Country > Philippines > Iloilo > Iloilo City
Date > 2025 > February
Activity > Traveling

Feb 4-15, 2025

Scouting Iloilo City for Relocation

Location : Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines

Sign from Above
After meditating on which place I should relocate, Iloilo came out twice - from Mark and the other from Madhu, someone I didn't know who Friend-requested me on Facebook. Both Mark and Madhu offered their place for me to stay - whoa! This was the sign I was looking for. Instead of heading to Southern Leyte, I changed my itinerary for Iloilo. Next, I wrote to reputable international schools requesting for an exploratory meeting and also wrote to the yoga studios requesting to teach a class. With that, I was off to Iloilo, via Cebu City (I stayed 4 days in Cebu).

The Thrill is Gone
Yes, that's my BB King song about Tagbilaran. The honeymoon was great (Bohol Yoga Festival, Yoga for kids/grown-ups, subbing for Jing at her studio), but it's over. I don't want to stay too long until we fight over the toothpaste cap. I ventured into Ormoc for a relocation, but it didn't work out. Next plan was to explore Southern Leyte - Hilongos, Bato, Maasin and Sogod. I even asked assistance from the good folks of Ormoc for a source. I worked out the logistics of jumping off Ubay straight to Hilongos instead of sailing all the way to Cebu. But the remaining roadblock was lodging. I couldn't find cheap lodging. I'd be broke if I spent P800/day for weeks and still paid my P6000 monthly in Tagbilaran. Besides, I felt like just doing the motion - Southern Leyte wasn't really exciting me. I just had to leave Tagbilaran. I was asking my benevolent universe to steer me for my next destination, "Don't let me spin my wheels, tell me where, or at least point me in the right direction". When I ask my universe for something, it usually gives me - it listens.

Mark United Kingdom
Endemic Pursuit Tours (birdwatching)
Mark of Iloilo
When I saw a radical new way of birding-watching while in the comfort of your home, I passed the video to my birder friend, Mark. He replied saying again that he's now in Iloilo. Previously, he invited me to stay at his place should I visit. It has always been at the back of my head, but I haven't taken action. But then, Madhu mentioned she was now in Iloilo. Iloilo? Again? This time, I took notice. I let the thought of Iloilo ferment. A few days later, I decided to visit Iloilo for a possible relocation.

Free Lodging in Iloilo
For Southern Leyte, I was on the fence because of lodging expenses, and here for Iloilo, without my asking, Mark offered his place for me to stay. This is definitely my universe replying to my meditation plea. Mark thinks he exercised free will, but in my cosmic parlance, he was sent.

Logistics
Having decided to make a trip to Iloilo, I had to do my detailed itinerary with all the logistics - boat trips (Tagbilaran-Cebu, Cebu-Iloilo), possible rentals for a permanent residence (Facebook rentals), yoga studios for gigs to pay off my expense, etc.

Pinky Pinky Dilemma
I actually meditated on 2 things: a place to permanently reside (Iloilo it was) and meeting the right girl. I tried dating-apps but it didn't work out. I cannot rely on chance meetings here in Tagbilaran - that's next to impossible. But a few days after deciding on Iloilo, I attended Vic's birthday party and I met this wonderful lady - Pinky. She had the right maturity (mid-late 30s), smart, UP graduate (same alma mater) and established in her career. No husband and it seems like she didn't have a boyfriend - that was very odd in Bohol. We talked, sang karaoke together and exchanged contact info. Was Pinky the right girl? Was she heaven-sent to answer my meditation request?

It didn't take long for me to realize this was a problem. What if Iloilo worked out, and Pinky happened to be the right girl? I'm now torn. Do I forfeit Iloilo and stay in Bohol with Pinky? Or do I head for Iloilo and forget about the right girl? I had to force the issue. My message to Pinky specifically expressed that she was the highlight of the evening for me - that made my message clear in no uncertain terms. If she replies favorably, then I really have a problem.

But a few days passed and no reply. I guess I spooked her. But her non-reply was also a strong statement - it means she wasn't the right girl, otherwise she would have reciprocated. So, problem solved, and my Iloilo plans proceeded on schedule. Who knows? Maybe the right girl is in Iloilo!

Trans Asia Shipping: Cebu to Iloilo
The only Roro (roll on/roll off cargo ship) was Trans Asia Shipping. Cebu (Terminal 2, Pier 3) - Iloilo, Tuesdays, ~15 hours, 6 pm departure, arrival 8:30 am, economy open air P1400 /Sr 1120, Tourist P1545 /Sr P1236 + P150 for the folding bike.

the bunk beds aboard Trans Asia Shipping

Reyan: the Good Samaritan
A funny thing happened when I was boarding Trans Asia. I was being charged P150 extra for the bike, even though it was already folded. I protested but to no avail. From out of nowhere, this complete stranger, who looked tipsily happy, told me he'd shoulder the bill. Huh? I let him, curious what his game was. There was no game. He was just a happy guy who was on his way to Palawan to do some serious big-game fishing. We talked a bit more en route. Traveling can be full of pleasant surprises.

with the happy Reyan who was simply radiant

Healing Iloilo
Even before leaving Tagbilaran, I already wrote to the yoga studios and fitness gyms in Iloilo offering to conduct a yoga class. This would ease my way into the practice again, meet the community and make loose change to defray my expenses. Only one responded favorably - Kate of Healing Iloilo. We met and she agreed to have me teach a class.

meeting Kate on the grounds of Molo Mansion

International Schools
Despite my initial emails, follow-up emails and phone calls for an exploratory meeting with the principal, nothing came out of it. I still feel that had I spoken with any of the principals, we could have arrived at some form of collaboration. But given the filters in the bureaucracy, I'm not even sure if my emails reached the principals. Some staff can be over-zealous in playing 'little mayor'.

Letter to the Waldorf School

Dear XXXXXX,

Traveling has always fascinated me. When my alma mater, the University of the Philippines, invited me to join their faculty as a web design instructor, I eagerly embraced the opportunity. Experiencing the education system as both a student and a teacher gave me valuable insights into its strengths and areas for improvement. This sparked my curiosity about alternative approaches and inspired me to conceptualize what an idealized system might look like. Naturally, I became aware of Waldorf and other progressive educational philosophies.

Since leaving U.P., I have pursued a life of travel, which occasionally brings opportunities to give inspirational talks to young people. These talks often focus on topics such as leveraging yogic principles for personal growth, staying aligned with technology, living in harmony with natural laws, and exploring the world through travel. People often find my perspectives refreshing and thought-provoking.

Now, after years of traveling, I am ready to settle down. Iloilo has repeatedly drawn my attention. This has rekindled my interest in education and in Waldorf's unique approach.

I plan to visit Iloilo during the first week of February to explore the area as a potential place to relocate - not necessarily to teach but to deepen my yoga practice. While there, I would like to request an exploratory meeting with someone at Waldorf who oversees these matters. My intention is simply to have an open, informal discussion. Such a meeting would allow you to gauge if I might fit into your school community and would provide me with a better understanding of any potential synergies we might explore.

I hope you will consider my request for this meeting. Perhaps there is a reason behind these serendipitous connections drawing me to Iloilo. If this resonates with you, we can finalize a date and time that suits your schedule.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Staying 2 Nights with Mark and his Family
Mark and I go back to 2011. I developed his mother Phyllis Wallbank's website, Mark's birding website and even went out on birding field trips with him and the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines. He is full of life and always vibrant. Well, that was since I last saw him. Now, he has considerably aged and didn't look as healthy. Perhaps it's his 2-pack a day cigarette habit. He cooked a great dinner on my first day, Roasted Tenderloin Pork. I would ride with him on his morning routine to the market. Even when I already left his place, he still invited me to come along with the family to meet their friends. I could have stayed longer at his place - the house alone was 1500 sq. feet with 7 bedrooms (and it was just the 4 of them). But it would have been inconvenient for all - they sleep at 7 pm (what if I wanted to stay out late?) and he lets the big dogs loose when the family goes to sleep (these dogs are not guest-friendly).

Mark's family was simply great in playing host during my stay

P1500/month Bed Spacer
Within Mark's subdivision was a house offering bed space on a bunk bed for P1500/month. It's not exactly a 5-star hotel, but it fits my budget - all I needed was a roof over my head and a washroom to dump my crap. Having found this, the worry of spending too much on lodging was averted. However, I had to buy a new air mattress at Decathlon. Still, it was cheaper for me. I later left the mattress and my yoga mat at Mark's place - I was supposed to come back to Iloilo for my move anyway.

air mattress on a bunk bed

Exploring Iloilo City on a Folding Bike
I was always on my bike. Purchasing padded bike shorts from Decathlon was a good move. Sometimes I would cover 20 km on this little bike - going from Jaro, La Paz, Molo and downtown. The ride was often scorching with bad air from jeep fumes, but that was the life for me. It kept me strong, nimble and alert. I studied Google Map and found routes along river esplanades that made for fresher air and scenic routes.

parking was not a problem as I could lock my bike on any fixed installation

Movies
I'm a movie buff, but first-run movies in Cebu and Iloilo were expensive. The same movie at P220 in Tagbilaran would be P340 in Cebu and Iloilo. Even with a 20% discount, it was still painful especially if I watch a movie a day. Luckily, I discovered Cinemateque - they feature quality Filipino full-length movies for free twice a day on weekdays inside an air-conditioned comfortable cinematic screening room. There is nothing cooler than that. I watched every offering they had during my stay...twice a day!

movies I saw during my stay

Heritage Mansions
The city is dotted by heritage mansions, mostly abandoned and in a state of disrepair. Have the affluent families become impoverished? Mark told me that likely, the title of the property is in shambles and heirs are deep in litigation over it. SM made the smart move of purchasing the Molo Mansion, restoring it and manicuring the surrounding grounds to make it a chillout zone with fashionable eateries and cafes.

most mansions are abandoned and rotting

Molo Mansion, restored by SM

River Esplanade
Iloilo City is blessed with many wide rivers crisscrossing its cityscape. A good number of the river banks are manicured with wide cobblestoned esplanades - great for an evening stroll, a morning jog or cycling through. It provides reprieve from the city's dirty air (from black exhaust jeepneys).

River esplanades line up Iloilo's river system with elevated platforms (great for yoga practice)

Food, Food, Food !!!
Iloilo is the birthplace of many iconic dishes - batchoy, pancit Molo, KBL (Kadyos, Baboy, at Langka), loads of oysters and native 'kakanin'. They are delicious, available everywhere and reasonably priced.

enjoying my Batchoy at Deco's, La Paz Market, Iloilo City

comfort food can be had everywhere at a reasonable price

Bike Lane
Iloilo's major thorough fares have dedicated bike lanes. This makes riding a bike safer and easier. This also encourages the use of bicycles as a mode of transport - but for this to happen, the local government should enforce strict emission controls.

dedicated bike lanes

Shopping Malls
The city has 3 Robinsons and 2 SMs. Ayala Mall is yet to develop its mall but it's in the works. A mall is a litmus test or a benchmark to a city's progress. A backward city probably has a 'mom and pop' mall like Tagbilaran's ICM Mall where they will cancel a last full show if there aren't at least 5 people - forget about the people who made the trip to see that movie.

fashion show at Robinsons Mall

Ending Thoughts

To Move or Not to Move to Iloilo City
Two weeks exploring the city on a bicycle gave me enough insight if this is the right place for me. Perhaps I can say that it's the best so far given its imperfections. Iloilo City is a lot better than Tagbilaran by way of infrastructure, city offerings and food. Having a yoga community is a deal-maker as well. I can go back home to Tagbilaran knowing I should start selling my stuff and tie up loose ends for my eventual move to Iloilo.

Being on the Road Again
I thought I'd given up traveling for good. I was wrong. Traveling is a life-long addiction that never goes away. That itch will show up again and persist. Being on the open road for almost 3 weeks with a folding bike to take me within city limits, weaving through the thick of rush hour traffic, under the scorching heat of the sun, scrambling for shade when it rains and pumping my legs again...wow, this is such a priceless treat. I guess I'll be on the road every once in a while 'til I'm bent, toothless and bald.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

Conducting a Siddhi-Activation Class at Healing Iloilo

(February 15, 2025) Kate allowed me to conduct a 90-minute lite version of a Siddhi-Activation class at her studio in Molo, Healing Iloilo, which was attended to by 12. I introduced them to a yoga of bandha, mudra and kumbhaka....more »»

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13-Hour Cebu Stopover

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Scouting Iloilo City for Relocation

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Conducting a Siddhi-Activation Class at Healing Iloilo

13-Hour Cebu Stopover