Developments in the city have made Ilonggos proud of how their hometown has become and are taking pride of how good the government is doing their job. No words can describe, only infrastructures could explain this. Iloilo is leading forward---making it an ideal city to live in.
1. A Reasonable Value for Food --- You won't have to worry about food. Food is abundant in the city. Ilonggos are known to have a good sense of taste when it comes to food. There are a lot of choices everywhere may it be turo-turo, inasal (grilled), seafoods, native dishes, eat-all-you-can cuisines without leaving a hole in your pocket. There's no wonder why the city is famous of its Pancit Molo, Lapaz Batchoy, Biscocho and the like.
2. Simple Lifestyle and Comfort --- You don't need to sacrifice comfort over lifestyle. In Iloilo everything is convenient. You'd barely see people rushing down the streets going to work. You'd barely experience having long lines waiting for taxis or jeepneys either. Dress for comfort precedes dress to impress in usual afternoon walks in the parks or malls in the city. You might even pass by a rich man wearing just a simple shirt, shorts and slippers and not recognize him of his status.
3. Religious Practices of People --- Ilonggos are laid back, simple, practical and humble. Coupled with these traits, they are also known to be very religious. Churches are everywhere, located in every plazas. There are many festivals celebrated all throughout the city in honor of their patron saints. But the most important of all festivals is the Dinagyang Festival, offered to Senior Sto. Nino, which is celebrated every January.
4. Preserved Heritage Sites --- You'll need to relive the past to understand the present. Iloilo City is a place where the past meets the future. As the city progresses and buildings are being constructed everywhere making it the next big thing, it has not forgotten to preserve and restore its heritage sites. Experience the pedestrianization of Calle Real every Sunday from 3pm to 9pm or visit the famous ancestral houses in the city.
5. Health & Recreational Activities --- You'll have a perfect place for health and fitness activities! Zumba, jogging, swimming, running, biking-- some of the physical activities to do in Iloilo. Join the Zumba team of Plazuela de Iloilo every week or tap your health buddies during sunrise or sunsets for an hour of jogging and running inhaling the fresh air at the 2.1km Iloilo River Esplanade. Iloilo Sports Complex with amenities such as football field, tennis field, rubberized track and swimming pool for sports training or just for physical fitness. Bike lanes have also been made running the length of the Diversion Road for enthusiasts.
6. Good Education --- You won't have a problem in choosing a school! Iloilo City is blessed with top performing universities in the Philippines founded a century ago or at least nearing 100 years which are flocked by students from Visayas and Mindanao region.
7. Green Environment & Aesthetic --- You'd definitely want to live in a green city! One of the greatest prides of the city is its Iloilo river. Rehabilitation has been pushed through to bring back the river's beauty. In August 18, 2012, the Iloilo River Esplanade was opened to the public for sightseeing and a place for recreation of the residents. Trees along General Luna have been around for centuries and still provide shades up to the present. Aside from these, landscapes are also being constructed along the highways.
8. Traffic Discipline --- You'd want to move smoothly! It dismays us sometimes to see proper loading and unloading areas that are not followed, traffic lights that may seem invisible to drivers or pedestrians crossing the streets everywhere like they're attracting their own fate with the roaring jeepneys in the highway. BUT, in Iloilo City, the government is deploying people to oversee and help implement traffic rules making it known to the public that they are serious about traffic discipline. Public transportation should stop in the loading/unloading areas. Pedestrians should either use the skywalk or pedestrians lanes rather than crossing the streets everywhere. Drivers should follow the newly installed traffic lights in the city. It's either you follow or you'll get a penalty!
9. Bustling Nightlife --- You'd want to have a balanced work and social life. At night after work or on weekends, you could visit Smallville Complex and experience Iloilo's Bustling Nightlife.
10. Booming Economy & Business opportunity potential --- You'd want to be where there's potential putting up your own business for a living! The investments of Megaworld, SM, Ayala, Injap as well as the preparation for the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit have earmarked for the rising of the long sleeping city. If you visit the city today, you'll notice the construction and developments everywhere. These steps have attracted and are continuously attracting investors in the City of Love.
11. Government --- You probably want effective leaders! Iloilo City, under the leadership of Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has become one of the most progressive city in the Philippines. This is possible because of good governance. It is evident that all the sectors of the government are working together and supporting each other. Truly because of good governance, Iloilo is bound to regain its title as the Queen City of the South.
