Iloilo Travel Guide Day 3 – Countryside Tour

Tuesday, September 03, 2024

The goal was to see the UNESCO World Heritage Site Miagao Church. Anything else we can do in the area is a bonus. We could have commuted but after the tiring first 2 days we opted to take a private tour instead.

We booked our countryside tour through A4 Tours which was more of a car service than a guided tour. Nonetheless we moved on our own pace and had a comfortable ride. There are FREE tours n some of the stops so be sure to ask when you arrive at the destination. 
 
Garin Farm Pilgrimage Resort
Garin Farm Pilgrimage Resort went viral for the huge white structure they created at the top of the mountain – aesthetic. But the resort is more than that.

It really IS a farm with animals and produce. They even have a dedicated space for a literal Bahay Kubo surrounded by the vegetables in the song IN THE ORDER of the song. Lol It was a real learning experience.

It is family friendly with numerous activities to enjoy.

The pilgrimage part is legit. I hope people take the time to reflect and honor what these structures are.

The climb is no joke. It’s a representation of the hardship that one goes through life before reaching heaven.

This is the part that went viral. The section depicts what it would be like to enter heaven. Guests are asked to respect the section, quietly pass through, marinate on the significance of the pilgrimage.

It’s honestly overwhelming especially with the stark white design under the hot sun. It makes you pause to take everything in.

When we got back down, there were so many birds. It was a peculiar sight. I felt like 2 things would happen – we were either about to be mobbed or caught in a slow-motion action sequence of a John Woo movie.


San Joaquin Church

San Joaquin Campo Santo


Miagao Church
It’s not often you find yourself standing in front of a UNESCO World Heritage site, and I was totally immersed in the awe-inspiring Miagao Church. It is part of the celebrated Baroque Churches of the Philippines.

Timing was not on our side since the guide was on break when we arrived which meant missing the chance to soak in all the significant moments of the church’s history.

Beautiful details inside the Miagao Church.

Don’t forget to swing by the Miagao Pasalubong Center. Luckily, my friend spotted it as we were leaving the church. Just look to the left of the Miago Church, and you can’t miss it.

Show some love to local artisans by picking up textiles, bags, food, and unique souvenirs. We snagged artisanal salt, coffee, and a malong to take home as pasalubong.

Guimbal Church

Tigbauan Church
This stop was a major highlight of our tour—it’s without a doubt one of the most unique churches I’ve ever come across.

When you enter the complex, you are welcomed by vibrant murals.

Built in 1575 but flattened by an earthquake in 1948, this place may look plain from the outside—but trust me, just wait until you step inside.

Our initial plan was to pop in quickly since it was past 2 PM and we were starving. When we saw some boys dash outside, we were curious—turns out they were going to the tourism office. Soon after Mark and Tintin offered us a tour. Naturally, we jumped at the chance. That tour gave us incredible insights and made us appreciate the church on a whole new level.

It’s cool to know that some of the original church’s debris was reused in the restoration.

What makes this church stand out as my favorite? It’s the first mosaic church I’ve ever explored, and its unique charm is something I’ll never forget.


You won’t want to miss the magnificent mosaic mural behind the altar—its detailed craftsmanship is absolute artistry.

Be sure to grab a tour when you visit Tigbauan Church—it’s a game-changer and you won’t regret it.  Thanks again to Mark and Tintin for the awesome tour!

Lunch at Tatoy’s Manokan and Seafoods


Camiña Balay nga Bato
It was supposed to be a tour with hot chocolate after. To be honest the tour isn’t worth it. You just watch a video and they lead you up to the room where you’ll have hot chocolate. Thank God the hot chocolate was good.  

River Esplanade 
Camiña Balay nga Bato was the last stop on our tour. Normally the car would return you to your hotel but we asked if we could be dropped off at the famous Esplanade of Iloilo which was on the way.

I was really blown away by how this city turned a once-polluted river into a vibrant 9-kilometer park and esplanade along the Iloilo River.  It’s such a safe and pleasant spot to chill. If Manila had something like this, I’d be there for sure—perfect for getting your steps in without pollution or the fear of getting run over.

We saw so many types of people here: groups practicing their dance number, families playing, people exercising, and people just hanging out.

I’ve sung its praises in an earlier post, my top reason for coming was the rainbow bridge by the skate park.

The Continental
Despite being full and exhausted, we decided to head to The Continental for a drink around 8 PM. Since it’s a secret speakeasy, the address isn’t posted online—you need to DM their IG for it.  This is real because we saw that there was a Grab pin and we booked a car whilst waiting for the page’s reply. The grab driver did not want to drop us off at the exact location since we didn’t have the address yet. Lol Luckily the page replied with the address and the code to enter. 


We had the place to ourselves because we arrived early, and frankly, we loved it. I can definitely picture my younger self coming here often and staying until morning.

That’s a wrap on our countryside adventure—once again, we did a ton. If you’re still with me, seriously consider making time for Miagao Church and the unique Tigbauan Church. These two spots are iconic and packed with historical and cultural significance.

Purok 2, San Joaquin, San Joaquin, Philippines

📍 San Joaquin Church
San Joaquin, Iloilo

📍 San Joaquin Campo Santo
Camposanto de San Joaquin, San Joaquin, Iloilo

Zulueta Ave, Miagao, Iloilo

Justice Ramon B Britanico Memorial Hall, Miagao, Iloilo

📍 Guimbal Church

Taldelore Street, Tigbauan, Iloilo

Sto. Nino Sur, Arevalo, Iloilo City

Villa Arevalo District, Iloilo City

📍 River Esplanade 

DM them for the address and code


This post is part of the extensive Iloilo Blog series. The rest of the posts are here:


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