Iloilo’s new apple of the eye! The lifestyle hub of Iloilo is here – high-rise buildings with modern architecture, biggest shopping malls and cinemas, restaurants in various cuisines – they’re all found in Mandurriao.
What used to be a silent district is now one of the busiest spots booming with life, day and night!
What to See
Iloilo Business Park
Popularly referred to as Megaworld, Iloilo Business Park is the newest commercial and leisure spot in the district. It is located in the old airport site and houses Festive Mall, Festive Walk (a food strip), Iloilo Convention Center, Richmonde Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott, Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA), several BPO offices and a transport hub.
Casa Emperador houses the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art.
Iloilo Esplanade
What used to be a populated river that served as home to several families inhabiting illegally has been transformed to one of the most visited spots in the city. A lane from Old Carpenter’s Bridge (connecting Mandurriao and Molo) up to Diversion Road (and even up to La Paz!) has been constructed for joggers or anyone who simply wants to enjoy the beauty of the rehabilitated Iloilo River. Esplanade One is where the famous “I am Iloilo” landmark is located.
Smallville Complex
Smallville Complex is one of the first leisure spots in Mandurriao. This is where the nightlife is! Aside from bars, discos, restaurants, and coffee shops, Smallville Complex also houses three hotels including Westown Hotel, Iloilo Business Hotel and Smallville 21.
Riverside Boardwalk
Just next to Smallville Complex lies Riverside Boardwalk, simply referred to as Boardwalk by the locals. It has a few restaurants overseeing the Iloilo River.
The Shops at Atria
To get a taste of Ilonggo favorites such as batchoy, pancit molo and other Ilonggo and Filipino dishes, head over to Atria. Netong’s Batchoy, Kap Ising’s Pancit Molo and Biscocho House can be found here. It also has a grocery store, pharmacy and bank.
Plazuela de Iloilo
Another dining, recreation and shopping spot in Iloilo is the Plazuela de Iloilo. This Spanish-Italian style structure houses several restaurants, stores, a pharmacy, a bank and government agency PAGIBIG. The management also organizes programs such as food festivals, concerts, fashion bazaars and the likes on regular basis and during special events like Christmas, New Year, Valentine’s Day and Dinagyang Festival.
Events and Festivals
Mandurriao Fiesta
Mandurriao Fiesta is celebrated every 26th of November every year. During the days leading to the big day, the plaza which is just located across the Catholic church, is turned into a funfair of rides, food stalls and of course bargain finds (locally referred to as “ukay-ukay” or relip for relief). On the day of the fiesta, the celebration usually begins with a mass and procession.
Getting Around
There are several ways to get around Mandurriao.
Jeepney
Jeepney is the most common and cheapest way to get around Iloilo City. Minimum fare is P8.50. From city proper to almost all points of interest in the city, fare is only minimum.
Some provincial loop jeepneys also pass by Mandurriao. Jeepneys from the towns of Alimodian, Leon and San Miguel all pass by this district to get to Jaro.
Meanwhile, Leganes and Sta. Barbara jeepneys pass by Mandurriao via Diversion Road (formally called Benigno Aquino Ave.) to get to downtown area.
Taxi
Taxi is a convenient way to get around the city. You can hail a taxi almost anywhere and have it drop you to any spot in the city. Flag down is P40.00 and goes higher depending on your destination. When traveling within the city, know that it’s always metered. Never agree on a fixed price even if you are traveling from city proper to whatever district you are heading to. Fixed pricing is only commonly used when traveling from the city to different towns in the province.
To save you from having to hail a taxi on the street, you can call one of the several taxi operators to send a unit to pick you up from your place of origin. Here are some of the biggest operators with their contact numbers:
- GDR – (033) 321 1254
- Light of Glory – (033) 320 5147
- Quarry Taxi – (033) 501 0725
If you’re from the hotel, you can ask the front desk to contact a taxi for you.
Private Car
If you are interested, you can rent a car to take you around. The cost of self-drive rental starts from P2,000 for 24 hours and can go higher depending on the type of car. For tour with a driver, rent starts at P3,500 for eight hours.
Motorcycle
To explore the city on two wheels, you can rent a motorcycle that is being offered by several businesses such as Iloilo Motorcycle Rentals in Jaro. You can also use third party booking such as book2wheel.com.
Bicycle
Iloilo is a bike-friendly city. The stretch of Benigno Aquino Avenue (also known as Diversion Road) has lanes designated for bikers and joggers.
Pedicab
Pedicabs are typically used in villages and minor streets but not in major highways.
Where To Stay
Aurora Guest House
Imperial V, Guzman St, Mandurriao, Iloilo City | +63 917 599 0900
Book here!
BHive Hotel
Taft St, Mandurriao, Iloilo City | (033) 321 1821
Book here!
Courtyard by Marriott
Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City | (033) 330 7600
Book here!
District 21 Hotel
Atria Park District, Mandurriao, Iloilo City | (033) 321 1857
Book here!
Diversion 21
Benigno Aquino Avenue Diversion Road, Mandurriao, Iloilo City | (033) 321 7721
Book here!
Iloilo Business Hotel
Glicerio Pison Street corner Benigno Aquino Avenue, Mandurriao, Iloilo City | (033) 320 7972
Book here!
Injap Tower
West Diversion Road, Mandurriao, Iloilo City |+63 977 808 8111
Book here!
J7 Hotel
Jalandoni Extension, Brgy. Bolilao, Mandurriao, Iloilo City | (033) 501 0206
Book here!
MO2 Westown Hotel
Benigno Aquino Ave, Mandurriao, Iloilo City | (033) 509 0202
Book here!
Richmonde Hotel Iloilo
Megaworld Boulevard corner Enterprise Road, Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City | (033) 328 7888
Book here!
SEDA Atria
Donato Pison Ave, Mandurriao, Iloilo City | (033) 506 8888
Book here!
Smallville 21
Smallville Commercial Complex, Diversion Rd, Mandurriao, Iloilo City | (033) 501 6821
Book here!
Where To Eat
Atria
Location: Donato Pison Ave, Brgy. San Rafael, Mandurriao, Iloilo City
88 Street by GrumpyCat | (033) 503 9309
Ang Kamalig Restaurant | (033) 501 5002
Army Navy | (033) 501 5305
Asian Spoon | +63 998 578 2988
Biscocho Haus | (033) 501 4844
Casa Amore Bistro | +63 977 885 0028
Live All Day | +63 917 716 6797
Madrid Spanish Bistro | +63 906 251 8562
Netong’s Batchoy | (033) 501 6335
Y2K Talabahan
Zatazza Cafe | (033) 501 5470
Megaworld Area
Location: Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City
Aldea’s Coffee Bar and Restaurant
Ayra Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse | +63 977 899 2881
Biscocho Haus
Chick N’ Tea Shop | +63 956 592 1011
Dova Brunch Cafe |
Dulgies | (033) 338 3701
Farm to Table | (033) 320 2154
Griller’s | +63 933 855 2475
Jip Bab | +63 949 998 2532
McDonald’s
Pizzaro
Sunny Side Up All Day Breakfast |+ 63 915 354 9509
The Granary | Richmonde Hotel | (033) 328 7888
Smallville
Location: Diversion Road, Mandurriao, Iloilo City
Afrique’s Gourmet | Italian Cuisine | ((033) 501 3103
Amalfi Cucina Italiana | (033) 329 5289
Bauhinia | (033) 329 6951
Bluejay Coffee & Co. | (033) 338 1484
Bourbon Street | (033) 501 6262
Freska | +63 929 775 9550
Nothing But Desserts | (033) 329 5815
Ocean City Bistro | (033) 501 6814
Spring Palace Seafood | (033) 331 9282
Restaurant | (033) 331 9282
TaPi2Ted | (033) 321 0238
Riverside Boardwalk
Location: Diversion Road, Mandurriao, Iloilo City
Kogi Vege | Korean Cuisine
Punot | Filipino Cuisine | (033) 320 9893
Ramboy’s | (033) 333 2177
Red Paprika | Asian Cuisine | (033) 320 8845
Troi Oi | Vietnamese Cuisine | (033) 323 3169
Plazuela
Location: Diversion Road, Mandurriao, Iloilo City
Peppy Thai Deli | (033) 396 5425
Ponsyon | (033) 320 9893
SM City
Location: Diversion Road, Mandurriao, Iloilo City
Bonchon Chicken | (033) 336 0008
Burger King
C’s by L’Fisher
Cabalen | +63 917 654 3210
Chikaan
Choobi Choobi | (033) 335 4653
Classic Savory | (033) 321 1590
Gerry’s Grill | (033) 337 1446
Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen | (033) 332 2442
JD Bakeshop
Max’s | (033) 329 1700
Oishi Batchoi
Zark’s Burger
SM City Southpoint
Cafe Diem | (033) 508 3436
Giligan’s| Filipino Cuisine | +63 923 442 7432
Mrs. Wharton
Spicy Elements
Where To Shop
The city proper district has the most number of shops and business but we are only listing those you may find interesting and offer a variety of products.
Malls and Commercial Centers
SM City Iloilo | Benigno Aquino Ave., Mandurriao, Iloilo City
Festive Mall | Megaworld Blvd., Mandurriao, Iloilo City
Iloilo Supermart Mandurriao | Q. Abeto St., Mandurriao, Iloilo City
Metro Supermarket | Pacencia T. Pison Ave., Ayala Atria Park District, Brgy. San Rafael, Mandurriao, Iloilo City
S&R Membership Shopping | Pison Ave., Mandurriao, Iloilo City
Gaisano Capital Iloilo City Center Mall | Benigno Aquino Ave., Mandurriao, Iloilo City
The Marketplace | Megaworld Blvd., Mandurriao, Iloilo City
Specialty Stores
Chefs and Bakers | Mohler Building, R.Mapa St., Tabucan, Mandurriao, Iloilo City
Baking supplies and equipment
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