LOCAL NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS
Gigantes Island, a promising site for drug discovery
The Iloilo tourist spot of Isla de Gigantes might hold the cure to cancer. (Photo courtesy of Iloilo Metropolitan Times)
Isla de Gigantes in the town of Carles, Iloilo, known its beautiful white beaches, lagoon, caves, sandbar, cliff-diving spots, and seafood, is now also a site for medicinal exploration. A team of biologists headed by Dr. Doralyn Dalisay, an Ilongga Balik Scientist of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), went to the island to look for a cure for cancer. Recently the team has found unique microorganisms that could potentially be used in making anti-cancer drugs off the Waay Dahon coast and the Bantigue sandbar. However, Dalisay’s team is worried that the frequent arrival of tourists to the island might disturb the development of the rare species of microorganisms that they discovered. Thus, DOST is now working on making Waay Dahon and Bantigue off limits to tourists in the very near future.
WEATHER ADVISORY
Iloilo will have cloudy skies for August 7 to 13, 2016
The weather forecast indicates rain for the whole week, with occasional thunderstorms on Monday and Friday. Average temperature for the week is 25°C. It is not advisable to go island hopping because the experience might not be great due to the inclement weather.
HEALTH NEWS
Prevalence of dengue cases causes alarm
Gov. Defensor is alarmed by increasing number of dengue cases in the province. (Photo from Iloilo Government website)
Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) Director Dr. Patricia Trabado reported that all 42 towns of Iloilo, including the component city of Passi, have recorded cases of dengue. According to IPHO, there were 420 patients afflicted by dengue fever in the whole province as of July 28, 2016. Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. called for a meeting with the municipal mayors and other stakeholders last August 2 to address the alarming situation. Authorities have asked the public to help prevent dengue in their localities by destroying breeding places of mosquitoes.
TRAFFIC NEWS
Rerouting of jeepneys aims to lessen traffic congestion
The rainy season has hampered the reconstruction of main streets in Iloilo. Affected areas include Luna Street in Lapaz district, or the street that separates West Visayas State University and Iloilo National High School, as well as Delgado Street in the city proper on the way to Timawa. The repairs caused traffic jams, and frequent rain showers caused the delay of the retrofitting of roads. To lessen the congestion, jeepneys plying the Jaro-Liko-Tagbak Terminal route now pass through Commission Civil Street, in front of Iloilo Science and Technology University, which was formerly called WVCST.
MAJOR AND MACRO ENTERTAINMENT
Dutch-Filipino Film Festival starts on August 9
Schedule of the Dutch-Filipino Film Festival in Iloilo City (Photo courtesy of Dutch Embassy Philippines)
Eight films can be viewed for free in Iloilo City in celebration of the Dutch-Filipino Film Festival. The film festival features a mix of foreign and local films, with two films to be shown daily. The film festival will run from August 9 to 13, 2016 at the Iloilo Cinematheque located at Solis St. and at Robinsons Movieworld. All the screenings are free and open to the public. The event is part of the International Human Rights Film Festival.
TRADE FAIRS, EXPOS, CONVENTIONS
9th Fiber Fashion Fair is on August 7
Ilonggo craftsmanship and style will be on display at the 9th Fiber Fashion Fair. (Poster courtesy of Association of Young Fashion and Apparel Designers)
The fiber used for the fashion show is woven by locals from Miagao, Iloilo. (Photo courtesy of My Beautiful Iloilo)
Iloilo City will be holding the 9th Fiber Fashion Fair at SM City Iloilo. Two of the major shows will be staged on August 7. Iloilo Tourism Officers Association, Inc. will showcase “On the Ramp” at the Event Center of the mall at 5:00 PM. Later in the evening, members of the Iloilo Fashion Designers Council (IFDC) will flaunt their latest collection. IFDC is made up of prominent Ilonggo designers, namely John Montinola, Jun-G Candelario, Paul Conte, Binky Pitogo, and the like.
SIGHTSEEING TIPS
Miagao Church may be visited rain or shine
Miagao Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Photo from Iloilo Government website)
After appreciating the fiber used in the fashion show, one might want to visit the weavers at Miago, Iloilo to buy products. Not to be missed is the UNESCO World Heritage Site that can be found in the town: Miagao Church. The Church boasts of an artistic facade decorated with a relief sculpture of St. Christopher carrying Christ amidst coconut, papaya, and guava shrubs. The place of worship is also a popular site for engagement photo shoots.
The grandeur of Nelly Garden recalls the aristocratic past of Iloilo. (Photo courtesy of Nelly Garden Iloilo)
If the group decides to just roam around the City of Love, a visit to Iloilo’s Nelly Garden is a good addition to the group’s picture album. This beautiful spot is in the middle of the busy education district of La Paz.
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