Experiences to add to your bucket list
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Camina Balay nga Bato
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Irong-Irong appears 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.
Best time of year: November – May
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 in Avila, 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.
Iloilo became a chartered city on August 25, 1937.
Showcases the noble history and culture of the town through theatrical/musical drama performances.
Biggest and most opulent religious pageantry in Western Visayas with agro-industrial exhibits, garden shows, carnivals, and grand cock derbies, among others, that make Jaro fiesta the symbol of Iloilo's affluence and love for great celebrations.
A race among swift and colorful native outriggers in the strait between Iloilo City and Guimaras Island.
A colorful cavalcade in honor of the Holy Child Jesus amidst the cracking drumbeats, Iloilo's version of the world famous Ati-atihan Festival.
Located in downtown Iloilo, J.M. Basa St. or Calle Real boasts of buildings that date back during the Spanish and American colonial periods.
Now known as Freedom Park, in honor of one of the bravest guerrilla fighters.
Located in Balantang, Jaro, Iloilo City. Has WW II vintage firearms, sub machine guns and 81 mortars are displayed. Photographs and situation maps depicting historical events are likewise exhibited.
A national shrine located at Balantang, Jaro, Iloilo City. The only military cemetery established outside Metro Manila. The bloodiest battle of the guerrilla forces of Col. Macario Peralta, Jr. had occurred in these hallowed grounds of Balantang and vicinity from February 6 up to the liberation of Iloilo City on March 20, 1945.
Located at Jaro Public Plaza; Built in honor of brave Ilonggo heroes.
Port of Iloilo named after British Nicholas Loney, Father of the Sugar Industry of Panay and Negros. Considered one of the safest harbors because of Guimaras Island that protects it from drastic winds; first opened to foreign trade in 1855.
A historiacal landmark at the entrance of Iloilo harbor; built by the Spaniards in 1616; attacked by Dutch, British, American and Japanese troops.
3 kms. from the city proper
Gothic Renaissance Church of coral rock; completed in the 1831; also kown as “ Women’s Lib Church”, the cjurch interior features 2 rows of female saints (eight on each side of the main aisle) a feature unique to churches.
Called Parian in the old days. It was the Chinese quarters of La Villa de Arevalo; Athens of the Philippines. Has produced many intellectual and political leaders: 1 chief justice (Ramon Avancena), 8 senators, 7 governors, 8 revolutionary generals, 10 legislators and many cabinet members.
Formerly called “Calle Real”; presently known as the Cultural Heritage Zone, declared as such because of the abundance of heritage buildings.
The first Baptist Church in the Philippines.
3 kms. from the city proper; seat of the Jaro Archbishoprics embracing Western Visayas; first and only cathedral in Panay; built in 1865; features all-male saints.
Built in 1865 and ruined by an earthquake in 1948; one of the few belfries in the country that stands apart from the church.
3 kms. from the Iloilo city proper; where old colonial houses of sugar barons and Hispano- Filipino houses of the elite still stand, seat of Catholicism in Western Visayas.
Where the third oldest original Santo Nino image in the Philippines is conserved; brought by the Spanish settlers in 1581.
6 kms. southwest of Iloilo City proper; 2nd capital of the Alcaldia of Panay; first Spanish settlement in Panay to be attacked in 1588 by the English privateer Sir Thomas Cavendish, third circumnavigator of the world; presently called the flower village of Iloilo City.
Formerly called “Pallza Alfonso XII” where the flag of the First Philippine Republic was raised in triumph after Spain surrendered Iloilo, their last capital in the Philippines on December 25, 1898 led by Gen. Martin Delgado.
Kilometer zero of Panay Island; contructed in 1927; named after Senator Jose Maria Arroyo.
A project which turns bobbin lace-making & embroidery into a livelihood for the ex-Hansenites.
3 kms. from Sara poblacion and approximately 98 kms. northeast of Iloilo City. The area is about 52 hectares classified as timberland. It has a reservoir where Purple Herons feed during daytime.
Orphanage where church vestments, barong, hankies, etc. are made, designed hand-embroidered by orphan girls.
Supplies of leis, corsages, bouquets and potted plants.
Where jusi (banana fiber) and piña (pineapple fiber) cloths are loom woven.
The Caste Hotel; heritage house built in 1930; during the Japanese regime, the building was occupied by the army, after the war, again was used by the US army as headquarters.
One of the heritage houses in Iloilo City, constructed in 1928.
Formerly Avancena House; built around 1860s; it served as general headquarters of the Filipino revolutionaries against the Spanish and American Government.
A typical example of Antillan Architecture. GRACIANO LOPEZ-JAENA SHRINE, Jaro, Iloilo City - the birthplace of Graciano Lopez-Jaena, founder of “La Solidaridad” publication.
Houses the memoirs and pictures of Mr. Toshimi Kumai, adjutant of the last battalion of the Jaoanese Army in Panay during WW II.
Declared as a heritage house by the National Historical Institute on March 13, 2002. Res. of Don Eugenio Lopez, Sr. Built in 1930s.
2-century old house of the Javellana family, parents of Doña Mariquit & wife of former Vice-Pres. Fernando Lopez.
Gracious lived-in beaux mansion built in 1928 by Don Vicente Lopez for his wife Doña Elena Hofileña.
Repository of valuable memorabilia, social & cultural literature in Hiligaynon, English & Spanish dating from the last quarter of the 19th century to the 6th decade of the 20th century.
Repository of Iloilo's cultural heritage
Available transport - jeepney, taxi
Contains collections of Magdalena Jalandoni's works; the 1st Republic Cultural Heritage awardee in Literature in 1969.
Formerly Avanceña House at #20 Osmeña Street, Arevalo built around 1860s. It served as general headquarters of the Filipino revolutionaries against the Spanish and American government.
