Mini-series’ filming in city brings jobs, spurs tourism

The shooting of a mini-series in Iloilo City that will be shown on popular streaming service Netflix created jobs for Ilonggos and promoted the city’s tourism sector as it slowly recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The cast and production staff of the mini-series “A Love to Kill” arrived in Iloilo City to start the filming.

Upon their arrival, the artists and the staff underwent free swab testing from the Uswag Molecular Laboratory.

Aside from the swab testing, Iloilo City government supported the team through crowd management in public area venues and free use of some of the city properties.

According to Florence King Erlano, tourism promotions officer of the Iloilo City Tourism and Development Office, the filming is a huge opportunity for Iloilo City to promote and boost its tourism.

“Libre ini nga promotion para sa Iloilo City, mapromote ang Iloilo City tourist spots, kag kon mapagwa na ang series madamo na ang turista,” he said in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas Iloilo last Monday.

Erlano said the production crew of the mini-series, Studio 360, chose Iloilo City as their shooting location after seeing the good reviews in social media. They also sent a letter to the Iloilo City Tourism Office expressing their intent to shoot in the metro.

Erlano said the City Tourism Office helped the production staff choose the locations for the mini-series.

Among the locations which will be featured in the mini-series include, Calle Real, Iloilo Esplanade, Molo Mansion, Iloilo Business Park, Museum of Philippine Economic History, Kerr Building, Muelle Loney, and other tourist spots.  The mini-series will also feature local restaurants and local hotels.

“Sa series, ipakita gid ang halos tanan naton nga tourist spots,” he added.

Aside from the scenic locations, the shooting has also brought jobs for the Ilonggos especially for local artists and suppliers.

The mini-series also helped other local businesses such as food, transportation, and accommodation sectors to earn additional income and recover from the pandemic.

“Ang series nagdala sang negosyo, may nagahire suppliers sa ila mga tent, may mga local artists nga ginask para sa series. Naghatag man income sa mga hotel ta. Gahire sila transportation, tech equipment that’s a huge help kay ari kita sa pandemic,” Erlano said.

As the city slowly transitions to the new normal, Erlano said he is hoping that the mini-series will help in bringing back the confidence of tourists and promoting safe travel in Iloilo City.

“A Love to Kill” is a Filipino adaptation of a Korean series.  The series is directed by Lester Pimentel and produced by Studio 360.

The mini-series will feature Filipino artists such as Ian Veneracion, Joel Torre, Andrea Torres, Justin Cuyugan, Nicole Cordoves, Louise Abuel, Pepe Herrera, Ponciano Bernardo, and Aljur Abrenica.