Iloilo …the place where no one ever gets mad! This is actually a misnomer. But if you have been to Iloilo and you were able to talk with the natives you most probably will notice their sing-song intonation. Ilonggos, or people from Iloilo are known for their sweetness and charm because of their Hiligaynon dialect that has a musical cadence. It would be hard to tell if an Ilonggo is angry given that he or she would talk as if he is chanting a love song.

Iloilo was once considered to be the cradle of Philippine civilization. The centuries old mansions, the haciendas of old moneyed people, the ornate architecture of the old buildings and majestic churches are tell-tale signs. Even before the advent of the Spaniards, Iloilo has a flourishing trade with Chinese and Indian merchants. This is due to the fact that Iloilo ’s beautiful harbor is noted for safe navigation as it is protected by the picturesque Guimaras Island . Iloilo , the country’s sugar bowl is also dubbed as the Queen City of the South because of the city’s brisk trading activities with other parts of the world at the turn of the century.

Iloilo can offer visitors innumerable activities. The Philippines southern gateway is not dubbed as the Province of Festivals for nothing. The most famous is the Dinagyang Festival. It is the local version of the mardi-gras that is a most important tourist attraction. The Paraw Regatta is also a major festival that is participated in by local and visiting sportsmen.

A tourist would surely be entranced by Iloilo ’s historical sites. One can watch the famous Philippine sunset from Fort San Pedro or tour Plaza Libertad, the place where the Philippine revolutionaries’ flag was raised after the Spaniards surrender. A tourist however, should not fail to visit the Iloilo churches.

The first on the list is the Molo Church. This church that has twin towering red spires is a combination of Renaissance’s and Gothic architecture. It features a wooden altar that is believed to be constructed in the early 1930s.The Molo church is said to be a feminist church because of the 16 female saints lined on both side of the altar.

Construction for the present Miag-ao Church was started in 1786 and finally completed in 1797. The Miag-ao church was entered in the UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Two enormous towers of different heights that flanked the main church give Miag-ao the appearance of a fortress. The embellishment that softens the military like form is what gives the church a distinctive look. The facade of the church is pretty unique as it is a mixture of different decorative styles that nevertheless achieved a very distinct Philippine look.

The Jaro Cathedral which was built in 1864 is where Pope John Paul VI conducted a mass in 1982. The Pope also crowned the Lady of the Candles and proclaimed it as the Patroness of Western Visayas . The Dingle church was constructed in 1874. The church features a single belfry and a yellowish limestone facade. Although not as big as the other churches, Dingle church is worth visiting because of its elegance and serene ambiance.

Tags: Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo, Ilonggo, Paraw Regatta