Discover. Experience. Enjoy STA. BARBARA, ILOILO

The giant Philippine flag in the municipal plaza of Santa Barbara, Iloilo where Philippine independence in the Visayas was proclaimed in 1898, will now be permanently hoisted as declared by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). Santa Barbara plaza in Iloilo now joins a short list of places in the country where the national color is permanently hoisted 24/7 and illuminated during the night, according to NCHP Executive Director Ludovico Badoy. Badoy, Gov. Arthur Defensor, Santa Barbara Mayor Dennis Superficial and Army Col. Eric Ochida unveiled this morning a marker at the base of the flag during the occasion of the 117th anniversary of the first raising of the Philippine flag in the Visayas and Mindanao. The marker reads, " As mandated by Republic Act 8491, the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, the Philippine flag shall be permanently hoisted on this site 24/7 throughout the year and shall be illuminated at night. " Badoy said ...

On its third year, the National Competitive Council revealed the results of its annual Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index recognizing the most competitive cities, municipalities and provinces across the Philippines. It is an annual ranking of Philippine cities and municipalities developed by the National Competitiveness Council through the Regional Competitiveness Committees (RCCs) with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development. Cities and municipalities are ranked on their competitiveness based on an overall competitiveness score. The overall competitiveness score is the sum of scores on three main pillars which pool data from several sub-indicators. The three main pillars are: economic dynamism, government efficiency and infrastructure . Scores are determined by the values of the actual data, as well as the completeness of the submitted data. The higher the score of a city or municipality, the more competitive it is. For the fi...

Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI), a subsidiary of property giant Megaworld, is gearing up for another integrated urban township development in Western Visayas. The 173-hectare Sta. Barbara Heights in the historic municipality of Sta. Barbara in Iloilo is set to become the 18th township of Megaworld, which will lend its expertise to GERI to develop the vast property into a mixed-use urban community. “We are allocating P10-billion to develop Sta. Barbara Heights for 10 years. Part of which has already been spent for land development and construction of the village, which started four years ago. We have seen the potential of Sta. Barbara Heights of becoming a full-blown township because of its strategic location near the Iloilo International Airport. In the next five to 10 years, this master-planned community will help spur economic activities in this town, and we will be able to provide transient passengers and tourists with facilities that are truly welcoming and world-class,” says...

PNOY leads the 117th Independence Day Celebration in Santa Barbara, Iloilo Photo from the  Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines President Benigno PNOY Aquino III led the National Celebration of the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence in Santa Barbara last June 12, 2015. It started with the Arrival Honors for the President followed by the Flag Raising and Wreath-laying Ceremonies. After the short program that followed, the President inspected the newly restored Santa Barbara Church and Convent then proceeded to the Vin D'Honneur at Casa Real in Iloilo City.   Watch the whole program

The movement for Philippine independence from Spain was a collective one—a national movement. This has been recognized by President Benigno S. Aquino III, as reflected in his Independence Day commemorations of the past years held in various crucial settings. This annual pilgrimage by the President emphasizes that the revolution was truly nationwide in extent and character. In 2011, the President led the commemoration of the 113th anniversary of the proclamation of independence in Kawit, Cavite—where the Philippine flag was first waved before its people, and the national anthem first played. In 2012, the President headed the ceremonies from Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan—the venue of the Malolos Congress, which had drafted the Constitution of our First Republic. In 2013, the President led the commemoration from Liwasang Bonifacio. Last year, President Aquino led the Independence Day celebration from Naga City, Camarines Sur, to commemorate the great contribution of the Bi...

Santa Barbara is set to host the 117th Anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence tomorrow, June 12. From years of planning, months of meetings, weeks of preparations, days of on-site work and hours of rehearsals - almost everything seemed to be falling into their respective places... When the almost unimaginable thing happened - the rope that will be used to hoist the Philippine Flag breaks/snaps!  Now everybody almost seemed to also have snapped that instant. It's not just any tall flagpole, it's a 120-feet flagpole - almost 12 storeys high! And tomorrow's the big day - n ow what to do, what to do? Everyone in the vicinity offered but it was narrowed down to two - use a boom crane to hoist someone up there or someone will be hoist down a helicopter from above. No matter what it takes, it has to be done for its for the President who will be here. Helicopters flew over to assess the situation but it seemed futile from that point or so we conclu...

As Santa Barbara will be on the national spotlight this coming June 12, let's reminisce the Independe Day celebration two years ago held at SM City Iloilo, where the town showcased not only its heritage and culture but also its gastronomy by making a giant Philippine flag made with baye-baye in Brgy. Cabugao Sur. Let's bring back the taste memories... The Jaspe family and their gigantic gastronomic creation! Ilonggos celebrated the 115th Philippine Independence Day with much history and more baye-baye at SM City Iloilo! Measuring 8x16 feet, more than 100 kilos of baye-baye were made by D' Original Jaspe Special Baye-Baye from Bgry. Cabugao Sur in Santa Barbara, Iloilo to create this gastronomic masterpiece. Baye-baye is among the most popular native delicacies in Iloilo. It is made from pinipig, which is pounded rice and mixed with coconut and sugar, among others.  It was among the highlights of the mall's Freedom Day celebration that had cultural, musical ...

If you love LINA-GA, Inang's Foodmart is a must-try. Located along Merlo Street near the Cry of Santa Barbara Marker, this 24/7 restaurant will tickle your tastebuds with their delicious lina-ga that comes in all-beef, mixed (beef and innards) and more.  They also offer combo meals with fried chicken and their specialty beef teriyaki, among others. Grand opening is scheduled on June 18. Photo Credits: Rowena Silvederio

With chicken inasal as their specialty, Nena's Manukan just opened their branch in Santa Barbara. Located along Roosevelt Street, its native themed interiors reflect its gastronomic offerings.  As of now, they have a limited menu but will continue to grow as days go by until its grand opening very soon. Watch out for it!

Jaro Archbishop Most Rev. Angel Lagdameo led the blessing of the newly restored Santa Barbara Church and Convent last May 31, 2015. Santa Barbaranhons and guests gathered to witness the ceremony inside the newly restored church after its 14-month closure. It will be also be highlighted during the national celebration of the 117th Anniversary of Philippine Independence on June 12, 2015. More Photos on Santa Barbara Iloilo Parish Church and Convent Facebook Page Photo credits to Vincent Valencia

Departing from tradition, this year’s 117th Independence Day ceremonies will be held not in Luzon but in Iloilo’s Sta. Barbara town, where the Philippine flag was first raised to inaugurate the provisional revolutionary government of the Visayas in 1898. The vin d’ honneur (wine of honor) will also be done at the newly restored Iloilo provincial capitol with Senate President Franklin Drilon describing it as a celebration that will “showcase to the nation Iloilo’s remarkable progress and achievements.” Santa Barbara, Iloilo's Flagpole Park “Let us make use of that momentous event to show this nation the soaring aspirations of Ilonggos – that with our past, present and near future achievements, we are poised to reclaim Iloilo’s rightful place as Queen City of the South,” Drilon said in a statement. He added that the event is a “national affirmation and acknowledgement of Iloilo’s rise as a progressive and developing center in the Visayas.” Philippine flags now line ...

Opening by around June 8, 2015 is Nena's Manukan, Seafood and Native Restaurant along Roosevelt Street. Occupying the Confesor building (formerly Bluefields Hardware), this restaurant is the same Nena's Manukan that used to be located near University of San Agustin in Iloilo City. As that particular restaurant closed, it has branched out to Molo, Oton and very soon in Santa Barbara.  Chicken inasal is their specialty and the ambiance of their restaurant is similar to inasal houses in the city. In about two weeks time, Santa Barbaranhons will enjoy their chicken inasal with unli rice to the max!

In preparation for the National Celebration of the 117th Anniversary of Philippine Independence in Santa Barbara this coming June 12, the members of the media from Manila toured the town's heritage zone. Print, broadcasters  journalists from ABS-CBN, Philippine Star, Inquirer, Pilipino Star Ngayon as well as bloggers toured the Santa Barbara Church and Convent, Centennial Museum, Victory Plaza and Flagpole Park with Mayor Dennis Superficial.  Standing from left: Danny Gozo, PR Consultant; Hon. Dennis S. Superficial, Mayor, Municipality of Santa Barbara ; Narzalina Lim, President, ILED Foundation, Inc; Marissa Bondoc (DWIZ radio); Jarius Bondoc, Philippine Star; Al Pedroche, Phil Star Ngayon; Ivan Anthony Henares, Blogger on Heritage and Culture; Marichu Villanueva, Philippine Star;Rina Jimenez David, Inquirer and; Boo Chanco, Philippine Star. Checking the almost finished restoration works of the church Marissa and Jarius Bondoc taking a pulpit pose Scali...