Best Things to Do for Free in Iloilo

Isa sa pinakamagandang city na napuntahan ko ay ang Iloilo. Not only because of their hospitable people, efficient pedestrianized roads, delicious food at love for the arts na talaga namang binabalik-balikan; but also because marami ring pwedeng maenjoy dito nang libre bilang isang tourist.

As someone who wants value for money, I couldn't believe na may libre pa pala sa panahong ito. What makes it even better ay kahit libre, worth it pa ring ipagmalaki ang mga tourist spots nila sa Iloilo.

Alam kong mas marami pang pwedeng mapuntahan dito, pero dahil sandali lang kaming nagstay sa Iloilo, ito lang ang iilan sa mga nabisita ko. But during my recent short visit, my experience was so unforgettable, kaya mas marami pa akong reasons para bumalik pa sa Iloilo.

Here are some of the best things to do for free in Iloilo:

1.  Jog at the River Esplanade

Gigantic art installation at the Iloilo River Esplanade 1 entrance

Our accommodation, Smallvile Hotel was just a walking distance away from the Iloilo River Esplanade 1, kaya hindi ko na pinalagpas magjogging dito. Sa entrance pa lang, bubungad na ang napakagandang art installation na 'to.

Sobrang saya ko bilang mobility advocate na maexperience first hand ang ganitong facility sa Iloilo.

2. Take photos at the vibrant murals all around the city

Beautiful murals abound the city of Iloilo

The vibrant and colorful culture of the Ilonggos are reflected through free public art all around the city. The Iloilo government shows its support for their local artists through this initiative which doesn't only honor their craft, but also making the city more visually pleasing.

3. Stroll at the historic Calle Real

A heritage zone perfect for walking tours to admire early 20th-century architecture sa well-preserved American-era, Spanish & Art Deco buildings. You may enjoy photography, shop in historic buildings and explore nearby attractions like churches, parks and museums.

Dito rin matatagpuan ang famous home of the "Queen" Siopao ang Roberto's, na sa sobrang laki at siksik sa palaman, ay parang isa sa best siopao na natikman ko.

 

Courtesy: Mayor Raisa Treñas / Facebook

Isa sa mga proyekto ng Iloilo City government, with the help of Iloilo's electric power distributor, MORE Electric and Power Corporation or MORE Power, ay ang underground cabling to protect and preserve this piece of Iloilo's history. Launched in 2023 and completed in 2024, the distribution utility used state of the art technology which enables electricity to flow without the need for overhead or unsightly power lines.

Hindi rin kalayuan sa Calle Real ang City Hall, Molo Church, Molo Mansion & park, na kasama rin sa mga mas pinaganda sa tulong ng MORE Power.

4. Visit the Brandy Museum at Festival Walk

Learn more about the Spanish Brandy that is well-loved by Filipinos in the first of its kind Brandy Museum in Mandurriao, Iloilo.

Aside from learning its history through preserved books, bottles and tools in making brandy, a brandy appreciation class is also held right at the museum. If may konting budget pa, bago ka umalis ay mag-enjoy with boozy bevarages (coffee with liquor), decadent cakes and other treats that pair perfectly with the liquor.

The Modernization of Iloilo

Of course, Iloilo wasn't like this back then. There were also dark days in the past, as dark as the frequent blackouts they experienced with their previous electric distribution utility, because of unstable supply, old infrastructure and high system loss.

But because of the clamor of the Ilonggos, the Philippine congress approved Republic Act No. 11212, which granted MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) a 25-year franchise to operate in Iloilo City, effectively replacing the incumbent, Panay Electric Company (PECO).

 

Capital Expenditure 

 

This didn't come for free for MORE Power though, because they spent a lot of money to upgrade their equipment. Pero, wala rin naman silang choice, kasi hindi rin mag-iimprove ang serbisyo at mapapababa ang system loss kung hindi sila mag-uupgrade.

 

Capital Expenditure is necessary to stregngthen power systems sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalit ng mga pinaglumaang mga linya at gamit, na hindi lang cause ng mataas na system loss, kung hindi ay cause rin ng madalas na power outages.

MORE Power today and into the Future

With the current situation sa Iloilo city, alam mong worth it ang investment nila, at na win back nila ang trust ng mga consumers. Along with their upgrading efforts through Capital Expenditure (CapEx), ay marami pa silang modernization efforts, with consumers as their top priority.

While MORE Power is continuously improving their consumer-centric services in Iloilo, their parent company, Primelectric Holdings, Inc. (under Prime Strategic Holdings, Inc.), owned by businessman Enrique K. Razon, wants to bring the same brand and quality of service to the South of the Philippines.

Through a partnership with MP Holdings, Inc. owned by Manny Pacquiao, Ignite Power and Energy Corp. was formed. This joint venture aims to operate and modernize power distribution services in Sarangani, South Cotabato and General Santos City through a partnership with SOCOTECO II.

 

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