Ilo-Ilo world heritage site

Federal Republic of the Visayas 1899-

Ilongo Nation --- Independent from Manila

1899 - April 27-A decree abolishing the  Federal Republic of the Visayas was issued by Emilio Aguinaldo. This was ignored  by the ilonggo leaders since Iloilo leaders knew that they are not under his authority . The embattled Visayan government continued to function while  fighting U.S. forces. Ilongo Republic continued to function, moving its capital from Sta. Barbara, Jaro, Cabatuan and other towns in the Province of Iloilo. On  January 18 1900, Benito Lopez at age 21 was elected a member of the Council of  the Federal State of the Visayas.

ilo-ilo city festival capital

iloilo city 1890-

ILOILO CITY: 122 Years of Cityhood

(1890-2012)

La Muy Leal Y Noble:

Dakbanwa sang Iloilo, Palangga Ko!

Iloilo City, the beacon of culture and arts, the sentinel of industrial and economic progress of Western Visayas, and the home of the loving and gentle Ilonggos – it is fitting to celebrate the date of birth of this sprawling metropolis. By looking back, we are as well looking into our future as a city – ever progressive, peaceful, and famous worldwide.

To start this campaign, we have first to review the history of our city’s foundation:

As the town of Iloilo is flourishing due to sugar trade and its subsequent opening as an international port, the town still lacks a bureaucratic structure to immediately address its needs. Much of the decision making and approval of plans, projects and papers was still being done in Manila, and this caused tremendous delays. To ease governing the growing town of Iloilo, the Governor General Valeriano Weyler saw the need to establish a constituted local authority to handle its affairs. In accordance to rules of that time, ayuntamientos (city halls) could only be instituted in provinces where people were cultured and with progress and industry. This prompted the colonial government to send a well-documented report to Madrid for approval on establishing ayuntamientos.

On November 1889, the Becerra Law was passed by the Spanish Cortes and led to the establishment of the Ayuntamiento (City Hall) of Iloilo. The following year, after the signing of a Superior Decree of 31 January 1890, the City Hall of Iloilo (Ayuntamiento de Iloilo) was inaugurated in a solemn ceremony in February 7, 1890.

The question that begs to be answered, “When should we celebrate the Cityhood of Iloilo?” One may be curious on why we’re asking, but sadly we had conflicting views on determining the proper date. Here are the candidate dates being considered:

October 5, 1889 - By Royal Decree of Queen Regent Maria Christina of Spain, the town of Iloilo was elevated to status of a city. The actual words of the decree were:

“A propuesta del Ministro de Ultramar, y teniendo en cuenta el creciente desarrollo que en la industria y el commercio ha alcanzado la cabecera de la provincia de Ilo-Ilo, la más importante de las islas de Filipinas, despues de la de Manila; En nombre de mi Augusto Hijo el Rey D. Alfonso XIII, y como Reina Regente del Reino, Vengo en conceder el titulo de la Ciudad á la cabecera de Ilo-Ilo, en dichas islas. Dado en San Sebastian á cinco de Octubre de mil ochocientos ochenta y nueve. Maria Cristina”

(At the suggestion of the Colonial Secretary, taking into account the increasing development in the industry and the commerce has reached the capital of the province of Ilo-Ilo, the largest of the islands of the Philippines, after the Manila, on behalf of my August son Don King Alfonso XIII, and as Queen Regent of the Kingdom, I hereby grant the title of the City at the Capital of Ilo-Ilo, in these islands. Given in San Sebastian to October 5 of 1889. Maria Cristina)

January 31, 1890 - In my understanding, the Superior Decree is much like an implementing rule issued by the chief executive, or in Spain’s Monarchy, the King (or the Queen Regent). It was like the pre-requisites set by the Becerra Law was applied to Iloilo’s application for the establishment of a ayuntamiento. Upon approval, the Superior Decree was signed and Iloilo was granted the authority to have its own city council. This was also the date the City Council of Iloilo adopted in the Spanish times as its foundation day (needs citation). The year 1890 was also inscribed in the city’s coat of arms until today.

February 7, 1890 – The installation of the government of City Hall of Iloilo with Don Tirso Lizarraga as Alcalde Mayor, with Don Sabino Ordaz and Don Isidro de la Rama as tenientes de alcade, and nine councilors.

August 25, 1937- Upon the outbreak of Philippine revolution and colonization by the United States, the City of Iloilo was reverted to municipality to facilitate governance by the new colonizers. Almost three decades later with the efforts of Ruperto Montinola, an Ilonggo assemblyman, Commonwealth Act 158 was passed and restored Iloilo to its former status as a city. The towns of Molo, Arevalo, La Paz and Mandurriao was incorporated to the city; Jaro was added 3 years later. On August 25, 1937, Iloilo City was then inaugurated with Dr. Ramon Campos as Mayor.

So which one?

Currently the City commemorates the Iloilo City Charter Day on August 25, making the years of city hood at 75 this 2012 (at its Diamond Jubilee). Another resolution was passed on October last year declaring October 5 as Iloilo City Day, making the actual years of city hood at 123. But the city seal, derived from the actual coat of arms fashioned and given by the Queen Regent, placed the foundation year at 1890 or 122 years this 2012. Take note also that when the former status as a city was restored in 1937 and in succeeding years, the year 1890 in the seal was retained. It seems our city government can’t make up its mind.

The city officials admitted that the Spanish dates were “historically” correct, but not “politically”. Reason? In the first quarter of the year, we have Dinagyang, Paraw Regatta, Candelaria, and the Chinese New Year. They fear that we’re crowding events in a very short time leading to fatigue on sponsors. So we ended up with the August 25 Iloilo City Charter Day. (Why not include all of this events under one umbrella, let’s say, celebrating Iloilo City Day?)

I do believe getting the date right is needed for us to preserve our heritage and remembering the past. This is one of the reasons cited by then President Diosdado Macapagal when he moved the Independence Day on June 12. By remembering June 12, we’re commemorating the Philippine revolution and our struggle for freedom.

By remembering the first time Iloilo was granted cityhood, we’re also commemorating her glorious days as the Queen City of the South. We have to recognize that Iloilo earned its city status by being progressive, with its economic and industrial might in the late 19th century. I may be nostalgic about Ciudad De Iloilo’s heyday, but I believe remembering it keeps me hopeful that our city’s greatest potential is yet to be reached.

So in line with this, Iloilo I LOVE! is launching a campaign called, “La Muy Leal Y Noble: Dakbanwa sang Iloilo, Palangga Ko!“, in disseminating information and in preventing confusion among our people about Iloilo’s Cityhood. It was my firm belief that we should follow the original resolution of Iloilo’s city council declaring January 31 1890 as the official date of foundation. This discussion may never end, but let the city’s founders be our arbiters. Look in the records and see for ourselves what history has to teach us.

http://iloiloilove.com/la-muy-leal-noble-dakbanwa-sang-iloilo-palangga-ko/

Maria Cristina , Queen of Spain , The Hapsburg Regent for his son King Alfonso III, , Royal Decree - acknowledges Iloilo Devotion and called the act as noble. 1898 headed by Sugar Barons Don Esteban De La Rama and Eugenio Lopez of Jaro and Ilongo people

                                           

               
                      20th Century Queen's City

spanish era cemetary

The Cabatuan Romanesque Cemetery. 

The cemetery of Cabatuan can boast of its nearly perfect square lay-out with a vast area of 28, 930 sq.m. The newspaper El Eco de Panay covered its grand inauguration on February 4, 1894. It described Cabatuan cemetery as Roman in style with robust pilasters topped by pear-shaped ornaments and iron grills as enclosure. At the center majestically stands the capilla with three entrance archways and eight urns on the cornice. A dome (media naranja) crowned this capilla.

113 years after, Cabatuan cemetery has managed to preserve its expansive vista. The three entrances and perimeter walls with their iron gates and grills are generally intact and the view of the capilla from the national road remains unobstructed. However, the original dome of this capilla has long been replaced by a flat concrete roof.

Point of interest would be the stone carvings of the marty’rs palm and skull-and-crossbones at the capilla’s walls. Aside from this, Cabatuan cemetery has at its main entrance gate, a stone tablet inscribed with a traditional Catholic hymn for the dead:Hatagi siya O Guinoo sang capahuayan nga dayon (Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord). Interestingly, we continue to sing this prayer during funerals and All Saint’s Day.

iloilo spanish era churches

San Joaquin Church

The militaristic motif of the San Joaquin Church distinguishes itself from other churches in the Country. Carved on a disproportionately large pediment on the church’s facade is an intricate sculptural relief depicting the Spanish victory over Moroccan forces in the Battle of Tetuan.

The low relief mural captures the drama of victory where cavalry and infantry are tearing down Moorish defense. So intricate is the sculpture that even the expression of agony by wounded soldiers is visible. The title of the composition “Rendicion de Tetuan” is carved at the base of this animated relief.

The unique features of the San Joaquin Church has received the admiration of its onlookers including the National Historical Institute, which has listed the church as a National Cultural Treasure. The declaration was made in support of the state policy to preserve and protect important cultural properties and safeguard their intrinsic value.

The San Joaquin Church, built in 1869, is made of limestones quarried from the mountains of Igbaras and gleaming white coral stones abundant in the shores of San Joaquin. The facade is decorated with rosettes and divided vertically by engaged columns. A plaque above the arched portal displays the Augustinian seal flanked by cherubs. The three altars are also of carved limestone, and were originally painted in bright colors. The San Joaquin Church is flanked by a three story bell tower to its right and ruins of its old convent to its left. Among the sprawling ruins of the convent are an oval well and a kiln for baking bread.

The church magnificently stands on a plain overlooking the sea and is located beside San Joaquin’s town plaza.

IGBARAS CHURCH

Igbaras is considered to be a visita of Augustinian missionaries. It was in Tinogpahan, in the vicinity of Binanuaan that the first “Iglesita” or chapel was founded by Rev. Fr. Juan de Medina. The old church was said to be built in 1784, and a convent followed in 1795 under Fr. Ignacio Marcos. Big floods washed away the structures, but the ruins are still visible up to these dates.

A new church was constructed by Fr. Celestino Fernandez in 1872. It has a big convent and was finished under the term of Fr. Jose Lavania. However, both structures were destroyed by the infamous earthquakeLady Caycay in 1948.

TUBUNGAN CHURCH

Feast Day: January 17

History: A Dominican, Ensayo II felt there was a necessity to build a permanent church upon the foundation of the parish in 1810. It was an Augustinian priest, however, Fr. Luis Toro who was commissioned to undertake the construction. In order to build the church, slabs and tiles cut out of rocks and stones found on hills and rivers. They bought the marble tiles for the floor from the city. Like other churches during the Spanish era, parishioners from the poblacion and barangay were forces to work in building the church.

After four full years of hard work, the main parts of the church were finally completed in 1814 under the incumbency of Fr. Serapio Gonzalez.

A story of martyrdom also happened inside the 1810 church. It was in 1873 when a parish priest, Rev. Fr. Isidro Badrena whose desire to spread catholic faith is strong that he sacrificed his life and died a martyr’s death at Sitio Balabago, Batga, Tubungan in the hands of the Babylans led by Ramos while holding the rites of the latter. The priest was buried inside the old church.

It was in 1900, when a Filipino priest from St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary became the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Felix Gedican. But only a decade later, he was replaced with Fr. John Janssen when the parish was turned over to the Mill Hill Missionaries.

The 1810 church was burned down by the USAFEE to prevent the Japanese army from using it as a garrison when the World War II broke out in 1942.

After the war in 1947, Fr. Andrew Jacobs built a bamboo church with salvaged galvanized iron roof inside the burned old church. However, in the 1948 earthquake, the church and the convent were destroyed. He built a new bamboo church fronting the ruins of the convent.

It was replaced with a wooden semi-permanent construction during the incumbency of Rev. Fr. Luiz Zotz in 1951. He donated much of his personal money for the construction. In 1958, the belfry was constructed and was finished two years later. Rev. Fr. Andres Sagra was able to continue several other renovations for the improvement and the restoration the grandeur that was once standing in the vast space in the middle of the plaza.

LEON CHURCH

According to MRF Julean Martin in his Archivo Historico Hispano, the Leon Roman Catholic Church is the biggest stone edifice in the whole Panay. The Renaissance-Romanesque style church stands proudly in the heart of the town, fronting the plaza.Although the town was established in 1866, the problem of where to build their house of worship surfaced. It was the Vicareate of Cebu that prearranged the church should be built in the most elevated section of the town. 

For two years, the governor of the town exempt from sending force labor.Stones, primarily lime stones were quarried from the adjacent hills of Ayabang in the north and Cabobogan in the south. Stones were transported by sledges, rafts of human labor. It was then shaped into shapes called “tabla.”The builder and architec was Fr. Manuel Arizmendi. The scaffoldings were placed on both sides of the walls. It covers almost two streets, Sta. Catalina St. and Sto. Niño St. extending to about 300 feet. The altar that was made in Camando was transferred to the main building when it was about to be finished. The slabs were pasted with a gutate substance from the hinaramay tree with mixture of lime, water and white egg.

The altar was made of wood with lateral carvings molded with lime and then painted. It was placed in the interior wall bordering Sto. Niño Street. The high altar of configuration was made by Fr. Jose Gorosari in Camando. It has two rows of five niches on top of the other, with one niche at the top most with St. Catherine’s image on it.

Fr. Serapio Gonzales officiated the first mass in 1873.

In 1898, when the Americans came they unroofed the crucero and the altar at the back and brought it to roof the school building on west side of the plaza. According to history, the mountains of Leon was a refuge during the time of unrest. Americans made it their haven during the revolution of 1898. The placed served as a prison for the natives during the Japanese era and served as their garrison as well.

The devotees made a barong-barong in lieu of the old church during the revolution amidst the debris and ashes of the old one. A church within a church was built by the Mill Hill fathers assigned in this parish with the rehabilitation fund in 1946.

Almost two decades later, in 1966 the plan for the reconstruction was started. Leonians here and abroad contributed to the fund that was to restore their house of worship back to its former glory.

iloilo's paradise

ILOILO'S PARADISE
CARLES AND ISLA GIGANTES
Before Boracay, there was Sicogon 

Source  http://www.ambot-ah.com/2009/05/04/enchanted-carles-for-the-first-time-april-2009/

Before Boracay attained international renown, Sicogon island in Iloilo province used to be a favorite destination of tourists. Situated at the north-westernmost part of Panay, Sicogon is part of the Higantes group of islands which is under the territorial jurisdiction of Carles, a small 4th class municipality in Iloilo. Sicogon used to be popular to tourists for its long stretch of white sand beach, said to be longer than Boracay's 7-kilometer stretch. It is also known for its lush coral reefs ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling. In fact, the sea surrounding the Sicogon-Higantes island chain is the traditional fishing ground of local fishermen due to its abundant marine life. Unfortunately, unrestricted cyanide and dynamite fishing have done much damage to its once-lush coral reefs. Local environmentalists and cause-oriented groups have been advocating for a "moratorium" to wide-scale commercial fishing in the area to give the marine ecosystem time to regenerate itself. But since people have no other means of livelihood, the proposal has not gained much public support. Anyway, to get to Sicogon, one can either take public transportation from Iloilo City or rent a van for the 3-hour drive to Carles. Upon arriving in Carles town, one can hire a banca (motorized outrigger canoe) to bring you to Sicogon island. If you are coming from Manila, you can also take the Roxas City route because Carles is more or less equidistant to both Iloilo and Roxas City. All in all, getting to Sicogon would take up half a day and an overnight stay there is bitin. One has to stay at least two days to really explore and enjoy the island. The downside (or the upside depending on what you want) is that facilities at Sicogon are not exactly world-class and tourists must "rough it up" a little. Cottages are just simple nipa hut affairs and there is no plumbing. Sicogon would appeal more to adventurous tourists, backpackers and nature-lovers than city-slickers accustomed to the comforts and amenities of home. Things were not always this way at Sicogon. In the 1970s up to the early 1980s, Sicogon had a world-class resort which was supposedly visited by Hollywood celebrities and moneyed sun-worshippers from all over the globe. There even used to be a private airstrip and helipad on the island which was built by a Marcos crony. Unfortunately, the resort owner defaulted on his loan and the resort facility is now owned by the Philippine National Bank