Penthouse on the Rise: How an Ilongga Backed Iloilo’s Big Bet Early

HONG KONG—ILOILO CITY. Scylla Kwong, an Ilongga now based in Hong Kong with her husband and children, was among the early investors in Megaworld’s Iloilo Business Park. She purchased a two-bedroom penthouse loft at The Palladium—one of Iloilo City’s most distinctive residences and, to this day, among the highest addresses in the City of Love.

The Pre-selling Advantage

In 2015, Scylla and her husband had been actively scouting for property investments. When they discovered Megaworld’s then-new township in the Visayas—Iloilo Business Park—they fell in love with the vision and promptly secured a pre-selling stake in one of The Palladium’s premium units, which had just launched.

Pre-selling made sense for them: light, flexible payment terms and room for advance payments or adjustments—then simply wait for turnover.

“Back in 2015, we saw the opportunity to purchase a condo in Iloilo on much easier, more affordable terms,” Scylla shares. “The terms were very flexible and within reach.”

Why Iloilo Business Park

The original goal was a future retirement home. A proud Ilongga, born and raised in Iloilo City, Scylla always envisioned retiring here. Iloilo Business Park ticked all the boxes: convenience, security, order, and a touch of luxury.

“Megaworld was developing a very good township,” she says. “It’s complete—shopping mall, groceries, cinemas, pools, gym—so you don’t need to leave the area for day-to-day living.”

From Retirement Plan to Smart Rental

Because the couple isn’t fully retired yet, they split their time between Hong Kong and Iloilo. The penthouse loft serves as their home base when they’re in the city; when they’re away, it becomes an income-earning asset, rented on monthly or weekly terms. Scylla has since become an Airbnb Superhost, turning a dream retirement space into a practical, flexible investment that works for their life stage today—and for the future they’re building.