Cristy in the City: arts and culture

Thrive Art Gallery at Atria

Fast becoming an art hub in the country, Iloilo City added another art space to its growing roster of museums and galleries. Thrive Art Gallery recently opened at The Shops at Atria and is described as an experimental art space dedicated to organizing exhibitions, workshops and community engagements. As an art space for Ilonggo artists and creatives, expect exciting exhibitions and activities that will further nurture the thriving art scene in the city.

Also check out their gallery shop for collective items like postcards, books, zines and stickers. Glad to know that merch from my fave local illustration brand SCIBS is also available!

For more information about artists and exhibitions visit www.thriveart.org.

January 28, 2024

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arts and culture

Spanish-Ilonggo heritage cuisine at Balay Remedios

Here's another beautiful heritage house transformed into a cafe/restaurant/gathering place for the denizens of Iloilo City. We visited Balay Remedios along Bonifacio Drive one lazy, sunny afternoon for merienda as we were aching for cold refreshments and snacks. I have heard of the opening of this Filipino-Spanish cafe and museum restaurant from the Facebook page of the good mayor of Iloilo City. I have always been intrigued by this house as the facade is beautiful despite its faded antiquity. You can see the full architectural view of this house framed by native trees when you visit the rooftop of National Museum- Western Visayas Regional Museum.

With Chef Miguel Cordova at the helm, Balay Remedios serves elevated lunch hour Spanish-Ilonggo heritage specials like Native Chicken Binakol, Paella Negra, Remedios Pollo y Chorizo, and Costillos de Muscovado among others. Merienda selections are quite limited so we decided on ordering the prosaic Bam-i, a mixed noodle dish served in Ilonggo homes, carinderias and in your local school canteen. With the Balay Remedios touch, this ordinary dish turned out to be the most flavorsome Bam-i we have ever tasted.

We would love to come back again to try the lunch hour or breakfast specials! If you have a sweet tooth, their coffee accompaniments like table mousse cake, bibingka cheesecake, calamansi leche flan, banana cake and chocolate custard cake will literally take the cake.

The old rich charm of this dining set-up attracts Iloilo's young, old (and sometimes very old) foodies who yearn their hometown's nostalgic culinary treasures, ambiance and how Iloilo's elite probably wined and dined.

See you again soon, Balay Remedios!

BALAY REMEDIOS

183 Bonifacio Dr, Iloilo City Proper, Iloilo City, 5000 Iloilo City

Email: balayremediosiloilo@gmail.com

November 15, 2023

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arts and culture

Sunday is museum day

What better way to spend a quiet, sunny Sunday than to visit Iloilo City's national museums. The burgeoning arts and culture scene in the city has paved the way for the restoration of heritage buildings, parks, monuments and the establishment of national and regional museums. Iloilo is a cultured city which lovingly remembers its glorious and gilded past.

After spending a lovely morning and brunch at the Tahum Fair at Iloilo Convention Center, me and my friend trekked to the downtown area to visit the recently opened National Museum of Maritime History at the ground floor of Iloilo Customs House/Aduana Building in front of Sunburst Park. In general, museums in Iloilo City are open from Tuesdays to Sundays and you are assured of peace and quiet as you browse through artifacts and relics that showcase our national heritage. Instead of heading to crowded malls, why not spend some contemplative time, reflecting upon and learning more about our nation's history.

First stop was the National Museum of Maritime History followed by the Museum of Philippine Economic History. The last stop was the National Museum of Western Visayas. In between museum visits, we sauntered in the nearby parks, sat on wrought iron park benches while listening to classical music wafting through the speakers.

The historic Plaza Libertad in front of Iloilo City Hall is a safe and beautiful place to enjoy tropical plants, flowers and native trees. Meanwhile, the newly renovated Graciano Lopez Jaena Park (Jaro Plaza) is an idyllic place to enjoy a late afternoon sunset while gazing at the newly restored Jaro Belfry which is now the official landmark of Jaro District.