Iloilo City
| City of Iloilo Lungsod ng Iloilo Ciudad sang Iloilo |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|||
| Nickname(s): "La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad de Iloilo", "City of Love", "Emerging Museum City" | |||
| Motto: The Next Big Thing | |||
 |
|||
  City of Iloilo
|
|||
| Coordinates: | |||
| Country |  Philippines |
||
| Region | Region 6 (Western Visayas) | ||
| Province | Iloilo | ||
| Districts | Arevalo, City Proper, La Paz, Mandurriao, Molo, Jaro | ||
| Barangays | 180 | ||
| Spanish colonial foundation | 1581 | ||
| Incorporated city | July 16, 1937 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Jed Patrick Mabilog | ||
| - Vice Mayor | Jose Espinosa III | ||
| - City Representatives | Jerry P. Trenas | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 70.3 km2 (27.1 sq mi) | ||
| Population | |||
| - Total | 418,710 | ||
| - Density | 5,981/km2 (15,490.7/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | PST (UTCUTC/GMT +8 hours) | ||
| ZIP code | 5000 | ||
| Area code(s) | 33 | ||
| Gentilic | Ilonggo | ||
| Website | www.iloilocity.gov.ph | ||
Iloilo City (Filipino: Lungsod ng Iloilo, Hiligaynon: Ciudad sang Iloilo) is a highly urbanized city in the Philippines and the capital city of Iloilo province. It is the political center of the Western Visayas region, as well as the center of the Iloilo-Guimaras Metropolitan Area.
The history of Iloilo City dates back to the Spanish colonial period, starting out as a small and incoherent grouping of fishermen's hamlets from the Iloilo River by a large swamp which after 1855 became the "Queen City of the South", and later given the honorific title of "La Muy Noble Ciudad" (English: The Most Noble City) by the Queen Regent of Spain. At the turn of the twentieth century, Iloilo City was second to the primate city of Manila, with stores along Calle Real selling luxury products from all over the world, an agricultural experimental station established at La Paz in 1888, a school of Arts and Trades which opened in 1891, and a telephone network system operating in 1894.
In the 2007 census, Iloilo City had a population of 418,710 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][2]
Contents |
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. Museo Iloilo is the repository of Iloilo's past.
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 XII (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.[1]
In 1900, 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.
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 the Commonwealth era, Iloilo was prosperous and was popularly known as "The Queen City of the South".
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. In addition, Tagalog and other local dialects such as Karay-a (also known as Kinaray-a) are also spoken. Spanish is still spoken by the elders members of the microcommunity of sugar-plantations related families.
Hiligaynon 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. Due to Spanish Influence, hundreds or thousand of loaned words from Spanish was used in Hiligaynon (just like other languages in the Philippines). Examples: Puerta (door), La Mesa (Dining table), and a lot more words.
The language is referred to as "Ilonggo" in Iloilo and in Negros Occidental. More precisely, "Ilonggo" is an ethnolinguistic group referring to the inhabitants of Iloilo and the culture associated with native Hiligaynon speakers. The distinction between the terms, Ilonggo and Hiligaynon, is unclear.
Political subdivisions
Iloilo City is politically subdivided into 180 barangays, which 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 one city when Iloilo gained cityhood status in 1937. All districts have their own churches, which are subordinate to the Archdiocese of Jaro. Jaro, Mandurriao and Molo are considered commercial areas, while Arevalo and La Paz are residential areas. Molo was once a residential district, while Mandurriao is home to (old and closed) Iloilo's airport (Mandurriao Airport) as well as the city's largest shopping mall, SM City Iloilo. City Proper is also a commercial area and the political center of the city and of Iloilo province. It is also home to the Iloilo seaport.
Economy
The strategic location of Iloilo City at the heart of the Philippines makes it an ideal hub for trade, commerce and industry. Its universities and colleges provide the skilled and talented labor which together with its port facilities, telecommunications infrastructure and utilities have a major impact in attracting businesses and industries focused mainly in banking and finance, retail trading, and customer service - BPO. The flourishing industry of business processing and outsourcing has been one of the most active economic sectors as of the current period. Iloilo City hosts a number of BPO companies which are providing a considerable scope of employment to its vast labor reserve. Downtown Iloilo as seen from the Capitol.The city draws on the region's extensive range of raw materials and its large consumer market. The local government has provided incentives to business in preferred investment areas, such as income tax holidays and free issuance of permits and licenses.
Trade and industry
There were 8,407 business establishments as of December 2003 in Iloilo City,[2] of which 1,182 are new. Total capital investments for new business establishments is P365,506,020.92. However, both new and renewed capital investments for the year 2003 amounted to Php 13.02 billion.
Private building constructions totaled 822 in 2003 with a total construction cost of P 1,005,443,542.74 Business names registered at Dept. of Trade & Industry (DTI) totaled 1,911 with the total investment of P 4,116,492,305.95.
Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) is 66.0 % (April, 2003). 79.5 % of the labor force are employed where 20.5 % constitute unemployment rate; while visible underemployed rate is 11.9 %. Of the employed person by type of industry from primary occupation 82 % belongs to service sector, 14 % belongs industry sector and only 4 % are in agriculture (as of April 2003 FIES, NSO).
Average annual family income (at current prices) is P 283,604 or a percentage increase of 32.3 between 1994 to 1997 while Average Annual Family Expenditures is P 226,887 or a 25.6% increase (2000 FIES). Average per Capita Income is P 65,036 and Average Per Capita Expenditures is P 51,557 (FIES 2000). Average Inflation Rate is 3.2, the Average Purchasing Power of the Peso is 0.62 and the Average Consumer Price Index (CPI) is 162.6 in 2003. (Source: NSO, Prices Section).
Volume of fish Unloaded and Auctioned at Iloilo Fishing Port Complex is 28,037,695 kg while Volume of Finished Fish Products shipped out is 241,863 kg in 2003. Also a total of 345,335 kg of materials was also processed at Iloilo Fishing Port Complex (IFPC).
Banking
Iloilo has a robust banking industry as it hosts several banks of all sizes, whether universal, commercial, thrift banks, savings, rural or cooperative. There are at least two foreign banks, Citibank and Maybank, all of which are located in the city.
The city's biggest local banks are Queen City Development Bank and Valiant Bank.
Infrastructure
Roads
The Metro Iloilo's roadways are among the country's busiest. The Diversion Road, Mcarthur Drive, Iznart are Metro Iloilo's major roads. The highway from Diversion Road to Vice President Fernando Lopez Avenue was renovated and wided into a 4 lane road. It connects Iloilo City, Pavia, Sta. Barbara and the Iloilo International Airport. The Infante Flyover in the Iloilo City overpass the Infante Avenue. There is also an ongoing construction 2nd flyover along Gen. Luna and Jalandoni St.
Airports
Iloilo International Airport (Iloilo Airport) is the airport serving the general area of Iloilo City, the capital city of the province of Iloilo and the regional center of the Western Visayas region in the Philippines. It opened its doors to commercial traffic on June 14, 2007 after a decade of planning and construction, replacing Mandurriao Airport in Iloilo City proper which had been in service for over seventy years. As a result, the new airport inherited its IATA and ICAO airport codes, as well as its position as the fourth-busiest airport in the Philippines, from its predecessor. Despite being called an "international" airport, it is officially designated as a Class 1 principal (major domestic) airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, the body responsible for the operations of all airports in the country. In addition to being the first airport in both Western Visayas and the island of Panay to be built to international standards, it is considered one of four international airports in the Visayas, although no international flights have ever flown to or from Iloilo International Airport.
The airport is located 19 kilometers (12 mi) northwest of Iloilo City on a 188-hectare (460-acre) site in Barangay Duyan-Duyan, split between the municipalities of Cabatuan, where the airport proper is located, and Santa Barbara, where the airport entrance and access road are located. The airport complex consists of a single runway, various administrative and maintenance buildings, waste sorting and water treatment facilities, a power generating station, a cargo terminal and a main passenger terminal. Its location on the Tomas Confesor Highway, a major highway transversing the island, makes the airport accessible from all parts of Iloilo and Panay by road, while its proximity to the currently defunct Panay Railways network could potentially link the airport to the rest of Panay by rail.
Seaport
The Port of Iloilo, is the port serving the general area of Iloilo and the premier port on Panay Island. The new port of iloilo is strategically located at a new site away from the older port facilities. Situated in the Southern coast of Panay Island, in the Panay Gulf, it has one of the country’s safest and most natural harbors. Guimaras Island guards the port from violent storms and makes it ideal for harboring ships and vessels.
The Port of Iloilo, considered the leader of trade and a commercial hub for Western Visayas is also one of the safest natural seaports in the Philippines. The Port has a number of Facilities available among others. The Iloilo Commercial Port Complex is located on 20.8 hectares of reclaimed land. It has modern facilities that include 11,400 sq. meters of open space for unhampered operations, supplemented by a backup area of 97,000 sq. meters, a crane,[1] rails of 348 lineal meters; roll-on-roll-off support; a 7,800 container freight stations; and a 720 sq. meter passenger shed. The port complex is ideal for ships plying international routes having a berth length of 400 meters, a width of 26.26 meters and a berthing depth of 10.50 meters.
The Port is ideally located, as 75% of the country’s land area lies within 500 km radius of Iloilo, encompassing Metro Manila and the nation’s main industrial centers. Thus, the port could well serve as a consolidation center for both importable and exportable commodities. Within this area is a potential market of more than 32 million people.
There are a number of Regular Shipping Companies that use the Port of Iloilo, Aboitiz Shipping Company, Amigo Shipping Company, New Panay Shipping Company, Negros Navigation Company, Sulpicio Lines, William Lines and Trans-Asia Shipping Lines Inc. Fast ferries serve Iloilo-Bacolod routes eight times daily. Negros Navigation and Superferry dock to the city where it serves routes going to Manila, Bacolod, Cebu, Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro City.
Roll-on/roll-off ferry service, known in as RO-RO, is available from to Iloilo City. There is also a ro-ro service to Cebu via Negros. It is ranked third in terms of shipcalls at 11,853, fourth in cargo throughout at 491,719 million metric tons and fourth in passenger traffic at 2.4 million annually.
Communication
The presence of advanced telecommunications infrastructure not only makes the Philippines readily accessible through the Internet, but also allows investors to ignore limitations imposed by the inadequacy of physical infrastructure. Iloilo’s economy benefits from the presence of key players in the telecommunications industry, which provide the necessary “info-structure” for commerce.
Available communication services in Iloilo are: telephone services including domestic and international direct dial, facsimile; mobile communications, internet, telegraph and telex stations, post offices and other messengerial and courier services.
There are three (3) telephone service providers in Iloilo providing landline connections to almost all of the municipalities. These are: PLDT, INNOVE and BayanTel. These companies are capable of providing fiber optic, copper and microwave T1 and E1 lines.
Cellular telephone facilities are also provided by three (3) cellular companies namely SMART Communications, Globe and Sun Cellular.
Media
Software and WebHosting Company
Ener-Uno.net FreeLance SEO Specialist (Fundidor Molo, Iloilo City) Virtual Assistant Technologies, Inc. (3rd Floor, Rosary Building, Iznart Street, Iloilo City) Everyone Technologies, Inc. (3rd Level, The Atrium Mall)
Print media
SunStar Iloilo The News Today (Iloilo) Panay News The Daily Guardian News Express
Broadcast Media
Aksyon Radyo DYOK 720 AksyonRadyoIloilo.com.ph BOMBO Radyo-Iloilo, the Flagship station of Bombo Radio Philippines,(The National Radio of the Philippines Radio Mindanao Network News 774 Iloilo - RMN Iloilo News Website BOMBO Radyo-Bacolod BOMBO Radyo-Roxas RGMA Iloilo Super Radyo 1323 Iloilo (GMA Regional Network) RGMA Bacolod (Super Radyo DZBB Relay) 1179 Bacolod (GMA Regional Network) GMA TV-6 Iloilo (Channel 6) GMA TV-13 Bacolod (Channel 13) ABS-CBN Iloilo (Channel 10) ABS-CBN Bacolod (Channel 4) TV32 Bacolod (UHF 32) TV46 Iloilo (UHF 46) Studio 23 Iloilo (UHF 38) & Bacolod (UHF 22) NBN TV 2 Iloilo IBC TV 12 Iloilo RMN TV 26 Iloilo Q TV 28 Iloilo UNTV 42 Iloilo
Medical facilities
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, St. Paul 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.
Education
As a progressive and popular province in southern Philippines, Iloilo is the educational center of Western Visayas on account of the presence of two government-subsidized institutions: The University of the Philippines Visayas (est. 1948) and West Visayas State University (est. 1902) Iloilo plays home to highly commendable and outstanding colleges and universities, most of which offer first-rate academic programs. There are six private universities: The catholic, University of San Agustin (est. 1904) run by the Order of Saint Augustine Fathers located in the city proper, the Protestant, Central Philippine University (est. 1905) in Jaro district, the secular and formerly Lopez-owned, University of Iloilo (UI) and the catholic, St. Paul University run by the Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres 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, De Paul College, AMA college, STI, Informatics, ABBA Institute of Technology, Cabalum Western College, Colegio de San Jose and Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus both run by the Congregation of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul.
The city is home to seven educational institutions that are affiliates of some universities: University of the Philippines Visayas - Iloilo, St. Paul University Iloilo, University of San Agustin, Ateneo de Iloilo, Assumption Iloilo run the Congregation of the Religious of the Assumption, Ateneo de Iloilo – Santa Maria Catholic School run by the Society of Jesus, Angelicum School run by Order of Preachers, Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus, and one PAREF affiliated high school: Westbridge School for Boys and the school founded by Candida Maria de Jesus (to be canonized as a Saint on Ocotber 17,2010), Colegio de las Hijas de Jesus.
Places of interest
Majority of Iloilo City's sights bank on its cultural heritage. A lot of old establishments literally dot the city and its districts.
Historical sites
- 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.
- St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary
- The first institution of higher education in Western Visayas. Following the Papal Bull of Pope Pius IX, dated 27 May 1865, the Dominican Bishop Mariano Cuartero, O.P., the first Bishop of Jaro, laid the foundation of this seminary in 1869,in honor of St. Vincent Ferrer.
- University of San Agustin
- Founded on July 15, 1904 by Spanish Augustinian friars belonging to the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus of the Philippines and their American confreres from the Augustinian U.S. Province of St. Thomas of Villanova.
- Villa Lizares/Angelicum School Iloilo
- It was once the mansion and villa of the Lizares Family, and one of the most beautiful mansions in Iloilo. It was sold to the Dominican Order of the Philippines in the late 1970's, and is now the seat of Angelicum School Iloilo- a private, Catholic school run by the Order of the Preachers (Dominicans), who made the school a pioneer in a non-graded, open-classroom education system in the Philippines.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 its 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- La Villa Rica de Arevalo
- 6 kilometers southwest of city proper; 2nd capital of the Alcaldia of Panay; flower and firecracker district of Iloilo City.
Shopping centers
- Malls & Shopping Centers in Iloilo
Major
- SM City Iloilo (Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Ave., Mandurriao, Iloilo City)
- Robinsons Place (De Leon St., City Proper, Iloilo City)
- Gaisano City (Luna St., La Paz, Iloilo City)
- The Atrium (Gen. Luna St., City Proper, Iloilo City)
- Marymart Center (Valeria St., City Proper, Iloilo City)
- SM Delgado (Delgado St., City Proper, Iloilo City)
- Amigo Plaza Mall (Iznart St., City Proper, Iloilo City)
Minor
- Jaro Town Square (Jaro, Iloilo City)
- SM Hypermarket (Jaro, Iloilo City)
- Star Plaza (Jaro, Iloilo City)
- Gaisano Iloilo (Guanco St. City Proper, Iloilo City)
- Payless Plaza (Quezon St. City Proper, Iloilo City)
- CitiSquare (J.M. Basa St. City Proper, Iloilo City)
- Unitop (cor J.M. Basa - Ledesma Sts. City Proper, Iloilo City)
- Ledi Supermart (De Leon St. City Proper, Iloilo City)
- Washington Supermart (J.M. Basa St. City Proper, Iloilo City)
- Iloilo Supermart (Molo, Iloilo City)
- Iloilo Supermart (Mandurriao, Iloilo City)
- Iloilo Supermart (Jaro, Iloilo City)
Night spots Smallville Entertainment Complex in Mandurriao district is famed in Iloilo City to be the center of night life activities. Hotels such as Westown Hotel and Convention Center, Iloilo Business Hotel and u/c Smallville21 Hotel are located here. It is home to several bars, clubs, cafés and restaurants such as M02, ICE bar, Pirates, Bar 21, Flow Superclub, Kopi Roti, Picante, Coffeebreak, Bourbon Street, Freska, Krua Thai, Mang Inasal, Deco's La Paz Batchoy, The Avenue and a lot more.
Paseo Iloilo of Robinsons Place Iloilo is located in De Leon Street in the City Proper district. Several bars and restaurants are located there.
Paseo de Arcangeles is home of bars and resto such as Stufyerface, B-code, Langford others u/c.
Festivals and Events
- 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.
- 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 School 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.
- Dinagyang Festival
The Dinagyang is a religious and cultural festival in Iloilo City, Philippines held on the fourth Sunday of January, or right after the Sinulog in Cebu and the Ati-Atihan in Aklan. It is held both to honor the Santo Niño and to celebrate the arrival on Panay of Malay settlers and the subsequent selling of the island to them by the Atis.
- Chinese New Year
Celebrated by the minority Chinese (of Ilonggo descent), the festivity is highlighted by cultural presentation of the Chinese schools in the city, Chinese food festival and grand fireworks display.
Notable people
- Jaime Sin- (Eminent alumnus of St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary, Former Archbishop of Jaro, and later Cardinal Archbishop of Manila- a very important figure during the EDSA I and EDSA II Revolutions.)
- Gabriel Reyes, ( A very distinguished alumnus of St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary in Jaro, the first Filipino Archbishop of Cebu, and first Filipino Archbishop of Manila.)
- Graciano Lopez Jaena (Great revolutionary hero, Writer, editor, orator, and journalist, wrote La Solidaridad, also a distinguished alumnus of St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary.)
- Paulino Alcántara (Football player who played for FC Barcelona)
- Fernando López (A distinguished alumnus of St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary in Jaro, formerly Vice-President of the Philippines The brother of Eugenio Lopez Sr.)
- Martin Teofilo Delgado (Revolutionary hero, soldier, politician, a distinguished alumnus of St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary.)
- 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)
- Magdalena Jalandoni (Hiligaynon poet)
- Angel Lagdameo (Archbishop of Jaro and formerly President of Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines)
- Miriam Defensor Santiago (Lawyer and Politician [Senator of the Philippines] )
- Franklin Drilon (Lawyer and Politician [Formerly Senator of the Philippines, Sec. of Justice, Exec. Secretary and President of the Senate]).
- Jed Madela (Singer and Songwriter)
- Gian Carlos (Actor, Model, and Dancer)
- Gregorio Perfecto (Formerly Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court)
- Vicente Piccio, Jr. (Formerly Philippine Air Force chief )
- Micheal Macabebe (Played a major role in an independent film called "PAUTWAS")
- Prince Stefan (Actor, Model, and Dancer)
- Nel Rapiz (TV host, Actor/Pinoy Big Brother: Season 2 housemate
- Emman Abatayo (Singer,Songwriter/Pinoy Dream Academy Season 1 scholar
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.
External links
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||