Travel and Places

Oton, the home of progressive-minded and future-oriented people, derived its name from three popular theories. Many people believe that Oton is a Hispanic version of the phrase when they were asked by the Spanish explorers as to the time of the day. Many people still refer to the town as […]

Barotac Viejo has a chequered history. What it is today is a product of its colorful history, exciting politics, indigenous people, and very rich culture. A legend tells us that sometime in the middle of the 18th century, a group of Spanish explorers landed on the muddy coast of Barotac […]

Batad was named after a shell. Before the Spaniards arrived in the Philippines, there was a flourishing Malay settlement in northern Iloilo called Dulangan meaning landing place. It was a busy trading port where Arab and Chinese traders bartered silverware for native gold (bulawan) and cowries (sigay). When the Spaniards […]

Carles is the northernmost town of Iloilo. Carles is not only the northernmost town of Iloilo. A part of it Punta Bokawe, is the northernmost point of Panay Island. In 1847, Governor Juan Silverio of Capiz permitted Francisco Arriola of the Pueblo of Nagas (now a town of Aklan) to […]

As early as 1615, Igbaras was already a visita of the Augustinian Missionaries. It was in “Tinogpahan” in the vicinity of Binanua-an that the first Iglesita or chapel was founded by Rev. Juan de Medina. Missionaries found out that three datos ruled the settlement in Igbaras. Binanua-an in Kipot Area […]

Estancia is known as the Alaska of the Philippines. Estancia began as a small barangay of fishermen from Capiz with in the pueblo of Carles during the Spanish time. Its first settlers were the families of Latinu Rodriguez and Juan Magbanua. In 1847, they were joined by several other families […]

San Dionisio is known as the Clay Town. In 1877, the Spaniards, stumbled around allay taking village called Lakdayan (from lakbay-to cross) because people used to pass this place from the mainland to a nearby isle by wading at the sea during morning. The village leader was Dionesio who cleared […]

Guimbal got its name from “cymbal” an ancient Malayan drum. It is about 29 kilometers from Iloilo City, the Capital of the Province, it is also a coastal town facing the Panay Gulf. Its people are pre-dominantly farmers, though most of the younger generation are practicing professionals here in the […]

The text is originally posted by Nereo Cajilig Luján. The art deco Tiampo Building on Aldeguer Street, Iloilo City was built between 1930 and 1934 by couple Jaime and Josefina Chua Tiampo. Born in China in 1898 and 1905, respectively, Jaime and Josefina migrated to the Philippines separately between 1912 […]

Read also: List of Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Sites