do as ilonggos would because you’d be in for really good food at surprisingly low prices.

where: Tatoy’s, a local (and quite known) seafood restaurant by the sea

what to eat: the native chicken inasal, grilled tuna, and loads of fresh talaba! (or oysters for some of you out there)

how much: all these plus ‘side dishes’ of rice, vegetables, and drinks for 3 people will cost you around P500 only. (a plate of oysters costs only about P50)

tatoy’s is a local hot spot for good (and affordable food) but if you want to go all cowboy and fresh seafood right off the market, try Bacolod’s* inasalan and manokan. since the bacolod city proper is quite navigable via taxi or tricycle, you can ask to be brought to the area where the paluto restaurants are. be warned though because these are roadside establishments; not a place for the unadventurous. you shop for seafood at a mini market beside the strip and have them cooked the way you want it. buttered shrimps, anyone?

where to stay: Mo2 Westown Hotel which has the El Dorado Waterpark and is right across a whole slew of bars and restaurants that come alive at night (read: gimikan)

what can i say?: i love it. i’d love to come back and explore the island (guimarras especially) and have more talaba! awesome.

Read on for maps..

*a 45-minute fast craft (a type of ferry boat) ride from iloilo; ticket costs around P200-P300; daily skeds to and fro, from 630am to 5pm

Tatoy’s:
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MO2 Westown Hotel:
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