Iloilo City lies on the south coast of Panay Island in central Philippines. It is the regional center of the Western Visayas, as well as the center of the Iloilo-Guimaras Metropolitan Area.
Iloilo City got its name from the local dialect irong-irong , meaning “nose-like” because the great Iloilo river that divides the city is shaped like a nose when seen from above.
Centuries before Ferdinand Magellan received formal education in Portugal, inhabitants of the city had been trading with Chinese, Arab, Persian and Indian merchants.
The city now has a total population of 500,000 inhabitants and the people from Iloilo are called Ilonggos. Most Ilonggos are bilingual, speaking both English and local Hiligaynon.
Iloilo City’s Dinagyang Festival is the paramount showcase of cultural craftsmanship combined with colorful street dances in a week-long cavalcade of activities every fourth week of January; underscoring the Ilonggos’ passion for community gathering.
The history of Iloilo City dates back before the Spanish colonial period. It started as a small grouping of fishermen hamlets from the Iloilo River.
During the Spanish conquest, the Spaniards under Miguel López de Legazpi came to Panay Island and established a settlement in Ogtong (now Oton). In 1581, the appointed Governor, Gonzalo Ronquillo, moved the town center east due to recurrent raids by Moro pirates and Dutch and English privateers. In 1700, the Spaniards again moved their seat of power eastward to the village of Irong-Irong, which had a natural and strategic defense against the increasing frequency of raids. They built Fort San Pedro at the mouth of the river to better guard against the raids.
In October of 1898, the Ilonggo leaders revolted against the Spaniards. By end of 1898, the Spanish government surrendered to the Ilonggo revoltionaries in modern day Plaza Libertad.
Since then, Iloilo’s economy has progressed. The construction of the fish port, the international seaport, and the completion of the new Iloilo Airport all enhances the local economy and business climate in the region.
Iloilo Miagao Church
Modern Day Iloilo
Iloilo Philippines Climate
The climate in Iloilo is generally characterized by having two seasons. The first is what can be called the summer period beginning in December and lasting up to the end of May. The rainy season on the other hand, commences from early June up to November.
The climate in Iloilo will get hotter around March as the air begins to dry out and temperatures reach around 30 degrees Celsius (86º F). The hottest and driest months are usually between late March up to late May. This is usually the time when people go on vacation marking the end of school classes.
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