Off the beaten path: Iloilo Outskirts

Note: This blog was originally published last September 14, 2010 from my old blog site ( which I hope you will never ever find...)

Sweet escape from gloomy Manila to sunny Iloilo :D


One major 3 hour traffic from Alabang to the airport, a missed flight and a fever-mini-dengue-scare will not stop us from getting to our weekend destination-- though it did mess up our itinerary big time. Fortunately, this little group of islands in Concepcion, off the main island of Iloilo, lifted our spirits and made our bloated budget all worth it! :D 

Who knew that the mother of all sandbars can be found in the beaches of Concepcion? The beach resort, unimaginatively but appropriately called the "Sand Bar" boasts of football field-long white sand bar and boy, did he have an amazing time swimming, running & camwhoring all around it! Though the water is clear and the sand pristine white, admittedly, it is still a notch down from Calaguas' & Palawan's clean and clear beach & Boracay's fine powdery sand.

Nevertheless, Concepcion's charm is endearing to those who appreciate simplicity & isolation. If i had to describe the place in one word, "steady" goes to mind. 

Just 2 hours landtrip away from Iloilo city, it is a great alternative to usual Guimaras and a shorter trip versus less-traveled Gigantes. I can almost guarantee that should you decide to visit the place, you will have not only the resort but the whole island and the other islands next to it all to yourself as your own private playground. Tag along good-old friends and I assure a bonding experience like no other. Don't forget to bring & cook your own food, and be prepared to carry your own water for shower.  But still worth it!

And what's an Iloilo trip without a visit to its churches? The Miag-Ao church was still pretty awesome-- the second time around. The thick walls of this UNESCO heritage site that once protected it from muslim pirates (moro) seems to be quite intact while the intricate designs carved on its walls is a sight not usually found in other colonial churches. Food-tripping, of course, was pretty awesome too! Allan's seafood ( on the way from Miag-Ao) was relatively cheap & super yummy! :D All in all, a pretty steady trip that maximized our P97 Cebupac Iloilo sale seats for three days and 2 nights.

Side Note:  Sorry to Kathy and Mox, next time bawal na talagang magkasakit. Juju, i promise, on my 4th Iloilo visit, we will meet up na! Thank you Amane Family for the hospitality & the hearty lunch. Ayee, pagaling ka! Sheila, Aries, Franz, Nonart, Jenny & Nesty-- miss miss! :D See u all sa next bebotski trip! :D