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The islands of Concepcion, Iloilo as seen from the white sand beach of Agho Island

The towering Mt. Pan de Azucar dominates the Concepcion seascape and provides a magnificent landmark.

Iloilo’s rich heritage is showcased in multifarious festivals celebrated in the city and various towns of the province. Dubbed as the “Province of Festivals”, Iloilo is proud of its nationally acclaimed Dinagyang Festival.

A busy sunset rush hour with Iloilo City’s old structures “woven” into a modern lifestyle.

The capital city of the province of Iloilo is the City of Iloilo, which is also one of the major urban centers in the Philippines. Iloilo is a fast-growing modern city but has kept its old charm and unspoiled environment. Today, it is a popular convention and meeting destination, with its many first class accommodations and an airport of international standards. Iloilo also serves as the gateway to the region and a  favorite stopover for tourists heading to the beaches of Boracay, Palawan and the nearby provinces of Guimaras, Antique, Capiz, and Aklan.

Sandbar Island, one of Concepcion town’s 16 islands, with the towering Pan de Azucar as its backdrop

The historical Miagao Church, one of Iloilo’s iconic and most photographed landmarks

The busy City of Iloilo with the Island of Guimaras off its Coast.

Iloilo has always been one of the country’s most important provinces. Merchants from China and India have long traded with the Ilonggos even before the Spaniards came; evidences of this flourishing civilization are displayed in Museums and Private Galleries.

Museo Iloilo serves as a repository of Iloilo’s cultural heritage.

Even during the Spanish and American colonial period, Iloilo still proved to be an important trading post. Iloilo has a beautiful harbor with serene and calm waters, safe for navigation because it is protected from the open sea by scenic Guimaras Island. This excellent port facility made Iloilo the center of trade at the turn of the century, with the whole world doing business in this port especially during the heyday of the sugar industry. In fact, Iloilo was given the title of “Queen City of the South” for being the Philippine’s second city, after Manila.

You can still see the old buildings that surprisingly are European and American inspired such as stately mansions, majestic century-old churches, and heritage commercial buildings.

The Iloilo Customs House watches over Iloilo’s River Wharf. The building is a remnant of Iloilo’s glorious past

The Miagao Church is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO

Iloilo’s rich heritage is showcased in multifarious festivals celebrated in the city and various towns of the province. Dubbed as the “Province of Festivals“, Iloilo is proud of its nationally acclaimed Dinagyang Festival, together with smaller but similarly riveting festivities in the province, blends the pagan and the Christian in a street dance masquerade honoring Sto. Nino.

The famous Dinagyang Festival is held every 4th week of January

Iloilo is endowed with natural wonders. Highland attractions from the cascades and waterfalls of the mountains of Iloilo to rice terraces and heights in its hinderlands. Worth visiting are various islands and islets of Iloilo that abound with white sand beaches and ornamented with tropical palms. Experience breezy fun while on an island hopping getaway. Explorations in Iloilo’s northern coast such as the myterious caves of Gigantes island and the sea charms of Sicogon and nearby islets, as well as the splendid silhouette of Pan de Azucar in Concepcion town herald quaint stories and enchanting folklores.

Agho Island, one of Concepcion town’s 16 islands, with the towering Pan de Azucar in the background

Rice terraces and lush mountains of Bucari, Leon

Iloilo takes pride in being the Food basket and Rice Granary of the Region owing to its fertile lands and seas that yield plentiful harvest. Rice is the major crop in the province of Iloilo. Fish and marine products are considered the main source of livelihood in the southern and northern Iloilo. Tourists will find many restaurants offering a gastronomic treat of fresh sea foods and famous Ilonggo dishes such as La Paz Batchoy, Chicken Inasal, and Pancit Molo.

The La Paz Batchoy, which originated from La Paz District of Iloilo City, is an Ilonggo dish that has achieved nation-wide popularity.

Iloilo is a fast-growing modern city but has kept its old charm and unspoiled environment. Today, Iloilo is a popular convention and meeting destination, with its many first class accommodations and New Airport of International standards. Tourists will find sprawling malls scattered across the city wherein they can replenish supplies as well as their energies for the hectic sand-and-water environment that are soon to follow. Hotels and restaurants abound; a world-class golf course is located just outside the city proper in Sta. Barbara.

Bars, Restaurants, Clubs, Hotels, and Coffee Shops line “Smallville“, Iloilo’s most popular night spot

The Santa Barbara Golf Course located 30 minutes from the city is the oldest Golf Course in South East Asia

Iloilo serves as the gateway to the region. It is a stopover for tourists heading to the beaches of Boracay and Palawan and the nearby provinces of Guimaras, Antique, Capiz, and Aklan.

Iloilo boasts of a new airport, considered as one of the most beautiful and modern in the country

Ilonggos travel daily to Guimaras as if it was next door, and so with Guimarasnons to Iloilo. The trip across the strait taken only 15 minutes on a smooth sailing pumpboat, or 25 minutes by barge if you are bringing your vehicle.

Guimaras is a popular weekend destination because of its white sand beaches, tranquil waters, and peaceful countrysides

People from Iloilo are called Ilonggos. They are known for their charm and sweetness that comes from the musical tonation of their dialect, Hiligaynon. You would not be able to tell if an Ilonggo is mad at you by the way they speak, which always sounds like some one crooning a love song to you. Kiniray-a, which is a dialect very similar to Hiligaynon is used in Iloilo’s countrysides. English and Tagalog are also widely spoken and understood especially in urban areas.

A nightshot of General Luna St., one of Iloilo’s major roads

Metro Iloilo-Guimaras or MIG is a metropolitan area encompassing the highly urbanized city of Iloilo City, nearby towns, island of Guimaras. Guimaras Province assumes the role of agri-eco-tourism center; Pavia as the agro-industrial center, Leganes as the center for light industries, San Miguel as the agricultural basket, Oton as the dormitory and Sta. Barbara as the international air travel gateway. Iloilo City will remain as the residential, financial, commercial, governance and educational hub not only for Guimaras Island and the five satellite municipalities but also for the entire Region VI.

A busy sunset rush hour with Iloilo City’s old structures “woven” into a modern lifestyle.

Source: Department of Tourism – Western Visayas, Wikipedia, Iloilo Province Official Website, Iloilo City Official Website
Iloilo Province Brochure by Bombette Marin, Iloilo Provincial Tourism Officer.

Minor Awards

• Best Duo Performers – Grupo Mezza Latino (Mandurriao National High School)

• Best in Costume – Grupo Mezza Latino

• Best in Music – Grupo Del Oeste West Visayas State University)
• Best in Parade – Grupo Fuerte Baile (Fort San Pedro National Highschool)
• Best in Choreography – Grupo Fuerte Baile

Major Awards

• 2nd runner-up – Grupo Del Oeste

• 1st runner-up – Grupo Messa Latinos
• Champion – Grupo Fuerte Baile

Congratulations to the winners! Now the question remains, will we be seeing Grupo Fuerte Baile during the Aliwan Fiesta 2010 in Manila this April? They have already been invited by the organizers as a guest performer but there have been reports that they may be joining this year’s Aliwan to represent the Paraw Regatta Festival under the Province of Guimaras (since Guimaras is also a co-organizer of the Paraw Regatta Festival).

See the performance of this year’s champion, Grupo Fuerte Baile:

See the performance of other contesting grupos during the Samba de Regatta 2010

It was yet another round of great performances from tribes joining Dinagyang Festival 2010’s Kasadyahan Competition. Also known as the festival of festivals of Iloilo Province, the Kasadyahan Parade and Competition held last January 23, 2010 (8am, Saturday) features the history and culture of the various towns in the province of Iloilo through an extravaganza of choreographed cultural dance drama presentations. Here are pictures and videos of the Kasadyahan Competition 2010:

Read the rest of Kasadyahan 2010 Competition Photos and Videos (14 comments)