The Great Fire of Iloilo

The TALE OF TWO CITIES - London and Iloilo, 300 Years Apart

What happened in London in 1666 called The Great Fire of London also took place 300 years later in Iloilo City called The Great Fire of Iloilo

This article taken from The Chronicle Magazine last March 5, 1966, details the unfortunate event. 

QUEEN CITY OF THE SOUTH RAZED BY BIG FIRE

The Chronicle Magazine

March 5, 1966

₱50 million loss: Twelve blocks of commercial, and residential establishments in Iloilo gutted by fire.

The morning of Feb. 7, 1966, was just like any other rooming as far as Iloilo City residents were concerned. Little did they know that a few hours later—shortly after lunchtime—their city would be hit by a big fire, the worst in the history of Iloilo province. For it was at 1:31 p.m. on that fateful day when fire broke out from a lumberyard on Iznart Street and spread swiftly to Quezon and Valeria streets. Fanned by a strong wind, the blaze had an easy time gutting at least 12 blocks of commercial and residential establishments along Texas Street on the North side, Rizal Street on the South, Jalandoni Street on the West, and Arroyo Street on the East.

The fire lasted approximately 12 hours and 50 million pesos worth of property went up in smoke. Among those destroyed by the blaze were the Ledesma-Lopez building, the Akol building, the International Harvester Branch in that city, the offices of the Sugar Quota Administration, Radiowealth, the Chinese Commercial School, Gay building, Iloilo Enterprise building, Berman Commercial, Panaderia de Mole, Century Nickel Plating Shop.

The fire was so devastating that many of the residents, including city officials, could only stand by, shocked and helpless, and wait for the fire to reach the Iloilo shorelines. Firetrucks used to put out the fire had to travel at least three kilometers from Jaro district just to fill their tanks. But, just like all things—good or bad—the fire had to come to an end. Although at the height of the fire, looting was rampant, nonetheless, civic-mindedness was the order of the day as soon as the fire was placed under control.

Government, business, and civic leaders, apparently aware of the extent of the damage, immediately launched fund drives for the victims. Donations in cash and kind were shipped to fire-stricken Iloilo City. An airline company offered the services of one of its airplanes for use in transporting relief items to the city. Other private organizations transported food, clothing, and cash to Iloilo for immediate distribution to the victims.

President Marcos and Vice President Fernando Lopez led the nation in seeing to it that the fire victims were cared for. Up to press time, contributions were cared for. Up to press time, contributions, mostly in cash, were still being sent to the fire victims.

Source: The Chronicle Magazine

Taken from: I AM PHILIPPINES Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/iamphilippines/posts/queen-city-of-south-razed-by-big-firethe-chronicle-magazinemarch-5-196650-millio/1946015448954646/

Photo Source:

https://www.facebook.com/FedFire/photos/a.279969413989/10154644951918990/

Iloilo City Full Street Names

 

Note: The name of the street is underlined in red while the full name or title is italicized in pink

(Don Alfonso) Fajardo Street

or probably (Governor Enrique) Fajardo Street

(Don Teodoro) Benedicto Street

(Capt.) Simon Ledesma Street

(Don Manuel) Arguelles Street

(Graciano) Lopez Jaena Street

(Marcelo Hilario) M.H. Del Pilar Street

(Spanish Bishop Mariano) Cuartero Street

(Gov. and Businessman Eugenio) E. Lopez (Sr.) Street

(First Iloilo Mayor) Plazoleta (Jose N.) Gay

(Apolinario) Mabini Street

(Fuerza del) Santo Rosario Street - original name of Fort San Pedro

(Gov. Manuel) Iznart Street

(Merchant/Revolutionary Jose Maria) JM Basa Street

(Don Anastacio Lopez) Ledesma Street

(Municipal Pres. Juan) De Leon Street

(Gen. Martin) Delgado Street

General (Antonio) Luna Street

(Sen. Espiridion) Guanco Street

Muelle (Nicholas) Loney Street - British consul and "Father of the Philippine Sugar Industry"

(Heiress) Valeria (Ledesma) Street

(Don Joaquin) Ortiz Street

(Father Jacinto) Zamora Street

(Pres. Manuel) Quezon Street

(Sen. Mariano) Arroyo Street

(Mr. Manuel) Aldeguer Street

(Don Isidro) De La Rama Street

(Revolutionary Manuel) Jalandoni Street

(Chief Justice Victoriano) Mapa Street

General (Robert) Hughes - American

(Ferdinand) Blumentritt Street - Austrian propagandist, educator, Filipinologist and a dear friend of Jose Rizal

List Of Iloilo City Mayors

Ramon Campos, the first mayor of Iloilo City when it was granted a full chartered city status on August 25, 1937 after the surrounding towns of La Paz, Mandurriao, Molo and Arevalo merging with the progressive town of Iloilo on July 16, 1937, by virtue of Commonwealth Act No.158

Rodolfo "Roding" T. Ganzon, the longest serving mayor of Iloilo City who served for four (4) terms including consecutive terms from 1955 to 1961, 1972 and again from 1988 to 1992

Date                    Name                     Position / Designation

1900 - April 11, 1901 - Jose Maria N. Gay   Municipal President
1901 - 1902           - Matias Ybiernas            Municipal President
1903 - 1904           - Rosauro Jocson             Municipal President 
1904 - 1905           - Juan de Leon                Municipal President 
1906 - 1908           - Rosauro Jocson             Municipal President
1909                      - Rosauro Jocson            Municipal President
1910 - 1912           - Quirico Abeto              Municipal President
1913 - 1916           - Quirico Abeto              Municipal President
1917 - 1919           - Gerardo Hervias           Municipal President
1920 - 1921           - Vicente Ybiernas          Municipal President
1921 - 1922           - Vicente Ybiernas          Municipal President
1923 - 1925           - Serapion Torre              Municipal President
1926 - 1928           - Eulogio Garganera        Municipal President
1929 - 1931           - Eulogio Garganera        Municipal President
1932 - 1934           - Leopoldo Ganzon        Municipal President
1935 - 1936           - Eulogio Garganera        Municipal President
1936 - 1941           - Ramon Campos          City Mayor (Appointed 
                                                                    by Virtue of RA 365 / 
                                                                    Commonwealth Act No. 158)
1941 - 1944           - Vicente Ybiernas       Appointed City Mayor 
                                                               (Virtue of RA 365 / 
                                                             Commonwealth Act No.158)
1945                      - Mariano Benedicto   Appointed City Mayor 
                                                                (Virtue of RA 365 / 
                                                             Commonwealth Act No.158)
1945 - 1947    -   Fernando Lopez Sr.    Appointed City Mayor 
                                                             (Virtue of RA 365 / 
                                                             Commonwealth Act No.158)
1947 - 1949    - Vicente Ybiernas       Appointed City Mayor 
                                                             (Virtue of RA 365 / 
                                                             Commonwealth Act No.158)
1950 - 1952    - Rafael Jalandoni       Appointed City Mayor 
                                                            (Virtue of RA 365 / 
                                                             Commonwealth Act No.158)
1953               - Juan Borja                Appointed City Mayor 
                                                           (Virtue of RA 365 / 
                                                            Commonwealth Act No.158)
1954               - Dominador Jover     Appointed City Mayor 
                                                          (Virtue of RA 365 / 
                                                           Commonwealth Act No.158)
1955 - 1959  - Rodolfo T. Ganzon  First Elected City Mayor (RA 1209)
1960 - 1961 - Rodolfo Ganzon   Elected City Mayor
1962 - 1963 - Reinario Ticao      Elected City Mayor
1964 - 1967 - Reinario Ticao      Elected City Mayor
1968 - 1971 - Reinario Ticao      Elected City Mayor
1972            - Rodolfo T. Ganzon  Elected City Mayor
Oct. 1972 - Apr 1976 - Francisco Garganera Acting Mayor by 
                                                                       virtue of succession
May 1976 - Apr 1979 - T Simeon Zafiro Ledesma Appointed City Mayor
May 1979 - Mar 1986 - Luis C. Herrera   Appointed/Elected City                                                                      Mayor
Apr 1986 - Nov 1987 - Rosa O. Caram  Appointed City Mayor
Dec 1987 - Jan 1988 - Antonio Hechanova Appointed City Mayor
Feb 1988 - June 1991 - Rodolfo T. Ganzon  Elected City Mayor
Jul 1991 - Mar 1992 - Mansueto A. Malabor Acting City Mayor
Apr - June 30, 1992 - Jerry P. Treñas    City Mayor by Succession
June 30, 1992 - June 30, 1995 - Mansueto A. Malabor Elected City Mayor
June 30, 1995 - June 30, 1998 - Mansueto A. Malabor Elected City Mayor
June 30, 1998 - June 30, 2001 - Mansueto A. Malabor Elected City Mayor
June 30, 2001 - June 30, 2004 - Jerry P. Treñas   Elected City Mayor
June 30, 2004 - June 30, 2007 - Jerry P. Treñas   Elected City Mayor
June 30, 2007 - June 30, 2010 - Jerry P. Treñas   Elected City Mayor
June 30, 2010 - June 30, 2013 - Jed Patrick Mabilog  Elected City Mayor
June 30, 2013 - June 30, 2016 - Jed Patrick Mabilog  Elected City Mayor
June 30, 2016 - June 30, 2019 - Jed Patrick Mabilog  Elected City Mayor
June 30, 2019 - present - Jerry P. Treñas Elected City Mayor

Iloilo City Streets And Places Names Etymology

Old Plazoleta Gay

Calle Real in the 19th Century

Old Iloilo City Proper

The Iloilo City Proper today with the old International Business Hotel in the intersection

Muelle Loney - named in honor of Nicholas Loney, first British vice-consul of Iloilo and Father of Sugar Industry in the Philippines.

Iznart Street - was named after Spanish Iloilo Alcalde-mayor Manuel Iznart in 1860's . 

Ortiz Street  - named after Don Juan Ortiz Sr. 
Don Joaquin Ortiz Sr -  was a Spanish noble and wealthy family born in 1798 in Estepa, Sevilla, Spain and had the title of Marques de Luna.  He traveled around the  Philippines looking for a better location for establishing a business (shipyard)  and he found that Iloilo was situated in the center of the Philippines and had  ample supply of timber for his ships. Here he decided to invest shipping  business. Frigates, Batels and Bergantins were what tobe found being built in  his shipyard. It was also said that he built a beautiful Bergantine which he gave as a gift to Queen Maria Cristina de Bourbon. 

He donated parts of his property for the widening of the roads  and making new ones and so becoming one of the pioneers of in the development of  the city. Because of this, in appreciation and acknowledgment for his selfless  act, the officials then named Ortiz Street after him. His donations are now part of JM Basa Street, Ortiz Street, Iznart Street, Rizal Street and Gen. Luna Street and a piece of the Plazoleta Gay.

Delgado Street is considered the longest street in Iloilo City and is named after General Martin Delgado, the indomitable revolutionary who fought for Philippine independence against both the Spanish and American regimes. 

Valeria Street, on the other hand, has the distinction of being one of the few streets to carry a first name rather than a surname. Valeria Ledesma, one of the 17 children of the original owner, Anastacio Ledesma donated the area to the city - and it was decided that since there was already a Ledesma street named after her father, the street would bear her first name instead.   

A street from General Luna up to Rizal traversing Delgado and Ledesma was named after  Valeria Lopez Ledesma (Born on  April  27, 1866 ). She is daughter of  Anastacio Lopez Ledesma and Clara Jalandoni Lopez who donated that piece of land.


Here are the rest of the street names and for whom they were named:


(Don Alfonso) Fajardo Street
or probably (Governor Enrique) Fajardo Street
(Don Teodoro) Benedicto Street
(Capt.) Simon Ledesma Street
(Don Manuel) Arguelles Street
(Graciano) Lopez Jaena Street
(Marcelo Hilario) MH Del Pilar Street
(Spanish Bishop Mariano) Cuartero Street
(Gov. and Businessman Eugenio) E. Lopez (Sr.) Street
(First Iloilo Mayor) Plazoleta (Jose N.) Gay
(Apolinario) Mabini Street
(Fuerza del) Santo Rosario Street
(Gov. Manuel) Iznart Street
(Merchant/Revolutionary Jose Maria) JM Basa Street
(Don Anastacio Lopez) Ledesma Street
(Municipal Pres. Juan) De Leon Street
(Gen. Martin) Delgado Street
General (Antonio) Luna Street
(Sen. Espiridion) Guanco Street
(British Consul and "Father of the Philippine Sugar Industry") Muelle (Nicholas) Loney Street
(Heiress) Valeria (Ledesma) Street
(Don Joaquin) Ortiz Street
(Father Jacinto) Zamora Street
(Pres. Manuel) Quezon Street
(Sen. Mariano) Arroyo Street
(Mr. Manuel) Aldeguer Street
(Sugar Baron Don Esteban) De La Rama Street
(Revolutionary Manuel) Jalandoni Street
(Chief Justice Victoriano) Mapa Street
(American) General (Robert) Hughes

(Austrian Propagandist Ferdinand) Blumentritt Street






Photo Source: 

John Tewell, Life Magazine 
RJDexplorer.com

The Crown Of Arevalo

Crown Monument in Arevalo District, Iloilo City

The big crown sitting distinctively atop a tower in the plaza beside the church is a one of a kind marker of Arevalo. According to Father James Mansfield who served in the parish, this crown has a hidden history.

Many years had passed before the spread of Christianity in Arevalo, there is a group of Jesuits who were looking for a place to stay in a place now called as Santa Cruz. They built a chapel here and evangelize the natives. Nobody knows for whatever reason or event happened but the natives were infuriated with the Jesuits and they were driven away.

One day, a farmer unearthed a beautiful crown. In an untoward incident, a scepter and a big black cross was found nearby where the crown was found. The crown and scepter which were made out of expensive metals were just average in size. The cross which is now kept under the custody of the church is more than 15 feet tall and made out of hard and unusual kind of wood.

In 1854 during the incumbency of Domingo de Guzman as captain of the pueblo or town, the crown was made bigger in Fundidor, Molo. It was placed in the plaza or town square. This is gaining attention on top of the district of Arevalo as a statue of missionary purpose of the Spaniards in town.

The present day name of the former Jesuit missionary settlement is Santa Cruz. It was in this place where the crown, scepter and cross was found.





Photo Source:

http://www.iloilocity.org/places.html

The District Of Molo

Molo Plaza fronting the St. Anne Parish Church, an example of Gothic architecture

Yusay-Consing Mansion was renovated and made into a heritage house museum and souvenir shop.

This district is a swampy area so it's impossible to pass through in this place going in or out without passing through water. In Chinese language, this situation is called Bulo (no way out or no way in). In one of the Moro invasion in 19th century, a Chinese was assigned to watch the shores. After he saw the nearing vintas of the Moro, the Chinese went to the poblacion or town proper to warn the people. Since he could not pronounce the letter "r" he shouted Molo instead of Moro.



Photo Source:

http://www.exploreiloilo.com/do/info/molo-church/

http://fieldstoneconstruction.weebly.com/

The Origin Of Mandurriao

Mandurriao Church

Donato Pison Avenue Intersection

A group of Spanish soldiers are crossing the length of the river. They passed by the natives who seems to have noticed something in the river. The noise and celebration invites the strangers. They desire to know the name of the place they have reached. The native who was asked could not understand the Spanish language and just assume that he is asking for what is happening in the river. In his surprise he said:

" Mandu.... Riao...." which means and evokes something of a battle of the mentioned. These are crocodiles whose names were taken from the place of their habitat: the lakes of Mandu and Riao which are now gone.

It was formed in the minds of the people that the name of the place is Mandurriao. Eventually, the letter "r" in Mandu-Riao is replaced with "rr". For the Spaniards, having an "rr" in a word brings further beauty and character.





Photo Source:

https://iloilomass.wordpress.com/2011/04/14/mandurriao-mass-schedule-mandurriao-church-espousal-of-the-virgin-mary-church/

http://www.exploreiloilo.com/blog/ayala-atria-iloilo-kapideco-san-rafael/

The History Of La Paz District

Parish of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in La Paz District, Iloilo City

La Paz Plaza Football Field, where some of the finest football players of the country play

La Paz Public Market, the birthplace of the popular dish La Paz Batchoy and the traditional coffee making Madge Cafe.

In the beginning, La Paz is a barrio or small community of the town of Jaro. It has a span of 110, 700 square meters. The place was originally called Ilawod because it faces Iloilo river on the south while Jaro is called Ilaya because it faces the mountain. Love of freedom and the desire to live peacefully and prosperously compelled the people to separate from Jaro in 1865. The name of the place was changed to La Paz which means peace and their patron saint is  Nuestra Señora De La Paz y Buen Viaje or Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. When the Jaro Archbishop saw the peaceful, law abiding citizens, he designated the Holy Virgin Mary as the patron of the barrio and call it Nuestra Señora De La Paz y Buen Viaje or Our Lady of Peace.

The church in this district was built in 1869 by the priests Candido Gonzales, Leandro Jambrina, Manuel Camara and Mariano Isar.

The La Paz Catholic Church that is situated at Jereos Street fronting La Paz plaza is one of the unique places which has a significant part in history, culture and spiritual development of the people.




Photo Sources:

https://iloilomass.wordpress.com/tag/parish-of-our-lady-of-peace-and-good-voyage-la-paz/

http://mapio.net/s/75584412/?page=12

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Entrance_to_La_Paz_Market_Iloilo_City.jpg

The Legend Of Nuestra Señora De La Candelaria - Patroness of Jaro and Western Visayas

Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria or Our Lady of Candles, Patroness of Jaro and the whole Western Visayas Region

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Parish Church or the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral

In Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral, which imposingly standing in front of the plaza or town square of Jaro is the enshrined old statue of Nuestra Señora De La Candelaria or Our Lady of Candles. The townsfolk proves that the image is miraculous and countless of help, graces and blessings has been bestowed to the devotees.

Long time ago when the Spaniards set foot in the shores of Iloilo, some fisherman netted a hard object in the shores of Iloilo river. What they saw is a statue of Our Blessed Virgin, as high as one foot. The fishermen attempted to carry the image but it was so heavy.

In just a short span of time, the news spread. The people crowded the area. They plan of bringing the statue in a nearby church no matter what efforts they do to carry it nothing happens.

At last they decided to carry the image to the cathedral of Jaro. It was a surprise that if awhile ago ten men helped to carry the statue without any progress, now only one fisherman is carrying the statue easily. The image is enshrined in Jaro Cathedral.

After it was done, eventually there were so many things that took place. Allegedly, the image frequently disappears from its shrine in the church especially if its too early in the morning. Many have said that they often see a beautiful lady with an unusually long hair giving a bath to her child in the old artesian well formerly located in the middle of the Jaro plaza or town square.

Another miracle took place few years before the war. The incident was witnessed by many people.

The whole place of Our Blessed Virgin is so dark. After a few days, there is a sudden brightness in the site of the image when no one touched and arranged it. Another miracle is this: the once foot long image grows taller and bigger to its present size and a lush vine grows up around the place. The vines became the center of attention and considered to possess miraculous cure to any illness.

This is the patroness of Jaro and the entire Western Visayas. On her feast day, February 2 the candles were blessed, the light symbolizes the brightness of faith.

The new throne of Our Lady of Candles was made in 1980 before Pope John Paul II arrived in Jaro.




Photo Source:

Wikipedia
Flickr courtesy of Mic Cal

The City Of Iloilo

Iloilo City Hall

Different Sights and Places of Interest in Iloilo City

The city of Iloilo is consists of seven districts, six of whom were former towns or independent city namely: Arevalo, Jaro (formerly a town before becoming an independent city), Lapaz, Mandurriao, Molo, City Proper while Lapuz which is formerly a part of Lapaz, was declared a separate district in 2008.

Arevalo - was named La Villa de Arevalo by Governor-General Gonzalo Ronquillo y Peñalosa in memory of his hometown in Spain.

District of Jaro - the former name of Jaro is Salog. With the arrival of the Spaniards in the islands, they have no idea about the local dialects of the natives. They walk around in the place to view it and to learn about its name. Incidentally, a Spaniard stopped by Barrio Cubay. He saw a man building a house. He is so busy carving and cleaning the bamboos to be used as flooring for the house. The Spaniard asked the name of the place. The man could not understand what the Spaniard is saying so he just answered "salog" (floor).

In another occasion, a group of Spaniards came to the place. Upon their arrival, the natives were so busy in crafting clay jars that they call "saro." A Spaniard ask the name of the place. The natives assume that he asked about the name of the object they were doing so they answered saro. Since then, the place was called Saro that eventually became Jaro.





Photo Sources:

Iloilo City Wikipedia Entry

Iloilo City Government Official Website - www.iloilocity.gov.ph

Iloilo City Places Of Interests

International Hotel As Part of the Heritage Buildings in Casa Real, Iloilo City Proper 

Iloilo River Esplanade 

Plaza Libertad fronting Iloilo City Hall

CITY PROPER

The capital of Iloilo, the city of Iloilo is situated between Iloilo and Batiano river is forming in a shape of a nose hence the old name of Iloilo, "Ilong-ilong," which means looks like a nose. The city, considered as noble city of Western Visayas is modern and cosmopolitan.

One of the safest port in the country is the Muelle Loney  named after Nicholas Loney, a British businessman and known as the "Father of the Sugar Industry in Western Visayas". The island of Guimaras protects the port from harsh winds. The port is opened to world trade in 1855.

The Fort San Pedro near port of Iloilo was built by the Spaniards in 1619 to protect the city from the raids of the Dutch pirates who blocked all the entrances and exits of the city for three days. Aside from the Dutch, the fort was also attacked by the British, Americans and Japanese. It was in this fort that the first commercial plane, the Iloilo-Negros Air Express Co. was born on February 3, 1933 by the Lopez brothers.

The beautiful and green Plaza Libertad was formerly known as Plaza Alfonso XII is full of history. It was here where the flag of the first Filipino republic was raised on December 26, 1898 after the Spanish forces surrender in Iloilo, Spain's last capital in Asia, to the revolutionaries headed by General Martin Delgado.

Calle Real, the often called Escolta of Iloilo during the Spanish colonial period, is the today's Jose Ma. Basa (J.M. Basa) St.  is the liveliest street in the commercial district of the city. It was even mentioned by Dr. Jose Rizal in his diary on August 4, 1896 when he visited Iloilo on board the ship "España" from Dapitan stating: "The memory of the liveliness and attractiveness of Escolta brings forth the joy in me." Rizal bought a buri hat at a Lebanese-owned bazaar on the location of the present-day Cine Palace aka Regent Theater fronting Freedom Grandstand. Calle Real or JM Basa is home to the colonial era heritage buildings built during the American colonial period and other contemporary buildings.

Central Market is located at the junction of Aldeguer and Guanco Sts.  Ledesma Street, on the other hand, is the longest commercial street in the city and is often called Avenida Rizal due to its length. It starts from Plazoleta Gay where the four streets intersects - Iznart, J.M. Basa, Arroyo and Ledesma. The old and new provincial capitol of Iloilo is at the northern end of Iznart Street known as the Bonifacio Drive.

The iconic Museo Iloilo at the Bonifacio Drive located besides the Iloilo Provincial Capitol built by the Board of Travel and Tourist Industry (today's Department of Tourism) is a repository of Iloilo's colorful past of inherited culture. Carbon 14 which approximate or foretells the date and age of the shell fossils and stones indicates the age of Panay Island; pieces of tools and equipment of early men during the Stone age, native potteries, decorated jeweled teeth, jewelries excavated from the burial sites before the arrival of the Spaniards, potteries and porcelains imported from China, Annam and Siam that were found at the tombs of the natives, tombs discovered in caves prohibited from public entry, images and memories of revolutions against Spain and America, World War II relics like the famous radio transmitters that established the first communication connection in the Philippines with the United States and Australia after the soldiers surrender to the Japanese. relics recovered from the remains of the capsized British ships near Guimaras, Filipino sculptures during the Spanish colonial period, gallery of old and modern visual arts created by Ilonggo artists. The cultural wealth is artfully arranged and exhibited. Museo Iloilo is a noble building which honors and glorifies the visual environment of Iloilo city just like a modern Parthenon, an art that reflects a Scandinavian architecture, standing at the imposing podium at the compound of the Provincial Capitol. The museum is a joint project of the provincial government and the Board of Travel and Tourist Industry which is now the Department of Tourism.


MOLO

Known as the "Athens of the Philippines," the district produced a lot of great Ilonggos, including seven (7) senators of the Philippine republic, seven (7) governors of Iloilo and four (4) justices of the Supreme Court aside from cabinet secretaries who served different administrations. The senators wee Francisco Villanueva, Esteban de la Rama, Esperidion Guanco, Jose Ma. Arroyo, Francisco C. Zulueta, Jose C. Zulueta and Rodolfo T. Ganzon. The governors were Raymundo Melliza, Amando Avanceña, Gregorio Yulo, Mariano Arroyo, Jose Yulo-Delgado, Timoteo Consing and Jose Zulueta. The justices were Raymundo Melliza, Gregorio Araneta, Felicisimo Feria and Chief Justice Ramon Avanceña.

Birthplace of the delicious Pancit Molo and also home of the sweetmeats, Panaderia de Molo.

The feminist church of St. Anne is a Gothic-Renaissance in style visited by Dr. Jose Rizal on August 4, 1896. The impressive church captured the poetic vision of Dr. Rizal when he chance upon it for his visit to his dear classmate and friend, Raymundo Melliza (his classmate in University of Santo Tomas in Manila and in Spain). Rizal is on his way to Manila from Dapitan and made a short trip to Iloilo. The unique church features several columns of statues of female saints thus the nickname "Feminist Church."

Asilo de Molo orphanage where the noble garments used on rare occasions by church leaders and dignitaries were handmade crafted, designed and embroidered by the young orphans under the guidance and supervision of the nuns.

Formerly called Parian in the old days because it is the home of the largest community of Chinese of La Villa de Arevalo.

Collections of Filipino sculptures during the period of colonialism and artifacts in the tombs owned by lawyer Jose Tiongco.

Shell craft factory in Lopez-Jaena owned by the Soriano family.

Molo also produced several other leaders of the revolution in Panay more than any other towns and districts with this size and population even the town of Jaro. Almost all of the members of the Comite Conspirador, the secret junta who plans a revolutions were natives of Molo. They are Perfecto Salas, Jovito Jusay, Ramon Avanceña, Angel Corteza, Francisco Villanueva, and Raymundo Melliza.

The three citizens of Molo, Angel Corteza, Raymundo Melliza and Pablo Araneta are outstanding generals of the revolution.

Cornelio Melliza, father of Raymundo and Isidro de la Rama, father of Esteban de la Rama, became shipping tycoons who managed the first passenger shipping lines in the Visayas.

The families of Yulo, Lacson, Locsin, Yusay, Araneta, de la Rama, Corteza, Conlu, Consing, Montelibano and Segovia searched for vassal lands in Negros and created the province into a vast emporium of sugar.

In field of arts and literature, Angel Magahum Sr. and Gimeno Damaso wrote some music and sarsuela that is widely recognized by many.



AREVALO

- 6 kilometers southwest of the city proper
- seat of the alcaldia in the early days of Spanish occupation of Iloilo
- center of weaving and embroidery of jusi, pineapples and hablon
- established in 1581 by Governor-General Gonzalo Ronquillo who gave the name "La Villa de
  Arevalo" in memory of his hometown and birthplace in Avila, Spain becoming one of the first places in the Philippines to be named in Spanish. The town became the capital of politics, religion and military in Panay. It became the financier of the Spanish expedition against the Moors in Mindanao and in Moluccas.
- It is also the first Spanish community attacked by an English pirate, Sir Thomas Cavendish considered to be the third person to circumnavigate the world. He raided Arevalo in 1588.
- Flower capital of Iloilo, where potted plants, flowers, bouquets and wreaths can be bought and even brought to other provinces.
- Pyrotechnics and firecracker capital of Iloilo because the district is known for its firecrackers and fireworks
- Its prominent attraction is the Villa Beach along the coast which boasts several resorts and an outdoor nightlife such as open air restaurants and bars and also the starting venue of the popular and
oldest sailing competition in Asia, Paraw Regatta.
- It is also home to the 3rd oldest image of Sto. Niño or Holy Child Jesus in the Philippines after the images in Cebu and in Tondo, Manila, respectively.

It was called by the Augustinians, "Patria de Varios Hombres Celebres" or town featuring various personalities and figures;

  * Melecio Figueroa, a friend and acquaintance of Rizal in Spain and known in Europe as the greatest Filipino engraving artist is a native of Arevalo. Figueroa designed or engraved the Conant coins (named after monetary expert Charles Arthur Conant), national coin during those times. The figure of a woman in the silver coin is a picture or image of her daughter Blanca.

   * Francisco Varona, journalist, labor union leader, statesman who served twice as a Congressman was born in Arevalo.

   * The patriot, social worker, feminist and woman suffragist Sofia Reyes de Veyra is from Villa.

  * Some of the outstanding Villanon includes former governor Amado Avanceña who served during the American occupation.

  * Father Anselmo Avanceña, one of the founders of the famous Colegio de Sta. Ana of Molo, one of the most honored priest, also a writer, translator, editor, creator and social worker.

  * Councilors Crispino Melocoton and Joaquin Abadilla, bishop Felipe Molina and former Iloilo City Mayor, Reinario J. Ticao.


JARO

  - 3 kilometers from city proper
  - birthplace of the greatest Filipino orator and journalist, Graciano Lopez-Jaena.
  - site of Jaro Archbishopric which covers the entire  Western Visayas region
  - home to a number of colonial sculptures and structures, heritage colonial houses (images of saints
  - made of wood, stone and ivory), Chinese porcelains and other artifacts collections in the houses of Mrs. Lourdes Dellota and Mrs. Leticia Jesena.
 - Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral also known as the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Cathedral
 - elegant mansions of sugar barons and Antillean houses with Spanish motif owned by the Montinola.

  - Elegant Jaro Municipal Hall that became a police station but is now undergoing restoration and renovation to serve as the main office of National Museum Western Visayas regional branch.

  - Central Philippine University

  Children of Jaro includes:
    *Former Vice President of the Philippines, Fernando Lopez
    *Don Aurelio Montinola established Amon Trading Corporation
    *Senator Ruperto Montinola known as Colossus of the South
    *Senator and Governor Jose B. Ledesma;
    *Senator Ramon Lopez, philanthropist and hero Gil Lopez, revolutionary leader, grandfather of world class musicians and artists Kabayao
    *Secretary of Finance, Rufino G. Hechanova
    *General Rafael Jalandoni, Staff Commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines


LA PAZ

   - established in 1867 and home to the world famous La Paz batchoy
    - St. Clement's Redemptorist Church equivalent to the Baclaran church because of its devotion. The first church in the country to have a devotion to the Mother of Perpetual Help which was started in 1946.


MANDURRIAO

     Iloilo Business Park, mixed use, master-planned development by Megaworld Corporation in the former old Mandurriao airport.

     the beautiful and very clean Iloilo River Esplanade






Photo Sources:

https://sugarwithaspice.wordpress.com

https://www.iloilo.net.ph