Iloilo Lifestyle

Be Enchanted by Nature this Christmas with gifts from The Body Shop, and give something back with every purchase. (Video: Body Shop)

Inspired by nature, The Body Shop’s new Christmas Gift collection will enchant you with its most invigorating scents and textures.  There are peppermint candy cane, berry bon bon, and vanilla marshmallow scented shower and body care treats; as well as energizing and refreshing gift sets for men. Pamper with skin care and body care routines, and shine and sparkle with the winter make-up collection all season.




More than that, purchasing these gifts will also help you give something back to those wild spaces that refresh and revive our body and mind.

This Christmas, every purchase with The Body Shop will help protect and re-wild over 10 million square meters of forest in England and Armenia.  This is part of The Body Shop’s world Bio-Bridges Mission, which aims to help protect and regenerate (or re-wild) 75 million square meters of habitat and build 10 brio-br…

Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. encouraged the persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), formerly known as inmates, that there is still a second chance for them outside the prison.

Defensor spent his last birthday as a governor at the Iloilo District Jail on Dec. 16, 2018 through a gift-giving activity, a tradition that he has been practicing for 18 years. He is turning 77 on December 25.




The activity commenced with a holy mass followed by the ceremonial gift-giving. More than 2,000 PDLs received a gift pack containing bread and bath essentials.

“Arthur Defensor Sr. is one of those who believe that there is still hope for you, as long as you practice reform and follow the prison rules,” he enthused.

Defensor also advised them to become law abiding citizens and lead a purposeful life when they are released.

“I have dreamed that one day there will be no more prisoners. And when that time comes, this society will be perfect and jail personnel will have to look for other jobs,” he said.

The governor…

Having heard of the Australian brand Gelàre which is popular for their expertly crafted waffle and dense ice cream a few years ago, I got excited upon learning last September 2018 that they will be opening in Iloilo City.

So, a few days after they opened, I checked them out and ordered their best-selling savories and ice cream.



We had a plate of Waffle Buttermilk Fried Chicken which includes two pieces of delicious and crispy chicken, two waffles, gravy, and maple syrup. We also ordered Tuna Melt Wafflewich which includes two “sandwiches” of waffle with creamy and moist tuna in between. Potatoes are served on the side. Both fall under their light all-day breakfast selection which also includes Gelàre’s Big Brekkie, Sliced Beef with Gravy, Eggs Ben, and Chicken Poppers (a best-seller).


Aside from their world-famous waffles that are made fresh and of natural ingredients, it is their signature ice cream that traces deep into Gelàre's roots. We ordered their best-sellers Vanilla Bean and…

SM Hotels and Conventions Corp (SMHCC) continues its expansion program with the signing of a license agreement with the Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) for a Park Inn by Radisson hotel in Iloilo City opening in Q1 2019.  This will be the third Park Inn hotel in SMHCC’s portfolio.

The soon-to-open 200-room Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo enjoys a prime location next to SM City Iloilo in Mandurriao. The hotel is 20 minutes away from Iloilo International Airport and is strategically located near the city’s main commercial district, tourist attractions, museums, and historical landmarks.  



"SMHCC’s long time partnership with Radisson Hotel Group will be further strengthened with this agreement and reflects a strong mutual intent to grow the brand in the country.  As owners, SMHCC looks forward to benefitting from RHG’s vast global resources that have helped make RHG one of the most progressive hotel companies in the world,” says SMHCC President Elizabeth Sy.

“We are thrilled with this new milest…

Seda Atria officially lit up the spirit of the holiday season on November 15, 2018 with its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Misto Lobby Dining. 

In the light of festive celebration, Seda Hotels continued for the 2nd year, its partnership with Smile Train – a charity that provides 100% free cleft repair surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children with cleft lips and palates. Smile Train ornaments and cards are available for purchase at the hotel lobby to be hung at the Christmas tree. All proceeds will go directly to the organization.



Aside from giving smiles this holiday, Seda Atria is again all set to let you experience the festive feelings of the Christmas season. From gastronomic delights to superb accommodation, and from excellent service to festive parties, here are the 5 ways that Seda Atria will make your 2018 Christmas the best ever.


1. Brazo de Ube Holiday Special
This heavenly goodness of rolled meringue with real ube halaya fillings and macapuno tidbits is quite…

In the coastal city of Sagay in Negros Occidental, Filipino artist Nunelucio Alvarado has made not only a home but a community. 

“Inaawitan ako ng dagat,” says Alvarado of the peace he found in this place—the kind that has paved the way for a new kind of prosperity, one that feeds back into his community to enrich the lives of its members through art.




His latest series of paintings and objects dubbed as “Stories of Restoration, Songs of the Sea” is composed of works that appear to be a far cry from the jarring depictions of life in the cane fields and mills for which Alvarado has been known. Instead, the artist takes inspiration from the community he helped create, giving back through art what he himself has gained after over three decades of practice.

“Tonight marks another milestone for us at Megaworld as we mark the first year since we ventured into the intricate world of museum management, and already we are closing the year with yet another highlight exhibit. Nune Alvarado’s ‘Songs …

With the opening of Hino Panay Showroom and Service Center in Iloilo, commuters within Iloilo City and the rest of the island will eventually be riding the Hino Modern Jeepney Euro 4.

"The government has asked us manufacturers to produce as much as we can so that operators can transition to the new jeepneys," said Vicente Mills, Hino Motors Philippines (HMP) chairman, regarding the Philippine government's PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP).



"We already have orders coming from different cooperatives," said Gerald Vagilidad, sales and parts manager of Hino Panay.

"We are following the platform laid out by the Department of Transportation and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. One franchise, one route and one operator. That operator represents one cooperative," Vagilidad added.

"The franchise is given to cooperatives so that it will be managed as a fleet," said Mills. He added that this system ensures that the jeeps are well-maint…

The definition of "comfort food" varies for each individual. It could be a mom or grandma's home cooked dish. It could be food that changes one's mood from bad to good. It could be a dish that is so easy to prepare as the word "comfort" suggests. Or it could be food that keeps one healthy. Live Comfort Food can be all of these to everyone.




I go to Live Comfort Food whenever I yearn for these mouthwatering dishes: (1) Chicken Teriyaki with Mushroom Sauce Pizza, (2) Meatless Bibimbap, (3) Low-Calorie Carbonara, (4) Roasted Seaweed, and (5) Smoked Fish and Lemon Pasta. All their dishes are made from the best and nutritious ingredients.




They did not scrimp on the ingredients for Chicken Teriyaki with Mushroom Sauce Pizza. This healthy pizza is topped with a generous amount of chicken teriyaki strips, mushroom slices, olives, and cheese.




Low-Calorie Carbonara’s sauce is soya cream, giving it a light yet delightful taste. Surprisingly, it goes well with Roasted Seaw…