My Heart Beats in Iloilo

Iloilo’s new tagline is My Heart Beats in Iloilo. Aptly so because Ilonggos have been carrying the city with pride and with love in their hearts. I hope it stays the same and local leadership maintains this feeling of pride among the Ilonggos.

I have used “I am Iloilo” every time I posted about Iloilo until this new catchy tagline came. Both bear the feeling of being proud just because you are an Ilonggo. Going around Iloilo these days, you can’t help but be immensely proud of the city’s cleanliness and development. There are still some issues that taint the good governance it has been enjoying but the overall state of the city satisfies most of us Ilonggos. During the COVID pandemic, Iloilo was a world apart from the whole country earning it the well-deserved “Wakanda of the Philippines”.

Reasons Why My Heart Beats in Iloilo

These days, there are several reasons why I just love saying I am an Ilongga, and my heart beats with joy whenever I am home.

I am not afraid of walking around and being on the streets. In fact, I had an unplanned walking tour of the city and there was no fear in me while on the streets. It was great being a tourist in my hometown when I explored it on foot. The business district in Megaworld in Mandurriao is a go-to place. I started my vlog there and proceeded to the older part of the city from where the Provincial Capitol is.

Walking Tour of Iloilo

From that point, I walked until Muelle Loney where I got to share the beautiful and clean Iloilo port and the Maritime Museum through this video:

Philippine Maritime Museum

Ilonggo dishes made their flavors known when the city was declared a UNESCO City of Gastronomy for 2023. The Iloilo government has partnered with private companies and individuals to push for our Iloilo dishes at the forefront of cuisines to try and savor. You can check out my Facebook posts as I continue to update the dishes I try whenever I go home. Of course, you can expand your appreciation for Filipino food when you check the Philippine traditional snacks as well.

The Dinagyang Festival has been enjoyed by the Ilonggos for decades. It draws crowds to the city because the festivities run for days. Aside from the main Dinagyang Festival, it has added the Dinagyang ILOmination Festival which showcases the parade of lights from participating schools and towns. As soon as the performances at the main festival finish, Ilonggos and guests flock to the streets to celebrate through what we call the Sadsad. You can check out my video for street vibes:

Enjoying the Dinagyang Festival

Iloilo ang Banwa Ko

Visiting Iloilo is becoming a popular plan in vacation itineraries. Social media has made the beauty and progress of the city visible. I am one proud Ilongga witnessing this growth online and offline whenever I go home. Do a virtual tour through my posts “Iloilo ang Banwa Ko” if you have not made the trip yet. It might push you to go ahead and book your tickets to Iloilo. Then maybe I’ll see you there!