History
[edit]
Main article: History of Iloilo City
Early history[edit]
See also: Hinilawod, Maragtas, and Madja-as
Images from the Boxer Codex, c. 1595, illustrating ancient Visayans
The territorial expansion of Iloilo City.
The earliest written reference to Iloilo appears in Yuan Dynasty records from the 1300s, identifying Oton—west of Iloilo City—as in Hokkien Chinese: 啞陳; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: A-tân, a bustling trade outpost in the Visayas.
Although, little is known historically about the region prior to the arrival of the Spanish, Jesuit missionary Francisco Ignacio Alcina, in his 1668 work Historia natural del sitio, fertilidad y calidad de las Islas e Indios de Bisayas, identifies the Hiligaynon people originated from Leyte, aligning with linguistic subgrouping of the Hiligaynon language.
Local legends, notably the epic Maragtas by Pedro Monteclaro (published 1907), offer a different origin story. It describes how ten datus, led by Datu Puti, fled Borneo to escape the tyrant Sultan Makatunaw, arriving in Panay and purchasing its lowlands from the Ati king Marikudo with a golden salakot and a necklace for his queen, Maniwan-tiwan. The transaction, followed by a pact of friendship, is said to have inspired the Dinagyang Festival.
Though once widely accepted and included in school textbooks, Maragtas (along with the Code of Kalantiaw) is now considered a 20th-century hoax, a view solidified by historian William Henry Scott’s 1968 critique, upheld by experts like Gregorio Zaide and Teodoro Agoncillo. A 2019 thesis by Talaguit cites an earlier version of the story by Augustinian Friar Rev. Fr. Tomas Santaren (1902), based on manuscripts he obtained in Iloilo after 1858. Though Santaren's account supports Monteclaro's, the manuscripts, written in romanized Hiligaynon during the colonial era, likely reflect oral folklore rather than pre-colonial history. Thus, while Maragtas may reflect elements of local folk history, it is unlikely to be a pre-colonial document and is not regarded as authentic history but rather a blend of tradition and invention. Albeit it is argued that the nearby miraculous and syncretistic image of our Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Jaro which show partial pre-colonial origins, also postulate that the people of Panay and Iloilo have origins to Borneo and to ancient Srivijaya, the alleged root of the Visayans as the Golden Elephant worn by the Christ-Child is the most holy animal in Buddhism and Hinduism, which is the religion the Srivijaya Empire practiced.
Datu Paiburong, the first Bornean datu of Irong-Irong (Iloilo), is honored with a statue in Iloilo River Esplanade.
Within the context of this folklore, Datu Paiburong is identified as one of the ten datus from Borneo who settled in Panay Island and is traditionally regarded as the first ruler of Irong-Irong, the area corresponding to present-day Iloilo. He is said to have established a polity that became a center of trade and agriculture, contributing to the early socio-political development of Western Visayas.
As the ruling datu of Irong-Irong, Paiburong is credited with organizing one of the earliest systems of local governance in the region, fostering alliances with other datus of Panay and codifying customary laws that promoted order and cooperation among early settlers. Although his existence is not corroborated by contemporary historical sources, Datu Paiburong remains a significant cultural figure in Iloilo's precolonial heritage, symbolizing the region's legendary beginnings and the enduring memory of Visayan leadership prior to Spanish colonization.
Spanish period[edit]
Further information: History of the Philippines (1565–1898)
Drafted plan of the Fort of Iloilo in 1738, originally named the Fortificación de Nuestra Señora del Rosario en el Puerto de Yloylo.
Casa Real de Iloilo was the official residence and administrative seat of the Spanish governor and alcalde mayor during the colonial period.
Under Philip II in 1565, Miguel López de Legazpi, tasked with expanding Spanish dominion in the Philippines, sent his grandson Felipe de Salcedo, alongside Augustinian missionaries such as Martín de Rada, to explore the Visayas for resources. Landing on Panay, they established a temporary settlement in Araut, to secure food supplies amid scarcity in Cebu. By 1566, a more permanent foothold emerged between Ogtong (Oton) and La Villa Rica de Arevalo, formalized when Oton was established as a colonial outpost in 1572 under Legazpi's command. This made Oton the second official Spanish settlement in the archipelago after Cebu. The city was founded by 80 pure Spaniards from Europe. In 1586, it welcomed another 20 European Spanish Households and the garrison was reinforced by 30 Spanish and Mexican soldiers. This was reinforced by a consecutive number of 66, 50, 169, and then another 169 Mexican soldiers from Latin America during the years 1603, 1636, 1670, and 1672. Later in the 1700s, Iloilo was home to 166 Spanish Filipino families and 29,723 native families.: 113  Of which 103 Spanish-Filipino families were in downtown Iloilo city proper alone, while another 23 Spanish-Filipino families lived in the separate Chinatown of Molo, other natives and mestizos were scattered across the varying cities and municipalities of province.: 506  And excluding the pure Spanish-Filipinos, there were still 470 Spanish-Filipino mestizo families; as well as 11 pure Chinese-Filipino families, and 665 Chinese-Filipino mestizo families that were scattered all across the province of Iloilo.: 110 
The people of Panay, unlike the neutral Cebuanos or the partially Islamized Tagalogs of Manila who resisted Spanish rule, embraced the Iberians as allies. At the time, Panay was embroiled in a struggle against Muslim forces from the Sultanate of Brunei and its vassals, the Sultanate of Sulu and the Kingdom of Maynila, which Spanish Governor-General Francisco de Sande described as kin to the locals. The alliance proved pivotal, as Panay natives supplied a significant portion of the mercenary forces used to subdue Manila's rulers, who were tied to Brunei. The rapid adoption of Christianity among the Panaynons facilitated their integration into the Spanish colonial framework. Before Spanish contact, Visayan groups, including those from Panay, were notorious for their piracy and slave-raiding expeditions, known locally as panggubat. The raids, often launched after harvests or during specific months like February to April, targeted coastal and inland settlements across the archipelago, striking fear into neighboring regions. Under Spanish influence, Christianization and Hispanization transformed these fierce raiders into disciplined soldiers and farmers, marking a significant cultural shift.
In 1581, recurrent attacks by Moro pirates and Dutch and English privateers forced Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñaloza, the Spanish governor, to relocate the colonial center from Ogtong approximately 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) eastward to La Villa Rica de Arevalo. Named in honor of Ronquillo's hometown in Ávila, Spain, Arevalo became a hub for Spanish and Mexican settlers, who built residences and fortifications. Chinese traders, vital to the colony's economy, established a commercial district in the nearby parian of Molo, supplying goods to the growing settlement. In 1700, escalating raids, particularly from Dutch forces and Moro pirates, necessitated another move to Irong-Irong, a village with a natural and strategic river-mouth location against raids. There, the Spanish erected the Fortificación de Nuestra Señora del Rosario en el Puerto de Yloylo, now known as Fort San Pedro, to protect the burgeoning port. Over time, Irong-Irong's name evolved into Iloilo, and the site quickly rose as the administrative and economic center of the province.
The view of the Port of Iloilo’s harbor and warehouses in 1894.
Iloilo’s demographic and economic landscape expanded with the arrival of Chinese migrants, who fueled local industries, and Latin American soldiers, who manned its defenses. In the late 18th century, the city became a center for large-scale textile production and was once referred to as the "textile capital" of the Philippines. Artisans wove sinamay, piña, and jusi fabrics, which were traded in Manila and exported to international markets. The industry thrived until the mid-19th century, when competition from inexpensive British textiles and the shift to sugar production diminished its prominence. The opening of Iloilo's port to global trade in 1855 marked a turning point, driven by British vice-consul Nicholas Loney, who provided loans, built warehouses, and introduced modern sugar-farming techniques. The resulting sugar boom, centered on haciendas developed by Iloilo's elite on Negros, transformed the city, attracting foreign consulates, banks, and recreational facilities while elevating the status of its upper middle class.
Iloilo's elite in a carriage, 1894
On October 5, 1889, a royal decree recognized Iloilo's commercial and industrial ascent by granting it city status, formalized with the establishment of the ayuntamiento in 1890 under Governor-General Valeriano Weyler. Due to the steadfast loyalty of the Ilonggos, particularly evident during conflicts with neighboring Muslim polities and later revolutionary movements, Iloilo was honored with the perpetual title of "La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad" (Most Loyal and Noble City). The distinction, bestowed by a Royal Decree signed on March 1, 1898, by Queen Regent Maria Christina of Austria, underscored the city's favored status under Spanish rule. Over time, Iloilo became known as the 'Queen's Favored City in the South,' or simply 'Queen's City in the South,' being the second-most significant Spanish port after Manila and its southern location relative to the capital. Throughout the late colonial era, Iloilo rivaled Manila in importance, serving as a key economic and military hub.
Philippine revolution[edit]
Statue of Martín Teófilo Delgado - hero of Iloilo and first governor of Iloilo province. Standing in Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.
During the Philippine Revolution, Iloilo initially remained loyal to Spain. The city's elite organized a 500-strong battalion of native volunteers, divided into two companies under predominantly Spanish officers, which departed for Manila on January 16, 1897. The force distinguished itself in combat against Emilio Aguinaldo’s Katipunan rebels in Cavite, returning to Iloilo in April 1898 after the Pact of Biak-na-Bato amid public celebrations. Following Spain's defeat in the Spanish–American War in 1898, Iloilo briefly served as the capital of the Spanish East Indies under Governor-General Diego de los Rios.
Graciano López Jaena is a notable Filipino Propagandist and National Hero born in Jaro, Iloilo City who founded the newspaper La Solidaridad. He is known for being one of the Triumvirate of Filipino Propagandists along with Marcelo H. del Pilar and José Rizal.
Graciano López-Jaena, national hero and a brilliant orator born in Jaro, Iloilo City, made his most crucial heroic contribution to the Philippine Revolution not on the battlefield, but through his potent pen and fiery voice, by founding the influential newspaper La Solidaridad in Spain, which served as the principal organ for the Propaganda Movement, uniting Filipino intellectuals and fiercely advocating for political reforms and an end to Spanish abuses in the Philippines. His indelible contribution to Philippine history is cemented by his role as one of the Triumvirate of Filipino Propagandists, alongside José Rizal and Marcelo H. del Pilar, skillfully using his journalistic prowess and passionate essays, particularly his work Fray Botod, to awaken Filipino national consciousness and inspire the subsequent generation of revolutionaries by laying the intellectual foundation for the eventual quest for Philippine independence.
López Jaena died of tuberculosis on January 20, 1896, in Barcelona, just months before the Philippine Revolution officially began, yet his journalistic work and tireless advocacy ensured his legacy as a true pioneer of Philippine nationalism.
Statue of Graciano Lopez-Jaena in Plaza Jaro (Graciano Lopez-Jaena Park).
As revolutionary fervor against Spanish authority intensified across the archipelago, Emilio Aguinaldo dispatched Tagalog forces to Panay to support the burgeoning local uprising, aiming to unify the independence movement. The insurgency was effectively led by the brilliant Ilonggo general, Martín Delgado, who organized and commanded the Visayan revolutionary troops. By October 1898, Delgado's relentless campaigns had proven largely successful, securing control over the vast majority of Panay Island and confining the remaining Spanish garrisons to the core urban centers: Iloilo City, Jaro, La Paz, and Molo.
The military situation reached its climax shortly after Spain's defeat in the Spanish-American War. On December 25, 1898, Christmas Day, just fifteen days after the Treaty of Paris formally ceded the Philippines to the United States for $20 million, the final Spanish troops in the archipelago capitulated. The Spanish forces, under the command of Governor-General Diego de los Ríos, formally surrendered at the historic Plaza Alfonso XII, now known as Plaza Libertad, to General Delgado's victorious revolutionary forces. This momentous event marked the definitive collapse of Spanish sovereignty and the end of Spain's final bastion in Asia and the Pacific, concluding over 333 years of colonial rule in the Philippines. The surrender effectively transferred local authority to the newly established Federal State of the Visayas led by Delgado, although this hard-won independence was immediately threatened by the looming arrival of the American expeditionary forces.
American period[edit]
Further information: History of the Philippines (1898–1946) and Philippine–American War
An aerial view of Iloilo, early 1900s.
Following the Spanish withdrawal, revolutionary forces entered Iloilo with fanfare, establishing a provisional government. On January 17, 1899, Raymundo Melliza, a prominent figure from Molo's elite, was elected mayor. American forces arrived in 1900, downgrading Iloilo from a city to a township amid the transition to U.S. control. In 1903, Act No. 719 reorganized the region, incorporating the municipalities of Jaro, La Paz, Mandurriao, and Molo into the jurisdiction of Iloilo. Pavia joined briefly in 1905 under Act No. 1333 but was separated in 1907 alongside Jaro, which became an independent municipality in 1908 via Executive Order No. 64. La Paz regained its autonomy in 1920 through Executive Order No. 70, signed in 1919.View of Calle Real (left) and Iznart Street (right) from Plazoleta Gay
American Protestant missionaries established some of the earliest Protestant institutions in the Philippines in Iloilo, including Jaro Evangelical Church (the first Baptist church in the country), Iloilo Mission Hospital (the first American and Protestant hospital in the country), and Central Philippine University (the first Baptist and second American and Protestant university in the country). Other early infrastructure projects by the American administration included the construction of Baluarte and Arroyo streets, the extension of Delgado Street to Valeria, and the development of Fuentes and Jalandoni streets, reaching what is now the University of the Philippines Visayas campus. Quezon and Mabini streets were paved and lined with sidewalks, and by 1921 the city was illuminated with streetlights. In 1926, authorities began widening key thoroughfares such as General Luna, J.M. Basa, and Ledesma. In 1927, the improved Valeria-Ledesma street, formerly Weyler, was inaugurated.
Commonwealth Act No. 57, enacted in 1936, restored Iloilo's city status, swiftly amended by Act No. 158 to annex La Paz and Arevalo. The re-established city was inaugurated on August 25, 1937. Jaro's incorporation followed in 1941 under Commonwealth Act No. 604, with President Manuel L. Quezon issuing Proclamation No. 663 on January 7, setting January 16 as the effective date.
Gallery of Iloilo City during the American period
Iloilo Mission Hospital in 1930s. Founded in 1901, it is the first American and Protestant hospital in the Philippines.
J.M. Basa Street, widely known as Calle Real, in the 1920s.
Sailing ships at the Muelle Loney wharf, circa 1920s to 1930s.
A market in Iloilo, in the 1910s.
View of Ledesma Street from Plazoleta Gay, a road junction, in the 1920s.
Japanese occupation period[edit]
Central Philippine University’s main campus suffered extensive destruction during World War II.
By 1942, the Japanese had invaded Panay, and the economy came to a standstill. During World War II, Iloilo was controlled by several Japanese battalions. Japan's ultimate goal was to entrench itself deeply in the Philippines so that, at the close of the war, it could occupy the country just as the Spanish and the Americans had years before. The Japanese built "comfort stations" in Iloilo in 1942, where they imprisoned Filipino "comfort women" who were routinely gang-raped, brutalized, and murdered for entertainment.
Nevertheless, during the Japanese occupation, Macario Peralta Jr. freed most of Panay (with few exceptions) from Japanese imperialism. As a result, allied guerrillas from other provinces, including Romblon, Palawan, Marinduque, and portions of Masbate and Mindoro, considered Panay, the "Primus inter pares" in their alliance network.
When Iloilo was liberated by Filipino and American forces from Japanese military occupation on March 25, 1945, the remnants of these battalions were held in Jaro Plaza, which was used as a makeshift detention facility.
Post-war and independence era[edit]
The aftermath of World War II left Iloilo's infrastructure heavily damaged. The situation worsened in 1966 when a massive fire destroyed nearly three-quarters of the city's downtown area, further crippling its economy. Compounding these challenges were ongoing conflicts between labor unions in the port area, the decline of the sugar industry, and a deteriorating peace and order situation in the countryside. These factors prompted many Ilonggos to seek better opportunities elsewhere, leading to a significant exodus to cities like Bacolod, Cebu, and Manila. The migration contributed to Iloilo's decline as a central economic hub in the Philippines. While rural agricultural areas continued to support the local economy, the loss of investors and skilled workers slowed Iloilo's progress. For years, the city's economy grew at a moderate pace, struggling to regain its former prominence.
Change came slowly. The construction of a fishing port and a new international sea port marked the beginning of Iloilo's recovery. These infrastructure projects attracted commercial business firms, which began investing in the city one by one. The gradual influx of investment spurred Iloilo's eventual economic revival, setting the stage for its resurgence as a key player in the region. Iloilo became a highly urbanized city on December 22, 1979, by virtue of Batas Pambansa Blg. 51. As a result of the new status, its residents effectively lost their eligibility to vote for provincial officials.
Martial law era[edit]
Main articles: Marcos dictatorship and Human rights abuses of the Marcos dictatorship
The late 1960s marked the beginning of a period of unrest in the Philippines, driven by the economic fallout from Ferdinand Marcos’ debt-driven projects. The projects, aimed at securing his re-election in 1969, led to a balance of payments crisis and soaring inflation. By the time of his second inauguration on December 30, 1969, the peso had begun to crash, sparking widespread social unrest. While major protests erupted in Manila, Iloilo City also became a center of resistance. Students from Central Philippine University and the nearby Western Institute of Technology in La Paz played a pivotal role in organizing the protests. They formed the Federation of Ilonggo Students (FIST), with leaders like Vic Beloria, Renato Ganchero, Virgil Ortigas, and the brothers Napoleon and Rolando Lorca. These activists would later be forced into hiding after Marcos declared martial law in 1972. Many of them lost their lives resisting the dictatorship and were honored as martyrs, with their names inscribed on the Bantayog ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Memorial). Another prominent student activist, Edmundo Legislador of the University of the Philippines Iloilo, was similarly honored for his role in the resistance.
The declaration of martial law in 1972 marked the beginning of a 14-year period of authoritarian rule characterized by widespread human rights abuses. According to documentation by Amnesty International and Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, the Marcos regime was responsible for 3,257 extrajudicial killings, 35,000 cases of torture, and 70,000 incarcerations. Iloilo was not spared from the repression, as it became home to one of the key detention centers for political prisoners, the Camp Delgado.
Among the prominent figures detained at Camp Delgado was Rodolfo Lagoc, a labor lawyer who was held without charges for six months. Another detainee was Coronacion “Walingwaling” Chiva, a World War II heroine whose legendary status largely protected her from harm during her detention. Other activists, such as Luing Posa-Dominado and Judy Taguiwalo, were subjected to torture, manhandling, and sexual assault. For their bravery and sacrifices, Lagoc, Chiva, and Posa-Dominado were later honored on the Wall of Remembrance at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani. Taguiwalo, who survived the ordeal, went on to serve as Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Late 20th and early 21st centuries[edit]
Iloilo Business Park, on the site of the former airport, is a major new central business district.
At the turn of the 21st century, Iloilo experienced a significant economic boom, driven by major infrastructure projects and investments. The acquisition of the old Iloilo Airport in Mandurriao district and the construction of the Iloilo Diversion Road spurred urban development, attracting major businesses and real estate developers to the area. The investments transformed Iloilo into one of the fastest-growing economies in the Philippines.
In 2008, Lapuz gained its district status after separating from La Paz as a sub-district, making it the seventh district of Iloilo City. The resolution was passed to enable Lapuz to have its own dedicated police station and fire station.
The city government in 2010, began the Iloilo River Cleanup and Rehabilitation as part its initiative to restore the ecological balance and improve the livability of Iloilo City. Led by then Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog, the project involved the relocation of informal settlers, strict enforcement of environmental laws, mangrove reforestation, and the establishment of the Iloilo River Esplanade, a scenic linear park that became a symbol of the city's transformation. The rehabilitation significantly improved water quality, revived marine biodiversity, and reduced flooding in surrounding communities. The initiative gained both national and international recognition, earning awards such as the ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable City Award (2015) and the LivCom Award from the International Awards for Livable Communities, cementing Iloilo City's reputation as one of the Philippines’ cleanest and most livable urban centers.
Iloilo River was revitalized by the local government in 2010.
The city's power distribution system underwent a major change in 2019. MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power), owned by Spanish-Filipino billionaire Enrique K. Razon, took over operations from the long-standing Panay Electric Company (PECO). MORE Power introduced modern power services, including the installation of an underground cabling system, starting with Calle Real in downtown Iloilo City.
In 2021–2023, the city underwent a rehabilitation and beautification works for its public squares — Jaro Plaza, Plaza Libertad, La Paz Plaza, Mandurriao Plaza, Arevalo Plaza, and Molo Plaza; restoration of heritage structures like Jaro Belfry; renovation of districts public markets; and upgrading of Iloilo Central Market and Iloilo Terminal Market into market malls through public-private partnership with SM Prime Holdings.
Jaro Plaza after its major rehabilitation, with the restored Jaro Belfry in the background.
In 2023, Iloilo City was recognized as the Philippines' first UNESCO Creative of Gastronomy. In 2024, the Calle Real Heritage Zone collectively under "The Sugar Cultural Landscape of Negros and Panay Islands", has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tentative List. In the same year on May 8, 2024, the Hinilawod Epic Chant Recordings housed at the Henry Luce III Library of Central Philippine University has been inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, which marked Iloilo City's 2nd UNESCO inscription after the UNESCO Creative of Gastronomy.
In 2024, the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex was granted to International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) for development and management. Renamed the Visayas Container Terminal, the project aimed to modernize the facility and expand its international connectivity, further enhance trade and economic growth in the central Philippines.
In the same year, international air routes from Iloilo International Airport to Hong Kong and Singapore were re-opened, followed by the launching of Bangkok-Don Mueang route, this resulted for Iloilo opening to the global trade, commerce, and tourism.
