Discover. Experience. Enjoy STA. BARBARA, ILOILO

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...

Newly refurbished, the Bandstand in the middle of the Santa Barbara Plaza shines bright like a diamond with a new lighting system installed in and around it. Considered to be among the landmarks of the town, it was built in 1925 to house bands playing during special occasions. Almost 100 years later, it will again become part of big celebration as the town hosts the National Celebration of the 117th Anniversary of Philippine Independence on June 12, 2015 to be led by President Benigno "PNOY" Aquino.

Santa Barbara, a town in Iloilo’s second district received P110 million worth of infrastructure projects as direct benefits from the national government for being the site for the June 12 Independence Day celebration. Santa Barbara town Mayor Dennis Superficial, who attended the preparatory meeting led by Senate President Franklin M. Drilon at the capitol Friday, said that the direct benefits on infrastructure is the Sta. Barbara church renovation worth P50 million of which the bulk of P30 million comes from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). Additional funding came from the offices of Senate President Franklin Drilon, Governor Arthur Defensor and Iloilo Second District Congressman Arcadio Gorriceta where Sta. Barbara is located.  Superficial said that for the plaza improvement it’s worth P10 million plus the budget for the tributary roads that makes it around P110 million. The mayor said that the P110 million worth of projects in Sta. Ba...

Uratex, the Philippines leading foam brand and maker just opened its Iloilo Showroom located along the national highway in Brgy. Cabugao Sur, Santa Barbara, Iloilo. You won't miss it - its a massive building that gets your attention - day or night. So what's inside? A showcase of their signature products ranging from beds, foams and pillows and everything that would make your bedroom more conducive for sleeping.  I just love this big sofa bed - sturdy enough to hold you but soft to be comfortable as both sofa and bed! They also have many other products on display vying for your attention while you wait for your turn .  Take your pick from comfortable pillows to sheets...  ... to foams of every size, texture, softness - you name it, they surely have it. All ready to be scrutinized for the discriminating taste, these foams will surely fit your needs and budget - as price comes with the trusted quality since 1968. And the beds - if only I could slee...

Church and Convent facade almost finished  The National Historical Commission of the Philippines is supervising the PhP50 million restoration works of the Santa Barbara church and convent making sure that it will be finished before the Philippine Independence Day Celebration. The 2015 National Independence Day will be held in Santa Barbara and to be attended by the President of the Philippines His Excellency Benigno Simeon C. Aquino, III. Read more about this restoration project . Laying out the marble flooring Additional structures were built inside out to support the original walls Securing the church's altar back wall with these supports The church and covnent facades - almost finished! The Church and the municipality is also seeking donors for new pews which will complement the newly restored church. This is the local counterpart of the restoration since the furniture are not part of the restoration.  There are two options for the pews donation...

WUTHLE (Women United Through Hand-crafted Lace and Embroidery) is a non-profit organization which seeks to uplift the lives of women through embroidery and lace-making. It is the only one of its kind in the Philippines wherein delicate laces are made by hand using bobbins. Last Kahilwayan Festival, WUTHLE held a 3-day exhibit and product expo showcasing lace and embroidery products at the WUTHLE Building inside the Western Visayas Sanitarium Complex in Santa Barbara, Iloilo. Check our more of WUTHLE on Facebook . BONUS: The women of WUTHLE embroidered the Papal Coat of Arms for Pope Francis' Papal Chair used on his visit to the country to the Philippines a few weeks ago.