How to get there
The town of San Joaquin is 53 kilometers from the city center of Iloilo.
to Iloilo. Flying time is about an hour. As the airport is located in Cabatuan, take a shuttle van from the airport to the bus terminal in Molo, and then take any bus going to Antique and tell the bus driver to drop you off in San Joaquin. Another alternative is to go to Super Terminal in Iloilo City and take any San Joaquin-bound jeepney from the terminal.
Those with private vehicles can simply drive south passing through Oton, Tig in San Joaquin. Allow two hours to reach San Joaquin as there are plenty of nice attractions along the way. What to see, what to do Among the most popular attractions in San Joaquin is its church. It is the only one in the Philippines featuring a military scene in its pediment. Constructed in 1859 and completed in 1869, the Spanish friar Tomas Santaren was so inspired by the Spanish victory over the Moors in 1860 during the Battle of Tetouan that he ordered Filipino and Chinese workers to create a beautiful bas relief version of the battle.
Another interesting attraction is its cemetery. Constructed in 1892, it has an in cherubs and skulls. Inside the cemetery is the Baroque-designed mortuary chapel standing in the center. The San Joaquin Church Complex and the Campo Santo of San Joaquin were declared by the National Museum of the Philippines in 2015 as National Cultural Treasures.
Along the coasts of San Joaquin are some of its hidden natural attractions. Talisayin Beach in Poblacion is a perfect family getaway for those seeking a quiet place for Among the most popular attractions in San Joaquin is its church that was constructed in 1859 and completed in 1869. swimming and picnics. For scuba diving and snorkeling, head to Cata-an Cove and Tobog Beach in Barangay Cata-an.
For a unique family experience, visit the Garin Farm and Resort in Purok 2 in Poblacion. This 15-hectare privately-owned farm offers a mix of agriculture, leisure and pilgrimage activities. The lower ground allows visitors to see farm animals like goats and rabbits, marvel at the giant bananas and see a with all the vegetables mentioned in the song
In the middle level, there are leisure activities available like zip-line, boating and kayaking. On top of a hill is where visitors get to experience entering the tunnel of death, going to a judgment foot Divine Mercy Cross surrounded by dozens of angels. This is Garin’s way of depicting “heaven.” But as soon as you your way out as it is “not yet your time.”
Every 3rd week of January, San Joaquin holds the Bayluhay Festival where the historic exchange of gifts between the Malays and the Atis is celebrated. During the Bayluhay, the Pasungay is held where the town’s best carabaos are pitted against each other in a “bull derby.” Where to stay, what to eat For those who enjoy sleeping by the beach, there are available lodgings at Talisayin Beach Resort and Tobog Beach Resort. For those who wish to enjoy the farm and leisure facilities at Garin, they can try family cottages for P3,500.
For dining, Garin Farm serves favorite Ilonggo favorites. For those looking for inexpensive meals, there are several eateries near the San Joaquin market that serve tasty soup for only P30. The stalls outside Garin Farm and those along the road going to Antique are known for their tasty peanut brittle made from muscovado sugar.
But there are two delicacies in San Joaquin made from carabao’s milk that make the trip to this “unseen” destination worthwhile: the carabao milk ice cream and the creamy horns. Their taste are simply “heavenly.”