Historical Sites and Landmarks in Iloilo that Should be in Your Itinerary
Embark on a journey through time as you wander the cobbled streets of historical sites in Iloilo, where colonial architecture stands as a testament to the city’s enduring legacy. Whether tracing the footsteps of explorers or unraveling tales of local legends, Iloilo’s historical sites promise an unforgettable glimpse into the soul of this enchanting province. Home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Iloilo is a captivating destination brimming with tales of triumph and resilience, where echoes of the past mingle with the rhythms of modern life. Here are the 4 fascinating and picturesque historical landmarks in Iloilo you can visit: 4 Historical Sites in Iloilo You Should Visit 1. Plaza Libertad A place that used to be known as Plaza Alfonso XII is a historic plaza or town square. It is considered a site where the flag of the first Philippine Republic stood in victory against Spain after surrendering in Iloilo, led by the revolutionary soldiers of General Martin Delgado by the end of December 1898. This is one of the oldest historical sites in Iloilo which marks a turning point in the story of the Philippines. 2. Villa Arevalo Plaza This location is one of the seven districts of Iloilo, built by a Spanish governor-general in the style of his hometown in Avila, Spain. Many historical events took place in the district from foreign raids from two separate periods to the building of the first schools in the country and safeguarding venues for religious veneration. If you’re a hardcore history buff, then Villa de Arevalo is definitely the place for you. 3. Eusebio Villanueva Building A historical site in Iloilo which is a huge building located at J.M. Basa Street in Iloilo, is one of the country’s oldest business districts built in the 1920s. It is often dubbed the “Escolta of Iloilo” or Calle Real or Royal Street in English. It used to be a renowned International Hotel in 1927, over time it was dilapidated but was restored in 2012 to be unveiled as a heritage site. 4. Nelly Garden Mansion Otherwise known as The Lopez Heritage House, is a historical landmark in Iloilo, Barangay Jaro built in 1928. Commissioned by an Ilonggo statesman Don Vicente Lopez and his wife, Doña Elena Hofileña, in honor of their eldest daughter, Nelly Lopez y Hofileña. It is a mansion situated in 4-hectares of trimmed grassy fields. Because of its architectural grandeur and due to the province’s aristocratic history, it is considered the Queen of Heritage Houses in Iloilo. Walking through the Houses of History When you are walking through the historical landmarks in Iloilo, you can’t help but feel the weight of history lingering in the air. Each step through Plaza Libertad echoes tales of liberation from General Martin Delgado’s victory still resonate, marking a pivotal moment in the Philippines’ step toward independence. While Villa Arevalo Plaza stands as a testament to resilience, bearing witness to centuries of foreign raids and the birth of educational institutions. Who knows what other secrets time has kept away you will unlock, discovering the untold stories hidden within each site’s walls. Want an inexpensive and worry-free trip to Iloilo? Book a trip with SuperCat today! If you have any further inquiries, feel free to contact us.
Chelsea Logistics’ Seamless Payment Transactions
SuperCat provides passengers with contactless payment options The three shipping lines of Chelsea Logistics, namely Starlite Ferries, Inc., The SuperCat Fast Ferry Corporation and Trans-Asia Shipping Lines Incorporated are now providing passengers with contactless payment options via GCash, ShopeePay and PayMaya. These partnerships are part of the ongoing digitalization efforts of Chelsea to modernize and provide safe and convenient booking experiences for its passengers. Trans-Asia General Manager Sheila Sy said, “The move to incorporate the use of digital payment systems started in March 2020 and back then we only had PayMaya. During the height of the pandemic, the need for cashless payments became a necessity to follow safety protocols.” Sy further added that the move was to help increase sales and provide payment flexibility. Sy reported that in July 2021, a partnership with GCash was inked, and recently, the Company debuted in Shopee. On the Shopee app, passengers are able to enjoy up to P50 discount when they avail of ShopeePay Piso Deals during PayDay Sale or Double Double Sale. Customers can also use their e-wallets for cashless transactions at main ticketing booths nationwide. In order to make the payment, passengers simply have to open their App of choice, scan the QR code displayed at the counter, enter the amount to pay, and confirm payment. The landscape has shifted since the pandemic started, causing consumers to abandon cash and resort to electronic payment. Cashless is now emerging as the preferred mode of payment for consumers under the new normal as internet banking and online shopping have become more widespread. “Chelsea Logistics aims to further expand its digital footprint and explore new systems that will give our customers seamless and hassle-free booking experiences. These contactless payments facilitate faster transactions and improve passenger experience while reducing the cost inefficiencies of cash for merchants,” said Starlite Ferries General Manager Shane Arante. The Group’s passenger fleet, composed of 22 RoPax vessels and 9 fastcrafts, has a total GRT of 357,433 tons and a carrying capacity of 15,188 passengers. The passage segment showed remarkable recovery in the first quarter of 2022 as revenues more than doubled year-on-year, up by 124% to P160 million. Chelsea Logistics President & CEO Chryss Damuy remarked: “Now that we are seeing recovery in the passage business due to relaxed travel restrictions and eagerness of Filipinos to travel again, we are ready and happy to welcome them aboard. Our commitment to provide digital solutions is not only aimed at making transactions faster and easier; but we also desire for Filipinos to gain the freedom of traveling and enjoy the adventures they missed due to the pandemic. We sincerely thank our partners for the smooth flow of on boarding and support in terms of instore and online promotional materials.”
Chelsea Travel Merchandise Collection
AVAILABLE NOW! Grab the limited edition of Chelsea Travel Anniversary Collection. Available on board and at selected ticketing outlets! 3-in-1 multi-function ballpen (stylus, cellphone stand, clip holder) notepad water-proof drawstring bag stylish tote bag drifit t-shirt with famous tourist destinations in the Philippines insulated leak-proof tumbler Stickers of iconic landmarks in the Philippines bucket hats and caps
Chelsea Logistics offers Chelsea Travel online booking app
Chelsea Travel App offers improved features: cheaper group booking, self-service booking management, and shorter reservation cut-off time 20 September 2023, Manila, Philippines –Chelsea Logistics enhanced its ‘Chelsea Travel’ App, the unified online booking system of its subsidiaries Starite Ferries, SuperCat, and Trans-Asia Shipping Lines, which provides an easy, simple, and stress-free booking experience to passengers. As simple as three steps: “SCAN, BOOK, PAY”, anyone can instantly book a sea travel and explore the Philippines’ breathtaking tourist destinations. Chelsea Travel’s major upgrades include Group Booking, self-service Booking Management, and a One Hour Late Cut-off to make booking reservations. With Group Booking, families and barkada traveling together can input passenger details and preferred accommodations all in one go, saving them time and effort. Booking for a group of three or more passengers is also cheaper due to the one-time payment of the admin fee. Passengers also have the option to pay via GGives, providing more manageable installment payments. With the “Manage Booking” option feature, there is no need to contact customer support, and passengers can access existing reservations and reprint their e-tickets which can be sent to their email for their reference. To provide more flexibility and convenience to passengers, Chelsea Logistics reduced the reservation cut-off time to 1 hour prior to departure from the previous 4 hours cut-off time. For passengers who want to make an impulsive trip, even during peak season, they can be confident that they will have a reserved seat on board. Aside from these major upgrades, the Chelsea Travel App also offers a consolidated ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ from Starlite Ferries, SuperCat, and Trans-Asia. A comprehensive breakdown of the fare and charges before passengers proceed to make the payment will also be available to maintain transparency and lessen confusion about actual charges associated with their transaction. Chelsea Logistics Information Technology Head Efren M. Bernardino, Jr. remarked: “The Chelsea Travel App, powered by Outsystem, is focused on innovations that aim to make booking more convenient, reliable, and satisfying not only for our passengers but also for our back-end users who are tasked to diligently review and validate an average of 300 transactions daily. We believe that these improvements will attract more families and barkada to try sea travel more often.” Chelsea Logistics President & CEO Chryss Alfonsus V. Damuy said: “We at the Chelsea Group will keep on enhancing our services to make our valued passengers happy and satisfied with their travel experience. We believe that sea travel is not only a mode of transportation, but also a way of discovering new places, cultures, and perspectives. That’s why we are constantly investing in our fleet, our crew, and our technology, to ensure that we can offer the most diverse, entertaining, and memorable journeys for our customers.”
04 SEPT 2023 Advisory
ADVISORY. September 4, 2023 Vessel Maintenance Effective September 4, 2023, all trips for the Batangas-Calapan-Batangas route are CANCELLED due to vessel maintenance. We shall keep you posted on the resumption of trips. For other queries or concerns, you may email us at supercat-customercare@supercat.ph or call us at 09271476281. #SuperCat #ZoomtotheIslands #ZoomwithSuperCat
Layag, Chelsea Logistics Layag travel magazine
November 2022 – Chelsea Logistics launched ‘Layag’, a quarterly publication that will feature travel activities, history, food, and culture of the Philippines’ tourist spots and hidden gems. Specifically, ‘Layag’ will focus on travel destinations and local businesses that are accessible through sea travel. Published online and to be distributed on board Chelsea Logistics’ three shipping lines: Starlite Ferries, SuperCat, and Trans-Asia, ‘Layag’ also aims to keep passengers informed about the Group’s newest services, route developments, and vessel amenities. Promoting Philippine Tourism Through Layag Magazine ‘Layag’ is an endeavor of the Chelsea Group to help promote the Philippines’ tourism industry after a two-year travel hiatus caused by the pandemic. For its first issue, ‘Layag’ focused on Cebu City, the Queen City of the South, highlighting its Sinulog Festival, the grandest annual celebration in Cebu City held every third Sunday of January to honor the Santo Niño (Child Jesus). Aside from sea travel hacks and travelers’ experiences, ‘Layag’ also offers free tickets to those who will participate in its regular contests. A special section, ‘Traveler’s POV’, is designated for Chelsea Group employees to encourage them to contribute their own articles, travel tips, and photos, driving internal engagement. Chelsea Logistics President & CEO Chryss Alfonsus V. Damuy said: “We launched ‘Layag’ on 11.11.22 at 11am, an auspicious date, as we are certain that the passage business will hit significant growth in the next few months which will hopefully continue in succeeding years. Our desire is to help rebuild the livelihood of those communities affected by the pandemic by featuring them in ‘Layag’. We will start with the areas where we operate in like Cebu, Batangas, Ormoc, Surigao, Cagayan De Oro, etc. We commit to promoting local businesses and attractions while boosting our routes to aid the Group’s recovery.” The Chelsea Group’s Passage revenues in the third quarter of 2022 grew more than 7x year-on-year and 4% quarter-on-quarter to P371 Million — the highest quarterly revenue achieved since the government-imposed lockdown in March 2020. Advertisers are also welcome to further improve the circulation of ‘Layag’ and contribute to the full recovery of tourism in the country. Currently, ‘Layag’ has a potential readership of more than four million passengers nationwide. Interested companies may reach the Chelsea Group’s Marketing Communications Department at stratcomm@chelsealogistics.ph. The second issue of Layag will feature the Industrial Port City of CALABARZON and one of the fastest urbanizing cities of the Philippines, Batangas City. Explore the first two issues of Layag: Layag Issues