The Story of Barotac Nuevo

The town of Barotac Nuevo is at the northern part of Iloilo City. It faces the island of Negros at the northern part of Iloilo Strait, and south of Dumangas town. The name Barotac came from a combination of the words "Barro" which is a Spanish word for mud and Hiligaynon word "malutak" which means muddy.

During the early years, this town is called Barrio Malutac since it is always muddy and during the rainy days the mud is really deep. The Spanish word Nuevo which means "new" is added to the name because when this town was established there is already an existing Barotac Viejo to its north. Sometimes, Barotac Nuevo is called Barotac Diutay (small) while Barotac Viejo is called Barotac Daku (big).

How Barrio Malutak became a town is because of a horse named Tamasak.

Before 1811, this town was formerly an arrabal of the town of Dumangas. Barrio Malutak is a progressive town. One of the people living in Barrio Malutak is Don Simon Raymundo Protacio who became well known because of his 200 horses. The most important of his horses is named Tamasak. Tamasak became popular not only in their barrio but also in neighboring towns due to its unusual characteristics. It is nifty, tall, strong and was very quick to gallop. Its strength can only be equaled by a horse from India and owned by the governor-general. Barrio Malutac became a town due to the efforts of Don Simon Protacio. He made a petition, together with his towns folk to make their barrio an independent town. However that petition was opposed by Father Vicentico of Dumangas, The petition left unanswered for forty (40) years from the administration of Governor-General Simon de Anda y Salazar (1770 - 1774) until the administration of Governor-General Manuel Gonzales de Aguilar (1810 - 1813).

After forty (40) years after the petition has been made, there were some Spanish delegation who came to the Philippines. They brought a horse from India. They travel around the Philippines until they reached Iloilo and came to Dumangas. They heard about Don Simon and his horses. They immediately went to see him and were amazed to see Tamasak. They immediately wish to buy it no matter how much the price however Don Simon did not sold it. He will only give the horse on the condition that they will make Barrio Malutac an independent town.

The delegates went back to Manila bringing Tamasak with them. The Governor- General was so pleased with Tamasak that he ordered immediately the gobernadorcillo of Iloilo to fulfill the agreement they had with Don Simon. He even wrote and thankful to Don Simon for giving him the horse. This event took place in 1811 under the administration of Governor-General Manuel Gonzales de Aguilar.

To give honor and respect to Don Simon Protacio and Tamasak, a monument was built by Mayor Bernardo Siaotong in 1921 in the middle of the plaza as a symbol of gratitude of the people of Barotac Nuevo.



Photo Source:

Flickr.com

The Origin of Anilao

Just like the other coastal towns near the shores of Panay Island, Anilao was founded by a group of fishermen during the Spanish occupation. The former site where the town is situated is near the mouth of the western shore of the Anilao river where the name of the town got its name. The thick woods surrounding the mouth of the river serves as shelter to fishermen's boats during the storm.

Another version is this. During the early days, the place is plenty of Anilao tree. The place was called Anilao taken from the Anilao trees.

There is another legend. The word Anilao came from a lamp that serves as a light to the natives on top of the mountain watching over Moros who were attacking the areas then. During those days, the pirates frequented the area. The natives built a stone watch tower near the shore. A person on the watch tower is guarding if there are some pirates who are coming to warn the people. Since then, if there are pirates coming, they will just shout "Ilaw" or Lamp and people will run immediately carrying lamps. To the pirates they heard Anilao. Thus they called the area Anilao thinking this was the name of place they visited.


Photo Source:

http://america.pink/anilao-iloilo_405518.html

The Story Of Alimodian

Alimodian Plaza

Situated at the foothills of a mountainous banana plantation is the progressive town of Alimodian which is about 24 kilometers northwest of Iloilo. Alimodian is the banana capital of Iloilo.

The people of Alimodian recorded four legendary and historical narration of how they got a name for their town.

One of the story is about Agustin Magtanong, founder of the town, to her wife Si Kanugon and to their child Alimudin, named after the Moro leader of Sulu. This leader became the first Catholic sultan of Jolo in 1750 after he was baptized and given a Spanish name, Don Fernando de Ali Mudin.

Kalipayan and her beautiful daughter Kanugon has a small kaingin (slash and burn) in Sibukawan which is near Barangay Cagay. Agustin Magtanong and Kanugon became lovers. The mother of Si Kanugon is against their relationship because the young man is just a mere kaingin man. This does not stop the love of Magtanong. He got forty (40) men in town to get his lover.

Kanugon in her grief decided to end her life. Fortunately, Magtanong was able to caught her ready to drink the poison taken from the roots of wild trees and the lovers decided to elope. They went south together with forty (40) of Magtanong's men and their families. They live in a small village called Ubodan. Later, Ubodan became too small for the fast growing tribe. Magtanong is now ready to establish a town in the plains about three kilometers south of the village of Ubodan. The new community was called Ali Mudin taken from the name of the first and only son of Magtanong and Si Kanugon.

One of the legendary story is the passionate love of Girom, Himaya at Madalig.

There  is also this popular story of "Halin-kamo dyan." During the old days, there is a group of Spaniards who came to the place. While there, the Spaniards saw some men climbing coconut trees. The Spanish strangers asked the men the name of the place however the natives doesn't understand what they are saying. Scared that these Spaniards will be hit in the head by the falling coconuts, a man above the coconut tree shouted: "Halin kamo diyan... halin kamo diyan!" (Go away). The Spaniards heard him saying "Ali mo dyan!". They thought that it was the name of the place. Since then the name of the place was called Alimodian.

The fourth legend is telling that the word Alimodian refers to the name of a small river Cabudian that became the now destroyed and parched river of Alimodian (because of constant quarrying) that flows to the southern part exiting the town. When Magtanong discovered Alimodian, he preferred to build the church and convent near the shore of this river. Magtanong and his men called the place Alimodian from the name of the small river.

These four versions suffer from a lack of strong historical basis. Recent documents discovered by local historians, however, have ascertained that the town's name was actually derived from alimodia or alimodias, the Visayan name of Coix lachryma-Jobi, a grain-bearing tropical plant of the grass family that is ubiquitous in Alimodian. Alimodian residents of the present time know it as puyas. Elsewhere, it is also called Job's tears because of the shape of its hard-shelled pseudo carps, which are fashioned by some into necklaces or rosary beads.  




Photo Source: 

www.zamboanga.com

The Folklore Of Iloilo

The place we call Iloilo is cut by a river with its mouth opening  up to the Guimaras Strait. This is the Batiano river which goes through the interiors of the city entering the south of the district of La Paz, continues to the west, passing through the salt flats of Mandurriao district to the right to the houses of the residents of Molo districts on the left. The river curves through the district of Arevalo and finally flows through the sea and shores of Oton. The shape of the river is like a nose. The first settlers called the nose "Irong," a Kinaray-a word for nose. The term Irong-irong means nose-shaped. The people named the place Irong-irong but through the years, the letter r in the name was changed by letter l.

When the Spaniards arrived and established a government in Iloilo, they have a difficulty in pronouncing Ilong-ilong. In the end, they removed the consonant letters ng in the name hence the province have a new name, Iloilo. Since then, the province has been called as Iloilo.

Youtube Video Courtesy of Julius Cas

The Origin Of Visayan Islands

This legend is not only prevalent in Cabatuan, Lambunao and Maasin but in the entire Visayas. Even the students in schools are very enthusiastic to tell the legend of a powerful queen that lives in a place that consists of the islands of the Visayas.

The name of the queen is Langit (Heaven) and her beautiful daughter named Kabugwason (Morning Star). Of all the many suitors who pay homage to the lovely maiden, two were heavily favored: Dagoob (Thunder) and Kilat (Lightning). The queen outlined a plan for the two brothers to create two artful rafts and the one who created a more superior and artful raft will get to marry Kabugwason. Kilat created the most artistic raft so the queen handed him Kabugwason. This event proved hurtful to Dagoob that he committed suicide. The next day there's a turmoil because the spirit of Dagoob destroyed and crushed the raft of Kilat. The pieces were separated in a big area. According to the myth of the islands of the Visayas, included in the small peninsulas were the pieces or remains of the destroyed raft in a violent rage of the unfortunate brother. 


Photo Sources:

www.fcarehmo.com.ph
Wikipedia

Iloilo Folk Literature

Aswang 

Binukot Princess

Tamawo 

Iloilo is a legendary province. Almost all of the towns here has some origins to tell.

The values that were passed through generations left some followers to the creepy rocky surfaces of the forests, mysterious caves, of the conceiving blink of an eye, of the steep mountains, of huge nocturnal birds, of different mythical creatures that were feared and other supernatural phenomenon and creatures unexplained and yet to be discovered and researched by science.

In the depths of our ocean, in the womb of our volcanoes, on the sides and hollow gaps of the rocks of our caves, on the edge of our ridges, on the navel of our mounds or anthills and to the wilderness of our forests and jungles are secrets and mystery left by our yesterday's past that if patiently researched and studied will be great topics for our legendary myth of origins.

One of the things that must be considered are the events for which the myths or legends is a kind of reading that interests the nationalistic spirit of a particular race. Thus the legends or myths are inculcating the minds with preserved and protected wealth of literature of a nation and race most especially the countries of the Far East. In literature of other languages, myths or legends has less significant values; however in our Philippine literature it is considered a branch with its own characteristics since we belong to the countries of the Far East. It should not be forgotten in the minds of whoever will write that a legend or myth is a literary composition that reminisce to the readers the memories of the past.

The legends and myths in any races and in any parts of the world are the first glimmer of thinking and imagination, the spark of senses that invites the people to create dangles of idea which are often a blink of an eye that is confronting our imagination and magnifies to indulge in an omen that cannot contain one's self; thus it is stated through a narration that continuously traversing taking turns in time until it reached the generations of clans of people. Nevertheless, the notion and sentiments of the citizens of any towns can be found in the myths or legends. The jewel of the race that should be inculcated or imprinted in the minds of everyone throughout the years.

The province of Iloilo never runs out of featured myths and legends - myths that straightens the origins of names of different places, municipalities, mythical creatures, plants, mountains and caves. Some of these were exploded with fragrance of subtlety and mystery. Some of them were lightly touched with history and facts. Mysterious or not, symbolic or truthful, these legends are already a part of everyday lives of Ilonggos. The legends that bring entertainment and pleasure, retrospect and omen; myths that continuously attracts our senses and notion. 




Photo Sources:


Ricardo Pustanio -  https://smokebear.wordpress.com

World Nomads Adventures - https://journals.worldnomads.com

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