The first time I’m been to the northerneastern part of Iloilo was less than two years ago. Ever since, couldn’t stop going back to explore more of its beautiful spots and to get a feel of life in the islands. Four days after our graduation, I went back to Concepcion with my friends, one of which had a graduation dinner at their house.

Concepcion Islands Iloilo

During the first night, we planned to sleep at my friends’ house and spend the evening swimming in Junbee Garilva Resort, just like what we did last time (find hotels in Iloilo City). I introduced myself to the owners who happened to be the ones who welcomed us at the door. I was surprised to find out that they knew me and my blog, Explore Iloilo, because of a post I wrote about their resort. Neat! After inquiring about their prices, they presented us a good deal – P150/person per night in an aircon room and inclusive of swimming pool priviledges. Each of us slept in our own beds, which was very different from the limited-budget situations that we usually have when during our outings :)

Concepcion Islands Iloilo
Rock formations in Pilar, Capiz

The next day, we visited Pilar town in Capiz province. My friends wanted to make a petition to the Shrine of Mother Mary for guidance during the Nursing Licensure Exam in June. I was shocked to find out that Pilar was barely 30 minues by tricycle from Balasan.

Concepcion Islands Iloilo

Concepcion Islands Iloilo

On the way back, we made it a point to buy bibinka in Balasan. I was told that RCJ bibinka was the best in town. Indeed it was, the bibinka in Balasan was more delicious than those sold in the city.

Concepcion Islands Iloilo

We were back to Concepcion in the afternoon (4pm) and hopped on a pumpboat charter en route to Bulubadianan Island. The sunset was in full bloom shortly after we arrived. It was a very surreal experience … the sky was just full of pastel colors, the soft color of the sea, and the white sand beach made the most perfect of scenes.

Concepcion Islands Iloilo

Concepcion Islands Iloilo

Concepcion Islands Iloilo

Concepcion Islands Iloilo

We spent the night in the only resort in the island, the Sandbar Island Beach Resort. They had cottages, which they rented out for P1,000 per night. We opted to sleep in the tents we brought instead because they only charged us P300 for setting up the two tents. We cooked our food by “uling” (charcoal).

The electricity in the island went off at around 10:00pm. During that time we had a bonfire set-up for P300.

Concepcion Islands Iloilo

The next day, we circumnavigated the island. It took us around an hour. When we came back, breakfast was ready :)

Concepcion Islands Iloilo

Concepcion Islands Iloilo

Concepcion Islands Iloilo

Concepcion Islands Iloilo

Concepcion Islands Iloilo

Concepcion Islands Iloilo

Concepcion Islands Iloilo

After breakfast, I talked to the resort attendant about “boating” / island hopping tour around the nearby islands. He charged us P500 for a trip to Malangabang Island then to Agho Island and back.

Concepcion Islands Iloilo

Concepcion Islands Iloilo

Concepcion Islands Iloilo