Passion for Pleasure at Street of Festive Walk

Iloilo City used to be the “Mecca” of gastronomy and high-end bistros in the past as the “Queen City of the South.” Moving forward in today’s recent progress and visible developments, this promising metropolis is gaining a name for itself as the next most attractive destination for food-lovers and leisure-seekers. In Iloilo Business Park, the city’s 72-hectare investment hub for business, lifestyle and tourism located in Mandurriao district developed by Megaworld Corporation as their biggest township project in the Philippines, more exciting establishments and lifestyle options are making Ilonggos aware of where to hang-out, enjoy and experience pleasure.

The Street of Festive Walk is poised to become the longest one-way avenue of classy restaurants, bistros, pubs and retail shops with a walkable 1 kilometer length. It simply offers high-life and extraordinary dining experience for visitors and Ilonggos who are dreaming to have a taste of world-class culinary flavors all in one location. For shoppers, it is another enjoyable passion as they look for the most talk-about and international clothing brands, retail stores and boutiques. Nightlife will never be the same again in Iloilo as Street of Festive Walk will exemplify exclusive activities, wide-choices of leisure and more disco pubs to entice frenzied souls looking for a place to bond and have fun. The Street of Festive Walk will become the center-point of pleasure, day-in or day-out as it connects to the unique lifestyle that Iloilo Business Park is envisioning for Ilonggos or visitors longing to have a foretaste of passion, total experience and simply to find incomparable leisure time in the “city of love.”

The Street of Festive Walk is opening in 2016. Soon, it will become a significant part of lifestyle convergence in Iloilo Business Park, the modern and most-anticipated destination of the city.

Know more about the vision of a grand township emerging in Iloilo City. Call us at (033) 330-3462-65 or visit us online at www.iloilobusinesspark.ph. 

Festive Walk Mall rising at IBP

There are great images of fast developments happening in Iloilo Business Park, the 72-hectare massive business township developed by Megaworld Corporation in the old airport property in Mandurriao, Iloilo City. Among the anticipated establishments is the Festive Walk Mall, a high-end shopping center inspired by Megaworld lifestyle mall in Manila. The mall will feature absolutely high-class international clothing brands, boutiques and retail shops. For food lovers and leisure seekers, the mall will have an events center, high-end bistros, restaurants and 8 world-class cinemas. Across the mall is the Annex Mall, an extended shopping center where exciting boutiques and shops awaits mall-goers. A few steps at the Mall Annex is the Street of Festive Walk, a 1-kilometer shopping and dining destination that will feature classy restaurants, bistros, pubs and even retail stores. Inspired by Iloilo’s world-famous Dinagyang Festival, local culture of grandeur and pulsating progress, the mall was named as “Festive” to replicate the city’s relentless rise as a vibrant epicenter of culture and developments. The mall is a representation of Ilonggos’ love for shopping and fun. After all, Iloilo holds the cultural legacy of having Calle Real, one of the oldest business districts and Hoskyn’s, the oldest department store in the country founded in 1877. Surely, the Festive Walk Mall is a transcending cultural legacy from the past into the future of Iloilo City. The mall which is already 25% complete in terms of construction update envision to have its soft opening sometime next year, and will highlight the classy lifestyle that Iloilo Business Park is known for.

Iloilo is a “Festive City,” experience ultimate shopping in the future at Festive Walk Mall.

To know more about the project and the whole Iloilo Business Park township lifestyle, call us at (033) 330-3462-65 or visit us online at www.iloilobusinesspark.ph.  

7 Financial Advantages of Condominium Investment

Real estate in the Philippines has proven to be a solid investment in recent years. With the steady growth of the real estate market since 2001– when commercial and residential properties were in great demand because of the sudden growth of the BPO industry—more and more people are now seeing great financial opportunities in condominium investment.
Although it may take a while to receive capital gain from it, real estate assets such as condominiums are highly practical and can be your safest bet in investing. Condo prices today are now offered at flexible terms, making it easy for young buyers to purchase their first unit.
The upshots of the real estate industry in this economy have been nothing short of rewarding in the past decade, so you can be sure to have a promising investment in this sector. Real estate investments also pose minimal risks because there is a multitude of ways you can gain profit from any given property.
But before you buy a condo, it is good to be aware of the financial benefits of owning one. Knowing the economic opportunities in owning a condo will help you utilize your property in the most financially-rewarding ways possible.

Here are 7 financial benefits you can get from owning a condo:

1. You can access first-class amenities at a very low cost.
While condo living would require you to pay a certain amount for the maintenance of the building’s amenities (usually in the form of association fees), this fee is still much lower than the amount you would spend should you want your own rooftop pool at home, or set-up your own private gym. One of the greatest perks that come with living in a condo is the bargain you get with first-class amenities and facilities.

2. Condos in key cities have high resale value.
The property sales value of a condo rises with inflation, the improvements of the building, and the overall appeal of the condo in terms of prestige and location. With the top condo living locations in the Philippines, you can be sure to be rewarded with a competitive market and high condo resale value.

3. Condominiums can easily be rented out.
With the growing condo rental market in the Philippines, you can also offer to rent out your property at a competitive rate and get favorable returns. Many employees and students these days, especially those who are not originally based in the metropolitan area, prefer to rent a condo than travel long distances from their home to their school or workplace. This a smart financial move for condo owners who are looking to gain profit from their condo unit without having to sell the property itself.

4. Condo units are easily transferable.
Having a real estate investment, such as a condo, is a practical way to transfer wealth. Because condos in the Philippines are situated in key locations, parents usually find that it is highly convenient and practical for their children to live in a condo near their school or workplace, instead of renting out an apartment that would most likely cost a fortune.

5. The initial financial demands of owning a condo are much less.
Buying any real estate property would require a certain amount of down payment. If you are a first-time home buyer or a young investor in the early stages of your career, then it is likely for you to get a better deal at a condo. The money you could potentially save after paying a smaller down payment can be used to make the process of owning a property—and eventually living in it—more affordable.

6. Owning a condo poses minimal utility and maintenance costs.
A valuable property such as a condo can be maintained at a lower cost. Sharing the cost of the building amenities with a number of homeowners can translate to savings that can be used to purchase other things.

7. A condo unit is an ideal business space.
Today, more and more businesses are housed in condominiums. This is because most condos are located near central business districts, making it a practical and sustainable venue for an office.

Iloilo Business Park is Megaworld’s largest premier township in the Philippines with a wide-range of lifestyle, business, commercial and investment preferences located in the old Iloilo airport in Mandurriao, Iloilo City. Iloilo Business Park offers three luxurious residential towers such as One Madison Place (3 towers), Lafayette Park Square and the tallest condo tower in Western Visayas – The Palladium. Avail their first-class condominium units with ongoing holiday promos and easy-payment terms to secure a vibrant lifestyle like no other. 

For inquiries, give us a ring at 330-3462-65, 0928-353589451 and 0917-3524888. Visit our showroom at the ground level of Richmonde Tower, 8 Enterprise Road, Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. 

Condo Living: A Must-Have for Young Professionals

We have this pre-conceived notion that condo buying is a luxury that only OFW retirees or affluent business magnates can afford a condominium. But times have changed, and people especially the young professionals are keeping up with the fast-paced lifestyle of an ever growing, expanding metropolis like Iloilo, whose prominence in terms of investment and tourism can be seen these days. For young professionals, either a single or young couple magnetized by the bright lights and business opportunities that waits in Iloilo City, living in a highly-urbanized city means looking for an abode that offers convenience, luxury and stability.

Young professionals dreaming to live in a condominium should consider relevant factors that would provide them ease and stress-free lifestyle. For one, location is very important to consider in choosing a condominium. It should be close to every day convenience such as malls, retails stores, hospitals, business offices, places of interests, leisure and entertainment spots. Relaxing activities offered by condominium amenities like swimming pools, reading nook, parks, fitness gym or coffee shops can be helpful if situated within the condominium complex. Also, it lessens the stress when one is working nearby to his/her work office, and if employment career opportunities are just nearby the neighborhood   BPO offices and high-profile companies often rent in prime locations which is the center point of employment for bachelors and bachelorettes.  Young professionals and career-driven individuals are mostly workaholic. They devote most of their time focusing in developing a competitive career and building future investment for themselves. Thus, it is convenient for them to own and invest for a condominium unit that complements their fast lifestyle.  Renting a house or apartment is unwise for those saving for their future.

Iloilo Business Park, Megaworld’s most-complete township in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, offers residential condominium units that exudes versatility concept of lifestyle – fast-paced, prime location, first class amenities and easy-payment terms. Its two sensational residential condominium towers – the Lafayette Park Square and One Madison Place provides exciting options for great living with various units such as Studio, Executive Studio, One Bedroom and Two Bedroom. It starts with a reservation fee and a 4-year payment terms that could prepare them for a better and vibrant future. Keeping up with the metropolis lifestyle in the “city of love” with a multi-facetted transformation complements the need for young professionals to cope with the elevating concept of modern living.

Once you started living in the neighbourhood of the privileged few that is Iloilo Business Park, the concept of convenience and style expands beyond your own abode – it makes you own the passion of the whole township where future defines career and lifestyle luxury, a definite gift for yourself.

Live the style and convenience now. Give us a ring at 330-3462-65, 0928-353589451 and 0917-3524888. Visit us our showroom at the ground level of Richmonde Tower, 8 Enterprise Road, Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. Check us online at www.iloilobusinesspark.ph.

 

 

Eric Soriano Talks about Real Estate in a fast-rising Philippine Economy

“The Philippines is no longer a sick man in terms of economy in Asia next to China for the last 8 years,” says Professor Enrique “Eric” Soriano, an international real estate expert whose expertise transcends vision into success as he currently fulfils his passion as chair of the Marketing Cluster and Program Directorship for Real Estate at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business. Professor Soriano’s extensive career experience in real estate consultancy and management in the Asia Pacific Region spans for over 25 years.

“In terms of economy, the Philippines is experiencing a steady upward growth in the economy, and one of these factors is the steady rise of the real estate sector,” he added. He talks with sheer passion and sometimes, entertaining yet witty remarks as guest speaker for Iloilo Business Park’s recent open house event entitled “Merience Cena” at the function hall of Richmonde Hotel Iloilo last July 25. According to him, real estate contributed a lot in invigorating the economy, and steadily brought visible stability with the influx of real estate projects happening all over the country. Filipinos should now have a sense of value and pride of their country because we are on the verge of elevation in terms of our economy and role in development in Southeast Asia.    

Professor Soriano believes in “creating and conceptualizing value for real estate.” It is very important to consider our short-term and long-terms goals as an intelligent approach in the real estate investment. Though there is a soaring rise of developments in the real estate business, but still, those who intend to invest must know how to put their hard-earned money wisely by choosing credible developers. He emphasized the need to get your money’s worth, and the first thing to consider investing is finding out its true value. He pointed out that there are various advantages in investing for real estate either in megacities like Manila or uprising metropolises like Iloilo outside Luzon. Iloilo Business Park, Megaworld Corporation’s largest multi-facetted integrated business township that spans 72-hectare in Mandurriao, Iloilo City is the right kind of project that investors should consider investing in.

Professor Eric Soriano discussed about the importance of choosing the right real estate project and developer for your dream investment. (photo by Ronelo Ladiao) 

“What makes an ideal place to live and invest?,” he asks the audience while his changing the slide for his presentation. According to him, the best community to invest must be a place that fuses strong sociability factor – neighborly, cooperative and welcoming; unlimited lifestyle access and linkages for walkable spaces, various conveniences from nearby establishments and transportation accessibility; supports different leisure activities within the area, and must transcend visuals for comfort – clean, charming, attractive and historic scenery. He further discussed that an integrated community must be “people oriented development.” Simplifying the idea emphasizes density – urban development not sub-urban, diversity- mixed-use and mixed income, and design – walkable development. When these important aspects of an integrated community or a business township will be met successfully, then it is the best time to invest by buying a condominium or invest in commercial lots where business opportunities are possible. Iloilo Business Park is one of the country’s most complete business townships in the Philippines that offer a near-complete lifestyle with multi-functional accessibilities.   

As the discussion turned interesting, he talks about the true value of real estate economics, statistics and metrics that ultimately leads to synergy of developments and tangible steady surge of economic progress. Before he ended his significant talk, he quoted centuries old Chinese proverb that cleverly pose the question: “when is the best time to plan a tree?” The answer was 20 year ago, but the second best is now. Real Estate is about envisioning something great for your future, and it should start with the investment of trust and credibility with developers that will ultimately lead to the fulfillment of our dream lifestyle.  

Professor Eric Soriano received a token and certificate of appreciation from Iloilo Business Park's dynamic Head of Sales and Marketing, Jennifer Ann Palmares-Fong. (photo by Ronelo Ladiao)

Afterwards, he told the audience that he is open for questions. Like a well-motivated and inspired group of audience sharpened by true sensible speaker who speaks from experience, the questions overflowed. But from what we’ve learned from him - the best choices in life are those pursued intelligently that holds greater purpose set to transcend change.   

Looking for a lifestyle and investment that really matters? Make that call now at (033) 330-3462-65 or visit us in our showroom at the ground level of Richmonde Tower, 8 Enterprise Road, Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. For online, visit us at www.iloilobusinesspark.ph.

See The Palladium at the Tip of your Fingers

 

Taking the multimedia marketing and online innovation to a higher ground, Iloilo Business Park will be making a mark with The Palladium's Electronic Brochure (E-brochure) available for download online via our official website. Just click and visit this link: http://www.iloilobusinesspark.ph/projects/palladium/

The Palladium is the 5th residential tower launched by Megaworld Corporation in 2014 as part of the expansive residential district of Iloilo Business Park, the biggest 72-hectare mixed-use commercial complex and business township in Western Visayas located in the old Iloilo Airport in Mandurriao, Iloilo City. The Palladium is named after the rarest metallic element of the Earth for its unique features as the highest tower in the region with 22 floors and topmost penthouse level where ultra-luxurious loft units allow its residents to see a special cityscape view of Iloilo. The tower also boasts with 4 multi-level sky gardens sharing a nature-like serenity and ambiance. The Palladium has a third level amenity floor where residents can enjoy a grand infinity pool, lifestyle areas like fitness gym, outdoor gym, open spa, function hall, daycare and a stunning main lobby. 

The Palladium E-Brochure is viewed as not just an innovation where future residents, condominium buyers and investors will be given the ease to have a glimpse of this first-class residential tower right at the tip of their fingers online, but it would make them feel the passion, the rare luxury and the prestige that they can experience in the future. 

Experience life on top of an emerging lifestyle trend in Iloilo Business Park now. Visit our website and download it now. Would you like to talk with us further about the project? Call us at (033) 330-3462-65 or visit us in our showroom at the ground level of Richmonde Tower, 8 Enterprise Road, Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. 

Merienda Cena at Richmonde Hotel on July 25

Be the first to take a glimpse of Richmonde Hotel Iloilo in our Merienda Cena - Open House. And enjoy an afternoon talk with Mr. Enrique "Eric" Soriano, MBA, a real estate expert. Be with us, Iloilo Business Park, in this relaxing afternoon delight. See you!

APEC 2015 Set to Invigorate Iloilo's Infrastructure Developments

Iloilo City, one of the most livable city in the Philippines is hosting the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2015 meetings on with the theme “Fostering APEC’s Infrastructure through Long-term Investment and Capital Market Development,” the meeting aims to solicit proposals and share best practices in boosting connectivity and mobility within and across member-economies, particularly through more active capital markets. The local government of Iloilo City prepared for the start of this significant meeting hoping to promote, boast and invigorate the business, infrastructure and tourism potential the metropolis. Iloilo Business Park being one of the most promising developments in the city will be an investment site for investors and the APEC meeting will greatly promote the township.
As seen in the photo releases are officials from finance ministries and multilateral organizations, infrastructure experts, and capital market players across APEC member-economies gathered at the Royal Garden Hall Convention Center in Iloilo City on July 23-24, 2015 to discuss infrastructure and capital market development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Astonishing Iloilo

Iloilo Business Park (Marx de Silva)

Iloilo is an astonishing city. The beauty of its glorious past replicates the vision of the future – sustainable, progressive and culturally-passionate. Since its destined elevation from a simple town into a royal city under the royal decree of Spain’s Queen Maria Cristina in 1889, Iloilo started to chase the tides of time and made a remarkable mark as the most important city right next to Manila with its economic and cultural supremacy.

Iloilo Dinagyang Festival (osmiva.com)

La Paz Batchoy (kusinamaster.asia)

Sinamay weaving in Villa de Arevalo (Ronelo Ladiao)

Calle Real, Iloilo City (Bert Andone)

Astonishing Mark

Iloilo is a city with multi-facetted legacy that transcends inspiration and pride to its people. It is known as the “weaving capital of the Philippines” during the 18th and 19th centuries with the boom of local fabrics and hand-woven works of weavers like hablon, sinamay and piňa cloth. Fashion and tailoring heightened the dynamic business along the famous Calle Real, one of the oldest business districts in the country. If the Province of Iloilo is known as the “food basket of Western Visayas,” Iloilo City tickled the taste buds of visitors with its world-famous La Paz Batchoy, Biscocho, Roberto’s Queen Siopao, Barquillos, mouth-watering seafood from Villa and many other must-have, must-taste luscious keepsakes or “pasalubongs.” Iloilo City redefined and properly-elevated the standard of Philippine festivals with the innovations introduced by its world-famous Dinagyang Festival, a fusion of spectacular choreography, intricate multi-colored costumes embedded with deep Catholic devotion to the Child Jesus celebrated every third week of January. The Paraw Regatta Festival relieves the oldest boat sailing competition in the Southeast Asia and attract crowds with its “Samba de Regatta” spectacle every February. Jaro District Fiesta and “Nuestra Senora dela Candelaria” feast are the most grandiose religious and traditional fiestas in the Philippines every first week of February.

Iloilo Business Park (Iloilo Travel Guide)

Iloilo River Esplanade (Felipe Uygongco)

Iloilo City at night (Litratistang Agustino Studio)

Astonishing Developments

Iloilo is swiftly becoming the face of progress, steadfast developments and expansion that turned this once shy and reserved royal city into a bustling economic melting pot in the Philippines, claiming good governance recognitions, infrastructures projects and investment potentials. Iloilo is creating a synergy of balance between uprising modernization, manageable ecology and inspiring slogan as one of the most livable cities in the world. To preserve not only the bio-diversity of Iloilo River, a multi-billion peso, long-stretching Iloilo River Esplanade was made possible through the cooperation of national and local government. The site is giving an inspiring face to Iloilo River as its cultural and ecological treasure. Another advocacy of preserving the past is the preservation and rebuilding of heritage buildings in Calle Real. Along the Diversion Road, the city’s promising district where businesses are propping up, shopping centers are expanding and nightlife spots elevate, wide roads with walkable red-brick bike lanes and green stripes create a promising perspective for Iloilo’s future. In Mandurriao district where the old Iloilo Airport property was once located, is the very site where one of the country’s leading real estate visionary, Megaworld Corporation established their P35-billion investment master-planned commercial and lifestyle complex called Iloilo Business Park. It is a 72 hectare modern township conceptualized through the company’s “live-work-play” success-driven vision that’s creates a massive buzz and fame for Iloilo, claiming a new title as the next epicenter of virtually almost all kinds of investments. Megaworld integrates an economic-uplifting township where the most exclusive and high-end destinations can be found such as Festive Walk Mall, 1 kilometer shopping-and-dining avenue Street of Festive Walk, the most modern convention venue – Iloilo Convention Center, the biggest McDonald’s branch in Panay, several BPO Buildings used as office-operation site of multinational call center companies, and first-class international hotels with recognizable names such as Richmonde Hotel and Courtyard by Marriot. A foretaste of high-life living can be experienced with the township’s elegant residential towers sporting names such as the 3-tower One Madison Place, 16-level Lafayette Park Square and 22-storey The Palladium. It is expected that the township’s BPO buildings will provide more than 30,000 quality jobs in the next 10 years. Almost 30% of the old airport highway was retained by Iloilo Business Park to become its major vein of transportation. And of course, the green-inspired walkable lane for those looking for a perfect destination as venue of healthy lifestyle activities is open to its residents and passersby. The township presents more than just a stunning addition to the modern and expansive physical-facelift for Iloilo City, it is a sustainable community that opens wider and bigger doorway for global investments, tourism and job opportunities.

From the promising progress that swiftly re-writing Iloilo City’s modern history and legacy, the country’s real estate industry is truly destined to find a “pot of gold” in the shores of this pulsating metropolis called by many people as the “city of love.” But for its people, the Ilonggos whose tireless resilient voice, hardworking nature and passionate sentiments for their cultural heritage, somehow believes that their city, their home is an astonishing destination for all the world to see.

For visitors and strangers who happen to laid eyes in Iloilo, what’s truly astonishing in this city does not entirely depend on its newfound face of progress or its well-preserved past, but the warmth of its people that starts with heartfelt “welcome” greetings. Such passion makes Ilonggos capable of showing it effortlessly to the world. Wouldn’t you like to call Iloilo your new home, too?

Leisure and Pleasure at Street of Festive Walk

The ”al fresco” dining and shopping lifestyle of Ilonggos will about to elevate with the anticipated opening of the Street of Festive Walk, a 1-kilometer commercial strip of the best and classy bistros, restaurants, cafes, retails shops and boutiques in Iloilo Business Park. With a tentative opening very soon next year, this will become one of the most sought-after destinations in Iloilo Business Park as part of the vibrant 72-hectare mixed-used development community, a modern township for business and leisure. By the name itself, the Street of Festive Walk was culturally-inspired by the “festive” energy of Iloilo’s world-famous Dinagyang Festival, a celebration of revelry, merriment and unity. During the Dinagyang Festival every January, the major streets of Iloilo City proper are closed for public transportations and vehicles allowing onlookers and visitors to take a walk, join the merry-making, shop for local products displayed on the side of the streets and feast among the popular delicacies and local bistros that served distinct Ilonggo food set to please the palate. The Street of Festive Walk is envisioned as more than just a destination for food lovers and shoppers, it is culturally-uplifting replication, a classy version of the merriment, top-notch higher vision of what makes Iloilo a festive city and the Ilonggos as “zest of life” lovers. The best thing is: Ilonggos and visitors will soon enjoy the strolling every day right in the very heart of Iloilo Business Park.

The Street of Festive Walk and the whole township itself, is a grandiose re-package of a highly-elevated globalized and passionate Ilonggo culture for the world to see.   

Iloilo Business Park is located at the old Iloilo Airport in Mandurriao, Iloilo City. 

Visit us online at www.iloilobusinesspark.ph or call us at (033) 330-3462-65 for more information about the township. 

IBP’s Emerging Lifestyle, Posh Condo Units and Commercial Lots

   

The 80% complete Iloilo Convention Center, Iloilo's most modern convention venue (Photo by Marx de Silva)

Seriously taking the infrastructure developments and influx of investments in Iloilo City these days would give us a glimpse of the great things to come in the heart of Western Visayas. Iloilo Business Park (IBP), the 72-hectare old airport site in Mandurriao district was swiftly transformed into a mixed-used development community, slowly taking shape as the future epicenter of business, lifestyle and leisure zone. Megaworld Corporation, the Philippines' leading real estate developer and township builder set its new plan in Iloilo by opening a gateway of developments through IBP.

(From the top) Construction photo updates of Festive Walk Mall and Street of Festive Walk, soon to be the city's most high-end shopping and leisure destination (Photos by Marx de Silva)

Spread across the township are leisure, residential and lifestyle destinations that would bring vital life to Iloilo City with an upcoming high-end mall, shopping and dining avenue, a modern convention center, two international hotels, BPO buildings and office towers. Fulfilling their "success formula" for their township-building dream which is "Live-Work-Play-Learn" for 26 years, Megaworld launches their own residential towers in IBP. Commercial lots as part of the township's Boutique Hotel and Commercial District are also open for business ventures among investors.

(From the top) BPO Building One Global Center is presently the office and operation site of BPO company Transcom, almost 40% construction photo update of international hotel - Courtyard by Marriot and the newly-opened Richmonde Hotel Iloilo (Photos by Marx de Silva and Ronelo Ladiao)

One Madison Place, the 3-tower, 10-storey condominium promotes a luxurious lifestyle with stunning amenities. Lafayette Park Square, a scenic resemblance of French and Spanish architectural design will enthrall condo buyers with its high-end residential units and amenities. The Palladium is the epitome of a true high-life, the highest elevated condominium tower in the region with 22 floors, 4 sky gardens, infinity pool and loft units. These elegant residential towers offers highly-conceptualized and premier condominium units from studio, executive studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and The Palladium’s exclusive limited offering – the classy Loft Units in its topmost Penthouse level. The penultimate lifestyle concept of Megaworld's condominium units and towers not only comes in its physical design but on its life-encompassing link to the whole township and its nearby conveniences. Residents can enjoy shopping, dining, embracing nature and working in multinational companies with a few steps away.

The Boutique Hotels and Commercial District is a visionary part of the township. Front-lined by Iloilo Convention Center and two international hotels - Richmonde Hotel Iloilo and Courtyard by Marriot, premier commercial lots are available to pave way for exciting business ventures among potential investors and companies. Retail shops, boutiques, offices and restaurants will soon emerge in the future in this area to create more than a high-life experience but a vibrant community where business and lifestyle converge beautifully.

Either you live for pleasure or venture for business, invest your dream right in the very heart of IBP. Be a part of the high-life that's swiftly taking emerging. Call us at (033) 330-3462-65 or visit us in our showroom at the ground level of Richmonde Tower, 8 Enterprise Road, Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. For online, visit us at www.iloilobusinesspark.ph.

From Airport to Bustling Township, Megaworld Changes the Ilonggo life

The old Iloilo Airport in Mandurriao, Iloilo City (photo by JunJun Mendoza)

Pelagia Longno remember how she used to say “goodbye” to her husband, Jonathan Longno, a seaman OFW before leaving for his flight to Manila at the Iloilo Airport 15 years ago. That very moment left a pinch in her heart. Like the Longno couple and other Ilonggo OFWs, venturing professionally to look for high-paying jobs in other countries to provide a better future for their family, they are doing a great sacrifice.

(Photo by Gettyimages.com)

A Place of Sentiments and Dreams

According to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) records in 2014,there are more than 60,901 OFWs coming from the Province of Iloilo out of the estimated 187,971 OFWs throughout Western Visayas leaving to work in other countries. Iloilo City has the biggest number of OFWs with 28,890 who send large amount of remittances and taxes that helps our economy. For nearly 8 decades, the old Iloilo Airport in Mandurriao district served as the airline domestic entry point for Iloilo and other neighboring provinces.  For most OFWS and their families, this airport has been a part of their lives. It leaves a sentimental spot, a place where they used to say their precious “goodbyes” to their loved ones and create bittersweet memories before leaving each other for the sake a better life.

Since its operation in the 1930s, the old Iloilo Airport in Mandurriao District ended its operation in 2005. It was replaced by a much-bigger and modern Iloilo International Airport in the nearby municipality of Cabatuan in Iloilo. After its closure, the old airport property had its untimely slumber – the place became sleepy and the noise of the airplanes died down. The Iloilo City Government formulated a plan to revive the area into a possible commercial and residential complex ushering an extension of the city’s unstoppable progress. Megaworld Corporation, the country’s leading real estate and township developer saw the property’s investment potential. In 2007, they successfully acquired the 72-hectare old airport property. Soon, Megaworld unveiled their visionary plan of transforming the property into one of their biggest township projects, their most ambitious venture outside of Luzon with a total of P35 billion investment – the Iloilo Business Park.

Iloilo Convention Center and Megaworld Boulevard (Photos by Marx de Silva)

Relentless Developments

“Iloilo Business Park is the city’s new central business district, a most welcome addition to the city’s urban development landscape that will help realize the city’s vision of becoming a premier city,” says Jose Ronie Penalosa, Iloilo City Planning and Development Coordinator. He believes that Iloilo Business Park is a “strategic location, a valuable connectivity and carefully planned mixed-use development that strongly supported by an eco-friendly network of walk-able green urban spaces, bikeways and public transport-oriented corridors that makes it an excellent place to live, work and play in.” The township perceived to be the most high-end infrastructure and business-related project in Iloilo City since it features significant developments that would pave way for strong investments, commercial and employment opportunities.

Megaworld’s 72-hectare master-planned township was carefully envisioned to unlock Iloilo City’s global potential with the opening of Iloilo Convention Center equipped with a massive seating capacity of 3,700 audiences where this year’s Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) side events are set to take place. The township is teeming with commercial investments where a lifestyle mall – the Festive Walk Mall, a mall annex and the long-stretching 1 kilometer Street of Festive Walk, a shop-and-dine avenue are preparing to rise very soon. The Information Technology – Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO) industry is destined for a global boost with the opening of BPO office buildings where multinational companies like StarTek, Reed Elsevier, Transcom and many others will find a new home, giving local graduates and professionals the most competitive employment opportunities.  Comprising the Boutique Hotel and Commercial District, international hotels such as the 10-storey Richmonde Hotel Iloilo designed by Getty’s, the world’s most prestigious hotel interior designer, and the first of its kind hotel in the country from the Marriot group - the Courtyard by Marriot, are both looking forward to provide world-class hotel accommodation for visitors and investors.

(From the top) Two Global Center - BPO Company StarTek office and operation site, a local call center agent, Megaworld Boulevard with the construction site of Festive Walk Mall and One Global Center - BPO Company Transcom office and operation site (Photos by Marx de Silva and Ronelo Ladiao) 

Life-changing Jobs

“I’m lucky enough to be able to have my OJT (on the job training) in one the best call centers in Iloilo Business Park. The opportunity provided young people with a better-paying job. Young professionals like me are hoping to stay and get employed locally rather than to leave our city,” says 20-year-old James Tan, a graduating IT professional from a provincial state university. Tan is one of the competitive young professionals who is now taking part, and will soon benefit from the expected 30,000 job openings foreseen by Megaworld when most of their BPO buildings will open in full swing for the next 10 years. The continued infrastructure developments within the area have benefited local engineers and construction workers.  It includes 30-year-old Joemar Villanueva who is working full-time to complete the Festive Walk Mall, the city’s next shppping center. Villanueva hopes to work in the mall as utility staff with his friends soon after the construction of the mall is complete. Iloilo Business Park is currently providing significant employment opportunities to local workers who are all looking forward to benefit from its existence.   

Richmonde Hotel Iloilo and Two Global Center (Photos by Ronelo Ladiao)

Significant Changes

With Iloilo Business Park’s larger-than-life significant relation to Iloilo City’s urban development, Peňalosa of the Iloilo City Planning and Development Office has further expressed his thoughts: “Hosting the city’s taller and modern buildings, IBP is going to be a showcase of contemporary Philippine architecture and urban design that is executed in ways at effectively complementing the old world charm and historic beauty of the city’s other districts.” With the township’s promising concept of viability for future businesses, tourism industry and commercial sector, it can usher a new age of economic renaissance for Iloilo City, giving the locals the chance to experience how their vibrant city will grow and prosper as one of today’s most livable cities in the world. For visitors and investors who will be looking for the best place to travel or to relax can fully appreciate their stay in Iloilo as they can see the past being revived and embed in the present. Investments will soon start to pour in and serve as seeds to lay the groundwork for a long-term, sustainable developments and progress. Iloilo City equates in its people’s heart the value of treasuring the past and keeping it all alive, a true inspiration to build a better future.

True progress transcends more than just the physical infrastructure development of a certain city or locality. If its locals are experiencing better and promising opportunities that could raise their standard of living, such change will socially and economically indicate significant elevation, a higher step to sustain competitive progress. In its vision to shape the future Ilonggo lifestyle, Megaworld is sharing their dreams to put  Iloilo City in the forefront of swift developments.

On a sunny afternoon, Pelagia was passing by the very site where the old Iloilo airport was once located. She can’t it help but put a smile in her face, and most of the time, she feels enthusiastic to look ahead in the future. In this very site, a new dream destination – Iloilo Business Park will vibrantly emerge in this city where her retiring OFW husband Jonathan will be coming home soon. One of her two grown-up sons is already an employee working in the township’s BPO company – Reed Elsevier. She’s hoping to spend quality time with her family after her early retirement. Her beautiful city, Iloilo is now teeming with better opportunities for everyone willing to stay home and chase their dreams.

She thought that maybe there will be no more “goodbyes” but a heartfelt “hello” for a bright future and a possible investment opportunity for their family. Well, buying a condominium unit might be a good start of her new life in this bustling township where memories of love was once built. (Ronelo Sanchez Ladiao)