Revisiting Iloilo

Working for a transnational advertising agency handling Pepsi Cola, we launched the new generation talents in a concert in Iloilo in the 80’s to support the Michael Jackson global campaign. It was one of the biggest and successful concerts of the decade. Center was at the city proper and the main roads connecting the 7 districts.

 Close to 40 decades after, arriving in the city via plane at the international airport in Cabatuan Iloilo, I was led to the same city not passing through bridges and riverside but in a stretch of 17 kilometer diversion road.

Before revealing its historic districts, centro and heritage sites, it previewed a cluster of modern center showcasing boutique hotels, coffee shops, resto-bars in art deco and high tech architecture.

Yet as one enters the center, the structures of the known districts of Molo, Jaro, La Paz, Mandurriao, Arevalo, city proper and Lapuz are still well preserved.

The food and cuisine associated with the region are still served in the public markets whose taste remains as tasteful and distinct as they were popularly known years ago.

For mobility, shuttles, jeepney, vans roam around freely along with taxis driven by courteous, honest operators, private units, motorcycles, bicycles and walking commuters.

There lies the charm of the city, the convenience of a modern urban center and the richness of its heritage still well preserved. 

But its indisputable appeal is its people where the language, uniquely their own is proudly spoken everywhere, anytime, a manifestation of the city’s diverse, rich and unique, endearing and tender culture.