Cities Around The World: Iloilo: The City of Love

Iloilo [/,e-la-we(,)lo] City lies on the south coast of Panay Island in central Philippines. It was made the capital of Iloilo Province in 1673 and a city in 1890. Centuries before Ferdinand Magellan received formal education in Portugal, inhabitants of the city had been trading with Chinese, Arab, Persian and Indian merchants.

The city has a total land area of 11,800 hectares, generally flat with a population of 309,500 and considerably increases during the school season.

Its naturally-protected port attracted world trade in the 17 th century that by 1878 several foreign commercial houses and foreign consulates were bustling with commercial activities with local manufacturers, farmers and businessmen and the world merchants and traders. At present it boasts of its fine local and international ports.

Iloilo got its name from the local dialect irong-irong , meaning “nose-like” because the great Iloilo river that divides the city is shaped like a nose if seen from above.

The port is on the southern end of this district where the regional offices of government instrumentalities are located. Many old mansions, houses and structures dot this district, some of which need reconstruction like the once beautiful Laguda colonial mansion and the fabulous Casino Español near Fort San Pedro.

The great conflagration of February 1966 which burned a vast portion of the City Proper paved the way for a successful redistricting of the city.

Iloilo City is a vibrant mix of the East and West, old and new, where old Chinese businessmen still prefer to use the abacus , where new architecture soars over ancient mansions and churches. There is so much to see in Iloilo with fascinating Ilonggo traditions and festivals, exciting shopping for local products and trips and excursions to outlying islands and beaches. Although nightlife is more subdued here, high-tech discoteques of hotels are the hosts to the swinging young set while elegant coffee shops, bars, pubs and eateries are strategically located in the city that the Ilonggos invite you to stay an extra day.

OFFICIAL DETAILS :

City Head: Hon. Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog
Land Area: 78.34 sq. km.
Population: 450,000 est. as of 2010
City Classification: Highly Urbanized City
Location: Iloilo, Philippines
Website: http://iloilocity.gov.ph/
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iloilo_City

MONIKER:
"The City of Love"
"The Queen City of the South"
"La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad" (English: The Most Loyal and Noble City) by the Queen Regent of Spain

AWARDS RECEIVED & CITATION:
1. ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST LIVABLE CITIES, a recognition given by LivCom: The International Awards for Livable Communities in 2010 ^ http://www.livcomawards.com/2010-awards/winners.htm