Flavors Faith
and Folklore
of Iloilo
WORDS BY ROAMDRIFT TEAM
LAST UPDATED: NOVEMBER 8, 2025 | CULTURE AND FLAVORS
In Iloilo, culture and flavor intertwine in every sight, sound, and taste. The streets move to the drumbeats of Dinagyang, while the aroma of La Paz Batchoy and fresh seafood fills the air from lively markets.
From centuries-old churches to riverfront promenades where locals gather, every corner tells stories and traditions passed through generations.
Known as the “City of Love,” Iloilo invites you not just to see it—but to taste it, dance with it, and feel its history in every beat and every bite.
Festivals That Bring Iloilo to Life
Paraw Regatta Festival
Sailing into Tradition
Every third weekend of February, Arevalo in Iloilo City hosts the Paraw Regatta Festival, drawing crowds to celebrate maritime culture.
Sailors race traditional Visayan paraws—double-outrigger boats—across the 30-kilometer Iloilo Strait in a thrilling display of skill and speed.
As Asia’s oldest traditional craft event, the festival features cultural exhibitions, live music, and local culinary delights, honoring Iloilo’s rich heritage.
Dinagyang Festival
A Celebration of Faith and Culture
Every fourth weekend of January, Iloilo City comes alive with the Dinagyang Festival, its premier cultural and religious celebration.
The festival honors the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) and commemorates the arrival of Malay settlers on Panay Island.
Streets fill with Ati-Atihan-inspired dance competitions, colorful parades, and religious processions, drawing thousands of visitors from across the globe.
Kasadyahan Festival
A Tapestry of Local Traditions
Every third weekend of January, Iloilo City hosts the Kasadyahan Festival as a vibrant prelude to the Dinagyang Festival.
The festival showcases diverse traditions from Iloilo’s municipalities through street dancing, lively music, and colorful costumes that captivate audiences.
It promotes unity and celebrates local cultures, giving visitors a deeper appreciation of the province’s rich heritage and creativity.
Walking Through Iloilo’s Heritage and Traditions
Language & Hospitality
The people of Iloilo, known as Ilonggos, speak Hiligaynon, a Visayan language with a melodious and gentle tone.
Renowned for their warmth and hospitality, Ilonggos eagerly share their culture, traditions, and stories, making every visitor feel instantly at home.
Markets & Street Life
Iloilo’s markets, like La Paz Public Market, buzz with activity as locals and tourists explore the province’s vibrant street life.
Vendors offer fresh produce, seafood, and traditional crafts, giving visitors a vivid glimpse into the daily routines of the Ilonggo people.
Religion & Ritual
Religion shapes the daily lives of Ilonggos, guiding traditions and community practices across the province.
Centuries-old churches, such as Jaro Cathedral and Molo Church, host Masses and religious activities, showcasing the locals’ deep faith and devotion.
Traditional Crafts & Weaving
In towns like Passi, artisans keep the tradition of hablon weaving alive, creating handwoven fabrics dyed with natural colors.
These textiles tell stories of the people’s artistry, patience, and history, blending centuries-old craft into modern fashion while preserving heritage.
River Culture & Waterfront Life
The Iloilo River serves as a living stage, where daily life unfolds in vibrant harmony. Fishermen navigate its waters at dawn, families stroll along promenades, and boatmen ferry locals in traditional bancas.
Along the river, commerce, leisure, and culture intersect, reflecting Iloilo City’s identity as a dynamic, water-centered community.
Heritage Architecture & Ancestral Houses
Iloilo’s streets showcase Spanish-era churches and ancestral homes, from Molo’s heritage houses to Jaro’s stately mansions.
Walking these streets feels like stepping into layered history, where each façade and balcony tells stories of artisans, merchants, and families who shaped the city.
Local Music & Performing Arts
Beyond festivals, Iloilo’s musical heritage flourishes in everyday life, echoing through homes, streets, and community gatherings.
From folk balitaw to contemporary performances, music enriches celebrations, weddings, and rituals, preserving local traditions for future generations.
Local Dishes and Food Stories: The Taste of Iloilo
La Paz Batchoy – A Hearty Noodle Soup
La Paz Batchoy, originating from Iloilo City’s La Paz district, is a savory noodle soup made with pork, beef, and innards.
Topped with crispy chicharrón and a hard-boiled egg, this comforting dish has become a defining element of Iloilo’s culinary identity.
Pancit Molo – Dumpling Soup
Pancit Molo, from Iloilo’s Molo district, is a Filipino-style wonton soup with dumplings filled with ground pork and shrimp.
Simmered in a savory broth, this beloved dish highlights the rich fusion of Chinese and Filipino culinary traditions.
Kansi – A Sour Beef Soup
Kansi is a distinctive Ilonggo beef soup made with shank and bone marrow, simmered with batuan fruit and unripe jackfruit.
Known for its rich, tangy flavor, locals often enjoy this hearty dish paired with steamed rice.
Binakol – Chicken in Coconut Water
Binakol is a traditional Ilonggo chicken soup simmered in coconut water and infused with lemongrass, ginger, and green papaya.
This comforting dish showcases the region’s abundant coconuts and fresh produce, highlighting Iloilo’s rich culinary heritage.
Baye-Baye – Sweet Rice Treat
Baye-Baye is a popular Iloilo snack made from grated young coconut mixed with pinipig or corn, shaped into small patties.
Locals and visitors enjoy this sweet treat during festivals and gatherings, savoring its chewy texture and tropical flavor.
The Myths and Legends of Iloilo
The Legend of Islas de Gigantes
The Islas de Gigantes, or “Islands of Giants,” located in Carles, Iloilo, are steeped in folklore.
One legend tells of a family of giants who drowned while crossing the sea, and the islands emerged from their bodies.
Archaeological findings of giant coffins further fuel these captivating tales.
The Mantiw – The 30-Foot Spirits
In the vast fields of Iloilo, locals speak of the Mantiw, towering 30-foot spirits often spotted whistling while roaming or leaning against coconut and buri palm trees.
Though generally peaceful, these spirits are said to be easily offended if a human attempts to whistle along with them.
The Aswang – The Shape-Shifting Creature
The Aswang is a well-known figure in Filipino folklore, and Iloilo has its own share of tales. These shape-shifting creatures are believed to prey on humans, especially during the night.
Stories of the Aswang have been passed down through generations, adding an air of mystery to the province’s rich cultural tapestry.
What Iloilo Reveals
Iloilo leaves more than a memory of its streets and squares—it leaves the echo of drums from Dinagyang, the spicy warmth of La Paz Batchoy, and the quiet reverence of centuries-old churches.
Festivals express devotion through rhythm and color, while cuisine folds history into every flavorful bite. Legends carry the voices of ancestors that echo along the river, beneath coconut palms, and across Iloilo’s rolling fields.
If you carry away one truth from Iloilo, let it be this: the essence of a place isn’t in guidebooks or postcards—it is alive in the ways people celebrate, cook, and tell stories as their forebears did. And when they do, culture is not preserved—it thrives.
Flavors Faith
and Folklore
of Iloilo
WORDS BY ROAMDRIFT TEAM
LAST UPDATED: NOVEMBER 8, 2025 | CULTURE AND FLAVORS
In Iloilo, culture and flavor intertwine in every sight, sound, and taste. The streets move to the drumbeats of Dinagyang, while the aroma of La Paz Batchoy and fresh seafood fills the air from lively markets.
From centuries-old churches to riverfront promenades where locals gather, every corner tells stories and traditions passed through generations.
Known as the “City of Love,” Iloilo invites you not just to see it—but to taste it, dance with it, and feel its history in every beat and every bite.
Festivals That Bring Iloilo to Life
Paraw Regatta Festival: Sailing into Tradition
Every third weekend of February, Arevalo in Iloilo City hosts the Paraw Regatta Festival, drawing crowds to celebrate maritime culture.
Sailors race traditional Visayan paraws—double-outrigger boats—across the 30-kilometer Iloilo Strait in a thrilling display of skill and speed.
As Asia’s oldest traditional craft event, the festival features cultural exhibitions, live music, and local culinary delights, honoring Iloilo’s rich heritage.
Dinagyang Festival: A Celebration of Faith and Culture
Every fourth weekend of January, Iloilo City comes alive with the Dinagyang Festival, its premier cultural and religious celebration.
The festival honors the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) and commemorates the arrival of Malay settlers on Panay Island.
Streets fill with Ati-Atihan-inspired dance competitions, colorful parades, and religious processions, drawing thousands of visitors from across the globe.
Kasadyahan Festival: A Tapestry of Local Traditions
Every third weekend of January, Iloilo City hosts the Kasadyahan Festival as a vibrant prelude to the Dinagyang Festival.
The festival showcases diverse traditions from Iloilo’s municipalities through street dancing, lively music, and colorful costumes that captivate audiences.
It promotes unity and celebrates local cultures, giving visitors a deeper appreciation of the province’s rich heritage and creativity.
Walking Through Iloilo’s Heritage and Traditions
Language & Hospitality
The people of Iloilo, known as Ilonggos, speak Hiligaynon, a Visayan language with a melodious and gentle tone.
Renowned for their warmth and hospitality, Ilonggos eagerly share their culture, traditions, and stories, making every visitor feel instantly at home.
Markets & Street Life
Iloilo’s markets, like La Paz Public Market, buzz with activity as locals and tourists explore the province’s vibrant street life.
Vendors offer fresh produce, seafood, and traditional crafts, giving visitors a vivid glimpse into the daily routines of the Ilonggo people.
Religion & Ritual
Religion shapes the daily lives of Ilonggos, guiding traditions and community practices across the province.
Centuries-old churches, such as Jaro Cathedral and Molo Church, host Masses and religious activities, showcasing the locals’ deep faith and devotion.
Traditional Crafts & Weaving
In towns like Passi, artisans keep the tradition of hablon weaving alive, creating handwoven fabrics dyed with natural colors.
These textiles tell stories of the people’s artistry, patience, and history, blending centuries-old craft into modern fashion while preserving heritage.
River Culture & Waterfront Life
The Iloilo River serves as a living stage, where daily life unfolds in vibrant harmony. Fishermen navigate its waters at dawn, families stroll along promenades, and boatmen ferry locals in traditional bancas.
Along the river, commerce, leisure, and culture intersect, reflecting Iloilo City’s identity as a dynamic, water-centered community.
Heritage Architecture & Ancestral Houses
Iloilo’s streets showcase Spanish-era churches and ancestral homes, from Molo’s heritage houses to Jaro’s stately mansions.
Walking these streets feels like stepping into layered history, where each façade and balcony tells stories of artisans, merchants, and families who shaped the city.
Local Music & Performing Arts
Beyond festivals, Iloilo’s musical heritage flourishes in everyday life, echoing through homes, streets, and community gatherings.
From folk balitaw to contemporary performances, music enriches celebrations, weddings, and rituals, preserving local traditions for future generations.
Local Dishes and Food Stories:
The Taste of Iloilo
La Paz Batchoy – A Hearty Noodle Soup
La Paz Batchoy, originating from Iloilo City’s La Paz district, is a savory noodle soup made with pork, beef, and innards.
Topped with crispy chicharrón and a hard-boiled egg, this comforting dish has become a defining element of Iloilo’s culinary identity.
Pancit Molo – Dumpling Soup
Pancit Molo, from Iloilo’s Molo district, is a Filipino-style wonton soup with dumplings filled with ground pork and shrimp.
Simmered in a savory broth, this beloved dish highlights the rich fusion of Chinese and Filipino culinary traditions.
Kansi – A Sour Beef Soup
Kansi is a distinctive Ilonggo beef soup made with shank and bone marrow, simmered with batuan fruit and unripe jackfruit.
Known for its rich, tangy flavor, locals often enjoy this hearty dish paired with steamed rice.
Binakol – Chicken in Coconut Water
Binakol is a traditional Ilonggo chicken soup simmered in coconut water and infused with lemongrass, ginger, and green papaya.
This comforting dish showcases the region’s abundant coconuts and fresh produce, highlighting Iloilo’s rich culinary heritage.
Baye-Baye – Sweet Rice Treat
Baye-Baye is a popular Iloilo snack made from grated young coconut mixed with pinipig or corn, shaped into small patties.
Locals and visitors enjoy this sweet treat during festivals and gatherings, savoring its chewy texture and tropical flavor.
The Myths and Legends of Iloilo
The Legend of Islas de Gigantes
The Islas de Gigantes, or “Islands of Giants,” located in Carles, Iloilo, are steeped in folklore.
One legend tells of a family of giants who drowned while crossing the sea, and the islands emerged from their bodies.
Archaeological findings of giant coffins further fuel these captivating tales.
The Mantiw – The 30-Foot Spirits
In the vast fields of Iloilo, locals speak of the Mantiw, towering 30-foot spirits often spotted whistling while roaming or leaning against coconut and buri palm trees.
Though generally peaceful, these spirits are said to be easily offended if a human attempts to whistle along with them.
The Aswang – The Shape-Shifting Creature
The Aswang is a well-known figure in Filipino folklore, and Iloilo has its own share of tales. These shape-shifting creatures are believed to prey on humans, especially during the night.
Stories of the Aswang have been passed down through generations, adding an air of mystery to the province’s rich cultural tapestry.
What Iloilo Reveals
Iloilo leaves more than a memory of its streets and squares—it leaves the echo of drums from Dinagyang, the spicy warmth of La Paz Batchoy, and the quiet reverence of centuries-old churches.
Festivals express devotion through rhythm and color, while cuisine folds history into every flavorful bite. Legends carry the voices of ancestors that echo along the river, beneath coconut palms, and across Iloilo’s rolling fields.
If you carry away one truth from Iloilo, let it be this: the essence of a place isn’t in guidebooks or postcards—it is alive in the ways people celebrate, cook, and tell stories as their forebears did. And when they do, culture is not preserved—it thrives.
