Iloilo City facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Iloilo City
Highly urbanized city
Iloilo Business Park Calle Real Molo Church Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral Molo Mansion Camiña Balay Nga Bato Lopez Heritage House Iloilo River
Flag Seal Logo
Nickname(s):  City of Love and others
Motto(s):  La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad de Iloílo (transl. The Most Loyal and Noble City of Iloilo)
Map of Western Visayas particularly Iloilo with Iloilo City highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Iloilo City Location in Philippines
Country	Philippines
Region	Western Visayas
Province	Iloilo (geographically only)
District	[[{{#property:P7938}} | — Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1804: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).]]
Founded	1566 (Spanish settlement)
Cityhood	October 5, 1889
Reincorporated	July 16, 1937
Highly urbanized city	December 22, 1979
Barangays	180 (see Barangays and districts)
City geographical districts	List Arevalo City Proper Jaro La Paz Lapuz Mandurriao Molo
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Panlungsod
Area
• City	78.34 km2 (30.25 sq mi)
• Urban	91 km2 (35 sq mi)
• Metro	1,105.53 km2 (426.85 sq mi)
Elevation	21 m (69 ft)
Highest elevation	175 m (574 ft)
Lowest elevation	-1 m (−3.3 ft)
Population  (2020 census)
• City	457,626
• Density	5,841.5/km2 (15,129.5/sq mi)
• Urban	574,000
• Urban density	6,310/km2 (16,340/sq mi)
• Metro	1,007,945
• Metro density	911.730/km2 (2,361.370/sq mi)
• Households	104,313
Demonym(s)	Ilonggo (masculine) Ilongga (feminine)
Economy
• Gross domestic product (GDP)	₱145.05 billion (2022) $2.563 billion (2022)
• Income class	1st city income class
• Poverty incidence	3.30 % (2021)
• Revenue	₱ 3,437 million (2020)
• Assets	₱ 9,408 million (2020)
• Expenditure	₱ 2,279 million (2020)
• Liabilities	₱ 2,082 million (2020)
Service provider
• Electricity	Monte Oro Resource Electric and Power Corporation (MORE)
• Water	Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	5000
PSGC	[https://psa.gov.ph/classification/psgc/?q=psgc/barangays/{{#pro000&regcode={{&provcode= p {{#property:P988}} ]
IDD : area code	+63 (0)33
Native languages	Hiligaynon/Ilonggo
Catholic diocese	Archdiocese of Jaro
Patron saint	Nuestra Señora de la Purificación y la Candelaria (English: Our Lady of Purification and Candle)
Website	iloilocity.gov.ph

Iloilo City, also known as the City of Iloilo, is a lively and important city in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. It's located on the southeastern coast of Panay Island. In 2020, about 457,626 people lived here, making it the most populated city in Western Visayas. If you include the nearby areas, the total population of the metropolitan area is over 1 million people.

Iloilo City is the largest city and capital of Iloilo Province. Even though it's part of the province geographically, it has its own independent government. It's also the main center for the entire Western Visayas region. This means it's a big hub for education, food, religion, healthcare, tourism, culture, business, and government.

The city is made up of several former towns that are now its districts. These include Villa de Arevalo, Iloilo City Proper, Jaro, La Paz, Mandurriao, Molo, and Lapuz. Lapuz became its own district in 2008.

The Spanish first settled in Iloilo in 1566, making it one of the oldest Spanish colonial centers in the Philippines. The city was given the special title "La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad" (The Most Loyal and Noble City) by Queen Maria Cristina of Spain. It even served as the last capital of the Spanish Empire in Asia. Today, you can still see a lot of Spanish influence in Iloilo's buildings, culture, food, and historical places.

Iloilo City is famous for its delicious food, like La Paz Batchoy, Kansi, and Pancit Molo. Because of its amazing food scene, UNESCO named it the first Creative City of Gastronomy in the Philippines. The city is also home to important schools like Central Philippine University, which was the first Baptist and second American-founded university in Asia. It also has the UNESCO-listed Hinilawod Epic Chant Recordings.

People also love Iloilo City for its exciting Dinagyang Festival, beautiful old heritage houses, ancient Catholic churches, museums, lovely river esplanades, and amazing Spanish colonial and American-era buildings. It's also a major center for the devotion to Candelaria in the Philippines.

What's in a Name?

The name "Iloilo" comes from the older name "Ilong-ilong." This means "nose-like" in Philippine Spanish. It refers to the land that looks like a nose between two rivers, the Iloilo and Batiano. This is where Fort San Pedro and the old Spanish port were located.

A Look Back: Iloilo's History

Early Settlements and Spanish Arrival

Not much is known about the region before the Spanish arrived. Some legends, like the Maragtas epic, tell stories of ten chiefs (called datu) who came from Borneo to Panay Island long ago. They supposedly bought land from the native Ati people. While these stories were once believed to be true, modern historians now see them more as local folk tales rather than actual history.

In 1566, the Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi sent his men to Panay to find food. They set up a temporary settlement in the area. In 1572, they formally established Oton, which was the second official Spanish outpost in the Philippines after Cebu City.

The people of Madja-as (an old kingdom in Panay) welcomed the Spanish. They even helped the Spanish conquer Manila. Unlike some other groups, the people of Panay quickly accepted Christianity.

In 1581, the Spanish moved their main settlement about 12 kilometers east to a place they called La Villa Rica de Arévalo. They moved because of frequent attacks from pirates and other European ships. Chinese traders and Mexican soldiers also settled in the area, helping it grow.

Growing as a Port City (1600s-1700s)

In 1600, a large Muslim attack on Iloilo City was stopped by local Visayan warriors and Mexican soldiers. To protect the area better, the Spanish built a fort called Fortificación de Nuestra Señora del Rosario (now Fort San Pedro) in 1700. This fort was built at the mouth of the river, which had natural defenses. The name "Irong-Irong" or "Ilong-Ilong" was shortened to Iloilo, and this port area quickly became the capital of the province.

The Sugar Boom and "Queen City of the South"

In the late 1700s, Iloilo became known for its large-scale weaving industry. They made beautiful fabrics like sinamay and piña, which were sold in Manila and other countries. This industry helped create a wealthy middle class.

However, in the mid-1800s, cheap textiles from other countries and the rise of the sugar industry changed things. Iloilo's port opened to global trade in 1855, which was a huge boost. The British vice-consul, Nicholas Loney, helped the sugar industry grow by offering loans and new farming methods. Wealthy families from Iloilo developed large sugar plantations, called haciendas, in nearby Negros Island.

Because of this sugar boom, Iloilo grew rapidly. New buildings, schools, banks, and businesses appeared everywhere. On October 5, 1889, Iloilo's status was officially changed from a town to a city by a royal decree. This was because it had become so important in trade and industry, second only to Manila. This is why Iloilo was often called the Queen City of the South.

The Philippine Revolution and American Arrival

When the Philippine Revolution started in 1896, many Ilonggos initially supported Spain. They even sent volunteers to help fight the rebellion in Manila. Because of their loyalty, Queen Regent Maria Cristina gave Iloilo the special title Muy Noble (Most Noble) in 1898.

After Spain lost the Spanish–American War, the capital of the Spanish Empire in Asia was moved to Iloilo. On December 25, 1898, the Spanish government in Iloilo surrendered to Filipino revolutionaries. This made Iloilo the last capital of the Spanish Empire in Asia.

However, the Ilonggos' freedom was short-lived. American forces arrived in Iloilo on December 27, 1898, to take control of the territory as part of the Treaty of Paris. After some warnings, the Americans attacked the city on February 11, 1899. Many buildings were damaged, and parts of the city were burned. The Americans landed and restored order. Iloilo was one of the last cities to fall to the Americans, with resistance lasting until 1901.

American Colonial Era and New Beginnings

During the American rule, Iloilo's districts like Jaro, La Paz, Mandurriao, and Molo were combined into one municipality in 1903. The Americans also improved the city's roads and installed streetlights.

The Americans also brought Protestantism to the Philippines. Iloilo became an important center for Protestant missions. The Presbyterians founded the Iloilo Mission Hospital in 1901, which was the first Protestant hospital in the country. The Baptists founded Central Philippine University in 1905, which was the first Baptist and second American university in Asia. These new institutions offered education and healthcare to many people.

In 1937, Iloilo officially became a city again, incorporating La Paz and Arevalo. Jaro was added in 1941. However, the sugar industry started to decline, and labor issues affected the port, causing Iloilo's economic importance to lessen.

World War II and Recovery

In 1942, the Japanese invaded Panay Island, and Iloilo's economy stopped. The city was heavily damaged during World War II. After the war, Iloilo faced challenges like labor conflicts and people moving to other cities for better opportunities.

Slowly, Iloilo began to recover. A new fishing port and international seaport were built. Businesses started investing in the city again. In 1979, Iloilo became a "highly urbanized city," meaning it became more independent from the provincial government.

Iloilo Today: A City on the Rise

The 21st century brought a big economic boom to Iloilo. New business centers opened, and major companies like SM, Megaworld, and Ayala invested heavily. The opening of the Iloilo International Airport in 2007 was a key factor in this growth. The old airport site was turned into a large business park, attracting even more investors.

Today, Iloilo City is a thriving metropolis. It's known for its low crime rate, business-friendly environment, and high quality of life.

Where is Iloilo City?

Iloilo City is located on the southern coast of Panay Island. It faces the Iloilo Strait and Guimaras Island, which makes it a natural and safe harbor for ships. The city is surrounded by the towns of Oton, Pavia, and Leganes. Across the Iloilo Strait are the towns of Buenavista and Jordan in Guimaras.

The city is mostly flat land, much of it reclaimed from swampy areas as it grew. Rivers like Iloilo, Batiano, Jaro, and Dungon Creek flow through the city. The Iloilo River is an estuary that separates some of the city's districts. Iloilo City is about 337.6 nautical miles (625.2 km) from Manila. The city covers a total land area of 70.3 square kilometers.

City Districts

Iloilo City is divided into seven main districts. Each district used to be its own town, except for Lapuz, which was part of La Paz until 2008. All districts have their own town centers with a plaza, a Catholic church, and a public market. The City Proper is the main commercial and political center.

Iloilo City has one legislative district and 180 barangays (small communities). Here's a quick look at the districts:

District Area Population (2020) Density Barangays km2 sq mi /km2 /sq mi Arevalo 7.58 2.93 55,476 7,300 19,000 13 (list) City Proper 3.73 1.44 46,350 12,000 31,000 45 (list) Jaro 27.48 10.61 130,700 4,800 12,000 42 (list) La Paz 11.33 4.37 54,720 4,800 12,000 25 (list) Lapuz 3.25 1.25 31,747 9,800 25,000 12 (list) Mandurriao 13.78 5.32 62,240 4,500 12,000 18 (list) Molo 5.54 2.14 76,393 14,000 36,000 25 (list)

Weather in Iloilo City

Iloilo City has a tropical climate with a clear wet season from June to November and a dry season from December to May. It's usually warm all year round.

People of Iloilo City

Languages Spoken

The main language spoken in Iloilo City is Hiligaynon. You might also hear it called "Ilonggo." English is widely used for business and in schools. Some people also speak Karay-a, especially those from other parts of the province.

Hiligaynon is spoken across Panay, Guimaras, and Negros islands. It has many words borrowed from Spanish because of the long Spanish colonial period.

Religious Beliefs

Iloilo City is an important center for faith in the Philippines. Most people (over 90%) are Roman Catholic, due to the strong influence of Spanish missionaries. There are also smaller groups of Protestants, Iglesia ni Cristo, and Aglipayans.

Jaro Cathedral is a very important Catholic church in Iloilo City. It's known as the center of Candelaria devotion in the Philippines and the main church for Roman Catholicism in Western Visayas.

When the Americans arrived, they brought Protestantism. This led to the founding of important Protestant institutions like the Iloilo Mission Hospital (the first American and Protestant hospital) and Central Philippine University (the first Baptist university in Asia).

How Iloilo City Makes Money

Iloilo City has the second-largest economy in the Visayas, after Cebu City. It's a major center for trade, business, finance, technology, healthcare, tourism, and education in the Western Visayas region. Key industries include managing port facilities, telecommunications, banking, retail, real estate, and business process outsourcing (BPO). The city government encourages businesses to invest here.

In the past, sugar was Iloilo's main export. This industry brought a lot of wealth to the city, making many families rich. However, after World War II, the sugar industry declined, and Iloilo's economic importance lessened.

The city's economy bounced back in the 21st century. The new Iloilo International Airport (opened in 2007) and big investments from real estate companies helped a lot. Today, Iloilo City is a busy economic hub. It has many bank savings deposits and is one of the busiest ports in the country. It also has a very low crime rate and is known as a business-friendly city.

Shopping and Retail

Iloilo City is a major shopping destination in Western Visayas. Its retail history goes back to Spanish and American times. In 1877, the first department store in the Philippines, Hoskyn's Department Store, opened on Calle Real. It sold everything from clothes to machinery.

Today, Iloilo has many modern malls and shopping centers. These include SM City Iloilo (the largest mall in Western Visayas), Robinsons Place Iloilo, and Festive Walk Iloilo. Festive Walk Parade is known as the longest dining strip in the Philippines. These malls offer a wide range of stores, restaurants, and entertainment options.

Iloilo's Culture and Arts

Iloilo's culture is a mix of local traditions and Spanish and American influences. The city is often called the "Festival Capital of the Philippines" and the "City of Mansions" because of its rich history and many cultural events.

Museums and Art

Iloilo City has many museums and art galleries that show its rich history and culture. These places display ancient pottery, porcelain, and artworks by famous Filipino artists.

Some notable museums include:

• Museo Iloilo: The first government-built museum outside Manila.
• Museum of Philippine Economic History: Shows the economic history of the Philippines.
• Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA): The first museum for modern art in Visayas and Mindanao. It even has works by famous international artists like Salvador Dalí.
• Henry Luce III (Museum and Library): Houses Asian artifacts and the UNESCO-listed Hinilawod Epic Chant Recordings.

Festivals and Celebrations

Iloilo is famous for its many festivals. The biggest ones are:

• Dinagyang Festival: Held every fourth Sunday of January, honoring the Holy Child Jesus.
• Kasadyahan Festival: Held the day before Dinagyang, showcasing festivals from different parts of the region.
• Jaro Fiesta (Fiesta de Candelaria): Celebrated every February 2, honoring Our Lady of Candelaria, the patroness of Western Visayas. It includes a large cockfighting competition and a fair.

Iloilo also celebrates the Iloilo Chinese Lunar New Year, which is one of the largest Chinese New Year celebrations outside Manila. During Christmas, the Festival of Lights and Music at Central at Central Philippine University lights up the campus with beautiful displays. The Paraw Regatta in February is Asia's oldest traditional boat sailing event.

The city also hosts the Iloilo Summer Arts Festival and the Iloilo Arts Festival, showcasing local visual and performing arts.

Delicious Ilonggo Food

Iloilo is known as the "Food Haven of the Philippines" and is the first UNESCO Creative Cities Network in Gastronomy in the country. Its food is a mix of local, Spanish, and Chinese influences.

Famous dishes include:

• La Paz Batchoy: A delicious noodle soup with pork organs, chicken stock, and pork cracklings.
• Pancit Molo: A type of noodle soup with dumplings.
• Kansi, Kadyos, Baboy, kag Langka (KBL), and Kadyos, Manok, kag Ubad: Hearty soups with different meats and vegetables.
• Chicken Inasal: Grilled chicken marinated in a special sauce.

Iloilo is also home to famous old bakeries that make treats like Biscocho (hardened baked bread) and Barquillos (thin rolled cookies). The first branch of the popular fast-food chain Mang Inasal also started here.

Cityscape and Buildings

Iloilo City's look is shaped by its history as a trading hub. Each district has its own unique feel, showing Spanish and American influences. The city has many green spaces, parks, and tree-lined streets.

The city has many beautiful old mansions and buildings from the Spanish and American colonial times. These show how important and wealthy Iloilo was in the past. It's sometimes called the "City of Mansions" because of its many grand old homes.

• Calle Real: This historic street is Iloilo's old business district. It's lined with commercial buildings that have European designs. It's considered the second-most preserved heritage business district in the Philippines.
• Aduana de Iloilo (Iloilo Customs House): A notable building from the American colonial period, it's the second-largest customs house in the Philippines.
• Jaro District: Once a separate city, Jaro is known for its grand mansions built by wealthy families during the sugar boom. Examples include Nelly's Garden and Villa Lizares. It also has the Jaro Cathedral with its unique detached belfry.
• Molo District: Known as the "Chinese town" during Spanish times, Molo has beautiful mansions and the Molo Church, which is famous for its Gothic style. The Molo Mansion is a restored heritage house that now serves as a cultural center.

In recent years, Iloilo has seen a lot of modern development, especially in the Mandurriao district. New malls, tall buildings, and hotels have been built, like the Injap Tower, the tallest skyscraper in Western Visayas.

Green and Smart City Initiatives

Iloilo City is working hard to be a green and sustainable city. It won the "Clean Air City Award" in 2017 for its efforts to keep the air clean. The city also won the Galing Pook Award for its Iloilo Batiano River Development Project.

The city government has banned plastic straws, requires businesses along the Iloilo River to treat their wastewater, and promotes recycling. They also plant many trees and mangroves along the rivers and streets. In 2020, Iloilo City received the ASEAN Clean Tourist City award.

Iloilo is also becoming a "smart city." It offers free internet in public areas and is working to reduce carbon emissions. Electric vehicles are used, and pumping stations help prevent flooding. The city has also installed CCTV cameras in all barangays for public safety.

Parks and Fun Places

Iloilo City has many parks, open spaces, and gardens. The Iloilo River Esplanade is a long riverside park that stretches along both sides of the Iloilo River. It's a great place for walking, jogging, and enjoying nature. The esplanade is home to many mangrove trees, which are important for marine life.

The city's districts also have their own public squares, called Plazas, with gardens and trees. These plazas are important places for people to gather and relax. The city is also redeveloping areas like the Iloilo City Civic Center and the Provincial Capitol complex to create more green spaces.

Bicycling Capital

Iloilo City is known as the "Bicycling Capital of the Philippines." The city has built nearly 100 kilometers of dedicated bicycle lanes, including a very long one along Diversion Road. The annual Iloilo Bike Festival attracts many cycling fans. The Dutch Government has even helped Iloilo become more bike-friendly.

The city has won several awards for being bike-friendly, including "Most Bike-Friendly City" in the PhilBike Awards 2018 and multiple Gold Awards in the National Bike Day - Bike Lane Awards.

Healthcare in Iloilo

Iloilo City is a leading healthcare center in Western Visayas and is becoming a hub for medical tourism. The city has both government-run and private hospitals.

Some of the main hospitals include:

• CPU–Iloilo Mission Hospital: Founded in 1901, it's the first American and Protestant hospital in the Philippines. It also started the first nursing school in the country.
• St. Paul's Hospital Iloilo: Founded in 1911 by French Catholic missionaries, it's the oldest hospital run by the Daughters of Saint Paul of Chartres in the Philippines.
• The Medical City-Iloilo and Healthway QualiMed Hospital Iloilo: These are modern hospitals with state-of-the-art facilities.

The city also has government hospitals like West Visayas State University Medical Center and Western Visayas Medical Center, which serve many people in the region.

Getting Around Iloilo

Public Transportation

In Iloilo City, you can get around using passenger jeepneys, metered taxis, and tricycles. The unique passad jeepneys are known for their sleek, car-like design. They follow fixed routes on major roads. Tricycles are good for shorter distances within neighborhoods.

Larger jeepneys and buses connect Iloilo City to other towns on Panay Island. You can also take buses to other parts of the Philippines using Roll-on, Roll-off ferry services.

Iloilo is also adopting modern jeepneys, which are like mini-buses, to improve public transport. In 2019, new express bus services started, connecting Iloilo City to the Iloilo International Airport and other airports.

Transport Hubs

Iloilo City has five main transport terminals on its outskirts. These terminals connect passengers to different parts of Iloilo Province and other islands.

Airports

The Iloilo International Airport is the 4th busiest airport in the Philippines. It has international flights to Singapore and Hong Kong, and domestic flights to major cities like Manila, Cebu, and Davao. The airport is located about 19 km northwest of Iloilo City in Cabatuan. It opened in 2007, replacing the older airport in Mandurriao.

Seaports

The Port of Iloilo is the main port in Western Visayas. It's a natural harbor protected by Guimaras Island, making it one of the safest ports in the Philippines.

The Iloilo International Port Complex has modern facilities for large cargo ships. The Iloilo Domestic Port Complex serves inter-island passenger and cargo ferries to places like Manila, Palawan, and Cebu.

The Muelle Loney or Iloilo River Wharf was the original port, opened to international trade in 1855 for sugar exports. Today, it handles smaller cargo ships and ferries to Guimaras and Negros Island.

The Iloilo Fish Port Complex is the main center for fish trading in all of Visayas. It has facilities for unloading, processing, and storing fish and other seafood.

Learning in Iloilo City

Iloilo City is a major center for education in Western Visayas. It has ten major universities.

Here are some of the universities in Iloilo City:

• Central Philippine University (CPU): Founded in 1905, it's the first Baptist and second American-founded university in the Philippines and Asia. It's known for its strong programs in Agriculture and Business Administration. CPU is also home to the first nursing school in the Philippines, the CPU College of Nursing.
• University of San Agustin (USAI): Founded in 1904 by the Augustinian religious order, it's the first Augustinian university in Asia and the Pacific, and the first university in Western Visayas.
• St. Paul University Iloilo (SPUI): Founded in the 1940s, it's known for its healthcare programs and is linked to St. Paul's Hospital Iloilo.

The city also has state universities:

• University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV): Part of the University of the Philippines System, its Iloilo City campus focuses on Business, Accountancy, and social sciences.
• West Visayas State University (WVSU): Established in 1902, it's known for its excellent Nursing, Medicine, and Teacher Education programs.
• Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U): Founded in 1905, it focuses on technical and technological courses.

Other universities include the University of Iloilo and John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University, which specializes in maritime courses. The Ateneo Graduate School of Business also has a campus in Iloilo City.

The city government also runs the Iloilo City Community College (ICCC), offering degrees in business, IT, and travel management.

Iloilo is also home to many private colleges and schools, including Philippine Science High School-Western Visayas and various religious schools.

Famous People from Iloilo

Iloilo City has been home to many famous people who have made a big impact in different fields.

Cities Iloilo is Connected To

Iloilo City has special relationships with other cities around the world and within the Philippines.

International Sister Cities

Domestic Sister Cities

Friendship Cities

Iloilo City also has friendly relations with:

See also

In Spanish: Iloílo para niños