Iloilo City
(Iloilo Province)

The rapid economic growth of the place, led to the opening of the port of Iloilo to world trade in1855. Iloilo soon emerged to be the biggest center of commerce and trade in Visayas and Mindanao, second only to Manila. In 1890 under the Becerra Law of 1889, the Ayuntamineto on Iloilo (city government) was established. The city of Iloilo by virtue of the Royal Decree of 1896 was given the honor of having a Coat of Arms with the inscription "La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad de Iloilo".

The periods under the American, saw Iloilo taking greater roles in politics, industry and agriculture. With good roads, a railway line, airport and irrigation systems, Iloilo rose to be a major food basket of the country. Its fishing industry flourished that it was known as the "Alaska of the Philippines". The sugar industry also pushed the economy upward.

Iloilo´s march on the road to progress was hindered by the coming of the second world war but not its march to greatness. For even in difficult times, the Ilonggos proved equal to challenges. They refused to be subdued by the enemy. Its civil government did not surrender to the Japanese. The guerilla warfare waged in Panay, won the admiration of America and the world.

Though the postwar years were not so kind to Iloilo, the Ilonggos survived and managed to trudge on the road to Prosperity. With Iloilo´s highly diversified agricultural economy, industrious people and a great tradition for sincerity and genuine warmth the Ilonggos seem to have little to complain about.

Geography: Iloilo is in the center of the Philippine archipelago. Strategically located 283 statute miles from Manila, it is the gateway to the flourishing region that is Western miles from Manila, it is gateway to the flourishing region that is Western Visayas. The province comprises the southeastern part of Panay Island. It includes the sub-province of Guimaras. Mountain ranges with peaks as high as almost as 7,000 ft., provide natural boundaries between Iloilo and Antique on the west and Capiz on the north. The rest of and mainland Iloilo is largely plain with interspersing upland portions. Iloilo City, capital of the province is set in graceful repose between Iloilo and Batiano rivers forming the angle of a nose. Hence, its old name "Ilong-Ilong" which means "noselike".

Political subdivisions. Iloilo is composed of one city and 46 municipalities. It is divided into five (5) congressional districts. Iloilo province has 1,720 barangays while the island sub-province of Guimaras has a total of 1,813 barangays.

Climate: Iloilo´s climate is pleasantly tropical. It has two pronounced seasons - the rainy season from June to September and the dry season from October to May.

Points of Interest:

Historical

Plaza Libertad. Located right at the center of Iloilo City, where the flag of the First Philippines Republic was raised in triumph after Spain surrendered Iloilo her last capital in the islands, to the revolutionaries led by Gen. Martin Delgado on Dec. 25, 1898.

La Villa De Arevalo. Located 6 kms. southwest of Iloilo City, seat of the Alcaldia of Panay; first Spanish settlement in Panay to be attacked in 1588 by the English privateer Sir Thomas Cavendish, third circumnavigator of the world.

Jaro. Located 3 kms. away from the city proper. Old colonial houses of sugar barons and Hispano-Filipino houses of the elite still stand, antique shops; seat of Catholicism in Western Visayas.

Jaro Belfry. Located 3 kms. northwest of Iloilo City proper, ruined by an earthquake in 1948, one of the few belltowers in the country which stand apart from the church.

Guimbal Watchtowers. Located 29 kms. southwest of Iloilo City, 5 stone watchtowers called Bantayan by the natives during the Spanish era to warn the townspeople of marauding pirates.

Miag-ao Church. Located 40 kms. southwest of Iloilo city. Built in 1768, (native facade, a unique explosion of botanical motif of reminiscent of Aztec Art) declared a national landmark in 1973 by PD 260.

Sta. Barbara Church. Located 16 kms. north of Iloilo City, a neoclassical church where Gen. Martin Delgado of the Visayan revolutionary government convened the hunta that raised the first cry of revolution against Spain in Iloilo.

Sta. Barbara Golf Course. Located 16 kms. north of Iloilo, 18 hole, 37 hectare golf course which is the oldest in the country, built in 1907.

San Joaquin Church. Located 53 kms. southwest of Iloilo City, the only church in the Philippines sporting bas relief of historic battle between Christians of Spain and Moors of Morocco in Tetuan in 1857.

Tigbauan Church. Located 22 kms. southwest of Iloilo City, baroque facade, behind the rectory was the first Jesuit school for boys in the Philippines established in 1592.

Panay Liberation Marker. Located 23 kms. southwest of Iloilo City, commemorates American liberation of Panay from the Japanese in 1945.

Buenavista Wharf. Accessible by 20 minutes ride by pumpboat from Iloilo City, built by Lt. Douglas MacArthur in 1903 while on duty with the US Corps of Engineers.

Old Buildings At Downtown Area. Downtown Iloilo, JM Basa St. or Calle Real boasts of buildings that date back during Spanish and American colonial periods.

Muelle Lonely. Port of Iloilo named after British Nicholas Lonely, Father of the Sugar Industry of Panay and Negros. Considered one of the safest harbors because of Guimaras Island that protects it from drastic winds first opened to foreign trade in 1855.

Molo District. Called Parian in the olden days. It was the Chinese quarters of La Villa de Arevalo, Athens of the Philippines which has produced many intellectual and political leaders.

Spanish Bailiwick (Brgy. Carmelo). Located 300 meters away from Banate town proper, a historical landmark known as the hiding place of the Spanish authorities from the Moros.

Japanese Fortification (Cabanatuan). Concrete structure during the Japanese occupation. Built on a hill 20 ft. high with a diameter of 9 feet. Used as a lookout by the Japanese soldiers guarding the road and the approach to the airfield in Tiring, Cabanatuan. Wall are still intact.

Guimbal Church. Yellow sandstone church built by Fr. Campos, Spanish Filipino vintage tower and stonewalled cemetery built by Fr. Agustin Llorente.

Janiuay Church. Ruins of the old beautiful church at the town´s plaza where it had been built. Bell of JD Reyna found in Iloilo in 1871 and 1898 are still in use.

Concrete Pillboxes. Built by the Japanese forces during the war. They rise on both ends of Janiuay bridge on the way to Lambunao. One is about 25 ft. tall with a diameter of 9 ft. Both pillboxes are intact. These were named by Japanese soldiers who were later flushed out by the Filipino guerrillas. Barely 1km. away from Janiuay town proper.

Siwaragan River. According to Legend, ten Bornean datus landed here in the middle of the 13th century. They bought the island of Panay with a beaten gold hat and along necklace from the Negrito chieftain Maricudo long before the Indians sold Manhattan to European settlers. With the Barter of Panay, the Negritos decided to live in the mountains while the Malays occupied the lowlands.

Cabauan Church. Neo-classical, built in early 1880´s. Every side is a facade in itself. Walls are overlaid with bricks.

Forth San Pedro. Built by the Spaniards in the early 1600´s. Attacked by Dutch, British American and Japanese troops. Birthplace of the first Filipino commercial air transportation, the Iloilo-Negros Air Express Co., founded by the Lopez brothers on February 3, 1933.

Molo Church. Located 3 kms. away from the city proper. Gothic Renaissance church of coral rocks, completed in the 1800´s.

Asilo De Molo. Located 3.5 kms. south of Iloilo City proper. An orphanage where princely vestments worn by church dignitaries are made, designed and hand-embroidered by little orphan girls under the supervision of the nuns.

Jaro Cathedral. Located 3 kms. away from the city proper. Seat of the Jaro Archbishop embracing Western Visayas.

Balaan Bukid. A 30 minute walk from Jordan wharf. Atop is Bundulan Point with a giant cross and chapel. Offers a commanding view of the city across Iloilo Straits.

Janiuay Cemetery. Famous Hispano-Filipino cemetery built in 1875 of cut stone and fossil rock sprawling on hilltop with 3 imposing stairways and 2 Gothic doors, Located 32 kms. away from Iloilo City.

Pavia Church. Located 13 kms. northwest of Iloilo City. It is a red brick church of Byzantine style built by Spanish Augustinians and used as garrison by the Japanese who drew guerilla raids that pockmarked the walls.

San Joaquin Cemetery. Located 53 kms. southwest of Iloilo City. Built in 1892 of coral rocks. A hexagonal chapel crowns. A 20-steps staircase flank by stone balustrades. Rose windows at the main entrance.

Cultural

Museo Iloilo. A repository of Iloilo´s cultural heritage. Exhibits include scientifically dated fossils, shells and rocks indicating the age of Panay Island. Stone-age flake tools; native pottery; ornamented teeth; jewelry excavated from pre-Spanish burial sites and trade pottery from China, Annam and Siam; secondary burial coffins found in forbidden cave; rare pictures, mementos and relics of wars; relics from a sunken British wreck; Spanish period Filipino sculpture; and modern art by Ilonggo artists. Antique Collections. Collection of Philippine colonial sculpture, wood stone and ivory saints. Chinese porcelain wares and other artifacts.

Natural

Sicogon Island. A 1,104 hectare white sand palm-fringed island gradually sloping down to some 350 feet beyond the shoreline. Located 5 kms. away from the town proper of Estancia or 137 kms. northeast of Iloilo City.

Isla De Gigantes. Site where 15th century burial caves are still found. One cave has a stone elephant and a natural swimming pool. Located 12 kms. east of Estania.

Nadsadjan Falls. Found in Igbaras, 39 kms. southwest of Iloilo City. A 50-foot high falls dropping on a giant cauldron-like natural swimming pool.

Alubihod Bay. Found in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras. Ideal site for swimming, excursions and picnics. It has white sand beach. Accessible twenty minutes by car from the town proper or an hour ride by pumpboat from Iloilo City.

Isla Naburot. A 2.5-hectare coral island off the western coast of Guimaras Island. White sand. Well-stocked with colorful tropical corals and marine life. It can be reached forty-five minutes by pumpboat ride from Iloilo City.

Tiniguiban Pulang Pasayan Beach. On western side of Tiniguiban Island, Guimaras. White sand. Ideal for picnicking, swimming and scuba diving. Red shrimp of rare specie abound in its adjacent small lake. Interestingly, the shrimps come out of their hiding place only on high tide.

Igang Point. Noted for its white-sand beaches, multicolored fish and corals. Accessible by car from Nueva Valencia, Guimaras and by pumpboat from Iloilo City. The SEAEDEC Research Sub-station is located in Igang. Embracing four islets, the station maintains laboratory facilities, floating cages and fishpens between the islets as well as offices and guest houses. The islets are connected with floating bridges.

Cataan Cave. Found in San Joaquin town, 60 kms. southwest of Iloilo City. It has beautiful marine gardens. Ideal site for scuba diving.

Nagarao Island. A small tropical island between Guimaras and Negros. White sand. Shoreline and multi-colored corals. Accessible 2 hours pumpboat or jeepney ride.

Daliran Springs and Cave. Accessible in a 20 minutes ride by pumpboat from Iloio City or 30 minutes by jeep from Buenavista wharf. A pond collects water from several springs. The cave has abundant stalagmites and stalactites.

Siete Pecados and Roca Encantada. Siete Pecados or Isles of Seven Sins are seven picturesque islands. Roca Encantada is the summer house of the Lopez family built in 1910, off the northeastern coast of Guimaras Island, forty five minutes ride by pumpboat from Iloilo City.

Catilaran Cave. A 1/2 kilometer cave. Accessible in a 1hour ride by jeepney from Jordan wharf. Pre-Spanish inhabitants used the cave as hide-out.

Taklong Island. A 24-hectare white sand and coral reef island. At southern tip of Guimaras Island. A national reservation and first marine park of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas. Cradle of marine science research. Bird sanctuary of Western Visayas.

Tatlong Pulo. Found in Jordan, Guimaras, 45 min. boat ride from Iloilo City. With small caves. Ideal haven for swimming, snorkeling, camping, boating and island hopping. With white sand shoreline.

Nasidman & Calabasa Islands. The two islands are located 150 meters away from each other. 7 kms and 1 nautical mile from Ajuy poblacion. Calabasa is government owned. Both islands offer solitude, land and sea playgrounds, fishing and other water sports.

Punta Buri. Found in Brgy. Punta Bari, 6 nautical miles from Ajuy poblacion. Ideal sports paradise.

Darangkulan Waterfall. Found in Sitio Bagingbong, Brgy. Balabag, 8 kms. from the town proper of Ajuy. Lush vegetation, situated at the foot of Mt. Manyakiya, the highest peak in the municipality.

Nagpana Fall. 12 kms. from B. Viejo poblacion swimming hideaway overlooking beautiful sceneries. Forest abundant with wildlife. Ideal place for hinting. Near it , is the place where Aetas (cultural minority group) live.

Moroboro Springs. Located in Dingle town, 41 kms. from Iloilo City. It has swimming pools fed by springs. There are pavilions for excursionists.

Tinagong Dagat. A lake situated at the outskirts of Lambunao, Iloilo near the Iloilo-Antique boundary. 16 kms. from the poblacion or about 25 kms. from the Iloilo National College of Agriculture (INCA) campus by mountain trail. 2,000 ft. above sea level. Surrounded by 40 hectares of rolling hills. Abounds with eel, edible snails, carp and other fish.

Mt. Napulac. 60 kms. from Iloilo City or 5 kms. from Agdum, Miag-ao, town´s nearest barangay to its base. It has virginal forest and abundant wild life.

San Juan Falls. 6.2 kms. from Sara town proper. A series of falls and pools located in a valley of lush vegetation. Accessible by road. Approximately 100 ft. high.

Rumaganggang. 43 kms. from Jordan wharf. White sand beach. Cave. Clear, blue waters. Abundant marine life and many others.

Onisan Isle. 20 minute pumpboat ride ro Rumaganggang. measures 1/4 hectare. White corals. Abundant marine life. White sand beach. Uninhabited. Underwater during high tide.

Other attractions by municipality:

Ajuy:

Hilltop. Offers scenic panorama of islets between Negros and Iloilo. Located in Brgy. Gulasi, 10 kms. away from the town proper. Cool breeze hovers the area.

Darangkulan Waterfalls sitio Bagongbong (Brgy. Balabag). Located 8 kms. from the poblacion. Surrounded by trees and boulder of rocks. Situated at the foot of Mt. Manyakiya, the highest peak in the municipality.

Sta. Ana waterfall. Located 5 kms. from the poblacion. It boasts of its small cave and a small enchanting waterfall.

Brgy. Dangula-an. Located 4 kms. away from the poblacion, along the national road overlooking the sea. Ideal campsite.

Dumingding Cave. With free-flowing spring found in Sitio Dumingding, Brgy. Balabang.

Barotac Viejo:

Balaring Beach (Brgy. San Francisco). Located 9 kms. away from the poblacion. Rocks and colored stones beautifully laid along the shore and under the sea.

Carles:

Balbagon. A flat, palm-fringed island with white sand beach. Found near Gigantes.

Molupulo or Seagulls Point. Found near Sicogon Island. It has thousands of seagulls perching on the point which is a fish area.

Dumangas:

Lacaran Beach (Brgy Ermita). Offers a view of Roca Encantada and Siete Pecados of Guimaras Island.

Guimbal:

Beaches. Coconut palm shades and cottages make them popular weekend retreats.

Sara:

Ardemil Valley (Brgy. Ardemil). Located 8 kms. away from town proper. Scenic spot. Beautiful valley atop a mountain as seen from the road. Offers a panorama of ricefield, trees, hills and mountains especially during sunrise and sunset. It has cool atmosphere.

San Rafael:

Mt. Lolo (Brgy. Aripdip). Located 8 kms. away from the town. Ideal site for hunting due to the abundance of wild pigs, monkeys, deer and wild chickens in its forest.

San Joaquin:

Beaches. Talisayan, Tara, etc. Clean beaches on which scattered with multi-colored pebbles. Chert rocks, now deposited at the museum, had been excavated in Nasigpit River in San Joaquin.

Jordan, Guimaras Island:

Puting Balas. Accessible in a 15 minutes pumpboat ride from Jordan wharf. Ideal campsites. Its nearby mountains offer untold adventures to those who love mountain climbing.

Biri Cave. Located 1 1/2 kms. from Brgy. Poblacion. It can be reached 30 minutes by foot along the river beds and mountain trails. It has narrow entrance, and is spacious inside. Cool atmosphere invigorates inside the cave.

Ambakan Falls. Natural cascade of clear water. Beackons a tight and uptight individual. Ideal site for swimming, camping and even just plain sightseeing. Favorite rendezvous of local folks who love peace and quiet.

Mocopo Falls. Located 8 kms. away from Jordan wharf. A beautiful Falls with two crystal clear water pools fed by mountain springs.

Barotac Nuevo:

Lamintao Beach. Located 9 kms. from town proper, an ideal picnic ground. Offers Salihid Mountain & Caves found 1 kms. from town proper. It has lush vegetation. Attracts the adventurous.

Religious

Trappist Monastery. Located in Brgy. San Miguel, 45 minute ride by jeepney from Jordan town proper, Guimaras Island. Considered as the first and only Trappist Monastery in the Philippines.

Barotac Nuevo Church. Neo-classical church that has Roman arches. Its facade has ionic pilasters, square columns above and Doric pilasters below.

Dingle Church. Church of yellow sandstones built in the early 1880´s. Dumangas Church. Constructed of Bricks in 1887 but time and wars caused severe damage to it. Restoration, however, was undertaken.

Leon Church. An imposing edifice fronting the beautiful and well-kept town plaza. Ruins of the old church are found at the back.

Alimondian Church. An old church fronting the town plaza of Alimondian.

Man-made

U.P. in the Visayas Campus (Miag-ao). A thousand hectare school campus. Centers on fisheries.

Oton Amphitheater Green. The "People´s Amphitheater", a lovely park for outdoor cultural presentations and relaxation. Has a high relief mural depicting high points in the town´s history.

Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center. A multi-national aquaculture research center. Undertakes artificial breeding of prawns and milkfish.

Good Shepherd Fold Orphanage. (Buenavista, Guimaras Island). A 45 hectare orphanage offering high school and vocational training, practical arts and sciences. Built by Philip Trabon in July 1946.

Cadagmayan Norte Camp (Sta. Barbara). A 65 hectare camp site with rolling hills and lush vegetation.

Camp Pasica (Dingle). Located 40 kms. away from Iloilo City. Straddles on 3 barangays, namely, Pandan, Sinibaan, and Calicuang, hence, the name.

Camp Higher Ground. Located 4 kms. away from the poblacion. Beautiful scenery directly facing the town of Victorias, Negros Occidental. There is an existing building which often houses seminars and training of government agencies and religious organization from the city and neighboring towns.

Festivals:

Iloilo City

Dinagyan Festival. Celebrated every fourth weekend of January. A frenetic mumbo-jumbo spectacle characterized by stomping of feet and hypnotic drumbeating. It is a colorful whirl of thousands of people dressed in unique costumes dancing and chanting all day and night. Held every 4th weekend of January to celebrate the Catholicism of the natives. Dinagyang is the most unusual form of Ilonggo worship. The Sto. Niño is the object of dramatized offerings and prayers. It is a colorful cavalcade in honor of the Holy Child Jesus amid the cracking beats of drums, shots of Viva Señor Sto. Niño and thundering Hala Bira! of the tribe members. An Ilonggo term for revelry and merry making. Dinagyang is Iloilo´s version of the world famous Ati-atihanFestival. It may not be as ancient as the one in Kalibo but Dinagyang is definitely more impressive in choreography and equally colorful, reflecting the ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry of the Ilonggos.

Paraw Regatta. Celebrated every 3rd Sunday of February. The Regatta is a race among native outriggers in the strait between Iloilo City and Guimaras Island. Instituted in 1973, it reenacts what has been an entertainment for Ilonggos since as early as the late 16th century. Called Paraw in the Ilonggo vernacular, these native outriggers faithfully copy sailboats which carried to Panay the first settlers from Borneo fleeing a tyrannical ruler. The sailboats survived the centuries and have become a vital part of the Ilonggo economic and social life. In the last war, Paraw-borne guerillas like hornets kept enemy offshore and harmless. Until the 1920´s, there had been no season for regattas. A regatta could take place any time in a year given two or more boastful paraw owners with Guimaras Strait, always where it was since creation. The Regatta today is an activity every summer, hedged with rules, umpires and kibitzers. But for a seafaring people that Ilonggos are, the sport in the regatta has never died down.

Fireworks Display and Contest. Held in Arevalo, Iloilo City every 3rd Sunday of January. Featuring giant multi-colored fireworks, Arevalo´s skyline become a celebration in dazzling display of sparkles and blazing lighting effects that is visible within a radius of several kilometers. The pyrotechnics skill is a proud tradition of the people of Arevalo developed during the late 16th century when the village was a Spanish capital of the alcadia of Panay and a naval station.

Feast of Our Lady Of Candles. Held in Jaro, every 2nd day of February. The Feast of Our Lady of Candles or Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria is the biggest and the most popular religious pageantry in Western Visayas. Since time immemorial, people from the other parts of the country flock in pilgrimage to Jaro every February 2. Crowned by Pope John Paul II in 1981. Our Lady of Candles was officially declared by the pope as the patroness of Western Visayas. The blessing of Candles of different sizes, shapes and colors and the yearly procession of the patroness followed by the fiesta queen and her court, highlight the celebration. Although primarily a religious affair, Jaro fiesta is also the time for agro-industrial exhibits, garden shows, traditional coronation of the carnival queen, carnival show and grand cock derbies that make Jaro fiesta the symbol of Iloilo´s affluence and love for great celebrations.

Santacruzan Festival. Held in Sta. Cruz, Arevalo from April 24 - May 31. Features Flores de Mayo, 4 grand processions and a contest of massive arches. Flores de Mayo is a display of local art. It is an observance in honor of the Virgin Mary where small children make fresh flower offering to her daily while singing hymns of praise. Santacruzan, a Maytime procession- street pageant recalls the search and finding of the Cross by Emperior Constantine and Empress Helene.

Iloilo Province

Pasungay. Held in San Joaquin, every 2nd Saturday of January. The festival of bulls called Pasungay (bullfight) at the hillsides opens the thrilling season of Festival in Western Visayas. Pasungay is a part of San Joaquin Fiesta. The fighting bulls from the town and neighboring areas are chosen for the yearly affair accompanied by cheers. In the Hillside arena, the bulls fight each other till one tires or chickens out and runs away. By process of elimination, the fight of bull champions becomes the most exciting bouts for the fun-loving Ilonggos. The horsefight and carabaofight are other attractions of Pasungay . There is nothing gory about the Pasungay, considering that it is a match among animals whose instincts tell them when it is time to run.

Carabao - Carroza Race. Held in Pavia, every 3rd day of May. In Pavia, as in all parts of the country, the carabao is an all-weather beast of burden. If the carabao dissents, he has yet to be heard from. The town of Pavia in Iloilo province defuses dissent with a holiday where the carabao is king for a day. It features a race among the carabao, each pulling a bamboo sled called Carroza, on 400-meter course. The beast, muse and carroza are decked with flowers, fruits, nuts, leaves, sometimes perfume. For the carabao, this is much more than he bargained for. But the race is the 2-ton carabao´s moment of glory though that is not a 100 percent sure thing since he has to be in the lead pack to deserve the hurrahs of the spectators. If the carabao happens to lose the race, he would be lucky if after his last catcall, his jockey does not take his humiliation out on the carabao´s ration or the beast thick hide. But winner or loser, the carabao has to hurry after the race to the field to resume the flowing he had neglected during the afternoons, when he rehearsed for kingship. Perhaps next year he would be lucky but until then. The carabao of the neighboring field looks mighty attractive and worth racing after.

Ang Pagtaltal sa Guimaras. Held every Good Friday. Ang Pagtaltal sa Guimaras, a Lenten presentation in Jordan, Guimaras Island, is fast finding a place for itself among the top tourist drawers for Iloilo province during the Holy Week. This annual affair has attracted thousands of local devotees, foreign and domestic tourists. They flock to the island to witness the celebration. The trip is climaxed by a visit to Balaan Bukid (Holy Mountain) which with a chapel and huge cross. It is a pilgrimage site of the Catholics. Ang Pagtaltal, similar to the worlds famous Passion Play presented every 10 years in Oberammergau in South Bavaria, Germany, is an experience that draws one to what is folkloric in the native sense without neglecting the thought that the faith for which it is celebrated is universal in dimension. The reenactment Ang Pagtaltal with the Filipino context of culture and tradition is a blending of faith and folklore.