Your Budget Guide To Dinagyang 2018 | ShirtsandTravels.Blogspot

The Hala Bira Saga of Iloilo continues this January 2018.

Iloilo's annual ati tribe competition resumes with all its impending grandeur and power. The streets are now busy for the preparations. The crowd is already buzzing with excitement. The tribes are up all night preparing for their upcoming performances along with their respective tribe bands. And the tickets are already out!

Iloilo Metropolitan Times has this schedule for the succeeding and simultaneous events of the said festival which includes (but not limited to) church masses, sports competition, costume contest, Miss Dinagyang 2018, advocacy campaign contests, fitness and body building competition, battle of the bands, and so many more! Seriously, you should check this out! Here's the link:

Iloilo Metropolitan Times: Dinagyang 2018 Schedule

And yes, you need to know about ticket prices. Very well, the most awesome seats in all judging area will be worth about Php 1,500.00 while the back area would cost about Php 1,200.00. You can buy them at the Dinagyang Lounge, Iloilo Freedom Grandstand, City Proper. Tickets are strictly on a first come, first serve basis and no reservations whatsoever are allowed. This means that you can buy tickets at the lounge for the prices stated above or suffer the prices of ticket scalpers (which could increase more or less about 50%). If you're a foreigner, you might opt for the latter. Or you can have someone from Iloilo (relatives or friends) buy the tickets for you. The ticket prices are nothing compared to the tribal performance anyway. So, go for it. 

You can buy and wear this shirt for the Dinagyang Festival prior to your visit in Iloilo:

Get this shirt at: Teespring! <<(click this link)

If ever you need any tip, guideline, and review while you're in Iloilo, visit these links below:

* Iloilo City’s Major Transport Groups: Your Budget Guide to Iloilo City’s Transport Scheme Part 1

* 5 Tips in Visiting Iloilo, Philippines

Happy Dinagyang! Happy Travels!

V Castillo

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Iloilo City’s Major Transport Groups: Your Budget Guide to Iloilo City’s Transport Scheme Part 1

Yes, you are here because you haven’t found any article or blogs concerning Iloilo City’s major transport systems. You might be a foreigner or a local tourist who will be visiting (or currently visiting) the City of Love. Well, anyways, you’re in major luck you’ve found this blog because this is your answer. Without much ado, I give you this information and make you feel like a pro. (Review)

Here are the major transport systems with their respective routes (with landmarks for a bonus):

1.      Calumpang/Calaparan Jeepneys

           

This system starts off from Breakthrough (Villa-Arevalo fork; near the gas station) going to the narrow streets of Calaparan which is lined with beach resorts. After Calaparan, jeepneys will go through the busy streets of Calumpang, San Juan and Boulevard. A right turn will be taken traversing Baluarte-Calumpang Road and another right turn for Rizal Road up to Ledesma Street passing through Tanza (landmark: Tanza Church in front of an elementary school) right through the city proper- Robinsons Mall and 1688 Mall. It will take another right turn to Iznart Street passing numerous Chinese-owned retail shops (landmark: Novo Gift Shop), the Central Market, Gaisano-Guanco Mall, and the University of Iloilo. These last three are located at Guanco Street before Ortiz Wharf. It will take a left for a swift ride through Plaza Libertad (which is the end point). From there, a backward route will be taken back to the starting point.

The regular fare from starting point to end point (or vice versa) is Php 10.00. Points in between are usually charged Php 7.00 for regular commuters.

Major Landmarks/Establishments: 

Photo Credits: Tee0wh TM 

Photo Credits: Rizal Elementary School Facebook Page

Photo Credits: Marco Detourist Flicker Account

Photo Credits: alamy.com

Photo Credits: RMN Iloilo

Photo Credits: francisjan.wordpress.com

Photo Credits: RMN Network

2.      Baluarte Jeepneys

Route 1: Baluarte jeepney starts off at Iloilo City National Highschool to Molo Terminal (for buses and vans going to Antique) and will pass through Molo Plaza and Molo Church. It will then take Locsin Road (landmark: Baluarte Elementary School) up to Baluarte-Calumapng Road until turning right for Rizal Road and Ledesma Street. From there, it will cover common roads covered by Calumpang and Timawa jeepneys.

Photo Credits: Google Map

Note: Route 1 Baluarte also takes most landmarks taken by Calumpang jeepneys. Additional landmark for Baluarte Route 1 includes-

Photo Credits: RMN Iloilo

Photo Credits: kentisnowhere.com

Photo Credits: dreamcatcherrye.blogspot.com

Photo Credits: bernardolivares.blogspot.com

Photo Credits: localphilippines.com

Route 2: Another Baluarte jeepney route starts off at GT Mall (near Molo Plaza). It will pass through Iloilo City National Highschool and MH Del Pilar Street (landmark/s: St. Therese MTC Colleges, La Fiesta Hotel, John B. Lacson Maritime University Molo Campus). General Luna Street will then be traversed after one major intersection and will pass through Sarabia Manor Hotel, University of San Agustin, Iloilo Central Elementary School, St. Paul’s Hospital, Iloilo Capitol and Days Hotel (Atrium). A right turn to Iznart Street will be taken- passing through The Grand Tower Hotel, three banks (BPI, Landbank, Eastwest), The Amigo Terrace Hotel, and Unitop Plazoleta Gay. It will then go over JM Basa Street, a road buzzed by noise because of sidewalk vendors and buyers (landmarks: City Square Mall, more Chinese-owned retail shops, Roberto’s, Freedom Grandstand, Iloilo City Hall and Plaza Libertad). From there, it will cover the roads taken by route 1 back to both starting points.

Photo Credits: Google Map

Regular fare applies from Baluarte system’s point to point: Php 7.00.

Major Landmarks:

Photo Credits: panoramio.com

Photo Credits: tripadvisor.com

Photo Credits: finduniversity.ph

Photo Credits: staceygonzalves49love.blogspot.com

Photo Credits: yellowiloilo.com

Photo Credits: pandatraveler.com

Photo Credits: exploreiloilo.com

Photo Credits: panayisland.com

Photo Credits: panayisland.com

Photo Credits: flavoursofiloilo.blogspot.com

Photo Credits: panoramio.com

Photo Credits: Constantine Agustin Flickr Account

Photo Credits: RMN Networks

This is the first part. I hope this would help you. Stay tuned for more!

V Castillo

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5 Tips in Visiting Iloilo, Philippines

With all its historic grandeur, splendid tourist spots, and friendly folks, Iloilo is one of Philippine’s most beautiful and safest places. It is located in Panay Island and can be considered as the heart of the country Philippines based on its location on the map. Iloilo prides itself with all of its kind-hearted people and is now dubbed as the Philippine’s “City of Love”. Kindness radiates from the heart of most Ilonggos so you don’t have to almost worry about getting all the help you need because the Ilonggos are always ready to lend a hand.

Now here are the tips you might find helpful upon your visit in Iloilo:

1. KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING and HOW TO GET THERE.  

      A well-researched trip is unlikely to go astray. Now though the Ilonggos are up and good for some question-and-answer session, it is always an advantage if you have some saved-up knowledge of where you’re going and how to get there. This way, it would be hard for some tricksy local to dupe you into a partial-benefit-kind-of-negotiation. It is always a plus to know the local commute scheme of the province- the name of bus to ride, the fare for travel from this place to that place, the name of the place you want to visit, the owner of the place/tourist spot you wanna visit, etc. If there’s something you’ll likely miss, you can always ask the locals.

Photo Credits: slideshare.net

2.  ALWAYS ESTABLISH COMMUNICATION WITH THE OWNER/IN-CHARGE OF THE PLACE YOU WANT TO VISIT.

      

      Business is business. Now if you are going to a beach resort for example or an inland resort, it is always a good idea to establish constant communication to the owner or incharge of the place because they will likely help you to safely get there. After all, visitors and tourist are walking profits. The more visitors they have, the more money they get. It’s a win-win. You are safe and relaxed while they earn.

Photo credits: shutterstock.com

3.      IF YOU’RE IN DOUBT, ASK.

     

     We, human beings, have this saying “Ask and you will be answered.”. This goes the same way with travels and visiting foreign places. Luckily,most Filipinos, especially Ilonggos, knows and understand a bit of English. That’s a plus for foreign travelers. For local travelers, Ilonggos are quite good with Tagalog too. So if you want to talk or ask the locals anything, you can choose from these two languages as a way to communicate.

Photo Credits: shutterstock.com

4.      ALWAYS SECURE YOUR THINGS.

There’s nothing wrong with being paranoid sometimes. In this case, paranoia can be great of help. You’re travelling into a foreign place after all- with all its foreign people. This one is a pro tip and a must do in your each and every travel. You came to enjoy. Do not let your sweet escape turn into a regretful one.

Photo Credits: pinterest.com

5.      GET YOUR CAMERAS AND PHONES READY AND WITHIN REACH.

Don’t miss the opportunity of a good camera click and capture the beauty you seldom see. Iloilo has many stunning places and exotic animals and plants so you’re up for a busy day upon your visit. Take some shots and let them be part your memory!

Photo Credits: adorama.com

You can enjoy the beauty of Iloilo anytime- but not without these above-mentioned tips. Plan your escapades well and you shall be rewarded. Happy travels!

Need something to read for travel inspiration? Check out Amazon's annual bestseller: Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2018. See cover below  and have fun!

V Castillo

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