Iloilo

This article is about the province. For its capital city, see Iloilo City. For other uses, see Iloilo (disambiguation).
Iloilo
Province
Province of Iloilo

Flag

Seal
Nickname(s): The Heart of the Philippines

Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 11°00′N 122°40′E / 11°N 122.67°E / 11; 122.67Coordinates: 11°00′N 122°40′E / 11°N 122.67°E / 11; 122.67
Country Philippines
Region Western Visayas (Region VI)
Founded 1566
Capital Iloilo City
Government
  Type Sangguniang Panlalawigan
  Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. (LP)
  Vice Governor Raul Tupas (LP)
Area[1]
  Total 5,000.83 km2 (1,930.83 sq mi)
Area rank 23rd out of 81
  (excluding Iloilo City)
Population (2010 census)[2]
  Total 1,805,576
  Rank 11th out of 81
  Density 360/km2 (940/sq mi)
  Density rank 14th out of 81
  (excluding Iloilo City)
Divisions
  Independent cities
  Component cities
  Municipalities
  Barangays
  Districts 1st to 5th districts of Iloilo
including independent cities: Lone district of Iloilo City
Time zone PHT (UTC+8)
ZIP code 5000–5043
IDD:area code +63 (0)33
ISO 3166 code PH-ILI
Spoken languages
Website iloilo.gov.ph

Iloilo (Hiligaynon: Kapuoran sang Iloilo; Filipino: Lalawigan ng Iloilo) is a province in the Philippines located in the region of Western Visayas. Iloilo occupies the southeast portion of Panay Island and is bordered by province of Antique to the west and province of Capiz and the Jintotolo Channel to the north. Just off Iloilo's southeast coast is the island province Guimaras, once part of Iloilo but now an independent province. Across the Panay Gulf and Guimaras Strait is Negros Occidental. Iloilo's capital is Iloilo City though the city itself is independent and not governed by the provincial government of Iloilo.

According to the 2010 national census, the population of the province excluding Iloilo City is 1,805,576. If Iloilo City is included, the population is 2,230,195.[2]

History

At the time of the Spanish conquest, writing was a new import and the use of organic medium such as leaf and bamboo, and no pre-Hispanic written accounts of Iloilo exist today. Oral history, in the form of recited epics, has survived to a small degree, with a few recordings made from the last known surviving binukots. But from these oral history and from writings from other sources, one can still glean Iloilo's prehispanic past.

The controversial origins of the people of Iloilo is said to be from the state of Pannai, a country occupying Sumatra. Pannai was a militant nation allied under the Sri-Vijaya Mandala that defended the conflict-ridden Strait of Malacca. The small kingdom repulsed any unlicensed Chinese, Indian or Arab navies that often warred in or pirated the straights of Malacca and for a small country, they were adept at taking down armadas larger than itself. They were successful in policing and defending the straights of Malacca for the Mandala of Sri-Vijaya until the Chola invasion of Srivijaya occurred, wherein a surprise attack from behind, originating from the occupied capital, rendered the militant-state of Pannai vulnerable from an unprotected assault from the back flank. The Chola invaders eventually destroyed the state of Pannai and its surviving soldiers, royals and scholars were said to have been secreted-out eastwards. In their 450 years of occupying Sumatra, they refused to be enslaved to Islam, Taoism or Hinduism but after the state's dissolution, the people who stayed behind in Pannai, themselves, have a legend wherein the high-borne scholars, soldiers and nobles of Pannai, "fled to other islands." [3]

At this juncture, Iloilo came into prominence, when the local settlement called Irong-Irong and was founded by Datu Paiburong, who presumably fled the fallen Sri Vijaya Mandala after he and his fellows within the new Mandala of Confederation of Madja-as, bought the island of Panay (Which they presumably named after the state of Pannai or the shortening of the Ati word, Ananipay) from the Negrito Chieftain, Marikudo. The Confederation of Madya-as eventually grew a powerful and strong naval presence that it rivaled the nearby states of the Rajahnate of Cebu, The Kingdom of Tondo and the Sultanate of Sulu when it came to wealth and prestige.

Left to right: Images from the Boxer Codex illustrating an ancient kadatuan or tumao of the Visayans of Panay wearing the distinctive colors of their social status: [1] a noble couple and [2] a royal couple. The wealth and prestige of these Visayans from Panay are clearly demonstrated vis-a-vis their loincloth wearing Cebuano neighbors which the Spaniards called "Pintados" or "Tattooed Ones"

By 1512, this state had grown so powerful militarily and economically, their naval power regularly threatened Chinese Imperial shipping. So much so, that the Chuan-chou gazeeter specifically reported that the Pisheya (Bisaya) (Another term for people from Iloilo) consistently made devastating raids against the Empire's commerce [4]

Nevertheless, Spain eventually succeeded on conquering of the island of Panay when Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi moved his headquarters from the island of Cebu and creating the first Spanish settlement in the island in Ogtong in 1566. This is mainly due in part to the rivalries between the Bisaya and Moro, of which the former found an ally in Spanish against the latter. The Bisaya accepted alliances with Spain, to defend themselves against the enslaving Moros. To this end, Iloilo contributed troops in the Castille War against the Sultanate of Brunei. In 1581, the encomienda in Ogtong was moved to La Villa Rica de Arevalo, because of frequent coastal raids by the Dutch privateers. Furthermore, an attack in the year 1600 (Part of the Spanish–Moro conflict) where there was a large Muslim armada to destroy Iloilo City, led by two Moros named Sirungan and Salikala who lead the Muslim force of 70 ships and 4,000 warriors that had raided and attacked several Visayan islands in order to abduct slaves to sell to their allies in the Sultanate of Demak and the Sultanate of Malacca, eventually caused the move of the city center further on to the mouth of the Irong-Irong river founding what is now Iloilo City and constructing Fort San Pedro to defend it in 1616.[5] Nevertheless, when the 4,000 Moros led by Sirungan and Salikala tried to attack Iloilo City they were repulsed with heavy losses in Arevalo, Iloilo by a force of 1,000 Hiligaynon warriors and 70 Spanish arquebusiers under the command of Juan García de Sierra, who died in battle.[6]

Soon, the area itself began to prosper, due to its successful textile and sugar industry. As a result, it received Chinese immigrants from the west (that worked for its trades) and Latinos from the ports of Mexico in the east (to man its military installations). And over time Iloilo grew to be the most important province outside Manila. The City of Iloilo by virtue of a 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 Most Loyal and Noble City) in reward for its loyalty to Spain during the Philippine uprising.

During the American period, Iloilo then became a home to many firsts: including the first department stores and cinemas in the country. Nevertheless, Iloilo experienced a fall from grace after it was severely devastated in World War II and then had a decline during the 1950s-2000s. In part due to the great Iloilo fire which ruined the economy and the slow death of the sugar and textile industries that eventually some prominent families (Iloilo then, had the highest concentration of millionaires outside Manila) to abandon the city to go to other areas such as Cebu, Bacolod, and Manila. Still, the large middle-class populace of Iloilo and its agri-business sector has managed to maintain the province despite the exodus of some of its prominent families.

Geography

Political divisions

The province is divided into two distinct geographic regions; the highlands of the Madia-as on the western border and the lowland plains which account for a larger portion of the province. Small islands east of its northernmost tip also dot the Visayan Sea - of these, Pan de Azucar and Sicogon are well-known.

Iloilo has the largest marshland in Western Visayas after the Sunderbans.

Administrative divisions

Iloilo comprises 42 municipalities, one component city, and one highly urbanized city.

  •    Provincial capital and highly urbanized city
  •    Component city
  •      Municipality

City or municipality District[7] Population (2010)[7][8] Area[7] Density Brgy. Coordinates[A]
km2 sq mi /km2 /sq mi
Ajuy 5th 2.6% 47,248 175.57 67.79 270 700 34 11°10′17″N 123°01′12″E / 11.1713°N 123.0199°E / 11.1713; 123.0199 (Ajuy)
Alimodian 2nd 2.1% 37,484 144.82 55.92 260 670 51 10°48′59″N 122°25′56″E / 10.8163°N 122.4321°E / 10.8163; 122.4321 (Alimodian)
Anilao 4th 1.5% 27,486 100.31 38.73 270 700 21 10°58′44″N 122°45′04″E / 10.9789°N 122.7511°E / 10.9789; 122.7511 (Anilao)
Badiangan 3rd 1.5% 26,218 77.50 29.92 340 880 31 10°59′11″N 122°32′12″E / 10.9863°N 122.5367°E / 10.9863; 122.5367 (Badiangan)
Balasan 5th 1.6% 29,724 54.27 20.95 550 1,400 23 11°28′23″N 123°05′21″E / 11.4731°N 123.0891°E / 11.4731; 123.0891 (Balasan)
Banate 4th 1.6% 29,543 102.89 39.73 290 750 18 11°00′02″N 122°49′06″E / 11.0006°N 122.8182°E / 11.0006; 122.8182 (Banate)
Barotac Nuevo 4th 2.9% 51,867 94.49 36.48 550 1,400 29 10°53′42″N 122°42′15″E / 10.8951°N 122.7041°E / 10.8951; 122.7041 (Barotac Nuevo)
Barotac Viejo 5th 2.3% 41,470 185.78 71.73 220 570 26 11°02′31″N 122°51′02″E / 11.0419°N 122.8505°E / 11.0419; 122.8505 (Barotac Viejo)
Batad 5th 1.1% 19,385 53.10 20.50 370 960 24 11°25′02″N 123°06′35″E / 11.4173°N 123.1098°E / 11.4173; 123.1098 (Batad)
Bingawan 3rd 0.7% 13,432 85.20 32.90 160 410 14 11°13′58″N 122°34′03″E / 11.2329°N 122.5675°E / 11.2329; 122.5675 (Bingawan)
Cabatuan 3rd 3.0% 54,950 112.90 43.59 490 1,300 68 10°52′49″N 122°28′53″E / 10.8803°N 122.4815°E / 10.8803; 122.4815 (Cabatuan)
Calinog 3rd 3.0% 54,430 274.55 106.00 200 520 59 11°07′21″N 122°32′17″E / 11.1225°N 122.5380°E / 11.1225; 122.5380 (Calinog)
Carles 5th 3.5% 62,690 104.05 40.17 600 1,600 33 11°34′17″N 123°07′57″E / 11.5713°N 123.1326°E / 11.5713; 123.1326 (Carles)
Concepcion 5th 2.2% 39,617 86.12 33.25 460 1,200 25 11°12′53″N 123°06′30″E / 11.2148°N 123.1082°E / 11.2148; 123.1082 (Concepcion)
Dingle 4th 2.4% 43,290 98.37 37.98 440 1,100 33 11°00′00″N 122°40′18″E / 11.0000°N 122.6717°E / 11.0000; 122.6717 (Dingle)
Dueñas 4th 1.9% 33,671 90.52 34.95 370 960 47 11°03′58″N 122°37′06″E / 11.0662°N 122.6183°E / 11.0662; 122.6183 (Duenas)
Dumangas 4th 3.7% 66,108 128.70 49.69 510 1,300 45 10°49′17″N 122°42′44″E / 10.8214°N 122.7122°E / 10.8214; 122.7122 (Dumangas)
Estancia 5th 2.4% 42,666 29.38 11.34 1,500 3,900 25 11°27′29″N 123°09′04″E / 11.4580°N 123.1511°E / 11.4580; 123.1511 (Estancia)
Guimbal 1st 1.8% 32,325 44.61 17.22 720 1,900 33 10°39′41″N 122°19′22″E / 10.6615°N 122.3228°E / 10.6615; 122.3228 (Guimbal)
Igbaras 1st 1.7% 31,347 148.72 57.42 210 540 46 10°43′02″N 122°15′55″E / 10.7172°N 122.2654°E / 10.7172; 122.2654 (Igbaras)
Iloilo City lone 424,619 78.34 30.25 5,400 14,000 180 10°42′09″N 122°34′08″E / 10.7024°N 122.5690°E / 10.7024; 122.5690 (Iloilo City)
Janiuay 3rd 3.5% 63,031 179.10 69.15 350 910 60 10°56′57″N 122°30′07″E / 10.9491°N 122.5019°E / 10.9491; 122.5019 (Janiuay)
Lambunao 3rd 3.8% 69,023 407.09 157.18 170 440 73 11°03′19″N 122°28′29″E / 11.0553°N 122.4746°E / 11.0553; 122.4746 (Lambunao)
Leganes 2nd 1.6% 29,438 32.20 12.43 910 2,400 18 10°47′11″N 122°35′21″E / 10.7863°N 122.5892°E / 10.7863; 122.5892 (Leganes)
Lemery 5th 1.5% 27,441 119.90 46.29 230 600 31 11°13′33″N 122°55′39″E / 11.2258°N 122.9274°E / 11.2258; 122.9274 (Lemery)
Leon 2nd 2.6% 47,522 140.20 54.13 340 880 85 10°46′50″N 122°23′18″E / 10.7805°N 122.3882°E / 10.7805; 122.3882 (Leon)
Maasin 3rd 1.9% 35,069 128.59 49.65 270 700 50 10°53′27″N 122°26′00″E / 10.8908°N 122.4332°E / 10.8908; 122.4332 (Maasin)
Miagao 1st 3.6% 64,545 156.80 60.54 410 1,100 119 10°38′28″N 122°14′08″E / 10.6410°N 122.2355°E / 10.6410; 122.2355 (Miagao)
Mina 3rd 1.2% 21,785 43.40 16.76 500 1,300 22 10°55′48″N 122°34′27″E / 10.9300°N 122.5742°E / 10.9300; 122.5742 (Mina)
New Lucena 2nd 1.2% 22,174 44.10 17.03 500 1,300 21 10°52′39″N 122°35′48″E / 10.8776°N 122.5967°E / 10.8776; 122.5967 (New Lucena)
Oton 1st 4.6% 82,572 86.44 33.37 960 2,500 37 10°41′37″N 122°28′38″E / 10.6936°N 122.4773°E / 10.6936; 122.4773 (Oton)
Passi 4th 4.4% 79,663 251.39 97.06 320 830 51 11°07′03″N 122°38′36″E / 11.1174°N 122.6432°E / 11.1174; 122.6432 (Passi)
Pavia 2nd 2.4% 43,614 27.15 10.48 1,600 4,100 18 10°46′29″N 122°32′31″E / 10.7748°N 122.5419°E / 10.7748; 122.5419 (Pavia)
Pototan 3rd 3.9% 70,955 97.10 37.49 730 1,900 50 10°56′32″N 122°38′09″E / 10.9421°N 122.6358°E / 10.9421; 122.6358 (Pototan)
San Dionisio 5th 1.9% 33,650 127.06 49.06 260 670 29 11°16′12″N 123°05′39″E / 11.2701°N 123.0942°E / 11.2701; 123.0942 (San Dionisio)
San Enrique 4th 1.8% 32,422 110.28 42.58 290 750 28 11°04′21″N 122°39′21″E / 11.0724°N 122.6558°E / 11.0724; 122.6558 (San Enrique)
San Joaquin 1st 2.9% 51,645 234.84 90.67 220 570 85 10°35′11″N 122°08′32″E / 10.5865°N 122.1422°E / 10.5865; 122.1422 (San Joaquin)
San Miguel 2nd 1.4% 25,013 31.97 12.34 780 2,000 24 10°46′51″N 122°27′54″E / 10.7807°N 122.4650°E / 10.7807; 122.4650 (San Miguel)
San Rafael 5th 0.8% 14,655 67.05 25.89 220 570 9 11°10′48″N 122°49′44″E / 11.1801°N 122.8288°E / 11.1801; 122.8288 (San Rafael)
Santa Barbara 2nd 3.1% 55,472 131.96 50.95 420 1,100 60 10°49′38″N 122°31′53″E / 10.8272°N 122.5314°E / 10.8272; 122.5314 (Santa Barbara)
Sara 5th 2.6% 46,889 169.02 65.26 280 730 42 11°15′31″N 123°00′46″E / 11.2587°N 123.0128°E / 11.2587; 123.0128 (Sara)
Tigbauan 1st 3.3% 58,814 83.68 32.31 700 1,800 52 10°40′28″N 122°22′34″E / 10.6744°N 122.3761°E / 10.6744; 122.3761 (Tigbauan)
Tubungan 1st 1.2% 21,540 85.18 32.89 250 650 48 10°45′55″N 122°19′05″E / 10.7654°N 122.3181°E / 10.7654; 122.3181 (Tubungan)
Zarraga 2nd 1.3% 23,693 54.48 21.03 430 1,100 24 10°49′25″N 122°36′36″E / 10.8236°N 122.6099°E / 10.8236; 122.6099 (Zarraga)
Total[B] 1,805,576 5,000.83 1,930.83 360 930 1,721 (see GeoGroup box)
  1. ^ Coordinates mark the city/town center, and are sortable by latitude.
  2. ^ Total figures exclude the highly urbanized city of Iloilo.

Climate

Climate data for Iloilo, Philippines NOAA Station Id: PH98637
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 29.7
(85.5)
30.2
(86.4)
31.7
(89.1)
33.1
(91.6)
33.1
(91.6)
31.6
(88.9)
30.7
(87.3)
30.4
(86.7)
30.8
(87.4)
31.1
(88)
30.9
(87.6)
30.2
(86.4)
31.12
(88.02)
Daily mean °C (°F) 26.1
(79)
26.5
(79.7)
27.6
(81.7)
28.9
(84)
29.1
(84.4)
28.1
(82.6)
27.6
(81.7)
27.5
(81.5)
27.6
(81.7)
27.7
(81.9)
27.5
(81.5)
26.8
(80.2)
27.59
(81.66)
Average low °C (°F) 22.7
(72.9)
22.7
(72.9)
23.5
(74.3)
24.6
(76.3)
25.1
(77.2)
24.7
(76.5)
24.4
(75.9)
24.5
(76.1)
24.4
(75.9)
24.2
(75.6)
24.0
(75.2)
23.4
(74.1)
24.02
(75.24)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 39.9
(1.571)
19.1
(0.752)
27.1
(1.067)
47.7
(1.878)
117.9
(4.642)
255.2
(10.047)
313.2
(12.331)
363.7
(14.319)
266.8
(10.504)
264.1
(10.398)
174.8
(6.882)
64.2
(2.528)
1,953.7
(76.917)
Average relative humidity (%) 82 80 75 73 77 82 85 85 85 84 84 83 81.25
Source: "Climate (Average Weather) Data". Climate-Charts.com. Retrieved March 13, 2011. 

Demographics

Population census of
Iloilo
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 1,337,981    
1995 1,415,022+1.05%
2000 1,559,182+2.10%
2007 1,691,878+1.13%
2010 1,805,576+2.40%
Excluding Iloilo City
Source: National Statistics Office[2]

People from Iloilo are called Ilonggos. There are two local languages spoken in the province: Hiligaynon sometimes called Ilonggo, and Kinaray-a. Hiligaynon and variants of it are spoken in Iloilo City and a few towns of the province. Spanish is strictly a local language, at least in a historical way with the number of natural Spanish speakers strongly declining after WWII, and due to this, there are today many Ilonggos who do not consider it a local language.

Language

The Ten Commandments in Hiligaynon, the language of Panay.
Languages Spoken (2000)[9]
Language Speakers
Hiligaynon
 
1,126,664
Kinaray-a
 
406,632
Kankanaey
 
2,913
Cebuano
 
2,731
Others
 
11,815
Not Reported
 
7,596

Hiligaynon (informally referred to as Ilonggo) is an Austronesian language spoken in Western Visayas in the Philippines. Hiligaynon is concentrated in the city of Iloilo[10] and westside of Negros Occidental province. It is also spoken in the other provinces in Panay island, such as Capiz, Antique, Aklan, Guimaras, and many parts of Mindanao like Koronadal City, South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Kidapawan City and Cotabato City and also in some parts of Maguindanao municipalities of Datu Paglas, Buluan and Mangudadatu as well. (It is spoken as a second language by Karay-a in Antique, Aklanon and Malaynon in Aklan, Cebuano in Negros Oriental, and Capiznon in Capiz.). 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.

The language is referred to as Ilonggo in Negros Occidental and in Iloilo. More precisely, Ilonggo is an ethnoliguistic group referring to the people living in Panay and the culture associated with the people speaking Hiligaynon. The boundaries of the dialect called Ilonggo and that called Hiligaynon are unclear. The disagreement of where what name is correct extends to Philippine language specialists and native laymen.

Religion

Iloilo is Catholic predominated province comprising about 80% of the population. Protestant churches also exist such as members of Philippine Independent Church or Aglipayan Church with 15% of the population, Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Adventist, and other Evangelical Christians; There are also non Protestant and other Christian sects such as Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church of Christ of Latter day Saints (Mormon) and Jehovah's Witnesses while non Christians are usually represented by Moslems.

Culture

Spanish architecture can be seen in old buildings in downtown Iloilo. Chinese merchants and Indonesians were trading with the Ilonggos long before the Spaniards came. The ruling Spanish government encouraged these foreign merchants to trade in Iloilo but they were not given privileges like ownership of land. Foreign merchants and Spaniards intermarried with the locals, and the Mestizo class was eventually born from their union. The Mestizo offsprings of the local nobilities later emerged as the ruling class of the Ilonggos (see Principalía).

The town's fiesta is one of the most important events for Ilonggos. Almost every town (municipality) in Iloilo has a fiesta and festival celebrated annually.

Iloilo is also home to two of the countries cultural minorities the Sulod-Bukidnon and the Ati.

Government

1st District
  1. Ninfa S. Garin
  2. Dennis T. Valencia
2nd District
  1. Demmy P. Sonza
  2. June S. Mondejar
3rd District
  1. Emmanuel R. Gallar
  2. Licurgo P. Tirador

4th District
  1. Carmen Rita M. Bautista
  2. Maria Shalene P. Hidalgo
5th District
  1. Nielo C. Tupas
  2. Jesus C. Salcedo

The Old Capitol Building of the Province of Iloilo.

Ex-officio Board Members
  1. PCL President: Paolo M. Guanco
  2. ABC President: Jeneda C. Salcedo
District Representatives
  1. 1st District: Oscar S. Garin, Jr.
  2. 2nd District: Arcadio H. Gorriceta
  3. 3rd District: Arthur D. Defensor, Jr.
  4. 4th District: Hernan G. Biron, Jr.
  5. 5th District: Niel C. Tupas, Jr.

Economy

Iloilo's economy is vibrant, because of good political will and the cooperation of the Ilonggos. Iloilo's "economic boom" made thousands of jobs, and made the province one of the most competitive in the country. Iloilo City is the center for real estate, accommodation, medical centers, education, shopping centers, business centers, IT/BPO centers and many more. Iloilo's Northern part consists of fishing industries. It is near to the Visayan Sea which makes the province one of the leading fisheries in the Philippines. The Central part is an agri-industrial center because of its main produces such as corn, palay, banana, among others as well as high-end crops in the Bucari Area in Leon, inland resorts and trekking sites. Sugar Industries are also found in Passi City and its neighboring towns. Southern Iloilo's economy is mostly based on tourism because of the century-old churches and colonized buildings.

Infrastructure

Iloilo International Airport

The airport serves the Province of Iloilo, including its capital city, Iloilo City, 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 the old Iloilo Airport in Mandurriao, Iloilo City and inherited its IATA and ICAO airport codes. It is the fourth-busiest airport in the Philippines, from its predecessor. It is the first airport in both Western Visayas and the island of Panay to be built to international standards, and one of the four airports in the region planned to be an international gateway. It is one of the 2 international airports in Western Visayas, the other one being Kalibo International Airport.

Iloilo Port Complex

Main article: Port of Iloilo

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 Iloilo Commercial Port Complex is located on 20.8 hectares of reclaimed land. It includes 11,400 sq. meters of open space for operations, supplemented by an area of 97,000 sq. meters, a crane, 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.

A number of shipping companies use the Port of Iloilo, including Lorenzo Shipping Corporation, 2GO, Amigo Shipping Company, New Panay Shipping Company, Sulpicio Lines, and Trans-Asia Shipping Lines Inc. Fast ferries serve Iloilo-Bacolod routes eight times daily. 2GO inter-island, overnight ferries serve longer routes, going to Manila, Bacolod, Cebu, Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro City. Pumpboat ferries cross the Iloilo Strait to Guimaras constantly during the day and on special trips at night.

Roll-on/roll-off ferry service, known as RO-RO, is available between Iloilo City and Guimaras, but the ro-ro to Negros is available from Dumangas, Iloilo.

It is ranked third in terms of ship calls at 11,853, fourth in cargo throughout at 491,719 million metric tons and fourth in passenger traffic at 2.4 million annually.

Accessibility

Iloilo is one of the most accessible provinces in the Philippines. Iloilo can be reached by plane on regular commercial international flights from Hong Kong and Singapore to the Iloilo International Airport. Direct domestic flights connect Iloilo to major cities in the Philippines including Manila, Cebu, Davao, General Santos, Puerto Princesa, and Cagayan de Oro. Direct ferry routes and roll-on roll-off connections on the Philippines’ nautical highway are also available between Iloilo and all major cities in the country.

By plane, travel time to the Iloilo takes around 1 hour from Manila, 30 minutes from Cebu, 2 hours and 30 minutes from Hong Kong, and 3 hours and 30 minutes from Singapore. By direct ferry, Iloilo is approximately 1.5 hours away from Bacolod, and 15 minutes away from Guimaras. By land, Iloilo is around 4–5 hours away from Boracay, 3 hours away from Kalibo, and 2 hours away from Roxas City.

Iloilo transportation gateways

Iloilo International Airport – The Iloilo International Airport is the primary gateway to Iloilo. It serves regularly scheduled direct domestic flights to Iloilo from major Philippine airlines including Manila, Cebu, Davao, General Santos, Puerto Princesa, and Cagayan de Oro. The airport also serves international flights from Iloilo to Hong Kong and Singapore. Flights to Iloilo are served by Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, PAL Express, and TigerAir. The Iloilo Airport is located approximately 19 kilometers or 20 minutes away by taxi from Iloilo City.

Iloilo Seaports – Ferries in Iloilo depart and arrive at various seaports in Iloilo City and Iloilo Province depending on the route and vessel type. (1) Ferry terminals along the Iloilo River in Lapuz district, Iloilo City serves fastcraft ferries from Bacolod, RORO ferries from Guimaras, and ferries from Palawan. (2) The Iloilo Domestic Port in Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City Proper serves shipping companies with routes from Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, and Zamboanga.[11]

Tourism

The Miag-ao Church is one of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines.
St. William The Hermit Parish Church of Passi City, the longest and one of the largest and oldest churches in Iloilo Province

As a leading province during the Spanish Colonial Era, the province of Iloilo is widely known for its beautiful old world architecture similar to that of Latin American Countries. Spanish colonial Churches are amongst the well-known tourist sites in the province. Some natural sites are also in here as well as mixed-use parks that sprawl around the province.

Miag-ao Church. A World Heritage Site. The Aztec-Baroque inspired church with Filipino botanicals used to carved on the facade. It is known for its intricate facade and pyramidal bell towers. The church was used as a fortress during the olden days. It is a massive structure built of yellowish Limestones.

Molo Church. The Gothic Renaissance Church of Molo was used as a watch tower to warn the people if there are any attackers on the shore of Iloilo City. It is a fine coral stone church with Classical and Gothic details. It is also known as the feminist church because of the beautiful female saints lining inside the church.

Cabatuan Church. This Neoclassic Church, known to be the most massive Hispanic structure in Iloilo is built of red bricks. It is believed to be the largest red brick structure in the Visayas and it was given the title "Model of Temples" by the 'El Eco de Panay'. The Cabatuan Church is known to be the only extant Spanish colonial church with three facades.

San Jose Church. The beautiful church in front of plaza Libertad is considered the most historic amongst the churches in Iloilo City. It is a Byzantine-Neoclassic Church planned to look like the Spanish Church of Valencia del Cid. The Church is known for its collection of priceless Catholic treasures.

Passi City Church. This is considered a militaristic church in that it was planned as a ‘fortress church’ and the proof of this can be seen in the massive buttresses which support the front and back walls of the church. The church was built to replace churches that had been destroyed by an earthquake in 1612 and subsequent churches that had been destroyed by fires.

Old Capitol building of the Province of Iloilo. A National Historical Site. The building was built with wood stone during the Spanish colonization. It served as the capitol when the civil government of Iloilo was founded in 1901. The National Historical Institute (NHI) formally recognized the Old Capitol as a historical landmark through a marker installed on its walls on April 11, 2010.[12]

Bucari Area. Bucari Area is an area with mountainous terrain situated in the highlands of Leon and Alimodian. It is known as the "Summer Capital of Iloilo" and declared as a special economic zone for tourism and ecological enterprise due to its cool climate, topography, highland attractions and scenery.

Bulabog Putian National Park. Bulabog Puti-an National Park is a protected rain forest area known for being a living museum of flora and fauna. Hundreds of local and foreign tourists visit the 847 eco-tourism park to immerse in the area’s natural attractions such as its various forms of wildlife and more than 30 caves. It is located within the municipalities of San Enrique and Dingle.[13]

Islas de Gigantes. The Islas de Gigantes is an island group found in the offshores of the municipality of Carles. The place is known for its numerous caves, white sand beaches, emerald-like shores and lagoon, and rock formations.

Santa Barbara Church. The Santa Barbara Parish Church and Convent is considered to be the "Cradle of Independence" in Panay and in the Visayas. In 1991, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines declared Santa Barbara Church and Convent as a National Landmark. The church was the site where General Martin Delgado of the Visayan Revolutionary Government started the junta that resulted to the first Cry of Revolution against the Spaniards outside Luzon. It was also used as the general headquarters and military hospital of the revolutionary forces.

Calle Real Heritage District. Calle Real, or the J.M. Basa St. In Iloilo City, is once the shopping and entertainment center of the city during the Spainsh and American period. It houses numerous old colonized buildings.

Iloilo River Esplanade. The Esplanade is Iloilo City's newest hub for dining, leisure and recreation. Poised to be one of the longest linear park in the country.

Iloilo Golf and Country Club. The Iloilo Golf Course and Country Club is the oldest golf course in South East Asia. It all began in the 1850s when the British, led by Iloilo-based Vice Consul Nicholas Loney known today as the “Father of the Philippine Sugar Industry."

Universities and colleges

Sports

Stallion F.C. is an association football club founded in Barotac Nuevo. The club is affiliated with the Iloilo Football Association and currently playing in Division 1 of the United Football League.

Media

Iloilo City is home to regional television stations of GMA Network (GMA TV6 & GMA News TV 28), TV5 (UHF 36 & AksyonTV 46), Solar channels (9TV TV-4) ETC UHF 32 & 2nd Avenue UHF 24), (BEAM UHF 26) and ABS-CBN (ABS-CBN TV10, ABS-CBN Sports+Action (UHF 38)).

Notable Ilonggos

References

  1. "List of Provinces". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 "Population and Annual Growth Rates for The Philippines and Its Regions, Provinces, and Highly Urbanized Cities" (PDF). 2010 Census and Housing Population. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  3. Francisco Colin, S.J.; Madrid, published in 1663 , from his Labor evangélica
  4. Chuan-chou Fu-chi (Ch.10) Year 1512
  5. http://ilongo.weebly.com/iloilo-history-part-2.html
  6. Philippines: A Unique Nation By Dr. Sonia M. Zaide (2015) p. 150. [All Nations Publishing Co., Inc.]
  7. 1 2 3 "Province: Iloilo". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority - National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  8. "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010 (Western Visayas)" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  9. Table 5. Household Population by Ethnicity and Sex: Iloilo, 2000
  10. and http://ilongo.weebly.com/languages-of-iloilo.html
  11. http://www.exploreiloilo.com/guide/iloilo-transportation/
  12. "Old Iloilo capitol now a national historical site". Philippine Information Agency. 13 April 2010. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2010.

External links

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