Facets of One Global Center

One Global Center, the current operation site of Transcom Asia continues to uplift the lives of Ilonggo call center workforce in Iloilo City. The various facets of this prestigious BPO building energizes the BPO sector in Iloilo Business Park, conceptualized by Megaworld to complete the biggest IT Park in the region. One Global Center is a modern BPO office building located in nearby conveniences and prestigious establishments in Iloilo Business Park. It is located across the Festive Walk Mall and Street of Festive Walk, two commercial centers in the township where sprawling restaurants, bistros, retail shops, boutiques and event centers will create shopping and dining excitement to its call center workers. Richmonde Hotel Iloilo and the Iloilo Convention Center are just a few steps away for those looking for luxury and ultimate leisure. Beside the building is the Bike Lane of Megaworld Boulevard solely intended for healthy lifestyle activities among the visitors and residents like walking, jogging or biking. Working as a call center professional in Iloilo City has never been this exciting with Iloilo Business Park as a township where everything you're looking for a stylish and desirable lifestyle can be yours. One Global Center as part of the highly-integrated IT-BPO district of the township will continue to provide more than 30,000 jobs in the next 10 years.  

Spooktacular IBP Open House on Oct. 31

An Open House with a Twist: Join us tomorrow, October 30, 3PM to 7PM for SPOOKTACULAR Trick or Treat - Iloilo Business Park's Open House Event at the 7th Floor Function Room of Richmonde Hotel Iloilo. There's more fun that awaits you aside from the luxurious lifestyle perspective for guests... free face painting, Magician show, cotton candy cart, balloon twisting, games and activity booths, an all-in-one Halloween Treat!

SPOOKY PAW-RADE on Oct. 24 @ IBP

SPOOKY PAW-RADE (coining the words- spooky, paw and parade) , the biggest Halloween Costume Party and Fun Match for a special Dog Appreciation Day is happening this Saturday, October 24, 3:30PM at Iloilo Business Park.

 Megaworld – Iloilo Business Park in partnership with Pack Leader K9 Dog Training and Jaro Dog Lovers will gather dog owners in Iloilo City for an exciting activity that would not only bring joy but celebrate a uniquely-themed Halloween celebration in front of The Palladium Showroom, ground level of Richmonde Tower in Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. Expect exciting activities with dogs and their owners such as dog parade, dog blessing, dog training lecture, dog fun match, pet product kiosks, display booths, and Halloween-themed dog costume contest with mini-fashion show. Dog participants will have a registration fee that can be availed ahead of the event for only P150.00 at The Palladium Showroom and Pack Leader K9 Dog Training staff or call (033) 330-3465.

To get all the dog owners excited of coming in the event , here are 40 fun facts about dogs that will starve your appetite for knowledge, and get you eager to own a dog pet for life:

1. There are hundreds of different breeds of dogs, and around 400 million dogs in the world.
2. The most popular breed of dog is the Labrador, with their gentle nature, intelligence and obedience they make for excellent pets and reliable workers. They often work as guide dogs.
3. Dogs have much better smell than humans, and can detect different odors nearly 100 million times lower than humans can.
4. Dogs hearing is also much better, and they can hear sounds four times further away than humans.
5. An average dog will live to between 10 and 14 years of age.
6. Dogs are omnivores, which means they feed on a wide variety of foods including meat, vegetables and grains.
7. There are 18 different muscles that dogs use to move each one of their ears.
8. Dogs release sweat through the pads of their feet.
9. Apart from barking, growling and whining, dogs use their ears and facial expression to communicate what they are feeling.
10. Puppies are born blind, without teeth and the ability to hear. Their eyes only open at around 10 to 14 days old, and their hearing will start after this. Their teeth start coming through at 6 weeks.
11. During the first week of a dog’s life, 90% of their time is spent sleeping, and 10% is spent eating.
12. Puppies are considered adults when they are one year old.
13. The domestic dog is a descendant of the grey wolf, in a process that took around 100,000 years.
14. The nickname “man’s best friend” is believed to have come from a courtroom speech in Missouri America in 1870 where a farmer was suing his neighbor who shot his dog.
15. The very first animal to go into space was a dog, a Russian dog named Laika who travelled in the spacecraft Sputnik around the earth in 1957.
16. Some dogs change colors as they grow, like Dalmatians which are born white and then develop black spots as they mature. Airedales are similar, born completely black they will grow grey, black and tan fur as they get older.
17. To many dogs showing a smile (baring your teeth) is an act of aggression. Most dogs don’t smile with their mouths like people do, but show happiness and excitement by wagging their tails.
18. A dog’s vision is not as good as a humans, and they are much better at seeing moving objects rather than those standing still. If you’re 300 yards away from your dog they will be unable to see you, until you wave your arms or move around.
19. Small dogs are often called toy dogs, or lap dogs – because they’re so small they look like a toy, or can easily fit on your lap.
20. There is a hunting dog that comes from Africa that cannot bark, it is the only dog like this and the sound is makes is commonly known as ‘barroo’.
21. The largest breed of dog in the world is the Irish Wolfhound, and the smallest dog breed is the Chihuahua. St. Bernard’s are the heaviest breed of dogs.
22. The fastest dog on earth can reach speeds of 45 miles an hour, and is the Greyhound.
23. The oldest dog who ever lived was a cattle dog from Australia called Bluey who lived to be 29 years and 5 months old. In human terms that makes him over 160 years old!
24. Dogs cannot eat raisins, grapes, onion, chocolate or garlic because it makes them very sick.
25. The first thing you should teach your dog is how to ‘sit’.
26. When your dog goes to sleep you notice he turns in a circle a few times, this is an instinct from when they were a wild dog, as they did this to pat down the grass before they slept. Despite thousands of years, they still have this instinct.
27. If your puppy takes something you don’t want them to have, don’t chase them. Instead make it a game where they chase you (and you run away) and you’ll have the item back in no time.
28. Dogs see much better than humans at night because they have a special light reflecting layer behind their eyes.
29. Dogs hearts beat much faster than ours, between 10-120 beats a minute while humans are 70-80.
30. The world record for the heaviest dog ever recorded was set in 1989, an Old English Mastiff that weighed 343 pounds and was 8 feet 3 inches long.
31. The rock star Ozzy Osborne rescued his wife’s Pomeranian from a coyote by wrestling the coyote until it released the dog.
32. The most dogs ever owned by a single person was 5,000 Mastiffs which were owned by Kubla Khan.
33. The weirdest law about dogs is that in Paulding, Ohio police officers are allowed to bite a dog to get it to be quiet.
34. In Iran, it is against the law to own a dog as a pet, you need to be able to prove they are a guard or hunting dog.
35. There are cave paintings of dogs in Spain in Europe that are over 12,000 years old.
36. Even the presidents love their dogs, and President Franklin Roosevelt sent a destroyer to the Aleutian Islands just to get his dog Fala, who had been left behind.
37. A dog’s nose print is unique, and similar to human fingerprints that no two are the same.
38. Bloodhound dogs have the best sense of smell of all dogs, and have been used to track down criminals since the middle ages.
39. The Beagle and the Border Collie are the dogs that bark the most.
40. A survey found that 33% of dog owners talk to their dogs on the phone when they are away, or leave messages on the answering machine.

IBP’s SPOOKY PAW-RADE Halloween Sensation

There’s a new Halloween sensational event coming in 5 days at Iloilo Business Park – yes, we’re talking about your cute and cuddly dogs turned into scary, SPOOKY PAW-RADE stealing the spotlight!

SPOOKY PAW-RADE is a Halloween-themed costume and dog appreciation day organized by Megaworld – Iloilo Business Park in partnership with Pack leader K9 Dog Traning and Jaro Dog Lovers. Set on October 24, Saturday, 2:30PM in front of The Palladium Showroom in Richmonde Tower, the event ensures dog lovers and owners for an exciting treat. It will start with a registration period for each dog participant and by showing the dog’s latest vaccination papers. It will be followed by an interaction activity with dog and their owners for an early warm-up. By 3:30 PM, the Dog Parade around Iloilo Business Park will start followed by a formal opening of the event. There will be a Dog Blessing and Dog Fun Match which include the following game categories – Puppy and Small Breeds, Medium Breeds and Large Breeds at around 4PM to 6PM. At 6:30 PM, Expert Dog Trainer, Joseph Jiro Gabasa of Pack Leader K9 Dog Training will showcase training demonstration tips and techniques to dog owners. The most awaited part of the event is the Dog Halloween Costume Contest and mini-fashion show that will put all dog participants in the spotlight for the most unique and creative costumes. Awarding of prizes for the winners in various dog fun match games and Halloween contest will end the event with a bang.

Come and join the biggest dog show event in the region’s largest business and leisure destination where BIG things are happening. Join now and register your dogs now to SPOOKY PAW-RADE!    

For more inquiries and ticket reservation, please call us (033) 330-3465, visit us online at www.iloilobusinesspark.ph.

PLAY a fun life at IBP

There's always a reason to "play" and experience ultimate pleasure, recreation and adventure at Iloilo Business Park with the Street of Festive Walk, considered as the longest avenue for endless shopping and dining. Prepare for international and local restaurants to tickle the discriminating palate of Ilonggos and visitors. Enjoy shopping, relaxing walk and al fresco dining in this grand destination set to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2016. IBP is inspired by Megaworld's "live-work-play" township concept. 
‪#‎lovelifelivebig ‪#‎Iloilobusinesspark ‪#‎Megaworld ‪#‎Streetoffestivewalk‪#‎longestshopanddinestrip

It's time to "Play" soon and enjoy the high-end shopping experience, non-stop spectacles and fun at the Festive Walk Mall, still under construction and scheduled in the fourth quarter 2016 opening, this new leisure destination will showcase classy clothing brands, boutiques, retail shops, restaurants and 8 world-class cinemas. Festive Walk Mall will complete Megaworld's township vision of "live-work-play" in Iloilo Business Park.
‪#‎lovelifelivebig ‪#‎Iloilobusinesspark ‪#‎Megaworld ‪#‎Festivewalkmall‪#‎shoppinginIloiloCity

More WORK for Ilonggos at IBP

"Work" nearby and live the high-life at Iloilo Business Park. One Global Center as part of the largest IT-BPO park in Western Visayas, is now providing better jobs to Ilonggos as the office and operation site of BPO company Transcom Asia. "Live-work-play," a business township vision of Megaworld for Iloilo Business Park is uplifting Iloilo in becoming a major economic center in the region.
‪#‎lovelifelivebig ‪#‎Iloilobusinesspark ‪#‎Megaworld ‪#‎OneGlobalCenter‪#‎BPOcallcenter ‪#‎largestITpark

Iloilo Business Park defines the global definition of "work" with Two Global Center, one of its modern BPO Buildings that made up the whole IT-BPO park, the largest in Western Visayas. One Global Center is currently the operation site of US-based call center company StarTek. In the next 10 years, Megaworld envisions to provide more than 30,000 jobs for Ilonggos and build six more additional BPO buildings in the next 10 years. Iloilo Business Park is the fulfillment of Megaworld's "live-work-play" township concept. 
‪#‎lovelifelivebig ‪#‎Iloilobusinesspark ‪#‎Megaworld ‪#‎ITBPOindsutryinIloilo‪#‎BPObuildings ‪#‎BPOcyberparkWesternVisayas ‪#‎MorejobsforIlonggos

IBP Motion Graphics 2015: Visions Turn Reality

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QzNItxuR28&w=560&h=315]

For Iloilo City and its resilient people - the Ilonggos, their love for cultural identity and their beautiful hometown is heartfelt. The old Iloilo Airport in Mandurriao District served as an important gateway to the world and the heart of their sentiments, hopes and dreams. When the airport closed in 2007 to paved way for a much bigger and modern Iloilo International Airport in the Municipality of Cabatuan, happy memories still lingers in this vast area. Megaworld Corporation acquired the 72-hectare property, they decided to sow the seeds of their dream in Iloilo City by transforming it into a life-larger, business-centered and tourism-friendly township capable of opening global opportunities for Ilonggos. This is where the STORY of Iloilo Business Park started and continues to shape-up that would bring Iloilo in the forefront of prominent developments and surging investment potential.

IT IS THE STORY OF VISION MADE INTO REALITY.  Megaworld - Iloilo Business Park 2015 Motion Graphic tells the story of the old Iloilo Airport from its legacy as the city's doorway to the world and its "final happy landings," until its recent transformation as a vibrant business, tourism and lifestyle township, developed by Megaworld Corporation to elevate Iloilo's economic prominence and Ilonggos' future Central Business District, a destination for bright opportunities slowly shaping a whole new history. "Live-work-play" in Western Visayas' largest and most prominent highly-integrated township. Created to spread the great news, we hope you will enjoy our passion to inspire through this visual work of art.

Visit Iloilo Business Park official website: http://www.iloilobusinesspark.ph/, call us at (033) 330-3465 or see for yourself the lifestyle you desire at our IBP Showroom located at the ground floor of Richmonde Tower, 8 Enterprise Road, Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Bank Institutions Secured Lots in IBP's CBD

Perspective Map of IBP's Boutique Hotel and Commercial District

The present image of the Boutique Hotel and Commercial District as of October 2015 photo update. Photo by Marx de Silva

As Iloilo Business Park (IBP) continue to transform as the future Central Business District (CBD) in Western Visayas as an investment epicenter with its very own Boutique Hotel and Commercial District, multinational companies and investors keep coming in, giving interest in purchasing commercial lots in the township to secure promising business ventures in the near future.

Megaworld, IBP’s leading developer allocated nine hectares for the entire commercial district. There has been a strong demand from the financial and banking sector to secure a commercial lot in IBP due to its steadfast developments and value. In 2013, Megaworld started selling the lots at P47,000 per square meter. Presently, the commercial lots, which ranges from 611 sqm to 1,735 sqm, are now sold at P70,000 or a 49 percent increase from its old price a few years ago. This 2015, almost eighty percent of the commercial lots have already been sold to financial institutions, multinational companies and local enterprises. Financial institutions and banks are eyeing to establish regional headquarters in Iloilo Business Park to ensure their presence in the fast-growing economy of Iloilo City. 

In the coming years, IBP’s Boutique Hotel and Commercial District will be the busiest and bustling area of the township due to massive investments coming in. Hotels, local enterprises, car and furniture companies are looking ahead to put up their own showrooms, regional headquarters and offices in IBP.

Presently, the two most prominent bank and financial institutions that successfully acquired lots in the Boutique Hotel and Commercial District are Union Bank and Metrobank. Here’s a close-up look on two of these two prominent companies:

Union Bank

Union Bank is a universal bank in the Philippines which provides a wide range of commercial, retail and corporate banking products and services. These products and services include loan and deposit products, cash management services, trust banking services, consumer finance, treasury activities and electronic banking. Major shareholders are Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Incorporated, Insular Life Assurance Company and the Social Security System.

It was recognized in 2002 & 2003 as among Asia's best companies by Euromoney and Finance Asia. It is also the first to make it to the list of the world's 25 soundest banks for four consecutive years by the Banker of London. It also won the Excellence in Credit Card Management Award in 2004.The bank is also listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange. As of December 20, 2010, Union Bank has a total market capitalization of P37.8 billion and share price is P59.00.

Union Bank initially stared out as Union Savings and Mortgage Bank. It changed its name to Union Bank of the Philippines 1981 and among its incorporators were the Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc., the Social Security System and the Insular Life Assurance Company. The bank acquired its commercial license in 1982. Ten years later, it was granted universal banking license by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Also in 1992, Union Bank was listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange under the stock symbol UBP.

In 1994, Union Bank acquired the International Corporate Bank (Interbank). On June 5, 2006, Union Bank purchased 98.84% of The International Exchange Bank (iBank), then the 12th largest private commercial bank, through a special block sale coursed at the Philippines Stock Exchange. With the acquisition, Union Bank became the 7th largest private domestic commercial bank.

Metrobank

Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company or commonly known as Metrobank is the second largest bank in the Philippines. As of November 29, 2010, Metrobank has a total market capitalization of P140.4 billion and its share price is P73.50.

In September 1962 by George Ty, together with businessmen Don Emilio Abello, Don Pio Pedroso and Placido Mapa, Sr. founded the Metrobank primarily to offer financial services to the Chinese-Filipino community. In 1963, the bank’s first branch opened in Divisoria, Manila. Four years later, the bank expanded outside Manila and opened their first provincial branch in Davao.

In 1970, Metrobank started expanding outside the Philippines. Its first international branch was in Taipei, Taiwan. In 1973, the bank established a banking office in Hong Kong and in 1975, another Metrobank branch opened in Guam, the first Philippine bank to open in American territory. Branches in Los Angeles and New York followed after. In 1977, the Central Bank authorized Metrobank Foreign Currency Deposit Unit (FCDU) operations.

On February 26, 1981, Metrobank decided to go public and list its common shares in the Makati Stock Exchange and Manila Stock Exchange under the stock symbol MBT. On August of the same year, the Philippine Central Bank granted Metrobank universal banking license. This allowed the bank to venture into non-banking related businesses.

In 1986, Metrobank established its own credit card company, Unibankard Corporation (now known as Metrobank Card Corporation. In 1988, it partnered with Japanese automotive manufacturer, Mitsui Corporation to establish the Toyota Motor Philippines.

In 1995, Metrobank achieved the milestone of being the first billion dollar bank with total capital of P22 billion. In 2001, Metrobank opened its first branch in Shanghai, China. Nine years later, Metropolitan Bank (China) was established with branches in Najing and Shanghai.

The Metrobank Group has a combined network of over 800 local and international branches/offices, remittance offices and subsidiaries worldwide. It has 557 domestic branches and 32 offices in New York, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Pusan, Guam, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Madrid, Barcelona, Vienna, Rome, Bologna, Milan, Singapore, Chicago, Hawaii, and Shanghai.

Fulfill your dreams at Iloilo Business Park. For more information on how to invest, call us at (033) 3303465 or visit our website at http://www.iloilobusinesspark.ph.

Festive Walk Mall's New Lifestyle Culture

Artist's perspective of the Festive Walk Mall

Lifestyle shopping in Iloilo will never be the same with Festive Walk Mall. Photo from www.digitalistmag.com

What makes metropolises exciting to visit and teeming with recreation is the existence of various shopping malls. Embedded in the notion of most Filipinos is the concept of shopping malls as the oasis of relaxation and a place to enjoy. The culture of “malling” has long been etched in the mindset of a typical Filipino mentality for the past decades. Since Iloilo City is on its way to take the spotlight as the next “wave city” and economic center in the Visayas with influx of investments, “malling culture” and the lifestyle sensation its brings to Ilonggos is once again heightened with the anticipated opening of another world-class shopping center – the Festive Walk Mall. Rising in the heart of Iloilo Business Park, the 72-hectare business township developed by Megaworld in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, Festive Walk Mall has two phases of leasable areas such as Festive Walk 2B-1 with 2,666 square meters and Festive Walk 2B-2 with 1,923 square meters. Inspired by the classy concept of its popular predecessors in Manila – the Megaworld lifestyle malls, Festive Walk Mall is a unique convergence of contemporary architectural design and international line-up of world-famous clothing brands, boutiques and retail shops. For leisure lovers and movie enthusiasts, there will be 8 world-class standard cinemas set to open in the mall. A classy food court, a selection of first-class bistros and restaurants, and spacious events center will complete the lifestyle mall expected to have its soft opening in the fourth quarter of 2016. Across the center mall, a Mall Annex will open to offer extended shopping and dining escapade for mall-goers and visitors. Beside the Mall Annex, another landmark leisure destination will open with great anticipation – the Street of Festive Walk, a 1.1-kilometer shop-and-dine strip, the longest in the country so far. The name of the highly-anticipated mall, inspired by the “festive” cultural vibrancy of Iloilo’s world-class Dinagyang and Paraw Regatta Festivals, is a stunning depiction of Ilonggos’ passion for leisure, shopping and love for gastronomy rising in the middle of a sparkling business township of opportunities and commercial epicenter. The mall is a just a few steps away from the residential district which will become the home of a privileged few residents in One Madison Place, Lafayette Park Square and The Palladium, condominium towers with unique facets of lifestyle concept. The prestigious lifestyle mall is surrounded and adjacent to Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, BPO buildings One Global Center and Two Global Center, the biggest McDonald’s in Panay Island, and a few steps away from the Iloilo Convention Center and soon-to-rise Courtyard by Marriot Hotel.

October 2015 Construction Update of Festive Walk Mall

Lifestyle-wise, no other shopping malls in Iloilo City can offer this magnitude of conveniences, pleasure options and exclusive link to a complete, modern commercial township. The Festive Walk Mall is a stunning definition of Iloilo’s future “malling culture” and a level up experience that Ilonggos, visitors and investors can find only in the ‘city of love.’

Embrace the new lifestyle concept at Iloilo Business Park. For more information on how to invest, call us at (033) 3303465 or visit our website at www.iloilobusinesspark.ph.

10 Best Reasons to Move Out of the Metro for a Stress-Free Lifestyle

  

Photo from Skyscrapercity.com

There’s more to lifestyle perspective in “megacities” than meets the eye. What makes bigger cities in the Philippines like Manila a notch higher than any other highly-urbane metropolises in the country is its economic dominance and “investment magnet” image. Megacities have established a reputation as melting pots of opportunities from business, finance, tourism and leisure that shine brighter than its stunning city-lights at night. But behind this fast-paced lifestyle, uprising cities in the provinces offer more than a promise of opportunities: the priceless advantage of a stress-free and pleasurable living.      

Pleasurable, pollution-free and healthy lifestyle in Iloilo City, photo from iloilo.net.ph

1. Pollution

Everyone hates pollution in big cities. It’s absolutely suffocating, health hazzard and down-right deadly. But, don’t worry because you can always run away from this never-ending metropolitan syndrome. There is a huge difference in the air quality and pollution levels from big metro cities to out-of-town provinces. Just like Iloilo, this city has more air quality control than common metropolitan areas, signifying a more liveable atmosphere for people. Vehicular emissions are more controlled and minimal often emphasize by its environmental-centered community and a city government that promotes healthy lifestyle.

Photo from thenewstoday.info

Less traffic roads and streets in Iloilo City

2. Traffic

And while everybody hates a deadly pollution problem, people are also whining about megacities’ traffic. If you search www.google.com with the terms, “traffic in the Philippines”, nine (9) out of (10) of the search results will show unsatisfactory descriptions of the traffic in major metropolitan areas. Thinking of moving out from a big city? Well, Iloilo is the place for you with wide main roads and fast-moving highways.

Photo by Felipe Uycongco

Photo from pinasmuna.com

3. Overcrowding

Metro Manila is one major example of an over-crowding megacity where limited spaces are available for recreation and promote healthy lifestyle. Dense urban cities have a hard time managing their space, compared to the ratio of the people residing in such areas. If one million people are living within one small street side, that’s a lot of heads to turn to if you want to say “hi.” If you want to live in a place with enough people to get by, fly to Iloilo and leave your claustrophobic fears behind. In this city, more relaxing areas are open for public like the Iloilo River Esplanade, bike lanes along Diversion road and Iloilo Business Park.

Iloilo City Police Officers are always on the road to do their public service, photo from ilongo.weebly.com

4. Crime rate

It would be traumatic for someone to get robbed in the sidewalk or get mulled by a violent gang over a dark street. But in big metropolitan areas, it’s part of the normal day-to-day scene. Another data from Numbeo suggests that the safety one feels walking alone during night time drops to 23.71%. Try coming to Iloilo and see all the bright lamp posts from one street to the next, ensuring your safety even after the daylight hours. Iloilo City is noted for being one of the world’s safest place to live with less number of crimes recorded every year.

Stress-free city streets and typical public transportation vehicles in Iloilo City, photo from projectiloilo.com

5. Public transportation and driving

Megacities in the Philippines tend to get confusing and crowded with the existence of public utility and private vehicles filling up the roads. Traffic system in these major cities is constantly innovating to maintain smooth flow such as color coding and number coding of vehicles.  Streets are full of so-called “public utility vehicles” for any distances and people moving to their destinations in these huge cities are always in a hurry that often resulted to a congested atmosphere. Though megacities have wide roads and highways, these are not spared from the non-stop influx of vehicles of both public and private. Iloilo is still a rising megacity, its roads and highways are still sparred from traffic congestion. To create consistency, road widening projects are ongoing and well-managed traffic controls are being implemented by the city givernment to maintain a stress-free ambiance for motorists and vehicles.

Expanding IT-BPO industry in Iloilo City, photo from panaynewsphilippines.com

6. Affordable Cost of living in out-of-town provinces

Living in major metropolitan cities can be a rewarding lifestyle perspective because you have the best access to a lot of things: amenities and opportunities. But there’s always a catch living in big cities: the cost of living. According to Numbeo.com, 31.1% is spend on average monthly house or apartment rent and 28.8% is spend on food and groceries for a resident in a big city based on distribution of expenses statistical model. If this is the case, the slightly minimal low cost of living in the provinces in the Philippines could directly affect the expenses of a resident compare to those living in megacities. Since Iloilo City is experiencing a booming economy and influx of investments, multinational companies are opening jobs that offer higher salary close to other megacities like Manila or Cebu. Combined with the slightly low cost of living in Iloilo and better salary compensation from companies, this city could be an employment destination in the future.

Photo from iloilo-travel-guide.blogspot.com

Weekend cultural and special events at Calle Real, Photo from iloilo.net.ph

Zumba session and activities at Iloilo River Esplanade, Photo from Skycraperscity.com

The annual Iloilo Bike Festival in Iloilo Business Park, Photo from Iloilo.net.ph

7. Accessibility to modern amenities in Iloilo

Everything is within your reach in big cities when it comes to business opportunities, entertainment and leisure. Iloilo City is on fast-paced infrastructure developments from roads, shopping malls, business and having a new convention center which are all accessible to locals. To counter the stressful lifestyle in the metropolis, wellness centers and public parks hold wellness programs or activities. On Sundays, the city’s old business center, Calle Real where heritage buildings are being rebuilt to its original form is usually closed for public transportation and holds Zumba sessions, cultural shows and local concerts to emphasize significant weekend attraction to locals.  The city government is also establishing wellness-inspired recreation areas. One of them is the long-stretching Iloilo River Esplanade where wellness activities often attracts passersby, giving a boost both on its economy, tourism and additional modern amenities.          

Iloilo River Esplanade, Photos by Felipe Uycongco

8. Appreciation of Nature

Looking for greens and bio-diversity in major cities? Crammed and congested it may seem to be but major cities are innovating to counter stressful lifestyle and avert the effects of pollution. High-end malls and shopping centers feature pocket gardens and trees within commercial areas. Bistros and restaurants are placed in open spaces or along the seashore to appreciate nature. Wellness activities are encouraged in open parks. Moving away from megacities, Iloilo City have the Iloilo River Esplanade with a glimpse of a protected bio-diversity, wide-roads with bike lanes for health buffs, and consistent wellness activities in public parks, a convergence of a nature-centered expanding metropolis with uprising progress.     

9. Proper Sanitation

Most megacities have similar problems when it comes to their garbage accumulation and sanitation issues. Every day, tons of garbage are collected in the city to minimize pollution. The average garbage collected in most megacities is high compared to out-of-town provinces. Megacities have serious garbage problems due to lack of proper dumpsites. Proper sanitation is worse and public toilets are congested compared with those in provinces due to consistent influx and daily activities of people. Try visiting Iloilo and you’ll see minimal trash problems and public toilets are less congested. The city government of Iloilo is doing its best to counter the problems of garbage, littering and push for more clean-up drive projects in local communities.

Iloilo Floodway Project in Jaro District, photo from livefromiloilo.wordpress.com

10. Less flood levels

Probably one of the most visible dilemmas in major cities especially in the Philippines, is the unstoppable flooding during rainy season. Big metropolitan cities suffer a lot and cause delays such as suspension of work and classes in schools during typhoon. A lot of investment and business opportunities are lost for multinational companies, government services are delayed and millions of calamity funds from the city’s tax are spend to fix infrastructure damages and support victims of flooding. Flood levels in Iloilo have been minimized over the years because of a major flood control project centered in Jaro district. The local government is also pursuing an improved drainage system project within the city.

The surging investment and business opportunities in the country has long been potentially presented by megacities but less popular for their beneficial lifestyle and stress-free elements that can be seen in provinces. Iloilo City’s relentless rise as the next economic center point in the Visayas may prove as a game-changing concept of business mixed with desirable lifestyle for investors, visitors and its locals. The infrastructure and economic developments are elevating but the vision of ecological conservation is prominently emphasized. Leading real estate company, Megaworld Corporation has long seen this unique potential in Iloilo City by transforming the 72-hectare old Iloilo Airport in Mandurriao district into a mixed-used development community, a township solely dedicated for business and high-end leisure facilities known as Iloilo Business Park.

Who said megacities have everything it has to offer in determining its prominence and promising opportunities? Think about another concept of it: a city of greens and swift infrastructure expansion leaping a notch higher in defining a better quality of life.