Boracay Experience Part 1: Short stay in Iloilo City

When everyone talks about the beaches in the Philippines probably the number one spot on their list is Boracay. You agree? Well, my teammates in my previous company invited me to join the fun. 

My first impression about Boracay is too luxurious for an average earner like me. You know. So I was hesitant at first to join them. This adventure was planned like 5 months ago. They already booked their piso fare roundtrip tickets with Cebu Pacific Air. And I got my roundtrip Cebu to Iloilo tickets for only PhP 969.00, still a good deal. I wish Cebu Pacific had more Cebu to Caticlan promo fares.

I just love to go with my friends so I thought if I really save a little money then I could go. We were so blessed to have Marvic who has all this talent of negotiating hotel and transportation prices just to get us a good deal.

This is supposed to be a 4 day and 3 night adventure in Boracay but due to Cebu Pacific’s aircraft maintenance issue they moved our departure time from 9AM to 2:40PM on March 1 so we decided to stop and stay in Iloilo City for a night. It was safer that way since travelling time from Iloilo City to Caticlan, Malay, Aklan would take around 4-5 hours in a private van.

I thought the airplane that would take us was an ATR type but it was an airbus. The weather was sunny. Inside the airplane, it was great to see the clouds through the window.  It was like you are in a glimpse of the heaven. haha

We arrived in Iloilo City airport around 3:30PM It was a less than 30min plane travel. That was fast! I can say that I am surprised how Iloilo City got a clean and a very nice airport. It looks like NAIA 3. You see, it is Iloilo International Airport.

According to Addy, the Iloilo airport was first located in the city proper. Things changed and got developed so the airport is now located in Cabatuan, Iloilo. The airport looks fresh and new to me though the new airport began its operation in 2007.

We hired a van to take us from the airport to our pension house in Iloilo City. We stayed in Ong Bun Pension House in Ladesma St., Iloilo City. The pension house is near SM Delgado so I think it was a good location to explore the main city. I can recommend the place if you plan to stay in Iloilo City. The rooms we booked were clean. You can visit their website to reserve/inquire.

We toured the nearby establishments especially in SM Delgado. This was the time when I heard people speaking Ilonggo naturally. We had our early dinner in Shakeys. We also bought our sun blocks, toiletries etc in Watsons. I got tired after we had our dinner. The establishment closed as early as 7PM. After our short walks, I immediately took a short nap in our room while they went to Smallville. The place is known for a night life in Iloilo City. It is Iloilo’s version of Cebu’s Mango. You know what I mean?

Well yeah. I can say that Iloilo City is a semi urbanized place highly-urbanized country, per my reader (edited 05/08/2013). The height of the buildings are same to that in Tagbilaran City. People got off on the streets as early as 7PM. Few call centers exist in the city like Teletech. If you are looking for a night life and drink the hardest as you can, go to Smallville.

I guess that is all. Thank you for reading. If you have questions, please leave a comment.