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| City of Iloilo Lungsod ng Iloilo Ciudad sang Iloilo |
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| Nickname(s): "The Most Loyal and Noble City of Iloilo", "An Emerging Museum City[citation needed] | |||
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  City of Iloilo
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| Coordinates: 10°41′24″N 122°33′0″E / 10.69°N 122.55°E | |||
| Country |  Philippines |
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| Region | Region 6 (Western Visayas) | ||
| Province | Iloilo | ||
| Districts | City Proper, Jaro, La Paz , Mandurriao, Lapuz, Molo, Arevalo/Villa de Arevalo | ||
| Barangays | 180 | ||
| Spanish colonial foundation | 1700s | ||
| Receive the title of city | 1890 | ||
| Reincorporated city | July 16, 1937 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Jerry P. Treñas (Lakas-CMD) | ||
| - Vice Mayor | Jed Patrick Mabilog | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 70.3 km2 (27.1 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2000) | |||
| - Total | 418,710 | ||
| - Density | 5,981/km2 (15,490.7/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | PST (UTC+8) | ||
| ZIP code | 5000 | ||
| Area code(s) | 33 | ||
| Gentilic | Ilonggo | ||
| Website | www.iloilocity.gov.ph | ||
The City of Iloilo (Filipino: Lungsod ng Iloilo, Hiligaynon: Ciudad sang Iloilo) is the capital of, but independent from, the province of Iloilo. It is the economic hub of the Western Visayas region, as well as the center of the Iloilo-Guimaras Metropolitan Area.
Iloilo was historically one of the major agricultural centers of the Philippines, exporting sugar, copra, bananas, mangoes and other natural resources during the Spanish and American colonial periods.
In the 2007 census, Iloilo City had a population of 418,710 households with a 2.0% annual growth rate. Iloilo City recently topped a survey by MoneySense Magazine as one of the "Best Place to Live in the Philippines".[1]
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History
Even before the Spanish colonizers came, Iloilo had a flourishing economy. Lore has it that in the 13th century, ten Bornean datus came to the island of Panay and gave a gold hat (salakot) and a long golden necklace as a peace offering to the gods and goddesses of the plains and valleys of the island. One datu, named Paiburong, was given the territory of Irong-Irong.
In 1566, as the Spanish conquest of the Philippines was underway and moving north toward Manila, the Spaniards under Miguel López de Legazpi came to Panay and established a settlement in Ogtong (now Oton). He appointed Gonzalo Ronquillo as deputy encomiendero, a position which would later become governor in later years.
In 1581 Ronquillo moved the town center approximately 12 km east due to recurrent raids by Moro pirates and Dutch and English privateers, and renamed the area La Villa de Arevalo in honor of his hometown in Ávila, Spain.
In 1700, due to ever-increasing raids especially from the Dutch and the Moros, the Spaniards again moved their seat of power some 25 km eastward to the village of Irong-Irong, which had a natural and strategic defense against raids and where, at the mouth of the river that snakes through Panay, they built Fort San Pedro to better guard against the raids which were now the only threat to the Spaniards' hold on the islands. Irong-Irong or Ilong-Ilong was shortened to Iloilo and with its natural port quickly became the capital of the province.
In the late 18th century, the development of large-scale weaving industry started the movement of Iloilo's surge in trade and economy in the Visayas. Sometimes referred to as the "Textile Capital of the Philippines", the products were exported to Manila and other foreign places. Sinamay, piña and jusi are examples of the products produced by the looms of Iloilo. Because of the rise of textile industry, there was also a rise of the upper middle class. However, the introduction of cheap textile from UK and the emergence of the sugar economy, the industry waned in the mid-19th century.
The waning textile industry was replaced however by the opening of Iloilo's port to world market in 1855. Because of this, Iloilo's industry and agriculture was put on direct access to foreign markets. But what triggered the economic boom of Iloilo in the 19th century was the development of sugar industry in Iloilo and its neighboring island of Negros. Sugar during the 19th century was of high demand. Nicholas Loney, the British vice-consul in Iloilo developed the industry by giving loans, constructing warehouses in the port and introduced new technologies in sugar farming. The rich families of Iloilo developed large areas of Negros, which later called haciendas because of the sugar's high demand in the world market. Because of the increase in commercial activity, infrastructures, recreational facilities, educational institutions, banks, foreign consulates, commercial firms and much more sprouted in Iloilo. Due to the economic development that was happening in Iloilo, the Queen Regent of Spain raised the status of the town into a city, honored it with the title La muy leal y noble ciudad de Iloilo, and in 1890, the city government was established.
In 1896, the initial reaction of Ilonggos in the outbreak of the Revolution in Manila was hesitant. Yet because of the Spanish colonizers blow by blow defeat by at first with the Katipunan and later by the Americans, Ilonggos later on got involved with the fight for independence. On the other hand, after surrendering Manila to the Americans, the Spanish colonial government moved their seat of power to Iloilo.
In October of 1898, the Ilonggo leaders agreed to revolt against the Spaniards. By December 25, 1898, the Spanish government surrendered to the Ilonggo revoltionaries in Plaza Alfonso XVII (Plaza Libertad today). Although the Ilonggos were victorious, the American forces arrived in Iloilo in late December 1898 and started to mobilize for colonization by February 1899. Resistance was the reaction of Ilonggos upon the invasion which went up until 1901.
In 1900, at the coming of the Americans, the first Baptist church in the Philippines was established under the banner of the Northern Baptists, today known as the Jaro Evangelical Church. American Baptist mission activities gave birth to the Central Philippine University in 1905, among other schools to provide education to locals, particularly theological training for ministers to be deployed throughout the country. Iloilo thus became the center of Baptist missions in the islands, and the home of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches.
The Americans reverted the city's status into a township again, yet because of the continuous commercial activities and because it was an important port of call in the Visayas-Mindanao area, it gained cityhood status once more in July 16, 1937 incorporating the towns of Molo, Jaro, Mandurriao, La Paz and Villa de Arevalo. During the Commonwealth era, Iloilo was prosperous and was popularly known as The Queen City of the South.
However, prosperity did not continue as the sugar's demand was declining, labor unrests were happening in the port area that scared the investors away and the opening of the sub-port of Pulupandan in Negros Occidental, has moved the sugar importation closer to the sugar farms. By 1942, the Japanese invaded Panay and the economy moved into a standstill.
During World War II, Iloilo was controlled by several Japanese Battalions, Japan's ultimate goal was to entrench itself deeply into the Philippines so that at the close of the war they could occupy it just as the Spanish and the Americans had years before. However, when Filipino & American forces liberated Iloilo from Japanese military occupation on March 25, 1945 the remnants of these battalions were held in Jaro Plaza as a make-shift detention facility.
By the end of the war, Iloilo's economy, life and infrastructure were damaged. However, the continuing conflict between the labor unions in the port area, declining sugar economy and the deteriorating peace and order situation in the countryside and the exodus of Ilonggos to other cities and islands that offered better opportunities and businessmen moved to other cities such as Bacolod and Cebu led to Iloilo's demise in economic importance in southern Philippines.
By the 1960s towards 1990s, Iloilo's economy progressed in a moderate pace. The construction of the fish port, international seaport and other commercial firms that invested in Iloilo marked the movement of the city making it as the regional center of Western Visayas.
Language
Hiligaynon is the language spoken in Iloilo City. English is used as the language of business and education but its use among the populance is fading that the average speaker needs remedial English courses to remain viable in the international job market unlike Singapore or India. In addition, Tagalog and other local dialects such as Karay-a (also known as Kinaray-a) are also spoken.
Hiligaynon or Ilonggo is part of the Austronesian language branch spoken in Western Visayas. The Austronesian languages are a family of languages widely dispersed throughout the islands of Southeast Asia and the Pacific, with a few members on continental Asia. Hiligaynon is concentrated in the provinces of Iloilo and Negros Occidental. There are approximately 7,000,000 people in and outside the Philippines who are native speakers of Hiligaynon, and an additional 4,000,000 who are capable of speaking it with a substantial degree of proficiency. Ilonggo is also the name of the culture associated with the people speaking Hiligaynon.
Political subdivisions
Iloilo City is politically subdivided into 180 barangays. The barangays are grouped into six districts:[3]
- Arevalo (13 barangays)
- City Proper (45 barangays)
- Jaro (42 barangays)
- La Paz (37 barangays)
- Mandurriao (18 barangays)
- Molo (25 barangays)
All of the districts of Iloilo City were once individual towns. They were incorporated into Iloilo when it became a city in 1937. All districts have their own churches, which are part of the Archdiocese of Jaro.
Medical facilities
There are several hospitals in the city, the most prominent and advanced of which is the St. Paul's Hospital. It is the cleanest hospital in the city and its staff are highly professional.[citation needed] It has advanced facilities and medical instruments.[citation needed] There is also the Iloilo Mission Hospital, which was founded by American Missionaries and remains one of the city's most preferred hospitals. Aside from these two, there are many others. Namely, the Iloilo Doctor's Hospital, West Visayas State University Medical Center (formerly the Don Benito Hospital), Amosup Seamen's Hospital, the Western Visayas Medical Center, ST. Therese Hospital and Saviour International Hospital which is primarily geared towards veterans of US Forces.Thus, the city has adequate medical facilities.
Infrastructure
The city is readily accessible by air via the Iloilo International Airport, the fourth busiest airport in the country located just 19 km north in the suburbs of Sta. Barbara. Regular direct transfer flights via the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila readily connects the city to other other cities worldwide. Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and Air Philippines fly regular daily domestic flights from Manila and Cebu.
The city mostly gets its power from Panay Power Corporation and through an interconnection to the local Visayan grid with the Negros and Leyte Geothermal Power Plants. Power is distributed by the Panay Electric Company, Inc.
The city is served by a domestic and international port, a river wharf for regional shipping and a much smaller inter-island wharf, all in or at the vicinity of the Iloilo River. These are all handled by the Philippine Ports Authority.
Telecommunication facilities, broadband and wireless internet connections are readily available and are provided by some of the country's largest telecommunication companies.
Mass transportation throughout the city is provided by the popular jeepneys.
The city has few major roads, none wider than four lanes and traffic congestion can be rather nasty during rush hour on classdays. A single vehicular fly-over has been constructed to alleviate traffic at the intersection of General Luna Street and Aquino Avenue, the main east-west and north-south thoroughfares. There are very few traffic lights directing traffic and none of them are in any way coordinated centrally.
[4] There are also several privately owned condo-clinics.
Education
The city is the regional center of education in Western Visayas on account of the presence of two government-subsidized institutions: The University of the Philippines in the Visayas (est. 1948) and West Visayas State University (est. 1902) while there are six private universities: The catholic, University of San Agustin (est. 1904) located in the city proper, the Protestant, Central Philippine University (est. 1905) in Jaro district, the secular and Lopez-owned, University of Iloilo (UI) and the catholic, St. Paul University and another secular university, an extension campus of the Philippine Christian University and the John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University which is particularly strong in maritime courses. In all, there are 8 universities in the city.
Iloilo is also home to numerous colleges such as the Iloilo Doctors College which provides Medicine and Nursing Degrees, Western Visayas College of Science and Technology which specializes in Science and Technology related courses, the Western Institute of Technology (WIT) specializing in Engineering courses, DePaul College, AMA college, STI, Informatics, ABBA Institute of Technology, Cabalum Western Colleges, Colegio de San Jose and Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus.
The city is home to six educational institutions that are affiliates of some universities: University of the Philippines in the Visayas - Iloilo, St. Paul University Iloilo, University of San Agustin, Ateneo de Iloilo, Assumption High School, Philippine Science High School and one PAREF affiliated high school: Westbridge School for Boys.
Main sights
- Molo Church
- 3 kilometers from the city proper; Gothic renaissance church of coral rock; completed in 1800s. The church was visited by Jose Rizal along the way to his exile in Dapitan, Mindanao.
- Jaro Cathedral
- 3 kilometers from the city proper; seat of Jaro Archbishopric embracing Western Visayas. The church contains the "miraculous" Our Lady of Candles, which the feast day is celebrated every 2nd of February.
- Jaro Belfry
- Ruined in 1948 earthquake, but now restored. One of the few belfries in country that stands apart from the church.
- Jaro Evangelical Church,
- The first Baptist church in the Philippine Islands established by the Northern Baptists (now American Baptist Churches).
- Doane Baptist Church,
- Founded by Northern Baptists that took a more fundamentalist turn during the modernist-fundamentalist controversy in the Northern Baptist Convention. It is one of the largest Baptist congregations in Iloilo, and home to Doane Baptist Seminary. It recently dedicated its new sanctuary built on the same location where the old structure stood right across the Provincial Capitol.
- Calle Real (Downtown Iloilo City Heritage District)
- Old buildings that were constructed in the Commonwealth era in J.M Basa (Calle Real), Iznart, Aldeguer and Guanco were declared as a heritage site of Iloilo. It showcases the unique architecture of the downtown area.
- Museo Iloilo
- Repository of Iloilo's cultural heritage.
- Distrito Jaro
- 3 kilometers from the city proper; old colonial houses of sugar barons and Hispano-Filipino houses of the elite still stand, seat of Catholicism in Western Visayas.
- La Villa de Arevalo
- 6 kilometers southwest of city proper; 2nd capital of the Alcaldia of Panay; flower and firecracker district of Iloilo City.
- Muelle Loney
- The River Port of Iloilo named after British Consul Nicholas Loney, who is considered the father of sugar industry in Panay and Negros. Considered one of the safest harbours because Guimaras protects it from winds. It was opened to international market in 1855.
- Arroyo Fountain
- The regional kilometer zero point.
- Central Philippine University
- Chosen for it's relatively quiet and beautiful campus as a tourism site by the Iloilo City Council. It is found here the largest Library in Western Visayas. It was founded by the prominent Protestant (Baptist) missionary, Rev. William Orison Valentine Every December to the month of January, the 24-hectare campus of this university was turned into a Christmas-fairytale land as kaleidoscope colors of Christmas lights and scenes decorate the major roads, buildings of the university.
- Villa Lizares/Angelicum School Iloilo
- It was once the mansion and villa of the Lizares Family, but was now turned into a school, Angelicum School Iloilo. It is one of the the most beautiful mansions in Iloilo.
- Small Ville Complex
- A so called place for night-out enthusiasts. Bars, Disco Bars, Restaurants and Hotels lined up and composed in this Ville.
- Casa Montinola y Sanson
- The house is reminiscent of the Gaston house in Silay, Negros Occidental. The similarities can be explained by the fact that most of the rich families of Iloilo, at one point, all transferred to Bacolod, instigated largely by the spirit of unionism that had workers clamoring for reforms.
- Archbishop's Palace
- (Spanish: Palacio del Arzobispo) The residence of the Archbishop of Jaro. It is located southwest of the Jaro Cathedral and southeast of the Jaro Plaza.
Malls and Shopping Centers
Being the regional capital and the regional transportation hub, Iloilo City has a number of malls serving it, among them: SM City Iloilo, SM Delgado, SM Jaro (which houses Iloilo City's first Hypermart), Robinson's Place Iloilo, Gaisano City Iloilo, Marymart Mall, The Atrium, Amigo Mall, Times Square.
Festivals
- Jaro Fiesta
(February 2)- Jaro's celebration of the Feast of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (Our Lady of the Candles) every February 2 is well-known in the Philippines. The fiesta features pageantry with a fiesta queen from one of the prominent families of the place, and a cockfight at the Iloilo Coliseum, where cockfighting aficionados from all over the Philippines converge.
- Molo Fiesta
(July 26)- Fiesta in honor of St. Anne, the Patron saint of Molo
- La Paz Fiesta
(May 24)-This is the district fiesta of La Paz in honor of Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Bien Viaje.
- Semana Santa
(March/April) (movable)- A Lenten celebration celebrated by the Christians worldwide. A celebration that commemorates the death of Jesus Christ through fasting, holy mass and religious processions like the Santo Entierro (Holy Funeral) on Good Friday, highlights the observance of the season of Lent. Celebrated in most parish churches in the city and in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Jaro/Jaro Cathedral, the Santo Entierro is a procession of Christ's images, many of the Stations of the Cross, along the city's main streets, depicting his last hours before, during, and after the Crucifixion.
- Flores de Mayo
A religious feast celebrated in all Catholic churches in honor of the Virgin Mary. Little children in white gala dresses walk up the altar to offer flowers to the image of the Blessed Mother, as the Catholics call her. In some parts of the city, the traditional Santacruzan is also held. The Santa-cruzan is a procession of the Reyna Elena and other local beauties with their escorts, decked out in Maria Clara gowns and barong tagalog, along major streets.
- Santa cruzan
Last day of Flores de Mayo. A religious feast celebrated in many Catholic Parishes in honor of Reyna Elena (Queen Helen)and her son Constantine who went to the Holy Land to search for Jesus' Cross.
- Paraw Regatta
(3rd week of February)- The Paraw regatta is a race among seafarers on colorful sailboats called Paraws in the straits between Guimaras Island and the city of Iloilo. The present-day paraw managed to maintain its original design from the sailboats of the first settlers from Borneo who were in search of a peaceful home in 1212 A.D. Surviving centuries, the paraws have become a vital part of the Filipino seafaring life.
The first race started in 1973 with the mission to preserve the historic value of the paraws. It is held every 3rd weekend of February at Tatoy’s Manokan, Sto. Nino Sur, Villa, Iloilo City. Today, the event has grown from being a boat race to a festival with various interesting and exotic activities. And as Ilonggos take pride of their history and culture, so do the sailors and the boat makers who have inherited a legacy that became synonymous to the birth of a province and the Hiligaynon-speaking region of the country.
- Ilonggo Music Festival
(December)- This annual musical extravaganza bring out the best of Ilonggo music and musical talent. The Ilonggo music speak of their culture, history, passion and love.
- Festival of Lights and Music at Central
(1st week of December to 1st week of January)- Every December the campus of Central Philippine University was turned into a Christmas fairytale-land. The Opening of Lights (Festival of Lights and Music at Central) remains to be one of the best features of CPU before the end of the year. Every year, it opens on 1st week of the month of December and is highlighted with a fireworks display on the opening ceremony. A view of lighted trees, buildings and figurines. Pampanga, Capiz shells and native lanterns strategically placed along the major roads on campus and various nativity scenes also add to the festive atmosphere.
- Siga Boom
(December to 1st week of January)- Angelicum Shool Lighting ceremony or ‘Siga Boom’ was held at the 2nd week December. Together with the simultaneous lighting of the decorative Christmas lights is the colorful fireworks display.
Every year, the main building of Angelicum becomes the subject of amusement as thousands of Christmas lights literally adorn every inch of its facade further enhancing the charm of this magnificent edifice.
- Fireworks Display and Contest
(January 15)- Arevalo -Highlights of this District Fiesta of Arevalo are the multicolor fireworks. The skyline becomes a celebration with the dazzling display of sparkles and blazing lights.
- Chinese New Year
(Last week of January)- Celebrated by the minority Chinese (of Ilonggo descent).
Notable People
- Paulino Alcántara (Mestizo de Español Football player who played on the Spanish Football Team)
- López family of Iloilo (Elite Business and political Clan)
- Fernando López (Formerly Vice-President of the Philippines The brother of Eugenio Lopez Sr.)
- Aurelio R. Montinola III (One of Bank of the Philippine Islands key people, Descendants of the Montinola Clan)
- Montinola Family (Elite Business Clan and the founders of the Casino Español de Iloilo)
- Graciano Lopez Jaena (Great revolutionary hero, Writer, editor, orator, and journalist, Writer of "La Solidaridad")
- Eugenio Lopez, Sr. (The one who purchased Meralco form the Americans and Chronicle Broadcasting Network [The formerly then ABS-CBN before the merging to Alto Broadcasting System)
- Eugenio Lopez, Jr. (Formerly the Chairman Emeritus of ABS-CBN)
- Eugenio Lopez III (The 3rd generation Eugenio of the Lopez family and the present Chairman of ABS-CBN)
- Raul M. Gonzalez (Formerly "Secretary of Justice" of the Philippines)
- Jose Lopez Vito (editor of el Tiempo)
- Gen. Rafael Jalandoni (first Armed Forces Chief of Staff)
- Jalandoni family (clan of sugar planters, closely related to the Lopezes)
- Ruperto Montinola (Formerly senator)
- Magdalena Jalandoni (Hiligaynon poet)
- Gil Lopez Kabayao (renowned violinist)
- Rafael Hechanova (basketball player)
- Araneta family (prominent and influential in politics and in the sugar industry)
- Locsin Family (Elite Tornatras Family that originated from the town of Molo and migrated to Negros Occidental)
- Lacson Family (Elite Tornatras Family that originated from the town of Molo and migrated to Negros Occidental)
- Angel Lagdameo (Archbishop of Jaro and formerly President of Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines)
- Jaime Sin (Formerly Cardinal Archbishop of Manila and Archbishop of Jaro).
- Miriam Defensor Santiago (Lawyer and Politician [Senator of the Philippines] )
- Franklin Drilon (Lawyer and Politician [Formerly Senator, Sec. of Justice, Exec. Secretary and President of the Senate].
- Jed Madela (Singer and Songwriter)
- Gregorio Perfecto (Formerly Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court)
- Vicente Piccio, Jr. (Formerly Philippine Air Force chief )
- Ricardo Gurrea, Jr. (Spanish Mestizo; Member of Iloilo Lions Club, Taytay Sa Kauswagan, Inc., )
- Gurrea family of Iloilo (Spanish Basque mestizo clan and relatives of the Montinola Clan)
- Adelina Gurrea y Monasterio (Gurrea Clan member, Winner of the 1955 Premio Zobel and one of the greatest poets of her generation)
- Cacho family of Iloilo (Spanish Basque mestizo clan and the owners of Panay Electric Company (PECO))
- Niñez Cacho-Olivares (Owner-publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the Philippine Daily Tribune)
Twinnings
Iloilo has five sister cities worldwide:
- Stockton, United States- - Dededo, United States
- - Quezon City, Philippines
- - Makati City, Philippines
- Qingdao, China
See also
- Spanish Filipinos/Spanish settlement in the Philippines
- Iloilo (Province)
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro
- Jaro, Iloilo City
- López family of Iloilo
References
- ^ [1] [2]. Accessed August 28, 2009.
- ^ [3] [www.exploreiloilo.com]. Accessed August 08, 2009.
- ^ Espejo, Jr., Boy. "Pacifico Sudario: The man who coined "Dinagyang"". Sun.Star Network Online. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/specials/dinagyang%202003/features.html. Retrieved 2009-08-08.
- ^ Stockton Sister Cities Association - Iloilo City, Philippines
- ^ [4] [www.skycrapercity.com]. Accessed August 24, 2009.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Iloilo City |
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| Largest cities in the Philippines | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | City | Region | Population | Rank | City | Region | Population | ||||
| 1 | Quezon City | National Capital | 2,679,450 | 11 | Cagayan de Oro | Region X | 553,966 | ||||
| 2 | Manila | National Capital | 1,660,714 | 12 | Parañaque | National Capital | 552,660 | ||||
| 3 | Caloocan | National Capital | 1,378,856 | 13 | Las Piñas | National Capital | 532,330 | ||||
| 4 | Davao City | Region XI | 1,363,337 | 14 | General Santos | Region XII | 529,542 | ||||
| 5 | Cebu City | Region VII | 798,809 | 15 | Makati | National Capital | 510,383 | ||||
| 6 | Zamboanga City | Region IX | 774,407 | 16 | Bacolod | Region VI | 499,497 | ||||
| 7 | Antipolo | Region IV-A | 633,971 | 17 | Muntinlupa | National Capital | 452,493 | ||||
| 8 | Pasig | National Capital | 617,301 | 18 | San Jose del Monte | Region III | 439,090 | ||||
| 9 | Taguig | National Capital | 613,343 | 19 | Marikina | National Capital | 424,610 | ||||
| 10 | Valenzuela | National Capital | 568,928 | 20 | Iloilo City | Region VI | 418,710 | ||||
| Philippines 2007 Census | |||||||||||
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