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Iloilo ( ; ), officially the Province of Iloilo (; ; ; ), is a
province A province is an administrative division within a country or sovereign state, state. The term derives from the ancient Roman , which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire, Roman Empire's territorial possessions ou ...
in the Philippines located in the Western Visayas
region In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as areas, zones, lands or territories, are portions of the Earth's surface that are broadly divided by physical characteristics (physical geography), human impact characteristics (human geography), and ...
. Its capital and largest city is Iloilo City, the regional center of Western Visayas and politically independent from the province. Iloilo occupies the southeast portion of the Visayan island of Panay and is bordered by the province of Antique to the west,
Capiz Capiz (), officially the Province of Capiz (Capiznon language, Capiznon/Hiligaynon language, Hiligaynon: ''Kapuoran sang Capiz''; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the central part of the Western Visayas Regions of the Philippines ...
to the north, the Jintotolo Channel to the northeast, the Guimaras Strait to the east, and the Iloilo Strait and Panay Gulf to the southwest. Iloilo City, its capital, is the center of the Iloilo–Guimaras metropolitan area or Metro Iloilo–Guimaras, and is geographically located in the province and grouped under it by the Philippine Statistics Authority, but remains politically independent from the provincial government. According to the 2020 census, the population of the province (excluding Iloilo City) is 2,051,899. If Iloilo City is included, the population is 2,509,525 in total. Iloilo is known for its rich history and cultural heritage. The southern part of the province is home to many Spanish-era historic sites, including the
Miag-ao Church Santo Tomás de Villanueva Parish Church, commonly known as Miagao Church, is a Roman Catholic Church, Roman Catholic Church (building), church located in Miagao, Iloilo, Philippines. It is under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Jaro. The ...
, a
UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...
World Heritage Site in the Philippines. It also boasts several other prominent structures, such as the San Joaquin Campo Santo, San Joaquin Church, and Santa Barbara Church, all recognized as National Cultural Treasures by the National Museum of the Philippines. In the northern part, it is known for beaches and islands, including the Bantigue Sandbar, Tangke Lagoon, Cabugao Island, and Antonia Island, all part of the Islas de Gigantes. Additionally, Sicogon Island, situated south of the group of islands, has gained popularity as a luxury tourist destination.


Etymology

The name of the province is derived from Iloilo City, which in turn is derived from the older name "Irong-irong" (
Philippine Spanish Philippine Spanish ( or ) is the variety of standard Spanish spoken in the Philippines, used primarily by Spanish Filipinos. Spanish as spoken in the Philippines contains a number of features that distinguishes it from other varieties of ...
: ''Irong̃-írong̃'') meaning "nose-like", referring to the promontory between two rivers ( Iloilo and Batiano) where the Fort San Pedro and the 17th-century Spanish port were located.


History


Early history

No pre-Hispanic written accounts of Iloilo and Panay island exist today. Oral tradition, in the form of recited epics like the Hinilawod, has survived to a small degree. A few recordings of these epic poems exist. The most notable are the works of noted Filipino Anthropologist Felipe Jocano. While no current archaeological evidence exist describing pre-Hispanic Iloilo, an original work by Pedro Alcantara Monteclaro published in 1907 called '' Maragtas'' details the alleged accounts of the founding of the various pre-Hispanic polities on Panay Island. The book is based on oral and written accounts available to the author at the time. The author made no claim on the historical accuracy of the accounts. According to Maragtas, Madja-as was founded after ten datus fled Borneo and landed on Panay Island. The book then goes on to detail their subsequent purchase of the coastal lands in which they settled from the native Ati people. Datu Paiburong, one of the ten fleeing datus, established a settlement and named it Irong-Irong after an islet of the same name on the Batiano River. Afterwards, the warriors Labaodungon and Paybare, upon advice of datu Paiboring then recruited local fighters from the Philippines and fellow immigrants from Borneo and they returned to Borneo at Odtojan where the enemy of the ten datus, Makatunaw, ruled, Rajah or Sultan Makatunao, and they killed him and sacked the city he ruled and returned to the newly founded towns of the ten datus.Mga Maragtas ng Panay
Comparative Analysis of Documents about the Bornean Settlement Tradition By Talaguit Christian Jeo N.


Spanish colonial era

Spain eventually succeeded on conquering of the island of Panay when Spanish
conquistador Conquistadors (, ) or conquistadores (; ; ) were Spanish Empire, Spanish and Portuguese Empire, Portuguese colonizers who explored, traded with and colonized parts of the Americas, Africa, Oceania and Asia during the Age of Discovery. Sailing ...
Miguel López de Legazpi Miguel López de Legazpi (12 June 1502 – 20 August 1572), also known as ''Adelantado, El Adelantado'' and ''El Viejo'' (The Elder), was a Spanish conquistador who financed and led an expedition to conquer the Philippines, Philippine islan ...
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 the Moro, of which the former found an ally in Spanish against the latter. The Bisayas 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 The Malacca Sultanate (; Jawi script: ) was a Malays (ethnic group), Malay sultanate based in the modern-day state of Malacca, Malaysia. Conventional historical thesis marks as the founding year of the sultanate by King of Singapura, Parameswa ...
, 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. Nevertheless, when the 4,000 Moros led by Sirungan and Salikala tried to attack Iloilo City they were repulsed with heavy losses in the town of Arevalo by a force of 1,000 Hiligaynon warriors and 70 Mexican arquebusiers under the command of Juan García de Sierra, the Spanish officer who died in the battle. The Spanish Christianized the area. 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). The Jesuits soon built a school for Spanish and Visayan boys in Tigbauan, Iloilo. Later in the 1700s, Iloilo was home to 166 Spanish Filipino families and 29,723 native families.ESTADISMO DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS TOMO SEGUNDO By Joaquín Martínez de Zúñiga (Original Spanish)
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American colonial era

During the American colonial period, Iloilo became a home to many firsts: including the first department stores and cinema theaters in the Commonwealth of the Philippines.


Japanese occupation

Iloilo experienced severe devastation during the events of World War II. The Japanese built "comfort stations" in Iloilo in 1942, where they imprisoned Filipino "
comfort women Comfort women were women and girls forced into sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces in occupied countries and territories before and during World War II. The term ''comfort women'' is a translation of the Japanese , a euphemism ...
" who they routinely gang-raped, brutalized, and murdered for entertainment. Nevertheless, during the Japanese occupation, Macario Peralta Jr., freed most of Panay (with little exceptions) from Japanese Imperialism, thus other allied guerillas in other provinces from Romblon,
Palawan Palawan (, ), officially the Province of Palawan (; ), is an archipelagic province of the Philippines that is located in the region of Mimaropa. It is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of . The capital and largest c ...
, Marinduque and portions of Masbate and Mindoro, considered majority liberated Panay Island, the "
Primus inter pares is a Latin phrase meaning first among equals. It is typically used as an honorary title for someone who is formally equal to other members of their group but is accorded unofficial respect, traditionally owing to their seniority in office. H ...
" in their alliance network.Lapham, R., and Norling, B., 1996, Lapham's Raiders, Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky,


Philippine independence

Iloilo became a province of the newly fledged
Republic of the Philippines The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of 7,641 islands, with a total area of roughly 300,000 square kilometers, which ar ...
when the archipelago gained independence from the United States on July 4, 1946.


Geography

The province covers a total area of occupying the central and eastern section of Panay island in the Western Visayas region. If Iloilo City is included for geographical purposes, Iloilo has an area of . The province is bordered by the province of Antique to the west,
Capiz Capiz (), officially the Province of Capiz (Capiznon language, Capiznon/Hiligaynon language, Hiligaynon: ''Kapuoran sang Capiz''; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the central part of the Western Visayas Regions of the Philippines ...
to the north, the Jintotolo Channel to the northeast, the Visayan Sea and Guimaras Strait to the east, and the Iloilo Strait and Panay Gulf to the southwest. The province is divided into two distinct geographic regions; the highlands of the Central Panay Mountain Range 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.
Mount Baloy Mount is often used as part of the name of specific mountains, e.g. Mount Everest. Mount or Mounts may also refer to: Places * Mount, Cornwall, a village in Warleggan parish, England * Mount, Perranzabuloe, a hamlet in Perranzabuloe parish, ...
is the highest mountain in Iloilo with an elevation of above sea level, located on the triple border of Iloilo, Capiz, and Antique. Other peaks are Mount Llorente 4,409 ft. (1,344m), Mount Sansanan 4,219 ft. (1,286m), Mount Napulak 4,095 ft. (1,248 m), Mount Balabag 3,728 ft. (1,136m).Expansive fishponds and mangrove wetlands are found along the coasts and rivers of Iloilo City and the towns of Oton, Leganes, Zarraga, Dumangas, Anilao, Banate, Barotac Viejo, Barotac Nuevo, Ajuy, Balasan and Carles.


Topography

List of peaks in Iloilo by elevation: *Mount Baloy *Mount Inaman *Mount Igdalig *Mount Tiran


Rivers

List of rivers in Iloilo by length: * Jalaur River *Tigum River *Lamunan River *Ulian River (Laglag) *Suage River *Aganan River *Sibalom River, Tigbauan *Jar-ao River, Guimbal *Asisig River *Alawihaw River *Tangyan River *Balantian River *Barotac Viejo River *Sara River *Siuaragan River *Barotac Nuevo River *Lawigan River *Cata-an River *Banate River *Tiolas River *Tumagbok River *Oyungan River * Iloilo River


Administrative divisions

The Province of Iloilo consists of 42
municipalities A municipality is usually a single administrative division having municipal corporation, corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality' ...
and two cities (one component and one highly urbanized).


Climate


Demographics

The population of Iloilo in the 2020 census was 2,051,899 people, with a density of . If the highly urbanized city of Iloilo is included for statistical purposes, the province's total population is 2,509,525 people, with a density of . People from Iloilo are called Ilonggos. There are three local languages used in the province: Hiligaynon (Ilonggo), Kinaray-a and Capiznon. Hiligaynon and dialects/variants of it are spoken in Iloilo City and in some towns of the province, especially to the northeast. Tagalog and English are widely used as administrative, educational, and commercial languages.


Language

Hiligaynon is concentrated in the city of Iloilo and surrounding areas, as well as the northeastern portion of the province, Guimaras and the Negros Island (especially in Negros Occidental and to a lesser extent in Negros Oriental), as well as the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and North Cotabato in
Soccsksargen Soccsksargen (officially stylized in all caps; ), formerly known as Central Mindanao, is an Regions of the Philippines, administrative region of the Philippines, designated as Region XII. Located in south-central Mindanao, its name is an List of g ...
,
Mindanao Mindanao ( ) is the List of islands of the Philippines, second-largest island in the Philippines, after Luzon, and List of islands by population, seventh-most populous island in the world. Located in the southern region of the archipelago, the ...
. It is also spoken in the neighboring provinces, such as
Capiz Capiz (), officially the Province of Capiz (Capiznon language, Capiznon/Hiligaynon language, Hiligaynon: ''Kapuoran sang Capiz''; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the central part of the Western Visayas Regions of the Philippines ...
, Antique,
Aklan Aklan, officially the Province of Aklan, is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. Its capital and largest town is Kalibo. The province is situated in the northwest portion of Panay, Panay Islan ...
, Masbate,
Palawan Palawan (, ), officially the Province of Palawan (; ), is an archipelagic province of the Philippines that is located in the region of Mimaropa. It is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of . The capital and largest c ...
and Romblon as well as in some parts of Maguindanao. It is also spoken as a second language by Cebuano speakers in Negros Oriental, Kinaray-a speakers in Antique, Aklanon/Malaynon speakers in
Aklan Aklan, officially the Province of Aklan, is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. Its capital and largest town is Kalibo. The province is situated in the northwest portion of Panay, Panay Islan ...
, and Capiznon speakers in
Capiz Capiz (), officially the Province of Capiz (Capiznon language, Capiznon/Hiligaynon language, Hiligaynon: ''Kapuoran sang Capiz''; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the central part of the Western Visayas Regions of the Philippines ...
. The language is referred to as ''Ilonggo'' in Iloilo and Negros Occidental. More precisely, Ilonggo is an ethno-linguistic group referring to the people living in southeastern Panay and its associated culture. The boundaries of the language called Ilonggo and that called Hiligaynon are unclear. The disagreement of which name is correct extends to Philippine language specialists and native laypeople.


Religion

Iloilo is a Roman Catholic-predominated province comprising about 87% of the population. Independent Catholic and Protestant churches also exist such as members of
Iglesia Filipina Independiente The Philippine Independent Church (; ), officially referred to by its Philippine Spanish name (IFI) and colloquially called the Aglipayan Church, is an Independent Catholic, independent catholic Christian denomination, in the form of a Religi ...
or Aglipayan Church, Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Adventists, 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 (Mormons) and Jehovah's Witnesses while non-Christians are usually represented by Muslims, and to a lesser extent, Buddhists and Hindus.


Economy

Iloilo is one of the most competitive provinces in the Philippines, recognized for its strong economy, resilience, and effective governance. This collaboration has resulted in an
economic boom An economy is an area of the production, distribution and trade, as well as consumption of goods and services. In general, it is defined as a social domain that emphasize the practices, discourses, and material expressions associated with ...
that has generated thousands of jobs and propelled the province to become one of the richest in the country. Its capital, Iloilo City, is one of the largest cities in the country in terms of economic activity. It serves as the economic center of the province and supports a wide range of industries and services, including real estate, accommodation, healthcare, education, retail, business, and IT/BPO sectors. It also functions as a key port for domestic and international trade. The city's diverse economy significantly contributes to the overall development of the province. Metro Iloilo, which includes the neighboring municipalities of Pavia, Oton, Leganes, and Santa Barbara, also plays a significant role in the province's economy. Pavia is known as an agricultural-industrial center, combining farming with industrial developments, and is also recognized for its commercial centers and residential developments. Oton contributes with its agricultural production and emerging retail sector, and will soon host the largest central business district (CBD) in Iloilo. Leganes is notable for its light industries and hosts the province's first agro-industrial economic zone, contributing to both agriculture and light manufacturing. Santa Barbara is known for its historical sites and a growing tourism industry. The northern part of Iloilo is notable for its robust fishing industry and expanding tourism sector, benefiting from its proximity to the Visayan Sea and natural attractions like beaches and marine reserves. The central part of the province functions as an agri-industrial hub, producing a variety of agricultural products such as corn, rice, bananas, pineapples, and sugar. The highland areas, including Bucari in Leon and Alimodian, are known for high-value crops like strawberries and mangoes, and offer tourism opportunities through inland resorts and trekking sites. The sugar industry is a key economic driver in Passi City and nearby towns like Lambunao, Dueñas, San Enrique, and Bingawan. In southern Iloilo, the economy is largely driven by tourism, with historical sites, colonial architecture, and coastal attractions in towns such as Tigbauan, Guimbal, Miagao, and San Joaquin playing a significant role in the local economy.


Government

The government of Iloilo was established in 1566 when the Spanish settled a colonial center in Ogtong (now Oton). Control was later shifted to La Villa Rica de Arevalo (now Arevalo, Iloilo City) in 1581, which also served as the seat of the Spanish Government overseeing vast territories encompassing Iloilo,
Capiz Capiz (), officially the Province of Capiz (Capiznon language, Capiznon/Hiligaynon language, Hiligaynon: ''Kapuoran sang Capiz''; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the central part of the Western Visayas Regions of the Philippines ...
,
Aklan Aklan, officially the Province of Aklan, is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. Its capital and largest town is Kalibo. The province is situated in the northwest portion of Panay, Panay Islan ...
, Antique, and surrounding islands such as Negros, Guimaras, Cuyo,
Palawan Palawan (, ), officially the Province of Palawan (; ), is an archipelagic province of the Philippines that is located in the region of Mimaropa. It is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of . The capital and largest c ...
, Caluya, Romblon, and
Boracay Boracay (; sometimes shortened by non-natives as Bora) is a resort island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines, located off the northwest coast of Panay, Panay Island. It has a total land area of , under the jurisdiction of thre ...
. Over time, these territories gained independence. By 1616, the seat of government was transferred to La Punta, now known as
Iloilo City Proper Iloilo City Proper, also known as Downtown Iloilo or simply Iloilo among locals, is an Districts of Iloilo City, administrative district in Iloilo City, Philippines, located on the southeastern coast of the island of Panay in the Western Visayas ...
. This relocation marked a significant increase in colonial power, and the city's economy boomed, making it the largest in the Philippines after Manila during the Spanish period until the American period. The Governor of Iloilo serves as the local chief executive of the province, with the official office located at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol. Historically, the governor, along with the alcalde-mayor and presidente municipal, held office at the Casa Real de Iloilo from 1869 until 2006, when the larger capitol building adjacent to it was completed. *
Governor A governor is an politician, administrative leader and head of a polity or Region#Political regions, political region, in some cases, such as governor-general, governors-general, as the head of a state's official representative. Depending on the ...
: Arthur R. Defensor, Jr. * Vice Governor: Christine S. Garin


Provincial board members

1st District: * Marcelo Valentine S. Serag * Jo Ann B. Germinanda 2nd District: * June S. Mondejar * Rolito S. Cajilig 3rd District: * Matt P. Palabrica * Jason R. Gonzales 4th District: * Domingo B. Oso, Jr. * Rolando B. Distura 5th District: * Binky April M. Tupas * Carol-V Espinosa-Diaz Ex-officio Board Members: * PCL President: Ramon G. Sullano * LNB President: Amalia Victoria F. Debuque * PPSK President: Esara Aldeguer Javier


District Representatives

* 1st District: Janette L. Garin * 2nd District: Michael B. Gorriceta * 3rd District: Lorenz R. Defensor * 4th District: Ferjenel G. Biron * 5th District: Raul "Boboy" C. Tupas


Culture

The old buildings in downtown Iloilo showcase the influence of Spanish architecture, reflecting the historical presence of the Spaniards in the region. However, even before the arrival of the Mexicans, Spaniards, and other Europeans, Iloilo had already established trade relations with ancient Indonesians,
Malaysians Malaysians (Malay language, Malay: ''Orang Malaysia'') are citizens who are identified with the country of Malaysia. Although citizens make up the majority of Malaysians, non-citizen residents may also claim a Malaysian identity. The countr ...
and Vietnamese, Indian,
Arab Arabs (,  , ; , , ) are an ethnic group mainly inhabiting the Arab world in West Asia and North Africa. A significant Arab diaspora is present in various parts of the world. Arabs have been in the Fertile Crescent for thousands of years ...
, Chinese, Korean and Japanese merchants. The Spanish government encouraged foreign merchants to trade in Iloilo, although they were not granted land ownership privileges. Over time, intermarriage between foreign merchants, Spaniards, and the locals led to the emergence of the Mestizo class, who eventually became the ruling class of the Ilonggos, known as the
Principalía The ''principalía'' or Nobility, noble class was the ruling and usually educated upper class in the ''Municipality, pueblos'' of History of the Philippines (1521–1898), Spanish Philippines, comprising the ''gobernadorcillo'' (later called t ...
. Iloilo is also home to two of the nation's cultural minorities: the Sulod-Bukidnon and the Ati. These indigenous groups contribute to the cultural diversity of the province and add to its vibrant tapestry of traditions and customs.


Festivals

Iloilo is dubbed as the "Festival Capital of the Philippines" with various renowned festivals in the country celebrated in the province. The Dinagyang Festival is the most popular and largest festival in Iloilo, held every January in honor of the Santo Niño in Iloilo City. It features elaborate street dancing, vibrant costumes, and a festive atmosphere that attracts both locals and tourists. The Kasadyahan Festival, which is celebrated during the Dinagyang, is a competition among cultural festivals from different parts of Iloilo and Western Visayas. The Paraw Regatta Festival is another significant event, celebrating the traditional sailboats known as '' paraws''. This festival includes boat races, cultural presentations, and various activities showcasing the maritime culture of Iloilo. Jaro Fiesta, held every February, is a religious and cultural celebration in honor of the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (Our Lady of Candles), featuring processions, a grand fair, and traditional performances. The Pintados de Pasi is a cultural festival honors the tribal tradition of body painting known as '' pintados'' in Passi City''.'' Every municipality, barangay, and district in the province and city of Iloilo, has its own cultural, social, and religious festivals. Many of these festivals hold religious significance, honoring
deities A deity or god is a supernatural being considered to be sacred and worthy of worship due to having authority over some aspect of the universe and/or life. The ''Oxford Dictionary of English'' defines ''deity'' as a God (male deity), god or god ...
,
saint In Christianity, Christian belief, a saint is a person who is recognized as having an exceptional degree of sanctification in Christianity, holiness, imitation of God, likeness, or closeness to God in Christianity, God. However, the use of the ...
s, or important religious events. Others commemorate historical milestones such as independence days, national holidays, or significant local happenings. Some festivals focus on social bonding, bringing people together and fostering a strong sense of community.


Cuisine

Its capital city, Iloilo City has been recognized as a
UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...
Creative City of Gastronomy. It is renowned for its distinctive and flavorful cuisine including La Paz Batchoy, a hearty noodle soup with pork innards, liver, and crunchy '' chicharon''. Pancit Molo, a dumpling soup named after the Molo district, features wonton-style dumplings in a savory broth. Iloilo is also known for its Biscocho, a type of toasted bread topped with butter and sugar, and Barquillos, thin rolled wafers that are delightfully crispy. Seafood is abundant, and dishes like Grilled Talaba (oysters) and Kinilaw (raw fish marinated in vinegar and spices) are local favorites. Another local item is siopao, a steamed bun with a variety of fillings. Tinuom, a native dish of Cabatuan, is made up of native chickens seasoned with onions, tomatoes and lemon grass (tanglad) wrapped in banana leaves. Baye baye, a well-known local dish of Pavia, made from grated young
coconut The coconut tree (''Cocos nucifera'') is a member of the palm tree family (biology), family (Arecaceae) and the only living species of the genus ''Cocos''. The term "coconut" (or the archaic "cocoanut") can refer to the whole coconut palm, ...
mixed with either newly harvested rice ('' pinipig'') or corn and shaped into patties.


Tourism


Heritage sites

As a leading province during the Spanish Colonial Era, the province of Iloilo is widely known for its old world architecture similar to that of Latin American Countries. Spanish colonial churches are amongst the well-known tourist sites in the province, including the
Miag-ao Church Santo Tomás de Villanueva Parish Church, commonly known as Miagao Church, is a Roman Catholic Church, Roman Catholic Church (building), church located in Miagao, Iloilo, Philippines. It is under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Jaro. The ...
, a
UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...
World Heritage Site World Heritage Sites are landmarks and areas with legal protection under an treaty, international treaty administered by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, or scientific significance. The sites are judged to contain "cultural and natural ...
, features an
Aztec The Aztecs ( ) were a Mesoamerican civilization that flourished in central Mexico in the Post-Classic stage, post-classic period from 1300 to 1521. The Aztec people included different Indigenous peoples of Mexico, ethnic groups of central ...
-
Baroque The Baroque ( , , ) is a Western Style (visual arts), style of Baroque architecture, architecture, Baroque music, music, Baroque dance, dance, Baroque painting, painting, Baroque sculpture, sculpture, poetry, and other arts that flourished from ...
inspired design with intricate Filipino botanicals carved into its façade. The Gothic-
Renaissance The Renaissance ( , ) is a Periodization, period of history and a European cultural movement covering the 15th and 16th centuries. It marked the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and was characterized by an effort to revive and sur ...
Molo Church was used as a watchtower and is known for its classical and gothic details, often referred to as the 'feminist church' due to the female saints lining its interior. Jaro Cathedral boasts a Neo-Romanesque style with a distinctive
bell tower A bell tower is a tower that contains one or more bells, or that is designed to hold bells even if it has none. Such a tower commonly serves as part of a Christian church, and will contain church bells, but there are also many secular bell to ...
located across a street from the church. Cabatuan Church, the largest red brick structure in the Visayas, is known for its Neoclassic design and three facades. San Jose Church in front of Plaza Libertad is considered the oldest church in Iloilo City, known for its
Byzantine The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was the continuation of the Roman Empire centred on Constantinople during late antiquity and the Middle Ages. Having survived the events that caused the fall of the Western Roman E ...
-Neoclassic architecture and for houses the replica of Santo Niño de Cebú, the patron saint of the Dinagyang Festival. Plaza Libertad is the historic plaza where the flag of the first Philippine Republic was raised after Spain surrendered Iloilo to revolutionary forces on December 25, 1898. The San Joaquin Church features a large pediment with a sculptural relief of the Spanish victory in the Battle of Tetuan, making it a National Cultural Treasure along with San Joaquin Campo Santo, a Roman Catholic cemetery with a Spanish Baroque mortuary chapel. Passi City Church is a fortress church with massive buttresses built to replace earlier structures destroyed by natural disasters. The Casa Real de Iloilo, a National Historical Site, once served as the capitol when the civil government of Iloilo was founded in 1901. Santa Barbara Church, known as the "Cradle of Independence" in Panay and the Visayas, was the site of General Martin Delgado's junta leading to the first Cry of Revolution against the Spaniards outside Luzon. The Calle Real Heritage District houses numerous old colonial buildings, including the Eusebio Villanueva Building, formerly known as the International Hotel. The Iloilo Golf and Country Club, the oldest golf course in Southeast Asia, was established in the 1850s by British Vice Consul Nicholas Loney, known as the "Father of the Philippine Sugar Industry." File:Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva Miagao, Iloilo.jpg, The
Miag-ao Church Santo Tomás de Villanueva Parish Church, commonly known as Miagao Church, is a Roman Catholic Church, Roman Catholic Church (building), church located in Miagao, Iloilo, Philippines. It is under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Jaro. The ...
is one of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines. File:Campo Santo de San Joaquin.jpg, The San Joaquin Campo Santo is one of the oldest and well preserved cemeteries in the Philippines. File:Santa Barbara Church Iloilo 2.jpg, The Santa Barbara Church is one of the National Cultural Tresures in Iloilo.


Natural attractions

The province also boasts a variety of natural attractions including Bucari, situated in the highlands of Leon, is known as the "Summer Capital of Iloilo" due to its cool climate and highland attractions. Bulabog Putian National Park, a protected rainforest area within San Enrique and Dingle, features diverse
flora Flora (: floras or florae) is all the plant life present in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring (indigenous (ecology), indigenous) native plant, native plants. The corresponding term for animals is ''fauna'', and for f ...
and
fauna Fauna (: faunae or faunas) is all of the animal life present in a particular region or time. The corresponding terms for plants and fungi are ''flora'' and '' funga'', respectively. Flora, fauna, funga and other forms of life are collectively ...
, and over 30 caves, making it a popular eco-tourism destination in the province. Mount Napulak in Igbaras, one of the highest mountains in Iloilo, is the most popular mountain for hikers in the province. The Islas de Gigantes, known for island-hopping adventures, is an island group off the shores of Carles renowned for its white sand beaches, clear waters, lagoons, and rock formations. Cabugao Gamay is the most popular island in the archipelago, features two white sand beaches that forms like a sandbar connecting two islets. Sicogon Island, another island in Carles south of the Islas de Gigantes, is a resort island developed by Ayala Land, Inc. File:Isla de Gigantes beach.jpg, Antonia Beach in the Gigantes Islands. File:Gigantes Island.jpg, Cabugao Gamay Island, a selfie island in Islas de Gigantes. File:Mountain range view of Mt. Napulak trail.jpg, Mount Napulak, a popular mountain for hikers.


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 located at Cabatuan, Iloilo, replacing Mandurriao Airport in Mandurriao, Iloilo City and inherited its IATA and ICAO airport codes from its predecessor. The fourth-busiest airport in the Philippines, 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 two international airports in Western Visayas, the others being Kalibo International Airport.


Sicogon Airport

The airport serves tourists to the island of Sicogon in Carles, Iloilo. The airport has been redeveloped and opened in 2018. Charter flights to and from Sicogon to
Manila Manila, officially the City of Manila, is the Capital of the Philippines, capital and second-most populous city of the Philippines after Quezon City, with a population of 1,846,513 people in 2020. Located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay on ...
and vice versa took place in late 2018. It is located in Barangay San Fernando on the island.


Iloilo Port Complex

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 including ro-ro from Iloilo to Palawan. 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.


Panay–Guimaras–Negros Bridge

The Iloilo–Guimaras Bridge, a component of the larger Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge project, is currently undergoing a feasibility study and is scheduled to begin construction in 2025. Once completed, it will reconnect Iloilo to its former sub-province of Guimaras.


Iloilo–Capiz–Aklan Expressway

The Iloilo-Capiz-Aklan Expressway (ICAEx) is a proposed expressway on the island of Panay that will link the provinces of Iloilo, Capiz, and Aklan. Its entry point will be located in Leganes, where the proposed approach of the Panay-Guimaras Bridge, a component of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge project, is situated.


Panay Railways

Panay Railways has been proposed for revival to restore its defunct rail connections between Iloilo City and several key destinations in the province and across Panay, including Passi, Roxas, Kalibo, Malay (Aklan), and San Jose (Antique). The railway previously had stations in Iloilo City and Santa Barbara, in Iloilo province.


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 other major cities in the Philippines including Manila, Cebu, Davao, General Santos, Puerto Princesa, Zamboanga 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 other 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 to and from Bacolod, RORO ferries to and from Guimaras, and ferries to and from Palawan. (2) The Iloilo Domestic Port in Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City Proper, serves shipping companies with routes to and from Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, and Zamboanga.


Universities and colleges

The province of Iloilo, including the city of Iloilo, is a major center of education in the Western Visayas region. It is home to one of the largest numbers of universities in the country, with a total of ten major institutions. Two notable universities are also set to open new campuses in the city and province of Iloilo: the University of St. La Salle in Pavia and
National University A national university is mainly a university created or managed by a government, but which may also at the same time operate autonomously without direct control by the state. In the United States, the term "national university" connotes the highe ...
in Mandurriao, Iloilo City. Universities: * Central Philippine University, Jaro, Iloilo City * Iloilo Science and Technology University, La Paz, Iloilo City (with branch campuses in Barotac Nuevo, Leon and Miag-ao) * Iloilo State University of Science and Technology, Barotac Nuevo (with branch campuses in Dingle, Dumangas, and San Enrique) * John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University, Molo, Iloilo City (with branch campus in Arevalo, Iloilo City) * Northern Iloilo State University, Estancia (with branch campuses in Ajuy, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Concepcion, Lemery, and Sara) * St. Paul University Iloilo, Iloilo City Proper * University of Iloilo, Iloilo City Proper * University of San Agustin, Iloilo City Proper (with branch campus in Jaro, Iloilo City) * University of the Philippines Visayas, Iloilo City Proper and Miag-ao (Main Campus) * West Visayas State University, La Paz, Iloilo City (with branch campuses in Calinog, Janiuay, Lambunao/CAF, Lambunao/East, and Pototan) Colleges: * ABBA Institute of Technology, Iloilo City Proper * ACSI College Iloilo, Iloilo City Proper * ABE International Business College (Iloilo campus), Iloilo City Proper * AMA Computer College (Iloilo campus), Iloilo City Proper * Asian College of Aeronautics, Jaro, Iloilo City * Cabalum Western College, Iloilo City Proper * Colegio de San Jose, Jaro, Iloilo City * Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, Iloilo City Proper * Computer College of the Visayas, Iloilo City Proper * De Paul College, Jaro, Iloilo City * Dominican College of Iloilo, Zarraga * FAST Aviation Academy Inc. Iloilo, Jaro, Iloilo City * Gov. Angel Medina Foundation College, Passi City * Great Saviour College, La Paz, Iloilo City * Hua Siong College of Iloilo, Iloilo City Proper * Iloilo City Community College, Molo, Iloilo City * Iloilo Doctors' College, Molo, Iloilo City * Iloilo Doctors' College of Medicine, Molo, Iloilo City * Iloilo State College of Fisheries, Barotac Nuevo * Iloilo Technical College, Iloilo City Proper * Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines Foundation School of Midwifery, La Paz, Iloilo City * Interface Computer College (Iloilo campus), Iloilo City Proper * Leon Ganzon Polythechnic College, Balasan * New Lucena Polytechnic College, New Lucena * Passi City College, Passi City * Philippine College of Aeronautics, Science and Technology, Jaro, Iloilo City * St. Anne College of Iloilo, Mandurriao, Iloilo City * St. Therese – MTC colleges, Molo, Iloilo City (with branch campuses in La Paz, Iloilo City and Tigbauan) * St. Vincent College of Science and Technology, Leganes * St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary, Jaro, Iloilo City * STI College (Iloilo campus), Iloilo City Proper * St. Vincent College of Business and Accountancy, Pototan * Santa Isabel College of Iloilo City, Mandurriao, Iloilo City * Western Institute of Technology, La Paz, Iloilo City Special Schools: *SPED-Integrated School for Exceptional Children, Iloilo City Proper


Sports

Iloilo is home to two professional sports teams. Kaya F.C.–Iloilo competes in the Philippines Football League (PFL), the highest tier of Philippine football. The club relocated to the province in 2018. Kaya has won 3 PFL titles, 3 Copa Paulino Alcantara, and 1 UFL Cup. Kaya has also competed in the
AFC Champions League The AFC Champions League Elite (abbreviated as the ACL Elite) is an annual continental club association football, football competition organised by the Asian Football Confederation, and contested by Asia's List of top-division football clubs i ...
and the
AFC Cup The AFC Champions League Two (abbreviated as the ACL Two or ACL2) is an annual continental club football competition organised by the Asian Football Confederation. It is the second-tier competition of Asian club football, ranked below the AFC C ...
. The Iloilo United Royals compete in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, joining as an expansion team in the 2019–20 season.


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), IBC (VHF 12), (BEAM UHF 26) and ABS-CBN (ABS-CBN TV10, ABS-CBN Sports+Action (UHF 38)).


Notable people


References


External links

* * *
Iloilo Travel Website

Republic of the Philippines: Official website of the Provincial Government of Iloilo

Philippine Standard Geographic Code
{{Authority control Provinces of the Philippines Provinces of Western Visayas States and territories established in 1566 1566 establishments in the Philippines