The Grab driver told us that the “downtown” area of Iloilo City has moved, from the older city center not too far from the city hall and provincial capitol, to the commercial area of Mandurriao. This shift means many of the older attractions are ignored, if not forgotten. And among these is Roberto’s, popular for selling siopao (hot buns) since 1978.

@outragemag Have you tried the supposedly best #siopao in #Iloilo? We #LGBT ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine

With good word of mouth (and not just from the Grab driver, but also from the hotel’s staff, bank security guard, and so on), we checked the maker of, supposedly, the city’s “largest best-tasting siopao”. And kumusta ang experience namin?

Una, the place is easy to find. Locals know about this place, so – if you ask – you will be guided accordingly. Not that this is needed, actually, since the place is located in the historic street of Calle Real, a.k.a. J.M. Basa Street, which tourists tend to pass through if checking the older parts of Iloilo.

Ikalawa, the resto is old, complete with old furniture, those old mirrors, old photos and tarpaulins pasted on various parts of the resto, and so on. I doubt people visit for the glam, however.

Ikatlo, they have a karinderya system. Here, you are supposed to queue to order, and then find your own table/seat. The place can get full, so that take-out orders are common.

Ika-apat, the workers are… impersonal. No engagement of customers happens here; just order and pay.

Ikalima, kumusta ang offerings?

1. There are four types of siopao: the ₱180 Queen, ₱150 King, ₱100 Jumbo and ₱60 Regular. Aside from the size (e.g. the Queen is the biggest, at least they’re not patriarchal), the fillings also vary. The Queen, for instance, has bacon, Chinese sausage, chicken-pork adobo, and egg; while, for the King, remove the bacon). Yes, the siopaos we got were bigger-than-usual. And the dough used was soft. But, taste-wise, they were… not exactly memorable. Malaki and malaman but unremarkable.
2. The ₱115 bihon was served in a plastic bag; you, yourself, had to transfer it to the Styrofoam provided. This one didn’t have a lot of sahog except for those pesky chicken bones. And, sadly, it was quite tasteless.
3. The ₱45 meatballs were surprising, tasting like skinless lumpiang Shanghai.

Long queues form in front of Roberto’s almost every day, with many just ordering the Queen siopao. We’re on the fence here, on whether this is deserved. Because we know Iloilo has other offerings that deserve just-as-much if not even more attention.

And so off we go in search of more lafangan venues…

Roberto’s is located at 61 J.M. Basa Street, Iloilo City.

May select food sa Philippines that made such big impressions so that they’re now being mimicked in various forms. Iloilo’s batchoy, halimbawa – like Batangas lomi and Bacolod inasal – was already appropriated by makers of instant noodles.

@outragemag #LGBT tasting original #batchoy in #Iloilo via the grimy #netongslapazbatchoy ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine

And so while in Iloilo City, we headed to one of the original makers of batchoy, Netong’s Original Special La Paz Batchoy, established in 1948 by Teodorico “Netong” Guillergan Sr., and try one of the country’s most distinct noodle soups.

Una, this place is easy to find. Located inside the Lapaz Public Market, surrounded by other batchoy venues, locals actually also know of this place, so you can be guided accordingly.

Ikalawa, the actual resto is… nothing special. Looking like a small karinderya, this not-classy place isn’t the cleanest-looking, with the varnish or paint of the wooden tables already peeling, the flooring already seeing better days, and so on. But you do get proper seating in a masikip venue that’s better suited for smaller groups.

Ikatlo, the workers are… perfunctory. They know what they’re selling, yes, but this isn’t a fine dining venue, so don’t expect to be pampered.

Ika-apat, now… kumusta ang food?

1. The place only really sells batchoy, and there are three variants: the ₱100 Super, ₱120 Extra, and ₱140 Mega. The differences are the sahog. We wanted to order the Mega, but ubos na. So we got the Extra, which had pork, beef, liver, entrails, crunchy garlic, chicharon, and so on. For ₱20, we also added eggs (raw, added into the broth). And yep… this one’s good, with the flavors mixing properly. Matamis na garlicky na salty, just as batchoy should taste.
2. The ₱100 dinuguan (pork blood stew) was actually good, not malansa (fishy or off-putting) since it’s properly cooked and flavored. Maasim-asim due to the vinegar used, though not overpowering, so that it could also be okay as ulam (viand).
3. The ₱30 puto that come in threes are actually hefty. This isn’t dry, nor too airy, so it’s actually quite filling.

Fact: Iloilo City was recognized in 2023 as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, stressing how some of its culinary offerings are really must-check. And yes, include batchoy among those that should be tried.

But off we go in search for more lafangan venues…

Netong’s Original Special La Paz Batchoy is located at Lapaz Public Market, along Rizal Street in La Paz, Iloilo City. Contact (033) 396 2189, or head to their (not very active) Facebook page for more info.

Air travel disruptions continue to ripple across the world. With staffing shortages and lingering operational delays, travelers could still face widespread cancellations and long wait times.

To help travelers navigate an unpredictable holiday season, the experts at InsureMyTrip are offering five essential tips for booking flights safely and smartly.

Top 5 Tips for Booking Thanksgiving Flights Amid Ongoing Disruptions

1. Early is Best – Choose early, non-peak flights and avoid tight connections.
   
2. Flexibility Matters – Make sure most, if not all, of your travel costs are refundable or flexible.
   
3. Stay Alert – Monitor your flight status and plan for delays as the new normal.
   
4. Know Your Rights – Know your passenger rights in case of cancellations.
   
5. Insure Your Trip – Protect your trip with robust travel insurance and add-on the Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) benefit for the most flexibility.

Why These Tips Matter

1.  Choose early, non-peak flights and avoid tight connections

Flight reductions and staffing shortages mean peak travel times will see heavier congestion and a higher risk of cancellations. Early-morning flights are less likely to experience cascading delays, and booking nonstop routes minimizes your chance of getting stranded mid-journey. If you must book a layover, allow at least two hours between flights.

2.  Monitor your flight status and plan for delays

Even with the shutdown possibly resolved, it may take weeks for the air traffic system to return to normal. Travelers should use airline apps or real-time trackers to stay updated on changes and arrive early at the airport to allow for security and staffing delays.

3.  Know your passenger rights

If an airline cancels your flight or significantly alters your itinerary, you’re entitled to a full cash refund for the unused portion of your ticket. Travelers should also familiarize themselves with each carrier’s compensation policies, as airlines may not be required to cover hotels or meals for disruptions caused by government-related staffing issues. Keep records of all communications and receipts to make reimbursement or insurance claims smoother.

4.  Make sure travel costs are refundable or flexible

With heightened uncertainty, travelers should opt for refundable tickets and flexible hotel or car rental bookings. Many airlines are currently offering fee-free change options, allowing travelers to reschedule without penalty if delays or cancellations happen.

5.  Protect your trip with travel insurance and CFAR

When refunds aren’t available, travel insurance is your best bet. A robust policy can cover unexpected setbacks like cancellations, weather delays, lost luggage, or medical emergencies – all common during the busy holiday season.

For maximum flexibility, InsureMyTrip recommends adding Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, which lets travelers cancel for reasons not covered under standard plans, including shutdown-related disruptions or a simple change of plans, and still recoup 50%-75% of non-refundable costs.