Trappist Monastery and Balaan Bukid..

The Trappist Monastery grounds is sacred enclave in Guimaras run by monks. These monks follow the rule of St. Benedict. The monks earn a living by selling souvenir items and processed foods.

The Shrine Trek, about 30 minutes walk, a religious attraction, a piligrimage site of Catholics where the image of Mother and Child enshrined at the chapel.

The Shrine of Ave Maria Purisima atop the hill.

Balaan Bukid, or Sacred Mountain in the Hiligaynon dialect of panay, is located right at the tip of a short peninsula called Bondulan Point.

Exploring Guimaras..

Guimaras Island is 15 minutes away from Iloilo, to cross via motorized passenger boat from Ortiz Port to Jordan Port in Guimaras. Guimaras Island is famous for its mangoes known for its sweetness and are exported abroad. Everything good quality, especially in size is exported and those smaller ones are left for the locals to sell or to consume.

From Jordan Port in Guimaras, most travelers went straight to Nueva Valencia, where the famous beaches of Guimaras is located. From my observation, the town of Guimaras is simple and  quiet and can be compared to that of Santa Fe in Cebu. The environment is filled with greens and the smell is more like that of the fallen leaves of mango trees.

Island hopping in the Island of Guimaras is another exciting adventure need to be experienced. It is surprising to see astounding rock formations, other white sand to golden sand beaches and a pocket of sandbar.

There's also this cave and where a motorized pumpboat can enter and unload you to explore the cave on foot and take pictures.

Guimaras is also home to the Turtle Sanctuary of Lawi and the South East Asian Fisheries Development Center or SEAFDEC where you can find the giant versions of "Lapu-Lapu". I had a nightmare, thinking that these giant fishes is out there in the open, and could swallow a human. The good thing is they are slow swimmers due to their size, but still, they could catch up on you.
No! No! No!

Guimaras is just few minutes away from Iloilo, for this reason, one can't say no to visiting this beautiful town, southwest of Panay. 

Places to go for the island hopping.

Iloilo Part 2

The Notable San Joaquin

The Parish Church of San Joaquin, the only military inspired Catholic church in the Philippines, was built in the 19th century by the Augustinians.

 Campo Santo de San Joaquin, is another cultural heritage of the town.

Historic Miag-ao

The Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church in Miag-ao was built in 1786.

Melody of Guimbal

 The San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish. A 400 year old church made from adobe stones called igang and coral stones quarried from Guimaras. It was built in 1774.

Guimbal Town Plaza &  Guimbal Watchtower.

Guimbal Watchtowers are 17th Century structures used as look-out for raiding Moro pirates.

Tigbauan Town

St . John of Sahagun Church,  is 439 years old. Built in 1575 from yellow limestones.

Beautiful Molo

Saint Anne’s Parish, also known locally as the Molo Church.

The church was constructed in 1831.

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