Biyahe Ni Drew: All you need for a 48-hour food trip in Iloilo

It’s not too late to have a romantic weekend! Drew Arellano recommends taking a loved one to Iloilo for a 48-hour budget travel adventure. Here’s his itinerary:

Quick facts

• Shaped like a heart, Iloilo is known as the “Heart of the Philippines.” Its capital, Iloilo City, is known as the “City of Love.”
• Iloilo City is independent of the provincial government.
• Lots of festivals to watch out for: Dinagyang Festival, Jaro Fiesta, Paraw Regatta!

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How to get there

• Iloilo City has its own airport! It’s a simple one-hour flight from Manila. If you’re coming from Cebu, it’s a 30-minute flight. Bonus: Drew says Iloilo has the cleanest and most modern airport in the Philippines—much better than NAIA1! (The terminal fee here, at P200, is more expensive than less impressive airports.)
• From the airport, you may take a 45-minute taxi ride to the city proper (P200-300). If you’re traveling in a group, rent a multicab, which seats more passengers for the same price.

What/where to eat
Batchoy
The original Ilonggo comfort food, batchoy’s got warm broth, veggies, noodles, pork, beef, liver and even chicharon! There’s a saying in Iloilo that if you can’t finish two servings of batchoy, you’re obviously not from around there. We recommend Netong’s Original Batchoy (P55/serving), Ted’s Old Timer La Paz Batchoy (P65/serving) and Deco’s Batchoy (P60/serving).

Rooftop Brewery | Small Ville, Iloilo
Drew loves beer. He had a blast in Rooftop Brewery, which serves beers from all over the world. You can take your pick from their wide menu, but Drew recommends Hoegaarden (a Belgian brew), Hitachino (a Japanese classic) and Grolsch (a Dutch beer).

You don’t have to be a connoisseur to enjoy a good beer, says Drew: “I can’t explain the taste. I just enjoy drinking beer.” He adds, “Ako, when I travel, I make it a point not just to try their food but to also try their local beer. What I do is I keep not the bottle but ‘yung tansan. Puwedeng gawing necklace.”

[Photo by Drew Arellano. Follow him on Instagram: @DrewArellano]

Madge Café | La Paz Market, Iloilo City
A coffee shop in a market? Look past the weird location, because Madge Café has been around for 72 years, serving freshly brewed native coffee for just P20. The baristas pour your coffee like it’s an exhibition—bring a video camera!

MO2 Bar | Small Ville, Iloilo
Bright lights, wild music? It’s like you didn’t leave Manila!

Melody Creek Bar | Molo, Iloilo
For a more laidback bar experience, Melody Creek serves Mexican drinks and food—tavern-style!

Pat-pat’s Kansi House | E. Lopez St., Iloilo City
Kansi is Iloilo’s answer to bulalo—except with a kick of sourness.

Tatoy’s Manukan | Arevalo, Iloilo
For P300, you can get a native lechon manok. Drew admits that it’s a bit expensive, but it’s something he’s tried many times and hasn’t grown tired of.

Al Dente Ristorante | General Luna, Iloilo City
This is the oldest Italian restaurant in Iloilo, and possibly the most authentic. From the bread to the wine, from the pizza to the pasta, this is one great feast. Try the osso buco (hollowed bone meat in tomatoes).

Jaro Bazaar Food Stalls | Budget: P100-P150/person
Hit two birds with one stone at the Jaro Bazaar. It’s known for its ihaw-ihaw food stalls as well as its ukay-ukay and tiangge shopping.

Quick tip: When shopping, ask the tindera:  “Wala na gid ayo ni?” It means “Wala na bang tawad ito?” or “Can’t you give me a discount?”

Where to stay
For the family/barkada | Amigo Terrace Hotel
Superior Room: P3,195 for 4 people, inclusive of breakfast

On a budget | Riverside Inn
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
This inn provides nice rooms (personal bathrooms, check!) and a stunning view of the Iloilo River. However, it’s rather far from the Dinagyang Festivities.

Not on a budget | Hotel Del Rio
MH Del Pilar St., Molo, Iloilo
Their Deluxe King Room (P4,200/night) is a bit of a splurge, but it does come with a bathtub, and access to a swimming pool.

What to see

Dinagyang Festival
Held in January, Dinagyang Festival is a religious and cultural festival honoring Santo Niño, or the child Jesus—like Cebu’s Santo Niño festivals, Sinulog, Dinagyang is marked by a colorful procession and street dancing.

Jaro Park | Admission: Free
On a regular afternoon, locals hang out at Jaro Park for some fresh air. Around January, you can watch dancers practicing for the Dinagyang Street Dance competition.

Museo Iloilo | Admission: P5
See antiques and war relics donated by Iloilo locals.

What to buy for pasalubong
De Ocampo’s Barquillos
They also have biscocho, pinasugbo and other desserts. If your airline’s a stickler for the baggage allowance, these are great and practically weightless.

Drew's Budget (the actual amount Drew spent on his Iloilo trip)
Transportation P1000
Accomodation P700
Food P1500
Pasalubong P1000
Total: P4,200

For more tipid tips, follow Biyahe ni Drew on Twitter! -Cristina Tantengco, GMA News/PF