Last October 2019, I was able to visit the City of Love – Iloilo City. What was supposed to be a business trip turned out to be one of the most insightful and enjoyable travels I’ve ever had in the Visayan Region.
Iloilo City, the capital city of the province of Iloilo and the regional center of Western Visayas, is definitely one of the must-visit places of Panay Island. With its booming businesses, rich culture, and growth opportunities, the future is definitely bright for Iloilo City.
Booming businesses
The first thing I noticed as we drove around Iloilo City is its very modern and futuristic vibe. As we entered the Mandurriao District, I was surprised to see high-rise buildings and establishments.
Our Ilonggo colleague told us about the area, the Iloilo Business Park, developed by Megaworld Corporation. Think of it as the BGC (Bonifacio Global City) of Iloilo. The business park is a 72-ha township that is home to luxury residential condominiums, state-of-the-art BPO office towers, a Megaworld Lifestyle Mall, hotels, the Iloilo Convention Center, among others.
I was told that more and more investors are looking at Iloilo City due to its strategic location. The city is developing very fast, and a lot of Manila-based companies are expanding their operations here. At the Iloilo Business Park, I saw numerous designer shops, restaurants, and other businesses.
There is no doubt that the conference we attended was held at the Iloilo Convention Center. It is a very sophisticated and spacious arena for events and concerts. I was really impressed by this facility.
Other than the Regional Science and Technology Week that we attended, Iloilo City also hosted several events while we were there, such as the Iloilo Business Club Conference, Innovate Iloilo launching, and local government units meeting. For the past few years, Iloilo City also hosted the Asia Pacific Economic Council (APEC) conference, a big event that draws attention to more investors in the city.
The Regional Science and Technology Week is one of the many events hosted at the Iloilo Convention Center
My colleague further shared that in 2018 alone, 635 new businesses have applied for a permit in the city. Iloilo is also home to various research and development institutions. During my trip, I was able to visit the Iloilo Science and Technology University and Central Philippine University.
Throughout our one-week trip, we stayed at J7 Plaza Hotel at Mandurriao District, a highly-urbanized and posh area of Iloilo City. It is a relatively new hotel, with a very modern interior and classy vibe. They have excellent facilities – such as a breakfast buffet, deluxe suites, and a rooftop pool and bar. When we visited there, the gym is still under completion as is due to be finished this year.
Rich culture
Even though Iloilo City is highly-urbanized already, its cultural presence remains secure. The city has still managed to maintain the different traditions and festivals, such as the Dinagyang Festival. Held every fourth weekend of January, the festival is filled with tribal dance performances, colorful costumes, and upbeat musical parades. Due to its historical attachment to the city, it is considered as a festival trademark of Iloilo.
Apart from the Dinagyang Festival, they also have the Paraw Regatta and Jaro Fiesta.
Culture is also represented through food – and Iloilo surely has many flavors. During my trip, I was able to try different restaurants in the city. Food outlets, including local and foreign ones, occupy a large portion of the city’s commercial space.
At the Mandurriao District, I recommend trying Chicken Sari-Sari if you want a taste of homemade Iloilo dishes. Their menu ranges from Chicken Inasal to Sinigang na Bangus at a very affordable price. At Jaro District, Buto’t-Balat is also a must-try.
If you are in the mood for seafood, I highly recommend Ponsyon, which is located at Plazuela de Iloilo. Their buttered garlic shrimps and grilled Bangus are a must-try. Most of the restaurants in the city serve fresh seafood as Iloilo is a coastal city.
I also suggest eating at the famous Breakthrough at Villa Beach. It is known for its delicious seafood menu, paired with the restaurant’s seashore view.
As I explored Iloilo City, I was able to interact with some Ilonggos as well. I didn’t expect them to be hospitable and malambing towards tourists. They have this very malambing voice, which means they talk in a very genuine, helpful way. Moreover, I observed that they are very disciplined when it comes to maintaining the cleanliness of their environment. I rarely saw trash lying around the streets, and they also practice proper waste segregation, as seen through their color-coded bins spread across the city. Iloilo City is also one of the cities across the country that practices a no-plastic usage in restaurants and supermarkets.
Their discipline also translates to the city’s road traffic. Compared to Metro Manila (where traffic is as bad as it can get), the traffic in Iloilo is so much better. Even though there are few traffic jams during the day, there are fewer people and fewer vehicles on the road, and you can still get from one point to another without the stress and hassle. I can see why people are productive in Iloilo City.
In addition, their transportation is mainly jeeps, tricycles, taxis, and the ferry boat to get off Panay Island.
The old and the new
Despite its growing commercial presence, the city is able to preserve its old, historic atmosphere. It is a city with a combination of the past and the new. While we were in Iloilo City, we went to the Iloilo Esplanade.
Formally opened in August 2012, it was shared to us that it was built to transform the Iloilo River to a tourist attraction that would complement other historic sites. It is a recreational space for walking, jogging, al fresco dining, and a venue for water sports as well. The best time for walking is early morning (around 5 AM until 7 AM) or evening (starting from 5 PM) to avoid the hot sun. However, at this time of the day, it can get quite crowded since it is a preferred place for many citizens of Iloilo City.
If you want to escape the crowds and spend some time alone with your thoughts, the best time to visit this beautiful, relaxing place would be at night time.
Not too far from the esplanade is the Jaro Cathedral. A very historic and baroque church at the heart of Jaro District. Aside from this church, we also visited the Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva, and the Miag-ao Church is one of four Baroque churches in the Philippines that were inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993. Our Ilonggo colleague also said that this church is where most religious occasions in the city are held.
Lastly, we went to the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art, a very hip and modern museum, but hosts very modern and futuristic artworks. We were told that this is the first museum in the Visayas Region to be dedicated to solely Ilonggo artists.
All of this is just the tip of the iceberg. If you want to immerse yourself in the Ilonggo culture completely, I highly suggest you pay a visit to the City of Love.
All of this is just the tip of the iceberg. If you want to immerse yourself in the Ilonggo culture completely, I highly suggest you pay a visit to the City of Love.
