The Iloilo Economic Development Foundation, Inc. will hold its 11th Annual General Membership Assembly on May 26, 2018 at the Goldberry Lite Hotel in Iloilo City. Guest speaker for the event is Dr. Eugenio Jose Ramos, chief executive officer of The Medical City Iloilo. He will talk about how healthcare delivery in Iloilo can compete with the rest of the country by identifying and removing barriers to change.
On December 18, 2017 at 6:00 in the morning, cyclists and biking enthusiasts from all over Iloilo City gathered at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol for the send-off assembly of the Proud to be Ilonggo Fun Ride.
After a forceful opening message from ILED Foundation Executive Director Ms. Maria Lea Victoria Lara, and an invocation from Fr. Jack Luna read by an Agustinian student, more than 500 cyclists and bikers rode to the six plazas of the six districts of Iloilo City.
The fun ride was organized by the Presidential “Bayani sa Daan” Iloilo group and the Federation of Iloilo Cycling Organizations (FICO), in cooperation with the Iloilo City and Provincial Governments, Iloilo Bike Festival Committee, and Iloilo Bike Council.
Price Waterhouse Cooper, an international accounting firm, has reopened shop in the City of Iloilo. The inaugural opening was held on December 7, 2017 at their office in The Galleria, Jaro, Iloilo City. The event commenced with an office blessing.
The occasion was graced by Mr. Dominador Co, executive assistant to the mayor of Iloilo City and Ms. Jocelyn Perez, president of ILED Foundation and other business personalities. Together with PWC Philippines CEO, Mr. Alex Cabrera, they pledged a commitment to support the public and private institutions in Iloilo through sharing of knowledge, advancement of entrepreneurial spirit and promotion of inclusive growth.
Ilonggos were treated to a two-day concert of the world renowned Manila Symphony Orchestra on August 25-26, 2017 at the Molo Church and Iloilo Convention Center.
The concert was organized by Senator Franklin Drilon in his private capacity with the help of well-known businessmen in Iloilo, Mr. Alfonso Tan and Mr. Ramon Cua Locsin, and the ILED Foundation. The senator envisions the revival of the golden days of Iloilo as the center of culture and arts.
The Manila Symphony Orchestra performed their hit repertoire “Sweet Symphonies: Bach vs. Beatles” at the Molo Church and “Soundtracks and Symphonies” at Iloilo Convention Center. Ilonggos and residents of neighboring provinces came all the way to Iloilo City to witness the historic event.
Though it was the first time for the orchestra to perform in both Molo Church and Iloilo Convention Center, it was MSO’s 2nd performance in the city after 32 years. Adding to the musical nostalgia was the presence of Mr. Gil Lopez Kabayao, violinist and former conductor, who led the concert of MSO in Iloilo in 1985 together with his wife Mrs. Corazon Kabayao as solo pianist.
The MSO also conducted a free music workshop to young Ilonggo musicians. About 150 students learned the rudiments of playing in an orchestra.
Attendees to the two concerts all gave a positive feedback to the rare event and hope to witness more cultural and musical performances in Iloilo.
A group of businessmen from Hainan, China and Hong Kong visited Iloilo last May 18-20, 2017. This 3-day visit took place a month after the successful investment forum in Hongkong organized by the Philippine Association of Hong Kong. The Iloilo City and Provincial governments and the private sector led by ILED Foundation and Palm Concepcion Power Corporation participated in the Hongkong forum.
The Chinese businessmen from the Hong Kong Hainan Commercial Association and Hong Kong Economic Trade Association enjoyed the world-famous Ilonggo hospitality, starting with the Welcome Dinner hosted by Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. together with prominent Filipino-Chinese businessmen in Iloilo.
An investment forum was organized by the Iloilo City government to showcase major investments. Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog presented the SMART (services, manufacturing, agribusiness, arts and culture, research and technology) investment priorities of the city. Mr. Jessraf Palmares of Iloilo Federation of Information Technology explained why and how Iloilo became a center for excellence in the IT-BPM industry.
In depth industry tours and meetings were arranged according to the interests of the businessmen. A meeting with the academe, attended by CPU, UP, WVSU, and USA, was conducted in CPU to discuss academic partnerships. A tour of a local BPO company was organized by IFIT. Another group visited the Palm Concepcion Power Plant in Concepcion.
A business matching event was likewise organized by the Board of Investments Visayas to provide information to the Chinese businessmen of the groups who are open for partnership, the process of investing in Iloilo, and the cost of doing business.
Mr. Vincent Hon of Hong Kong Hainan Commercial Association and Prof. Danny Chau of the Hong Kong Economic Trade Association expressed their excitement to build connections with Iloilo, specifically in the social enterprise, tourism and BPO industries. They added that Ilonggo businessmen are welcome to explore trade ties with Hong Kong.