First Solo Backpacking in the City of Iloilo

I am quite embarrassed to admit that I was already in my mid 20's when I experienced my first ever solo backpacking. The fact that I was on my own for a single day (yes, just one day!) in a city that I have never ever set foot on in my entire life was initially a frightening idea. I don't think I ever had the guts to risk my safety in a strange place with unfamiliar faces to welcome me. Never in my wildest dreams have I planned to travel solo as I am almost always accompanied by a trusted travel buddy. 

Nonetheless, Ryan's nonchalant attitude towards the overcrowded atmosphere of Boracay and my eagerness to witness the beauty of what seems to be an overrated beach with the company of a group got the best of me. (People from the South who wants to go to Bora usually take the seven hour bus/van ride from Iloilo City to get to Caticlan).


It wasn't a planned solo backpacking trip after all since I had initially set my travel dates along with the days that were already booked by my college classmates 

Since I have no other choice but to book my flight one day ahead of my companions' schedule, I was left to tour the warm city of Iloilo by myself; hence, my first ever solo backpacking.

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As soon as I felt the plane ungracefully touch the ramp of Iloilo’s airport, I caught myself stupidly smiling. I actually felt proud to have come this far. For some reason, I felt the excitement creeping inside of me, yet apprehension still stayed perfectly in place--and it remained in my guts the entire time I was alone in the city.

Iloilo Airport Shuttle

I did not know where to go as we climbed down the plane, but I do know that I just need to follow the crowd, and I'll be out of the airport in no time. I scanned the airport's exit for a security guard, and inquired of the shuttle that takes passengers from the airport to the city centre for merely P50.

The said shuttles are easy to find as conductors loudly invite passengers to choose their respected vans. I checked with the first conductor I saw if his vehicle would drop me off at SM Iloilo and then climbed inside the almost full shuttle the moment he nodded a "Yes". 

Contrary to what I expected, the airport is about 30-45 minutes away from downtown, and I remembered we passed by Jaro first before we finally reached SM Iloilo.

I arrived just in time for the mall's 10 AM opening, and since I haven’t had my breakfast yet, I decided to grab something to eat at the famous Ted's Batchoy branch in SM.

Ted's Batchoy

Although I'm not fond of eating batchoy, I swore to myself that I would be consuming delicacies and specialties that originated in Iloilo. So I ordered a combo meal of Sisig, Rice and a small serving of La Paz Batchoy (P120). The sisig was acceptable, yet I just couldn't get my taste buds to like batchoy, half of which became leftovers.

SM Iloilo to Ong Bun Pension House

After filling my self up, I hailed one of the many jeepneys passing by outside the mall, chose a jeep with "Mandurriao" on its sign board and paid P8. 
 

I reminded the driver thrice that would like to be dropped off at the Ong Bun Pension House, where I already had a reservation. To my disappointment, he 'forgot' my request. So I was dropped off in no where and was advised to hail a La Paz jeepney. Good thing I was already within the downtown area, so I felt safe with the passing vehicles and the city life I’m accustomed to in my hometown, Davao.

This time I made sure I was seated at the front seat and constantly reminded the driver and the conductor to drop me off at my pension house. Luckily, the driver now has the presence of mind to remember my destination.

Ong Bun Pension House

I intentionally let my senses heightened the second time I rode a jeep to Ong Bun and wisely took note of landmarks that would help in locating this Pension House. This is, in fact, a difficult task for me since I have a poor sense of direction. Trust me, I'm the only Davaoena who doesn't know the nooks and shortcuts in my own hometown, and I believe I'm the only one dumb enough who hasn't memorized the confusing four wings of SM Davao yet. 

This time around though, I'd like to think that I did a pretty good job in navigating my way throughout Iloilo even just for a day. Anyway, I didn't expect Ong Bun to look high-class, but I sure didn't anticipate it to appear that old and unkempt of a building. When I saw the entrance and stairs leading to the lobby, I couldn't help but think of the cheap lodges and inns abundant in the downtown area f Davao City, where short-time, on-a-budget couples or prostitutes with their clients spend the night in. 

Not sure if that's a good impression, but I certainly did not like how unwelcoming the front desk staff was when I arrived. One employee was busy at the phone, while the other one, who looked like a trainee of some sort, simply waited for her coworker to hang up the phone instead of confirming my room reservation herself.

The more senior staff then attended to me after the phone call and promptly called the security guard, whom I met at the entrance a while ago, to lead me to my room at the fifth floor. Apparently, he is also the hotel's bell boy. He effortlessly started small talk and eventually decided that I could continue on my own the moment he started panting at the third floor.

Reaching the fifth floor's dark corridor and being welcomed by unkempt sofas at the hall and the seemingly leaking faucets at the sinks outside the common bathrooms made me think that I might be in one of those creepy Japanese horror movies I see on TV. The entire floor was just too gloomy and dirty that I didn't mind walking straight into my small room.

With a soft bed, electric fan, thermos, working table, cups and saucers, ash tray and open closet, paying P150 for a night is actually not that bad. 

Since it was barely noontime and I can already feel an impending headache, I decided to take a nap for about two hours before spending the rest of the day embarking the city of Iloilo. You can check out what places I went to on my first solo backpacking in Iloilo.

Learn more about Iloilo City Hotels. 

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