ILOILO City – Calle Real is gearing up for an unprecedented surge of revelers as organizers project some 15,000 Ilonggos and visitors to flock nightly to the historic street for the much-anticipated Iloilo Night Market, a centerpiece of the city’s 88th Charter Day celebration from Aug. 29 to 31.
Executive Assistant Jay Treñas said this year’s edition will put inclusivity at the forefront by accommodating both established entrepreneurs and small street vendors.
“We are making sure our local street vendors are also given stalls. It’s not just for big sellers, it’s for everyone,” he stressed.
For three nights, JM Basa Street up to Sunburst Park will be transformed into a lively stretch of food, crafts, and entertainment.
A total of 60 vendors will showcase Ilonggo street fare, homegrown delicacies, artisanal products, and lifestyle finds.
Organizers also promised to keep prices affordable.
“Ginpangayoan ta gid sang commitment nga indi mangin sobra ka mahal ang pagkaon. Ang importante masarangan sang pumuluyo kag malipay sila sa experience,” Treñas said.
To manage the throngs of people expected every night, portable toilets and sanitation facilities will be strategically placed along the strip.
“We expect thousands of people every night, so we prepared facilities to make sure visitors won’t be inconvenienced,” said Treñas.
The Calle Real Night Market is being envisioned as a flagship attraction of Iloilo’s Charter Day festivities, luring not only shoppers and food enthusiasts but also those who come for the atmosphere of celebration in the city’s most historic street.
Organizers are expanding stalls and tightening security to ensure safety and accessibility.
“This is more than just commerce, it’s about celebrating Iloilo’s vibrancy, giving people a place to gather, and showcasing the creativity and resilience of our Ilonggos,” Treñas said. “Calle Real will once again be a living street where food, culture, and community converge.”
Calle Real: Iloilo’s Living Heritage Street
Calle Real, formally known as JM Basa Street, is a living symbol of Iloilo’s rich history and cultural identity, blending its colonial-era past with the city’s modern vibrancy.
Once the commercial hub during the Spanish and American colonial periods, Calle Real was lined with stately structures built by sugar barons and trading houses. The heritage buildings, many of which feature neoclassical, beaux-arts, and art deco designs, reflect Iloilo’s prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when it was dubbed the “Queen City of the South.”
Today, the historic street is a protected heritage zone and the centerpiece of Iloilo City’s downtown renewal program. Facades have been restored and repainted, sidewalks improved, and overhead electric wires removed, as part of the city government’s effort to preserve its cultural character while making the area more accessible.
Beyond its architectural appeal, Calle Real has become a focal point for community gatherings. Festivals, parades, and events such as the Iloilo Night Market regularly transform the stretch from JM Basa Street to Sunburst Park into a pedestrian-friendly hub filled with food, crafts, and entertainment.
Heritage advocates call it “a living street where history and modern life converge, a symbol of Iloilo’s resilience and pride.”
Often compared to Escolta in Manila, Calle Real is both a reminder of Iloilo’s past and a stage for its continuing growth./PN
