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Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Research Center of Iloilo: The History Of Iloilo Chapter 13 - 1950s


Chapter 13

1950's and the Economic Recession






* highlighted in violet is the approximate timeline or date



After the war in 1945, Iloilo infrastructure was heavily destroyed, compounded by great earthquake of 1948 which crumbled its colonial churches and buildings dealt a serious blow to Ilonggo  morale. Thousands upon thousands of Ilonggos settled in Mindanao, another thousands moved to Guam, USA. Iloilo International Port became a battleground between two factions of labor unions. This is how Alfred W. McCoy described Iloilo as  " Queen City of the South"  in his book "The Queen Dies Slowly : The Rise and Decline of Iloilo City ".

Note: Alfred W. McCoy  is a prolific American writer, doctor of  Southeast Asian history with Grant Goodman Prize awarded by Association for Asian Studies in based in Michigan, USA due to his contribution for the study of Philippines. He wrote a book called “A Queen Dies Slowly: The Rise and Decline of Iloilo City.



The untold story of  Ilonggos plight to Guam




Ilonggo were recruited to rebuild Guam

One of the most significant events after the World War II was the movement of  Ilonggos to Agana, Guam. This place was devastated by the Japanese Occupation for 32 months. In 1944 a fierce battle to recapture it left the place in ruins. The indigenous chamorro workforce was exhausted, starved and demoralized. The government of United States looks for workforce to rebuilt it. This diverse workforce was tasked with the rebuilding of the US. military facilities and infrastructure. US Navy gave the contract to LUZON STEVEDORING CO. INC. (LUSTEVECO). The subsidiary in Iloilo was VISTRANCO's Union, the Consolidated Labor Union of the Philippines (CLUP) headed by Congressman  Pascual Espinosa.



Ilongo Resiliency and Displeasure with the Tagalogs.

They came primarily as skilled laborers and professionals accountants, nurses, carpenters, masons, plumbers, electricians and engineers. Soon they were trapped in an economic stranglehold to seek risky lucrative work in faraway locations. Away from home for decades, strangers even to their own children, a life of struggle of loneliness, breakdown of marriage, underpayment, discrimination forge deep bonds of hope, friendship and love with each other.





Abuse reached Philippine Congress and Senator Rodolfo Ganzon

Philippine congressional investigations into “Camp Roxas living conditions" Mr. Edward “Pete” Grimm, the Chairman/CEO of LUSTEVECO made frequent Guam visits to make certain that the negative allegations were quickly investigated and where factual, cured within our very tight U.S. Navy budgets based on annual  competitive bidding. It was difficult for the Consolidated Labor Union of the Philippines (CLUP),  to function within a U.S. Navy reservation. So, after a few years, the union terminated its Guam role. 

Magna Carta of Labor - authored by Ilongo Congressman

It was authored by Pascual Espinosa which provides minimum wage to ordinary workers.  He is an Assemblyman of second district of Iloilo in Congress that covered the municipalities of Jordan, Buenavista and Nueva Valencia in Guimaras and the towns of Leganes and Pavia in Iloilo province and Iloilo City


Donald Marshall -The General Manager of Luzon Stevedoring Company

"There is a traditional trait of the Iloilo  people regarding their workplace. When you put them on a ship, they become personally attached to it. They don’t even like to take time off and have a  relief captain to get on the boat versus statesiders who, when they finish their shift, bring the boat to the dock for others to maintain.  The Navy couldn’t believe our low maintenance costs on our equipment on Guam because our guys would personally take care of their units at night. A little extra lubrication, a little extra whatever. They were terrific custodians with U.S. Navy equipment.

"The Filipinos are tough people, particularly those from Iloilo!  These fellows had their dreams of betterment for their families. So, no matter what hardships confronted them they persevered.  You  look today at what they were able to do for their families, it’s  amazing! They’ve gone all over the United States where they are admired for contributing that drive to better themselves for the benefit of their dependents. MyRoxas/Busanda Filipinos, while lacking a “STANFORD degree”, taught me a lot about life and “How to Behave” which has been a cornerstone of my post-Roxas  success. They’ll always be “family” to me!


1947 - UP Iloilo College founded




After the war, on 18 December 1945 the municipal board of Iloilo authorized a resolution for the opening of a branch of UP in Iloilo city mayor Fernando Lopez and the Iloilo City Council  passed Resolution 485 appealing for the establishment of a Junior UP  College in Iloilo.

On February 21, 1946 the Council reiterated to the UP Board of  Regents (BOR) its request and through Resolution 461 unanimously approved by the Council on April 8, 1947, formally donated the pre-war city hall and its site of 10.8 hectares for the exclusive use of UP Iloilo College. UPIC was formally opened with Dr. Tomas Fonacier as its first dean on July 1, 1947.

It started with a lower division for third and fourth year high school students and an upper division for first and second year college levels. In just seven years, UPIC earned the status of being a full-fledged college and was renamed UP College Iloilo (UPCI) in 1954, offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs including a complete high school degree. 






Labor Groups Brought Disaster to Iloilo Economy

The Consolidated Union of the Philippines (CLUP) controlled by the Family of Pascual "Pascualing" Espinosa, Sr and the Federacion Obreros de Filipinas (FOF)headed by Jose Ma. Nava and Family of Calle Valeria  in order to seize control of the port.

The Caltex Depot was bombed by mid-50's. Iloilo port's infamy reached the shores of Manila and Cebu and it discouraged the entrepreneurs and investors to open up business in Iloilo. Passengers who are coming from different parts of the country feared of the port since not only these arrastres are rumored to do extortion to shipping companies and businessmen, but also pickpockets. The merchants fled the dying city.

The establishment of Iloilo Integrated Arrastre Services Corp. (Iliasco); where  more prominent Shipping Companies, etc. were represented under the supervision  of the Phil. Ports Authority



The Port of Iloilo weakens





As the price of sugar continue to drop, international ships became less in frequency to visit Iloilo port.


Decadence of Social Infrastructure




Majority of prosperous Ilongo hacienderos  soon vacated Iloilo and settled in Manila and Negros Occidental. Others settled in America. National Government gross neglect of Iloilo and no competetive policy on economy left Iloilo  struggling.






1957 - Iloilo Rizal College



1958 - Great Fire Swept Downtown




Source: Mill Hill Collection



Ilonggos Diaspora in Cotabato & Sultan Kudarat




President Elpidio Quirino on March 10, 1953 under Proclamation No. 376 or Philippine resettlement program allowed hundreds of thousands of Ilonggos (along with Ilocanos, Tagalogs, and others were settling in Cotabato (South and North was one at that time), and Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur provinces.


People of Leon San Miguel and Alimodian established Aleosan Town in Aleosan, Cotabato City, Kidapawan, Alaman, Suralla, Norala, Banga, Polomolok, Koronadal or Marbel and General Santos City. People of Cabatuan, Banate, Passi, Calinog, Anilao, Maasin, Lambunao, Barotac Nuevo, Barotac Viejo founded Tacurong, Isulan and Esperanza in Sultan Kudarat. Ilonggos migrated and lived in Cotabato Region and every household traced their origin from Iloilo- Tacurong is truly our sister city or a younger brother. The other one is Koronadal City,its called "The Ilonggo City Of Mindanao" where Ilonggos constitute up to 90% of population. Ilonggo culture had swept  Cotabato Region  .

Monday, February 26, 2018

Research Center of Iloilo: The History Of Iloilo Chapter 12 - The World At War II

Chapter 12

The World at War II

The world turned brutish and chaotic





* highlighted in violet is the approximate timeline or date







In every corner of the world, it was a nightmarish scene. Tanks pulverized buildings, planes are dropping bombs. When the Germans invaded Poland, Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later, Japan invades China, Italy invades Ethiopia, Germany invades Denmark and Norway, France and Luxembourg.

By 1942, Japan invades the Philippines and proceeded to Iloilo. Governor Confesor retreated and he was replaced by Fermin Caram. The events that followed turns out to be the most ugliest in the history of Iloilo turning the lives of many Ilonggos into terror and uncertainty. The people were divided for those who want peace they subject themselves to the Japanese, for others who are valiant enough remains steadfast and resisted the conquerors. It cost so much damage .


Iloilo on World War II




American planes bombed the Japanese garrison in Fort San Pedro. It was heavily damaged. The Jaro plaza was used as an alternative detention area of the Japanese batallions during World War II.

Several places were torn down. Iloilo city is the second most heavily damaged among the Philippine cities during the Second World War. It incurred a lot of expenses for Iloilo and most beautiful mansions were partially or totally destroyed.



Invasion begun in Iloilo




Panay Island was the first objective. Lt. Gen. Robert L. Eichelberger, the Eighth Army commander appointed the 40th Infantry Division a California National Guard formation and veterans of the recent fighting in Luzon under Maj. Gen. Rapp Brush with the 503rd Airborne Regimental Combat Team in reserve.






Tanks and infantry gained entry in Tigbauan, Iloilo (photo taken by a plane from USS Cleveland (CL-55) March 18, 1945.(40th Inf Div photo)








Operation Victor 1 - Assault




On 18 March 1945 within two weeks of aerial bombardment on the Japanese positions, the 40th Infantry Division spearheaded by the 185th Infantry Regiment landed unopposed at Parara beach, Tigbauan town, several miles south of Iloilo City where a 23,000 strong guerrilla force had secured most of Panay under Col. Macario Peralta.

Gen. Robert L. Eichelberger said  "Filipino guerrillas stood stiff, resplendent in starched khaki uniforms and ornaments and decked in battle gear".

Lt. Charles Stewart said "An interesting incident occurred during the Panay invasion. The landing was several miles from Ioilo City and I flew up to the city on reconnaissance. After circling the city a few times I noticed a group of people had come down to the beach, waving at us. They had printed in large letters in the sand, "Japs are gone." I radioed that good news back to the (U.S.S.) Cleveland. I imagine the troops walking up the road toward Iloilo City still took precautions."

Japanese mass suicides in Tigbauan, Maasin, Iloilo in 1945

On March 20, 1945, the Eighth Army of The 40th Division after seizing control of Luzon under the command of Major General Rapp Brush waged a military assault and through Rear Adm. Arthur D. Struble, commander of the Panay attack group called Victor 1 Operation. Wounded and ailing patients of a Japanese hospital numbering 300 were left behind and accepted their fate. Forty elderly men, women and children killed themselves after singing a farewell song “Umi Yukaba” (If I Go to Sea) within the vicinity of Sitio Suyac, which is now the location of Barangay Tigbauan, Maasin, Iloilo. Six Japanese orphaned children who miraculously survived and were adopted by local residents. In 1980 with the help of the Nikkei Jin Association, Lt  Kumai placed a signage that marked the suicide site in Maasin.


Americans learned that Ilonggos had controlled towns



Except Iloilo City which is very important to the Americans because it has Philippine second largest shipping  to America.


Americans and Ilonggo troops heads to Molo



American and Ilongos positioned the tanks and artillery and headed to Iloilo City.



Tanks aimed the Japanese in Iloilo City




The regiment proceeded to seize the airfield at Santa Barbara and at nearby Mandurriao district. The Japanese batallions were holed up in Iloilo City, and the 40th Division easily swept these Japanese outposts in two days. On March 8, 1945,  mopping up operations by the guerrillas and 2nd battalion of the 160th Infantry Regimen continued and at war's end some 1,500 Japanese troops surrendered. (Photo below)








A first glimpse of the Liberation of Ilonggos




Soldiers marched through the streets of Iloilo. Woman, children were delighted to see the American soldiers Colonel Macario Peralta was given honor.




After 10 days of invasion, American totally defeated Japanese troops. Gen. Eichelberger presents the distinguished cross to Colonel Macario Peralta. Balantang Memorial Cemetery National Shrine in Barangay Quintin Salas, Jaro, Iloilo City, a veterans cemetery and the burial place of the guerrilla leader Col. Macario Peralta. The cemetery is the only military cemetery established outside Metro Manila.



Liberation of Iloilo, Panay, Guimaras and Romblon




Iloilo gained liberation from the Japanese Occupation through the support of the American soldiers which totally defeated the Japanese imperial troops. The Americans joined the Panay Guerrilla Forces. General Rapp Brush, commander of 40th division gave speech at the Sunburst Park (which has no name at that time) in Iloilo City. (US Army 40th Division photograph)



United Nation was created to avoid international conflict





To attain world peace, stop wars between countries, and to provide a platform for dialogue promoting and facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, civil rights, civil liberties, political freedoms, democracy, and the achievement of lasting world peace, United Nation was created.



1944- First High School in Iloilo




Cabatuan Regional High School

In December 1944 under acting Iloilo governor Patricio V. Confesor, a branch of the Iloilo High School was opened in Cabatuan and was the the first high school in the entire province of Iloilo. The school offered a refresher course in secondary education. The first graduation was held in June 1945 with Enrique Binayas and Ana Sumagaysay as valedictorian and salutatorian,  respectively. The first administrator was Jose Gonzales.


1948 Earthquake that swept Iloilo Spanish-Era Churches




Iloilo which has not totally recovered from the World War II economic trouble due to reconstruction, a natural calamity brought damages to some building in the city and province. The earthquake happened on January 25, 1948 at 1:46 AM. Its felt motion lasted from an estimate of one to three minutes and this was followed by a
series of felt quakes till 5:52 AM (Manila Times, January 26, 1948). Gutenberg and Richter located the epicenter at 10.5 N Lat; 122.0 E Long and its magnitude to be 8.2. This location plots in the boundary between the Antique towns of Anini-y and Dao (now called Tobias Fornier)


Severely Damage Churches

From the gathered accounts, five of the churches which collapsed or were so severely damaged that they were eventually demolished had been identified. These were the churches in Igbaras, San Miguel and Maasin. According to newspaper accounts (Manila Times, January 27, 1948), the church and convent of the town of Igbaras collapsed. The Jaro archives described the damage as "total collapse". The church of Maasin was demolished that presently found in its former place is a school. A new church structure was built beside the former location. Meanwhile, falling debris from the collapsing church in San Miguel fell and killed a policeman doing his rounds when the earthquake struck (Manila Times, January 26, 1948).


More Destruction of Churches

The walls and altar, roofs and belfry of the Molo church were shattered to pieces (Manila Times, January 26, 1948). Damage cost in Guimbal was estimated to be at P35,000 (Manila Times, January 27, 1948). The churches of Pavia and Tubungan were badly damaged (Manila Times, January 26, 2010). The UNESCO-heritage church of Miagao was severely damaged by the earthquake (Jaro archives, 1948). The newly-constructed municipal building said to have been a complete wreck and damage cost was estimated to be P30,000 (Manila Times, January 27, 1948). The Spanish-era bridge called Taytay Boni bridge in Miagao survived the earthquake. The earthquake severely damaged the church and convent of the town of Santa Barbara. The roofs and ceiling collapsed, the communion rails were damaged while a portion of the altar and facade collapsed too. Large cracks were observed in the church. The temporary belfry also collapsed. Damage estimate for the Tigbauan church was P50,000 (Manila Times, January 27, 1948). Intensity 8 was assigned in these places.

Much part of the province of Iloilo lies in soft ground and one of the possible reasons why the earthquake was called "Caycay" was due to the seeming chicken scratches on the ground caused of the numerous fissures especially in the low-lying part of the province. Fissures were observed along the roads from the town of Pototan to Dingle and along the Santa Barbara railroad tracks. Ground disruptions described as "little canyons", possibly the sandblows, were observed in Pototan, Cabatuan, Dingle, Passi and Calinog (Manila Times, January 26, 1948). A new small brook appeared after huge cracks appeared (Manila Times, January 26, 1948) in the Tiring landing field current site of the new Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan. At the San Pedro Fort in Iloilo City, large fissures measuring 4 m wide and 10 meters long opened such that sea water was visible. Estimated damage is about P10,000 (Manila Times, January 27, 1948). Fissures were noted in the streets of Oton (Manila Times, January 27, 1948)


Oton Church had crumbled




In the town of Oton, the most biggest and beautiful church which was not destroyed during the war was severely damaged that it had to be demolished. The earthquake also destroyed the tower leaving only two bells and stone stumps (Gallende 1990). A boy was buried in the rubble. Intensity 9 was assigned in these places. Generally speaking, bridges, communication lines, public and private buildings all sustained heavy damages (Manila Times, January 26, 1948).



Leon Church collapsed




In Leon, the old Central School and the back portion of the church collapsed.


Several Bell towers were collapsed in Iloilo




The belltowers of the churches of the towns of Alimodian (photo), Cabatuan, Duenas, Dumangas, Guimbal, Lambunao, San Joaquin (Figure 1) and in Jaro and Arevalo districts in Iloilo City collapsed (Jaro archives, 1948; Maza, 1987 citing Fr. Juan Fernandez).







The  bell tower in Jaro district in Iloilo collapsed trapping four church workers. Fissures were observed in the streets that caused traffic disruption. For the rest of the city, 21 died and 43 were injured while total church damages was estimated at P 200,000 although total damages in the city reached P 1,000,000 (Manila Times, January 26, 1948). The Coronet tower in Arevalo District also collapsed (Manila Times, January 26, 1948).


Cabatuan Church Belltowers collapse from earthquake





Igbaras Church




1950 - Birth of Iloilo Provincial Hospital




An emergency hospital facility in 1946 located in Lapaz, Iloilo City at the Doane Woody Bldg. In 1950, on a lot donated by benevolent Mandurriaonons, the hospital was transferred to its present location in Q. Abeto St. Mandurriao, Iloilo City and was inaugurated as Iloilo Provincial Hospital on May 12, 1950. On June 1974 the health facility was upgraded into a 200-bed capacity, with 164 personnel. A year after in 1975 it became a 300-bed capacity hospital, Regional Training & Teaching hospital with 247 personnel.

Iloilo Provincial Hospital was converted into Western Visayas  Medical Center through BP 640 in 1982. And two years after in 1984 it was upgraded into a 400-bed capacity through BP 820. After a couple of years, the 25-bed capacity Pototan Mental Health Unit was attached to WVMC making WVMC a 425-bed capacity Medical Center. On February 25, 1992 Republic Act 7198 was approved. This was an “ An Act increasing the bed capacity  of the WVMC and Appropriating Funds therefor.



1955 - First Election in City of Iloilo




After 1935 constitution, the title municipal and city president was changed into municipal and city mayors. Iloilo City mayors were appointed by the President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission on Appointments of the Congress of Philippines.


First Election leads to the construction of Freedom Grandstand
Around 1953-1955, as an Assemblyman, Rodolfo Ganzon authored the Republic Act  1209 or AN ACT MAKING ELECTIVE THE POSITIONS OF MAYOR, VICE-MAYOR AND COUNCILORS IN THE CITY OF ILOILO, it amended the   Republic Act 365 or AN ACT TO AMEND ARTICLE II AND SECTION 14  OF COMMONWEALTH ACT NUMBERED 158 , AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "AN ACT ESTABLISHING A FORM OF GOVERNMENT FOR THE CITY OF ILOILO and Commonwealth Act  number 158 of 1936 otherwise known as Iloilo City charter  which stipulates  Mayors are appointed. This time Mayors are to be elected by the citizenry. Election was  held in 1955 ,    Rodolfo T. Ganzon won due to his blatant charisma , brilliant orator and closeness to Timawa or common folks.  Ganzon built a modest  grandstand within Sunburst Park, renamed "Freedom Park" fronting the  Aduana --as a concrete memorial to the the new found political freedom  of City residents. He governed Iloilo City up to 1959. He became Senator in 1963-1969.
Rodolfo was Valedictorian in Elementary and High School ., Summa Cum Laude in College of Law. He was third in the bar examinations the same year with an average of 91.10%.. He won 6 times in a row until 1972 on year of Martial Law.


Jaro-Liko and Jaro Derecho Jeep-Route




During the war of 1945 between America and Japan to facilitate mass transport of Filipino and American soldiers, America had manufactured an improvised automobile called Jeep with several model. (Photo above is Bantam BRC 40 Jeep in Tigbauan, Iloilo). Iloilo soon turned this military vehicle into a public utility vehicle competing with the Panay Autobus and Railway Transportation. Jaro Derecho will start at CPU and revolved in San Pedro while Jaro liko will start in Brgy Quintin Salas and revolved in San Pedro.




Iloilo Iconic School turned into College

In 1965, the Iloilo Normal School was converted to West Visayas State College (RA 4189) commenced the offering of the bachelor’s degree in education for both elementary and secondary teaching.


First Television arrives in Iloilo

TV was imported from USA arrives in Philippines. First TV Station called ABS were showed  in Iloilo in 1953.  In 1958, two Ilonggo people who founded the CBN and then acquired the pioneer TV Station ABS and became  ABS-CBN. Manila begun to manufacture TV's. That time it cost less than automobile. Several units were brought to Iloilo City. In 1969 Ilonggos witnessed the live television coverage of the Apollo 11 historic landing. John en Marcha sitcom starring Dolphy, Nida Blanca and Maricel Soriano among the pioneering shows.


Iloilo Marketing Center becames LIBCAP

LIBCAP Marketing Corporation (LMC) is the first subsidiary corporation of the LIBCAP GROUP. It was formerly known as Iloilo Marketing Center founded as early as 1976 which sells industrial tools to sugar centrals.

Due to downfall of sugar industry, the company diversified its product lines and along with the tradition of providing efficient service and quality products to the public and to further capitalize in its experience in marketing, the company expanded its product line in 2002 to include consumer products.

Recently, LMC set off for the distribution of medical supplies. Nowadays LMC carries brand names of imported goods, and exclusively distributes these in the Philippines. Within a short period, we have covered almost all areas in the southern part of the Philippines

Sunday, February 25, 2018

Research Center of Iloilo: The History Of Iloilo Chapter 11 - 1930 -1940


 Chapter 11 

The Commonwealth Period

1930-1940






* highlighted in violet is the timeline or date





The United States has been reluctant to give Philippines a sovereignty. As early as 1919, Manuel L. Quezon as Senate President from 1916 went to US Congress to lobby for independence. After 10 long years, something happened on October 29, 1929. The US stock market had crashed and subsequently every cities around the world necessarily follows from Great Britain to France and Germany. The demand of goods decreased agricultural production dwindled widespread fall of profits followed by bank failures and bankruptcy, production on manufacturing collapsed, millions upon millions were laid-off, personal income sank deeply. Desperate citizens were hopeless, Germans propelling Adolf Hitler to power, there were soup kitchens in America to feed the hungry while Great Depression did not strongly affect Japan.

" As you know, the Filipinos would like to be independent. But it would be stupid of the USA to fulfill this wish, because they are as yet absolutely incapable of governing themselves. They have some freedom in internal affairs. Many Filipinos are employed in the administration, and they have their own Parliament. But they still need the guiding hand of a civilized people "
 - (Albert Irminger Letter 1919)






Iloilo Sugar Saved The Day

For the second time around, it was mainly Iloilo strong sugar  industry and labor unions had a stake in loosening the United States ties to the Philippines since they could not compete with the Philippine cheap sugar (and other commodities) which could freely exported to the U.S. Market. Therefore, they agitated in favor of granting independence to the Philippines so that its cheap products and labor could be shut out of the United States. In 1934, America approved the  Philippine independence law known as the Tydings–McDuffie Act. It was crafted to prepare the Philippines for its eventual independence after a ten-year period. The Tydings- McDuffie Act also enabled them to draft and adopt constitution subject to the concurrence of the U.S. President.

In accordance to the Tydings-McDuffie Law, election of delegates to the 1934 Constitutional Convention was held on July 10, 1934. The Philippines now have its own Constitution and can elect the first President of the Philippines adopted the legislative system to have a unicameral national assembly instead of  previous set-up with bicameral (with a Senate). After the 1935 Constitution was ratified elections were held on September 17, 1935. The Philippine Commonwealth was inaugurated on November 15, 1935. Manuel Quezon won as President.

Iloilo Representatives in the Philippines 1st National Assembly (November 25- December 21, 1935)

1st District - Jose C. Zulueta
2nd District - Ruperto Montinola
3rd District - Tomas Confesor
4th District - Tomas Buenaflor
5th District - Victoriano M. Salcedo

Commonwealth Act Number 1 or the National Defense Act of 1935 was passed which founded the Philippine Army. The act divided the Commonwealth of the Philippines into ten military districts. The creation of the Budget Commission by virtue of Commonwealth Act number 1. General Appropriations Act of 1936 or Commonwealth Act 246 - congress should appropriate and approved budget of government agencies. Commonwealth Act No. 186 passed on November 14, 1936 the creation of  the Government  Service Insurance System (GSIS).


Change of Title - From Municipal President to Municipal Mayor

Because in 1935 constitution, the Philippines has a president the title municipal president and city president was changed into municipal mayor and city mayor respectively to avoid confusion.  Iloilo City mayor were appointed by the President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission on Appointments of the Congress of Philippines.





Iloilo Mission Hospital

By 1920, the hospital expanded to seventy beds. By this time the School of Nursing was registered with the government. In 1924, the American Baptists were given full charge of the hospital and it was renamed the Iloilo Mission Hospital. More space was needed and a land was purchased in Jaro District and with the help of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society and the local community the new building was completed in 1931.

(Source: 1937 Panay Directory and Souvenir Book)




The First Airline Company in ASIA - in Iloilo




Due to the economic depression that swept the countries around the world, Iloilo port was losing 76% of Negros sugar exports. Sugar barons of Iloilo were affected. One of them was Eugenio Lopez Sr.  Considering that a number of Ilonggos were frequently going to Manila and Bacolod, he planned to invest in commercial aviation.  A unit of planes were bought in America and in February 1, 1933,  INAEC launched its historical first flight using Stinson Tri-Motor, a 10-passenger capacity that flew from Iloilo to Manila  with US Air Force Major Henry Meider as first pilot (Photo Above). It was the first airline company in Asia predating PAL, JAL and Singapore Air.

Airlines regular air services between Manila, Bacolod, Iloilo and Cebu started within a year and then expanded to Zambonga and Davao in another two  years. INAEC with its three-engine aircraft advertised its air travels as “fast, commodious, elegant and reliant” compared with the other services.

Despite the great depression in the US and  Europe, aviation in the Philippines still boomed at that time with 60 airfields scattered all over the country, four of which is in Manila. INAEC then used  Grace Park (airfields were then called “parks”) located near the Bonifacio Monument (now the Paseo de Roxas in Ayala Avenue, Makati). Four year operation was very profitable so in 1937 INAEC purchased its own seaplane, a Sikorsky S-43 amphibian  worth 260,000 the most modern aircraft at that time and which carried one passenger. INAEC introduced steward service which was the first in the Philippines.






1935 - Steel Bridge in Guimbal

Guimbal bridge reputed to be the longest in Panay at that time and even up to the present was constructed. The steel were imported from Virginia, USA.  Tigbauan concrete bridge, Halawud (Jalaur) bridge,  Tiolas River bridge, Tigum River bridge, and the Miag-ao River bridge. Thus by 1935, Iloilo province maintained a total of 404.8 kilometers of first class and 111  kilometers of second and third class roads. Of these, 36.5 kilometers were asphalt-paved and 2 kilometers were concrete-paved.


1933-1935 -  Construction of Presidencia de Iloilo




It was designed by Filipino architect Juan Arellano. The lot donated by Ilonggo philanthropist Doña Juliana Melliza. The building is  one-level structure with neat rows of arched windows. The main entrance dividing the horizontal plane in two equal parts is flanked on either side by austere-looking composite pilasters and projected the arches of the  windows. Its roof is also capped with an interesting cupola or dome. The façade is more grandiose and imposing by employing the  artistic acumen of his Italian friend  Francesco Riccardo Monti expert on funerary art: he sculpted two bronze male statues on opposite sides of the entrance depicting  abstract concepts of the Roman law and order and a bas relief of four figures above the arched opening.

Despite its composite neo-classic elements outside, art deco and even nativist elements predominate the interior. It has two big patios and a wide court that serves as entrance foyer. The emphasis on compactness and the dominance of its environs are highlighted in outside lines while space, ventilation, and lighting are given importance in the interior layout. Neoclassic elements are present in the entire building: uniformly arched windows, composite columns, high ceilings and dome. Tropical  features reflective of the Filipino bahay na bato are also observable: wide sliding main windows, ventanillas, and raised wooden floors.

The building’s centerpiece consists of the court room and the session hall (also known as Lozano Hall) which was named in honor of Cresenciano Lozano, a lawmaker from Guimaras who authored House Bill 2368 which became RA 365 granting Iloilo the status of a chartered city in 1937. The building construction was completed on February 4, 1935.

Amid much fanfare and celebration coinciding with the Christmas  season, the building also known as the presidencia was formally  inaugurated with much grandeur attended by no less than foreign  consuls and representatives on December 19, 1936.

The Philippine 1st National Assembly passed the Commonwealth Act No.158 converting the town of Iloilo on July 16, 1937 as a chartered city of Iloilo province. Inauguration was held on August 25, 1937 after the municipalities of La Paz, Mandurriao, Molo
and Arevalo were merged. Ramon Campos, the  first mayor of the chartered city of Iloilo occupied the building in 1937.





(Iloilo Customs House, 1930. Photo by Marshall E. Fields)


Leganes became a full pledge town through the efforts of the late  congressman Tomas Confesor then governor of Iloilo province. Leganes was created a municipality pursuant to Executive Order No. 241 of then Commonwealth President Manuel Luis Quezon on January 1, 1940.






A good peaceful life.
It has been the situation in
Iloilo during the American Era.

Out of knowledge of most people, Japan has been taking steps to widen its influence and territory. After it signed a pact with Germany and Italy, Japan seized countries of South Pacific.

The next chapter is one of the ugliest times of Iloilo. People are in intense terror, women weep, children are crying and men are either prompted to fight for their life and freedom.

Friday, February 23, 2018

Research Center of Iloilo: The History Of Iloilo Chapter 10 - 1900s - 1920s


Chapter 10

"A new century, a new way of  life"



Iloilo during American Government





* highlighted in violet is the timeline or date




Americans totally captured and established a government in the city of Iloilo. There was a major reforms under Taft Commission. Ilonggo politicians were installed under the American government. Reforms on education, health and infrastructure revitalize Iloilo as a prominent province outside Manila substantiated by statistical survey of Bureau of Statistics. Iloilo sugar industry emerged as the biggest center of commerce and trade in the Visayas and Mindanao, second only to Manila. English Language was slowly introduced as medium of instruction and government official usage replacing Spanish through American teachers who settled in Iloilo to teach in Iloilo High School. The first public high school in the Philippines.

"On the other hand, there are many innovations since American administration superseded the native civil government. The plaza till then a dreary open space is now a pleasant shady promenade;  electric lighting, an ice-factory, four hotels, one American, one English and three Philippine clubs, large public schools, an improved quay way, a commodious Custom-house, a great increase of harbour traffic, a superabundance of lawyersʼ  and pawnbrokersʼ sign-boards and public vehicles plying for hire are among the novelties which strike one who knew Yloilo in days gone by".

Source : John Foreman The Philippine Islands September, 1905 Third Edition



1900 - A report of the First Philippine Commission to the President of America




(The capitol front view before the Arroyo Fountain built in 1927)



Iloilo with many beautiful churches

"The towns are almost all large clean and well built. In no other province or district are there so many churches and they are all of stone their architecture being pleasing. The cemetery of Janiuay is especially notable. No other province is crossed by as many well built roads and by ways"


Two Cities, Jaro and Iloilo next to Manila

" In all of the towns, especially those of the coast there are many Europeans and Chinese half-castes. The capital of the province is of the same name Iloilo. It's houses are excellent and of good construction. It is next to Manila the most important commercial town in the Philippines as well as exports as in imports. It has like Manila, an ayuntamiento established by a decree and a banking houses"

Jaro formerly Santa Isabel with a population of 13, 070 is situated in a flat land along the right bank of the large river of the same name. This town located about four miles from Iloilo was founded in 1584 or 1585. It was made an Episcopal See separating it from that of Cebu by Bull of Pius IX, 1865. It has a fine cathedral, episcopal palace, seminary and some fine private houses. Like Iloilo it has its ayuntamiento.


Towns of Iloilo (39 towns)

Other towns of the district are Alimodian, Anilao, Arevalo, Barotac Nuevo, Barotac Viejo, Banate, Buenavista, Cabatuan with 20, 035 inhabitants. Calinog, Cordova, Dingle with 12, 098, Duenas,
Dumangas with 15, 178, Guimbal, Igbaras with 11 , 359, Janiuay with 26, 460, La Paz, Lambunao, Leganes, Leon with 14, 714. Lucena, Maasin, Mandurriao, Miag-ao, Mina, Molo, Nagaba, Oton with 13, 883. Passi with 14, 688, Pavia with 6, 328, Pototan with 15, 939, San Enrique, San Miguel, San Joaquin with 13, 649, Santa Barbara with 19, 717, Tigbauan with 16, 850, Tubungan, Zaraga and Novales.*

* Molo , Mandurriao , Lapaz and Arevalo are Spanish towns
* San Rafael , Badiangan and Bingawan are not yet towns.
* Nagaba is previous name of Jordan , Guimaras changed into Jordan in 1902


Province or District of Concepcion (9 towns)


This comandancia and dependency of the district of Iloilo is situated in the extreme northeast of Panay. The number of inhabitants according to the Official Guide of the Philippines in 1887 is 38, 982. Concepcion, the capital located on an excellent anchorage has a population more than 4,000. Ajui with the village of Bolasi has a population of 6, 228. Other towns are Balasan, Carles, Lemery, San Dionisio and Sara with 11, 746 while Batad and Estancia has a population of 12, 564.*

* all present towns are mentioned with exception to Batad, a barangay of Balasan.

Source: A report of Philippine Commision January 31, 1900





1900 - 2nd Commision or Taft Commision




Taft Commission or 2nd Philippine Commission.

On March 16, 1900 following the recommendations of the First Philippine Commission, United States President William McKinley appointed William Howard Taft as head of the 2nd Philippine  Commission. It is unilateral and first legislative body with the power to make law to run the Philippines. They elect provincial governors.




A. Creation of Bureau of Statistics
Taft Commision enacted the Act No. 7 September 26, 1900 for creation of Bureau of Statistics with function of collection, compilation, and publication of such statistical information concerning the Philippine Islands under the supervision of a military governor.

B. Creation of Department of Public Instruction (Precursor of Department of Education)
To comply with the recommendation of the 1st Commission for the establishment of a system of public education, on May 5, 1900 the  2nd Philippine Commission appointed Fred W. Atkinson as the Superintendent General of Public Instruction. He authorized Act No. 74 - establishing a Department of Public Instruction. The Second Philippine Commission enacted it on January 21, 1901. One thousand trained US  teachers have been hired at a monthly salaries of $75-125. To recruit applicants, he advertised in American newspapers and educational journals and sent letters to colleges, universities and normal schools in the United States.

C. The Municipal Code ( Proto-Local Government Code)
January 1,1901 – The 2nd Philippine Commission passed the Act No. 82, the Municipal Code provided for incorporation of municipalities in American Insular Government. Municipal presidents, vice-presidents, and municipal council to serve on municipal boards and their term of office shall be for two years elected by qualified elector (male, 23 years old, not insane, and bonafide resident of a town). Municipalities with population of less than 2,000 can be incorporated by petition of qualified voters or will be attached to the an adjacent and incorporated municipality.

Reorganization of Municipalities in Iloilo

In compliance of the Taft Commission, Jaro was changed back into a municipal or town status. Santa Barbara annexed Pavia and becomes part of Iloilo in 1904.

1903 - Maasin was made an arrabal of Cabatuan on April 4,1903.
Dingle was annexed to Pototan.

1904 - Calinog was annexed to Passi

D. Creation of Board of Health (Precursor of Department of Health)
July 1, 1901 - Act No. 157 was passed by the Commision creating the Board of Health . Pablo Araneta was rewarded with the post of President of  the Board of Health at an annual salary of $1,500 gold.

Supreme Court of Insular Government

Previously Melliza served on the Supreme Court from May 29, 1899 to May 4, 1900 when he resigned because of ill health. Victorino Mapa was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court with an annual emolument of $7,000 gold"

Source: John Foreman  - The Philippine Islands September, 1905 Third Edition




Surrender of Gen Martin Delgado





1900 - In November that year the American authorities asked Raymundo Melliza to join the Peace Committee that would appeal to Gen. Delgado and his guerrilla leaders to surrender. The other members of the Peace  Committee were Gen. Pablo Araneta, Cornelio Melliza, Victorino Mapa, Jovito Yusay, and Juan de Leon.




1901 - Martin Delgado  - 1st Governor of Iloilo





General Martin Delgado sitting in the center in black dress



Provincial Government Act
After several days of passage of the Municipal Code on February 6 The Philippine Commission passed the act no. 83 or the Provincial Government Act. It states that every province shall have an elected provincial governor. Elections are to be held to elect a provincial secretary, a provincial treasurer, a provincial supervisor and a provincial fiscal.



February 2, 1901 – During the fiesta of Jaro, General Delgado weary of war and poorly armed formally surrendered in Jaro to the American military governor, Edmund Rice. Many of the leaders surrendered. Brig. Gen. Robert P. Hughes with 30 officers and 140 men in  Jaro, Iloilo. An American historian wrote, "As a result of this surrender, 41,000 inhabitants of  the province of Iloilo took the oath of allegiance. Benito Lopez was appointed Justice of the Peace of Jaro and served from 1902 to 1903 and relative peace was restored.

He was recognized by the Americans as "the ablest leader" on the  island. The appointment of the first governor of Iloilo province shall take place upon the establishment of the civil government on April 11, 1901. "Jovito Yusay was given the provincial government secretary with a yearly stipend of $1,800 gold; Quintin Salas and his Chief of Staff. Lt. Col. Francisco Jalandoni were the last to lay down their arms on October 4, 1901.

"Martin T. Delgado, the very man who had inflicted such calamities upon the  Yloilo people was appointed on April 11 to be their first provincial civil governor at a salary of $3,000 gold per annum and held that office until March 1904 "

Source: John Foreham The Philippine Islands September, 1905 Third Edition



1902 - Philippine Organic Act





On March 3, 1902 - To follow the Provincial Government Act of  1901 of the 2nd Philippine Commission, the first provincial election was held. Martin Delgano was elected as the governor of Iloilo.

July 1, 1902 - United States Congress enacted the Philippine Organic Act. It is also known as the Philippine Bill of 1902. Provisions include the conduct of census in the whole Philippines,  the establishment of the Philippine Assembly to be elected by the Filipinos two years after the publication of a census. Legislative power (making of law) shall then be vested in a bicameral (2 houses) legislature composed of the original  Philippine Commission as the upper house and the Philippine Assembly as the lower house elected by the people. Supervision of the islands was assigned to the War Department's Bureau of Insular Affairs. July 4 - President Theodore Roosevelt officially ended the Philippine-American War by issuing the Peace Proclamation and Granting of Amnesty to the "Insurrectionists" who in reality were patriots.




1902 - Road  Constructions and Cholera Outbreak






Department of War and Public Works(DWPW) and Construction of Roads


As the war ended, American government focus on the rehabilitation of infrastructure. The DWPW was converted into Bureau of Public Works. Martin Delgado as the first governor of Iloilo was involved in the supervision of major construction of roads. On the first months of 1902, the provincial board utilizing the loan of P94,000 granted by the Philippine Commission undertook the construction and repair of the principal roads of the province with the dual purpose of providing good roads and of furnishing work to the common people. The project was put under the  responsibility of the agency called " provincial supervisor".

SECTION 10 of Act 83 or Provincial Government Act of 1901. The provincial supervisor shall have supervision over the construction, repair, and maintenance of the roads, bridges, and ferries of the province, except those within the inhabited portions of the pueblos and barrios thereof.

The work was stopped in the latter month due to the cholera outbreak. The government had to re-channel the funds in order to combat this epidemic which killed thousands upon thousands  of Ilonggos. Thus, only the road from Jaro to Sta. Barbara was completed.

Source: Report of the Governor of the Province of Iloilo, 1905


Government Projects Disrupted due to Cholera Outbreak

An infected American who traveled from the United states carried cholera to Manila. The outbreak started on March 20, 1902. It started in a suburb of Manila and quickly spread through Luzon and the other islands such as Iloilo. The total number of cholera cases reported up to September 29, 1902 reached 70,222 of which 48,402 were fatal. The heaviest mortality was among the lower classes of natives.


Road from Iloilo to Guimbal, Banate to Janiuay completed

In 1904 - a 36 kilometers of roads from the town of Iloilo to the interior sections were reported repaired. This placed the provincial capitol in an easier communication with the more proximate towns of the province. Later,  repaired roads reached roads reached as far as Guimbal to the south, Banate to the north and Janiuay to the inland interior with a cost of P82,73 (Ibid). Repairs were also made on the bridges in Jaro and Mandurriao and on the road  between Iloilo and La Paz and from Jaro to Pavia and that of Leganes to Zarraga. The Hibao-an road that  joined the municipalities of Mandurriao and San Miguel.

The  Manila Daily Bulletin reported in September 1907 that the City of Iloilo was “the metropolis of the Visayan Islands,  second city of importance in the archipelago and the greatest market for sugar in this part of the world.”


Widening of City Streets and Light Installation

Named "Calle Real" or "Royal Street", it spans from Plaza Alfonso XII (now known  as Plaza Libertad) all the way to Plazoleta Gay and the location of commercial  establishments, the Casa Real (Iloilo Provincial Capitol) as well as the residences of the Ilonggo elite.




1903 - Census of Iloilo






Iloilo remained 2nd to Manila in economy

In compliance of Philippine Organic Act of 1902 which prescribes for the conduct of Census in the Philippines to give way for creation of Philippine Legislature , American Government conducted census in 1903.Iloilo was second in economic performance , in trade , manufacturing and professional service and Iloilo has total population of  329,993 in 1903




American-brand Protestantism engulfed Ilongos





In 1898 the Presbyterian, Baptist and Methodist leaders met together in New York to discuss how to bring the Protestant message to the Filipinos. The result was a comity agreement of the missionary enterprises, dividing up places of ministry to avoid future conflicts among themselves and their converts.


Foundation of -  Mission Hospital Dispensary

There was a pervasive introduction of Protestantism in Iloilo. A couple missionaries of the Presbyterian Foreign Mission Board, Dr. Andrew Hall and his wife Mrs Mary Hall, a nurse arrived in Iloilo in 1901 and run a temporary bamboo clinic in Calle Amparo (now Ledesma Street in the photo above) to serve as a venue for the treatment of health care to the very poor.







Union Mission Hospital, First Nursing School and First to produce Nurses in the Philippines

They acquired the property in 1905 in Iznart Street and founded the Union Mission Hospital - Training School for nurses. It was opened in March 1906. The school is the first school of nursing in the Philippines. American nurse, Miss  Elizabeth Brinton later Mrs. John Bordman arrived on June 3, 1906. Mrs. Bordman was in-charge of both the nursing services and also the training school for nurses as superintendent and principal of nurses. She also took care of the patients. Mrs. Mary Hall, Elizabeth Brinton and Amelia Klein all trained registered nurses in America composed the training staff. Dr. Mackle, an American surgeon joined the hospital & who later on carried the medical responsibility when the Halls went on six month furlough in the U.S. Four young girls joined the American-run hospital and they comprised of Nicasia Cada of Oton, Iloilo and Basilia and Dorotea Caldito of Leon Iloilo. Hospital laundry women said that they pitied Dr. Hall, his wife nurse Mary and Felipa for working hard with so many patients to attend to.

It produced the pioneering three graduate nurses in 1909. Now the school of nursing was transferred at Central Philippine University. In 1907, an American Baptist Missionary, Dr. Raphael C. Thomas joined the staff. It was renamed Union Hospital. By 1920, the hospital expanded to a seventy beds. By this time the School of Nursing was registered with the government.



1904 - Muelle Loney Street was born





Muelle Loney Street was born

In March 1904, the Municipal Council of Iloilo passed a resolution naming the long stretch of road along Iloilo Port as Muelle Loney or Loney Waterfront in honor of the Father of Sugar Industry of Iloilo.




1905 - Secretary of War visit Iloilo




On August 14, 1905, William Howard Taft (in black tuxedo photo above) who was the 42nd Secretary of War appointed by President Roosevelt visited Iloilo (he became the 27th President of the United States) and all four members of the American Commission came to Iloilo. Among the members of the Commission was Dean C. Worcester the same Dean C. Worcester the scientist who visited Concepcion in 1887. In a special session attended by the delegates from most of the towns of Iloilo, Taft suggested that the Comandancia of Concepcion should be merged with the province of Iloilo. With the economy of the comandancia in ruin, the Ilonggo leaders agreed to the suggestion. So, Section 1 of the bill creating the province of Iloilo was amended on the third line to read “Province of Iloilo, including the Comandancia of Concepcion.”




1906 - First High School in Philippines




Don Raymundo Melliza, on the other hand founded the Instituto de Molo in 1901 with Manuel Locsin a fellow lawyer. The school produced luminaries as assemblyman Francisco Varona, poet laureate Flavio Zaragoza Cano, Concon Delegate Delfin Gumban, Governor Timoteo Consing, Mayor Serapion Torre, assemblyman Jose D. Evangelista, Don Serafin Gatuslao of Murcia, father of governor Valeriano Gatuslao,  Mayor Agustin Gatuslao, Mayor Jose Gatuslao, Governor Don Miguel Gatuslao, representative Agustin Gatuslao of Himamaylan. It used Spanish, Tagalog with Hiligaynon as medium of instruction.

Melliza also became first the vice president of the Asociacion de Agricola de Panay y Negros that was formed on October 11, 1903.The other officers of the Asociacion were Juan de Leon, president; Ruperto Montinola, second vice president; Benito Lopez, Francisco Villanueva, Manue  Locsin, Claudio Lopez, Juan Araneta, Martin Delgado, board members; Esteban de la Rama, treasurer; and Jose Lopez Vito, secretary.


Thomasites - American teachers

Mary H. Fee -  Describes Iloilo as "Miniature Edition of Manila" on her book Womans Impression of  the Philippines. On September 7, she departed by a Compania Maritima boat bound for Iloilo where she was picked up by a 'tao'. She stayed in Iloilo for a few days to shop. She was beginning to learn the language and words such as 'manana', and the traveling vernacular such as 'sigue' (go on), para (stop), derecho (straight ahead), mano and silia. She waited in Iloilo for two days, making friends with army ladies; she was invited to an afternoon tea with the army nurses. She enjoyed their delicious toast and  thought it tasted good after the 'garbanzos, bescochos and guava jelly'.  According to her, the hardest thing to overcome was the desire of her students to aid her in matters that she could manage better alone. In Capiz, she organized a society and acting as chairman called for an election by informal ballot. Their first ballot polled seventy-three votes although there were only fifty-five persons in the room. She threw the results out and called for a roll call vote.

1902 - Iloilo Normal School was founded by W.E. Lutz with his wife, Mariam Lutz who died of cholera in Manila on July 24, 1903 at the age of 32 even before she could go to her station. He continued his work as a teacher founded the Iloilo Normal School and served as its first principal. According to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, it was so named because its purpose was to establish teaching standards or “norms.”



Bola-Bola - An only Notable Structure


1906 - The school moved to the present site on the land donated by Don Francisco Jalandoni Y Habana, a soldier and philanthropist. Don Benito Lopez, governor of Iloilo funded the construction with cement footing, wooden structure and galvanized-iron roofing. The two-storey wooden school building with a wide porch along three sides of the first floor looked more like an haciendero's house amidst its very rural setting . It was a solitary object in the midst of rice and sugarcane fields and looked more like a glorified farmhouse. The main gate called the "Bola-Bola" with its concrete side walk balustrade and 4 massive spare columns, each supporting a globe Thomasites planted Acacia trees in the Quadrangle.


Northern Baptist Arrived Establishing Jaro Industrial School

William Valentine founded the Bible School in June 1905, the Jaro Industrial School was opened as a free vocational boarding school for boys. The first class consisted of 20 boys who worked four hours a day to pay their tuition, room and board and spent four hours in the classroom. They established the first established evangelical church in Philippines in Jaro , Iloilo City.





Joseph William Witton Crow from Hollister, San Benito, California









Mary E. Polley from Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin teacher in Iloilo Normal School.








William Rockford Hamme from York, Pennsylvania 










Why American teachers are called Thomasites?

 The first recruited teacher volunteers numbering 509 are aboard in United States Army Transport Thomas arrived in the Philippines on August 23, 1901. Subjects taught are English, agriculture, reading, grammar, geography, mathematics, general courses, trade courses, housekeeping and household arts (sewing, crocheting and cooking), manual trading, mechanical drawing, freehand drawing and athletics (baseball, track and field, tennis, indoor baseball and basketball)




1906 - First Railway outside Manila





1906 -  Act 1497 was enacted by the Philippine Commission which authorized the Philippine Railway Co. in Manila "to locate, construct, furnish, maintain and operate a  railway line" in other parts of the country. (Annual Report of Panay Railways 1979). This came about because of the need to improve the means of transportation in the archipelago to facilitate the movements of inhabitants and products. The construction of the railway in Panay was started in 1906 and the 116.1 kilometers system was inaugurated in 1912 (Gleeck 1928). The first railway outside Manila.




1907- First Election of Assemblyman





In the election of February 1, 1906, Don Benito Lopez (husband of Presentación Hofilena) 28 years old was re-elected  as governor of Iloilo. He was assassinated in December 27 and the mastermind was a political rival his own distant relative. They rushed Benito Lopez to the Iloilo Mission Hospital. The three first shots were not life-threatening but the fourth shot on the side wrought much damage on the  liver. Three American doctors, Joseph Pettijohn, Earl Burnes and Col. J. La  Garde could do nothing to save the Governor. All they did was to make him comfortable.


Great and Noble Ilongos that helped shape history of Philippines
To execute the provisions of Organic Act of 1902 whichis to elect an assemblyman. Election was held on July 30 , 1907. Elected assemblymen  from Iloilo to attend the First Philippine Legislature are:

A. 1st District  of Iloilo - Amando Avanceña - Nacionalista Party. He was only 28, a brilliant lawyer and was an officer in the Revolutionary Army.  A member of four committees including the Committee on Public Lands, Forestry and Mining.

B. 2nd District of Iloilo - Nicolas Jalandoni - 26 years old,  lawyer, he won a spectacular victory over two legal luminaries, Juan de Leon, former CFI judge; Raymundo Melliza, former associate justice of the Supreme Court and former-governor of Iloilo. He chaired the Committee on Posts and Telegraphs. He also sat in the Committee on Appropriations and four other committees.

C. 3rd District of Iloilo - Salvador Laguda - lawyer-engineer-journalist, won over General Martin Delgado and Teodoro Husain. Laguda studied industrial engineering in Barcelona, Spain. Elected chairman of the Committee on Style due to his expertise as writer-editor. He was the third Ilonggo to sit in the powerful Committee on Appropriations.

D. 4th District of Iloilo - Adriano Hernandez - won over lawyer Espiridion Guanco. Hernandez was chief-of-staff of the Revolutionary Army in Iloilo. He declined to hold public office under the Americans in 1901. Instead, he managed the Tabacalera in Negros for seven years. Chairman of the Committee on Industry, Commerce and Labor . A member of six other committees including Appropriations.

E. 5th District, Regino Dorillo - Progresista, won over General Angel Corteza by only two votes. Dorillo was clerk of court at the Court of First Instance based in Pototan under the Spanish government. He served as a major in the Revolutionary Army, and was elected municipal president of the combined towns of Passi, San Enrique, Dueñas, and Calinog. He is a composer-musician, he won a gold medal in the St. Louis Exposition in 1904 for his “Marcha de Conant” composition. He has four committees including the major Committee on Agriculture.


Other Ilongos representing other Provinces

Antonio Jayme, 53, a lawyer from Jaro, Iloilo, was elected from the 1st District of Negros Occidental. Incidentally, he defeated two other Iloilo-born candidates, Julio Hernandez and Vicente Franco. Jayme was governor of Negros Occidental prior to his election to the Legislature.

The 2nd District of Negros Occidental was represented by Dionisio Mapa, 28, lawyer from Mandurriao, Iloilo. He defeated the famous Ilonggo millionaire Esteban de la Rama.

An Ilonggo physician, Dr. Vicente Locsin of Janiuay, Iloilo, represented the 2nd District of Negros Oriental. He had been municipal health officer of Silay and Talisay in Negros Occidental and before the election was the provincial health officer of Negros Oriental.

Mindanao have only 2 organized provinces namely, Misamis with two districts and Surigao with only one. The Lone District of Surigao was represented by Francisco Soriano, a lawyer from Molo, Iloilo who was Secretary General of the Revolutionary Government of the Visayas. He served as provincial fiscal of Surigao and Misamis. Later, Soriano became the first elected senator from Mindanao.

On October 16, 1907, the Philippine Assembly was inaugurated at the Manila Grand Opera House. The event was attended by William Howard Taft (at this time appointed Secretary of War) and the new governor-general James Francis Smith. The Philippine Commission composed of 4 Americans and 4 Filipinos as Upper House. Speaker of the House was Sergio Osmeña (Nacionalista, 2nd District Cebu) and Majority Floor Leader: Manuel L. Quezon (Nacionalista, 1st District Tayabas)


Two Ilonggo Brothers who help built Philippine History of the 20th century

Brother of Vicente Lopez took care of two orphans, Eugenio Lopez Sr. 7 years old  (Harvard-schooled Lawyer, he acquired Meralco in 1961)  and Fernando Lopez (Vice President in 1949 – founded ABS-CBN), 4 year old. They lived in their house in Iznart Street, Iloilo City. They inherited Don Benito Hacienda in Casalagan,  Pontevedra, Negros Occidental and then joined the family hacienda in Central Lopez Factory in Cadiz, Negros Occidental.

Because the American government in the Philippines have many prominent Ilonggos, Iloilo developed faster than most other provinces from 1907 onward.





1907 - First Golf and Country Club in the Philippines and Southeast Asia





1907  - The Iloilo Golf Club in Sta. Barbara is the oldest golf and country club in the  Philippines and Southeast Asia and the second oldest in Asia. It was constructed in 1907 by English (or Scottish?) engineers who built the railroad linking Iloilo City to Capiz for  the sugar barons of Panay. The golf course features majestic, century-old acacia and fire trees.




1908 - Construction of Forbes Bridge





The  Forbes Bridge connecting Iloilo with La Paz on the way to Jaro was constructed  during the administration of Ruperto Montinola as governor of Iloilo. The concrete structure replaced the temporary structure made of wood and bamboo used during the Spanish period. The bridge was named in honor of the American governor-general, W. Cameron Forbes.

The plaque inscription:
             Provincial Board
Ruperto Montinola, Governor
F. L. Wilson,Treasurer
J. Lopez Vito, Third Member
R. F. Moss, District Engineer
W. H. Lambert & Co. Contractors.



1909 - Telephone upgrading in Iloilo





The first telephone system in Iloilo was inaugurated on June 1, 1894 in the last decade of the Spanish rule. Through the initiative of John Bordman, an American businessman the Iloilo Telephone and Telegraph Co. was organized in 1909 in order to improve telephone service in the city. A local battery consisting  of 56 telephones was installed by the Bryan-Landon Co. of Iloilo










The hospital was established by the Archbishop of Manila, Jeremiah Harty under the supervision of the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres located in Intramuros. It provided general hospital services. It opened its training school for nurses in 1908 with Mother Melanie as superintendent and Miss Chambers as Principal.





1912 - Banco Espanol became bank of Phil Islands

The bank shed off its Spanish character and became a Philippine institution. Act no. 1790, which was passed by the Philippine Commission on October 12, 1907 gave the stockholders of the bank the authority to change the name of their institution to the Bank of the Philippine Islands. The change in the name eventually took effect on January 1, 1912.



1915 - Roadways in Iloilo





Bureau of Public Works sketch of Iloilo road system in June 30 , 1915. Railway traverse from Lapaz to Jaro to Pavia to Santa Barbara to Pototan and Passi.



Road reached Northern Iloilo

Congressman Venancio Cudilla legislated a bill constructing a roadway to northern Iloilo. A mountain in San Nicolas called Lakdayan in Barotac Viejo was paved. Autobus finally penetrate Ajuy through a road for the first time  and giving good access to the rest of northern Iloilo towns.

Ajuy became a town in 1917. San Dionisio separated from Sara and became a town in 1920. Armando Arcosa and Ramon Deles who were Municipal President and Municipal Vice-President respectively. The two officials sent Delfin Espino to Manila to ask the Secretario del Interior to make San Dionisio a separate municipality.








1916 - Iloilo Aduana







1920's - Road to Baluarte  to Infante, Molo traversing Delgado Street.


The Spanish streets in Calle Real were J.M Basa and Iznart streets. There was a need to widened the street to connect the peripheral places to Calle Real. To accommodate the growing motorized vehicles for easy transportation, street projects happened in the 1920s in the towns of Iloilo. There was a construction of the Baluarte and Arroyo streets, extension of Delgado Street to Valeria and from Fuentes and Jalandoni streets up to the present-day U.P. in the Visayas.



Widening of General Luna etc.

Quezon and Mabini streets were asphalted while their sidewalks were also constructed. More significant was the installation of the streetlights all throughout the city in 1921. In 1926, the widening of important streets like General Luna, J.M. Basa and Ledesma was started. In 1927, an improved street Valeria-Ledesma (formerly known as Weyler) was inaugurated (David 1937).



Calle Santo Rosario in Iloilo City


According to folk traditions, it all began on the night of September 30, 1616 when the statue of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary
was discovered among the debris of the Real Fuerza de San Pedro or the fort by Don Diego Quiñones after a hard won battle against the Dutch. Quiñones was the Spanish leader of a group of Filipino and Spanish soldiers who built the fort and who defended it from the determined attack of a “very large” Dutch force (Buzeta 1851). Two Augustinian missionaries, Fr. Juan de Morales and Fr.
Jeronimo Arevalo were present during the attack and they inspired the soldiers' morale and spirit. It  must be noted that the Dutch at that time were interested in occupying the Philippines and driving out the Spaniards from it. Three days of “unequal and rigorous fighting” eventually led the Dutch to retreat leaving behind 80 dead and 100 wounded (Ibid). The victory of Quiñones and his men was taken as “a good  sign of success” for future battles (Diaz 1875). This was further reinforced with the discovery of the image after the Dutch had left and the defenders took  stock of the destruction in the fort.




Iloilo Road Transportation





The population is slowly growing. There was a need for efficient travel of the Ilonggos from towns to the cities. The demand was answered when the Panay Autobus Co. (photo above) started its operation with an office and  terminal in Rizal Street, Iloilo City. It is the largest of the bus companies operating in Iloilo andthe rest of the island of Panay. It's capital investment of P365,000 was
the most successful land transportation venture in Panay at that time.



1927 - Iloilo Triumph Over Clean Water





Governor of Iloilo Jose B. Ledesma together with board members Mabunay and Engracio Padilla, district engineer Alejo Aquino and
Treasurer R.S. Van Valkeburgh built a project, "Arroyo Fountain"  in front of the old Provincial Capitol in 1927 to honor Senator Jose Ma. Arroyo of Molo who authored Republic Act 3222 in the Philippine Legislature establishing the Iloilo Metropolitan Waterworks in 1925.

It has four mythological caryatids basking in their naked glory carrying a basin. Themselves are standing  upon the fish gargoyles that spits water on direction. Around are encircled with bushes in a platform. It is the Kilometer 0 of Iloilo or a starting point in measuring the distance to any part.

Jose Arroyo younger brother, Mariano Arroyo became the governor of Iloilo province (married to Jesusa Lacson).




Beverages in Iloilo 1910-1930












Water of Life of Iloilo






Iloilo acquired Water System - 2nd only to Manila.

Between 1910 and 1920, the Philippine government started negotiating to buy the land inside the 6,1506 hectares of headwater of the Tigum River known today as the Maasin Watershed. The government planned to supply water for the towns in Iloilo.The owners of sugar land and muscovado sugar mill agreed to sell their lands. Two schools in Sitio Layagon and Sitio Tinayak were also closed. Other landowners willingly relinquished their landsugar cane plantations and four sugar mills were closed. Macario Cartagena owned the sugar mill located in Sitio Bugtason, Zacarias Billena owned one in Sitio Jagna, the mill in Sitio Layagon was owned by Vicente Sabido and one in Bolo owned by a certain Monero.

In 1923, negotiation  was completed and the 6,150 hectares of headwaters of the Tigum River was declared as a Reserved Watershed by Proclamation No. 16 series1923 by Gov. Gen. Leonard Wood. The land was purchased with funds from the central government to be disbursed by the local government through the municipal treasurer, Mr. Felipe  Olivares and later he was terminated due to was unable to pay all the landowners or holders of land titles and tax declaration certificates. The government started constructing dam and sedimentation basin and laborious installation of  massive pipes that stretched more than 30 kilometers long from the water source in Maasin to the city of Iloilo.




1923 - 1925Serapion Torre, Municipal President of Iloilo from 1923 to 1925 and his wife the former Ester Melliza. The plaza of Mandurriao was named in his honor by virtue of Republic Act No. 1023 (Approved: June 12, 1954)






1928 - The Santos-Lopez Sugar Central


- was a corporation founded by an engineer Francisco Santos and his wife, Rosario Lopez ( Donya Sayong). It had an initial workforce of 300 and a crop area of 100 hectares At the peak of its operation, it covered sugar  plantations in Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Barotac Viejo, Dueñas, Dumangas,  Dingle, Janiuay, Passi, Pototan and Zarraga.


Donya Sayong was born to Capitan Municipal of Jaro, Eugenio Jalandoni Lopez (born in 1839) and from rich business-family of  Molo named Marcela Villanueva on October 8, 1873 and is just one of the 16 siblings.  All her schooling was only in the primary and elementary grades at the Colegio de Sta. Ana in Molo ran by the famous Avanceña sisters. At the age of 18, she was managing her own farm, the big Hacienda Maquina in Silay, Negros Occidental.  She learned not only the mechanics of cultivation, planting, harvesting and marketing but also the art of managing people. After their marriage in May 1904, the couple embarked on a large-scale agricultural ventures. They sold Hacienda Maquina, obtained a loan from Tabacalera and moved to Iloilo where they acquired vast land for sugar and rice production and areas for fishponds.

In 1936, they acquired the Philippine Starch and Sugar Co. in Janiuay

Doña Sayong rose to the challenge.  For the next three decades she was president and general manager of the two mills whose production of sugar rose with the years.  Her sound management was recognized by Sugarland magazine which said:

 " In no central in the islands can you find groups of men more contented, more loyal and better disciplined than those of Doña Rosario, largely due to the contact between her and her men, making them feel that they are under the same household atmosphere. "


Post World War II


World War II destroyed her centrals but Doña Sayong was undaunted. With money from her war damage claims and a loan from the Rehabilitation Finance Corporation, she restored the mill in Barotac Nuevo in 1948. Since reopening the mill in Janiuay was not economically practical, she had it transferred toBarotac in 1952 thus putting two mills in just one site. This expanded the capacity of Central Santos Lopez and in 1953-1954 it produced 357,344 piculs of sugar.

Doña Sayong employed modern hauling and milling facilities.  Railway lines traversed her milling district and an airstrip was laid out near the mill for faster transportation and communication. An aviation enthusiast she often flew in a private plane even in her old age.


Ilongga Philanthropy


Doña Sayong  send some of her employee  children to college. She donated land for school sites and in Barotac Nuevo she gave two sites for municipal cemeteries. Among her significant philanthropies are the beautiful mansion – headquarters of the Iloilo Medical Society in La Paz, Iloilo City and the Fine Arts Building of Central Philippine University. The big-hearted lady was not like many so-called society matrons who love to parade and publicize their charity.  Doña Sayong gave in the true sense of giving, silently.  She would rather help the poor by giving them work and paying them well, thus letting them keep their self-respect and human dignity.

Doña Sayong died at the age of 92 on February 7, 1965. Their five adopted children who survived them: Asuncion vda de Lizares, a niece; Benita Lopez, niece; Lawaan Lopez, niece; Francisco Lopez Jison, nephew; and Mayo Lopez Carillo, nephew.

Upon the death of the childless couple, the corporation  was passed to their heirs - Misses Benita Lopez and Lawaan Lopez,  sisters of Doña Rosario, and Mayo Lopez Carillo, their nephew. The company finally ended its operation in the first week of March 1996 (Lopez-Carillo) due to bankruptcy. At the time of its closure, it was considered as the oldest sugar central in the province of Iloilo.

When Central Philippine University conferred on her the honorary Doctor of Humanities (HH.D.) degree, the university cited her as a “Life-long example of industry and courage, a Filipino lady competing successfully in the ruthless business world usually dominated by the masculine portion of the population, a friend and mother to her many employees, an intelligent contributor to good causes in the community.”




Cine Palace - replica of newly founded Hollywood Cinema





The American cinema is emerging in 1920's. Short films are shown in Hollywood. Iloilo wanted to enjoy the entertainment too. In 1928 , two theaters were built in Iloilo to accommodate the Ilonggos.  Cine Palace and Cine Eagle were patterned to the Hollywood Boulevard Theaters in Los Angeles. They stood side by side. It shows theatrical plays and movies from America. One of the most modern cinemas outside Manila.




Cine Eagle









Leonard Wood is a graduate of medicine in Harvard Medical School. He became governor-general in Cuba who played a large part in eradication of yellow fever and other diseases in Cuba. He was intensely interested in medical questions about leprosy. When he came to the Philippines in 190 .


The  management of leprosy is segregation. By Act 1711 of the Philippine Commission passed on September 12, 1907 the Leper Act authorized the Bureau of Health to apprehend, isolate, detain, confine, segregate, and treat all lepers at the leper colony in Culion, Palawan. Victor G. Heiser was given full responsibility of the segregation program. Lepers are identified and shipped to Culion Island, Palawan.

The Sanitarium was established in 1927 for the lepers then collected and confined in the Iloilo Provincial Jail. By that time it only occupies more than a hectare donated by benevolent grand lady, Mrs. Rosario Gonzaga de Jesena of Jaro, Iloilo City. The patients were sheltered in small nipa huts. Five years later, Mrs. Gonzaga de Jesena donated more lands and more were purchased by the government which now comprise the approximate area of twenty two hectares.

Dr. Goitia and Mr. Gil Leonides were the first members of the Medical Staff. In 1929, Mr. Adriano A. Soliva a nurse from Culion arrived to take the place of the first nurse, Mr. Leonides. More and more patients were coming due to the strict Segregation Law of Lepers.




1928 - YMCA - Iloilo Chapter






Panay Autobus to Dumangas





The other major bus company was the Iloilo Transportation Co. whose office and terminal were situated in Blumentritt Street, Iloilo City. It advertised itself as having double-deck buses with radio music. Its double and single-deck steel blue buses maintained regular schedules covering the areas of Jaro, Iloilo City, Molo, Mandurriao, and Arevalo. In 1937, it operated 316 commodious, clean and comfortable autobuses at least in the standards of that time. These autobuses plied many accessible roads in the island reaching even far-flung barangays. To maintain its reputation, only experienced and well-trained drivers and conductors were employed by the company.




Golden Age of Aviation





1925 – Airplane is being developed in Europe and America by a group of engineers and physicist. Iloilo is the birthplace of Filipino  commercial air transportation. The first regular air services were launched in Iloilo.  Jose “Peping “ Tinsay, an  aviator  from Jaro, Iloilo, was the first to fly the Curtiss Oriole bi-plane the  first passenger plane on 43-kilometer Guimaras Strait between Iloilo and Bacolod.  Bangus, crabs, talaba, and other assorted products from Iloilo to sell to Manila and on his return flights would bring back “scarce” items like canned goods, flour, shoes,  etc. to sell in Iloilo. The photo reveals a swampy areas of Iloilo especially on the Nabitasan area , around Bolilao to San Rafael and apparently there's no houses.