most hospitable in the world. We are known for our friendly smiles and warm welcome. There is no month in the Philippines that has no fiesta. This is because we Filipinos love to celebrate and we live life to its fullest.

What do you wish travellers would do when they visit t he Philippines?

Ride a jeepney. The jeepney is the Philippine’s main mode of transportation. Costs cheaper than cab. Also try to ride a calesa. A calesa is a horse-drawn carriage. This type of transporation is very common during the time when the Philippines was still part of Spain. But there are still parts of the Philippines, especially in Manila where calesas are still being used. Enjoy the sun, sea, and sand in Boracay. It’s an island in the central Philippines known for its white, powdery sand beach. Explore the cool weather of the northern Philippines by going to the Banaue Rice Terraces and see how the Igorot tribe plants rice. Marvel at the beauty of the Honda Bay and the St. Paul Underground River in Palawan. Known as one of the longest underwater rivers in the world. Walk through the historic streets of Intramuros in Manila. Intramuros is also known as the “Walled city of Manila”.

If a visitor had time to do or see only one thing in the Philippines, what should it be?

Visit Palawan. In Plawan everything’s already there. This province is also known as the last frontier of the Philippines. Palawan is also known as the cradle of the Philippine Civilization. Enjoy the white sand beaches in Honda Bay. Explore the nature’s beauty in Tubbataha Reef, and the St. Paul’s Underground River, both declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marvel at the unique limestone formations, and dive the sunken ships in Coron.

If a visitor had time for only one meal in the Philippines, which dish would you recommend? (e.g. a regional dish)

– I think it’s going to be the “Balut”. Balut is a boiled fertilized duck egg, seasoned with salt and vinegar. Usually the liquid part of egg is sucked out first. The duck embryo next to be consumed, then the yolk, and finally, the egg white. Many people also consider balut as an aphrodisiac. Balut is available all over the Philippines, but the town of Pateros is known for mass-producing this commodity.

Do you have any other insider tips for visitors to the Philippines?

Just don’t listen to any negative travel advisories about the Philippines. The media is always exaggerating what’s really happening in our country. The Philippines is a very peaceful country. Resorts and public places are always secured. There’s no need for you to worry about your security.

shyaman

March 1st, 2007, 12:39 PM

^^ Wow! Congrats Eric! Pati ikaw world-class na din. :applause:

leii_tomo

March 1st, 2007, 12:55 PM

congrats eric...!!!

BYAHILO

March 1st, 2007, 01:18 PM

lol./ its already online at http://www.thecooler.info/travel

i nerver expected it to be this early. i though next week pa i release. hihihi

leii_tomo

March 1st, 2007, 01:51 PM

let me check...Ü

habagatcentral1

March 1st, 2007, 02:07 PM

Taking Off from Iloilo (this video is mute)

watbHOtjuOY

leii_tomo

March 1st, 2007, 02:10 PM

lol./ its already online at http://www.thecooler.info/travel

i nerver expected it to be this early. i though next week pa i release. hihihi

good job bro, 1st local interviewee from the philippines!!!:)

lewdsaint

March 1st, 2007, 02:11 PM

Govt to get at least P500M for old Iloilo airport
03/01/2007 | 04:13 PM

The government on Thursday announced it would bid out the 54-hectare airport in Mandurriao, Iloilo on April 24, and said it would be expecting P500 million to P2 billion for the old airport.

The Department of Finance on Thursday issued an invitation to prospective bidders to get the terms of reference and bid package for the airport, from the Bids and Awards Committee.

The committee is set to conduct a pre-bid conference in Iloilo City on March 13 and another one in Manila on March 15 to entertain queries from interested investors.

Prospective bidders would be given until March 27 to submit pre-qualified documents. Eligible bidders would then be notified on April 3.

The Iloilo airport will be bid out on April 24.

Part of the sale proceeds would be used to pay a P6.2 billion loan from Japan Bank for International Cooperation, which was used to finance the construction of the new Iloilo International Airport in the Sta. Barbara – Cabanatuan area.

The proceeds will also be used to fund the construction of a first class highway interconnecting the provinces of Iloilo , Capiz, Antique and Aklan.

The government hopes to raise around P27 billion from the privatization of big-ticket assets this year. -GMANews.TV

From : http://www.gmanews.tv/story/32587/Govt-to-get-at-least-P500M-for-old-Iloilo-airport

habagatcentral1

March 1st, 2007, 02:16 PM

^^ Ok. We have to wait for a while then. :)

leii_tomo

March 1st, 2007, 02:21 PM

cant wait for who will win the bid!!!Ü

lewdsaint

March 1st, 2007, 02:25 PM

The whole Panay Island will also benefit on the old airport sale.
Proceeds will be used to fund the construction of a first class highway interconnecting the provinces of Iloilo , Capiz, Antique and Aklan.
:banana: :banana: :banana:

habagatcentral1

March 1st, 2007, 02:47 PM

Official Hymn of the Municipality (town) of Leon, Iloilo
JElqS_v3MMs

habagatcentral1

March 1st, 2007, 02:52 PM

Experience the Extreme...
jCYEho4n_GM
Jeepney Ride!

Parental Guidance is advised. :D

For an hour and a half, me & eric001 has no way but to hang on to dear lives as the jeepney zooms all the way to Iloilo City from San Joaquin, about 59 kilometers from the city centre.

habagatcentral1

March 1st, 2007, 03:00 PM

Paraw Regatta
CletfvLrwl8

habagatcentral1

March 2nd, 2007, 02:48 AM

W. Visayas posted 2M metric tons of rice in 2006
WESTERN Visayas posted some two million tons in last year's total rice production output and has contributed 13 percent in the total rice production yield in the country.

Western Visayas Agriculture Regional Director Larry Nacionales said the 2006 production has surpassed the 1.8 million metric tons rice production output of year 2005.

Western Visayas is second only to Central Luzon in rice production output, Nacionales said in a media forum.

Nacionales said the region has 313,000 hectares of rice land. He noted that the region's good rice production output was contributed by our framers' use of high yielding varieties of rice as "we promote the use of certified seeds and the adoption of new farm technology so as to improve land preparation, and effective practices in pest control".

In a related development, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said the strong performance of the Philippine agriculture sector in the first eight months of 2006 pulled its growth rate to 3.88 percent last year, with the fisheries sub sector remaining the top gainer, despite the onslaught of five super typhoons during the September-December period.

The secretary noted that despite the damage wrought by five strong typhoons on our farms and fishing areas, the agriculture sector posted a notable 3.88 percent growth in 2006, due to the government's sustained efforts to assist our farmers and fisherfolk in boosting their production and incomes.

The government's firm focus on the agriculture sector is backed by expanding infrastructure, good governance and plow back the gains for social benefit. (T.Villavert)

Source: Sunstar Iloilo

IMPRESARIO

March 2nd, 2007, 07:01 AM

THREAT OR TRICK?
Capitol insists warnings were true; Cops, City Hall ASKING for proof
Francis Allan L. Angelo
2007-03-02

WERE there really threats against the botched rally of the Genuine Opposition (GO) the other day at the Iloilo provincial Capitol or just a stunt to save face and gain milage? An opposition insider who asked not to be identified for lack of clearance to comment on the issue said the low turnout of supporters was the main reason why the sortie was called off.

“The unconfirmed threats were just convenient reasons to save face. The real problem was poor organizing resulting in low turnout (of supporters) at the Capitol,” the source said. But the source said the stunt also gained the GO media exposure “and possibly public sympathy.” “It was a well calculated move on the part of the campaign organizers. They lost some, but they also won some,” the source added...

The rally, which was supposed to start 9pm Wednesday, was called off past 8pm after Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada announced that they received numerous text and calls warning that the activity will be sabotaged. Governor Niel Tupas Sr. debunked claims that the postponement was “all for the show.”

“I even received calls and text messages from friends who warned about the sabotage. We cannot sacrifice the safety of the GO candidates that’s why we called it off,” Tupas said.When asked if he saved the messages, Tupas said he erased some of them.Mejorada said they were expecting 2,000 supporters at the Capitol, contrary to claims of low turnout.....

....Treñas added: “If the PNP can secure the Dinagyang Festival which has thousands even a million visitors, why not the Capitol? I believe that the PNP can maintain peace and order during the rally.”

ICPO director Wesley Barayuga said they have yet to receive any of the text messages from the Capitol to prove that there were indeed threats against the opposition.

more:
http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/localnews0.php?id=2008

IMPRESARIO

March 2nd, 2007, 07:36 AM

Calle Real during Dinagyang
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/6453/dscn0404bo0.jpg

habagatcentral1

March 2nd, 2007, 02:24 PM

^^ Shocks!!! Those damn tarpaulins again!!! They are blocking the view of those old buildings!!!! I wish every Dinagyang they will have restrictions on these commercial eyesores.

chymera00

March 2nd, 2007, 06:34 PM

^^ Shocks!!! Those damn tarpaulins again!!! They are blocking the view of those old buildings!!!! I wish every Dinagyang they will have restrictions on these commercial eyesores.
I agree, my pictures too would've been fine if it weren't for the bright yellow jollibee umbrellas that ruin the shots and block the nice old buildings in plazoleta

IMPRESARIO

March 2nd, 2007, 06:38 PM

pics courtesy of markoakx of dinagyang.com
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t61/markoakx/Feb28b035.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t61/markoakx/Feb28b032.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t61/markoakx/Feb28b024.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t61/markoakx/Feb28b011.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t61/markoakx/Feb28b001.jpg

IMPRESARIO

March 2nd, 2007, 06:43 PM

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/9551/grandopeningtnaq2.jpg
Western Visayas' version of the iconic Mall of Asia, SM City Bacolod,officially opened its doors to the public yeasterday, March 1, 2007. Gracingthe ribbon cutting edge (from left): Iloilo City mayor Jerry P. Treñas, SM Investments Vice Chair Teresita Sy-Coson, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, SM owner Henry Sy Sr. and wife Felicidad Sy, Bishop Vicente Navarra, and rep. Monico Puentevella.The 60,000 square-meter mall sits on a 16-hectare property across Rizal Street, Bacolod City.

source:http://www.thenewstoday.info/

^^Si Mayor Jerry gle nag kadto guid sa BCD,:)

chymera00

March 2nd, 2007, 06:48 PM

IMPRESARIO

March 2nd, 2007, 06:55 PM

TREÑAS: IT’S UNFAIR!’
Opposition slammed for painting city as ‘unsafe’
BY DAVID ISRAEL SINAY and MONTESA GRIÑO

ILOILO City – A fuming Mayor Jerry Treñas criticized the Genuine Opposition (GO) for making it appear that this city is unsafe by claiming that security threats forced them to cancel their rally on Wednesday.

Also the president of the League of Cities of the Philippines, Treñas warned other cities that GO might do the same thing to them....
For his part, Supt. Cornelio Defensor, chief of the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), said there was no “intelligence failure” on the part of the police regarding the purported security threat.

The claim was a political strategy of the opposition for failing to gather supporters for the rally, said Defensor.Treñas said Iloilo City has been capitalizing on its stable peace and order situation in its campaign to attract more tourists and investors.“They’re destroying everything,” Treñas said of GO. “We will warn other cities that their reputation might be at stake (if GO holds rallies in their places),” he added.

GO was to hold its campaign rally at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol grounds here Wednesday evening. A little over 7 p.m., Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada announced the cancellation. He told reporters there were security threats.....

“Iloilo City is safe,” Treñas stressed. He cited the Dinagyang Festival, Feast of the Our Lady of Candles, the Chinese New Year and the Paraw Regatta. Not a single security threat was monitored despite the presence of big personalities during these activities.

“Because of politics, they (are) destroying… Iloilo City,” he lamented. “I am trying to promote Iloilo City (so as) to attract investments. But because of one unverified report…all went wrong. We have to start all over again. Nagalain gid ang buot ko (I feel very bad),” Treñas said.

link: http://www.panaynews.com.ph/main%20news.htm

^^ was threre really a threat? or this is just politics and election bruhahah as usual? hmmm,kalu-oy man sang image sang iloilo subong, from the storming of the capitol and now this...:ohno:

death327

March 2nd, 2007, 09:47 PM

That's natural! Election is here and sharks will always do everything just to get something they want to devour! Stupid politics!

habagatcentral1

March 3rd, 2007, 01:20 AM

^^ Whats new in the Philippine politics anyway! There are 2 possibilities in running in elections...you win or you were cheated. Hohum! Boring! Politics again.

That's why I tried to avoid myself with watching local news and even local TV. Pero have to face it because I'm living here.

I don't know when will that real magbuliganay ta scenario would happen. This bolis down to our pre-Hispanic society of barangaynismo.

Anyway, its not just Iloilo who is experiencing these scenarios right now. What's new? Eleksyon man na subong, ti, ano bala ang bag-o? Daw matak-an na lang ko sa paliwat-liwat nga nagatabo diri sa Pilipinas.

Read this:

http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/localnews0.php?id=2017

^^Its either Treñas is OA or it is real. I don't know but its politics that is speaking already here. Here comes election again. ahay!

BYAHILO

March 3rd, 2007, 06:38 AM

the air trafiic control tower looks cool!!! basi mapa bacolod ko sa summer mag panaad, kag kung madayun, ill fly mnl-iloilo just to set foot at the new santa barbara airport.

:D

leii_tomo

March 3rd, 2007, 07:41 AM

SugarFreak

March 3rd, 2007, 08:10 AM

demented_pigeon

March 3rd, 2007, 12:32 PM

ang ganda ng bagong airport ng iloilo.

chymera00

March 3rd, 2007, 12:42 PM

http://www.exploreiloilo.com

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3272/explorexo4.jpg

:okay: Iloilo's Best on the Net!

Thanks JC ...
I've already modified the banner ... have a look see :)
http://www.exploreiloilo.com

david_sonic15

March 3rd, 2007, 02:04 PM

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Iloilo%20and%20Negros/P1100550.jpg
Church of Saint Thomas of Villanova. Miag-ao, Iloilo, Philippines

amazing... maganda po mga kuha mo kuya... hay sana may meron din akong skills sa photography.. hehe.. i'm starting to love photography. cool

habagatcentral1

March 3rd, 2007, 02:08 PM

amazing... maganda po mga kuha mo kuya... hay sana may meron din akong skills sa photography.. hehe.. i'm starting to love photography. cool

^^ That's something that I'm deprived off. Tsamba lang yan. hehehehe!! :lol:
Amateur photographer lang ako pero may passion sa pagkuha ng mga scenes. :D

BYAHILO

March 4th, 2007, 07:06 AM

^^ That's something that I'm deprived off. Tsamba lang yan. hehehehe!! :lol:
Amateur photographer lang ako pero may passion sa pagkuha ng mga scenes. :D

thats also something im lacking. photography skils :lol: :lol: how i wish i have time to study.

nag study load na ko last year sa office, i was supposed to enroll in DLSU-CSB or UP Dil, unfortunately, wala gid ako time. :ohno: :ohno:

Pacific_leopard

March 4th, 2007, 07:55 AM

Elow guys... bago lang ko kapuli from Guimaras medyo kapoy man a...pro sulit gid.. :) visit niyo gali bgo ko na blogsite.:) http://www.iloiloonfoot.blogspot.com
:)

kianshi

March 4th, 2007, 08:29 AM

@Pacific,ti ka-take ka pics sang Guimaras?..Post it,PLEASE...!!

BYAHILO

March 4th, 2007, 08:46 AM

Elow guys... bago lang ko kapuli from Guimaras medyo kapoy man a...pro sulit gid.. :) visit niyo gali bgo ko na blogsite.:) http://www.iloiloonfoot.blogspot.com
:)
mm

gina pa hisa mo na naman ko nag pa guimaras ka. :bash: heheh neways im still waiting for some moolag from googles adsense manug abot.. i pang guimaras ko na s summer. or basi mapa panaad ako sa negros.

ari ko gali office. sunday. duty. hayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy katalaka mag ubra kung sunday ah

ahahah

IMPRESARIO

March 4th, 2007, 09:14 PM

http://www.exploreiloilo.com

http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/7264/ililo8xa6.jpg

Puuuurrrrrrrrrrrfect!!!!:)

habagatcentral1

March 5th, 2007, 05:56 AM

Old World
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/127/395159522_ec49bf4a65.jpg
Calle Real (J.M. Basa Street) Iloilo City

IMPRESARIO

March 5th, 2007, 08:00 AM

Gloria excited on new Iloilo airport opening
President to lead inauguration
Francis Allan L. Angelo
2007-03-05

PRESIDENT Gloria Arroyo is excited to inaugurate the P6-billion new Iloilo airport of international standards at the Cabatuan-Sta. Barbara area, said Representative Arthur Defensor (Iloilo, 3rd district).

Defensor said President Arroyo will lead the inauguration and opening of the airport in middle of April.

The new airport will begin operation April 14, according to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).Citing their meeting in Malacañang last week, Defensor said President Arroyo “is very enthusiastic to inaugurate the airport as soon as possible.”

“This airport is one of the most modern and beautiful in terms of architecture and design. But what is important is that this airport will become the key to the rapid development and progress of the city and province of Iloilo and the rest of Western Visayas,”

According to DOTC officials, President Arroyo will be on board the first plane to land on the multibillion airport facility.Installation and testing of the airport’s aviation equipment is ongoing while the DOTC is now hiring personnel that will operate the facility.

Families affected by the airport project will be prioritized in the hiring, the DOTC said.The new airport sits on a 200-hectare land straddling the towns of Sta. Barbara and Cabatuan.Its 48,000-square meter apron can accommodate six commercial planes at a time.

The airport project is financed by a P5.259-billion loan from Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) while the Philippine government allotted a counterpart fund of P928 million.

http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/localnews0.php?id=2048

IMPRESARIO

March 5th, 2007, 08:05 AM

http://www.iloiloonfoot.blogspot.com/
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/228/oftrq5.png
puuuuurrrrrfect too!!!:)

lewdsaint

March 5th, 2007, 11:14 AM

Hay...pulitika...tarnishing the image of Iloilo City with these unauthenticated security threats of Genuine Opposition.

Nangakig na lang si Manong Jerry!

‘IT COULD ALSO HAPPEN TO YOU’
Treñas warns fellow mayors on GO’s ‘security threat’ yarns
Jeehan V. Fernandez
2007-03-03

ILOILO City Mayor Jerry Treñas was fuming mad over the claims of the Genuine Opposition that they received threats while campaigning in the metropolis.

Believing that the threat yarn was a true lie, Treñas, president of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), warned other cities about the GO’s “security threat” gimmicks whenever they campaign in their jurisdictions.

Treñas was irked by GO’s pronouncement that “lax security” in the metropolis is the reason why they called off their Wednesday rally at the Iloilo Capitol grounds.

The mayor expressed his sentiments in reaction to Governor Niel Tupas Sr.’s and Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada’s claim that they were flooded by calls and texts warning them that the GO rally will be sabotaged.

“I warn other cities as they might also fall victim to stories of security threats whenever opposition candidates campaign in their respective areas. It could happen to them,” Treñas said.

Treñas said that under his leadership as city mayor, rival political parties “have all the comfort to stage their public assemblies in the city as a basic practice of the electoral process.”

“The election campaign is part of the political process where the administration stands on performance in office while the opposition tries to attack the leadership (in their effort to) replace the ruling bloc. They (opposition) are very welcome here in the city, anytime,” stressed Treñas.

‘HURTING ILOILO CITY’

Spare Iloilo City, please.

Mayor Treñas said the “security threat” issue has tarnished the image of the city.

Upon learning of the cancellation of the GO rally, Treñas said he immediately called Mejorada to verify the supposed threats against the opposition senatoriables.

Quoting Mejorada, Treñas said the Capitol executive received “text messages from the municipalities” two weeks ago that the planned rally “might be sabotaged.”

But where is the evidence?

Treñas dared Capitol officials to show proof of the purported threats even as reports came out that the rally was cancelled because of low crowd turnout.

“Where’s the threat report from the Capitol? Until Friday, there’s none. They did not even request for police assistance to dig deeper into the matter. The police also didn’t have any intelligence report about the security threat. As the city mayor, I don’t agree with their (opposition) pronouncement,” Treñas told reporters yesterday.

Noting his experience in politics, the mayor said it is impossible for election violence to erupt in the city.

“I’ve been in politics since 1987 as city councilor and I never heard of any threat or trouble during political rallies here. If there is any threat, that would be in Plaza Miranda but not here,” Treñas said referring to the 1971 bombing of the Liberal Party rally.

Treñas also expressed disappointments over the purported security threat which landed on the headlines of national dailies saying it put a “peaceful” Iloilo City in a “bad light.”

“We take any threat seriously. But we do not want that some elements will tarnish the reputation of the city just because of political differences,” Treñas said.

“We had handled more than a million Dinagyang crowd and there was no security threat and everyone was safe. Such things clearly show that the city is safe,” he added.

Treñas also said: “We are striving to promote Iloilo City as we are trying to come up with positive developments. And in just one click, our efforts were all gone. It hurts – it’s unfair as we have been working hard for the promotion of the city. What will come to the mind of the investors – what will become of our city promotions?” said Treñas.

“They have not understood the so-called ripple effect. I’m hurt. They (opposition) could have been fair. I would like to state on record that there was no text message shown to verify the threat – what I’ve learned was that they canceled the rally because of low crowd turnout. They shamed and damaged the reputation of the city by claiming security threats.”

Link : http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/localnews0.php?id=2017

habagatcentral1

March 5th, 2007, 11:47 AM

^^ Let's all welcome with a big hand of applause

Halalan Dos Mil Siete!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Pacific_leopard

March 5th, 2007, 12:59 PM

@Pacific,ti ka-take ka pics sang Guimaras?..Post it,PLEASE...!!

okay here are some of my Guimaras camphones photos.:)

Buenavista
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/153/409403620_017ef5898d.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/147/409426874_e2afd32f5c.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/125/409426879_59dfc77c13.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/125/409426873_893d2abd4f.jpg
Jordan
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/182/409403617_e3b7cbbdb3.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/187/409403628_9bb55c0b2c.jpg
Nueva Valencia
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/160/409403629_0080b1bb87.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/159/409426876_ad0948f6ab.jpg

more info about my trip on http://www.iloiloonfoot.blogspot.com

death327

March 5th, 2007, 10:47 PM

Economists to raise WV competitiveness

ILOILO City - The Philippine government economic managers said that for 2007, they plan to raise the competitiveness of the Western Visayas region by continuing investment in major on-going infrastructure projects, during their Economic roadshow in Iloilo City facilitated by the Government's Investors Relations office.

Budget Secretary Andaya said these infrastructures include the Iloilo and Bacolod airports and the Northern Negros Geothermal project. He added that they are also carefully considering a number of proposed infrastructure projects in the region that would total close to P43 billion.

National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Director Arturo Valero said the region has a healthy economic performance in 2006, with a higher employment rate and gross regional domestic product growth rate than the national average.

The major infrastructure projects in 2007 will enable the region to contribute to sustaining the country's economic momentum as well as keep a sustained strength in the tourism industry.

Valero also said that it is expected that power supply relief and continued positive performance in the agriculture sector will also enhance the region's economic performance for the year 2007.

Meanwhile Finance Secretary Gary B. Teves told the audience in that Iloilo economic briefing, that there are so many positive signs that the country's economic reforms are taking hold and the government is on track to meet its aggressive but achievable goal of a balanced budget by 2008.

source: http://www.panaynews.com.ph/news6.htm

lewdsaint

March 6th, 2007, 03:05 AM

Ari sabat sang mga negosyante ay!
Boy Mejo, ano ang imo matugda?
Acting Sec. Raul "dies-dies" laughing!
:lol:

UNDER CONTROL
Business leaders: Iloilo City is peaceful
Jeehan V. Fernandez
2007-03-06

ILOILO business leaders yesterday said the city remains peaceful even as they pooh-poohed the purported security threat that caused the Genuine Opposition (GO) to cancel their rally at the Provincial Capitol grounds last week.

The security threat was revealed by Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada who went onstage to call off the GO’s senatorial rally an hour before the scheduled time.

Mejorada, who served as event organizer, claimed they received text messages insinuating that the GO rally might be “sabotaged”.

But Capitol officials failed to show any proof to back up their claims amid reports that the GO rally was cancelled because of low crowd turnout.

The opposition’s claims of “lax security” in the city strung chords of administration officials especially Mayor Jerry Treñas who expressed disappointment over the “negative publicity at the expense of Iloilo City.”

Yesterday, the Iloilo Business Club, Inc. (IBC) clarified that peace and order situation in the city, which is vital to business operations, remains under control even as they downplayed the presence of any security threat.

“Peace and order is an important factor in determining and sustaining the favorable performance of business in an area. Iloilo City is a peaceful and vibrant place for tourists and investors to do business,” stressed Maria Lea Victoria Lara, IBC’s executive director.

“It is very unfortunate that Iloilo City’s image as peaceful and orderly urban center is again challenged following alleged reports of security threats to a political campaign activity,” Lara said.

Lara said peace and order should be given a high premium as the business sector has been very supportive and committed to projects and initiatives geared toward its upkeep.

“Our boast of the peace and order situation in the city is the result of both the city government and private sector’s investments on resources to acquire police equipment and in training of local law enforcers,” Lara clarified.

“The City Peace and Order Council, which involves all sectors of society, proves that the Ilonggos are on top of peace and order concerns to ensure that they are dealt with immediately,” she added.

Lara said, “We are confident in our local police to ensure the safety and orderliness of Iloilo City.”

“In fact, the Ilonggos had successfully celebrated several big events in the past months particularly the Dinagyang Festival in January with more than a million crowd without incidents or reports of terrorism,” said Lara.

“We hope that the parties behind the (security threat) pronouncements would act prudently for the sake of the city,” she said.

IBC is a group of entrepreneurs engage in banking, insurance, retail, agriculture inputs, services, hotels and restaurants among other businesses in Iloilo.

From : The Daily Guardian

lewdsaint

March 6th, 2007, 03:11 AM

Good news naman! Hay.....salamat!

New call center coming to Iloilo City

Jeehan V. Fernandez
2007-03-06

DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Peter Favila yesterday said a new call center firm will expand in Iloilo City soon.

Favila, however, refused to name the firm pending the negotiations.

He said secrecy is necessary as other Asian countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam might also lure the said firm.

Favila arrived in Iloilo City yesterday for the 2006 Yearend Economic Briefing and presentation of the country’s growth outlook for 2007 sponsored by the Investor Relations Office (IRO)

“Iloilo and Negros are two of the best e-services hubs outside Manila,” Favila said.

Favila attributed Iloilo City’s high-tech telecom infrastructure and large pool of competent manpower as magnets for the booming Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry.

“Iloilo City, because of its very good telecom infrastructure like fiber optics and very good population of English-proficient students, is getting attention from BPO investors, both voice and non-voice,” Favila said.

Fiber optics technology involves faster data processing usually used in long-distance phone calls, cable TV system and Internet.

BPOs include call center, medical and legal transcriptions, accounting, engineering design and animation.

“The opening of the new airport in Iloilo will also attract investors here,” Favila said, referring to the P6-billion New Iloilo Airport Development Project (NIADP) in Sta. Barbara-Cabatuan area which will open April.

“We are also giving appropriate incentives to prospective investors including income tax holiday, duty-free importation of their equipment, reimbursement of training fees and specialized power rate,” Favila added.

Earlier, DTI provincial director Diosdado Cadena said Iloilo is part of the “cyber-services hub” in the country – scaling from Baguio to Zamboanga as envisioned by the Arroyo administration’s mega-regions program.

Cadena said Iloilo has all the elements to host the thriving BPO industry.

“We have complete facilities like fiber optics which is already in placed and reliable.”

As regards human resources, Iloilo City, being the educational center of Western Visayas, produces some 16,000-18,000 graduates annually.

“If developed, the BPO sector particularly call centers will provide jobs to these professionals and part-time jobs for students,” said Cadena.

BPO promotions started three years ago following the establishment of the Iloilo Investment and Promotion Center (IIPC) as several multinational firms eyed the city for expansion.

The soon-to-be established Iloilo Foundation for Information Technology (I-FIT) also enjoined the local government, industry players, academe, and government agencies for more active BPO promotions.

From : The Daily Guardian

whyte

March 6th, 2007, 04:02 AM

:wave:

* personally sobrang OA naman si mayor jerry though understandable naman ang reaction nya.it is bad publicity nga for iloilo, city and province,but people would understand its election time.besides its just a passing scenario.whats worse is, the mayor being branded as "mainitin ang ulo" :lol:

* hopefully political matters wont get worse in the upcoming opening of the iloilo airport.read in the news that PGMA will be one of the 1st "landees" sa new iloilo airport.and hopefully NO senatorial candidates :lol: anyway,whats the confirmed date of opening since ive read that its april 12, then april 18.

whyte

March 6th, 2007, 04:41 AM

http://i18.tinypic.com/2mouqrr.jpg

daydreaming for VILLA BEACH
:D

ofcourse the challenge is not only the buildings but the beach itself (imported sand from the mideast LOL ) PLUS makign the waters "safer"

ILOILO CITY PANORAMA
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/IloiloCity3-2.jpg

kirby21

March 6th, 2007, 05:27 AM

Infra boom: P43B for WV
Elsa S. Subong
2007-03-06

THE Philippine government economic managers said they plan to raise the competitiveness of the Western Visayas region by investing in major infrastructure projects.

The plan was bared during the Economic Roadshow in Iloilo City facilitated by the Investors Relations Office.

Budget Secretary Andaya said these infrastructures include the Iloilo and Bacolod airports and the Northern Negros Geothermal project.

Andaya said they are also eyeing proposed infrastructure projects in the region amounting to P43 billion.

National Economic Development Authority Regional Director Arturo Valero said the region notched a healthy economic performance in 2006 given its higher employment rate and gross regional domestic product growth rate compared to the national average.

“The major infrastructure projects in 2007 will enable the region to contribute to sustaining the country’s economic momentum as well as keep a sustained strength in the tourism industry,” Valero said.

Valero said power supply relief and continued positive performance of the agriculture sector will also enhance the region’s economic performance for the year 2007.

Meanwhile, Finance Secretary Gary B. Teves said the increase in revenues brought about by tax measures and reforms made it possible for government to invest in infrastructure projects.(PIA)

taken from: The Guardian Iloilo
link: http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/localnews0.php?id=2052

kirby21

March 6th, 2007, 05:31 AM

1st prov’l youth encampment held

ILOILO – More than 400 youths from different towns in Iloilo joined the 1st Provincial Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP) Encampment held recently at the West Visayas State University-College of Agriculture and Forestry (WVSU-CAF) campus in Brgy. Jayubo, Lambunao, Iloilo.

Unlad Kabataan head and Regional Youth Coordinator Eduardo Guevarra said the activity aims to engage the youth, aged 15-24, in various activities that will promote their social and economic development; strengthen their social, moral and cultural values; create opportunities for self-expression; and develop their leadership and communication skills.

“The three-day encampment (from February 23-25, 2007) gathered youths from four sub-sectors -- the out of school, working, disabled and abused. The activities that we conducted were all geared towards enhancing their life skills and special abilities as well as honing their sense of leadership,” said Guevarra of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Activities conducted include photo and product display, essay writing, poster making, skills Olympic, PYAP quiz, and cultural and sports competitions. Orientations on self-awareness, teambuilding, personality development and leadership were likewise held, led by DSWD6 Assistant Regional Director Joel P. Galicia.

Highlighting the activity was the Search for Mr. and Ms. PYAP 2007, which was won by Ms. Mersel Clarell Arlos of San Dionisio and Francis Dave Celmentir of Maasin.

Special awards were given to youth with disabilities with special talents. Awardees include Jodel Encio (gold), John Louie Soliman (silver) and Kristian Subillaga (bronze), all from Oton.

Guevarra added that for years, PYAP encampments were regularly conducted per municipalities in Iloilo.

“But this is the first time that we gathered them in a provincial setting as a take off to the forthcoming regional PYAP encampment,” he explained.

Participants to the 1st PYAP Encampment include youth federations from Concepcion, Badiangan, Maasin, Dueñas, Pototan, San Dionisio, Oton, Janiuay, New Lucena, Pavia and Lambunao as the host team. Delegates were headed by their respective Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officers (MSWDOs) and PYAP federation presidents.

The 1st Provincial PYAP Encampment had for its theme “Kabataan, Tungo sa Ganap na Pagbabago at Pag-unlad.”

taken from: Panay News
link: http://www.panaynews.com.ph/news7.htm

habagatcentral1

March 6th, 2007, 05:32 AM

Good news naman! Hay.....salamat!

New call center coming to Iloilo City

Favila attributed Iloilo City’s high-tech telecom infrastructure and large pool of competent manpower as magnets for the booming Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry.

“Iloilo City, because of its very good telecom infrastructure like fiber optics and very good population of English-proficient students, is getting attention from BPO investors, both voice and non-voice,” Favila said.

BPOs include call center, medical and legal transcriptions, accounting, engineering design and animation.

“The opening of the new airport in Iloilo will also attract investors here,” Favila said, referring to the P6-billion New Iloilo Airport Development Project (NIADP) in Sta. Barbara-Cabatuan area which will open April.

“We are also giving appropriate incentives to prospective investors including income tax holiday, duty-free importation of their equipment, reimbursement of training fees and specialized power rate,” Favila added.

Earlier, DTI provincial director Diosdado Cadena said Iloilo is part of the “cyber-services hub” in the country – scaling from Baguio to Zamboanga as envisioned by the Arroyo administration’s mega-regions program.

As regards human resources, Iloilo City, being the educational center of Western Visayas, produces some 16,000-18,000 graduates annually.

From : The Daily Guardian

^^ Its good news if the BPO company would not consider the soaring high and unreliable electric utility.

Because from the past 9 months that I've been with the BPO, they will usually prefer to have a reliable infrastructure especially electricity.

Sans kuryente, Iloilo has that edge in cost of doing business, other infras and especially human resource.

kirby21

March 6th, 2007, 05:37 AM

Passi City all set for the 9th Pintados de Pasi Festival
By Bombette G. Marin

SOME festivals in the province of Iloilo have either come back from near extinction or have evolved. And because of this, efforts have been undertaken by the community to breathe life into these cultural presentations that form part of a larger program of the tourism initiatives of the province to fully claim the title as the festival capital of the region, and to promote Ilonggo culture through the revival and preservation of traditional music and dances.

The Pintados de Pasi Festival, in Passi City, central of Iloilo province, is perhaps one of the best known and established festivals of the Visayan region that have evolved through the years. It has played a big part in the lives of most Passinhons.

It is the most popular spectator cultural event and the most popular for the community that has a large following. Theatrical-like street dancing performances are a celebrated part of the Pintados festivity that is characterized by heavy and aggressive body movements. Here, performers adorned in traditional body tattoo with elaborate geometrical designs in their body, including their arms, legs and torso dramatizes stories in which the towns' ancestral beings laid down every feature of the area, especially, their way of life.

Characterized by heavy and aggressive body movements, the dances seem to have developed independent of any external influences, as in the combat dances, folk plays, ritual actions, or character types. Historical or cultural sources are essential materials in sustaining a festival such as theirs. The festivity changed over the years, though its cultural presentation remained popular up to this day, and has resurrected and form part in a celebration that reflected function and transition. It also represented a major change in style and subject matter.

Tourism, through this cultural celebration brings thousands of local and international visitors interested to know the city's rich history, considerable scenic beauty, and a number tourism attraction. The Passinhon 2000 Incorporated devotes their efforts of promoting the festival in the local and national scene. These efforts focus on the cultural festivity-at least in the early promotional stage, is the best way to keep it alive, and a variety of innovative efforts are underway to do just that.

With the theme "Passinhon nga Kultura, Sakdagon Ta" on its 9th Foundation Anniversary, the people of Passi City led by their Mayor Elyzer C. Chavez is inviting everyone to come and witness their many other special events enjoyed during the week-long celebration, including Garden Show and Food Festival on March 11, its opening day; the Karosa Parada and Carabao-Painting Contest with the Grand Coronation Night of the Search for Bb. Pintados on March 16; Sinadya sa Suba and the Pinta Lawas Contest of March 17; and the much awaited Tribe Competition on March 18. With this wealth of unique cultural and recreational events, Pintados de Pasi is surely one of the country's top tourism festivals.

Passi City has played an important role in reaching its peak of progress. Centrally situated in the province, Passi City is locally important as the district Agri-Industrial Center of Iloilo. It is rich with agriculture resources that have long formed the backbone of its economy and agricultural diversification produces crops such as rice, corn, vegetables, coconut, sugarcane and pineapple. Passi City has been an important pineapple producer for years, it has long been known for other industries including fruit processing, wallboard production, metalworking production and cut-flower propagation.

Its locally produced pineapple wine, jam and fruit preserves have already established captured market with its exposure to various local trade fairs and exhibits such as the annual Fiesta in the City celebration during May; Tumandok in September; and WOW Philippines: the Best of the Region.

Passi, a component city is bounded on the north by San Enrique; Dumarao, Capiz on the south; east by Calinog; and Lemery on the west. Predominantly a mountainous area, it is politically divided into 51 barangays. It is about 50 kilometers from the city of Iloilo and has an area of 25,139 hectares---the largest in the province.

According to the 2000 Census, Passi City had a population of 69,601. An influx of Cebuano and Tagalog-speaking businessmen and investors in the years increased their numbers and were added.

The Passinhon people are predominantly Karay-a-speaking, with Roman Catholicism as the religion of 95 percent of its population.

It is said that the first Spanish settlement was established in the area in 1766, marking the onset of Spanish colonial rule. In the traditional story, Spanish explorers anchored in Ansig, a place located at the mouth of Lamunan River. The name of the city is probably derived from Pasi, a Hiligaynon word meaning "unhusked grains of palay."

taken from: Sunstar Iloilo
link: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ilo/2007/03/06/life/passi.city.all.set.for.the.9th.pintados.de.pasi.festival.html

BYAHILO

March 6th, 2007, 06:01 AM

hay pintados na.. i was supposed to go there next week,. pero gin dayun ko chinese year ko da eh.

neways, 6 of my Cebu Sinulog shots were recenty featured in a Fil-Dutch Magazine "Philippine Digest" http://www.phildig.com pero site nila wala na update :) i jaz received my Jan-Feb hardcopy issue yesterday. syempre photo kuha ko ang cover sang magazine eh. :D

wecky

March 6th, 2007, 06:24 AM

In a financial report filed with the Philippine Stock Exchange, FELI said revenues amounted to P62.18 million in October to December 2006, down 26.17 percent. Of this amount, P31 million came from the sale of residential subdivision lots in Forest Hills in Antipolo, Puerto Real de Iloilo in Iloilo, Riverina in San Pablo City and Plaridel Heights in Bulacan.

.......

FELI has set aside P2.5 billion for its capital expenditures this year. It has lined up six to seven projects which include the development of Manila Southwoods’s phase 5; the Twin Lakes, a leisure and recreational complex to sit on a 900-hectare property in Laurel, Batangas; the Nasugbu Harbor Town in Batangas; Boracay Villas, Camp John Hay cabins, and the Sta. Barbara Residential and Golf Estates.
Good news fro Sta. Barbara ! :banana:

lewdsaint

March 6th, 2007, 06:29 AM

Weck, amo na sya ang ginatumod ko sang san-o 'to about a Golf Course that will develop by the Fil-Estate. More developments sa Sta. Barbara.:banana:

Good news fro Sta. Barbara ! :banana:

wecky

March 6th, 2007, 06:57 AM

Good news indeed, Lew. Hope to see more investments in Sta. Barbara.

Btw, interesting caption from The Guardian with Trenas and Teves:

TÊTE-À-TÊTE
Finance Secretary Gary Teves and Mayor Jerry Treñas discuss major developments in Iloilo City, particularly the sale of the Mandurriao airport lot. Bidding for the old airport lot is scheduled April 24, days after the opening of the new international airport in Cabatuan-Sta. Barbara area. (FAA)

wecky

March 6th, 2007, 07:11 AM

City hosts economic briefing
By Maricar M. Calubiran

The government's senior economic members are here today (March 5) to present the government's plans and programs to sustain and strengthen economic growth for this year. Economic outlook for Western Visayas will also be discussed.

However, Renato Pizarro, executive director of the Investor Relations Office (IRO) of the Philippine government, did not name the members of the Economic Team

The briefing to be facilitated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will be held at the Iloilo Business Hotel.

In the recent assessment made by the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), it said there is an “impressive fiscal reforms in an environment of sustained growth and declining inflation have strengthened market confidence in the Philippines.”

The same assessment report which was made January of 2007 said the key challenge for the Philippine authorities in going forward is to sustain the reform momentum. This will help maintain the confidence of markets and insure against market volatility.

In 2007, economic growth is expected to increase to 5.8 percent. It could be higher over the medium term on the back additional reforms boost investor confidence and investment, the IMF assessment report said.

The IMF also viewed the full implementation of the VAT reform last year to have broaden the national government's adjustment effort to the revenue side and tax administration. It ensures that collections have risen as programmed.

The same assessment said remittances have continued to grow strongly and the balance of payments received additional support in the second half of 2006 from weaker oil prices.

The News Today

ferrersky

March 6th, 2007, 10:09 AM

Ang comment ko sa aton airport:
Chic Ala mode
Chic - smart and stylish
Ala mode - fashionable

heheheh!!! :nuts:

whyte

March 6th, 2007, 10:25 AM

a little more than a month na lang at opening na ILOILO AIRPORT :banana:

chymera00

March 6th, 2007, 10:34 AM

cool updates ... and pictures from pacific :)

chymera00

March 6th, 2007, 10:36 AM

Night Shots of the City

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/129/412385051_8c75a2012d_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/179/412385023_967b6952f2_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/412384982_e1db8e41de_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/152/412384934_f8038a6275_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/412384869_4c0d9101a7_o.jpg

I wish I could filter out that glare in the lights

chymera00

March 6th, 2007, 10:43 AM

Jalaur River in Calinog

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/162/412380798_b7983c7b99_o.jpg

Kamayan sa Tulay, an old bridge in calinog was turned into a garden/restoraunt. Food was not that nice, hehe.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/160/412380687_e63c258a10_o.jpg

From Calinog's Mountains .... view of Capiz

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/168/412382071_5861c1e659_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/151/412381980_338e3b5351_o.jpg

Janiuay's new church

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/129/412381887_377b218ad0_o.jpg

Janiuay's old church ruins

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/412381775_a6a8b5aacb_o.jpg

Janiuay Cemetery

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/174/412381710_3190ef5e21_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/175/412381609_2c4656b977_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/159/412381519_e151cc0dc5_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/186/412381404_1b1be25aa0_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/185/412381276_7afe24b632_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/153/412381207_3887b30772_o.jpg

Cabatuan Cemtery

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/412381129_79268cd0a1_o.jpg

Santa Barbara Church

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/181/412381051_d9e859aa13_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/412380988_af0ca9359e_o.jpg

Pavia Church, rennovated

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/126/412380898_2bfc5e2209.jpg?v=0

kirby21

March 6th, 2007, 07:51 PM

First sanitary landfill in WV to
become operational next year

ILOILO City owns the first sanitary landfill in Western Visayas that is expected to become operational in the last quarter of 2008.

General Services Office head, Engineer Raul Gallo, said the putting up of a sanitary landfill at the Calajunan dumpsite in Mandurrio would cost the city more than P200 million but they couldn't do otherwise because it is a requirement mandated under the Solid Waste Management Act.

The project is now on its site development phase and city government is purchasing heavy equipment. The city was able to secure a P90-million loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines for the implementation of this phase.

Gallo said documents for the transitional period phase are now being processed. However, the infrastructure necessary for this phase will be done after the election period when the ban on such projects is lifted.

Meanwhile, the last phase will entail another negotiation with a bank that would grant the city a loan for the additional funds of around P140 million.

The law mandates every local government to have an operational sanitary landfill.

"The law also provides for option as long as you can address your problem on waste. They can provide any technology as an option for as long as it is ecological friendly," Gallo said.

A survey conducted by the Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC) revealed that the city's daily waste volume is estimated at 300 tons. However, the city collects only 160 tons a day, with the rest being recycled or used as compost.

Still, Gallo did not deny that there are wastes that remain uncollected and are just being thrown into rivers and canals or burned.

He emphasized though that the city has been urging the communities to manage their trash properly. He noted 90 percent of the 180 barangays have their material recovery facilities although only close to 30 percent is functional.

The city government receives technical assistance from the German Technical Cooperation for the project.

taken from: Panay News
link: http://www.panaynews.com.ph/news6.htm

habagatcentral1

March 7th, 2007, 02:20 AM

Aerial View of the New Iloilo Airport of Int'l Standards*
thanks ravenhawk for showing us the link, but if you want you can email me (chymera00 @ gmail.com) the pics so that I can post it here for you

I'll just repost the pictures here:

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q239/janmac_album/PFSG/RPVInew1.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q239/janmac_album/PFSG/RPVInew2.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q239/janmac_album/PFSG/RPVInew3.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q239/janmac_album/PFSG/RPVInew4.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q239/janmac_album/PFSG/RPVInew5.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q239/janmac_album/PFSG/RPVInew6.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q239/janmac_album/PFSG/RPVInew7.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q239/janmac_album/PFSG/RPVInew8.jpg

taken from Philippine Skies Forums Forum (http://www.philskies.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9542&start=0)

^^ Impressive! How time runs so fast! It was just a ricefield 2 years ago!
Thanks to Ravenhawk and Chymera for posting. :)

*Ito po ang opisyal na pangalan ng proyekto ayon sa DOTC.

kirby21

March 7th, 2007, 03:02 AM

Big events to prove Iloilo City is safe, peaceful
Jeehan V. Fernandez

“VISITORS and investors are coming to Iloilo City.”

This was the gist of a “joint manifest for a peaceful and safe Iloilo City” issued by the city government, business leaders, barangay captains and urban poor yesterday to counter the security threat yarn claimed by the Genuine Opposition (GO) as basis for the cancellation of their rally at the Provincial Capitol grounds last week.

Mayor Jerry Treñas said they have to restore the city’s attraction to prospective investors.

“To build the confidence of investors takes time and is painstaking. What is important now is we have to reassure the investors that Iloilo City is safe. I hope they are not affected by the issue,” said Trenas.

City Tourism Office (CTO) chief Ben Jimena said they came up with the manifesto to assure visitors and investors.

“We have been working closely in making Iloilo City a preferred destination for investments, tourism and conventions. We believe that our biggest advantage is the peace and order situation in the city,” the manifesto stressed.

Iloilo City boasts of having recently celebrated successfully and peacefully big events such as the Dinagyang Festival, Jaro Fiesta, Chinese New Year and Paraw Regatta.

Jimena said the city will host big gatherings of national associations of cooperatives, local civil registrars, medical technologists, accountants, anesthesiologists, sheriffs, surgeons, cancer caretakers and Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) in the next three months.

The city is also preparing for the first international convention here organized by Save the Children Foundation, a global network of organizations promoting children’s welfare.

Jimena also said two big call center firms are planning to invest in the city.

The city’s stakeholders debunked the GO’s security threat because of its “adverse impact” on the city’s tourism and economy.

“A statement pointing to security threats as reason for calling off a political rally last week has alluded Iloilo City as a place in a state of anarchy. Such reckless remarks, carried out by the national media, have put the city in a bad light, tarnished its reputation as a peaceful and safe community and jeopardized various local economic development programs,” the manifesto reads.

“While we have been cooperating and working hard for Iloilo City to achieve its vision of becoming a premiere urban center that is vibrant and prosperous; and building up an image of peaceful community, it is unfair that some people make irresponsible pronouncements,” the city stakeholders said.

“We hope that the parties behind the negative statements should henceforth act prudently and responsibly for the sake of the Ilonggos,” they added.

taken from: The Guardian Iloilo
link: http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/localnews0.php?id=2067

kirby21

March 7th, 2007, 03:03 AM

^^ nice aerial pics from ravenhawk ! Thanks !

kirby21

March 7th, 2007, 03:06 AM

Cleaner Production seminar
on top management held

ILOILO City – The Department of Science and Technology Region 6 (DOST-6) conducted a Cleaner Production (CP) Seminar on Top Management last March 1 here. Some 30 participants from various business and food establishments in Western Visayas attended the orientation seminar.

Cleaner Production Assessment is conducted at volunteer facilities to identify waste resources, causes and appropriate CP options. These CP options are opportunities that will help the facility reduce waste generation and at the same time increase its productivity.

CP assessment is an integral component of a CP program that may eventually serve as the foundation for the establishment of an environmental management system within a facility. It is a procedure used to examine industries, production processes, raw materials as well as products, in order to evaluate environmental improvements that could be made, and estimate their costs. However, the effectiveness of the process does not end with this step. The success of a CP program relies on the implementation of generated CP options, monitoring of their environmental performance, and continued reassessment and improvement of their operations.

Engr. Reynaldo Esguerra of the Integrated Program on Cleaner Production Technologies (IPCT) of the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) gave the orientation on Cleaner Production.

Engr. Sheila Oberio of DOST VI presented the Japanese SME Experience on CP.CP Assessments in the National Capital Region (NCR), Region 4 and Region 10 was presented by Engr. Angelica Celicious of IPCT.

In addition, a presentation on the Venture Financing of Environmentally-Sound Technologies (VFEST) program of the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) of DOST was presented to inform the participants of the financing assistance which they can avail relative to Cleaner Production.

The VFEST program is a specialized venture financing facility of TAPI that aims to strengthen the competitiveness and productivity of local manufacturing industries on a sustainable basis by adopting cleaner production technologies and equipment.

VFEST shall assist local manufacturing enterprise acquire cleaner production technologies and equipment that will address the environmental management problems of the company. The program covers mainly the cost of acquisition of pollution control or abatement equipment and technologies and technical assistance.

Interested manufacturing company/cooperative or single proprietor considered as MSME or SME who are willing to be considered for the program must undergo assessment and audit by the IPCT. Priority sectors include: processed food, metal finishing (except electroplating), plastic recycling and furniture.

For more information on Cleaner Production Assessment, please call DOST 6 at telephone numbers (033) 320-0907, 320-0093, 320-0908 or visit the Regional Office at Magsaysay Village, La Paz, Iloilo City.

taken from: Panay News
link: http://www.panaynews.com.ph/news5.htm

whyte

March 7th, 2007, 04:01 AM

:wave:

made an ILOILO AIRPORT thread sa infrastructure forum

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=448888

its aimed to be our one stop thread for everthing about ILOILOs AIRPORT

sandrn

March 7th, 2007, 04:31 AM

What a waste of overpass and a catalyst to traffic! So what is the purpose of the overpass?!
Somebody please remove the pedestrian crossing under the overpass.

http://www.thenewstoday.info/2007/03/05/skywalk_tn.jpg
Obviously, this multi-million skywalk fronting Iloilo Central Elementary School and Assumption College in Gen. Luna Street has been rendered useless by placing a pedestrian lane just below it. There's nothing new anyhow as four other similar structures here in the city suffer the same fate.

habagatcentral1

March 7th, 2007, 05:43 AM

^^ hmmmm..who's the "Father of Overpasses in the City?" :bash:

lewdsaint

March 7th, 2007, 05:48 AM

daw kay raul 'na bala project mo'!

BYAHILO

March 7th, 2007, 05:57 AM

hahahahahahah pasensyahi na lang inang tigulang nga ina. i suggest that fences should be placed at the ped lanes para wla na maka tabok.

neways nice airport photos.. sino na naman nag charter sang eroplano nga ina? obviously its not a commercial passenger plane :)

whyte

March 7th, 2007, 06:28 AM

:wave::lol:

almost half of the "overpasses" in the city are useless

- the one "in front" of wvsu and inhs near iloilo baptist church
- the near in front of DOT and doane complex
- that big one in the intersection of valeria and delgado (sm delgado-marymart-phil veterans bank) once i got caught jaywalking between amigo and marymart center :lol:

yup. i agree with fencing the area in the vicinity of these overpasses to let the people be obliged to use these.but with crowded streets in the city esp near these structures these fences could be another problem.

whyte

March 7th, 2007, 06:32 AM

Jalaur River in Calinog

Santa Barbara Church

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/181/412381051_d9e859aa13_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/412380988_af0ca9359e_o.jpg

THANKS.

the ceiling less interior is an eyesore for more than 2 decades :lol: though i can say that the sta. barbara church complex is one of the most scenic there is.
i remember going to church while the side walls are being restored to what is is now.

lewdsaint

March 7th, 2007, 11:20 AM

The wait is over Capitol power substation to switch on March 12
By Erly C. Garcia

If plans don't miscarry the capitol's multi-million power substation which has become idle for two years will already be operational by March 12.

Governor Niel Tupas Sr. in his regular press conference disclosed that the contractor's engineers already gave a go signal that the power substation is already functional.

The engineers from Alstom and Ferrowelds, the substation's contractors, were in Iloilo the other week to prepare the power facility for the much-awaited interconnection.

As this developed Tupas said a Transmission and Supply Agreement between the Iloilo Provincial Government and the National Power Corporation (NPC) has already been made.

The governor said the transfer of power from Panay Electric Company, the existing power source, to the NPC would take place on March 11, a Sunday. The following day, Tupas said, the Capitol would already be using power direct from NPC.

To note, the Energy Regulation Commission (ERC) in a decision dated October 25, 2006 granted the provisional authority approving the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and Contract for the Supply of Electricity (CSE) between the Iloilo Provincial Government and National Power Corporation (NPC).

The provincial government would use the sub-transmission lines of the Philippine Foremost Milling Corporation (PFMC), located some meters away from the Capitol, in connecting to the nearest NPC plant in Loboc, La Paz district.

Earlier, PFMC and Peco embroiled in a legal battle for the Capitol's bid for a direct power connection with NPC.

PFMC faced opposition from Peco saying direct connection to NPC and Transco is a blatant violation of laws and regulations and prejudicial to the general interests of the general public.

Specific of Peco's objections were that direct connection as supposedly allowed under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act or EPIRA Law has been modified and it will cause gross financial loss to Peco.

The objection also carried the clear objection as it pointed out that with the Foremost's direct connection comes the link with the Iloilo Provincial Government "contrary to law and prejudicial to public safety." Further still, Peco maintained, "the set-up would allow an end-user to become and act as an electric distributor itself," and the "set-up will ultimately hurt the customers of Peco in general."

Tupas said by having a direct connection with NPC the Capitol could save by as much as 100,000 a month in electricity expenses.

Gov't mulls Investment Ombudsman
By Maricar M. Calubiran

Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila said the government is set to create what they call as “Investment Ombudsman” to take care on the problems of the investors and cut the red tape in local government units.

Favila said, normally there are investors who complained about the slow processing of their applications from issuance of the mayor's permit and the business permit. The Investment Ombudsman would temporarily be under the Department of Trade and Industry but they would ask help from the Office of the Ombudsman.

Favila revealed the Investment Ombudsman will close in on people or local government unit which are perceived to have impeded the smooth flow of business in one locality. The Investment Ombudsman was already created in the previous administration. However, the government was overtaken by events.

He added that they are now finalizing the Executive Order relative to the creation of the Investment Ombudsman. The creation of the Investment Ombudsman is the government's response to the number of clamors they received from the investors.

City receives donations from private sector

The city government recently received donations from various individuals who vowed to help the city in its peace-keeping and other developmental programs.

The officers of the Mayor Jerry Treñas Golf Tournament which was held last week of January 2007, was on hand during the flag ceremony last February 26, 2007 to personally turn over the equipment to the city mayor.

Led by tournament director Oscar Nava, the group gave 14 handsets and 200 pieces of reflectorized vests. Nava said that 4 handsets will be for the use of the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Incorporated (IDFI) while the 10 will be used by the city police force.

The vests will also be used to help the traffic management group.

Meanwhile, IDFI chair Lee Chuan also announced that he will personally donate 5 handsets to the city government soon while the Iloilo Chinese-Filipino Chinese New Year celebration committee also confirmed to him that they will give ten handsets.

Treñas expressed his gratitude to these individuals who significantly contribute to the improvement of the city. He thanked the golf tournament officials for the vital input this sport has given to the tourism efforts of the city and he also recognized the strong partnership the IDFI has with the local government.

The chief executive also mentioned that these donations will surely help the police force.

He said that the private sector's participation is crucial to the improvement of this city and that the government and the citizens should continually work together for the city's increasing growth.

Also, on hand to witness the turn-over were Vice Mayor Guillermo de la Llana, the various city officials and some of the golf tournament officers. (EAM/PIO)

From : The News Today Iloilo