Lead image was edited using Canva
After I visited the city of smile and got a chance to meet a fellow Hivian, I traveled back to Iloilo the next day. I decided to spend the night at my sister's house as I planned to explore the nearest tourist spots since it was weekend.
Iloilo is a city in Western Visayas (Panay) - Philippines, and if Bacolod is known for the City of Smile, the earlier mentioned was the City of Love.
Ilonggos - what people or residents in Iloilo are called were known for being soft-spoken and sweet. When meeting someone from other regions, we are teased because of how we speak. Yes, "we," as I am also a certified Ilongga (if a female and Ilonggo for male). They say we still sound sweet even though we are already mad and cursing. We also got that unique intonation.
This happened to me several times at work in the first year I moved to the city. Sometimes they intentionally provoke me so that I would be mad.
Thus, aside from these characteristics and dishes, Iloilo is also known for Heritage Homes. The one that I am planning to drop by.
The nearest to my place was the Molo Mansion and it was just along the route going to the port where I needed to pass by going home. (Molo is one district in Iloilo.)
This is easy to locate as it was beside the road and near Molo Church and Plaza. Usually, people spend time here after visiting the latter mentioned. I have seen this structure many times but didn't get a chance to have a tour as I am always busy. Now that I am on leave, I grabbed the opportunity.
At first, I thought there was an entrance fee, but I was surprised it was for free. Before I toured around, I checked the signage at the gate so that I would have an overview. It says Molo Mansion, Kultura - a one-stop shop that sells quality Filipino products and souvenirs, Sabor Ilonggo, and Plantopia Ornamental Garden.
As I stepped into the gate, I looked around and saw several food kiosks built at the side portion of the house. The backyard was wide enough to cater to those even though there were already plants and several trees.
Since I was not yet starving, I decided to explore first inside the Mansion. There are also some local tourists inside the house and checking merchandise displayed by Kultura.
I also roam around for a while as I might like something to buy as a souvenir. Most are ladies' accessories, from necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Barong tagalog and traditional Kimono.
None caught my attention, so I decided to check what was on the second floor.
As I expected, since the house was built years ago, it has hardwood flooring and high ceilings. Decorative carvings and spacious windows.
There was also a balcony facing the road and the maintenance of the building the man wearing a blue uniform in the above picture offered to take a photo of me, not only for me but all local tourists.
Standing there, you will see a glimpse of Molo Plaza and Molo church.
As I talked to the maintenance worker, he told me that this house was almost 96 years old as it was built way back in 1926. The Consing family owned it. They are into politics as one of the owners was the former Governor. It is now owned by the SM store, where they are organizing exhibits since it is spacious.
I commend him for having excellent customer service, a photographer, and a tour guide, plus he knows the history well, which he kept on sharing with everyone.
It was almost four in the afternoon, and I was already starving as I hadn't eaten my lunch. I decided to go outside and look for food. My stomach was already grumbling the moment I saw these;
Pancit Molo is one of the popular Ilonggo dishes in this place. It is a pork dumpling soup using wonton wrappers.
The last time I tasted it, it was the previous year, so my taste buds craved the moment I saw it on the menu.
I ordered one served, and they offered three versions: classics, spicy and creamy. I chose the classic and paired it with rice cake.
After a delicious meal, I decided to leave the place and move to my next destination, which I will share again next time.
Thank you for dropping by.
All Photos are mine
Date publish: 09/27/2022
Place: Guimaras - Philippines
Pinmapple code:
[//]:# (!pinmapple 10.69672 lat 122.54347 long exploring Iloilo d3scr)
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A wonderful exploration Ms. Lhes, 90 Yrs ago surely that was home of life experiences, a place of memories that the reason why it was opened to public to view on the beauty of old structure.
Woah free entrance? That's cool it meant it was owned publicly not private one. One day as I will visit you and Ayane please show me the place, hehe.
I actually imagined this house 90 years ago as full of power, authority since it was own once by a politician and Dona. Like the one we saw in old movies.
Sure, Ayane and I would love to tour you around. Let's start in bacolod, then Iloilo and perhaps Cebu?😆
!PIZZA
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Whoa, it's very old but well maintained sya no that is why it still look beautiful. And overall it is beautiful. How I wish I can travel there ehehehe. Teleportation Jutsu need ko rn.
Teleport? Asked help from Mateo Do!hehe
It was really old.. older than my parents...I love the floor, it so shiny and I wanted to play slides.
!PIZZA
The facade of the mansion looks like in the movies... Nice that you really spent time to explore this place. It's beautiful. Thank you for touring us aeound virtually
Yeah as it was indeed old,.that was built before I waa born..
Thanks for dropping by.
!PIZZa
I love visiting old houses and this one looks very well preserved. These high ceilings and the wooden floor are beautiful. I'm glad you were able to visit it.
And that Pancit Molo looks so yummy, I'd love to try it sometime. Is it similar to a wonton soup?
It was preserved as the owners belong to elite people in the city. Aside from that Iloilo is known for old buildings structures. We still have a building establishement in the downtownb that was built last 1956 if I am not mistaken.
The wooden floor gives me nostalgia during those times I would love to play slides after wax😅.
Not that similar, wrapped with wonton wrappers is actually meat. Then cooked with spring onions..
You can buy actually only molo balls, then you can have your own version of Pancit Molo at home..
!PIZZA
Oh, I'll see if I can get molo balls here to make it. The wonton wrappers are readily available, and that's why I was asking. Thanks for the explanation :)
Happy weekend!
Pancit Molo confused me as it does not look like pancit Inday!
oo you are sweet,I won't agree with that, your tourguide sounded great and I liked the arched doors in the house it gives it an Arabic feel!
You looked liked you had fun after your night of chismis!
Haha it is another version of pancit Kuya. There are many of it like, pancit bato, canton, mickey (use for batchoy), etc. You can buy just pancit molo or then had it sauted with molo balls or sardines😆. Usual Filipino food.
Oh yeah! I really make used of my free time when I was in the city.Eventhough I was still tired because of recent trip and lack of sleep because of tsismis😅.
!PIZZA
Oh, owned by SM na pala. I can just imagine how flavorful that broth is of the lomo hehe. Naku, sexy sexy legs ate ha! Ganda langs!
!PIZZA
Oo ang yaman na ng SM but before, it was also bought by Lopez.
Sayang as there was no exhibits when I visited, aside from Kultura..
I haven't buy any as I am not into accesories.
Haha, taba ching-ching na me because of this long vacation of.mine..Pata😅
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Ang ganda jan.. Lumang luma na tlga yung mansion
Oo, hehe sarap nga kumain after ang relaxing kasi open space..
Busog after
!PIZZA
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