{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-pursuit-of-passion-pursuit-of-passion-tsx","path":"/pursuit-of-passion/5-important-ilonggos-who-represent-the-province-well/","result":{"data":{"pursuitOfPassionData":{"seoTitle":"Important Ilonggos Who Represent Iloilo | Blogs | Avida Land","seoDescription":"Considering moving to Iloilo? You’re not alone. Thanks to an influx of foreign investments and infrastructure projects, as well as the booming outsourcing industry and local development, the city is emerging as a new economic epicenter in the Philippines, making it an attractive place to live in.","title":"5 Important Ilonggos Who Represent The Province Well","subtitle":"","category":"people","featuredImage":"https://rbgcms-alb-prod.ayalaland.com/content/uploads/images/1692867614534-1379535-4ypgry0rjfr.jpg","optimizedFeaturedImg":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#68a8e8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/efb1ab8dce785d212fa5f5450d0c42cb/dac10/1692867614534-1379535-4ypgry0rjfr.webp","srcSet":"/static/efb1ab8dce785d212fa5f5450d0c42cb/26a49/1692867614534-1379535-4ypgry0rjfr.webp 375w,\n/static/efb1ab8dce785d212fa5f5450d0c42cb/2ccd6/1692867614534-1379535-4ypgry0rjfr.webp 750w,\n/static/efb1ab8dce785d212fa5f5450d0c42cb/dac10/1692867614534-1379535-4ypgry0rjfr.webp 1500w","sizes":"(min-width: 1500px) 1500px, 100vw"},"sources":[]},"width":1500,"height":800}}},"videoLink":"","slug":"5-important-ilonggos-who-represent-the-province-well","datePublished":"August 24, 2023","shortDescription":"","homeBanner":null,"contents":[{"caption":null,"caption1":null,"caption2":null,"caption3":null,"caption4":null,"title1":null,"title2":null,"title":"","description1":null,"description2":null,"description":"Considering moving to Iloilo? You’re not alone. Thanks to an influx of foreign investments and infrastructure projects, as well as the booming outsourcing industry and local development, the city is emerging as a new economic epicenter in the Philippines, making it an attractive place to live in.\n\nPlus, there are the locals who “make the place.” Ilonggos are known for being “malambing” and have a way of speaking that sounds like they’re crooning you a love song. Both products and makers of the province, Ilonggos are also skilled professionals—Iloilo’s thriving economy is proof. Here are five famous Ilonggos to help you get to know The City of Love better:","optimizedContentImg":null,"optimizedContentImg1":null,"optimizedContentImg2":null,"optimizedContentImg3":null,"optimizedContentImg4":null,"message":null,"type":"component9","video":null},{"caption":null,"caption1":null,"caption2":null,"caption3":null,"caption4":null,"title1":null,"title2":null,"title":"Dingdong Dantes","description1":null,"description2":null,"description":"The Primetime King made his mark through his leading man roles in hit TV shows like TGIS, Mulawin, and Marimar. But he has a “serious side”—when he’s not on set, the award-winning actor is spearheading advocacy projects in Iloilo concerning the youth, education, and service. He also has his own foundation, YesPinoy, which has launched projects like the “One Child, One Chair” to improve local public schools.","optimizedContentImg":null,"optimizedContentImg1":null,"optimizedContentImg2":null,"optimizedContentImg3":null,"optimizedContentImg4":null,"message":null,"type":"component9","video":null},{"caption":null,"caption1":null,"caption2":null,"caption3":null,"caption4":null,"title1":null,"title2":null,"title":"Eugene Torre","description1":null,"description2":null,"description":"In sports, making it to the Hall of Fame proves you have succeeded at the highest level. Only 10 Filipinos are part of the HOF; that includes Grandmaster Eugene Torre. He is the first Asian to achieve the highest title chess players can receive from the International Chess Federation. Torre has also won medals in many Chess Olympiads and has done what many Grandmasters could not do: beat then-reigning chess World Champion Anatoly Karpov—twice!","optimizedContentImg":null,"optimizedContentImg1":null,"optimizedContentImg2":null,"optimizedContentImg3":null,"optimizedContentImg4":null,"message":null,"type":"component9","video":null},{"caption":null,"caption1":null,"caption2":null,"caption3":null,"caption4":null,"title1":null,"title2":null,"title":"Jose ‘Joe’ Mari Lim Chan","description1":null,"description2":null,"description":"The musical city is home to the “Father of Philippine Christmas Music,” who shot to fame because of his original song, “Christmas in our Hearts.” Regarded as a pillar of OPM, Chan has many accolades to his name, like the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Philippine Association of the Recording Industry, and the Dangal ng OPM from the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-Aawit. The singer-songwriter is also a prominent businessman in the sugar industry.","optimizedContentImg":null,"optimizedContentImg1":null,"optimizedContentImg2":null,"optimizedContentImg3":null,"optimizedContentImg4":null,"message":null,"type":"component9","video":null},{"caption":null,"caption1":null,"caption2":null,"caption3":null,"caption4":null,"title1":null,"title2":null,"title":"Rabiya Mateo","description1":null,"description2":null,"description":"In 2020, Iloilo proudly sent one of their own to represent the Philippines in the biggest beauty pageant in the world: Miss Universe. Before joining, Mateo juggled college as a full scholar and fashion model to support her family. After graduating cum laude, she competed in Miss U and finished in the Top 21. She is now a successful host and actress, not to mention a staunch advocate for educating the youth.","optimizedContentImg":null,"optimizedContentImg1":null,"optimizedContentImg2":null,"optimizedContentImg3":null,"optimizedContentImg4":null,"message":null,"type":"component9","video":null},{"caption":null,"caption1":null,"caption2":null,"caption3":null,"caption4":null,"title1":null,"title2":null,"title":"Graciano Lopez Jaena ","description1":null,"description2":null,"description":"<p>Bravery runs in Iloilo. Back in the 19th century, a journalist Jaena published “Fray Botod,” a novel about a lazy and abusive friar, which infuriated the Spanish clergy and forced Jaena to escape to Spain to avoid threats. There, he met Marcelo del Pilar, Jose Rizal, and others who would soon start the propaganda movement. Their newspaper La Solidaridad became the Filipino’s mouthpiece in Spain, and his articles earned Jaena the nickname “the Fighting Filipino Journalist” abroad. Hailing from a place like Iloilo—with the quality of life (reasonable cost of living, clean surroundings, etc.) and professional opportunities brought by its economic emergence and flexible work arrangements—can bring out the best in people. If you’re entertaining the idea of living in Iloilo, do check out Avida Towers Atria. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.avidaland.com/properties/condominium/avida-towers-atria/\">Avida Towers Atria</a> is a residential condominium located in Atria Park District, Ayala Land’s 32-hectare master-planned development in the heart of Iloilo. Avida Towers Atria offers unparalleled convenience and comfort with amenities, retail developments, and vast open spaces right outside its doorstep. Visit <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.avidaland.com/\">Avida’s official website</a> to learn more.</p>","optimizedContentImg":null,"optimizedContentImg1":null,"optimizedContentImg2":null,"optimizedContentImg3":null,"optimizedContentImg4":null,"message":null,"type":"component9","video":null}],"tags":["Avida Towers Atria"]},"recentArticles":{"nodes":[{"id":"9f566257-1cbc-52e9-9a33-b37fadedefd4","title":"Avida Towers Verge: Designed for the Young Professionals of Today","slug":"avida-towers-verge-designed-for-the-young-professionals-of-today","category":"people","datePublished":"October 11, 2025","featuredImage":"https://rbgcms-alb-prod.ayalaland.com/content/uploads/images/1761144341050-7998978-yjj3h88mwva.jpg","optimizedFeaturedImg":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#c8d8e8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/d163c686ce02fabad81633bf83c12dc5/d5aed/1761144341050-7998978-yjj3h88mwva.webp","srcSet":"/static/d163c686ce02fabad81633bf83c12dc5/df859/1761144341050-7998978-yjj3h88mwva.webp 1752w,\n/static/d163c686ce02fabad81633bf83c12dc5/0042d/1761144341050-7998978-yjj3h88mwva.webp 3504w,\n/static/d163c686ce02fabad81633bf83c12dc5/d5aed/1761144341050-7998978-yjj3h88mwva.webp 7008w","sizes":"(min-width: 7008px) 7008px, 100vw"},"sources":[]},"width":7008,"height":4672}}}},{"id":"884cdfee-e800-544b-aa87-e23dd3682113","title":"Safe at Home: A Closer Look at Avida’s Earthquake-Resilient Developments ","slug":"safe-at-home-a-closer-look-at-avidas-earthquake-resilient-developments","category":"home & design","datePublished":"October 20, 2025","featuredImage":"https://rbgcms-alb-prod.ayalaland.com/content/uploads/images/1760951655655-1754941-2h7s50c3375.jpg","optimizedFeaturedImg":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#88a8c8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/2b07977bd4a8a72424b079c95d1dd751/933c8/1760951655655-1754941-2h7s50c3375.webp","srcSet":"/static/2b07977bd4a8a72424b079c95d1dd751/b4c1c/1760951655655-1754941-2h7s50c3375.webp 1320w,\n/static/2b07977bd4a8a72424b079c95d1dd751/9ed85/1760951655655-1754941-2h7s50c3375.webp 2640w,\n/static/2b07977bd4a8a72424b079c95d1dd751/933c8/1760951655655-1754941-2h7s50c3375.webp 5280w","sizes":"(min-width: 5280px) 5280px, 100vw"},"sources":[]},"width":5280,"height":2970}}}},{"id":"7a1c99ea-af45-5029-8310-2b4bc7d4d7e2","title":"The Essential Things | Avida Towers Cloverleaf ","slug":"the-essential-things-avida-towers-cloverleaf","category":"people","datePublished":"September 10, 2025","featuredImage":"https://rbgcms-alb-prod.ayalaland.com/content/uploads/images/1757467788126-978043-wm23d2fosor.jpg","optimizedFeaturedImg":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#58a858","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/fcd557e256aec4cf32d8299b1e34cb73/a2e54/1757467788126-978043-wm23d2fosor.webp","srcSet":"/static/fcd557e256aec4cf32d8299b1e34cb73/074d3/1757467788126-978043-wm23d2fosor.webp 1240w,\n/static/fcd557e256aec4cf32d8299b1e34cb73/332a0/1757467788126-978043-wm23d2fosor.webp 2481w,\n/static/fcd557e256aec4cf32d8299b1e34cb73/a2e54/1757467788126-978043-wm23d2fosor.webp 4961w","sizes":"(min-width: 4961px) 4961px, 100vw"},"sources":[]},"width":4961,"height":3304}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"id":"c8166847-3830-57ea-a8d2-1d9e72de0e1c","next":{"slug":"5-fun-activities-kids-can-try-to-become-more-physically-active","title":"5 Fun Activities Kids Can Try to Become More Physically Active","category":"people"},"previous":{"slug":"heres-why-more-women-should-invest-in-real-estate","title":"Here's Why More Women Should Invest In Real Estate","category":"people"},"pursuitOfPassionCategories":["people","places","home & design","wellness","travel & leisure","finance","videos"]}},"staticQueryHashes":["3438892364","3635065473","3827149321","65569352"]}