I am a recent arrival in the Philippines looking for someplace to plant myself for a good few years. Started out in Iloilo few a few days but had the hots for the beach after not being on one for a year. Off the Boracay ( and loved it ) but it is a limited island, beach and food and that’s it. Went back to Iloilo City after 2 months on the island. I liked Iloilo but didn’t give myself enough time to explore the outer edges which would have been my cup of tea. Anything within 15 to 30 minutes away is more my style. I didn’t have my own transportation so that was an disadvantage for exploring. Hired a few tricycles to explore but got super rained on. Next time I return it will be with my own transportation. But I found easy food shopping, lots of malls all over the place, restaurants galore……. I just couldn’t find a longer term spot that I would be comfortable in…… But the city was clean, people were WONDERFUL and the town becoming even more contemporary. I would only wish other politicians were to follow the leadership of the mayor, not just here but EVERYWHERE…!!!

@jimscholz2997

Жыл бұрын

Good luck in your search

@mutravent

Жыл бұрын

Thanks sir for appreciating Iloilo. The reason why Iloilo City won to the cleanest tourist city award by South east Asian is because of the management of local government. Everyday there are sweepers in the streets before the sun rises and the people also are disciplined where to put their garbage. Every barangays or community have their own schedules every week of collecting their garbage that's why.

@ladyingrid8842

Жыл бұрын

Check the area that is not easily flooded

@benpung

Жыл бұрын

You forgot Guimaras... It is just across the sea, and it's just 15-20 minutes away. It's has great white sand beaches, not as well developed like Boracay but it beautiful... There is also Gigantes Island in the Municipality of Carles...

You're an Ilonggo at heart, and that's what counts. Considering half the population of Iloilo City aren't from Iloilo. They just moved for work or education and ended up falling in love with the city too.

@journevivbasco3462

Жыл бұрын

agree..

I'm retiring in Iloilo on February. Nice city to walk, run or bike. The city has good hospital and universities. I'm excited !

@TexasFilipino

7 ай бұрын

Good place for sure

Iloilo was my father's hometown. He left over 50 years ago for Canada and unfortunately has never been back. I'm excited to visit the Philippines and Iloilo for the first time in March.

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

oh wow that is cool your place of heritage

Hey James! It is great that you chose Iloilo CIty. That is my hometown, and I am now currently living in Houston. I was just there last September 2022. Hope you have a great life over there. Couldn't be more proud of my hometown.

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

So cool!

Proud Ilonggo here. Glad you chose my hometown as the best place to retire. I couldn't agree more!

Iloilo is very promising to be very progressive since it's one of the biggest provinces in the country. Ilongos should work together to achieve prosperity and progress. W3 need more mayors to fix and improve their towns. Fly high Iloilo.

I lived in Ilo-ilo city off and on back in the 1960s working for a now-defunct company from California called Ferrell Machinery, co. We taught the local Ilo-ilo engineers how to efficiently operate machinery such as lathes and milling machines to repair sugarcane farming equipment. The city was unrecognizable to me when I went back in 1992 for a short vacation. I am happy to see it doing well.

I’m a very proud ilonga from new lucena, I’ve been living in the USA since 2000,and am now ready to go back to my hometown for good, hopefully by next year.

Id love ton hear more about Iloilo. Philippine Mike used to cover everything about it, and I kinda fell in love with the place. Then he moved to Bacolod and died, I haven't found anyone to replace him with

Love how you're so well informed about the wharf and port situation about Iloilo. Most locals don't even know about it.

So glad you love "our" city. Mr as ilonggo is always proud too. All I can say is the most cleanest city in the Philippines. Our people are the most descipline and thoughtful. We help each other. If someone steal from you, oh hes a dead man. In manila or other city, if someone robbed you in public..people dont care. Not in iloilo.

Thank you so much for the Love you've shown to us Ilonggos.Appreciating our Values, the PEOPLE,our Community in general was such a nice feeling.Proud Ilonggo! WELCOME to ILOILO SIR💚 God bless you!🙏

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

Thank you too!

Another great example of excellent information. Great enjoyment.

I think you're a Filipino by heart James! We welcome people like you who embraces the culture and the way of life. I can't wait to go back to Iloilo.

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

Thank you

I just bought an audio book called American Caesar, Its a huge biography of Douglas MacArthur. His first assignment after West Point was to survey the wharf in Iloilo City. Happy New Year !

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

Interesting

@tommoskal9365

Жыл бұрын

If your interested in the Philippines you must read Americas Boy A narrative history of the USA-supported dictatorship that came to define the Philippines.

@stevenlees8504

Жыл бұрын

@@tommoskal9365 Great book.

@suskagusip1036

11 ай бұрын

During the height of the revolution the Spanish government transferred the capital city from Manila to Iloilo City. Queen Isabella called it Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad de Iloilo ( The most Loyal and Noble city of Iloilo). Our Ancestors came were called the Pintados by the Spaniards when they saw them. They were great warriors and sailors that went to China and brought misery to their towns. Idk how they became loyal to King Filipe. 😂 They got rewarded in their last days. Many families especially those that has Spanish heritage in Jaro, Iloilo City became super rich as you can see in those ancestral mansions still standing there. Many of their grandchildren moved to the USA they were my classmates. Some forgot their ancestral homes and left it to rot.

@pamcahilignonescan7469

7 ай бұрын

they called pintados, those from cebu, bohol, leyte because they're just wearing ( bahag) & tattoos all over their bodies & they called vizayas the panay Island including romblon & guimaras because of their dress code( clothing).@@suskagusip1036

Proud Ilongga here. Thank u for feauturing Iloilo❤

Informative video, Iloilo is definitely on my list of places to check out 👍

Great Video James! I have a plan in the future to visit places I saw a child and to research my Mother's history (she was born and raised in Cavite City), but outside of the more western parts of Manila, the other area I have been curious about is Iloilo (city) and surrounding areas. My research led me to the current Mayor who was the Mayor a long time ago and then served in the Philippine version of Congress, now he's the Mayor again. The amount of progress you have highlighted is amazing! Based upon your life stories (building your house, your beautiful sunsets and the closeness to modern amenities, and the wonderful people), I plan on visiting the area when I near my retirement. I hope to bring my daughter along for the trip! I've watched so many of your videos about your adventures in the PI, that I have an appreciation for the difference between the US and the PI. I'm looking forward to enjoying my time there! God bless you, Melinda and the girls! You do great work in showing us life in your part of the world!

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

SUCH A KIND COMMENT

you're right! the changes in Iloilo have been amazing! i can still remember when the river was all polluted and smelly! it really takes political will power and cooperation of the People

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

Yes it does. Everybody is so proud of the city now since it has improved

You mentioned about "re-emergence" of the city. I've read an article in a magazine which described Iloilo City during its heyday. The author compared Iloilo City with the likes of Chicago, Sydney, etc. during its prime. Its population then, were almost the same as those mega-cities during the height of its former glory days. If Iloilo City had been able to sustain its growth momentum, it should have been as huge as the great cities of the world.

Well said James ! I live in luzon but to what i see in iloilo city is nothing like that in any city province here in luzon!

It sounds like you're in a very good area... And I'm also glad cap got a new pad... Or crib depending on the era... God be with you all

this is a very nice video Sir! I was born and raised in Iloilo but worked in MM for more than a decade, after seeing all the improvements of my city it made me want to go back and now I'm enjoying all the things I can enjoy in Manila in a fraction of the cost of living there! Also thank u for sharing your thoughts about our city, and yes, you are definitely an Ilonggo thru and thru!

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

So nice of you

That is definitely one of the areas I am going to research deeper when I come back to the Philippines, and so if you put out the videos I'll definitely watch them on Iloilo or Pinay

Thanks for the thoughts on Iloilo from a longer term perspective. I arrived a week ago looking for a quieter (but not province level quiet) possibility for longer term non-working life. I am still reflecting on what I see from a bit more on the ground and in the trenches view but I will look through your vlog for another perspective. Much appreciated.

I was Iloilo born and raised up to my later teen years...partly called Guimaras home as my mother is from there when Guimaras was still part of Iloilo. Immigrated to Guam and joined the Navy until retirement....in Vegas now and ready to retire again very soon and planning to make Guimaras as my base. Been monitoring the progress of both places and seeing wonderful things, can't wait to be part of that ongoing progress. Both my mum and brother are in Iloilo now living the retirement years....cheers mate! Thanks for the updates.

@xeechet6290

Жыл бұрын

Guimaras is amazing. especially when the brdige connecting it to Iloilo and Bacolod is realized. the progress there will be unstoppable but i hope the leaders will keep in mind to keep the natural resources pristine and not overtook by modernity all over

@ericjf5343

Жыл бұрын

I would like to know your take on why someone would choose Dumaguete Vs Iloilo as there choice for living?

@ericjf5343

Жыл бұрын

@@beachkid1 From my understanding you can't buy anything besides a condo unless you are married. I have had enough of marriage.

@edzeljereza8234

Жыл бұрын

@@beachkid1 we already have real estate properties in both provinces, sir (or ma'am)...ancestral....with infrastructure already built. just holding out for a coupla more years and take advantage of a second retirement from a union. wouldn't wanna miss out on that finances i already put into the fund.

@inigomontoya3750

Жыл бұрын

Come home. Iloilo is more metropolitan, but you would love the laid back life style of Guimaras.

Well said sir while listening to you sir you give me ghost bump I know you telling the truth because I witness myself the development of the city you make me proud and of our city thank you for your appreciation and be safe

You're the best, transparent, no bs,passionate, and a good human being,keep up the good work

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

I appreciate that

Was there in 2016 in IloIlo. Was lovely to see Guimaras island and the city has nice people that invited me to tour some lovely sights

Hats off to u sir for being so proud of Iloilo. Thank u so much..

The Philippines is improving, I was there in 2004. Friends there tell me now, " You should see it now, getting better. " I like the OceanJet.

Hey brother and Miss Mel 😘😘😘... It's about time you took us for a ride... I'm glad to see their sprucing things up over there and getting ready for all of us expats to start jumping cargo ships to get there 😂😂😂... Also want to thank you for being a ambassador of your development and maybe people will catch on over there and get more up-to-date... I sure hope so we need somewhere to go and get the hell out of Dodge

Could Vote you in as Mayor James. Almost forgot who was speaking for a second. Well spoken good info and great history show and tell. Just watched the other boat video with the modifications. Smooth silent sailing. No $100 cheap 2 stroke back up 2hp china made Lawnmower engine spare? I've been looking at those on Alibaba.

Indeed a very beautiful Iloilo city❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Your content was fantastic and very informative. I miss the information the legendary Mike Casen would give about IloIlo as he traveled around on his Motorola Cycle. . Continue putting out info about that beautiful Island. I've been there (2016). I miss it. Uou just got yourself a new subscriber.

What I’m excited about for my city is the plan of reviving the train. I heard about it from my grandparents and it would be nice if they can make it happen again bcoz I’m sure it will help a lot to decongest the traffic and it would make the travel experience of every Ilongo and everyone who lives in Panay a lot easier.

I remember being 10 yrs old and waiting for my auntie at the old airport now it’s a mall. Amazing development.

Meaningful and awesome review of Iloilo. Two 👍👍 Up

I would love to see more Iloilo City videos from you.

Cool. Your discussion makes me want to go to Iloilo again. It has been decades since I visited Iloilo. 😊

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

such a great place

Hi James, good to find a blogger in Iloilo. I was born and raised in Iloilo, lived in New Jersey for 35 years, just retired and plan to build a house in Iloilo.

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

Sounds great!

Tnx sir for choosing iloilo... Im proud to be ilongo.. Our city will be soon great...

Never forget our DINAGYANG is the #1 festival in the Philippines!!!

Thank you so much for sharing this video.

Hi been watching your videos and really enjoying the content. I came to the Philippines a few years back living in Coron Palawan not too far from you guys. We built a house on the beach just loving life. My wife and I have to split our time up between Philippines and the UK but it works. Keep knocking those videos out, looking forward to the next one..

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

Very cool!

Great informative video thanks!

Wow you’re driving like a Filipino now! Hahaha good job. I have a lack of patience problem… but that’s on me. I only visited Iloilo once and that was during the festival they have every year. Everyone should do that at least once but bring your ear plugs!!! What a time it was beyond amazing. At least for me! Maybe I should visit again but families being what they are I think I’m bound to somewhere near Laguna because it’s my wife’s home province. My wife’s father who is deceased worked for the railway in his town of Los Banos. Actually got a small retirement from it.

there is no place like home and home is where your heart is.

Love the dash cam driving around videos. I have sone pictures I took of the telecom poles because I knew my coworkers wouldn’t believe me lol I just learned about BGC, reminded me of South Korea. My next trip I want to go to Cebu and Iloilo. I’m fascinated with listening to Mae speaking Bisaya with the taxi drivers lol Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on Iloilo and it’s history and re-emergence.

thanks for the overview of Iloilo..........def on my list to visit now.

Thanks for blogging sir, its true iloilo found a good leader

Thanks for the video. I was in Iloilo a month ago and loved it. I’m planning on retiring there by the end of this year.

Great informative video about iloilo I thought it was very nice city and the small towns around that I had a chance to see. The city had some nice malls. I can see it being an up incoming been so many places that are still stuck in the 50s and 60s lol like where my wife from hate in ozamis

Very interesting....thanks for sharing.

Love this video sir, Keep safe always,! ! aton ini!

I love the way you vlogg, theres a story and I can feel your sincerity at the same time your great experience to a place. I lf do vlogging, I will do the same thing. By the way, Iloilo is the most cool and very clean city I visited. This march I will visit Iloilo again.

Fantastic blog James, thank you for sharing all of the wonderful things going on in Iloilo. I leave on a flight January 30th coming to the Philippines and I will definitely be checking out Iloilo as a potential home for myself and my fiance. Please share more about this wonderful City

Been to Iloilo several times when I lived in Bacolod City, I had friends from iloilo, it's a nice part of Ph not too many foreigners like in Dumaguete.

As long as the progress is not corrupted by greed I’m all for it. All to often around here when progress is happening generally means that the brother in law construction company’s get rich.

Some good info you shared. Looks like a wonderful place and super nice seeing the government invest in its infrastructure and future.

I have been living in Roxas city for 3 years but visit Iloilo from time to time (hoping to meet you both sometime) and would love more info of the city. We are building our home out in the province close to my wifes family, our second choice would have been out in that area close to Iloilo but having a 2 year old son my wife wants to stay close to the family, and I do not blame her.

This is my hometown. And just bought my ticket for May and found your video. Love it!!! Hope to bump into you when I’m out there 😂

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

Hope the same. Your always welcome to visit us. Look up Texas Filipino on google maps

Iloilo is a beautiful city and my future home very soon. I have only visited my in-laws there about 5 times in the last 6 years, but I have seen the infrastructure improvements and it will be the city to visit or live in the Philippines very soon. I’m Iloilo proud!!!

@MrRichgounder1969

3 ай бұрын

Forgot to mention if you’re a golfer you have to golf at the Santa Barbara golf course.

Glad i watched your video , we're planning to move there in 2years, we've got some lands to put up our house. We're from Arkansas.

As an ilonggo sir, I can really say.., your a true blooded ilonggo by heart... Because you love iloilo... God bless you sir... Stay healthy and safe always...

Nothing can stop the progress in iloilo city because the good governance and also become more if the bridge start to build panay,guimaras and negros

Amen to keeping on the move and travelling light. Yep - prices all over the world are on the up but where u are there “Whoa”. Thanks for insight into Washington State. So serene. Tourist Bureau should be sponsoring you. 🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

Smart man for choosing Iloilo.

Nice to hear from you boss 🎉 Am from the city of love The city of love 💕 hilohilo 😂

I have a place in Cebu but can't take big city traffic anymore. Hope to see Iloilo and Panay. Maybe we can get together sometime for a chat on building in Panay.

Your videos started showing up in my thread and that led me to someone else's which led me to the Iloilo boat club. I was surprised to see your powerboat and find out that there are others. I was unable to get that information until then. I am looking forward to checking out that club if I can make it out there one of these days.

that is why we love watching, and waiting for your vlog! you have an objective summation of your environment' so appreciative, even so generous at heart, simple andhumble heart just like Mell.

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

I appreciate that!

Nice video James! Living a little south of you on the edge of the province, SanJoaquin, Iloilo. My wife Eva & I Hope to meet Melinda & Yourself someday in the near future @foreigneronpanayisland

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

Well lets meet ! jamesray080808@gmail.com

Have you ever been to barras beach over on guimaras, I spent 3 days there over 10yrs ago, was nice short trip out there on Thier own pump boat

Subscribed - i can't believe i just came across this. I'm also from TX (DFW area). I've been in Iloilo since 2011, when SM City was smaller and there was no Megaworld. It's been a pleasure to live and work here, watching the city grow around me for this last decade. During C19 we finally built our own house, so I guess we're here to stay. :) Thanks for advertising our great town, but let's not advertise tooooo much - no traffic or crime is pretty amazing...so shhhhhh!! :P

Our home is in Guimaras, I really liked your video as we shop in iloilo and know what your talking about. I am glad I found your channel just yesterday, so maybe I missed it but would suggest do a similar video with more visual highlights of the area. Because I think that would be better for views and sharing as I know many who have asked me about the area.

Beautiful now after they renovated them squatter areas.

That is great in dumaguete nothing has change.

Thank you for your info , what a good vblogs

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

So nice of you

That's impressive! You have had me sold on the area for years. Glad they are progressing and they will reap the benefits that are coming.

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

Come on

@CCRider5312

Жыл бұрын

U moving there ? U know Cap got a new place , Maybe you could roommate with him 😂 Nah, bad for Cap, you’d be getting him in trouble. Day one you’d build a stage & put up a stripper pole in the Center of that big beautiful living room. Then Ud be doing recruitment for dancers 💃🏻 Ud Get U and Cap both evicted.😂🤣

@insearchofthebest9070

Жыл бұрын

@@CCRider5312 lmao 🤣 sounds like you have first hand experience with NOT YA PA PA LMAO 😅

@TheWickerShireProject

Жыл бұрын

The banter here is epically great! hehe!

Thank you for choosing iloilo city..my city..

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

It's my pleasure

New subs here from iloilo city

please share more!!

The more info the better!

Oh can you tell Miss Mel to show us how to make chicken adobo her way... I sent her a message on her channel but I don't know if she'll get it or not... Thank you

You right sir I'm proud a ilongo too my town near iloilo city Tigbauan

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

That is where we live in Las Conchas Del Mar in Tigbauan

Enjoy, retiree here in Negros

I just watched your video on why Iloilo city? I am also from Texas and my fiancé is in Iloilo and we’ve been talking for about a year and I’m going to be flying out there in two months. I would love to meet you. You have great information on the city the culture prices of places to stay and I really like your channel I will subscribe, my name is Keith my fiancé his name is Eliza and I hopefully we can stay in touch and I could hook up with you. I am from Texas north Dallas area and I will be retiring in a year but I’m going to be moving out there soon, so thank you for your content and great videos. Keep them coming because when I get out there, I want to do videos also thank you my friend. Hope to meet you one day.

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

Keith hope we meet you too. I am from just outside of Rockwall Texas. Heck almost neighbors

I first came here in 1988, I came to visit my fiance family, ( they lived in Lapaz, very basic) I was a quite town back then With one mall, But with honest industrious people , but I remember the waterfront Squatters, Question : is the big clock on a pole still outside MacDonalds ?

I wonder where they put those squatters Sir? Feel sorry for those ancestral houses by Manduriao when the widen the roads. We used to have a train running from the city to the provinces/towns. Hope they bring it back and build a bridge to Guimaras. 1970's Donya Paz was the biggest disaster on Christmas eve and many were rescued in our city. Hope this will not happen again. Happy retirement Sir. You're right I grew up in the 80's but growing up my parents and grandparents houses were comparable to the USA before. I should be honest not all but many. Even the towns most houses and towns are clean and has followed the zoning rules. Even the cemetery. It used to be so organized. Iloilo City and it's hayday during the Spanish and Commonwealth time was a progressive city. I'm glad the city government is reviving the city to it's hayday. I still have pictures of my parents those days in the 1920's and 1930's. PS I'm planning to get rid of them squatter in our ancestral house there.

New subscriber here

Such a great video! !st time seeing one of yours and subscribed immediately. You do such a great job explaining things. If you don't mind, I have a question. I am getting ready to retire to the Philippines in the next 6 month and lately have read so much good about Iloilo...are their many Beachfront properties for rent there?

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

Yes you can find some. I know a couple right now. Stay in contact and come see us. We will try to help you

@bills.1737

Жыл бұрын

@@TexasFilipino Thanks so much...I will

To bad Bacolod is still not moving in the direction of Iloilo, traffic is horrific, road side stands popping up everywhere there a few inches to squeeze in. As crazy as the traffic and over all city congestion is people are still friendly and smiling.

@fruitcake5five278

Жыл бұрын

Traffic is crazy also in iloilo around 5 to 7pm but stop lights and traffic aids are big help.

Hay Texas ! The main reason your in ILOILO CITY , your wife and her family are from there and live there. Thats for sure ! same as me here in Davao City

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

No sir I was already in and around Iloilo for many years before I ever knew Melinda. I met her here while I was on a outing with friends one day.

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

In fact Melinda wanted us to move away from here to not be near the family. lol

Enjoyed your video. Here is the always asked question-how much income is needed to retire there comfortably?

Thank you for your video. I would like to know your take on why someone would choose Dumaguete Vs Iloilo as there choice for living? Thanks

@ericjf5343

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the heart but dont leave a SEC boy hanging unless you are jealous of my DAWGS!!! LOL It seems like there are a lot more expats on line in Dumaguete. What do you think is the major difference between Dumaguete and Iloilo?

new subs here

New subs my friend from iloilo city❤❤❤

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for subbing! Hope we see you sometime

I haven't commented lately but always watching!! Question: does it matter if i skip ads or let them play through? I usually let them play out. I was thinking YT pays you for total ad watch time. Is that still the case?

@TexasFilipino

Жыл бұрын

Watch if you can tolerate it. I appreciate you no matter what