Iloilo (Tagalog. Lungsod ng Iloilo, Hilig. Ciudad sang Iloilo) is the capital of the province of Iloilo in the Philippines, on about. Panay. At the same time, it is the center of the Western Visayas region. Belongs to the category of so-called. “independent” cities. It is the backbone of the region’s economy.

Iloilo developed as a major agricultural center exporting sugar, copra, bananas, mangoes and other natural resources during the Spanish and American colonial periods.

Population – 424619 inhabitants (2010). Population growth – 2% per year. In terms of population, Iloilo is one of the nine largest cities in the Philippines.

History
In history, this is the last stronghold of the Spanish Empire in Asia.
One of the negative moments of history was the occupation of the island, as well as the entire Republic of the Philippines, by Japanese troops. During this period, the “defenders of Panay” movement is formed, which fights the Japanese until the moment the Americans take their lost positions again, after the end of World War II.
Even before the arrival of the Spanish colonizers, the area where the current Iloilo is located had a flourishing economy. According to legend, in the 13th century, this area was mastered by settlers from Kalimantan. One of the chiefs, Paiburong, gave her the name Irong-Irong. In 1566, Spanish ships arrived here under the command of Lopez de Legaspi. The colonizers founded the settlement of Ogtong (Othon). Legazpi left here one of his subordinates, Gonzalo Ronquillo, who later became the governor of this region. In 1581, Ronquillo moved the center of this town about 12 km to defend against the attacks of Moro pirates, as well as Dutch and English privateers. He renamed the settlement La Villa de Arevalo, after his native place in the province of Ávila in Spain.

Even later, in 1700, the Spaniards founded another settlement, 25 km from Yirong-Irong, in order to protect themselves from pirate attacks. The name gradually became Ilong Ilong and then Iloilo. This city soon became the provincial capital. The city developed rapidly and a prosperous middle class arose. The cultivation of sugar cane also contributed to the economic growth. In the 19th century, Iloilo was the economic capital of the Philippines.
In the 18th century, it was already called the “Textile Capital of the Philippines”. Fabrics from here were exported to Manila. Since 1855, fabrics from Iloilo began to be supplied to world market. In the 19th century, the sugar industry also developed here.

There was a great demand for sugar in the 19th century. Many wealthy families of Panay also had possessions on the neighboring island. Negros.
During the revolution of 1896, when the indigenous population rebelled against the Spanish regime, the Spanish government settled in Iloilo for a while. But in 1898 the leaders of the Iloilo popular movement supported the revolutionary movement, and the Spanish government was overthrown. Spanish colonization was replaced by American. Panay now rises to fight under General Martin Teofilo Delgado. Filipinos and Spaniards stand up to fight together. The locals of Panay resisted longer than in other provinces. But in 1901, the Americans prevail and become the masters.
In 1900, Baptist missionaries from the United States appeared in the Philippines, who from 1905 began to operate actively at the Central Philippine University, as well as in many educational institutions. The city of Iloilo became the center of the Baptist Mission on Fr. Panay. In 1937, Iloilo grew territorially, as it included small neighboring cities (settlements): Molo, Haro, Mandurriao, La Paz and Villa de Arevalo.

However, economic prosperity did not stop. The delay was caused only by the invasion of the Japanese invaders in 1942. The city was liberated from the Japanese troops on March 25, 1945. The development of the city and the growth of the economy continued. From the 1960s to the 1990s, the city developed at a moderate pace. A fishing port and an international port were built, and many new trading firms were created to finance industry, making Iloilo the center of the Western Visayas region.

People and languages
The Iloilo province’s indigenous people are the Ilongos (Ilongots), but there are also other ethnic groups, both Filipinos and immigrants from other countries.
The spoken language in Iloilo is Hiligaynon, which is also widely spoken in the Visayas, and especially on about. Negros. English is the main language in business and education. Tagalog and other local dialects, such as kinaray, are used in everyday life by representatives of the respective nationalities.

Holidays
Iloilo celebrates the festivals of all districts, which used to be separate settlements. They are dedicated to saints who are the patrons of a particular place. Festivities are held in each district on their own day, for example, in Haro on February 2, in Molo on July 26, in La Paz on May 24.
Holy Week (Semana Santa) is celebrated by Christian communities in April-May.
May Flowers Day (Flores de Mayo) is a Catholic holiday in honor of the Virgin Mary, accompanied by the laying of flowers at the altars of Catholic churches.
In the third week of February, a regatta is held, racing on sailing ships between the island of Guimaras and the city of Iloilo. The first such competition took place in 1973.
In December, the Ilongo Music Festival is held, dedicated to the national music of the Ilongo people. Musical works tell about the culture and history of the people, about passion and love.
From the first week of December to the first week of January, a festival of Light and Music is held. On the central streets, trees are decorated with lanterns and toys, creating a festive atmosphere. The holiday corresponds to Christmas.
Fireworks Day is held in Arévalo in January. Representatives of the Chinese diaspora celebrate the Chinese New Year (at the end of January).

Sights
Church of Santa Ana, built in 1831
Haro Cathedral, built in 1864, seat of Archbishop Haro
Haro Bell Tower, built in 1744
Calle Real (Royal Street) – a street built in a classic Spanish style
Iloilo Museum
Capitol
Churches of San Joaquin, San Jose, Miag-ao