The opening song for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics “Amigos Para Siempre” performed by Jose Carreras and Sarah Bright sang about world peace and enduring friendships among peoples from all nations. But beyond the Games, the first in the post-Cold War era, the Andrew Lloyd Weber composition has become a music theme for friendships—old and new, of people and of places which have occupied a special place in our heart.
One such place which has become known for its warm hospitality and friendly people is Iloilo City, one of the largest urban hubs and tourism havens in the central Philippines. The recent hits and misses in its public branding efforts did not at all dampen the eagerness travelers to discover and rediscover the wonders of this eclectic city which can easily be your second home because of its solicitous populace.
But first, settle in a hotel which will be your homebase and frontliner for all the pleasant surprises about to unfold. A homey dwelling place in the so-called City of Love is Citadines Amigo Iloilo, the globalized reincarnation of Amigo Terrace Hotel, an iconic heritage establishment in the Western Visayas Region.
One of the newest properties of The Ascott Limited’s international chain, the hotel has decided to retain the word Amigo not only for nostalgia, but also to capture the essence of the hospitality industry where a stranger will arrive as a guest and depart as a friend.
The 121-room serviced residence offers modern apartment hotel surrounded by home-grown shops and restaurants so guests can immerse in the local community. Situated in the old business district which has undergone urban renewal and architectural restoration in the recent years, Citadines Amigo is walking distance away from the must-see spots in downtown and adjoining districts—the numerous museums, Spanish-era churches, ancestral houses, and the sought-after restaurants serving batchoy, pancit Molo, siopao and homestyle heirloom dishes.
As a serviced residence, the “home away from home” phrase isn’t a figure of speech, but an actual experience because of the homey atmosphere and comfort that selected one-bedroom deluxe units offer—fully-equipped kitchen and washing machine with dryer. It also has a self-service launderette, the only one of its kind in the city.
Fitness buffs can sweat it out at the gym, swim in the lap pool or borrow bicycles from the hotel and explore Iloilo, which has positioned itself as a bike-friendly city with its extensive network of bike lanes.
The meandering Iloilo River, which has a masterfully-landscaped Esplanade wrapped around it, is a belt for physical fitness, recreation or simply gazing at its marvelous resuscitation from urban decay.
A new culinary must-try which recently opened is The Boathouse Grill, Dining and Bar by 8 Villa, the adjunct resto of The Boat Club at the Iloilo River’s Drilon Bridge. The latest masterful creation of local restaurateur-hotelier Ian Varona, the dining haunt caters not only to power boat owners, but also to everyone seeking to plunge into classic gourmet Filipino and international specialties by the scenic and revived Iloilo River.
A two-month-old baby, The Boathouse is still a work in progress but already boasts of a vaunted menu curated by veteran globe-trotting chef-slash-architect Ramon Antonio who has poured in his decades of kitchen experience in this riverine experiment.
Outside the city, an intriguing town to visit is Sta. Barbara which was the cradle of the 1898 revolution against Spain and seat of the short-lived Visayas Republic led by General Martin Delgado as president. Known as the Cry of Sta Barbara, the revolt will mark its 125th anniversary on Nov. 17 and will focus on the libertarian ideals of the Ilonggos.
The town hosts a remarkable museum, the historic baroque church and convent, and an Instagrammable plaza named after Delgado, and takes pride in its own tasty rendition of the signature batchoy.
Before heading home, swing by Damires Hills Farm and Spa Resort in Janiuay town, just 18 kms away from the airport. One of top farm tourism sites in the province, it is a sprawling 16-hectare mixed-use property, with an extra 30 hectares for future development.
To cater to more tourists yearning for a pastoral feel, the 28-room boutique resort is expanding with additional 16 executive rooms and 8 villas, one of which is a presidential suite. Its countryside setting will keep guests occupied with recreational facilities, such as all-terrain vehicle, swimming pools, zipline, and hanging bridge and catwalk, and get pampered at the Ilaya Retreat Spa which offers an array of traditional Filipino massage treatments.
Aside from the usual resort stuff, visitors can also experience farm tours, demonstrations on vermi soil concoction and cacao drafting, and pick and pay harvesting of fruits and crops in season.
Its native-themed Balay Uma is a must-try food trip for its Ilonggo dishes, namely KBL (kadyos, baboy, langka), chicken binakol, and its signature desserts—ube macapuno spring roll and Cabatuan tablea chocolate drink.
With its cuisine, culture, and character of its people, Iloilo City can be your new-found friend and the proverbial amigo para siempre—a friend for always.
Image credits: Bernard L. Supetran