Western Visayas III : Iloilo to Negros Occidental!

From IloIlo to Negros Occidental

We crossed Negros Occidental straight from Iloilo via ferry boat.

Negros Occidental, The sugar cane capital of the Philippines

 It is one of the five provinces that compose Western Visayas. It is located in the northwestern portion of Negros Island, the fourth biggest island in the Philippine archipelago.

Negros Occidental's climate is pleasant with a dry season.

We left the pension house in Iloilo at 6 in the morning to visit Roberto's Tasty Huge Shiopao. We have tasted the most famous Queen siopao used to be made by venerable Chinese. It was the heaviest siopao I've ever handled, and the most filled. And the only siopao I couldn't ever finish.

Roberto’s Siopao is extraordinary. The dough is soft even if not heated. Ingredients inside taste extremely delicious without sauce. 

 

We crossed the Negros Occidental Strait from Iloilo City on an hour ride via a ferry boat.

In the SuperCat Ferry to Negros Occidental

Bacolod City-The city of smiles

The most competitive and livable mid-sized city and national hall of fame awardee for the cleanest and greenest highly urbanized city in the philipines.

Housed in the ancestral home of Raymundo L. Dizon and Hermelinda V. Ramos, the Dizon-Ramos Museum which is located in Bacolod.  It was constructed in 1950 and shows the architecture of after-war Bacolod. The house is a blend of modern and neo-classic which makes anyone appreciate its past. The visitors get a sense of how upper-middle class lived in Bacolod in the 1950s.

 The bedrooms, study room, living area and dining area reflect how the family actually lived. The furniture are mostly twentieth century with a few antique pieces.

We went to the famous Manukan. Where we ate the famous Bacolod Inasal. It was really good and better than Mang Inasal . 

We also visited Calea  Pastries and Cakes in Bacolod City. We have tasted the delicious cakes like their mouth watering mud pie, Blueberry cheese cake,Icecream cake, chocolate cake and strawberry cheesecake.

The Ruins, Talisay City, Negros Occidental-

We rested for a while then we went to see The Ruins which is definitely a must see historical place. The ruins before was a Spanish house built by the colonizers. Our ancestors were alarmed so they burned the house so that Bacolod would not be conquered. Now this has become one of Bacolod’s Tourist Destination. Also know  as the Philippines Taj Mahal.

The ‘Simborio,’ the chimney for the muscovado sugar mill of the family’s sugar farm. It is in the mill where the juice of the sugarcane is extracted before transferring them in large vats where juice is heated and then cooled to produce the sugar crystals.

We had our Dinner at the Italian Restaurant  while staring at the magnificent landmark. You can also buy some Souvenir from the nearby shop available.

We left Talisay City and headed directly to Bacolod-Silay International Airport for our scheduled flight back to Manila.  

Negros Occidental International Airport

I am extremely tired and felt radiating back pain way back to Manila. Notice may facial expression of pain on the picture above! ahahah But this adventure we had is extremely worth all my body pain.

Western Visaya II : Iloilo to Antique

If you’re searching for quiet shores, a place where you can find unlimited enchantment and adventure,mountains,cascading waterfalls, white beaches, rich fishing grounds and white water kayaking. Then Antique is for you.

Antique is a province of the Philippines located in the region of Western Visayas. Antique (pronounced an-TEE-keh).

We left Iloilo at exactly 5 in the morning so we can visit some tourist spots.We were driving through the western side of the Panay Island and our long journey included stops to visit the Miag-ao sChurch.

"On our way to Miag-ao Church"

The Miagao Church also known as the Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church is a Roman catholic church

The church's over-all architectural style falls under the Baroque Romanesque architectural style. Its ochre color is due to the materials used in constructing the church, adobe, egg, coral and limestone. The façade of Miagao church consists of an ornately decorated bas-relief in the middle of two huge watchtower belfries on each side. The interior's most prominent structure is the gold plated retablo or sanctuary.

UP De Visayas

We also visited the UP Visayas.The University of the Philippines Visayas, also known as UPV and UP Visayas, is a public research university in the Philippines, and one of the units of the University of the Philippines System.

Guimbal’s wishing bridge

"The road to fascinating Antique"

After 6 long hours of journey, Finally!! We arrived at Tigbiao Antique. Tibiao is a small quiet town in the northern part of Antique Province. It is now slowly being known as Antique's Adventure Town for the many different activities it offers to the visitors. 

                            What a beautiful scenery in Tigbiao Antique!

"Habal Habal Mode"

"1hr trekking to try and experience the most famous kawa hot bath"

"The hanging Bridge"

  The kawa Hot Bath

We were cooked!!! Nyayyy!!!

 After enjoying the hot bath for almost 45 minutes, We decided to call it a day and went to our kubo to eat, then rest and prepare to climb Bugtong Bato Falls.

Most Extreme Adventure at Bugtong Bato Falls

It was a trilling adventure to climbed the bustong bato falls and experience the famed Kawa Hot Bath and to try kayaking the Tibiao River. ( I don't have the kayaking picture yet) I wasn't exactly expecting Tibiao to be naturally beautiful, but it is! The mountains, the river, the trees and the sunlight's beam upon them are all beautiful and mesmerizing. 

After an adventure in Tibiao,We had experienced the relaxing sensation of hundreds of little fish nibbling on your feet like little masseurs. The town boasts of the most affordable fish spa in the world using locally bred “TheraFish.”

 On our way back to Iloilo.. We are all dead!!

We went back to IloIlo City with an empty stomach!!! Gosh we are all starving after a day of fun and adventure so we decided to eat at Ted's old timer Lapaz Batchoy where we enjoyed Mami,puto and Hot Pandesal.

It’s funny. When you leave your home and wander really far, you always think, ‘I want to go home.’ But then you come home, and of course it’s not the same. You can’t live with it, you can’t live away from it. And it seems like from then on there’s always this yearning for some place that doesn’t exist. I felt that. Still do. I’m never completely at home anywhere.

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