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Plaza Ilokal: Megaworld's leisure and commercial grounds at Santa Barbara Heights

Property giant Megaworld has formally broken ground for Plaza Ilokal, its latest development inside the 173-hectare Sta. Barbara Heights Village of its subsidiary Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI) in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo near the Iloilo International Airport. Shown in photo during the groundbreaking ceremony are (from left) Ar. John Regania, landscape architect, GERI; Ar. Kristine Valenzuela, project development manager, GERI; Megaworld; Jennifer Palmares-Fong, head of sales and marketing for Sta. Barbara Heights, Megaworld Global-Estate, Inc.; Engr. El Zed Lepon, head of project management for Visayas and Mindanao; and Engr. Reginaldo Pelayo, project development manager, GERI. The nearly 3,000-square meter commercial and leisure area, being constructed on the corner of the Iloilo Airport Access Road and the Sta. Barbara Heights spine road, will be surrounded by lush, mature trees and will feature a jogging area, bike park, an open-air events space, sunken lawn, food trucks, and an al
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SM Foundation launches Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan Program for Ilonggo farmers in Santa Barbara, Pavia towns

SM Foundation officially launched the 156, 157 and 158 batch of Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) on Sustainable Agriculture Program at the Centre for Agriskills and Livelihoods Inc at Sta. Barbara, Iloilo last June 14, 2023. A total of 75 farmers from the towns of Santa Barbara and Pavia will be trained in order to be equipped with modern farming techniques that will enable them to have quality produce—which they may consume at home or sell for additional source of income. This Corporate Social Responsibility Project of SM Foundation Inc. is in partnership with SM Supermalls, SM Markets, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and local government units. SM’s Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan (KSK) aims to bring modern and sustainable farming skills in both rural and urban communitie

Poso - Our drinking water that "burns"

While most towns and places take pride on native delicacies and dishes, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo has a drink that can actually do more than quench one's thirst. Sta. Barbara's drinking water since time immemorial is known as "poso" . It doesn't stop flowing even during summer, it is colored like tea and it "burns". But before you take out your white hankies and start waving it; or line up, bathe or take a sip in the hopes of curing physical pains, it's not actually that "miraculous" in that sense. Read More

Take a HERITAGE WALK down historic Santa Barbara

There is so much for you to discover in Santa Barbara. From its pivotal role in the quest for freedom for the Ilonggos - as retold in history books, to its heritage as manifested in centuries-old structures, surviving customs, traditional ways of life and gastronomy. No other town has contributed this much to the Iloilo’s history, economy and tourism than Santa Barbara. In this regard, the Municipal Tourism Office is spearheading a Heritage Walk/Trail designed for locals and tourist alike to discover, experience and enjoy what the historic town has to offer. Marvel in the beauty of the newly restored CHURCH and CONVENT (A) built in 1849 and declared as a National Historical Landmark and a National Cultural Treasure. Discover the town’s rich culture and historic past at the CENTENNIAL MUSEUM (B) . See one of the biggest Philippine flags atop one of the tallest flagpoles in the country displayed 24/7 at the FLAGPOLE PARK (C) . A monument dedicated to GEN. MARTIN TEOFILO DEL

Belgian lace making and embroidery at WUTHLE

Originated in Belgium by the ICM Sisters’ Apostolate, this is the only one of its kind in the Philippines.WUTHLE stands for Women United Through Handcrafted Lace & Embroidery. This is a non-profit organization which seeks to uplift the lives of women through embroidery and lace-making. Their workplace can be found inside the compound of the Western Visayas Sanitarium, where one can actually see the lace-making and embroidery under the nimble and creative hands of the workers.

Iloilo Golf and Country Club - The oldest golf course in the Philippines

About a hundred years ago, very little was known about the game of golf in this part of the world, in the Philippines in general and in Iloilo in particular. Then a year or so after the turn of the century a group of Englishmen came to the country, employed by the Philippine Railway Co. whose purpose was to build the railway that was to connect the City of Iloilo to what was then the town of Capiz now Roxas City.  Among them were Scotsmen who then and even now are known to be lovers of the game of golf. Venture to say that to satisfy their needs of playing their favorite pastime, they consequently had to build a golf course. They looked for an area suited for their golf course which they found just outside the rural town of Santa Barbara conveniently located near the route of their railroad about 15 kilometers from the City. And they found that site amid the gently rolling hills. Not much was needed to be done to build a golf course in this area save cleaning level space

Irrigation dam

Constructed in 1926, the irrigation dam is the first gravity irrigation system in the Visayas that has revolutionalized farming. This is the oldest irrigation system in the country.