Don’t Run Out of Things to Do in Iloilo With These 5 Exciting Adventures

Where: Municipality of Dingle and San Enrique, Iloilo Province

After all the bang and bustle of the New Year, a slow, quiet retreat would probably suit everyone best. Enter the Bulabog Puti-an National Park in the Iloilo province. It has 854-hectare protected wildlife and natural park located in the municipalities of San Enrique and Dingle. The eco-tourism park draws hordes of tourists because of its unique limestone formations and its rich assembly of flora and fauna. It is also home to the Bulabog Puti-an mountains and the Puti-an Peak—the highest in Central Iloilo at 322 meters.

Besides natural splendor, the park also bears historical significance, for it is known as the venue of the Cry of Lincud. This event set off the Philippine revolution in Iloilo in 1898. Its 13 caves also served as hideouts for local revolutionary forces during the Spanish occupation. Today, visitors flock to the national park to relish in the pristine mountain springs or hike up the mining trails to watch the diverse species of wildlife in awe.

Where: Festive Walk Mall, Megaworld Boulevard, Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

Rate: PhP150 for 30 minutes

If you’ve grown fond of the cold monsoon during the holidays, get ready to get chilly inside Iloilo’s Mobile Ice Skating Rink in Festive Walk Mall. Opened in 2018, the famed mall, which boasts of being “Iloilo’s most beautiful,” included the skating rink in its pioneering amenities. This place to visit in Iloilo is complete with its simulated snow environment; the skating rink brings the Iloilo locals closer to a snowy experience.

Lace-up your skates and glide through vast sheets of ice with friends and families! If it’s your first time skating, they offer a skating aid for the leisurely rate of PhP150. Practice makes perfect, so they say, and if you’re going to fall on the rink, you might as well have fun doing it. Make sure to bring the proper attire, including warm inner and outerwear, for a hassle-free and friendly skating experience.

Where: Esplanade 1, R. Mapa Street, Tabucan, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

Need an excuse to burn all the Christmas calories? Then make your way down to Adventure Central Indoor Climbing Center in Tabucan, Mandurriao. Priding itself as an outdoor sports center, Adventure Central caters to a broader crowd of outdoor sports enthusiasts rather than just rock climbers.

Inside their hangar-like building stands colorful climbing walls, all configured based on difficulty and climbers’ competency. They also have kiddie walls for those who want to introduce their kids to the active lifestyle early on. Don’t sweat it if you don’t have prior climbing experience, as skilled and amicable instructors are present to guide you.

They offer monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual rates for those who want to be members, but walk-in visitors are more than welcome. They also rent out equipment, including climbing shoes and harnesses, which are added to the walk-in and long-term rates. There are plenty of bean bags in the area and their very own snack bar once you get tired from all the climbing.

Adventure Central Indoor Climbing Center is open daily from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

Where: Locsin St., Plaza Molo, Molo, Iloilo City

Entrance Fee: FREE

Iloilo adventure isn’t complete without seeing architectural spots. A perfect simile to the New Year’s fresh start, Iloilo City’s Molo Mansion is the destination for all who wish to be captivated by the region’s architectural grandeur and vibrant history. The structure, built in the 1920s, used to host the nation’s biggest dignitaries and serve as the residence of the Molo elite. Once thought to be slated for demolition, the mansion has stood the test of time to showcase the rich heritage of Iloilo and the local Ilonggo craftsmanship of the province’s best artisans.

Inside, a Kultura store furnishes every corner with all things native and greets visitors on their way in. Rummage through the vibrant exhibit of fabrics, barong (sheer embroidered shirt for men), fans, headwear pieces, and more for your souvenirs. The Molo Mansion Café is also located at the back, which welcomes diners to an al fresco dining experience.

Molo Mansion is open daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Where: Huervana St., La Paz, Iloilo City

Price: Ranging PhP70 to PhP120

What better way to kick off New Year than doing the thing we love most: eating! And if you’re hungry, Iloilo isn’t backing down from offering you only their best: La Paz Batchoy. The ever-cherished batchoy (noodle soup in pork stock, rinds, and cracklings) has been invigorating Ilonggos since the 1940s, sprouting through small batchoy stalls all over the province.

The La Paz Public Market is home to some of the best and most faithful carriers of the batchoy recipe. Ted’s is in front of the market; it has been around since the 1940s, with its veteran neighbor Deco’s. However, if you want to sample the best batchoy in the land, you go to its roots. Netong’s, has its original branch deep into the market, standing and serving.

If eating noodles leads to a lengthier life, then Ilonggos have a great way of sticking to customs. Order a bowl of their special batchoy, which includes all the possible ingredients and add-ons to the soup. Or maybe you want to sip in the “super special” variant, which is a bigger serving, if you’re too shy to order twice.

Discover Iloilo’s best spots and attractions through the Yoorekka Magazine.