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With fellow Assumption-Iloilo facilitator Bena Sumagaysay
enjoying the 'grandeur' of Plazuela de Iloilo just a few months after its
opening
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Recently, Plazuela de Iloilo has been the favorite venue of
theme parties in Iloilo City. Vibe Productions had its 'Summer Calling' and
'Summer Playground' there. Also The Sizzle X Unleash Productions' much-talked
about and super successful 'Iloilo Colour Festival 2013' aptly dubbed
'Chameleon'. This moved me to write about my first ever Plazuela de Iloilo
experience which took place more than 2 years ago, in March of 2011.
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For us Ilonggos, Plazuela de Iloilo is a feast to the eyes.
It's architecture showcases a beautiful mix of Spanish and Italian
architecture. The curves and the arches are very Spanish. So are the
hand-painted tiles on the stair risers. The red roof tops give the structure a
warm, earthy, rustic look. Plazuela also features two chimney-like structures
very reminiscent of houses in the cities of Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia.
Another very prominent feature of Spanish architecture which is very visible in
Plazuela de Iloilo is the use of wrought iron throughout the place.
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Another appeal of the Plazuela de Iloilo facade is its
extensive use of symmetry. This is primarily achieved by the presence of
columns and arches. Well, in any form of architecture, columns have not only
offered structural support for buildings since ancient times, they have also
provided grace and embellishment. This is the Italian side of Plazuela de Iloilo.
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Without any violent reactions from any of my colleagues in
the High Growth Community in Assumption-Iloilo, we chose Plazuela de Iloilo for
our Graduation Dinner 2011. Cecile Adrias and Chinky Clement organized
everything - from the reservation at Ponsyon Restaurant to the choice of
dishes. Actually, I just ate whatever they had ordered. I was more excited in
exploring the place and had my pictures taken around. Bena Sumagaysay
accompanied me. She became my instant photographer.
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Bena and I were like tourists. We ran here and there in
search for picture-perfect spots. We loved the columns. The arches. The stairs.
The iron grills. We went up the second floor and loved everything that we saw.
The view of the Plaza Mayor at the inner expanse of Plazuela was breathtaking
especially amidst the backdrop of the setting sun.
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Soon we felt tired, so we decided to stop at the 'Steps of
Rome'. We sat on the benches in front of the resto and watched people pass by.
When I saw that there were benches along the avenue facing the Plaza Mayor, I
told Bena that it would be better to transfer there. From where we were
sitting, we saw how Ilonggos enjoy the place. Some were having dinner, others
were busy taking pictures. Still others were strolling around with their pet
dogs. For me, that was a novel thing in Iloilo City.
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It was already past 7 PM when we decided to go home. While
most of my co-teachers left the place with a full stomach, Bena and I left
Plazuela de Iloilo feeling something else. It's a
'I-hate-to-leave-this-beautiful-place' feeling that's just difficult to
explain. I promised to myself that I would visit the place as often as I could.
Anyway, it's just a butt-flick away from SM City Iloilo.
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