Iloilo

The province of Iloilo can be easily reached via air if you are coming from the capital city of Manila. Hospitable locals, sumptuous cuisines, rich history, old world architecture and breath taking nature await your visit to the Iloilo province. It is located at the Western Visayan Region with Iloilo City as its capital, although the city itself already has its independent government apart from Iloilo the province. On the western border of the province lie the highlands while the other part accounts for the lowland plains. Iloilo province has the second largest marshland in all of Western Visayas. The best time to visit here is during the dry months of January to April. The rest of the year is considered as wet season.

Isla Higantes

You can explore century old churches in Iloilo and admire its architecture from the outside as well as from the inside. The Miagao Church is a World Heritage Site. It is an Aztec-Baroque inspired church known for its pyramidal bell towers and intricate façade built out of yellow limestone.. The Molo church, on the other hand is Gothic Renaissance in style. Fine coral stones are used here. The NeoClassic church of Cabatuan Church is built out of red bricks. It is said to be the largest red brick structure in the Visayan Region. The most historic church is the San Jose Church locate din front of the plaza Libertad. This one is Byzantine-Neoclassic in style and it holds a collection of priceless Catholic artifacts.

After a tour of the interesting churches around the province, you should now check out the various beaches. Pebbled beach awaits you at Tobog, Basang Basa and Bogtong Bato Beached located in the town of San Joaquin and the now famous Isla Higantes, an island situated in the northern part of the province. There are excellent diving and snorkeling sites here. You can also find some beaches around Iloilo City that has grey sand. Along the shore of the beach are restaurants where you can get snacks and refreshing drinks. The Balaring Beach of North Iloilo is laid out with multicolored stone. Go further up north and you will find white sand beaches along the coastal towns of Concepcion, Ajuy, Carles and San Dionisio.

History

There are no written accounts of Iloilo before the Spanish era began. Only oral history survived in the form of recited epics. The first written account of the province was when the Spaniards related the province with their conquest of Panay Island. The Spanish headquarters was moved from Cebu to Ogtong in 1566. In 1581, the enconmienda was once again moved to La Villa Rica de Arevalo from Ogtong due to frequent coastal raids of the Moro and Dutch privateers. After that, it was once again moved to Irong-irong river, a place where Iloilo city now exists. Fort San Pedro was built in 1616 to defend this.

Festivals

• Binanog Festival (Municipality of Lambunao) – 2nd Sunday of January
• Fireworks Display and Contest (Arevalo, Iloilo City) – January 15
• Pasungay Festival (Municipality of San Joaquin) – 3rd Saturday of January
• Bayluhay Festival (Municipality of San Joaquin) – 3rd Saturday of January
• Sinadya sang mga Banwa (Iloilo Provincial Capitol Grounds) – 3rd weekend of January
• Dinagyang Festival (Iloilo City) – 3rd or 4th weekend of January
• Saug Festival (Municipaliy of Lemery) – January 26-28
• Hirinugyaw-Sugilanon Festival (Municipality of Calinog) – Last Sunday of January
• Candelaria Fiesta (Jaro District, Iloilo) – Every February 2
• Salakayan Festival (Municipality of Miag-ao) – 1st week of February
• Paraw Regatta (Iloilo City) – 3rd week of February
• Pintados de Passi (City of Passi) – 2nd week of March
• Bantayan Festival (Municipality of Guimbal) – Last week of March
• Saad Festival (Municipality of Leganes)

1st wek of April

• Lanot Festival (Municipality of Janiuay) – April
• Paghukom Festival (Municipality of Calinog) – Good Friday
• Taltal Festival (Municipality of Barotac Viejo) – Good Friday
• Tampisaw Festival (Municipality of Concepcion) – 4th week of April
• Heritage Month Celebration (Iloilo City)
• Tubong-Tubong Festival (Municipality of Tubungan) – May 1
• Carabao Carroza Festival (Municipality of Pavia) – 1st week of May
• Katagman Festival (Municipality of Oton) – 1st week of May
• Pahaw-as Festival (Municipality of Dumangas) – 1st week of May
• Tangyan Festival (Municipality of Igbaras) – 3rd week of May
• Kasag Festival (Municipality of Banate) – 3rd week of June
• Sulay Basya Festival (Municipality of Sara) – 3rd week of June
• Pandayan Festival (Municipality of Badiangan) – Last week of June
• Baroto Sa Lutac Race (Municipality of Barotac Viejo) – Last week of June
• Biraw-Paraw Festival (Municipality of Leganes) – Last week of June
• Handuraw Festival (Municipality of Leon) – September 1
• Tinu-om Festival (Municipality of Cabatuan) – 1st week of September
• Tambobo Festival (Municipality of Ajuy) – September 8-10
• Tumandok Festival (Robinson’s Mall) – 3rd week of September
• Anihan Festival (Municipality of Duenas) – Last week of September
• Saludan Festival (Municipality of Tigbauan) – Last week of October
• Tigkaralag Festival (Municipality of Pavia) – October 30
• Banaag Festival (Municipality of Anilao) – November 1
• Hablon Moda (Robinson’s Mall Iloilo) – 2nd week of November
• Kahilwayan Festival (Municipality of Santa Barbara) – November 17
• Festival of Lights (Municipality of Janiuay) – December 1-31
• Kalamay Festival (Municipality of San Enrique) – 1st week of December
• IWAG Christmas Lights (Municipality of Pototan) 3rd week of December
• Pantat Festival (Municipality of Zarraga)- 3rd week of December
• Pasidungog kay Senor San Miguel [Municipality of San Miguel] 

4th week of December

• Tultugan Festival[Municipality of Maasin] – 4th week of December

Tips 

If you want to make your stay worthwhile in Iloilo, better time it during one of the festivals in order to get up close and personal with the locals and experience true hospitality. Three of the major festivals in this province you should not miss is the Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City every Januray, Paraw Regatta of Iloilo City on February and the IWAG Christmas Lights of the Municipality of Pototan during December. Also, never leave Iloilo without fist sampling the famous La Paz Batchoy.