Iloilo City is my home. The entire city.

Some of my friends say I love Iloilo! I’ll think I’ll gonna die here! Then, after a year or two, they left the city. Maybe, not by their own will but by circumstances. Every year, since I finished college in 1997, I say this. Nothing happened. Efforts have been made, till I found myself alone in a cab at the middle of a flooded Chino Roces Street in Makati. That time I thought of looking for a job in Manila. But, heck, that’s what had happened. My dear Lord mustn’t like the idea. Oh, well. So, be it.

True, Iloilo City is one of the nicest places to live with. Our hometown Polomolok is good, but living is kinda slow. Davao, okay, but not appealing to me. Calamba City, quite complicated. Baguio City, too cold. Bohol, oh sure as long as there's an internet. Cebu, all the more, though has many friends in the city. But, each time I set foot there, my feet are itching to go back to Iloilo or to go somewhere. Dunno, why?

I am here in Iloilo for almost 10......no, 17 years. Since, I arrived in 1993 as a student. I haven’t gone back to our hometown for a longer stay, I mean for a living. Just short vacations or quick visits to my parents’ house. But, to think I am a nomad here in Iloilo City.

Iloilo City is my home. Really, the entire city. Believe me. Just see how.

First, I have lived in Miagao for a year. Then, in Molo, two houses in a row during my second year in Iloilo. Left our first boarding house because the girlfriend of our landlord was insecure with us. We were all pretty girls. Not, prettier because she was not, no point for any comparison. We transferred next door, but, oh my, our landlady's son was always at our room's door. He said he had a crush on my roommate, but he liked me more. Duh! As such, we packed up to Jaro at the back of the Cathedral. I spent most of my college years there. Full of funny memories and adventures. After college, I transferred to Aurora Subd., I think I have lived in to three houses. The first one now has a resto beside it, the second, was restored to a private residential house and the third, was at least renovated. Then, when I got sick and no one took cared of me, I transferred to one family in Mandurriao for two years. After which, I went back to Molo. But, have to leave again. It's hard to be pretty attractive at times...grrr. Then, at Iloilo City proper for three years. I liked it so much there because it's everyday malling in SM. Then, a widow living in Villa asked me to accompany her because her only son and his family migrated to Canada. But, during my stay, I went back to Miagao for a year while staying with her. Now, I'm soon to move out again for a family to rent the entire house. Well, anyway that will be on March. Still, have time to find a new roof.

Okay, it’s like this, I live in Villa, but I work in Miagao. I go to and fro for two hours from the city to Miagao, just like having an excursion, daily on weekdays. My sala is somewhere Gen. Luna, down Aurora Subd., but my dining area is in Bakingham Palace in Molo. Of, course have to pay my food, it's not everyday fiesta, no. My house in Villa is just my bedroom. At night before 10pm I rush home just to sleep from 11pm to 5am or to 8am, it depends. Then, at 5am I must be on my toes to repeat the daily routine. Blessed are the days, you’ll find me in the house, when I’m sick maybe or on heavy rainy days. Once, I get out of the house, there’s no turning back till evening. One time, I went home early at around 6pm, my landlady went to my room to check whether I have fever or whatsoever. She found it was unusual.

I am so blessed here in Iloilo City, surrounded by friendly people, they are good and calm, thoughtful. Many good things are happening to me here. I am me because of the serene and conservative environment, smooth pacing of life in this city. Iloilo is blessed with so many Catholic churches and so am I. That’s why, I love Iloilo.

But, can I leave Iloilo for awhile?