1st Korean-Ilonggo Friendship Festival

Iloilo Korean United Community Association Inc. vice-president Moon Dae Jin credited Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog who first broached the idea and possibility of holding the event in partnership with the City Government.

Mabilog stressed the endeavor fosters harmonious relations and dynamic partnerships with the Korean community in the city as well as invite Koreans to visit, study or do business in the metropolis.

Some 200 Korean guests are scheduled for a courtesy visit at the City Hall on Sept. 21.

The festival would make everybody aware of the presence of our Korean friends through a cross-cutting of cultural fusion of Koreans and Ilonggos, said City Tourism and Development Officer Ben Jimena.

The affair will make Koreans feel at home even as some of them have already invested and set up businesses here, said event organizer Jane Javellana.

K-Pop strong wind is covering the world by storm and Ilonggos will have the chance to fully experience Korea’s wave, she added.

The celebration showcases Korea’s culture, food and sports in a mall exhibit at SM City which runs until Sept. 22.

The famed K-Pop music and fashion from the traditional Hanbuk to the latest trends and styles featuring Korean artists Karin & Step Girls and top models straight from Korea will take centerstage in a concert show at Central Philippine University Gym on Sept. 21 at 7pm.

The food festival at Delgado Street, City Proper will offer Korean and Ilonggo cuisines on Sept. 22.

MegaWorld Project Iloilo

Grand Imperial Hotel soon to rise at Iznart Street, Iloilo City.

Esplanade Iloilo

the new Iloilo City Hall

Zest Air Domestic seat sale

IT'S BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! P1.00 ONEWAY! All domestic airbus destinations. SALE:Sept.15-17,2012 TRAVEL: June 01-Sept 15,2013.Book and buy at www.flyzest.com,call 855.3333 or visit the nearest Zest ticket office.(except Fuel Surcharge,P16.80 asf w/vat and Terminal Fee)CAB approval no. 256,09-12 S2012.Terms/conditions apply.

Iloilo Airport Arrivals

Legend:
5J - Cebu Pacific
2P - AirPhil Express
PR - Philippine Airlines
DG - SeAir-Tiger Airways
Z2 - Zest Air

MNL - Manila (Ninoy Aquino Int'l Airport)
CEB - Cebu (Mactan-Cebu Int'l Airport)
DVO - Davao (Davao Int'l Airport)
CGY - Cagayan de Oro (Lumbia Airport)
GES - General Santos (General Santos Int'l Airport)
TAC - Tacloban (Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport)
PPS - Puerto Princesa (Puerto Princesa Airport)
HKG - Hong Kong (Chep Lap Kok Int'l Airport)
SIN - Singapore (Changi Int'l Airport)

Flights from Iloilo International Airport (as of Aug. 2012)

Iloilo International Airport is the 4th busiest airport in the Country

Two airline firms want to open int'l flights from Iloilo

ILOILO CITY, Sept 10 (PNA) -- Two airline companies have expressed interest in opening up international flights from Iloilo to Hong Kong and Singapore. These are in addition to international flights of Cebu Pacific Air that will start in November.

Representatives from Tiger Airways and the Dragon Air of Cathay Pacific recently visited the office of mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog as preliminaries for the proposal.

Meanwhile, Silk Air, a regional airline company of Singapore Airline, also expressed its interest to service foreign nationals from Manila to domestic destinations, specifically Iloilo. Its representatives visited the City Tourism and Development Office (CTDO) to gather data on arrivals in Iloilo.

Mabilog said that they were also in talks with the consular offices of Korea and China to possibly open consular offices in Iloilo following clamor, particularly from the Korean community here, to open a regular flight direct to their country.

“We are making due representation with their consular offices in Manila,” he said.

Travels to Korea and China require a visa. Mabilog said that they looked forward to a two-way traffic and not just their nationals coming to Iloilo but also travelers from here to the said countries.

Tourism officer-in-charge, lawyer Helen Catalbas, meanwhile, said that her office was very much willing to support the plan to open regular flights from Iloilo to Korea.

“Being number one in the tourist arrivals of the Philippines and of Western Visayas is a very good argument for them to open regular flight from their airport in Korea where they are coming from,” she said.

Mabilog and other local officials here have been pushing for the entry of international flights to Iloilo. The flights will not only make Iloilo and its adjacent provinces accessible to tourists but also to interested investors as well. (PNA)

GT Parkplace Plaza Mall soon to open in Molo, Iloilo City

CEBU PACIFIC AIR FLIGHT SCHEDULE (Aug. 2012)

Plaza de Arevalo

Plaza de Arevalo –
The Arevalo Plaza is the site of the monument dedicated to the Spanish Queen Isabel II. The crown replica symbolizes friendship between Spain and Iloilo. Arevalo district was established as a town in 1581, it became the seat of power in southern Panay, before it was later transferred to La Punta, now called Iloilo.

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Tiger Airways starts this August 2012 in Iloilo

Iloilo International Airport gets more flights than before. Starting August 2, 2012,Tiger Air flies to Iloilo via versa Manila as super low air fare. Tiger Air flights daily departure from Iloilo at 8:15am and returns to Iloilo at 7:45pm utilizing new Airbus fleet. For more information please visit http://www.tigerairways.com/ph/en/real_deals.php

The Upcoming 2nd ICER Urban Challenge

The up-coming 2^nd ICER Urban Challenge is all set this coming July 21, 2012. Where calling all EMTs, EMS, rescue groups, emergency responders and trained rescuer to join the 2^nd ICER Urban Challenge. This event is created to enhance skills in emergency management situations encouraging the responder on thinking on the fly and under pressure when handling emergency situations, and at the same time beating the speed and skills of other teams. It’s like a rescue olympics combined with Amazing Race. Interested parties may call ICER (Iloilo City Emergency Responders) at 335-1554 and look for Aicila, John C. or Luben. Deadline of submission entries will be on July 16, 2012 (Monday). JOIN NOW!!!

2nd Severe Weather of 2012 in the Philippines

Severe weather set a second typhoon to hit the Philippines. Iloilo is enhance with southwest moonsoon brings scattered heavy rains throughout the region. The second typhoon called "Butchoy" intensifies and maintains strength going north northwest. Last night June 16, 2012 at pass 11 in the evening, gusty winds from west to east cutting power throughout the city of Iloilo as police radio reports. Panay electric, a sole distributor of electricity can't rapidly reconnect down power lines. After few hours, the whole city returned back to normal. But scattered rains continue to dominate the skies with downpour from moderate to heavy.

Iloilo City Community College NOW OPENS

"I have personal experiences of being underprivileged. Yet today I feel, together with my fellow students, that we are no longer underprivileged," stressed Emily Labistre, president of student council of Iloilo City Community College (ICCC).

The 17-year old head of League of Leaders (LOL) party led the 220-pioneer student, school management, faculty and staff in giving cheers during ICCC inauguration Thursday.

"I feel God is smiling on us and on you – our guests and benefactors because today we have a future that is much brighter, full of hope and expectations," Labistre told audience in between tears of joy.

She was thankful the ICCC donated by Edgar "Injap" Sia II would prepare the youth to become successful professionals someday.

"Our dream for a better life for ourselves and for our family is now within reach because of ICCC. We are truly blessed – we are special for being the first batch of students to avail of your generous gift of education. We will always treasure this precious gift and be thankful of it for the rest of our lives," said the excited Labistre.

"Our elders always say that education is the only wealth that cannot be taken away from us. They also say that education is the key to success and that the success of each individual redounds to the progress of the nation," she exclaimed.

But not everyone is given the opportunity to obtain or pursue their education, especially college, Labistre said.

Thus, the ICCC envisions being the leading educational institution where quality and affordable tertiary education is provided to the underprivileged youth.

"I and my fellow students are indeed financially underprivileged – for most of us have fathers who are trisikad drivers and mothers who wash clothes or lavandera for our neighbors or vendors of native delicacies and street foods to help augment the family income," Labistre shared.

Her father is a jeepney driver while her mother has to stay at home to take care of her younger siblings and a brother who is a special child.

"Some of us have to work as housekeepers, construction workers or janitors so that we have some money to spend for our transportation and school projects," she said.

"Others stopped from schooling for some time for lack of financial means to support our college education. I myself have to quit for a year so I could help my parents while they are at work by taking care of my siblings," Labistre recalled.

"In behalf of my fellow students and our parents, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our guests, benefactors, government officials and friends of Iloilo City," she said.

"We pledge to live up to the expectations of our elders, professors, benefactors, and Almighty God, to become competent and dignified professionals who attain success for the service of our community, our country and specially our city – our pride," avowed Labistre. (JVF/Iloilo City PIO)

SM Malls plans to build a new Supermall in the City of Love (Iloilo).

According to a news article released by Business World, SM Prime holdings is planning a second SM Supermall in Iloilo City. All information is still not yet been release. It’s just to wait and see until another news article is announced by SM Prime Holdings.

Gaisano Capital Oton Opened

This June 2012, Gaisano Capital opened another branch besides Gaisano Capital Guanco, Gaisano Capital Passi City and Gaisano Capital La Paz. It opened another branch in the southern part of Iloilo in Oton Municipality. This is the second outside of Iloilo City branch and it is a 2-story mall. Gaisano Capital Oton opened its doors with a complete with their Department Store, Grocery, Appliance and the mall area with kiosks at the center. Gaisano Capital Oton is designed for southern part of Iloilo province and Antique residence to shop and dine as an alternative from the buzzling City of Iloilo. Gaisano Capital Oton is located at Brgy. Trapiche, Benedicto corner Zulueta Streets, Oton, Iloilo.