Iloilo, the second oldest city in the country, is also known as the "Queen City of the South." Iloilo is a port city at the center of the Philippine archipelago, but nevertheless, is considered the bowl of Western Visayas, owing to its fertile soil suitable for any kind of agricultural products. It is a city that throbs with promise and potential, mainly due to its rich aquatic resources and abundant mineral deposits.

Iloilo has a rich colonial past coupled with a colorful cultural heritage. It boasts of different festivals, historic landmarks, excellent cuisines and delicacies, calming white sand beaches and resorts, and a wide array of recreation and entertainment, to while away the time of tourists and shoppers.

BRIEF HISTORY

Irong-Irongappears in the Maragtas legend of the coming of the ten Bornean datus to Panay who bartered gold for the plains and valleys of the island from a local Ati chieftain. One datu, Paiburong by name, was given the territory of Irong-Irong in what is now Iloilo. For 300 years before the coming of the Spaniards, the islanders lived in comparative prosperity and peace under an organized government and such laws as the Code of Kalantiaw.

In 1566, the Spaniards under Miguel Lopez de Legazpi came to Panay and established a settlement in Ogtong (now Oton, Iloilo). He appointed Gonzalo Ronquillo as deputy encomiendero, who in 1581 moved the seat of spanish power to La Villa de Arevalo, named in honor of his hometown of Avila in Spain. By 1700 due to recurrent raids by Moro pirates, Dutch and English privateers, the Spaniards moved to the Village of Irong-Irong, where close to the mouth of the river they built Fort San Pedro. Irong-Irong or Ilong-Ilong which the Spaniards later shortened to Iloilo later became the capital of the province.

Its capital which is of the same name became a chartered city on August 25, 1937.

THINGS TO DO AND SEE

Historical

1. Plaza Libertad - Located in Iloilo City. Where the flag of the First Philippine Republic was raised in triumph after Spain surrendered Iloilo.

2. La Villa de Arevalo - Located 6 km Southwest of Iloilo City. Known as the "Flower Village" of Iloilo.

3. Jaro - Located 3 km From the city proper. Where one can see the old colonial houses of sugar barons.

4. Jaro Belfry - One of the few belfries in the country that stands apart from the church.

5. Santa Barbara Golf Course - Located 16 km North of Iloilo City. The oldest golf course in the country.

6. Muelle Loney - Considered as one of the safest harbors.

7. Molo District - Called " Parian" in the old days.

8. Andonna Creek - Located in Brgy. Siwaragan, San Joaquin, Iloilo. Landing site of the 10 Bornean Datus.

9. Imbidayan Rock - Located in Brgy. Sinugbuhan, San Joaquin, Iloilo. Site of the Barter of Panay.

10. Fort San Pedro - Built by the Spaniards in the early 1600s.

Religious

1. Miag-ao Church - Located in Miag-ao town. Declared as national landmark in 1973 in UNESCOs World Heritage List.

2. San Joaquin Church - The only church in the Philippines sporting bas-relief of historic battle b/w Christians and Moros.

3. Tigbauan Church - Behind the rectory of the church was the first Jesuit school for boys in the Philippines established in 1592.

4. Molo Church - Located 3 km From the city proper. Gothic Renaissance Church made of coral rock.

5. Jaro Cathedral - Located 3 km From the city proper. Seat of the Jaro Archbishopric embracing Western Visayas.

Cultural

1. Museo Iloilo and Antique Collection - Located in Iloilo City proper. Repository of Iloilo's cultural heritage.

2. Rosendo Mejica Museum - Located in Molo, Iloilo City. Repository of valuable memorabilia dating back from the 19th century to the 6th decade of the 20th century.

Natural

1. Sicogon Island - Located 137 km Northeast of Iloilo City. White sand palm fringed island

2. Isla de Gigantes - Located 12 km East of Estancia. Where 15th c. burial caves are found.

3. Mt. Napulac - Located in Miag-ao town. Has virginal forest and abundant wildlife.

Man-made

1. UP in the Visayas Campus- Located in Miag-ao. A thousand hectare school campus; center of fisheries.

2. Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center- A multi-national aquaculture research center; undertakes artificial breeding of prawns and milk fish.

3. Science Centrum- Located in La Paz, Iloilo City. The first dynamic/interactive science museum in Region VI.

Festivals

1. Dinagyang - Celebrated every 4th weekend of January. A colorful festival in honor of the Child Jesus. Iloilo's version of the world famous Ati-Atihan festival.

2. Paraw Regatta - (movable). A race among swift and colorful native outriggers in the strait b/w Iloilo City and Guimaras Island.

3. Feast of Our Lady of Candles - Celebrated every February 2 in Jaro, Iloilo City. Biggest and most opulent religious pageantry in Western Visayas.

4. Pasungay - Celebrated every 2nd Saturday of January. Bullfights staged at the hillside of San Joaquin, Iloilo.