Iloilo River Esplanade 1

          The Iloilo River Esplanade is a 1.2 km. stretch of linear park along the northern bank of the Iloilo River (it's technically an estuary). The project is the brainchild of Senate President Franklin Drilon who is an Ilonggo by blood and by heart. The esplanade was inspired by the famous Singapore Quay which was also designed by the same architect who designed the Iloilo River Esplanade.

The City's iconic signature "I Am Iloilo" is located on the western end (near Carpenter's Bridge) of the Esplanade.

The Medical City Iloilo, a hospital operated by the The Medical City Group in Manila operates in Molo District beside Carpenter's Bridge. The second phase of Esplanade 1 runs in front of the hospital up to Diversion Road near Hotel del Rio.

Phase 2 of the Esplanade. The two towers of the gothic Molo Church is on the left side while the crane on the right side is the one building the expansion of The Medical City - Iloilo in the on the top.

Medicus Medical/Diagnostic Center (the blue building with the tower), Ayala Technohub 1 (the white and black building to the left) and Injap's condominium (the cream colored building) along Gen. Luna Street to the right is visible in this picture.

The winding path of the park hugs the mangrove-laiden banks of the Iloilo River.

Nogas Island Marine Reserve

          Nogas Island is the only island in the municipality of Anini-y in the southern tip of the province of Antique. It is, in fact, the only island in the southern part Antique although locals would usually tell you that the neighboring Jurao-jurao islet, now fully connected to the mainland, used to be a separate island, and is even larger than Nogas Is.
          Nogas Island is an established marine reserve by Philippine law. This island is a sanctuary for a diverse array of wildlife living in its healthy reefs, forests, seagrass beds, and mangrove strands. This island is approximately a kilometer from the nearest shore. The lighthouse situated in the middle of the island is one of the most visible landmarks of this island.
          Siraan Hot Spring resort was developed from a hot spring discovered from the huge rock near the water's edge. The locals channeled this hot sulfur-smelling water into constructed pools. Later on, the area was further developed and cottages and boats-for-hire going to Nogas Island were added to the resort's amenities. The resort is about 2-2 1/2 hours from Iloilo City and an hour from Miagao, Iloilo.
          This island is accessible through passenger motor boats docked in Siraan Hot Spring Resort in the mainland. As of May 2014, the motor boats (max. cap. of 10 pax) cost 500 pesos. The entrance fee in Siraan Hot Spring ranges from 30 to 100 pesos.

Entrance to Siraan Hot Spring.

Rocks surrounding the hot spring offer great views of the seas around the resort. They are also great vantage points to view Nogas Island.

One of the pools in the hot spring resort that's gradually being filled with hot spring water after being emptied and cleaned.

The rocky shore at the back side of the resort where motor bancas going to Nogas Island dock.

Nogas Island from afar.

View of mainland Anini-y while on a boat to the island. The mountains shown form the southern tip of the Madja-as Range.

Panoramic view of Anini-y from the island.

The most famous landmark of Nogas Island, the lighthouse located in the center of the island. The path going to the structure is lined by fragrant kalachuchi trees (Plumeria rubra).

A closer look of the lighthouse.

Mangrove forests around the island.

A young Rhizophora mangrove.

A developing mangrove forest gradually taking over a seagrass bed.

Seagrass beds form a boundary between the coral reef and the rocky shore.

Natural dwarf trees (bonsai) growing on rocks near the water's edge.

The island's rocky shore.

A grazing cowrie (Cypraea sp.).

The coral reef under the turquoise water.

A pink coral and a yellow soft coral beside it.

Fanworms and a feather star living in tubes inside the coral

An indigo-colored coral.