Capiz to host 1st int'l triathlon on April 22-23, 2017

One major international sporting event will come to the Capiz next year as the province will host TriAksyon, a triathlon race scheduled on April 22-23, 2017.

Jose O. Borres, chairman of Capiz TriAksyon, revealed on a press conference held on December 12 at Villareal Stadium poolside that the event is expected to draw around 300 athletes from around the world.

"Triathletes from countries like Singapore and Hongkong have already inquired online, and signified their intention to join the competition," said Borres. "Also, we encourage each municipality in Capiz to form a team and join the event."

Aside from promoting sports to Capizeño, the purpose of the TriAksyon is for the tourism of the province.

"This activity will serve as promotion of Capiz being the ‘Seafood Capital of the Philippines’ and let other people around the globe know that Capiz still exists and has a lot to offer,” said Borres.

Borres further detailed that the TriAksyon competition will cover a route of 54 kilometers, passing through Roxas City and the town of Panay. Participants may join in the following categories: Trikids, Sprint, Standard, and Relay.




Registration will be done online, via official website www.capiztriaksyon.com. Registration fee ranges from P2,000 to 2,500.

He added that the organizers are already working out on bringing SEA Games gold medalist Claire Adorna and international triathlete Betsy Medalla to the event.

The triathlon will be one of the highlights of next year's Capiztahan, an annual commemoration of the foundation day of the province.

"I'm very excited with this triathlon, more so because we have help from private sector who will help the tourism of our province," said governor Tony del Rosario.

The provincial government will shell out funds for the event depending on proposals of the organizers, and it will be taken from the proposed P6 million budget intended for the whole Capiztahan Festival.



Provincial tourism and cultural affairs officer Alphonsus D. Tesoro said that aside from the main competition, the province will also hold peripheral activities to maximize the tourism impact of the event.

"We are planning to put up regional exposition that will be tied in to the triathlon," Tesoro said. "We'll make sure that there will be many side events, considering that this is also part of the Capiztahan."




The tourism office is now readying 1,197 individual hotel rooms in the province to accommodate the athletes and tourists who will be gracing the event.

The province will hold a grand launching of the Capiz TriAksyon 2017 in January to promote the event even more in the region, around the country and internationally.

Megaworld to open VIP Cinema at Festive Walk Mall Iloilo

How about watching your favorite blockbuster movie while resting on a comfortable recliner, with butler waiting for a push of a button to deliver you unlimited drinks and popcorn?

Ilonggos will soon enjoy the world class movie experience that Megaworld Corporation brings to its lifestyle malls with the opening of VIP Cinema middle of 2017 at the Festive Walk Mall in Iloilo Business Park (IBP).

Denisse Patricia C. Malong, senior leasing manager of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, divulged to us (Iloilo press and bloggers) this exciting development during the soft opening of the phase 1 of Festive Walk Parade on December 20, 2016.

"We have a total of 7 cinemas, 6 world class digital cinemas and one will be the VIP theater. The VIP theater is what we have in Manila in Uptown [Mall Bonifacio], in Eastwood it's Ultra 7, and we have it in Venice Grand Canal," Malong explained.

"So it has a LaZ Boy-type of seat, by couple, and then it has unlimited popcorn and drinks, and it has butler service. You just sit down, press a button and then a butler will come and ask you what you want."

The Festive Walk Mall with these amazing cinemas and other shops is expected to open its doors to Ilonggos mid-2017. It will be inter-connected to Annex (another set of buildings that is under construction) and the Parade via an access bridge.

The Festive Walk Parade is a 1.1-kilometer dining and shopping strip, the longest of such hub outside of Luzon. "The intention of the Parade is to be the center of nightlife in Iloilo," said Malong.

Initially, five tenants had soft opening at the Parade on Tuesday, namely, Grillers, 13th Street Espresso, Tinukib, Dulgies, and Biscocho House. A total of 25 shops will open at the phase 1 of the strip, some of which will start serving the next few weeks.

The grand opening of the Parade is tentatively set on January 17, 2017.




Megaworld IBP is a mixed-use master planned township development located in the old airport area in Mandurriao district, covering a total land area of 92.9 hectares. Currently it houses the world class Richmonde Hotel and Courtyard by Marriot, a host of BPO buildings, upscale restaurants, and the iconic Iloilo Convention Center.

I'm pretty sure you all can't wait to experience this VIP Cinema right here in the City of Love! Follow me on this blog or through my Facebook page and Twitter account for more exciting updates in Megaworld Iloilo Business Park.

Festive Walk Parade at Iloilo Business Park opens December 20

Brace yourselves Ilonggos for the longest dining and shopping strip in the City of Love as Festive Walk Parade will open at Megaworld Iloilo Business Park on December 20, 2016.

Festive Walk Parade is the centerpiece of the 72-hectare mixed-use township's leisure and lifestyle concept at Mandurriao district.

The 1.1-kilometer avenue will be home to most classy restaurants, bistros, retail shops and boutiques that will showcase the exciting culinary and entertainment adventures which will surely attract Ilonggos and visitors alike.

In their website, Megaworld IBP posted about this exciting destination:

"It is ensured to transform into an all-in-one shopping and dining strip, one of the longest in the country. Retail shops, bistros, boutiques, open parks and a serene environment will attract Ilonggos and visitors.There will be a space for serene ecology, wellness and scenic appreciation of the city life. The future BPO buildings, hotels, condominium towers and other commercial destinations in the township will provide a steady influx and movements of people within this leisure destination."

Of course, the Festive Walk Parade is just a few steps away from other developments in the IBP such as the Festive Walk Mall (under constuction), BPO buildings, international hotels Marriott Courtyard Hotel and Richmonde Hotel Iloilo and the iconic Iloilo Convention Center.

I got an invitation for the opening on Tuesday, December 20, around 11 AM. Words going around that at least 10 stores will open on that day.

So expect to see updates on my Facebook page, probably a Facebook Live broadcast if the internet connection permits, as we tour around the shops that will open on Festive Walk Parade on that day.

Keep it here at Nonoynet.com, and see you at the newest shopping, dining and entertainment hub in Iloilo City, Festive Walk Parade!

S&R Membership Shopping opens 12th store in Iloilo

Finally, world class shopping galore can now be experienced by Ilonggos as S&R Membership Shopping opens its 12th store in the Philippines at Donato Pison Avenue, San Rafael Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

The big day for volume shoppers happened on Friday, December 16, and a day before that I was invited together with Iloilo media and bloggers for a press launch and tour around the store/warehouse which is located at the back of Plazuela Dos, near People's Condo.

S&R is a membership-shopping club modeled after the warehouse membership shopping chains in the United States. They provide imported merchandises to members at the best value for money prices.

Everybody's favorite at S&R: New York Style Pizza!

The store is well-loved for their Food Service station, which offers the popular New York Style Pizzas, calzones, churros, Blue Bunny Ice Creams, Clam Chowder, Rotiseserie and Southern Style Chicken, hotdogs, cheeseburgers, fries and more.

The gourmet selection of freshly baked breads, cakes and pastries is awesomely prepared using imported ingredients.

S&R VP for Operations Greg Kreyer talking to media and bloggers before the store tour.

Greg Kreyer, S&R vice president for operations, toured us around the warehouse, and we readily saw their wide range of imported groceries which are hard to find locally. One would surely love their selection of fruit juices, sodas, chocolates, snacks, spreads, condiments, canned goods, etc.

I came to the store looking for hard to find matcha tea, and I'm happy they have it.

They also have widest choices on health and beauty products, household essentials, quality produce such as fresh meat, fruits, vegetables, seafoods, frozen goods, and poultry on the highest grade.

I'm sure Iloilo restos are happy that S&R is finally here because of these quality meats.

Their line of home appliances and furnishings features trusted brands worldwide. They even have tires and automotive products, and a facility which offers free services exclusive to its members.

With the turnout of the pre-opening registration for membership, I am pretty sure that Ilonggos are very excited for the S&R opening.




"We are very happy to be in Iloilo. Iloilo will turnout to be the biggest membership signups prior to opening of any of our 12 warehouses," Kreyer said.

How to be a Member

S&R offers Gold Membership for individuals aged 18 years old and above, and Business Membership. Here are the requirements:

• Application form, which you may get at their store.
• 2 valid picture IDs.
• Fee of P700 annually for the the Gold Membership. You also get an extension card for your immediate family members for an annual fee of P400.
• Business Membership has higher fee of P900, with one free add-on card. Primary cardholder may add up to 3 extension cardholders.

So to register, you just go their store at San Rafael, fill out the application form, present your valid IDs and pay the membership fee. They will take your photo through the webcam, input your data at the computer, and then after a few minutes they will issue the membership card and give you the value coupons booklet.

Yes, I got my card! 

Membership benefits and perks are:
1. First pick imported name-brand merchandise
2. Exclusive deals and discounts
3. Unmatched everyday savings
4. Access to specialty services
5. Shopping privileges at ALL S&R branches nationwide

Here's the exact location of S&R Iloilo.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up for membership now, and experience world class shopping (and of course their delicious pizza!) at S&R Iloilo!