Iloilo City grew from a cluster of Spanish-era towns at the mouth of the Iloilo River into the commercial heart of Western Visayas. Knowing how it came together makes every plaza, church and mansion you visit more meaningful.
Where Iloilo sits
Iloilo City lies on the southeastern coast of Panay Island, at the center of the Philippine archipelago. It faces the narrow Iloilo Strait, with Guimaras Island just across the water. Guimaras shelters the harbor from storms, which made Iloilo one of the country's safest natural seaports.
The Iloilo River winds through the city, and together with the Batiano River it almost encircles the old downtown, Molo and part of Arevalo. The land is flat and low, which is one reason Iloilo has become the "Bike Capital of the Philippines." Beyond the city, Iloilo province stretches north across rice and sugar plains to island groups such as the Islas de Gigantes, with the Central Panay mountains to the west.
Iloilo City is a highly urbanized city, so it governs itself separately from Iloilo province. For travel purposes, though, the city and province are one destination.
How the city came together
The Spanish arrived on Panay in the 1560s and founded La Villa Rica de Arevalo in 1581. In 1602, Spanish and Chinese residents from Jaro and Molo expanded to the river mouth at Irong-Irong, a place they called La Punta. That settlement became today's City Proper, and its name, Iloilo, spread to the whole city and province.
Opening the port to world trade in 1855 transformed the region. British vice-consul Nicholas Loney promoted sugar from Panay and Negros, and Iloilo became one of the richest cities in the colony. Spain honored it as La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad ("The Most Loyal and Noble City") in the 1890s.
Under American rule, the city was rechartered on July 16, 1937, absorbing the towns of Arevalo, La Paz, Mandurriao and Molo. Jaro, once a city in its own right, joined on January 7, 1941. Lapuz separated from La Paz in 2008, giving the city its seven districts and 180 barangays.
The seven districts
| District | Origin | Character today |
|---|---|---|
| City Proper | La Punta, settled 1602 | The old downtown and port: Calle Real, Plaza Libertad, Fort San Pedro |
| Jaro | Founded 1584; once a separate city and the seat of the archdiocese | The largest district, with the cathedral and the grandest mansions |
| Molo | Chinese trading quarter (parian) | Home of Molo Church and pancit Molo; called the "Athens of the Philippines" for its scholars |
| Arevalo | First Spanish settlement, 1581 | Seaside district of flower growers, weavers and the Paraw Regatta |
| Mandurriao | Town founded 1726; site of the old airport | The modern business district: Iloilo Business Park, Smallville, SM City |
| La Paz | Once part of Jaro | Birthplace of La Paz batchoy; the city's largest plaza |
| Lapuz | Separated from La Paz in 2008 | The newest district, home to the ferry and cargo ports |
Key dates
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1581 | La Villa Rica de Arevalo founded |
| 1602 | Settlement at La Punta (City Proper) begins |
| 1616 | Fort San Pedro built to guard the harbor |
| 1855 | Port opened to world trade; the sugar era begins |
| 1890s | Spain grants the title "Most Loyal and Noble City" |
| 1937 | City rechartered, absorbing Arevalo, La Paz, Mandurriao and Molo |
| 1941 | Jaro joins Iloilo City |
| 1968 | First Dinagyang Festival |
| 2007 | New airport opens in Cabatuan; the old airport site becomes Iloilo Business Park |
| 2008 | Lapuz becomes the seventh district |