Homegrown Malls in Iloilo City for Where Locals and Tourists Shop

One prominent mall in Iloilo City that concentrates on food and grocery items is Iloilo Supermart. The business has been in existence for 70 years now since it was built in 1948 by Que Hua Pho, who is popularly known as “Papa George.” He is also the man behind Washington Supermart at the corner of J.M. Basa and Guanco Streets in the city proper. With the success of Washington Supermarket, he then established the first branch of Iloilo Supermart at Valeria Street.

This preceded the establishment of Iloilo Supermart branches in Molo, Mandurriao, Jaro, Atrium, and Villa. These stores owned by the Que’s is under the business name Iloilo Supermart, Inc. The family also manages Tinapayan Bakeshop Iloilo, Paper Chase, Homestore, Medicine Corner, The Atrium at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol, and Iloilo Right Choice Enterprise, Inc.

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The mall is well-loved by Ilonggos because of its accessibility and affordability. The jingle played at the mall and in strategic places which goes, “Iloilo Supermart, may bargain araw-araw... Aton guid ini!” (“Iloilo Supermart where there is a bargain every day... This is truly ours!”) captured the hearts of the buying public. Thus, the business kept on growing.

Iloilo Supermart is often the destination for all economic classes, from the elite to the middle class and lower class. It is one comfortable shopping destination for Ilonggos and tourists.

Iloilo Society Commercial, Inc. (ISC) in Iloilo City is a haven to shoppers who are on a tight budget. It is the place where one can purchase items wholesale, which is why small and big time business establishments buy from ISC. ISC carries meat, grocery items, school supplies, milk, medicine, toys, and other similar items.

Small and medium enterprise owners are most familiar with ISC. Those who intend to start their businesses often come here since they can ensure profit with the competitively priced products they offer.

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The founders of the business are the families of Roberto Chua and Che Wai of Iloilo City. Today, their heirs continue the legacy that their forefathers have started. Now, there are three ISC branches: ISC Tagbak, ISC Aldeguer, and ISC Rizal, Ortiz.

The business is also very supportive of annual and institutional events of the Iloilo City government.

Deemed as the place to be when one doesn’t know what to do and where to go, Marymart Center in Iloilo City is everyone’s destination. It is very famous especially to budget-conscious Ilonggos. It is also very notable for the affordable prices of the commodities they sell.

When one’s goal is to shop for less but for the best, Marymart is one of the places that shoppers must visit. Cellphones, compact discs, clothes, footwear, bags, and accessories are abundant here.

The mall is home to low-priced clothes, shoes, accessories, gadgets, auto parts, home depot, pastries, grocery items, and the like. A number of fast-food chains and homegrown restaurants can be found inside the mall.

Plazuela de Iloilo, the latest homegrown mall in the City of Love, is owned by Dr. Rogelio M. Florete. He is the visionary behind Bombo Radyo Philippines, R. Florete Pawnshop, Inc., Queenbank, and FloWater, a bulk-water supplier in Iloilo City. Plazuela de Iloilo can be found in a very strategic location beside SM City Iloilo.

Plazuela de Iloilo offers a whole new lifestyle destination to Ilonggos because of its unique design and artistry. It is also a place for kids and those who were kids once. With its wide-open spaces, it is a place for fun and frolic and is oftentimes the destination of celebrities for their concerts.

A few of the many stalls in the mall include Jo’s Chicken Inato, Maridel’s, Hamada, Hong Kong Kitchen, Bowls to Bowels, Floyd’s Famous BBQ, Ponsyon by Breakthrough, and Laser Tag.

Plazuela de Iloilo also has Original Biscocho Haus. One may try their a la carte meals provided such as the pancit molo (pork dumpling soup), s’mores, and the like. Here, tourists may also shop Ilonggo delicacies to give to their friends and loved ones.

At Plazuela de Iloilo, another crowd-drawer is the La Tolda or The Tent. It is an air-conditioned tent that can be used for all occasions by families and friends. Corporate events are also held in the venue.

Today, Plazuela Dos, which is just adjacent to Plaza Mayor of Plazuela de Iloilo, is about to be completed.

Owned and managed by the Uygongco Conglomerate, Amigo Plaza Mall is an alternative place to go to for Ilonggos when they’ve had a long day at work or school. People who visit the place enjoy sumptuous food from Gloria Maris Restaurant, Happy Kitchen Culinary Studio, Mang Inasal, and other establishments.

The wide hallways of the mall allow Ilonggos to hold activities such as bloodletting, culminating programs, school events, and awarding ceremonies of government and non-government agencies.