Iloilo Banwa Ko

This is a video I made during the summer vacation... yeah right... haha... but seriously, this is a promotional video made for Iloilo, my province... (Iloilo, Banwa ko in Hiligaynon.) I would like to clear out some things before everything else. just because Iloilo is from the Visayas, more specifically Western Visayas, that does not mean that everyone there is "Bisaya." No, Bisaya are people who speak "Bisaya" (duh!), and those guys come from places like Cebu. The more popular dialect spoken in our region is Hiligaynon, which sounds very "Bisaya" to untrained ears but can be very different to people who speak it. People from Iloilo and the neighboring area are called Ilonggos. Getch( ); ?


The first scene in the video is the intersection in front of the Provincial Capitol, Atrium (one of the malls), and one end of Assumption de Iloilo. Good thing they filmed during the night, a few hours earlier and that place would have been crawling with traffic.

The blue water scene was taken near the vicinity of Fort San Pedro, an old spanish fortress which used to protect the city from invading nomadic hordes, angry pirate sea dogs, jihad-minded fanatics, Japanese suicide bombers, and the occasional wrathful fisherman with a 10-pound fish (what he did with that fish, no one knows). Stories say that a prison used to house convicts below the fort. Forgetful Spanish architects intentionally forgot t make to cells watertight so they flooded when high tides came, a one way trip to Davey Jone's locker for the convicts. Ghost stories aside, modern Fort San Pedro is now transformed into a seaside drive through restaurant specializing in grilled chicken and steamed oysters. The concrete structures overlooking Guimaras Strait serve as sea walls, which help weaken the waves to stop erosion. They can also serve as platforms for nameless silhouettes relaxing on a sleepy sunday afternoon.

The next scenes showcase all the new restaurants, sports centers, call centers, housing projects, skyscrapers, hotels, resorts, and other big city leisure spots that seem to be popping out of the ground every time I come home for another vacation. Some I don't ever recognize anymore. As long as you have the cash... its a fun place to visit. Sta. Barbara golf course, that place with a lot of grass, is one of the oldest 18 holes in the country. I dunno how old specifically, but I know it's old.

The mall with the big fountain is Robinson's Place Iloilo (what a fun mall?). That's where our home used to be, until Mr. Robinson bought the entire block and placed his big bad mall there. If you want to visit where out house used to stand, just go to the store in front of RRJ (rough rider jeans). I don't know the specific name. Another tip, if you want free Wi-Fi, just sit in front of Kublai-Khan restaurant. The stupid coffee shop beside it offers Wi-Fi for a price, without knowing that they are within reach of Kubai-Khan's signal, the imperialist dogs. Virgins beware, a big golden snake haunts the comfort rooms of this mall (or any other robinsons mall - as legend says). It is known to swallow its victims whole. The lucky ones get to marry the vile creature. I'm betting that the only priest who would marry such a couple would also be married himself. Not that there are any married priests in Iloilo. *grin*

The white sand beach is not Boracay. Believe it or not, its just a 30-minute boat ride from Iloilo. Yes, its in oil-stricken Guimaras Island. But fear not, those beaches have been spared from an oily doom. Its a wonderful place to watch the Paraw Regatta. The regatta is a sailboat race where colorful-sailed, tiny boats (see boats in the background) battle the wind and water to win the prize. We once watched that race while eating smoked lobster and other exotic seafood in a cottage by the rocky beach. A memory that stays even to this day. (I could still taste that lobster) *drool*

Modernization of the city is also in full throttle. New bridges, businesses, and opportunities appearing out of thin air almost every day. Some of my friends already have jobs in the call centers featured in the video. Iloilo city International Airport of International Standards (not its real name) has already opened and all air traffic in the area has been directed to the new place. The demand for air travel is fueled by everyone from Boracay-bound tourists to foreign English students from Korea.

Our cultural heritage are also showcased in this film. In order of appearance: Molo Church, Jaro Cathedral Bell Tower, Museo Iloilo, and Old Provincial Capitol (with the fountain in front, ground zero for all roadside distance markers). Church Hopping is a fun experience if you want to spend your holy week here. (afterwards you can go to Boracay to celebrate.) But you can always go to Boracay if you think summer is too hot. A 4000 peso budget would be enough. As long as you have fun, money doesn't really matter, but it sure could help a lot. Boracay is 4 hours away from Iloilo.

Well that's it, a short few seconds of my hometown. Hehe... be sure to contact me if your planning to visit. Our friendly operators are standing by 23 hours a day. Enjoy!

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Happy Birthday pala kay sir ninong. *smile*

For the record ulit, Record Call time: 11pm - 4:45am *evil laughter* Hindi ko kasalanan yun. Haha. It took 6 glasses of water.

uhmm... yun lang... hahahahaha...