Trying Batchoy + Pancit Molo In The Heart Of The Philippines (Iloilo City, Panay)

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4-Day Richmonde Hotel Iloilo Package with City and Guimaras Tours & Transfers:
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Guimaras Top Attractions & Island Hopping Tour with Lunch & Transfers from Iloilo City:
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Iloilo City History & Heritage Landmarks Tour with Transfers:
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In today’s episode, we’re meeting up with an Iloilo native to explore the sites and bites of one of the oldest cities in the Philippines. We visit the family home of the Second Lady under Ferdinand Marcos Sr, we stand beside the first and only statue of Mary in the country to be personally crowned by a Pope and future saint, and we walk a 9-kilometer esplanade along the cleanest urban river in Southeast Asia. We also tour mansions, museums, and marketplaces that are equal parts history and gastronomy, showing us the sweet and savory staples that have helped put Iloilo City on the country’s culinary map.
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ABOUT US
We’re the Lockwoods. And we’re traveling the world to experience-up close and in person-all the natural wonders and distinct cultures that our kids would otherwise be consuming only through textbooks and TV. We think it’s a better way to learn and we’re working hard to fund this little experiment in the hope that our kids will grow up wiser, kinder, and more grateful for the beauty of our diverse planet and its people.

[@harrypingol3430]

Colt speaks like a professional vlogger .. hes adorable ❤️🇵🇭

[@livethephilippines]

😊 thank you. We think he’s amazing!

[@journevivbasco3462]

agree

[@japrox666planta9]

Agree 👍

[@tonycaldarera8206]

Might be a future crocodile hunter. He does like reptiles!

[@emmans05]

I agree! But Colt those were not mango trees. 😅

[@jps5890]

Never expected you would notice and visit my hometown ... Welcome to ILOILO. 🎉🎉

[@ryk84]

Hi Erin! This is Ray (Apples husband whom you met at Richmonde), Thanks for taking the time to meet up with Apple and that video greeting, that definitely made my day! lol. Glad you enjoyed Iloilo.

[@livethephilippines]

So happy it made your day 🤗 we appreciate your support! Hopefully we’ll have the chance to bump into you too in person.

[@reyvilleson4899]

I missed iloilo city Watching from Toronto Canada MABUHAY Enjoy MABUHAY

[@livethephilippines]

We hope you get to visit again soon. ❤️ Iloilo

[@1ShotTravel]

What a change. The last time I was there was in the late 90s and the only thing they have was SM Iloilo Iloilo. Now its like an Iloilo Iloilo BGC!!! Wow!!! :)

[@junmarksumogod751]

I missed Iloilo City. I studied college at ISATU and worked in the city for few years. Welcome to the Philippines's City of Love, where the past is always present. ❤ KUDOS FOR THE RESEARCH! 👏👏

[@richieliper4720]

Remarkable and amazingly done video documentation of my home city, Iloilo. Thank you for touring me again guys! Appreciate it!

[@Dwen-gadets]

Currently, I have a strong affinity for seeing vlogs created by individuals, however, the subject matter predominantly revolves on the Philippines. I am originally from the Philippines, but I currently reside in the United States. I am eager to explore several locations in the southern region of the Philippines. Your vlogs exhibit a high level of professionalism. Mabuhay!

[@dobestagner2676]

My city Iloilo. Im watching you guys now from Mississippi.

[@livethephilippines]

Thanks for watching us for Mississippi 🫶

[@jovanessavf164]

Yay! I’m so glad I have been swamped lately and so I and saw the Guimaras episode just yesterday. Because of that, I didn’t have to wait long to watch this one! Welcome once again to my neck of the woods! I love the places that were part of your tour, and I hope you guys swing back in the future so you can experience so much more! The image of the child Jesus, known as the Sto. (santo) Niño, is very popular in the Visayas because of Cebu being the landing site of the Spaniards in the 1500s, and this is why this region of the Philippines became the center for proselytization of Christianity here in the Philippines. The necklaces you guys were welcomed with, as you mentioned, are souvenirs representative of the main festival here in Iloilo, which is the Dinagyang festival held every January. Culminating on the fourth week of the month, it echoes the celebration in Cebu, which culminates on the third week of the month, but while the Cebuanos celebrate it mardi gras style, we Ilonggos have a more historical + religious approach to it. Participants of the tribal dance contest who compete for both prestige and monetary rewards depict the coming of the Spaniards and the introduction of Christianity into the local culture. I could go on but I’ll leave it to you guys to look up the Dinagyang Festival and decide if you want to swing by in January of 2025. (wink) To set your expectations, though, the festival hasn’t been the same since the pandemic, but it’s starting to go back to its original ‘festival fever’ pitch. Pope John Paul’s visit in 1981 is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. My mom was about 39 weeks pregnant with my brother when the pope came over to bless the Sto. Niño in the Jaro cathedral. He was part of a fluvial parade that went around the city during the festival, and the parade’s route passed by my dad’s ancestral house. Wanting to go up to the float he was in, my mom sat me on her belly and almost ran over and pushed her way to the float among the throng of devotees. She then held me up to the pope who was putting his hand on every child’s head that he can reach, and I was lucky enough to be one of them. That was January 25, 1981. In all the frenzy, my mom started going into labor that night, and the very next day gave birth to my brother! She decided to add Paul to his name to commemorate the rare experience. Pope JP II came back for the 10th World Youth Day in 1995 and I became a part of it to seal the unique experience my family was privileged to have. Interestingly, John Paul II became Pope on the year I was born, 1978. The Molo Mansion is the former home of one of my classmates in high school. When it was acquired by the SM Corporation, we were horrified - for lack of a better word- to find out that they were going to tear it down to build a mall. I messaged my classmate that we should raise a petition to preserve the house and its historical value, and thankfully, this was a success! The Camiña Balay nga Bato is a block away from where I live. It’s a great stop for any tourist as it really gives you the feels of the city’s history and one of its main industries, weaving. Hey, Colt, my mini me! Hahaha! That plant you pointed to at the Esplanade is from the Croton family of plants. You’ll be interested to know that it is a BIG plant family. Your guess is pretty good, though, since the young leaves of that species of Croton do resemble a mango tree leaf. That Croton species’ leaf fenestration isn’t defined until maturity. And oh! Great booboo there on the puto. I cringed hearing the word, but then I laughed because that was hilarious! Hahaha! Well! When I started typing, I didn’t expect to be writing an article-length comment, but hey, if you’re as old as I am and just as adventurous as you guys are, you have a LOT of stories to tell. LOL Hope I get to meet you guys in the future and maybe show you around if the timing is right. Haha! I know I most definitely would like to talk to Colt about his love for exotic pets and everything else we have in common! You guys are absolutely awesome! Love the eclectic personalities, the family dynamics, and the research and impulsive decisions made along the way that just sets the bar higher up and punctuates every trip and makes it unique and more memorable! Looking forward to each vlog, so keep ‘em coming!

[@lilibethcerenche4126]

Welcome to the City Of Love ❤ Iloilo imissed batchoy so much nagutom koba 😅

[@livethephilippines]

We loved Iloilo! ❤️🇵🇭

[@Pau_5986]

hi! Live the Philippines, welcome to my hometown Iloilo City (The City of Love) I hope you all guys enjoy your stay here, enjoy the food & the hospitality of my fellow Ilonggo’s.. I hope i can meet you all.. Stay safe & God bless! 🙂🙏🏻❤️

[@livethephilippines]

Thank you! 😃 we loved Iloilo

[@user-nh2rj3zr3b]

Thank you for visiting and featuring the beautiful sites of Iloilo. I left iloilo in 1971 and lived with my husband in USA but when we retired in 2016 we decided to come back and built our retirement home here in Guimaras.

[@vickymaestrado4146]

❤❤❤welcome to my beloved country 🇵🇭enjoy &be safe,watching from Toronto 🇨🇦

[@livethephilippines]

Hello 👋 in Toronto. Thanks for watching!

[@juliawinner0817]

It's been 6 years since I went back home and after seeing the thumbnail that one of my fave youtubers visited my city Iloilo!! I got way too excited for the fam to fall in love with the city 😊❤ hope everyone had a great experience 🎉

[@IrmaAbare]

Colt is soooo down to earth and always smiling!

[@OHANA-Beach-Suites-CDO]

Love this! You guys are really (SHAKING) things up! Iloilo looks amazing! Let’s gooooo Philippines! 🤙

[@livethephilippines]

Thank you!! 😁 Having the best time exploring all over

[@amaliahightower]

Magandang Umaga 🙏 This is an amazing video of Iloilo City 💚🩵💛 What a beautiful and clean city with so much history. Everything is fascinating especially when you said about the Oro, Plata, Mata. I had my house built here in the 🇵🇭 and all the stairs ended in Oro. Appreciate this and a big thank you Lockwoods. I learned so much ! 💜 you all 🥰

[@livethephilippines]

So happy you like the video 🫶 and happy your stairs end on oro 😘

[@oliviarivera2405]

My late father used to say that also

[@ericmjrs798]

What an amazing fanily, travelling in the different parts of the Philipoines

[@livethephilippines]

Thanks 😊

[@FaithEvangelista-tp5wz]

I salute your family for all the hard work you put in every video. Always so informative and enjoyable at the same time. Nothing but love and appreciation for you guys! Can’t wait for the day when your channel reaches a million subscribers. 🙏🏼🥰

[@livethephilippines]

Thank you so much for appreciating our work 🙏🙏🫶

[@yiensy1861]

I so love this video. Definetly my next destination. Thanks for the reco❤

[@moniquechavez1911]

Welcome to Iloilo City, Phils. The two kids have grown up. They are so smart and intelligent.

[@daphneabad165]

Love you guys and I love Iloilo! ❤

[@livethephilippines]

🫶🤗🤗🤗

[@amirtv2702]

cant wait the next episode.. you guys are the most genuine family travel vlogger.. I learned a lot also.. very educational and intersting..

[@livethephilippines]

Thank you 🙌 so happy you find value in our episodes. 🤗

[@gzilla9434]

Wow colt is getting so much better with vlogging and food reviews. Very expressive/detailed 👏🏻

[@dankennethjavier6775]

Nice content 👌 Beautiful destination 💯

[@rollyh12]

Thanks for featuring Iloilo …. One of the best vlog I’ve watched.. thank you again Miss my hometown…

[@xermierklaus4550]

Thanks for visiting our beloved province Iloilo.. enjoy and have a nice stay..hope to see u again...

[@acostamarlou]

I missed my hometown ❤

[@livethephilippines]

We loved our visit. Hope you get to go back soon.

[@thebonvivant9027]

Yehey!! Finally!! Welcome to my Hometown Iloilo! ❤️🏡🤩 Hope you did enjoyed your stay there. Richmonde hotel is my favorite hotel in Iloilo and I’m glad you tried Pancit Molo and Lapaz Batchoy! I recommended those two before on your last episodes. 👍😊 There’s so much to see and do in Iloilo not just in the city but also in the provinces. We have lots of white sand beaches too and it is true that Iloilo was the named as the Queen City of the South before! Before Cebu was crowned, it was always Iloilo who got that title. 👑 I wish you well guys, Thank you for showing us Iloilo , my lovely hometown that I’m missing so much! Watching here from Vienna, Austria. More powers!🥰

[@livethephilippines]

Thank you so much 🫶 we really loved our trip there.

[@darnsdarns]

Really impressed with how well you guys have researched facts and details about my beloved city, great job guys!

[@rosemendez931]

This is so on point and well research. Welcome to my city!

[@livethephilippines]

Thank you for welcoming us 🤗

[@seapops]

I'm amazed! It's truly fascinating for me to learn about the history and facts of that side of the country, especially through the video you shared. Even though I am Filipino, I've never had the chance to visit that part of the country. I found the video entertaining and it provided me with valuable insights. Thank you so much for creating and sharing this video with us.

[@bryanprehoda]

Best video by you yet

[@livethephilippines]

Awesome! 🤩 so happy you think so

[@jamesyu613]

wow that looks so amazing.

[@livethephilippines]

It is! ❤️Iloilo

[@jamesyu613]

@@livethephilippines awesome

[@mindabinayong9532]

Wow,soo beautiful city,i wish to see someday!😊🎉❤

[@MikeReisender]

Another great episode, thank you! I will definitely visit Iloilo the next time I am in the Philippines.

[@livethephilippines]

You should! 😊

[@riches88888]

Clear explanation and professional husband and wife.

[@keikimom3]

What a cool episode! Thanks.

[@livethephilippines]

Happy you liked it!

[@mariemontero7080]

educational video we appreciate that ❤thanks for bringing us there good to know and to see this place. 🎉so interesting ❤

[@89GTFoxdlDude]

Another great video guys! Love the little bit of history lessons too! 🫰🇵🇭🇺🇸

[@livethephilippines]

Awesome. So happy you liked it!

[@juanitawilms9842]

Interesting video, thank you for showing us this place

[@livethephilippines]

Glad you enjoyed it 🤗

[@mommyrose9074]

Thank you for highlighting our Beloved City of ILOILO ❤

[@livethephilippines]

We LOVED Iloilo

[@Codybelsean]

Beautiful city clean and organized

[@livethephilippines]

Yes! ❤️ Iloilo

[@rinotilde2699]

Thank you for touring my city! ❤

[@livethephilippines]

Our pleasure! We ❤️ Iloilo

[@ricecorner]

So much nostalgia on your videos 😭🇵🇭

[@livethephilippines]

Aww that makes us happy :)

[@laidaibanez]

Watching your amazing philippines travel vlogs are very informative, enjoyable, wonderful and greatly appreciate your family's efforts in promoting Philippines numerous tourist spots from foreigners like you. You rock! I enjoyed all your Philippines vlogs and the others too!

[@kenkens9874]

I love this vlog content its like a mini docu

[@FLYiNGiLONGGO]

thanks for visiting and sharing your experience in iloilo. love it

[@mylahbarreto5265]

I appreciate Colt’s food reviews

[@crisjeturian56]

You seem to know more History than many people combined. Amazing with the details!!!

[@cecillarin5896]

very informative vblog! thank you i truly enjoy watching this video and i learn a lot!

[@livethephilippines]

Glad you enjoyed it! 🤗

[@dheannemerzo]

Welcome to Iloilo my home City, hope you enjoyed your stay😊

[@adianbeat6701]

Love your show!!!🤍🌼

[@jessiesantiago7994]

Impressive video and quality content. I can tell that your family had experience in this line of work. The narration is spot on. Thank you for making these kinds of videos that, in addition to its entertainment value, you provide tourism information that are helpful to both locals and foreign tourists. Great job. 👍

[@scoutvlogs-ll4xe]

wow nice so great iloilo city

[@livethephilippines]

It really is! ❤️ Iloilo

[@jmquinquilleria8953]

Very informative

[@livethephilippines]

Glad you think so! 🤗

[@user-wg6zi9sn9w]

Thank you very much for your vlog in Iloilo. I missed my hometown Iloilo. So much progressive. Watching from MD. USA.

[@livethephilippines]

It's our pleasure to vlog there. We loved Iloilo!

[@user-wg6zi9sn9w]

@@livethephilippines Thank you! I am glad to hear it. Enjoy your days in the Philippines.There are lots of beautiful places to discovery and to learn.

[@robertditchburn8824]

we learned so much as well. thank you so much!

[@livethephilippines]

It’s our pleasure! Thank you for watching 🤗

[@lyndagleason8434]

Interested in Iloilo since my grandfather was born there. If you find Villanueva’s they may be my ancestors! Looks beautiful there. 💜

[@richeljerman5469]

My hometown island iloilo😊i really need to explore there in my vacation,enjoy guys❤😊

[@josephstalinsiblag5348]

I was just there... I just missed you, guys...

[@applekilayko4596]

This is one of the best vlogs about my hometown - informative and entertaining at the same time. Love you, guys! I’m homesick a week after going back to the States. Thank you again, Erin, for your time! Apple ☺️

[@livethephilippines]

Apple, it was a pleasure to meet you! I hope your sister’s wedding was a magical day.

[@randyangeles2203]

I really love how you showcase these historical places. I also believe that Phil and I have similarities as I’m also serving in the US Army but soon to be retiring. Would love to meet you guys one day.

[@CarolineMiranda-td1th]

Colts soon become a blogger. But i hope he will priorities his studies. God bless your family.

[@777luevang]

Crazy how different colt and Brooklyns personalities are. Colt could run his own youtube chanel one day.

[@livethephilippines]

It’s so true 🤗 they’re so different

[@paraboygamer]

Very informative blog... thank you so much to showcase the rich historical that sometimes forgot by young generation today here in the Philippines 🥰

[@livethephilippines]

Our pleasure! We loved making it ❤️🇵🇭

[@chenchensuniverse]

Welcome to my homecity Lockwood family..I'm your silent subscriber..i always watch ur vids from the other channel..keep it up!take care always!

[@ameliatongol9266]

Enjoy your visit to Iloilo, ingat Manuhay always enjoy watching your channel ❤❤❤

[@livethephilippines]

Thank you! 🤗

[@celenacosta1766]

Happy to see you all visiting the Iloilo, it’s my hometown. Iam watching from Vegas..enjoy & be safe😍

[@Anthony1126.]

Hello Lockwoods family thank you for this amazing video you’ve shared . Enjoy lives❤

[@livethephilippines]

Thank you so much 🤗

[@Dime-zu4gd]

such a pro bloggers including the kids, so natural. Keep it up, guys.

[@livethephilippines]

Thank you so much 😁

[@MeF2023]

That was a fun trip! Thank you for touring me in my own country (LOL!) I really enjoyed it! I just know that the Ilonggos are very sweet people!

[@rowenaibanez7401]

Nice City, Iloilo❤

[@livethephilippines]

It really is! 🤗

[@jparreno]

Really enjoyed that you shared the history of the area that Megaworld developed... It was a much smaller airport before it relocated to Santa Barbara... I'm used to the newer one already anyways... I actually used to live near that smaller airport when i attended university in Iloilo in the early 2000s

[@livethephilippines]

We were so impressed with that area. The mall is SO beautiful!

[@menchiequinal8794]

Thanks for featuring Iloilo ! The Island Panay is rich in history ! The seafood restaurant Breakthrough and Tatoy’s Manokan is 👌🏻. Reminds me to visit again !

[@livethephilippines]

We loved Iloilo!

[@01BronzeBeauty30]

what I really love this family is that they put heart in every vlog they created. it shows each they gave us a trivia and knowledge about the place they are presenting. they studied about it and not just showcasing how it looks. keep it up! and thanks for sharing our beautiful country to everyone.

[@livethephilippines]

Thank you so much for appreciating this about us. We really care about the work we put into our videos. Thank you for the support!

[@janetceniza8091]

Very nice tour - covered a lot of city and history. It is 6:35 pm on on a sunny evening, 18 May 24 in Everett, Wash.

[@livethephilippines]

It was a great visit to Iloilo 😊

[@jennasabado8353]

Nice content and thank you to visit iloilo try to night out too in iloilo is a great experience

[@livethephilippines]

Thanks :) We'll have to do that next time.

[@seano05]

Just seeing Colt eagerly try and actually like Ilonggo food warms my heart. Hope you guys had a really nice stay!

[@thesocialspectrum2464]

I always wanted to try those food 😮

[@InterestTrends0202]

THANKS FOR VISITING

[@mysuicidaljourny]

welcome here in my hometown! ive been your subscriber since then , glad you came here enjoy!

[@mysuicidaljourny]

i think you should go in old iloilo are where you find the queen shiopao in robertos ,

[@livethephilippines]

We go there in our next episode. Cannot wait to share that one 😋

[@livethephilippines]

Thanks for supporting us! We ❤️ Iloilo

[@megamind856]

omg im excited to go in iloilo this june

[@livethephilippines]

Great! You’ll love it 😍

[@annchesajo5321]

My home town!!❤ Hope you enjoyed guys!🥰

[@alonatalorong40]

As usual,behind the scenes make me laugh😂,❤thank you Lockwoods family ❤always take care and God bless

[@toastedrebi]

I love watching your vlogs, I’m learning so much about my motherland thanks to you! I was born and raised in Italy, I just started to speak in tagalog and be more interested in my culture in 2014, and I’m still struggling a bit😅😊 I’m thankful for my boyfriend who’s always helping out with the words I don’t know! Hehe God bless you guys, enjoy your moments together❤

[@livethephilippines]

We LOVE Italy! Thanks for watching 😊

[@bornonjuly7052]

Welcome to the City of Love beautiful family.

[@livethephilippines]

Thank you!! 🤗

[@jadediahjimenez5591]

You guys are getting millions of followers soon 🎉

[@livethephilippines]

We hope so! 🤞

[@manitolabrador2127]

Megaworld township developments are modern, attractively designed and could compete head-to-head with Ayala Land projects. Iloilo is lucky to have Megaworld in the city.

[@anngelicapanes8751]

Welcome to the City of Love. I hope you enjoyed your stay in Iloilo.

[@reycruz5566]

Behind the scenes 👍👍👍

[@livethephilippines]

😄

[@Ishivy718]

Beautiful Family 💖

[@livethephilippines]

Thank you! 🤗

[@georginalagrana21]

I’m leaving near in Iloilo which is from roxas city. Have a great roaming around enjoy, watching from Moscow Russia. My husband is so jealous of you guys 😂

[@sallyrasar7386]

This is the fun place to visit because is historic place.❤🇵🇭🇺🇸

[@livethephilippines]

It’s a great place to visit 🫶

[@mariarosameyer6875]

Thank you for liking Iloilo city

[@shielaaposaga2394]

Welcome to Iloilo .

[@Nanaytinandkian]

Omg I love it ❤

[@livethephilippines]

Yay 😁 this makes us happy

[@abpantaleov]

Cool 😁

[@ccTzy]

Thank you for visiting my Hometown, Iloilo! I'm an avid follower. Hope I can join one of your escapades, I'm a traveler myself. Enjoy Philippines!🩷

[@livethephilippines]

Thanks for following us! We hope you can join us too. We are putting together a group trip in the Philippines this Sept/Oct. We hope you can join. You can sign up here: followabc.com/philippinestrip