The City of Iloilo, also known as Ciudad sang Iloilo, Dakbanwa sang Iloilo, City of Love, original Queen City of the South, and ‘La Muy Noble Cuidad’ (Most Commendable City), is a remarkably urbanized town in the Philippines and it is the main city of the province of Iloilo. It is additionally the regional centre of Western Visayas and moreover the middle of the Iloilo-Guimaras Metropolitan area. The city of Iloilo has an extremely prosperous history you would need to expect a lengthy novella than the usual short article post.

First and foremost, Iloilo City is decorated by restored structures, heritage sites, old churches, elaborately ornamented plazas, an extremely rich tradition, and that undeniable Hiligaynon language disturbingly similar to Spanish. Compared to the official Philippine language, Filipino, Hiligaynon may be the closest Philippine language to Spanish. Like utensils for example. In Hiligaynon, cutlery is termed kubyertos – and is cubiertos in Spanish. Add in abierto, cerrado, falda, abrelatas which are the traditional Hiligaynon counterparts for open, closed, skirt, and can opener. You can’t deny that ones own grandma or grandpa has mentioned these words a couple of times before.

Going back to history, Iloilo has already established much contact with Spaniards way back early 1800s. In 1855, Iloilo had become the second most important port of call with the colony due to transshipment of sugar received from Negros Islands. The little city was then given the title of ‘La Muy Noble Ciudad’ (The Best Noble City) by the Queen Regent of Spain. Towards the turn of the 20th century, Iloilo City was second to Manila – with a range of stores along side iconic Calle Real selling items from different parts of the world, telephone network system in 1894, agriculture experimental station in Lapaz at 1888, and an Arts and Trade school in 1891.

Moreover, American effect during the latter years delivered large universities including Central Philippine University, the first Baptist and 2nd private American university in Asia and in the country); Iloilo Mission Hospital, the first protestant hospital in the country; and Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, the earliest Baptist organization body in the nation; and Jaro Evangelical Church, the very first Baptist church belonging to the Philippines.

Iloilo’s rich history is not just visible in the old books in the library – it displays on the intricately designed facades in buildings, existence, and restoration of heritage sites, as well as the undeniable Ilonggo attitude associated with a very ‘maluming’ (sweet) accent.

I’ve recently become part of a website project that will become the premier Iloilo Business Directory. The idea was not mine but I came up with the name and its called ePwesto. The website aims to list each one of the currently booming businesses into one group and to be Iloilo’s premier business directory where you’ll discover everything Ilonggo for the everyday Ilonggo and for people who wish to visit Iloilo. You can check the live site here as well as inquire more on how to sign up and add your business to our site listing here.