Places to visit in Iloilo

This response is long overdue but here it goes anyway.

It's difficult to start anywhere since there are just too things to do in Iloilo.

1. Dinagyang Festival - It is nice if you could visit on the fourth Sunday of January in time for the Dinagyang Festival. It is a religious/cultural festival in honor of the Holy Child Jesus. Other than it's religious origins, it is a time for street dancing, fluvial parades and all-night partying. It is a perfect time to mingle with the locals.

2. Old Churches - every town has an old church. You don't have to be religious to appreciate it, the buildings are the remains of the Spanish Occupation which is well-preserved in Iloilo compared to other places in the Philippines. I highly recommend St. Anne Parish in Molo and Miag-ao church about an hour away from the capital.

3. Dine with the locals - This may not come highly recommended for the less adventurous but to fully experience your visit, you must eat local delicacies. Try the 'Talabahan' (Oyster shacks) along Calumpang or the local restaurant Tatoy's with their popular 'Chicken Inasal' (Chicken barbecue with local spices). Other restaurants that are highly recommended are Roberto's, JD and Ted's.

4. Beaches - if you're a beach bum, head to the south of Iloilo to San Joaquin which is about 2 hours from the capital, just to enjoy the white sand beach. OR (a much better suggestion) Take a boat ride (less than 30 minutes) from the Capital to Guimaras. It is an island east of Iloilo. You can check in to a local resort that offers many activities. Enjoy Island Hopping, Hiking, Zipline to name a few.

I guess that will do it for a week in Iloilo.