Iloilo is a province of the Philippines, located in the center of the Philippine archipelago. The province comprises the southeastern part of Panay Island with island-province of Guimaras just across its coast. The capital city of the province of Iloilo is the City of Iloilo, which is also one of the major urban centers in the Philippines. It is nicknamed “the Heart of the Philippines”.
QUICK FACTS
Population: 2,501,899
Land Area: 4,997.64 excluding Iloilo city
Capital: Iloilo City (Highly Urbanized City and Independent)
Iloilo City Population: 457,626
Land Area: 78.34 square kilometers
Other City: Passi City
Passi City Population: 88,873
Land Area: 251.39
The Province of Iloilo occupies the southern and northeastern portion of Panay Island. Its' boundaries are: Province of Capiz and Jintotolo Channel in the North; the Guimaras Strait in the South; the Panay Gulf and Iloilo Strait in the East and the Province of Antique in the West.
HERITAGE
Iloilo has always been one of the country’s most important provinces. Merchants from China and India have long traded with the Ilonggos even before the Spaniards came; evidences of this flourishing civilization are displayed in Museums and Private Galleries. Even during the Spanish and American colonial period, Iloilo still proved to be an important trading post. Iloilo has a beautiful harbor with serene and calm waters, safe for navigation because it is protected from the open sea by scenic Guimaras Island. This excellent port facility made Iloilo the center of trade at the turn of the century, with the whole world doing business in this port especially during the heyday of the sugar industry. In fact, Iloilo was given the title of “Queen City of the South” for being the Philippine’s second city, after Manila.
You can still see the old buildings that surprisingly are European and American inspired such as stately mansions, majestic century-old churches, and heritage commercial buildings.
Iloilo’s rich heritage is showcased in multifarious festivals celebrated in the city and various towns of the province. Dubbed as the “Province of Festivals“, Iloilo is proud of its nationally acclaimed Dinagyang Festival, together with smaller but similarly riveting festivities in the province, blends the pagan and the Christian in a street dance masquerade honoring Sto. Nino.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Iloilo is endowed with natural wonders. Highland attractions from the cascades and waterfalls of the mountains of Iloilo to rice terraces and heights in its hinder lands. Worth visiting are various islands and islets of Iloilo that abound with white sand beaches and ornamented with tropical palms. Experience breezy fun while on an island hopping getaway. Explorations in Iloilo’s northern coast such as the mysterious caves of Gigantes island and the sea charms of Sicogon and nearby islets, as well as the splendid silhouette of Pan de Azucar in Concepcion town herald quaint stories and enchanting folklores.
Iloilo takes pride in being the Food basket and Rice Granary of the Region owing to its fertile lands and seas that yield plentiful harvest. Rice is the major crop in the province of Iloilo. Fish and marine products are considered the main source of livelihood in the southern and northern Iloilo. Tourists will find many restaurants offering a gastronomic treat of fresh sea foods and famous Ilonggo dishes such as La Paz Batchoy, Chicken Inasal, and Pancit Molo.
TOURISM
Tourism in the area has received quite a significant boost in the recent years. Visitors will never run out of options here, thanks to its exceptional range of different landscapes with just short distances away, lots of leisure activities and a unique cultural heritage where tradition and modernity blend together in perfect harmony. In addition to that, one thing that the whole of Iloilo offers is their hospitality.
Experience the value of a real vacation. Discover Iloilo, a province rich in cultural attractions, home of famous Dinagyang Festival (Every 4th weekend of January), stately mansions, majestic century-old churches, unspoiled countryside and exotic delicacies.
Savor local hospitality in Iloilo’s numerous accommodation facilities and restaurants. They come in various classes depending on the guest’s taste and budget. Whether you stay in first class rooms or in budget ones, the Ilonggos (people of Iloilo) make sure that your stay is pleasant, memorable and safe. They make sure that you’re well-fed, too.
Take home antiques, handicrafts, arts pieces and a thousand and one other souvenir items. Some of the finest sinamay and jusi (banana fiber) and pina (pineapple fiber) embroidery are found in Iloilo.
There are a plethora of good accommodation options in the province. And if you do not mind living in budget accommodations, there are a number of places that you can visit without getting broke. So, if you are looking for a perfect vacation destination, weekend getaway, or just a place to kick back and relax, Iloilo is the ideal place to visit. No matter what you choose to explore, IT’S GOT TO BE ILOILO.
Iloilo serves as the gateway to the region. It is a stopover for tourists heading to the beaches of Boracay and Palawan and the nearby provinces of Guimaras, Antique, Capiz, and Aklan.
PEOPLE AND LANGUAGE
People from Iloilo are called Ilonggos. They are known for their charm and sweetness that comes from the musical to nation of their dialect, Hiligaynon. You would not be able to tell if an Ilonggo is mad at you by the way they speak, which always sounds like someone crooning a love song to you. Kiniray-a, which is a dialect very similar to Hiligaynon is used in Iloilo’s country sides. English and Tagalog are also widely spoken and understood especially in urban areas.
HISTORY
ILOILO takes its name from Irong-Irong, the old name of the city of Iloilo, a tongue of land that sticks out like a nose on the south of Iloilo River. The Maragtas Legend tells the story of Iloilo way back in the 13th century, when Datu Puti and his fellow Datus, fled from the tyranny of Sultan Makatunao of Borneo and landed at the mouth of the Siwaragan River, now known as the town of San Joaquin, and eventually settled there.
At that time, people called the "Atis", who were ruled by King Marikudo and Queen Maniwangtiwang, inhabited Panay. King Marikudo bartered the lowlands of Panay Island for a golden hat, "saduk", and a long gold necklace, "manangyad", and other assorted gifts to the Bornean Datus. The latter then took complete control of the island with the "Atis" retiring to the mountains. It was Datu Paiburong who was assigned in Irong-Irong. Panay Island was ruled under the Code of Kalantiao, where peace and prosperity reigned for 300 years. But this was disrupted when the Spaniards came and established the provincial government.
As early as 1855, Iloilo opened to the world of trade and became the biggest port in the Philippines and premier province of the country because of various economic activities. Municipio de Iloilo became a city under the Becerra Law in 1893.
ECONOMY
The economy of Iloilo is anchored on agriculture, fisheries and tourism. Around 70 percent of its land area is devoted to rice, corn, and fruits.
Rice is the major crop in the province of Iloilo. Fish and marine products are also considered the main source of livelihood in districts of Iloilo, as well as Non-traditional products such as processed food, fruits and vegetables, gifts, furniture, and others.
THE ILOILO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
The Iloilo International Airport is located in Brgy. Duyanduyan, Cabatuan, Iloilo with 2,500 m. x 45 m. runway and a new terminal building with state-of-the-art computerized facilities to accommodate flights from the North and South of the country.
Stands as one of the busiest airports outside Manila, the new airport of international standard is built on a wider and panoramic location to cater the increasing influx of passengers visiting Iloilo.
The province’s airport is one of the major airports of the country and serves as a jump off point to different provinces in Panay Island accommodating daily flights from Manila and Cebu. The New Iloilo Airport Terminal could now accommodate more passengers and cargoes. The 2,500 m. stretch of runway was overlaid with asphalt to accommodate heavier aircrafts with an adjacent runway strip of 2,620 m.
ILOILO PORT
Iloilo Port is the third largest port in the country after Manila and Cebu. The Iloilo River Wharf has a total berth length of 1,700 m. while the old foreign pier has 345 m. quay converted to domestic terminal. The Iloilo Commercial Port Complex, with 400 m. quay, caters to foreign vessels and domestic containerized vessels.