The Arroyo Fountain is a prominent landmark located at the heart of the city, in front of the old Iloilo Provincial Capitol (a heritage site once called as “Casa Real”). Not only does it symbolize an opulent history it is also used as a gauge to measure the distance from one place to Iloilo City.
The Arroyo Fountain is named after of Sen. Jose Maria Arroyo, a well loved personality in Iloilo during his time and grandfather of First Gentleman, Mike Arroyo. The fountain implies their family’s power and influence in the past.
The older Ilonggos would sometimes would recall that the sculpture of the 4 women in the fountain used to be “unclothed.” Unfortunarely, the catholic church took notice and insisted that the “naked” women be given “clothes.” So the sculptors complied, and thus the present appearance of the Arroyo Fountain.
Story of the Arroyo Fountain Ladies, Iloilo City, Philippines
By Jecon M. Morante
The Arroyo Fountain is situated in front of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol building and its presence is more than just being a plain fountain. Is it there to simply add a dramatic effect to the entire view, with the capitol building as its background? Of course, not. This beautiful landmark was so carefully placed to be the starting gauge or the kilometer-zero of the city in order to determine the distance of one point from the city proper or wherever you are in Panay island. However, that’s just half of the story. The fountain’s most prominent feature are the four fountain ladies carrying a basin, one facing North, another South, one East, and the other, West. What is interesting with them is that they used to be a lot sexier, with a rather beautiful and detailed curves, and their breasts exposed. Unfortunately, way back then, there was no institute to officially determine between what is obscene and what is not. Not even a council to look up to whenever a certain piece’s artistic value is in question or is being put to the test. Iloilo City, like most of the cities in the Philippines was virtually attached to its people’s faith and religion, which is Catholicism. It cannot be denied, however, that at that time, priests words, or even opinions, forms part of the religion. So, in other words, going against the priest, you go against religion, going against religion, you go against God. Plain and simple, no one wants to go to hell. So, the church went for the kill and persuaded the local government to make them less-vulgar, and then, eventually, the sculptors complied. So, one can see now, that these ladies are no longer half-naked, but I think it paid the price of losing its artistic personality, not to mention the ladies’ flat chests.
can another arroyo fountain be construted near the river or near the port area of iloilo. this is a historical landmark that is similar to the rizal statue in luneta or that of the stutue of liberty in new york.