Walking the Streets of Iloilo City (3 of 3)

(continued..)
My little sister and I met up, and we walked the city streets (now along Ledesma Street) together. She and I even came up with an act: she was my Ilongga tour guide and I was a Filipino from somewhere who does not understand Hiligaynon and we are touring around the city, looking for the best siopao. If that was truly the case, of course, that would have been Roberto's siopao. No question. I have eaten their siopao before and it is really delicious! Anyway, going back to Ledesma Street, along this street lined several shoeshine kiosks sponsored by Kiwi and the city government. At first, they were quite peculiar look at, but I'd like to say "good job" to the city anyhow for this novel idea.

Kilometer Zero: Arroyo Fountain

Casa Real near the Arroyo Fountain

My sister bared with my walking mood, though she was endlessly ranting about it the whole time. Still, we continued walking and feeling the rising heat of the sun which was almost on top of our heads already. 

We reached Delgado Street and I thought about going to the Arroyo Fountain which is just nearby. Also, go see how the rehabilitation of Casa Real (the old provincial capitol) is going. The Arroyo Fountain is the kilometer zero of Iloilo City. Most travelers regard their location here when they are traveling in Iloilo and nearby provinces. And so I must do the same, that was my thought. Because I am a traveler, too. During that time. 

At kilometer zero

Now that what I did already seemed legit after that stop at kilometer zero, I thought of eating must come take place. My other sister was at this new pizza place in the city, and she called us two about our whereabouts and told us to go there and eat. 

Pizza Supreme at Alberto's

And so, we did. This time, we took a jeepney going to this new pizza place, Alberto's. It is just along E. Lopez Street, across Jollibee. My other sister and her friends had ordered for themselves already when we came, so I made a separate order for myself which was a nine-inch mozzarella pizza supreme, while my little sister ordered her usual pizza. Their pizza tasted great! Though I must say the place is a little bit too hot for eating pizza. Man, I was eating pizza literally on the sidewalk. But nonetheless, their pizza was delicious and I felt great after.

We all went to the mall after. My sisters watched a movie. I did not feel like watching so I told them I'd just go roam around the place or something. It was already late in the afternoon anyway, the mallgoers were rushing (as always) and the feel of the shopping mall was killing me. 

I went out and decided to take a stroll instead. I went to Plazuela de Iloilo, which is along Benigno Aquino Avenue. There were only a few people there, some just finishing setups of their boutiques for the night tiangge market that was to take place that night. 

As I was strolling, I passed by this little coffee shop, Amular Photography Studio & Cafe. It is a studio, where you can have your pictures taken, and at the same time a coffee shop, where you can have pictures of yourself sipping coffee taken and post it on Instagram. Their coffee was fine, not that fantastic. But the minimalist interior and the chill mix that was playing were both worth the time. 

I decided to end my day there, sipping coffee and just trying to relax. I felt great recounting the things I have done in one day, the streets I have walked under the sun, and the places I have explored in this culture-rich city of the Ilonggos. 

This kind of discovery almost always is a bliss to feel. Madamo nga salamat now, I am less of a "tourist" in Iloilo City.

For the complete set of photos I took, you can see it here.

“Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.”
- Steven Wright