Lunch at Tatoy's, Atria, Iloilo City

I continue on my feature on our recent travel to Iloilo. This time, I just wanted to share about the food in Iloilo, which has been recognized as a gastronomic destination (UNESCO Creative. City of Gastronomy) And that was before that Michelin list came out! Being half Ilonggo and regularly traveling to my Tatay's hometown and elsewhere in the province, I've enjoyed the food there and would gladly recommend the usual, popular dishes. But I do recommend people trying the food they usually serve in homes including many versions of adobo, KBL, laswa and kansi.

Baked clams (talaba)

Tatoy's version of the popular pansit bihon

Grilled native chicken

We actually had two lunches at different Tatoy's branches. On our first day, it was at Atria. On the second day, we went to the main branch in Villa, Arevalo. There is another branch near the airport but perhaps that's a place to eat at as a last resort or last chance before departure? Maybe others will eat there upon arrival after missing Ilonggo food for a long time?

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Mortuary Chapel of San Joaquin, Iloilo

San Joaquin, Iloilo also has a mortuary chapel that was designated as a National Cultural Treasure. It features a baroque design that has been preserved over so many years. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take a good photo of the chapel itself. We didn't stop by for photos, and I was only able to take this quick photo of the main gate to the cemetery that leads to the chapel.

 

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San Joaquin Church, Iloilo

The last time I was in San Joaquin, Iloilo was on a side trip in September 2024. It was raining then and I couldn't get a good photo of the church. It was also closed and so I wasn't able to get photos of the interior. Two weekends ago, we were back in San Joaquin and I made sure we could go out and take some nice photos of one of the heritage churches in the province.

Photo of the church with the image of Christ the King at the center of the plaza

The details on the facade depicts the Spanish victory over the Moors in the Battle of Tetuan.

Photo of the church front showing the historical markers and the statues of saints including San Joaquin.

Historical marker ca. 1977

Inside the church is a long aisle leading to the main altar. The ceiling appears to have been reconstructed and includes two giant fans to help make parishioners more comfortable.

The main altar features this retablo.

A more recent marker relating the history of the church and the carving on its front pediment.

Plaque stating the church to have been designated as a National Cultural Treasure in July 2001.

There's a view of the Garin Farm cross from the church grounds. We actually came from there before we went to San Joaquin Church.

More on the heritage churches in the next posts! 

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