wecky, thanks for keeping us updated...i'm excited for your iloilo trip and looking forward to see all the pictures.....we need more pictures here coz chymera is now busy....i bet he's opting for a double major nurse and i.t., wow galing non ah....di bala, di bala

Double Major with one Maor as Nursing, grabeh bah! Di ko na kaya yon... If only West Visayas allows double Majors, and have me change my minor subjects to a Major in IT siguro pwede pa ...

Kung pwede lng sana, I'd like to meet you too Ate Sandrin :)

Nagstart pala ako ng thread para sa Forum meet natin >>
If you are interested in coming please reply a msg there ^^

SSC Philippine Forum ILOILO Meet 2005!!! (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=231330)

Great pictures chymera00. I've been to Iloilo and Guimaras. Nice place and lovely and hospitable people. The people are very nice and has this charming accent.

I also visited a few churches. But it seems most of the churches I went to has been greatly renovated. if not the exterior, then the interior.

One of the churches which intrigued me, was in Leon. The church must have been grand and a big one at that. I'm not quite sure if it was damage during WWII, but it seems to be just a shell of it's once glorious self. Another one would be Tigbauan. It's facade seems to be older than the other churches I've visited and it's design seem to reflect more on the churches built in Latin America (although I've never been there). The curious thing about this is that, it seems the facade and the belltower is the only part of the original structure. One happened to the interior and it's walls? But I must admit, the way I remember it, the interior contains several beautiful mosaics. Although I've only seen it in an old picture and read about it in a book (which I cannot recall), it seems that the old church of Oton, was one of the most beautiful churches in the island of Panay, if not probably the whole country. It was unique in a sense, if I remembered it correctly, because the main altar was in the middle of the church or was surrounded by the pews or the parishioners. Too bad it was destroyed I think in the earthquake of 1948. I hope someone could post a picture of this church in this thread. In addition, I think the belfry of Jaro cathedral, the original one across the plaza, was also damage in that earthquake. Fortunately, it was reconstructed. Speaking of this plaza, it would be nice if they built a better statue to Graciano Lopez Jaena as compared to the one I saw in the plaza that seems to have a square opening at the back, making it looked like a robot. But this was back in 1998. Maybe they've replaced it with a better one.

If I have some errors in my data, please feel free to correct it.

Here are some old pictures I found and I hope I got the titles or information correctly.


Jaro Belltower

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/tower.jpg


Jaro

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Jaro.jpg


This seems to be a school, although I do not know exactly where it is located.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Sep10L.jpg

As indicated in the postcard, a high school dormitory for girls.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Iloilodormitory.jpg

I'm not sure if this picture was taken in Iloilo, I just included it because it shows a Sugar Cane Mill.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Sep10h.jpg

The postcard says Old Fort at Iloilo. I don't know where this is located or if it still exists. Maybe it's the old Fort San Pedro. Maybe someone could share some information about this. Anyway, what happened to the old fort? Was it destroyed during the war or by an earthquake or was it just plainly demolished?

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Iloilo.jpg

I think this is the old Capitol Building

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/bldg.jpg

Double Major with one Maor as Nursing, grabeh bah! Di ko na kaya yon... If only West Visayas allows double Majors, and have me change my minor subjects to a Major in IT siguro pwede pa ...

Kung pwede lng sana, I'd like to meet you too Ate Sandrin :)

That'll be a good majors, just in case. Chymera, have your BSN first .. you can eventually double your majors here abroad ... lots and lots of opportunities when you are here outside. Even so the big opportunity to help our kababayans back home especially your family, relatives and friends. It's only a matter of time.

We can also have a great chat about this issue when we meet each other. See you.

Nagstart pala ako ng thread para sa Forum meet natin >>
If you are interested in coming please reply a msg there ^^

SSC Philippine Forum ILOILO Meet 2005!!! (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=231330)


good, Chymera .. hopefully some SSC forumers from other provinces will join with us, too. Ciao!

Great pictures chymera00. I've been to Iloilo and Guimaras. Nice place and lovely and hospitable people. The people are very nice and has this charming accent.

I also visited a few churches. But it seems most of the churches I went to has been greatly renovated. if not the exterior, then the interior.

One of the churches which intrigued me, was in Leon. The church must have been grand and a big one at that. I'm not quite sure if it was damage during WWII, but it seems to be just a shell of it's once glorious self. Another one would be Tigbauan. It's facade seems to be older than the other churches I've visited and it's design seem to reflect more on the churches built in Latin America (although I've never been there). The curious thing about this is that, it seems the facade and the belltower is the only part of the original structure. One happened to the interior and it's walls? But I must admit, the way I remember it, the interior contains several beautiful mosaics. Although I've only seen it in an old picture and read about it in a book (which I cannot recall), it seems that the old church of Oton, was one of the most beautiful churches in the island of Panay, if not probably the whole country. It was unique in a sense, if I remembered it correctly, because the main altar was in the middle of the church or was surrounded by the pews or the parishioners. Too bad it was destroyed I think in the earthquake of 1948. I hope someone could post a picture of this church in this thread. In addition, I think the belfry of Jaro cathedral, the original one across the plaza, was also damage in that earthquake. Fortunately, it was reconstructed. Speaking of this plaza, it would be nice if they built a better statue to Graciano Lopez Jaena as compared to the one I saw in the plaza that seems to have a square opening at the back, making it looked like a robot. But this was back in 1998. Maybe they've replaced it with a better one.

If I have some errors in my data, please feel free to correct it.



wow overtureph .. you've really done well with your Iloilo tour ... I haven't known some of the infos you are sharing here ... hmm ... looks like I'm a foreigner for my own province .. hehehe ... or probably I just take some of these things aside. Anyways, thanks for reminding me.


About churches of Iloilo, most of them are way too old .. and yes, if I can remember my grandma told me about the earthquake post WWII that mostly destroyed most of the churches in Iloilo. Iloilo churches used to be big, massive or grand. After the quake, some were down less than half of its size. Tke for example the church of the town of Alimodian. To the present, its size is only a quarter from what it was when they built it during Spanish era. Most of its parts too were renovated and modernly fixed. I hope I can get some old photos of the churches in Iloilo to post it here. I'll try to get some access in our municipal library, just in case.

Here are some old pictures I found and I hope I got the titles or information correctly.


Jaro Belltower

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/tower.jpg


Jaro

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Jaro.jpg


This seems to be a school, although I do not know exactly where it is located.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Sep10L.jpg

As indicated in the postcard, a high school dormitory for girls.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Iloilodormitory.jpg

I'm not sure if this picture was taken in Iloilo, I just included it because it shows a Sugar Cane Mill.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Sep10h.jpg

The postcard says Old Fort at Iloilo. I don't know where this is located or if it still exists. Maybe it's the old Fort San Pedro. Maybe someone could share some information about this. Anyway, what happened to the old fort? Was it destroyed during the war or by an earthquake or was it just plainly demolished?

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Iloilo.jpg

I think this is the old Capitol Building

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/bldg.jpg



wow ... great, great Old Pictures ... thank you once again, overtureph!

Monday, July 04, 2005
Globe Innove connects schools to Internet
By Kathy Villalon Cinco


IN SUPPORT to the government-led program called Guilas (Gearing Up Internet Literacy and Access to Students), Globe Innove has connected 282 national high schools in the country to the Internet since last year.

In the Province of Iloilo, Guilas has been launched in eight schools, and three are now connected by Globe Innove to the Internet. These are the Lapaz National High School, Mandurriao National High School and Sta. Barbara Comprehensive National High School.

Guilas's purpose is to provide Internet connection to 5,443 public high schools in the country. Out of this number, only six percent are connected to the Internet and 11 percent have personal computers (PCs).

Globe Innove has pledged to connect 300 schools.

For the first year, Globe Innove provides free subscription to the said schools. On the second year, the school gets to enjoy 20 percent discount, and on the third year, the school only has to pay P1,995 regardless of how many PCs it has.

Raquel Cagurangan, chief administrative officer of Globe Innove, said that the support of the local government unit (LGU) in providing computers is very crucial. For its part, Globe has sought support from abroad and other private companies for them to supply PCs so that these schools could get connected to the Internet.

She also advises that for schools to be able to sustain their Internet connection, it should embark on a sustainability program.

She cited the example of the Florencio Orot National High School in Cebu wherein the computer laboratory accepts print jobs and charge for the use of the Internet connection in order for them to pay the 1,995 subscription.

Schools can also embark on businesses like the auto reload retaining and other micro businesses. Globe Innove also gives support by bringing in partners who can provide micro financing. It also assists in providing training for teachers in order to be tech-savvy.

Cagurangan said that Glove Innove also hopes that Internet education can be part of the curriculum in fourth year high school.

"There are some students who are not able to afford going to universities.

However, with the Internet, they can now study online and graduate," she said.

"Globe Innove also provides on-the-job training for deserving students. Who knows, there might be possible employment for them, too," she said.

Guilas is chaired by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and co-chaired by Senator Mar Roxas and Jaime Zobel de Ayala II.



(from Sunstar Iloilo News Online)

Monday, July 04, 2005
Persons with disabilities Opportunities, not dole-outs



IN Iloilo City, an organization of persons with disabilities is starting a revolution of sorts.

Its male members are making crutches and wheelchairs that are cheaper than the commercial types. The women make soap, cellular phone bags and other handcrafted items that are sold at the cooperative store.

And shortly before the opening of classes, skilled members of the Association of Disabled Persons in Iloilo (ADPI) completed 5,800 school chairs contracted to them by the Department of Education (DepEd).

"We want to change the way society view persons with disabilities," said Mario Abaygar, one of the founders of ADPI.

"We are not liabilities. Given the right opportunity, we can be productive members of society," he added.

Jovy Caturas, 38, and Ricardo Clamares, 49, said while it is hard to work minus a limb, having no job is more difficult.

The two men, who are trained welders, make metal frames for school chairs, crutches and wheelchairs at the ADPI Productivity Center.

Apart from its shop in Barangay Sta. Barbara, ADPI also runs the canteen at Jaro Plaza and a micro-financing program that benefits not only persons with disabilities but also able-bodied individuals.

"We have about 4,000 clients - able-bodied and those with disabilities - in the micro-financing program," said Bob Flores who manages the micro-financing program. "It's a little ironic that we (persons with disabilities) are helping able-bodied people. But it is part of our mission to help the poor become self-reliant."

ADPI was formed by 15 persons with disabilities in the early 1990s.

"We wanted to establish a voice for persons with disabilities and, by doing so, create livelihood opportunities for members," said Abaygar.

But even with the growth of the organization, ADPI now has 500 members, he said the group needs to reach out to more persons with disabilities.

"There are about 13,000 registered persons with disabilities in Iloilo province, but there could be more," he said. "Many of them have potentials that are just waiting for the right opportunity. This is one of the goals of ADPI."

To create more opportunities for its members and other persons with disabilities, ADPI linked with other organizations.

Among these organizations is the Peace and Equity Foundation, Inc. (PEF) which provided funding for ADPI's productivity center.

"ADPI and PEF share a common goal and that is to help the poor. PEF supports projects that help alleviate poverty in the country," said PEF executive director Veronica Villavicencio.



(from Sunstar Iloilo News Online)

Milk-feeding program reduces malnutrition


Iloilo’s supplemental milk-feeding program which started off in the province's six municipalities last year is now able to reduce the cases of malnutrition.

Iloilo Provincial agricultural officer Inocencio H. Parian said the province now ranks number four, from last year's number two rank, in the list of provinces in Western Visayas that have the highest cases of malnutrition.

The improvement is due to the milk-feeding program launched by the National Dairy Authority (NDA), the Iloilo provincial government, and the municipal government units, he said.

Parian bared the NDA put up P5 million last year for the implementation of the milk-feeding program in Western Visayas while the provincial government also raised additional P1 million fund used to finance the milk-feeding programs in Dingle, Zarraga, Tigbauan, Miag-ao, Oton and Leon towns.

Parian also commended the establishment of the dairy zone here which makes the province now sufficient with milk.

Iloilo's dairy zone now has 115 Sajiwal Holstein mother cows producing milk everyday and sustain the milk-feeding program in the public schools of the six towns.

"Aside from the mother cows, there are now 100 calves that would soon produce milk," he said. These calves would realized their goal of eradicating malnutrition in the province.


(from Panay News Online)

ILOILO FIL-HISPANIC WEEK OBSERVANCE TO HIGHLIGHT SPANISH CULTURAL LEGACIES IN R.P.


Here's the link from Panay News Online:

http://www.panaynews.com.ph/people.htm

Spain to put up more classrooms in Iloilo


Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines, Ignacio Sagaz, said they would be putting up 16 classrooms in the city and province of Iloilo in the coming 18 months as their way of supporting the 10-point pro-poor legacy agenda of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for 2005-2010.

Ambassador Sagaz said these classrooms would be put up in the district of Molo, as well as in the towns of Barotac Viejo and Lambunao in Iloilo province

These, he said, would be part of their development projects for the Philippines that has already been receiving the biggest share of their Special Development Assistance in Asia.

The ambassador further said that the Spanish government would be substantially increasing their aid to the Philippines next year.

When asked as to how much fund the city and province of Iloilo would receive for the school buildings, Ambassador Sagaz did not disclose the amount and contended that it would depend on the cost of materials here.

Ambassador Sagaz stressed the Spanish government would like, however, to have those classrooms sturdy so it can last long.


(from Panay News Online)

99 ‘Botika ng barangay’ now set up in WV

A total of 99 “Botika ng Barangay” had been established in Region VI by the Department of Health (DOH) to comply with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s pledge in her 2001 State of the Nation Address to reduce the price of drugs and medicines.

The DOH targeted 382 Botika ng Barangay (BNB) to be completely set up by 2006, said Delia D. Tarrosa, chief of the DOH VI Licensing,
Regulations, Enforcement Division, during the CATV program of the Philippine Information Agency recently.

Tarrosa said BNB is a drug outlet set up to provide safe, effective and quality medicines available, and very much accessible for the majority of Filipinos, most especially the poor. It is also duly licensed by the Bureau of Foods and Drugs.

BNB, Tarrosa said, can be set up and managed by LGUs or by an organized body of the community in order to be efficient and effective. The organization may be a cooperative, people’s organization or non-government organization. The interested operator, when qualified, will have a Memorandum of Agreement signed with the DOH. Then, the DOH trains the designated operator of the BNB on supply and financial management and proper care of medicines.

Also the BNB is required to have a supervising pharmacist.

According to Tarrosa, the provinces which have BNB set up already are: Aklan- 15; Antique- 10 LGU operated and 33 NGO operated; Capiz- 2; Guimaras- 1; Iloilo- 3; and Negros Occidental- 29 LGU operated and 6 PO/NGO operated.

Tarrosa said a P25,000 package of medical supplies were given to each of these BNBs. The medicines sold here are: amoxicillin, cotrimoxasole, paracetamol, mefenamic acid, loperamide, ketoconazole cream and povidone iodine. These are sold at a very affordable price.

Setting up drug outlets that sell cheap, quality medicines in areas where these are mostly needed was one of the priorities set by President Arroyo in her 2001 State of the Nation Address to alleviate poverty.



(from Panay News Online)

CENRO-Iloilo City holds office in far-flung brgys


In order to reach out to the people in the countryside by giving them updated information on the programs and projects of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) being implemented in their area and to clarify conflicting environmental issues, DENR, CENRO Iloilo City conducted People’s Day at Barangay Igcabugao, Igbaras, Iloilo recently.

Tubungan Vice Mayor Divino Tanallon welcomed the participants while lauding the DENR for spearheading the activity. He said Tubungan and Igbaras residents were given salient information on the programs and projects of the government.

PENRO Valentin P. Talabero of Iloilo said the activity aimed of bringing DENR services closer to the people. He stressed that the people and DENR could be partners for development.

Seventy-four participants coming from the different sitios and barangays of Igbaras and Tubungan, Iloilo attended the activity. Several issues were raised concerning the environment, specifically on Socialized Integrated Forest Management Agreement (SIFMA) and community-based Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA).

On land matters, barangay boundaries of the two adjacent municipalities of Tubungan and Igbaras were tackled and both LGUs agreed to conduct relocation survey based on the authorized maps and other relevant references.

There were also consultation desks provided for the public manned by the different sectoral heads to answer environment issues and concerns raised by the public. All issues raised were given immediate response.

People’s Day is a brainchild of DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Vicente S. Paragas. It was launched on March 2003 in Nabas, Aklan.

Convinced by the positive result of the activity, then DENR Sec. Elisea G. Guzon instructed all DENR offices nationwide to replicate it in their respective areas. She believed People’s Day is the answer to the administration’s thrust of bringing government services closer to the people.

Last January of this year, Sec. Michael T. Defensor reiterated the instruction to all DENR regional executive directors to continue the conduct of People’s Day in their respective PENROs and CENROs.


(from Panay News Online)

Gordon to keynote Chamber of Commerce induction


Senator Richard Gordon will be the guest of honor and keynote speaker in the induction of the new set of officers of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Panay, Inc. (FFCCCPI) at the Amigo Terrace Hotel tomorrow night. Businessman Henry Chusuey leads this year’s inductees in fitting ceremonies scheduled at the Grand Ballroom of Amigo Terrace Hotel at 7 p.m.

Francis Chua, president of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., is also gracing the induction rites.

Chusuey’s group has been instrumental in the construction of school buildings in many public high schools and elementary schools here.

Actress and comedienne Giselle Sanchez will serve as emcee during the occasion.


(from Panay News Online)

Families affected by airport project now ready for relocation
By Erly C. Garcia


Families affected by the construction of the New Iloilo Airport Development Project (NIADP) in the tri-boundaries of San Miguel, Cabatuan, and Sta. Barbara could now heave a sigh of relief.

Mario Andon of the Airport Concern Alliance (ACA) revealed that the government has acceded to their demand that the relocation site for the Project Affected Families (PAFs) be given to them for free and that they be given financial assitance for their housing materials.

Andon said the affected families will receive P50,000 each as financial assistance.

There are 110 families affected by the airport project who are about to be relocated in the government relocation site in Brgy. Banggit, Cabatuan, Iloilo.

Andon learned that the money amounting to P5.5 million is already with the National Housing Authority (NHA) and is now ready for release.

Andon also expressed gratefulness that they now have representation in three important committees that was kept from them before.

Josephine Teoresca sits in the Resettlement Management Committee, Susan Teoresca in the Manpower Committee and Maximo Mana-ay sits in the Multi-partite Monitoring Team.

Having representatives in said committees, Andon is optimistic the needs of the affected families could be heard.

Andon said they are now focusing on the provision of livelihood to the affected families when the international airport starts operating later on.


(from the News Today Info Online)

Tigum-Aganan Watershed board to hold BIC congress


The Tigum-Aganan Watershed Management Board (TAWMB) will hold a Barangay Information Center (BIC) Congress on July 8, 2005, at the municipality of Alimodian, Iloilo.

The BIC Congress is the third of its kind since the formation of the TAWMB, initiated previously by the Kahublagan sang Panimalay Foundation, Inc. (KSPFI) as a show of community involvement in environmental protection and rehabilitation.

TAWMB Chairperson Alimodian Mayor Juanito Alipao said that the BIC Congress will showcase the initiatives and actions in managing environment issues and concerns, particularly in support of the implementation of the Clean Water Act of 2004 (RA 9275).

Alipao said that the holding of the BIC Congress is significant because the Tigum-Aganan is chosen as pilot testing area for the Water Quality management Area (WQMA) under the Clean Water Act.

The BICs are small groups of people in different barangays in the watershed areas in Iloilo, who have mobilized themselves to undertake environment-friendly activities on their own and have turned these activities into sources of small incomes for their families.

The BICs are offshoots of watershed learning communities who were captive listeners of a school-on-the air radio program dubbed “Ugat Sang Tubig” anchored by Jessica Salas of the Kahublagan sang Panimalay and Elsa Subong of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

With the modules given them on air, the learning communities gained a stock of information which gradually helped them to evolve into conscientious residents.

Today, the BICs play a major role in the implementation of the Water Quality Management Area (WQMA), under the Clean Water Act. From applying the information they have learned through Ugat sang Tubig, the BICs are now taking action on issues in the watersheds, particularly on monitoring of water quality and sanitation.

The BIC Congress will be attended by the mayors of different municipality members of the TAWMB, the partner agencies, barangay captains and BICs themselves.

A highlight of the whole day activity is the approval of the WQMA Plan and update on the program. (PIA 6).



(from The News Today Info Online)

The MATH WIZ KIDS of Iloilo
Text and photos by Wein P. Gadian



Wiz kids: Fred & Katrina
Math has always been a waterloo for most of us. More than just the subject being considered as very difficult, sometimes we already think of it as a complicated task. When it is time for Math classes, most can't help muttering an ‘oh no' especially if there's an exam. But then, we have to admit we can't live without Math. When we buy something or pay for our bills, we can't stay away from the numbers. But there are also people who find this subject a piece of cake. Though there are only a few of them, we consider them geniuses, like the late Albert Einstein. His intellect never fails to amaze us.

In Iloilo, we are lucky to have two math wiz kids. They are Fred Nyll S.Tupas, a sixth grader and Maria Katrina P. Acuros, a freshman in high school. Both are into regional and national competitions for Math. Fred Nyll (11 y.o.) has been in the honors list, while Maria Katrina (12 y.o.) was a class valedictorian. Fred is the youngest son of Fred Tupas and Herminilda Sambo. Katrina is the only daughter of Napoleon Acuros and Fidela Parial.

Like all the other kids, both of them love playing and interacting with friends and classmates. Fred Nyll enjoys playing Tekken 5 and all its versions, chess and also likes

playing around with Mathematical formulas. He loves reading books and anything about computers. At a young age, he has already been admiring the writings of Dan Brown and has especially enjoyed his Demons and Angels.


Even before he turned 12, he already aced competitions and would always bring home the gold medal. Among these competitions were the Metrobank Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines Department of Education Math Challenge, International Contest in Mathematics and others. When asked about his secret, he humbly says, “It's all about determination and positive thinking. And with these things, I always keep my feet on the ground. And for the students, be your best in your studies. Keep trying until you succeed.”

As a valedictorian, Katrina has developed discipline in her studies. She makes sure she has time for everything. Thrill is something she likes and finds it in Math. Like anyone, she sometimes think Math problems are also difficult especially puzzle problems.

At 12, Katrina has also won awards including the Philippine International Contest in Tagbilaran City, Bohol last May 21- 25, 2005. She emerged as regional champion in the Metrobank Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines Department of Education Math Challenge of this year.

Being a Math wiz, one really needs discipline and trainings. Both kids have undergone training in preparation for every competition. Their trainings and reviews are done with the help of Mr. Jen and Mr. Jonathan Glorial. They also qualified for the international competition after passing the Mathematics Trainer's Guild of the Philippines last July 2004. Just this year they were trained for one month at Chaing Kai Chek College in Manila.

Katrina and Fred Nyll are from West Visayas State University. They are also joining other nationalities coming August 8 – 14 for the China Primary School Math Olympiad. This is an international competition and will be held in Tai-an City, Shandong, China.

Let's take pride for this two kids and with good faith that they'll bring more awards to Iloilo.



(from the News Today Info Online)

Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Love and care stressed in Children's Home launching
By Kathy Villalon Cinco


"THE older generation should resolve to give children the love, care and protection that they need."

This was what Councilor Jeffrey Ganzon said during the launching of Bantay Bata 163 Iloilo's Children's Home last June 30.

"The children represent the hope of our nation, that is why they deserve to be loved and cared for. If the older generation truly believes this, we should be willing to oversee the welfare of minors," he added.

Pastor Roger Quinto, who delivered an inspirational talk during the event, reiterated this.

According to Quinto, statistics show that the love of parents leads to the development of the child. Statistics also show that orphans develop slowly.

"This shows us that it's not good food and material things alone but love that helps a child. Some problems that arise from lack of love are lack of self-confidence on the child, aggressiveness or extreme shyness, being sickly, unable to relax and rebelliousness," he said.

Lenny Aguirre, program director of Bantay Bata 163 Iloilo gave her assurance that the children they rescued will be given the love and care that they deserve.

"We have a staff that is committed to serve to the best of their abilities. We, however, need your help in order for us to sustain our operations," she added.

Contrary to popular belief, Aguirre said that Bantay Bata 163 is not financially subsidized by ABS-CBN. "Although it's a project of ABS-CBN, the Lopezes believe that Ilonggos should help in making the project self-sustaining. The network's valuable help comes through promoting the project through television, acknowledging those who have donated to it, and legal assistance and other non-financial support," Aguirre said.

The Children's Home can accommodate 20 children, aged 0 to 12 years old who are considered high risks. Non-high risk children can still live with their families but will be constantly visited and guided by Bantay Bata's social workers. The parents will also undergo counseling.

The rescue team consists of Bantay Bata's social workers, police, barangay officials and representatives of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Bantay Bata 163 Iloilo provides after care services (like schooling and medicines, family strengthening (through counseling), community outreach (lecture on rights of children in different barangays), scholarships (tap schools to partner with) and the coin bank.

Any birthday celebrator with a big heart can also light up the kids if they decide to hold their birthday party at the Children's Home.

How to help

Those who are willing to help the program can do several things. They can adopt a "Barya Mo Buhay Ko" coinbank; donate in cash or in kind; be a foster parent to a child; donate clothes, books, groceries, medicines and medical apparatus; save the life of a sick child by providing for his/her operation or medical treatment; play, read a book, or spend time with the kids at the Children's Home; make Bantay Batay 163 Iloilo a beneficiary of your organization's projects; sponsor a community outreach program or medical mission; be a medical volunteer for medical missions; and sponsor a meal in the Children's Home.

Donations can be sent through Equitable PCI Bank Jaro Branch, savings account no. 1166-00764-6 and e-mail or fax a copy of the remittance slip, name and mailing address to verify donations.

Donations can also be sent to Bantay Bata 163 Iloilo, ABS-CBN Broadcast Complec, Luna Street, Lapaz. For more information, call (033) 320-9451 or fax (033) 320-7423 or email to lennetta_aguirre@abs.pinoycentral.com.


(from Sunstar Iloilo News Online)

Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Vessels: a second look at abstract art


"ABSTRACT is not so common anymore so we want to educate Ilonggos on this kind of art," Norman Posecion, one of the exhibitors in "Vessels," an art exhibit running until August 26 at the gallery of Days Hotel.

"Vessels" contains the recent paintings of Posecion and Anastacio.

"The Ilonggos are famous for being parochial but do you know that Iloilo has the most grand prize winners in art? We just need to support our artists more," he adds, to which co-exhibitor Faith Anastacio agrees.

Posecion, during his early days as an artist, experimented on textile painting and his approach was personal. Now, he's into abstract expressionism.

"I like to paint about small things that you don't easily notice," this graduate of Architecture, Drafting and Crafts said.

The works displayed in "Vessels" were done in three weeks.

Anastacio, on the other hand, loves to work on mixed media and her approach to her pieces is personal. "I create what I feel," she said.

What can people expect from "Vessels"?

"It's different. It shows our personal works that are socially related. The exhibit elicits this question from the viewer, 'How do I react? How do I feel?"" according to Posecion. (KVC)



(from Sunstar Iloilo News Online)

Bring back the plan Iloilo-Guimaras Bridge ... :carrot: :carrot: :carrot: :carrot: :carrot:

$45-MILLION GUIMARAS-ILOILO BRIDGE UP IN '98

Guimaras, Nov. 26, 1997 - It will soon be possible to drive to Guimaras Island from Iloilo Province.

Construction of a $45-million suspension bridge linking Guimaras to Iloilo starts early next year, according to District Engineer Modesto Intoy of the Guimaras Engineering District.

Intoy reported to Guimaras Governor Emily Lopez that European engineers have completed a feasibility study covering structural design of the suspension bridge across the channel separating Guimaras from the main island of Panay.

The bridge is designed to allow normal navigation activities of local and foreign ocean-going vessels which pass through the Iloilo-Guimaras channel daily.

President Ramos himself congratulated the officials responsible for the realization of this long- cherished dream, which will soon be a reality because of the efforts of Guimaras Governor Emily Lopez, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Representatives Narciso Monfort, Alberto Lopez, Raul Gonzales and Rep. Garin, all from Iloilo province.

from: http://www.newsflash.org/199711/ht/ht000116.htm

Seamen's Hospital project complements PGMA's legacy agenda

ILOILO CITY—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has lauded the Associated Marine Officers and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) for its initiative in addressing the health needs of its members and dependents which, she said, complements the health and welfare plank of her 10-point legacy agenda.

The President led the inauguration of AMOSUP’s 50-bed, P42-million Seamen’s Hospital in Manduriao District here yesterday.

The three-story health facility aims to provide quality health and medical care to Ilonggo seafarers and their dependents. It is the third such secondary hospital facility of the union for its about 55,000 members nationwide. The other two are in Intramuros, Manila and Mandaue City, Cebu.

The Chief Executive, together with AMOSUP president, Capt. Gregorio Oca, toured the facility which has already been accredited by the Department of Health. It has a total area of 3,300 square meters.

Oca said medical and surgical services of the hospital will be free of charge to AMOSUP members and their dependents. The hospital will be fully operational before the end of July, he added.

After cutting the ceremonial ribbon and unveiling the marker of the AMOSUP Hospital yesterday, the President announced that the government, through the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA), will soon launch a mass-scale scholarship program for families of Filipino seamen.

She said the government will now be able to fund the scholarship program because of the estimated P100 billion in additional revenues to be generated from the reforms undertaken in the first phase of her economic reform agenda.

"We can now fund programs that directly impact on the people, including the welfare of the seafarers and their families," the Chief Executive said.



--------------------------------------------------


Spain commits school buildings in Iloilo in support of PGMA's mass education goal

ILOILO CITY—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s mass education goal in her 10-point legacy agenda will get a big boost with Spain’s commitment to fund the construction of school buildings in this city and two Iloilo towns in the next 18 months.

Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines Ignacio Sagaz said their school building project manifests Spain’s direct support to President Arroyo’s "Education for All" agenda.

Sagaz, whose wife is a native Ilongga, said the school buildings will be constructed in Molo district of this city and in the towns of Barotac Viejo and Lambunao.

The classroom projects, he said, will form part of Spain’s increased foreign assistance to the Philippines which will be hiked to $18 million starting next year from its present $8-million level.

The increase in development assistance was announced here yesterday by Spain’s Foreign Ministry Secretary General Rafael Dezcallar who flew in all the way from Madrid with a special delegation to attend the inaugural program of this year’s Philippines-Spain Friendship Week celebration.

This year’s edition of the annual Fil-Hispanic amity observance is hosted jointly by the Iloilo provincial government and the Iloilo City government.

In her speech in the amity week opening program, President Arroyo thanked the Spanish government for its support for her administration’s development initiatives and acknowledged the special ties binding the Philippines and Spain, its former colonial master but now a "sister and friend."



----------------------------------------------------


Janiuay town mayors says: We are solid behind PGMA

ILOILO CITY—Ilonggos of nearby town of Janiuay, Iloilo, through their municipal government, have reaffirmed their unshakeable faith and loyalty to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

"We are solid behind President Arroyo," Janiuay Mayor Bienvinido P. Margarico said.

Margarico said his municipality, some 32.4 kilometers from Iloilo City, has reiterated its support to President Arroyo through a Resolution of Support their municipal council adopted recently.

The resolution also made an appeal to the Filipino people in general to commit themselves to nation building and avoid destabilization initiatives.

"The municipal officials of the Municipality of Janiuay firmly believe that nation building is a Herculean task which needs strong foundation, firm resolve and sincerity of the majority of the citizenry to commit themselves to it," the resolution said.

Margarico also lauded the President’s confidence in one of their town’s sons, Land Reform Secretary Rene Villa, whose appointment, he said, made Janiuay a recipient of several projects.

The rehabilitation of the Jibolo-Tuburan farm-to-market road worth P3 million is the latest project Janiuay received.

The project, when completed, is expected to further encourage farmers to become more productive as it would be easier to transport their produce to the town proper.

Villa led the groundbreaking for the project recently.




(News from Office of the Press Secretary : http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/archives2005/jul01.htm)

Bring back the plan Iloilo-Guimaras Bridge ... :carrot: :carrot: :carrot: :carrot: :carrot:

$45-MILLION GUIMARAS-ILOILO BRIDGE UP IN '98

Guimaras, Nov. 26, 1997 - It will soon be possible to drive to Guimaras Island from Iloilo Province.

Construction of a $45-million suspension bridge linking Guimaras to Iloilo starts early next year, according to District Engineer Modesto Intoy of the Guimaras Engineering District.

Intoy reported to Guimaras Governor Emily Lopez that European engineers have completed a feasibility study covering structural design of the suspension bridge across the channel separating Guimaras from the main island of Panay.

The bridge is designed to allow normal navigation activities of local and foreign ocean-going vessels which pass through the Iloilo-Guimaras channel daily.

President Ramos himself congratulated the officials responsible for the realization of this long- cherished dream, which will soon be a reality because of the efforts of Guimaras Governor Emily Lopez, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Representatives Narciso Monfort, Alberto Lopez, Raul Gonzales and Rep. Garin, all from Iloilo province.

from: http://www.newsflash.org/199711/ht/ht000116.htm

Nice work on digging up this article :) ... since 98 pa, that's like 7 years ago, and still nothing. It would have been nice if this bridge was up --> easy access to all those beach resorts ^^

Whyte, when will you be in Iloilo? I've heard that there are too many Manila and Luzon Centralians (especially Eng's grad) will be going home for centennial this July-August. Is it true?

* Ill be "flying" by the 30th of this month for a 2 week vacation.
* Cant be sure about the stats but im sure there are too many centralians here in manila.

The ILOILO-GUIMARAS bridge project was just an emergency "project" of then governor Lopez. It was just a front for a much bigger project, that is BAGGING the INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT for WV. Before it was bacolod-guimaras-iloilo that vied for the location of the aiprort. But the german? "surveyors" said that it should be on the island of panay

The ILOILO-GUIMARAS bridge project was just an emergency "project" of then governor Lopez. It was just a front for a much bigger project, that is BAGGING the INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT for WV. Before it was bacolod-guimaras-iloilo that vied for the location of the aiprort. But the german? "surveyors" said that it should be on the island of panay

Yes whyte...She did it to have her name on the headlines. Just imagine buidling a bridge linking Guimaras and at the same time putting an airport there? An island that still has to have the basic infrastructures an airport needs. Anyway, $45 Million dollars alone will not be sufficient for a suspension bridge because that type of bridge is the most expensive to build. And imagine you have to have a lot of money to spend just to build an airport? It could be a waste, that is why they opted to build it in Iloilo instead...Tsk tsk that is how they planned to stay long in office...but sad to say it did not work. Ano na lang matabo sa Guimaras mangoes?

yup.$45million is just enough for a hotel renovation :lol:
i can vividly remember the picture that accompanied such press release that time.it was hurriedly sketch :lol:

Nice work on digging up this article :) ... since 98 pa, that's like 7 years ago, and still nothing. It would have been nice if this bridge was up --> easy access to all those beach resorts ^^

actually the article was way back my college days pa, Chymera .. probably around 1994 or 1995. The plan was there. The sketches were all there. 'twas really a huge and ambitious project during Emily Lopez governorship in Guimaras. It's part of their lobby to host the Western Visayas International Airport (now the Iloilo International Airport in Sta.Barbara-Cabatuan). It's really a good project though but the amount of 45million dollars that time is too big for the government to prioritize it. Besides, it was during Ramos administration in which Iloilo barely was given big projects such as we are having right now.

* Ill be "flying" by the 30th of this month for a 2 week vacation.
* Cant be sure about the stats but im sure there are too many centralians here in manila.


thanks for the info, whyte ... see you then.

Btw, are you going to attend the SSC forumers gathering in Iloilo? Chymera is organising it. Check at one of the thread about it.

ATO targets ‘colorum’ vehicles at airport


The Air Transportation Office (ATO) is asking the help of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Broad (LTFRB) to catch “colorum” vehicles at the Mandurriao airport.

“Colorum” vehicles operate as public utility vehicles sans franchises and other necessary permits.

Most of these are usually vans, said ATO Manager Alan Java. They would contract passengers from the airport and charge them exorbitantly.

“We will arrest them,” Alava said. His office, he said, had received complaints from passengers and taxi drivers about the “colorum” vehicles.

These vehicles could take passengers from the airport to any point of Panay. Legitimate public utility vehicles are complaining of this “unfair” practice.

“We are not tolerating them. We will clear the airport of all illegal transport systems,” declared Alava.

Alava appealed to the public not to patronize “colorum” vehicles and report them to his office.

The Regional Traffic Management Group 6 (RTMG6) used to charge apprehended “colorum” vehicles P1,100 for the first offense; P1,800 when they are caught for the second time; and P3,800 for the third offense.

A fourth apprehension would mean the confiscation of the erring driver’s license. His “colorum” vehicle would also be impounded.



(from Panay News Online)

Capitol launches feeding program


The provincial capitol launched a feeding program in Maayon town recently. It coincided with the launching of this year’s Nutrition Month celebration.

More than 500 children from grades 1 to 6 from Tapulang Elementary School and children in the day care center of said barangay were give fresh milk and insomix, a combination of rice, mongo and sesame seeds.

Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Esteban Evan Contreras II, vice chairperson and action officer of the Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children and Women, said the feeding program would address the malnutrition problem of Maayon and other towns.

Maayon town has the highest number of malnourished children in Capiz and ranked second among the municipalities in Western Visayas based on a survey conducted in 2004.

This is, despite the fact that Capiz province has the lowest prevalence rate of malnourished children in Region VI.

Records from the Capiz Division of the Department of Education show that more than 16 percent of their grades 1 to 3 pupils last school year were malnourished.

DepEd recently launched a food fortification program to address the malnutrition problem among school children.

Mayor Belegio Dueñas said that malnutrition problem actually starts in the home as a result of poverty. The role of parents is thus vital in responding to the problem, he stressed.

Mothers from said barangay and other neighboring barangays were also able to benefit from the technology transfer on food preparation by the personnel from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.

The Office of the Municipal Agriculturist distributed seed to parents.
Contreras urged local officials to do their share in solving the malnutrition problem.



(from Panay News Online)

Wecky where are you....I've read what happened on BBC News.
I hope you're ok, as well as the other London forumers like Lumpia, Dr. Joe, etc.

Wecky where are you....I've read what happened on BBC News.
I hope you're ok, as well as the other London forumers like Lumpia, Dr. Joe, etc.

thank you, sandrin. I'm doin' fine. We are on high red alert at the moment here. All major hospitals across London area are clearing beds in lieu of the matter. All senior nurses are on-call at the moment. Thereby, naka-duty ako subong sa hospital just in case there'll be more causalties coming. There's a tight security around central London. There's a little bit of mayhem yesterday morning but late in the afternoon, transport starts to operate in a very minimal zones.

For the last two days, all of London is on great euphoria as we won the bid for OLYMPIC 2012 against Paris, France, New York, USA, Moscow, Russia and Madrid, Spain. Less than 2 days later, all the bliss we felt were transformed into shock and anger because of these bombings.

My mobile were filled with text messages coming from my relatives back home in Iloilo and my friends and relatives in the USA. Such an awful feeling though.

Anyways, thank you again.

Calinog town tops nutrition award


The municipality of Calinog topped other local government units in this year’s Search for Outstanding Nutrition Program Implementor in the province of Iloilo.

Calinog which garnered 93.2% is followed by Concepcion with 92.9%, then New Lucena with 92.3%, Sta. Barbara with 80.6%, and Tigbauan with 76.394%.

Iloilo Provincial Nutrition Program Coordinator, Rosario San Luis, said the awardees will be given due recognition during the forthcoming culmination activity of the July Nutrition Month celebration of the province. They will receive certificates of recognition and cash awards.

The evaluation was conducted from April 8 to May 10, 2005 by an Evaluation Committee composed of the members of the Provincial Nutrition Technical Working Group (PNTWG) chaired by Elias Sandig of the Provincial Agriculture Office. Other members of the Evaluation Committee are Jessica Tantiado (DepEd), Emma Ledesma (PSWDO), Alma Nunez and Engr. Josephine Marmolejo (PHO), Aida Villanueva (PENRO), Helen Sedigo (PAO), Fe Sulit (DILG), Rene Margarico (PPDO) and Rynarda Gaviola (Population Office).

San Luis said the LGUs were judged based on the following indicators: program efficiency, program effectiveness, changes in nutritional status of pre-school children in all sampled barangays and implementation of barangay nutrition action plan.

The award primarily aims to ensure that local government units are implementing their nutrition program as a priority program and service.

“The award also serves as an incentive to the LGUs for the dedication shown by their health and nutrition personnel in the implementation of their effective nutrition program.

With this incentive program, local officials will be more encouraged to give deeper dedication and commitment in addressing the nutritional needs of their locality, aid San Luis.


(from Panay News Online)

Concepcion keynotes 2nd IBC meet today

With the aim to boost the government’s efforts to strengthen its partnership with the private sector in synergizing major programs and advocacies in the country, particularly in the area of entrepreneurship, Jose Ma. Concepcion III, President and Chief Executive Officer of the RFM Corporation, was recently appointed as the Presidential Consultant on Entrepreneurship.

A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Management from the De La Salle University, Concepcion was a recipient of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines Award in 1995 and the Time Global 100 List of Young Leaders for the New Millennium in 1994.

His industry affiliations include memberships with the Philippine Association of Flourmillers (PAFMIL), Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers, Inc. (PCFM), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Philippine Association of Feedmillers (PAFMI), Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) and the Makati Business Club, Inc. (MBC). He is presently the Co-Chairman of the Agri-Business and Food Committee of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Concepcion will be the guest speaker in the 2nd General Membership Meeting of Iloilo Business Club (IBC) today, July 8, 2005, at Amigo Terrace Hotel. For seat reservations, please call the IBC Secretariat at (033) 3378341.


(from Panay News Online)

thank you, sandrin. I'm doin' fine. We are on high red alert at the moment here. All major hospitals across London area are clearing beds in lieu of the matter. All senior nurses are on-call at the moment. Thereby, naka-duty ako subong sa hospital just in case there'll be more causalties coming. There's a tight security around central London. There's a little bit of mayhem yesterday morning but late in the afternoon, transport starts to operate in a very minimal zones.

For the last two days, all of London is on great euphoria as we won the bid for OLYMPIC 2012 against Paris, France, New York, USA, Moscow, Russia and Madrid, Spain. Less than 2 days later, all the bliss we felt were transformed into shock and anger because of these bombings.

My mobile were filled with text messages coming from my relatives back home in Iloilo and my friends and relatives in the USA. Such an awful feeling though.

Anyways, thank you again.

Nice to hear you're alright wecky ... Shame on those terrorists for resorting to stupid measures.

Nice to hear you're alright wecky ... Shame on those terrorists for resorting to stupid measures.

YOU'RE WELCOME, CHYMERA.

I hope terrorists will never succeed with all their evil plans. Right now, there's a deafening silence around the city of London. Our Prime Minister (Tony Blair) is busy with the G8 Summit in Scotland, as UK is hosting the summit this year with the plan to help Africa Out of Poverty, and I think a discussion about climate change as well. G8 is a group of eight richest countries in the world - USA, France, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and United Kingdom.

It's such a shame though that things like these happened. We are all advised to stay tuned in all reports and updates and for further advisories. All telly in the ward, including the small telly in patients bedside are all on overnight. Accidents and Emergency area are all packed by doctors and nurses in preparation of further insurgencies. Our hospital (Royal Free Hospital) is one of the major hospitals in London with a bed capacity of 1,250 specialising in Liver Transplantation, Kidney Transplantation, Infectious Diseases and General surgeries, etc. Some of the casualties from bombings were sent to us but it was the Royal London Hospital which is near the area of commotion caters most. At least 90% of fatalities went to them.

Anyways, we'll keep you all updated.

Reiterately, thanks.

thanks for the info, whyte ... see you then.

Btw, are you going to attend the SSC forumers gathering in Iloilo? Chymera is organising it. Check at one of the thread about it.

Ill be in contact with CHYM before ill go home because can tbe sure of being online by then.
I am very much willing to attend if this "EB" pushes thru.
Hope to see you all

* glad you're all ok despite the attacks

Front Side
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/p7e0dc5333e93d962ff47f95d809b6c17/f40aa015.jpg

I remember this SM back in the 70s. There were bumping cars inside. Had great fun and it was the talk of the town.

I'm becoming more encouraged each time I see more development in Iloilo. Iloilo has been through a lot in the last 100yrs. The burning of the city in the Fil-American war, bombs fell on Iloilo in WWII, economy slowed down and surpassed by Cebu, etc. Maybe someday I can see clump of tall buildings and the financial district in Diversion Rd? Hopefully. It's slowly getting there. I would also like to see a revival of Calle Real!

* 1st there was only one building then they had an annex.tapos yung space sa gitna yung parang "tent" lang yung nagsisilbing bubuong para ka tumawid. I can still vividly remember how a security guard "pushed" over the part of the tent where rain water got stagnant LOL then after a while naging maganda na yugn bubong and of course hwo can forget the rides they had. plus their christmas timel ights display. then that area was integrated with the two buildings making one huge building. i remebered how people lined up when the 1st jollibee in the visayas opened there.excited ang lahat. SM really played a very big role in the live of the US, ilonggos.

* yup. a good renovation and preservation of calle real is really great. extending the said development up to the port/fort area would be an ambitious project. it is really good to have a commercial development complimented by cultural/historical preservation.

* id also like to see a "centralized" chinese community ala binondo for us to feel chinatown.

Friday, July 08, 2005
Tupas express: NGOs, Sakay Na!
By Ted Aldwin Ong


I ATTENDED the Provincial Development Council meeting last July 5, 2005 held at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol social hall. Its main agenda was to "endorse" the proposed 100-MW coal-fired power plant project of Mirant and D.M. Consunji in the towns of Barotac Viejo and Concepcion.

The Responsible Ilonggos for Sustainable Energy (Rise) earlier bared information that Governor Niel Tupas, Sr. together with the mayors of Barotac Viejo and Concepcion and the project proponents attempted to railroad the Executive Committee of the Regional Development Council (RDC) 6 into endorsing the coal-fired power plant projects in their meeting in June 16, 2005.

In a statement, Governor Tupas laughed off the issue raised by Rise and vehemently denied that he is railroading the establishment of the project.

Though the railroading happened in the "middle of the day", it was classic and expected of Governor Tupas to deny the issue that they attempted to railroad the Execom to secure a favorable endorsement.

If they did not attempt to railroad the Execom of RDC to endorse their pet projects, then why it was necessary for the PDC to endorse the projects? Going back to the PDC to secure an endorsement best explains a railroading to shortcut the process was attempted. "Basi makalusot pa man lang..."

They know that the Iloilo Provincial Development Council (PDC) has not endorsed the projects while the Iloilo Provincial Board rejected a similar project proposed in Banate through Resolution Number 04-134 duly signed by Governor Tupas himself. How ironic. I hope Governor Tupas will find time to review the resolution that he signed rejecting the same project being proposed by Mirant and DMCI.

It was obvious in the PDC that in an event of a votation, non-government organizations (NGOs) will end up marginalized even if the chairman of the PDC will come from their ranks. The representation of NGOs to the PDC is a minute 20 percent.

For me, this is a token gesture of the Provincial Government to boost their claims that they value the important role of NGOs in nation building especially in the Province of Iloilo.

There is no question on the role of NGO's in nation building. But what happened to NGO's present during the PDC meeting, delivers a clear message that indeed, there are many things to contemplate about on the role of NGO's especially on collegial bodies like the PDC and the RDC.

If the PDC and the RDC are venues for NGOs to compromise its vision and mission of development, I believe that compromises will characterize their presence in these collegial bodies. What happened in the PDC will happen again in the special meeting of the Regional Development Council set Saturday.

The Tupas express has taken the NGO's in the PDC and, of course in the RDC, for a smooth trip. For those who have not availed of the free ride, Sakay Na!

(Comments to peoplesdomain@yahoo.com or SMS to 0920-4284719)


(from Sunstar Iloilo News Online)

Friday, July 08, 2005
Collapse of age-old Moroboro Dam feared
By Lory Ann B. Bilbao


*Could affect nationwide supply of rice

THE 51-year-old Moroboro Dam in Dingle is in danger of collapsing.

This was revealed by Dumangas Mayor Rolly Distura in Thursday's launching of "Safe Ka Ba," the National Disaster Coordinating Council's (NDCC's) communications campaign on disaster preparedness at the New PNP Conference Room, Camp Delgado.

"The Moroboro Dam is in disarray right now," Distura, also the chairman of the NDCC added.

The Moroboro Dam provides irrigation to 11,000 farmers, 14,000 hectares of lands in the eight municipalities of the province namely Dingle, Zarraga, Pototan, Barotac Nuevo, Dumangas, Anilao, Banate, Passi City and San Enrique.

"Iloilo yields a 40-percent production of rice for the country, and most of it are produced by these municipalities," he said.

Distura explained that due to old age, the dam's 13 gates are unable to seal it, causing water to spill, creates a turbulence of an artificial pool which runs 50 meters, and a crevice of eight meters.

He added that refurbishing costs P61 million.

"Agriculture Secretary Yap is providing assistance in the amount of P14 million but it hasn't been transformed into cash at the moment," Distura said.

Distura also said that Governor Niel D. Tupas, Sr. promised to provide financial assistance upon the realization of the municipal assistance.

There is a need of cooperation in terms of renovating the dam the reason why he had asked the assistance of the NDCC.

Meanwhile, the highlight of the launch of "Safe Ka Ba" is the disclosure of the four-point action plan as policy guidelines by the NDCC.

First is the upgrading of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pag-asa) and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to improve their forecasting capability, implementing of a public information campaign on Disaster preparedness, conducting seminars on disaster preparedness, starting with disaster-prone areas and putting in place mechanisms for government and private sector partnership in relief and rehabilitation.

Stressed during the conference was the implementation of a public information campaign on disaster preparedness.

The campaign was geared to have an integrated strategic communications campaign that promotes and sustains a coherent and coordinated effort in disaster management through awareness, preparedness and response.

Delivery mechanisms such as posters and print ads will help attain the objective of enhancing public awareness and greater understanding of hazards and specific vulnerabilities.

Another goal of the campaign was the institutionalization of measures to mitigate hazards and prevent disaster by educating action agents and target population; garner optimum support for government through the promotion of mechanisms for cooperation between and among various groups and, institutionalization of disaster management as a security enhancer and a nation- building effort.

The campaign focused on preparedness on the disasters brought by calamities such as typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis.

Action agents were local government officials such as the League of the Municipalities of the Philippines, government agencies/ force providers such as the NDCC and Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC), media and the legislators.

RDCC director Rose Cabrera said that the NDCC and RDCC are now functional as indicated by the mobilization of operation centers, holding of regular and special meetings, establishment of policies and formulation of plans by the said force providers.

Police Regional Director Chief Superintendent Doroteo Reyes said that all that is needed for everyone to be safe is a good means of communication and clever and proper attention.

He also promised that the Philippine National Police would be on their post to help.

"Security and safety is not fixated in our day to day activities but it can be attacked and demolished," he said.



(from Sunstar Iloilo News Online)

Ill be in contact with CHYM before ill go home because can tbe sure of being online by then.
I am very much willing to attend if this "EB" pushes thru.
Hope to see you all

* glad you're all ok despite the attacks


Thank you, Whyte. We're all fine here in London. Almsot everything is back to normal now.

Keep in touch with Chymera as well. I have his number already. Hope to get in touch with him when I arrive in Iloilo City.

See you all! Godbless!

Iloilo archbishop elected CBCP president

First posted 03:16pm (Mla time) July 09, 2005
By Christian Esguerra
Inquirer News Service



ARCHBISHOP Angel Lagdameo of Jaro, Iloilo was elected president of the influential Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) during the group's 91st plenary meeting in Manila on Saturday.

He was previously CBCP vice president.


Lagdameo, 64, was among the few bishops to break their silence over the controversy surrounding the President's alleged cheating in the 2004 election. He called on his Jaro flock to "strongly reject the path of violence and revolution" in resolving the crisis.
"We do not set right a wrong with another wrong," he wrote on June 30. "It is the people, poor, innocent people who often suffer the most in violence and revolution."



(from Inquirer Net)

RP-SPAIN FRIENDSHIP WEEK
A celebration of past and present

First posted 10:51pm (Mla time) July 08, 2005
By Ma. Diosa Labiste
Inquirer News Service



Editor's Note: Published on Page A19 of the July 9, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer



WRITER Cecilia Nava-Locsin likens the Spanish influence in Iloilo to a palimpsest or an ancient parchment that had been written on more than once. The earlier text, however, has not been completely erased and will appear on the parchment through time.

Nava-Locsin's metaphor was adopted by Iloilo writers and artists, who opened the two-day celebration of Spanish-Filipino Friendship Week in Iloilo City, 107 years after the Spanish government surrendered to Filipino revolutionaries on a Christmas Day.

The event gained impetus from a resolution passed by the city council in May, declaring every last week of June as Philippines-Spain Friendship Week. "Despite the reluctance to Spanish dominance, there are things worth remembering, like the gift of Christianity, education and economics," the resolution read.

Iloilo City was Spain's last capital in Asia after Manila fell to the Americans in 1898. Gen. Diego de los Rios was appointed Spanish-General of the Philippines, with Iloilo serving as temporary capital.

Elite

In 1892, the Katipunan movement began in Manila and quickly spread to provinces in Luzon, but not in Iloilo where most members of the elite remained loyal to the Spaniards because they derived economic benefits from their allegiance. When the revolution broke out in August 1896, the Ilonggo rich were angry.

The Spanish authorities organized the Ilonggo Volunteer Battalion, which sailed to Manila and fought the Katipuneros in Cavite. After a year, the unit returned to Iloilo and Spain's Queen Regent Maria Cristina issued a special decree on June 11, 1897, bestowing on Iloilo City the title of "La Muy Leal y Noble" (Most Loyal and Noble). The title is still part of the city's official seal today.

As Spain's fall was inevitable, the governor general left on Dec. 24, 1898, on board the ship "Churruca" en route to Zamboanga before sailing to Spain. The next day, the revolutionaries marched triumphantly to the city in what was said to be the most glorious Christmas that Iloilo ever had.

Remembering past

Eric Divinagracia of the University of San Agustin, who helped organize the opening of the Philippines-Spain Friendship Week at the Museo Iloilo, said "Palimpsesto" celebrated the past and the present. It was subtitled "Anum ka Tigduag nga Irong-Ironganon kag Palatuntunan sa Tumandok nga Pulong" (A Contemporary Visual Arts Exhibit and Presentation of Spanish-inspired Hiligaynon Literature).

"While we recognize our rich heritage influenced by Spain, we also moved on," said Divinagracia.

Hiligaynon writer and lawyer Agustin Misola read his poem "Filipinas y España Dia de Amistad," recalling Spain's contribution to Filipino culture.

"No escondemos la verdad del pasado ... /La soberbia y latigos del tiempo /Pero, de Madre España, que rico /Nuestro hermoso recuerdo!" (We do not hide the truth of the past ... /The arrogance and whips of time /But from Mother Spain, how rich /Our beautiful remembrance!)

Another Spanish poem, "A la Raza Hispaña" (The Spanish Race), written by Flavio Cano Zaragoza, and excerpts from the works of Ilonggo writer Magdalena Jalandoni were recited.

Zaragoza wrote in Spanish and Jalandoni's was exclusively in a flowery Hiligaynon akin to the grandeur and cadence of the Spanish language, said writer John Iremil Teodoro.

This is no surprise. Scholars say that Hiligaynon, which is widely spoken in Western Visayas and in several provinces in Mindanao, is the third language in the country that is heavily infused with Spanish, after Chavacano and Bikol.

Divinagracia noted that writers in Iloilo have several tongues. Among them are Hiligaynon, English, Spanish and Kiniray-a.

During his time, Zaragoza was criticized for writing in Spanish. But, he said, "[T]here was ... never hatred. Our aim was to choose rather than to reject and we choose that which is good, of which there was an abundance."

Colonial influences

The exhibit of six artists showed paintings with modern temperament but, in palimpsest spirit, still bear traces of Spanish tradition. Featured were the works of Norman Posecion, Kristine Garcia, Livy Limoso, Golberg Villanueva, Christian Lozanes and Jorell Dimapindan.
Zafiro Ledesma II, in charge of the Museo Iloilo, said that if you scratched the core of the young painters, their colonial past would show.

The celebration included a trade fair, Spanish wine appreciation seminar, cooking demonstration and flamenco workshop and performance.
The University of San Agustin hosted a Spanish film festival and lecture on "Spanish Influences on Philippine Architecture" by Instituto Cervantes.

Tertulia

The afternoon of June 29 was reserved for grand but leisurely "Tertulia y Tapas" at the Sarabia Manor Hotel, a dinner-fashion show of Spanish-inspired Filipino gowns by Patis Tesoro and Jackie Peñalosa. Among the models was former Sen. Anna Dominique Coseteng.

Ending the affair was the "Noche de Gala," a cultural presentation of dances and songs by the University of San Agustin Troubadours and the Kawilihan dance troupe. The Centro Flamenco presented many kinds of flamenco, tango and traditional Spanish dances.

Some quarters criticized the two-day celebration as elitist because it only involved the well-heeled, many of whom belong to the city's old rich and whose names were Spanish-sounding. The unshod descendants of revolutionaries who liberated Iloilo were forgotten, they said.

The organizers refuted the criticisms, saying that a civic group sponsored the tickets for schoolchildren to watch the presentation of Spanish songs and dances. They added that they had opened the activities to the public.


(from Inquirer Net Online)

Look, fishponds in the Northern shores of Iloilo ... arent they pretty? I saw ones of Capiz, and they're even more impressive!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/etching/fishponds.jpg

Larger version of Satellite Pic (Credits to GOOGLE!)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/etching/iloilo.jpg

I am so disappointed with Sen. Franklin Drilon ... first he pledges his overwhelming support to Ms. Arroyo during the Fil-Spanish week here in Iloilo then in less than a month (even a week) ... He (and his party) makes a televised statement backing GMAs Resignation. AMP bakit ganyan siya? bakit ganyan sila? pati si Cori nadala din :(

I've been hearing all these news about the people losing their trust with GMA ... that certainly is not true here in Iloilo! not even the majority of Visayas, Mindanao. We will not agree to GMA resigning due to the calls of a minority (MM and parts of Luzon), and more so to the malicious interests of her political opponents!

WESTERN VISAYAS
A Report on 2003 GDP Performance
(Data from NSCB official website)

Despite the SARS scare and threat of Iraq war, the Philippine economy sustained its resiliency as the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) grew by 4.7 percent in 2003 from 4.3 percent in 2002. The Service sector, which accounted for 46.7 percent of the total economy, recorded an accelerated growth of 5.8 percent in 2003 from a 5.1 percent increase in 2002. Also performing favorably is the Industry sector, whose growth inched up to 3.8 percent from a 3.6 percent in 2002 and had a 33.5 percent share to the total GDP. Meanwhile, the aggregate Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry (AFF), which comprised 19.9 percent of the economy, sustained its 3.8 percent growth in 2002.

For 2003, the highest growth of 11.0 percent was recorded for MIMAROPA. This was followed by Western Visayas (5.9 percent), Northern Mindanao (5.6 percent), Bicol Region (5.4 percent) and the National Capital Region (NCR) (5.3 percent). On the other hand, the bottom three in terms of growth, were CARAGA (0.9 percent), Cagayan Valley (1.3 percent) and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) (2.6 percent).

Of the nine (9) regions that maintained its existing configuration, four posted accelerated growths outpacing their 2002 performance. These included Western Visayas (5.9 percent), the National Capital Region (NCR) (5.3 percent), Eastern Visayas (5.2 percent), and Central Visayas (4.6 percent). Meanwhile, Cagayan Valley recorded a turn-around from a negative 1.2 percent growth in 2002 to a positive 1.3 percent growth in 2003. Conversely, Bicol Region, Ilocos Region and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) posted decelerated growths of 5.4percent, 3.5percent and 3.0percent, respectively.

Executive Orders Numbered 36 and 103, split Region IV into IV-A (CALABARZON) and IV-B (MIMAROPA); reclassified Aurora province under Region III from Region IV and reconfigured the Mindanao regions except for CARAGA.

Based on the new configuration, Central Luzon posted a 3.6 percent growth. CALABARZON, 3.8 percent, MIMAROPA, 11.0 percent, Zamboanga Peninsula, 4.5 percent, Northern Mindanao, 5.6 percent, Davao Region, 4.2 percent, SOCCSKSARGEN Region, 3.8 percent and ARMM, 2.6 percent.

NCR continued to occupy the bulk of the country’s economy as it had a 30.5 percent share to the total. This was followed by CALABARZON with 13.0 percent, Central Luzon with 9.0 percent, Western Visayas with 7.2 percent and Central Visayas 7.0 percent).

The regions which posted the biggest contribution to GDP growth were NCR (1.6 percentage points), CALABARZON (0.5 percentage point), Western Visayas (0.4 percentage point), and Central Luzon, Central Visayas, MIMAROPA, and Northern Mindanao with 0.3 percentage point each.

Western Visayas further expanded in 2003 as it posted an accelerated growth of 5.9 percent from a 4.4 percent in 2002. The increase was driven by the improved performance in all major sectors with AFF exhibiting the biggest improvement from 0.5 percent increase to 3.4 percent in 2003; Industry, 6.4 percent from 4.1 percent; and Services, 7.3 percent from 7.1percent.

In terms of per capita GRDP, MIMAROPA posted the highest per capita growth rate in 2003 at 7.6 percent. Of the non-reconfigured regions, the following regions surpassed their 2002 GRDP per capita: NCR (0.9 percent to 3.0percent), Western Visayas (2.9 percent to 4.5 percent), Central Visayas (0.8 percent to 2.4 percent), and Eastern Visayas (1.0 percent to 3.5 percent) Meanwhile, Cagayan Valley improved from a negative 2.9 percent to a negative 0.5 percent growth.

NCR remained as the region with the highest per capita index at 235.7 outdoing the national index set at 100.00. This was followed by CAR with 137.9 index, Northern Mindanao with 104.9 and CALABARZON with 103.4. The rest of the regions have lower per capita indices than the national average.

Western Visyas:
2nd Highest GDRP Growth in 2003 (5.9) next to MIMAROPA
Accelerated Growth from 2002 (4.4-5.9)
4th Largest Contributor to GDP in 2003 (7.2)
3rd Largest Contributor to GDP Growth in 2003 (0.4) next to NCR and CALABARZON
2nd Largest GDP/Capita Growth in 2003 (4.5) next to MIMAROPA


PHILIPPINES 1,081,498,510 (Contribution to GDP)

LUZON 711,024,316 66%
NCR METRO MANILA 330,017,672
CAR CORDILLERA 26,138,524
I ILOCOS 32,259,268
II CAGAYAN VALLEY 22,686,808
III CENTRAL LUZON 97,470,120
IV SOUTHERN TAGALOG
IVA CALABARZON 140,153,296
IVB MIMAROPA 31,271,824
V BICOL 31,026,804

VISAYAS 177,599,581 16%
VI WESTERN VISAYAS 77,326,810
VII CENTRAL VISAYAS 75,735,126
VIII EASTERN VISAYAS 24,537,645

MINDANAO 192,874,613 18%
IX ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA 28,563,567
X NORTHERN MINDANAO 52,235,087
XI DAVAO REGION 48,825,613
XII SOCCSKSARGEN 38,697,681
ARMM MUSLIM MINDANAO 9,939,020
XIII CARAGA 14,613,645

REGION / YEAR 2003
VI WESTERN VISAYAS 21,832,445
3rd Largest AFF after Central Luzon and CALABARZON


REGION / YEAR 2003
VI VI WESTERN VISAYAS 19,544,634
4th Highest after MM, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Central Visayas

REGION / YEAR 2003
VI WESTERN VISAYAS 35,949,731
4th Highest after MM, CALABARZON, Central Luzon, Central Visayas

All regions registered positive growths in 2003 with Western Visayas capping the top slot as it posted a 7.3 percent increase in 2003. Equally growing by 6.3 percent were Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas and ARMM while Zamboanga Peninsula and Northern Mindanao posted 6.2 percent growths. In terms of contribution to growth, NCR accounted for 2.5 percentage points of the 5.8 percent growth in Services while CLABARZON, Western Visayas and Eastern Visayas each contributed 0.5 percentage point to the growth of the sector.

Look, fishponds in the Northern shores of Iloilo ... arent they pretty? I saw ones of Capiz, and they're even more impressive!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/etching/fishponds.jpg

Larger version of Satellite Pic (Credits to GOOGLE!)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/etching/iloilo.jpg

thanks for the pics, Chymera.

I am so disappointed with Sen. Franklin Drilon ... first he pledges his overwhelming support to Ms. Arroyo during the Fil-Spanish week here in Iloilo then in less than a month (even a week) ... He (and his party) makes a televised statement backing GMAs Resignation. AMP bakit ganyan siya? bakit ganyan sila? pati si Cori nadala din :(

I've been hearing all these news about the people losing their trust with GMA ... that certainly is not true here in Iloilo! not even the majority of Visayas, Mindanao. We will not agree to GMA resigning due to the calls of a minority (MM and parts of Luzon), and more so to the malicious interests of her political opponents!


Drilon is acting in behalf of his party, I guess. I'm not disappointed with Liberal Party's decision but I am not amenable at all for GMA's resignation. The whole world is laughing on us Filipinos. It's because, we cast our vote, then few years later, we impeach, oust or do revolt to take our elected officials fromt their office.

Hopefully, we in Western Visayas (esp Iloilo) will continue to support GMA. Let Manila do what they want. We can always stand on our own here in WV.

WESTERN VISAYAS
A Report on 2003 GDP Performance
(Data from NSCB official website)


Western Visyas:
2nd Highest GDRP Growth in 2003 (5.9) next to MIMAROPA
Accelerated Growth from 2002 (4.4-5.9)
4th Largest Contributor to GDP in 2003 (7.2)
3rd Largest Contributor to GDP Growth in 2003 (0.4) next to NCR and CALABARZON
2nd Largest GDP/Capita Growth in 2003 (4.5) next to MIMAROPA


The data you've provided Chymera only shows how economically viable we are in Western Visayas. We have the two biggest cities in the Philippines (Iloilo and Bacolod). We have the capacity to run our own federal republic just in case. In the coming years, two international airports will be open in Western Visayas (Iloilo International Airport and Bacolod Regional Airport). We simply can.

I reviewed all the data again. I even reviewed some data supplied by one of the forumers here as well .. (i forgot which thread it is .. seems like a colour coding map of the Philippines. I tried to relocate again). I am so impressed with the performance of Western Visayas.

To all Ilonggos .. Hala Bira !

Support WESTERN VISAYAS REPUBLIC !

ILOILO

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

CAPIZ

AKLAN

ANTIQUE

GUIMARAS

and

PALAWAN

http://www.iloilo.net/dot/r6/maps/map_wv.gif

and

http://www.pioneerexpeditions.com/images/palawan_map.gif

By Atty. Helen Camarista

Latest DOT transport guidelines


The Department of Tourism (DOT) through the Office of Tourism Standards headed by lawyer Ma. Victoria V. Jasmin, Director, in agreement with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the related new Memorandum Circulars issued by said agency, has come up with the new policies and guidelines on tourist transport operations, as follows:

The Department of Tourism Regional Offices shall process all applications of tourist transport operators within their area of jurisdiction for purposes of DOT accreditation and endorsement to LTFRB.

• A DOT accreditation shall be a pre-requisite for endorsement of the proponent's application for conversion of franchise.

• The DOT Regional Offices shall likewise process and endorse to LTFRB the applications for dropping and substitution of units and extension of validity of franchise of tourist transport operators.

• Only the applications of those units which were issued DOT endorsement and/or those which were previously accredited by the DOT shall be accepted for original or renewal of accreditation.

• Vehicles which were issued tourist coupon and tourist chartered transport service franchise by the LTFRB are required to paint “How's My Driving” marking on the vehicles' body as per LTFRB MC #2005-006 (details of the marking are specified in the circular)

• Vehicles with Tourist Rent a Car Transport Service Franchise are exempted from the painting of the “How's My Driving” marking.

• The maximum age limit for tourist transport vehicles are as follows:

Cars and vans – 10 years reckoned from the year of manufacture

Buses and coasters – 15 years reckoned from the year of manufacture.

Accommodation facilities may be allowed a maximum of two (2) vehicles to service guests without a need to secure franchise.


-o0o-


Events calendar


July 15-September 30, 2005 –Deadline for submission of application forms for Essay Writing Contest and Slogan Making Contest; and July 29, 2005 - Deadline for submission of application forms for the On-the-Spot Postern Making Contest; sponsored by the Office of the Ombudsman in cooperation with the European Commission.

July 22, 2005 – Kabugana-an Thanksgiving & Recognition Program

(Venue to be announced)

July 29, 2005 - 25 th Anniversary of Women in Travel-Manila and launching of its nationwide project dubbed “ In Search of a New Philippine Destination”.

August 7-9, 2005 – Boracay Cruise, Central Philippine University Centennial

September 15-17, 2005 – Festivals of Western Visayas Exhibit, SM City, Iloilo City presented by the Institute of HRM and Tourism, Negros Navigation Co. and SM City

September 9-11, 2005 – 16 th Philippine Travel Mart, Megatrade Halls 1, 2 & 3, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City with the theme “WOW! The Best of the Philippines! Tara Na! Biyahe Na!”

September 27, 2005 - World Tourism Day with the theme “Travel and transport: from the imaginary of Jules Verne to the reality of the 21 st century”



(from the News Today Info Online)

Bridging the Gap
By Henry F. Funtecha

The death knell of the Port of Iloilo


As the primary port in Western Visayas and the secondary port in the whole country, the Iloilo Port during its golden days was the entrepot of trade and commerce solely emanating from the sugar industry. Logically, the inflow of cash into Iloilo City's coffers depended much on the volume of business made at the water front.

The improvements done in the Iloilo River, in general, and at the Iloilo Port, in particular, were limited only in the physical aspects, i.e. dredging, installation of facilities and the like. The absence of a comprehensive plan on both the Iloilo River and the Iloilo Port resulted to situations where Iloilo City was caught unprepared in facing problems pertaining to the wellbeing of the river. What happened, therefore, was that the American colonial government's all-out support and efforts in improving the port of Iloilo made it the city's foremost and best economic asset upon which other aspects of Ilonggo life rest while neglecting other potentials Iloilo River has.

The outbreak of World War II signaled the death knell of the Port of Iloilo and, naturally, the “Queen City of the South”. The Japanese began their bombing sorties in Iloilo City on December 18, 1941 and destroyed several sections of the city, including structures in Muelle Loney (The Manila Tribune, December 19, 1941). This was just the beginning of a long war. As it unfolded, some sections of the city became war zones. What was apparent at this time was that commercial and industrial centers in the city were the primary targets of Japanese bombers.

By the end of the World War II, Iloilo City was almost reduced to ashes. The bombings made by the Japanese and American pilots in the course of the conflict leveled much of Iloilo 's waterfront—the city's prime asset. Of the twenty-three sugar warehouses situated at the Iloilo pier, the majority of them were either destroyed or abandoned during the war and never resumed their operations in the post-war period (McCoy, 1977). As to the other structures along the Iloilo River, they did not escape from the destruction brought about by the war.

The cessation of the war also marked the ninth year of silt accumulation in the Iloilo River. It must be noted that the last dredging work done in the river was in 1937. The decline and eventual death of Iloilo City as the “Queen City of the South” also resulted to the Iloilo Port losing its prominence. Indirectly, too, Iloilo River suffered a major setback since government efforts at improving it was directly dependent on the Iloilo Port. From 1938 to 1946, there was practically no activity with regards to the improvement of the Iloilo Port and the Iloilo River. The silt that had accumulated in the Iloilo River rendered Iloilo's harbor no longer accessible to foreign ships and inter-island vessels. As a result, the waterfront was closed to all shipping. All shipments of Negros sugar from Iloilo City ceased, and the bodegas that brought the fortunes to the city were gone. In effect, the economic bond between the city and the sugar industry, attenuated during the 1930's, was now severed.

As can be recalled, labor disputes in the 1930's at the Iloilo waterfront intensified the worsening conditions of that time. Battle for control of the docks resulted in a number of violent encounters between two contending labor groups that were both backed up by local politicians. Businessmen and dock officials frequently were coerced into lending support, by granting contracts, to one side or the other. Passengers were harassed and the Iloilo waterfront became unpleasant and frequently was a dangerous place to do business. They resulted to the flight of business and capital, and the eventual gross neglect of the waterfront. All these, ultimately, resulted to the death of the once heralded dynamic Port of Iloilo and its vibrant queen, the City of Iloilo.



(from the News Today Info Online)

WOW this was fast ... We can now move on to a Iloilo City and Province Thread # 3! We've past the 500th post! Congratulations!

* 1st there was only one building then they had an annex.tapos yung space sa gitna yung parang "tent" lang yung nagsisilbing bubuong para ka tumawid. I can still vividly remember how a security guard "pushed" over the part of the tent where rain water got stagnant LOL then after a while naging maganda na yugn bubong and of course hwo can forget the rides they had. plus their christmas timel ights display. then that area was integrated with the two buildings making one huge building. i remebered how people lined up when the 1st jollibee in the visayas opened there.excited ang lahat. SM really played a very big role in the live of the US, ilonggos.

* yup. a good renovation and preservation of calle real is really great. extending the said development up to the port/fort area would be an ambitious project. it is really good to have a commercial development complimented by cultural/historical preservation.

* id also like to see a "centralized" chinese community ala binondo for us to feel chinatown.

I would really like to see Calle Real back and cleaned up. As a kid growing up in the early 70's, Calle Real was the only place! Although of course I don't mind big malls now. Calle Real though mind as well have been wonderland for a small boy seeing all the stores and all the goodies :) Also they have to do something about Ft. San Pedro. Fix it up, make it a park or whatever. In the 70's, it was one of the good places to go and play, it had open spaces for playgrounds, nice view of the straight and Guimaras and watching ships pass by and you see and smell (and eat) the barbecue chicken they sell. Sorry for sharing my sentimental past. :)

Seafdec hosts int’l fisheries gab in Iloilo


This southern Philippines city takes center stage today as the Southeast Asian Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Seafdec) holds a regional consultation on fisheries concerns at the Iloilo Business Hotel.

World-renowned scientists who made good in fisheries and aquaculture development are gracing the Regional Technical Consultation on Stock Enhancement of Species Under International Concern which will begin at 9 a.m.

Dr. Rolando Platon, Seafdec aquaculture department chief, said the consultation aims to determine the status of threatened species of international concern from Southeast Asia and intends to assess the region’s expertise and capabilities in their stock enhancement.

Plans of action to restock coastal waters with species that have been depleted by over-fishing and habitat destruction will also be formulated, he said.

During the consultation, representatives of every Southeast Asian country will present a paper on the status of threatened species and stock enhancement activities in their countries.

Stock enhancement is a type of fishery intervention where the young of depleted or threatened species are freed in natural waters to form part of the common fishery reserve.

The consultation participants include Chin Da of Cambodia’s Department of Fisheries, Nurul Istiqomah of Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Dr. Katsuhiro Kiso of Japan’s Fisheries Research Agency, Hanh Choundara of Laos’ Department of Livestock and Fisheries, Kamaruddin Bin Ibrahim of Malaysia’s Turtle and Marine Ecosystem Centre, Kyaw Myo Win of Myanmar’s Department of Fisheries, Marnop Chaengkij of Thailand’s Department of Fisheries, Thai Ngoc Chien of Vietnam’s Research Institute of Aquaculture, and Nelson Lopez of the Philippines’ Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

The invited resource persons are Dr. Sena De Silva of Deaken University in Australia, Dr. Ma. Rowena Eguia of Seafdec Binangonan Water Station, Dr. Edgardo Gomez of UP-Diliman, Dr. Benjamin Gonzales of DA-BFAR, Dr. Thuy Nguyen of the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific, Marie Frances Nievales of UP in the Visayas, Dr. Koichi Okuzawa of Seafdec Aquaculture Dept., Naruepon Sukumasavin of the Dept. of Fisheries in Thailand, Dr. Takuma Sugaya of the Fisheries Development Agency in Japan, Suriyan Vichitlekarn of Seafdec Secretariat in Thailand, Chavalit Vidthayanon of the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand and Dr. Amanda Vincent of the University of British Columbia in Canada.

The three-day consultation will culminate with field and study visits in Seafdec’s aquaculture department stations and at the handloom weaving centers in Miag-ao, Iloilo; presentation of workshop output and adoption of recommendations for future directions; and a press conference with Iloilo’s tri-media.


(from Panay News Online)

Palawan ceremonial turnover on Aug. 18


The Regional Development Council (RDC) in Western Visayas has set the ceremonial turnover of Palawan and Puerto Princesa City from Region 4-A to Region 6 on August 18, 2005 at Mambukal Resort Murcia, Negros Occidental.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) regional director Evelyn A. Trompeta, who supervises the turnover process, said Palawan governor Joel Reyes and Puerto Princesa mayor Edward Hagedorn will grace the event.

Palawan province’s inclusion to Region 6 was made possible through President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Executive Order 429.

RDC’s Development Administration Committee (DAC) has drafted Resolution No. 7 recognizing Palawan and Puerto Princesa City as new members.

RCD-DAC also crafted Resolution No. 8, urging airline companies and shipping lines to establish transport link between Palawan and Iloilo City and Panay and Resolution No.9, urging regional line agencies in Region IV-B to transfer their operations and logistics which include personnel, assets and funds in Palawan to Region 6 by August but not later than December 2005.

Resolution No.1 requests regional line agencies in Region IV-B to provide RDC6 with a copy of the implementation/action plans on the transfer of the Province of Palawan and Puerto Princesa City to Region 6 in line with the EO.

All draft resolutions will be presented to the RDC for approval on August 18.

Palawan’s inclusion in Western Visayas increase the number of local governments in the region to seven provinces, two highly-urbanized cities, 15 component cities and 140 municipalities. There will also be 20 congressional districts in the new set-up.


(from Panay News Online)

I would really like to see Calle Real back and cleaned up. As a kid growing up in the early 70's, Calle Real was the only place! Although of course I don't mind big malls now. Calle Real though mind as well have been wonderland for a small boy seeing all the stores and all the goodies :) Also they have to do something about Ft. San Pedro. Fix it up, make it a park or whatever. In the 70's, it was one of the good places to go and play, it had open spaces for playgrounds, nice view of the straight and Guimaras and watching ships pass by and you see and smell (and eat) the barbecue chicken they sell. Sorry for sharing my sentimental past. :)

i still remember enjoying the rotary park and the nearby area when i was a kid.hopefully the city government will take a cue from the BUHAYIN ANG MAYNILA vision of mayor atienza.a park with restos, concert area, etc would be most appropriate.hopefully the squatters can be relocated in the metro area towns

Experience Iloilo and Guimaras
By Jane C. Mangalus, Editorial Assistant
Thursday, 07 14, 2005
http://www.tribune.net.ph/
LIFE SECTION

Hala Bira Iloilo!

The lyrics of an ethnic song playing in the background made Wow Philippines visitors curious about the launching of “Experience Iloilo and Guimaras” at the Clamshell 1 last June 25. Still part of the Philippines' Best program of the Department of Tourism, “Experience Iloilo and Guimaras” was a way of inviting people to these places specially in 2006 when the local government and the private sector have prepared activities for potential visitors.

An array of local products were being sold such as dilis, mangoes, fabrics, caramel tarts and lots more. Just half an hour later, the mango peeling and eating contest started. Everyone cheered for their bets.

To entertain the viewers, the group Tribu Sibunag presented a breathtaking number which was said to have won a gold prize in a local competition.

But what do Guimaras and Iloilo have to lure a traveler? Why not go to other countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Europe, or the US, or other well-visited places of the country?

The Iloilo City Convention Bureau (ICCB) was formed in response to the question of how Iloilo can become a convention destination. The bureau, headed by Dr. Teresa Sarabia, has the following roles: (1) attract convention delegates and leisure visitors; (2) provide information to associations, corporations, NGOs and organizers about the city and province; (3) assist groups with meeting preparations and organizations; (4) offer training to members; (5) provide members the opportunity to network with each other in order to learn more about new products and services; and (6) act as policy advocate so that Iloilo will improve its infrastructures, facilities and services for residents and visitors and work with the mayor and governor.

A short video presentation featured the logo created for Iloilo City, a graphic rendition of a starfish with a carved “I” (for Iloilo”), which can also be seen as a “C” (for City/ Convention). These symbols aim to project the place as a coastal city with safe harbors, clean beaches, seafoods and world-class souvenirs. The bright colors of the patadyong promise different activities for the visitors.

Iloilo leaders, as well as its people, know that tourism helps develop the place, but they are also aware that their beautiful beaches, scrumptious food, and high-quality handicrafts are not enough to attract travelers. What tourists keep in mind nowadays is not only seeing the best places and experiencing good tradition but most importantly, ensuring that they are in good hands.

Peace and order is guaranteed in Iloilo and Guimaras. As the guests during the event said, Ilongos are a peace-loving people.


What to look forward to...

In Iloilo, a visit is not complete without being able to see the oldest golf course in the country, which is found in Sta. Barbara. Offshore fishing, scuba diving, water skiing and swimming are also good leisure activities to consider.

While in Guimaras, see the mountain bike races or cheer in the Iloilo-Guimaras Paraw (sailboat) race in the summer. McArthur's wharf and Navalas church are some of the best historical places to see. Find answers to your spiritual concerns at the Trappist Monastery or trek the Balaan Bukid (holy mountain). And do not forget to eat and bring home baskets of fresh, juicy mangoes.

back from the dead pala ang website :D
quite lucky enough to have my original still intact

Time for a third thread chymera :)

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/etching/IndependenceDayBanner2.jpg

Iloilo City and Province thread I (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=166860&page=1)
Iloilo City and Province thread II (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=214487)

Time for a third thread! Hopefully there will be more pictures added to the collection as wecky will be coming back here in Iloilo! We have planned for a sort of Forum Meet, I hope it all goes out as planned :) Sorry for the delay, got caught up in school lately :)

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/IloiloLocation.jpg

Iloilo City, Philippines

FACTS & FIGURES (Updated!)
Land Area : 56 sq. km (2004)
No. of Barangays: 180 (As of September 2003)
No. of Districts: 6 (As of September 2003)
Total Population: 365,820 (As of May 1,2000 census)
Total Population: 400,000 (2005 Estimate)
Population Density: Iloilo - 6,533 (As of May 1,2000 census)
Population Growth Rates: 1.93 (1995-2000)
Income Class: First
Consumer Price Index (2000=100): 129.1 (2004)
Inflation Rate: 7.7 (2004)
Purchasing Power of Peso: 0.77 (2004)
Average Family Income: 283,604 (2000)
No. of Elementary Schools:
Public: 52 (SY 2003-2004)
Private: 29 (SY 2003-2004)
No. of Secondary Schools:
Public : 14 (SY 2003-2004)
Private: 15 (SY 2003-2004)
No. of Tertiary Schools: 30 (SY 2003-2004)
No. of Health Centers: 7 (2003)
No. of Barangay Health Stations: 44 (2003)
No. of Motor Vehicles Registered: 49,408 (2004)

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/iloilobanner.jpg

Recap of the second thread:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/Label.jpg

Iloilo City Pano
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/Panorama2.jpg

SM Delgado
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/p0b445a096a637f76c419c062522dec87/f40aa017.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/p7e0dc5333e93d962ff47f95d809b6c17/f40aa015.jpg

General Luna St.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/p3934015f1667bcb9309ec695ae516a75/f40a958e.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/p460a04dfa75f24cb6f1019c0fa983a9d/f40a958d.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/pa498e5b64967c7dffa7f997af87e3938/f40a958c.jpg

Pano of Whole Downtown up to Molo District (Molo Church is visible):
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/Panorama1.jpg

Iloilo Provincial Capitol
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/p90dbf16c52fbedbcd47951a391b1202f/f40086b0.jpg

Smallville Business Center
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/p8f5a6b4c58903a150d6f6683413f76c1/f40086b4.jpg

Diversion Road
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid170/p5749cc56a928965621a6f16b117436ea/f40067c6.jpg

Downtown
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/p83aa08f66a5338aa057b7ea152c3d90c/f40086bd.jpg

Muelle Loney, Domestic Port
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/IloiloRiver3.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid170/p6f93fda6ea548cfc58968f434cd11b94/f3fc76fb.jpg

Iloilo River
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid170/pa8dceb6d5297eae2dcb6c4dbb1a62958/f3fc76f7.jpg

Sicogon Island, Estancia
http://home2.pacific.net.ph/~icp_natl/images/sicogon1.jpg
http://home2.pacific.net.ph/~icp_natl/images/sicogon2.jpg
(from:http://www.asiatravel.com/iloinfo.html)

Iloilo Port
http://www.lakbaypilipinas.com/images/visayas_iloilo_port.jpg
http://www001.upp.so-net.ne.jp/gaki/cusyomeh.jpg

Mandurriao District
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/Panorama3.jpg

Gen. Luna St. - Benigno Aquino diversion Ave. Intersection
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/GenLunaSt-DiversionRoad.jpg

Sta. Teresita Church
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/Downtown2.jpg

Downtown
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/Downtown.jpg

Old Mansions
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid53/p5942b622e069b09cdb604f51cb157b67/fc8c20f1.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid53/p0a932353fb4e504a35c09797d247a2a6/fc8c1cc1.jpg

Fort San Pedro
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid53/p911d05b7d931044d2fcbbe9a7c27d5a4/fc8c204a.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid53/p80927709207669a277a6ca4a565fc941/fc8c20cf.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/JalandoniBridge.jpg

More Pictures:

Iloilo City (Credits to www.google.com)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/etching/iloilo.jpg

Fish Ponds in Iloilo Province
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Paseo Iloilo at Robinson's Place Iloilo
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid172/p334c4e04d56ed18ef2fdc19a9f2feff0/f3c09098.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid172/pa6fb8484a96ebb893fef69e35a384d65/f3c09091.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid172/p3a89ea31864dd11b4dd8b20704e55fc1/f3c09090.jpg

On Top of Hall of Justice
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid172/pad9985cd8784d1f9871d7dea0978f975/f3c0908d.jpg

Molo District with Molo Church
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid172/pb20694c687512bdb823816a36d4be318/f3c0908f.jpg

St Paul's University and St. Paul's Hospital
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid172/p55addaa049e55bfe5846c33ce7849118/f3c09096.jpg

Iloilo City is model LGU in the Phil.
(from http://www.thenewstoday.info/20050722/iloilonews8.htm)

Iloilo City was adjudged as one of the model local government units in the Philippines for Best Practices besting other entries coming from the different cities in the country.

The citation was given by the League of Cities of the Philippines in cooperation with the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA).

Other winners were Calbayog in Western Samar, Cebu, Tagbilaran City in Bohol, Surigao, Island Garden City of Samal, Marikina, Naga and San Fernando in La Union.

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas presented the Iloilo City government's private and public partnership through Dinagyang Festival.

The organization and implementation of the Dinagyang festival was given to the private sector in 2002 immediately after the assumption into office of Treñas.

Entries for LCP Best Practices were judged according to its efficiency, transparency, effectiveness of the program, safety and security, transferability and sustainability, poverty reduction or the ability of the program to significantly reduce poverty in the city and innovativeness.

Meanwhile, the city government is slated to conduct a working session for public governance strategy on July 26 th and 27 th . Participants include leaders from the media, youth, academe, civic and professional organizations and business groups. (Adora B. Bandorio/PIO)

City tourist arrivals up
(from http://www.thenewstoday.info/20050722/iloilonews9.htm)

Tourist arrivals in this Southern metropolis has significantly increased in the first six months of this year compared with the same period last year.

In a report submitted to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, city tourism officer Heloise Javellana said that based on the monitoring report submitted by the city's tourism information assistance center (TIAC), the recorded arrivals at the Mandurriao airport alone showed a total of 615 tourists in 2005, compared to the 527 tourist arrivals in 2004.

On the other hand, accommodation establishments recorded a total of 191,328 tourist arrivals in January to June, compared to the 142,627 tourist arrivals of 2004. Accommodation establishments include all registered hotels and pension houses.

Of this total, 352 visitors came from all over Asia; 3,848 from East Asia; 104 from South Asia; 3,625 from North America; 438 from Oceania; 1,902 from Europe; and 68 from Middle East.

The prompt and proper submission of data by all registered hotels, pension houses and other accommodation establishments here has enabled city tourism authorities to determine immediately the number of tourists that visited Iloilo City.

Javellana thanked the various establishments for submitting the necessary data on time which helped the city update its tourist records.

Having these updated figures will assist the city in determining the factors why tourist arrivals either increase or decrease in the metropolis, she pointed out.

In the last six months of the year, the CTO has implemented crowd drawing projects and programs that include Dinagyang, Chinese New Year, Arts Month, Paraw Regatta, Iloilo City Freedom Day, Fiesta in the City, Flores de Mayo and Best in the Region among others.

The CTO has also launched “Experience Iloilo-Guimaras 2006.” (Adora B. Bandorio/PIO)

Friday, July 08, 2005
Collapse of age-old Moroboro Dam feared
By Lory Ann B. Bilbao
(from http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ilo/2005/07/08/news/collapse.of.age.old.moroboro.dam.feared.html)

*Could affect nationwide supply of rice

THE 51-year-old Moroboro Dam in Dingle is in danger of collapsing.

This was revealed by Dumangas Mayor Rolly Distura in Thursday's launching of "Safe Ka Ba," the National Disaster Coordinating Council's (NDCC's) communications campaign on disaster preparedness at the New PNP Conference Room, Camp Delgado.

"The Moroboro Dam is in disarray right now," Distura, also the chairman of the NDCC added.

The Moroboro Dam provides irrigation to 11,000 farmers, 14,000 hectares of lands in the eight municipalities of the province namely Dingle, Zarraga, Pototan, Barotac Nuevo, Dumangas, Anilao, Banate, Passi City and San Enrique.

"Iloilo yields a 40-percent production of rice for the country, and most of it are produced by these municipalities," he said.

Distura explained that due to old age, the dam's 13 gates are unable to seal it, causing water to spill, creates a turbulence of an artificial pool which runs 50 meters, and a crevice of eight meters.

He added that refurbishing costs P61 million.

"Agriculture Secretary Yap is providing assistance in the amount of P14 million but it hasn't been transformed into cash at the moment," Distura said.

Distura also said that Governor Niel D. Tupas, Sr. promised to provide financial assistance upon the realization of the municipal assistance.

There is a need of cooperation in terms of renovating the dam the reason why he had asked the assistance of the NDCC.

Meanwhile, the highlight of the launch of "Safe Ka Ba" is the disclosure of the four-point action plan as policy guidelines by the NDCC.

First is the upgrading of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pag-asa) and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to improve their forecasting capability, implementing of a public information campaign on Disaster preparedness, conducting seminars on disaster preparedness, starting with disaster-prone areas and putting in place mechanisms for government and private sector partnership in relief and rehabilitation.

Stressed during the conference was the implementation of a public information campaign on disaster preparedness.

The campaign was geared to have an integrated strategic communications campaign that promotes and sustains a coherent and coordinated effort in disaster management through awareness, preparedness and response.

Delivery mechanisms such as posters and print ads will help attain the objective of enhancing public awareness and greater understanding of hazards and specific vulnerabilities.

Another goal of the campaign was the institutionalization of measures to mitigate hazards and prevent disaster by educating action agents and target population; garner optimum support for government through the promotion of mechanisms for cooperation between and among various groups and, institutionalization of disaster management as a security enhancer and a nation- building effort.

The campaign focused on preparedness on the disasters brought by calamities such as typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis.

Action agents were local government officials such as the League of the Municipalities of the Philippines, government agencies/ force providers such as the NDCC and Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC), media and the legislators.

RDCC director Rose Cabrera said that the NDCC and RDCC are now functional as indicated by the mobilization of operation centers, holding of regular and special meetings, establishment of policies and formulation of plans by the said force providers.

Police Regional Director Chief Superintendent Doroteo Reyes said that all that is needed for everyone to be safe is a good means of communication and clever and proper attention.

He also promised that the Philippine National Police would be on their post to help.

"Security and safety is not fixated in our day to day activities but it can be attacked and demolished," he said.

40% Rice Production of the Country in Iloilo? ... I doubt this is accurate

Glad to see a new IloIlo thread.

Glad to see a new IloIlo thread.
Yeah ... we're on our 3rd thread yey!

2004 Gross Regional Domestic Product Highlights for Western Visayas

2004 GDRP Growth Rate : 7.9% (2nd Highest)
2003 GDRP Growth Rate : 5.9 % (2nd Highest)
2004 Contribution to GDP : 7.6% (4th Highest)
2004 GDRP Level : P86,034,130,000 ^
2004 GDRP Level (PPP) : $32.73 (Est. from CIA World Factbook)

Contributon to GDP Growth Rate : 0.6% (2nd Highest)
Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries GR : 7.6% (3rd Highest)
Industry GR : 6.5% (3rd Highest)
Services GR : 8.36% (Highest)
Per Capita : P13,146 (4th Highest)




http://www.nscb.gov.ph/grdp/2004/h2.jpg

Hey wecky, I hope you took aerials when you landed ^^ or maybe take some when you leave ..hehe

Pwerte na kadugay last time nakakadto ko sa Iloilo.
Mya mga parente lang gihapon kami dira.
Iloilo is looking good. Thnx for da pix.

:wave: leaving my mark on the 3rd thread days before my vacation sa iloilo.hope to see you all there....

by CHYMERA
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/JalandoniBridge.jpg
sana yugn area near PHASE III would be a commercial/recreational/entertainment "district"
kung pwede nga lang may hotel and conventional facilities (kung kakayanin ng lupa) kasi that area is sort of the CENTER of the CITY and it hs the Iloilo river for a "dramatic" background

Originally Posted by michaelsinjin
Ayala Land focuses on MALL GENRE PROJECTS

After the overwhelming success of the Real Estate Department of Ayala Land, they now focus on the MALL Department Project. Ayala Land currently holds 6 malls, Ayala Center Makati, Alabang Town Center , Market! Market! in Taguig, Ayala Center Cebu (to be called Ayala Northmall Cebu when Southmall opens), Pavillion Mall and Metro Point Mall .

This year, Ayala Land Launches 6 mall projects: The North Triangle Mall (North Edsa) , Ayala Southmall Cebu, Ayala Center Davao, Ayala Center Ilo-ilo, Ayala Center Las Pinas and Ayala Center Sucat. But, these projects have no target dates yet. When all of these projects are accomplished, Ayala Land will now be operating 11 malls. But according to Ayala, they will not be in a hurry because they will still study the needs of the people in their respective target markets as they continue to uphold their catchphrase:, "BECAUSE YOU DESERVE MORE"

yahoooo!!!!
hopefully makakuha sila ng area in the above mentioned post.
they will be situated between SM CITY ILOILO and GAISANO city

hopefully ala ALABANG TOWN CENTER ang design nung ayala center iloilo.
not the usual CONCRETE airconditioned box.
ofcourse sana nightlife area

Originally Posted by michaelsinjin
yahoooo!!!!
hopefully makakuha sila ng area in the above mentioned post.
they will be situated between SM CITY ILOILO and GAISANO city

hopefully ala ALABANG TOWN CENTER ang design nung ayala center iloilo.
not the usual CONCRETE airconditioned box.
ofcourse sana nightlife area
Cool, I can't wait for further developments, yay! exited na ako. They should push through with their plan, there is still sufficient demand for a few more malls ... If even they build one here, they should pick a really nice and accessible location, else they'd suffer the same fate as Robinson's Place did. I hope the biulding is just as beutiful as Cebu's

by CHYMERA
sana yugn area near PHASE III would be a commercial/recreational/entertainment "district"
kung pwede nga lang may hotel and conventional facilities (kung kakayanin ng lupa) kasi that area is sort of the CENTER of the CITY and it hs the Iloilo river for a "dramatic" background
Yeah, I was thinking of that too. It could be the site for the Ayala Center Iloilo since there is still a wide vacant space there, they could put viewing decks of the top floors overlooking the Iloilo River, Downtown, and Guimaras Island on the far distance :)

Whyte i hope you bring a camera with you :) and take aerials when you land ... Wecky said he will be arriving somewhere on the 23 or 24th (which is right about now), he has not contacted me yet ... I hope he does soon

i dont wanna recall na how iloilo lost is queen city status, its a sad story kasi, just thinking bout the possibilites if were still the queen city, we could have been better than the current queen. hehehe

but anyway, about the planned ayala iloilo, sana wag naman carbon copy ng cebu's ayala, hehehe, wag sana nila gayahin ang sm chain na halos magkapareho ang design (except for baguio), sana mas maganda kesa sa cebu, and sana hindi lang mall ang ilagay nila.... yung buong business park na!!! para meron na rin tayong CBD na may mga hi rise ala makati/cebu CBD, hehehe, sorry guys, wild ata masyado ambisyon ko for the city, pero hey! its not impossible ah! they should build a mall with its own distinct character, yung pag nakita mo, you will say na "ah! ayala iloilo to"

but anyway, about the planned ayala iloilo, sana wag naman carbon copy ng cebu's ayala, hehehe, wag sana nila gayahin ang sm chain na halos magkapareho ang design (except for baguio), sana mas maganda kesa sa cebu, and sana hindi lang mall ang ilagay nila.... yung buong business park na!!! para meron na rin tayong CBD na may mga hi rise ala makati/cebu CBD, hehehe, sorry guys, wild ata masyado ambisyon ko for the city, pero hey! its not impossible ah! they should build a mall with its own distinct character, yung pag nakita mo, you will say na "ah! ayala iloilo to"

As far as i know, no 2 ayala malls are the same...Look at Glorietta, Greenbelt...Look at Alabang Town Center...Look at Market! Market!...Look at Ayala Center Cebu...Their advantage is that they do not plan their structures just for the sake of planning but they plan their structures for the demands and the needs of the people in the area they are serving...unlike SM, panget talaga ang shoebox figure

i dont wanna recall na how iloilo lost is queen city status, its a sad story kasi, just thinking bout the possibilites if were still the queen city, we could have been better than the current queen. hehehe

they should build a mall with its own distinct character, yung pag nakita mo, you will say na "ah! ayala iloilo to"

ok lang naagawan kayo ng Queen City title, its not a big deal anymore. Cebu was established as the Philippine capital even way back the Spanish Era but later moved to Manila... and was never a sad story. :D

Ayala Malls, as they say: I LOVE 'em ALL :D if its an Ayala Mall, expect it to be different.. i agree with michaelsinjin, Ayala Malls are designed to match the setting and needs of the people around it. the posh greenbelt and glorietta blends well with the makati high rises. alabang town center fits the classic spanish villa interiors and the people living in that area. ayala cebu mall jives well with modern, clean living and green enviro in the heart of ayala business park. ayala ilo-ilo will surely be beautiful in its own way and i expect it to perfectly blend with the city's lifestyle :okay:

I hope to see an Ancestral Home inspired Ayala Mall with Pintados Colors in IloIlo to complement the elegant design and colorful history of IloIlo’s rich past.

I think the design of Market Market and Alabang Town Center is somewhat different. Alabang Town Center has a posh mediterranean ambience while Market Market seems to be more on the pinoy side. ATC is also more colorful than Market Market.

* cant be sure if it was here or somewhere else that i read that the Ayalas are eyeing the MAND. AIRPORT for their projects once the INTL AIRPORT is opened.
* id hope a greenbelt styled mall with most restos facing the river. that is if it is iable to build a big structure there. HMMM if MEDICUS has a "tower" on the other side hopefully the PHASE III area would be able to support it.
* though ROBINSONS has its own style and crowd, I still find it a "scare" once going out of the mall. :lol:

* CHYMERA. i have a camera phone and hopefully i can take aerials but cant be sure of the quality turnout (though 1megapixel naman ito)

I hope to see an Ancestral Home inspired Ayala Mall with Pintados Colors in IloIlo to complement the elegant design and colorful history of IloIlo’s rich past.

I think the design of Market Market and Alabang Town Center is somewhat different. Alabang Town Center has a posh mediterranean ambience while Market Market seems to be more on the pinoy side. ATC is also more colorful than Market Market.

MARKET MARKET is still one big BOX from afar jutting out of a plain.
havent been there but seen it on tv/film/etc :lol: nice lay out design.
"AYALA-designed" mall GAISAN00operated - is this correct?

MARKET MARKET is still one big BOX from afar jutting out of a plain.
havent been there but seen it on tv/film/etc :lol: nice lay out design.
"AYALA-designed" mall GAISAN00operated - is this correct?

To correct you, MARKET MARKET is AYALA DESIGNED and FULLY AYALA OPERATED...MARKET MARKET just got METRO GAISANO as their department store and supermarket because of its PROVEN SUCCESS in AYALA CENTER CEBU...

To correct you, MARKET MARKET is AYALA DESIGNED and FULLY AYALA OPERATED...MARKET MARKET just got METRO GAISANO as their department store and supermarket because of its PROVEN SUCCESS in AYALA CENTER CEBU...

really? Metro Gaisano in Market Market? it seems Gaisano is really doin well with the Ayalas. thats great news! :okay:

really? Metro Gaisano in Market Market? it seems Gaisano is really doin well with the Ayalas. thats great news! :okay:

Yes, and I shop there all the time :D

To correct you, MARKET MARKET is AYALA DESIGNED and FULLY AYALA OPERATED...MARKET MARKET just got METRO GAISANO as their department store and supermarket because of its PROVEN SUCCESS in AYALA CENTER CEBU...

so thats the way it is.
thats great. in iloilo gaisano is one of the best place to shop.
murang mura ang bilihin esp sa grocery
thanks.

ILOILO CITY has been declared STARE OF CALAMITY today
the "usual" flooding

Yes! We had no class nga, which was a big blessing. First case presentation pa nmn nmin sna, na cancel pa :)

http://panaynews.com.ph/front-pic.gif
RIVER ROAD. M.H. Del Pilar Street in Molo, Iloilo City has been transformed into a river by flashfloods caused by heavy rains and worsened by the city’s poor drainage system. The city government placed Iloilo City under a state of calamity after a heavy downpour since Tuesday night caused flashfloods, stranding motorists, forcing schools to suspend classes, and displacing families. Forth-two barangays in six districts of the city were submerged in floodwaters.
(from panaynews.com.ph)

I hope to see an Ancestral Home inspired Ayala Mall with Pintados Colors in IloIlo to complement the elegant design and colorful history of IloIlo’s rich past.

I think the design of Market Market and Alabang Town Center is somewhat different. Alabang Town Center has a posh mediterranean ambience while Market Market seems to be more on the pinoy side. ATC is also more colorful than Market Market.

I agree, I hope they style the Mall like a big Spanish-inspired Mansion with little "touches" of pre-colonial Iloilo and modernity. That will really make the mall stand out from the rest...

ok lang naagawan kayo ng Queen City title, its not a big deal anymore. Cebu was established as the Philippine capital even way back the Spanish Era but later moved to Manila... and was never a sad story. :D
The TWO cities are Queen Cities in their own right. Iloilo City is still a 'Queen City of the South', because it has a historical connection to the said title (Royal decree by Queen Regent Maria Cristina of Spain awarding the city of Iloilo the perpetual title LA MUY LEAL Y NOBLE CIUDAD DE ILOILO and its economic growth in the mid-1800s). And Cebu is also a Queen City because, of its present hold as the largest economic center outside MM.

It's actually a good thing that two cities are competing for the title because it is motivating growth ... Iloilo City is determined to fully regain the title, esp. on the economic aspect. Note that government, which has neglected Iloilo for decades, is now pursuing the much needed infrastructure projects it has long deserved. During recent years, Western Visayas has overtaken Central Visayas in GDRP level and per capita GDRP and had experienced higher GDRP growth.

this may sound offensive to some of my ilonggo friends here but i dont think maganda yung may dalawang queens, and if wer'e talking bout distinction about the "planned ayala mall" we might as well have a distinct title of our own, yes, the queen of spain gave that title during "that" time, but i bet if she's alive today she would change her mind. yes we are the queen city....historically, pero as it is, its already history, which is iba na at present. the current queen deserves the "queen" title din naman, we already had our time as a queen...

concerning the gdrp levels, full credits should not be given to iloilo alone, our good neighbor bacolod has also done its share, we should be aware that western visayas has two urban centers which is iloilo and bacolod, central visayas has only one urban metropolis with other small provinces, "regionally" western visayas has a higher gdrp product than central visayas pero i think results will be much different if you break it into "provincial" level, in that case, cebu province could be much waaaay ahead of iloilo or bacolod.... or even davao

exactly. ^_^ western visayas as a whole is supported by two medium-sized metropolis while central visayas is mainly metropolitan cebu. we must also put into consideration that western visayas has a steady flow of money because of its monopoly of sugar for the entire nation and it has more provinces and people. Central Visayas or cebu for that matter, is a metropolitan because of its infrastructure and service oriented economy, although all provinces in central visayas complement each other. Bohol focuses on agriculture and tourism, Negros Oriental is sugarcane and tourism, Siquijor is fishing and Cebu is industrial, tourism and service-oriented.

cebu alone has both international port and airport and 2 export processing zones. it is also more accessible to different provinces and key cities in the visayas and mindanao. so i doubt if the title Queen City of the South goes back to iloilo. perhaps, Princess City of the South? ^_^ anyway, it doesnt matter. the title conferred to cebu just means that all down below Manila is south.. it's stupid, we're in central philippines! hehe it still is an imperial way of thinking.

Since we don't have a monarchial form of government, I think we should desist from using "Queen." We have a republican and soon to be federal form of government. Aren't we suppose to use "First Lady" of the Visayas instead? The only monarchial form of government we have is only de jure not de facto and I am referring to the Sultanate of Sulu.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid53/p80927709207669a277a6ca4a565fc941/fc8c20cf.jpg

isa pa itong area na pwede sanang maging tourist attraction pero neglected

by noli
Since we don't have a monarchial form of government, I think we should desist from using "Queen." We have a republican and soon to be federal form of government. Aren't we suppose to use "First Lady" of the Visayas instead? The only monarchial form of government we have is only de jure not de facto and I am referring to the Sultanate of Sulu.

i dont think it has something to do with the form of government, its just a figure, a moniker, the title "the queen city of the south" is given to the most progressive city oustside manila, i dont think maganda pakinggan yung "the first lady city" ewan ko lang, hehehehe, pag first lady, you are reffering to a person kasi and not a place

Grabe ba! Nadula lang ko pila ka semana, Thread 3 na kita!

yay!

still no infos, renderings, pics of the newly to be constructed airports of iloilo and silay/bacolod airports ????? look at the davao page. these people have some awesome shots of the new terminal in davao and shots out of the plane down to mother earth and the progress in the vicinity of the city posted. i'm sure you fellows can do that about the iloilo and bacolod airport construction sites too !
philpal

davao as king???? nyek!!!! juice mio!!!! ewan ko lang, eh airport laNG ata maganda sa inyo eh... well ok, cge isali na natin yung mayor, that makes it the mayor and airport lang ang maganda sa inyo no!!! ive been to iloilo and davao cities pero d talaga ako nag enjoy sa davo... sorry, im not into flowers i hate durian and caves and forests and mountains bores me to death kasi! hehehehe, davo is big, and yeah, evidently progressive pero meron talagang kulang, probably the people, or probably the layout of the city, or probably the stigma of mindanao, im not really sure, and please... yung pinagmamayabang niyong eagle farm... ayusin nyo naman, kawawa naman yung mga eagle dun, ni walang matinong banyo dun! and kulang sa maintenance yung park, sa sobrang layo from the city center parang na disappoint lang ako when i got there, eden nature park is great pero expensive and again.... too far from the city center!!! and di rin ako nag enjoy sa mall ninyo, you have a "bonsai" sm and a big gaisano na ewan ko kung palengke ba o department store, victoria mall is not even worth a space dito sa post ko! yung ncc, well ok lang, pero please naman.... mag ambisyon ba na mas mataas pa ang status niyo sa cebu as a "king" ? hellooooooooo, i admit mas progressive kayo sa iloilo pero davao overtaking cebu as a king is a BIG BIG BIG ambition, well, libre mangarap..... Cagayan de oro nga looks like it has a faster growth rate than davao city no!!! and at least people in iloilo has the guts to take a bid at SEAG, from what i heard sa cebu ang adcon, pero nag bid ang davao but it lost to cebu, sorry again... davao? well it looks like cebu naman...... TEN YEARS ago... in short you need to eat more gulays, investments in cebu is valued at almost half of the entire island of mindanao, kaya think about what you said about being a "king" ok? hehehe

and there can never be a king city, we are a democratic state and we always use feminine figures like "inang bayan" etc... siguro pag naging komunista na magkakaron ng king city! hehehehe

your not even historically a queen mangarap pang maging king?!!!! at least iloilo has been a queen

im not from iloilo or cebu, so puhleez dont get angry with ilonggos or cebuanos, this is just an honest opinion

^^gee, di ka naman galit?... i think sleepwalker wuznt really serious about the post and no harm intended :D but maybe because Iloilo is making a big deal on it.. or to some ilonggos :?

honestly, people in Cebu never thought nor care about that Queen City thing. in fact, i only knew more about Iloilo thru skyscrapercity.com and was never aware about the place declared The Queen City few ages ago. *peace*
there can't be two queens at the same time right?

but let us remember that Cebu city's success is credited to the Cebuanos and not merely because of the title. lumalabas kse regaining the Queen City title is the only way for the city to prosper. i should commend Iloilo's determination though but would take time if seriously considering to take over Cebu. :) Davao City is great and no doubt the third largest metropolis in the Phils.

get a life!

hahahahhahaaaaa u actually classify having a good toilet as a first class amenity?!!!!! sows juice mo!!!! but anyway.... as you said, its supposed to be a jungle atmosphere....ibig sabihin, kasi jungle nga ang atmosphere we disregard na the conveniences of the people who wants to visit the place????? since jungle nga.... pwede tayo umihi saan saan, akala ko mga animals lang ang walang banyo dun.. i didnt know pati pala tao wala rin, to think na sandamakmak ang donations na natatanggap ng phil eagle center from dole, del monte and other big companies.... but youre brave enough to admit that your city is boring huh? actually yeah, im not trying to be pretentious pero im cool and trendy kaya! hehehehhehe, and you said na hindi tourist spot ang mall dyan kundi palengke? kewl!!!! magandang palengke ang gaisano nyo huh in fairness!!!!!

i have a life!!!!!

ps akala ko ba city in bloom ang title ng city nyo?
bloom... boom...bomb!!!

!!!

@Valium: Calm Down ... I think sleepwalker was just joking about Davao as "king". And I resent that "bloom-boom" bit, terrorism is a global problem and not just Davao's.

@fundraiser: Not many Ilonggos are going to be offended by that, most dont even know that Iloilo was/is a "Queen City of the South". I personally dont really care at the title "per-se", that's the reason why It doesnt bother me if there are 2 "Queens". I do realize that Cebu has overtaken Iloilo in a lot of aspects and is now faaaaaaaaaar ahead in terms of development. I guess its about time that I leave history as history, so from now on I'll try to give more credit to Cebu as the country's second biggest commercial Center.

Bacolod/Negros may occupy a large percentage of WV's GDRP but Iloilo is still the region's "center" of 'a lot of aspects', if there's a place that growth will reflect upon then it is still Iloilo City and the Province :)

@forumwalker: I wasn't trying to say Iloilo (the province and esp. the city) is bigger than Cebu. Cebu leads by a big leap.

Although a big industry, sugar from Negros does not constitute a considerable portion of the regions' money supply. Agriculture, and FF is only 30% of GDRP. Iloilo (dubbed as the Regions Food Basket and Rice Granary) contribute a sizable chunk of this 30% because it produces more of most crops, livestock, poultry (diversified agriculture). 45.3% of GDRP is attributed to the services sector, where Iloilo also has a big chunk of.

Western Visayas and Central Visayas also share similar set-ups. Negros (Sugarlandia) provides the bulk of sugar production. Aklan (Borcay) focuses on tourism, Capiz (Seafood Capital of the Phil.) on Fisheries. Guimaras (Mango Country) on mango exports and tourism, Antique on agriculture and Mining. Iloilo (and Iloilo City), although having a rich and diverse agriculture is also metropolitan because of its infrastructure, role as a regional center, and service-oriented economy.

cebu alone has both international port and airport and 2 export processing zones. it is also more accessible to different provinces and key cities in the visayas and mindanao. so i doubt if the title Queen City of the South goes back to iloilo. perhaps, Princess City of the South? ^_^ anyway, it doesnt matter. the title conferred to cebu just means that all down below Manila is south.. it's stupid, we're in central philippines! hehe it still is an imperial way of thinking.
Decades ago Iloilo also had the more superior infrastructure ... an airport, an international seaport, a railway, a flourishing economy whereas Cebu was the small town. People doubted that Cebu would ever grow ahead of Iloilo but they did because of Cebauno's hardwork and perseverance. So now that Iloilo has awaken from it's sleep, regaining its former glory should not be something to give doubt to.

@sugarboy: Gani man, the second thread went by really fast.

@rusty18: well im glad you learned more about the City and its title as the @(%@former#@$%@ Queen. Yes it will take time before Iloilo take the 2nd spot again just as Cebu did for more than a century.

@Yeah I'm sorry for that ... The site of the new iloilo international airport is about 3-4 towns away from the city, so its a bit far away. My friend said there's already a billboard of the rendering in the entrace but I cant find time to take a picture of it :p I've been trying to see it formyself for weeks now ... I will go there for the fiesta in Cabatuan hopefully I can visit the site.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/IloiloBannerMalls.jpg

ILOILO In Focus

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/BukariLeon.jpg
30 to 40 min. from the Poblacion; known as Little Baguio; consists of 14 contiguous barangays in the Municipality of Leon & adjoining barangays in the Municipality of Alimodian. An eco-tourism site which boasts of vast varieties of fauna & flora, waterfalls, springs & streams and a cool invigorating climate like Baguio.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/RacsosWoodlands.jpg
RACSOS Inland-Woodland Resort is the only wildlife resort in Western Visayas. The place is a combination of theme park, zoo and resort.

I don't care about the title The Queen City of the South.

I like IloIlo to be known as what Wecky call it. The Heart of the Philippines - Ciudad de Amor .I think that describes the people of IloIlo - the most sympatico in the Philippines.

Where is the Weck by the way?

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/IloiloBannerMalls.jpg

ILOILO In Focus

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/BukariLeon.jpg
30 to 40 min. from the Poblacion; known as Little Baguio; consists of 14 contiguous barangays in the Municipality of Leon & adjoining barangays in the Municipality of Alimodian. An eco-tourism site which boasts of vast varieties of fauna & flora, waterfalls, springs & streams and a cool invigorating climate like Baguio.



It seems to me that the green mountains of IloIlo have not been balded by the illegal loggers. Is that true Chymera?
I just hope they build better roads going up the mountains so tourists will not only get a verdant view but a somewhat smooth ride also.

Regarding the flooded area, I have a sound suggestion. Why not elevate the flood-prone area by one story higher like what Seattle did. There used to be perennial floodings on the City of Seattle. But it seldom happens now, if not at all, since the area was elevated 1 or 2 stories higher.

As for the land in IloIlo City being soft and cannot accomodate tall buildings, I don't buy it. If skyscrapers can be built on the reclamation areas, why not on an area with natural land fill such IloIlo City. Perhaps all that has to be done is to elevate the area first. Landscaping is easier on an elevated surroundings also.

The main reason why there is flooding in IloIlo city is because the plain land surface is adjacent to the two main bodies of water, the river and the deep sea. With a massive amount of rain pouring down, it is more likely that flooding will affect the area. Elevating the area to accomodate tall buildings is really advisable.

It seems to me that the green mountains of IloIlo have not been balded by the illegal loggers. Is that true Chymera?
I just hope they build better roads going up the mountains so tourists will not only get a verdant view but a somewhat smooth ride also.

Regarding the flooded area, I have a sound suggestion. Why not elevate the flood-prone area by one story higher like what Seattle did. There used to be perennial floodings on the City of Seattle. But it seldom happens now, if not at all, since the area was elevated 1 or 2 stories higher.

As for the land in IloIlo City being soft and cannot accomodate tall buildings, I don't buy it. If skyscrapers can be built on the reclamation areas, why not on an area with natural land fill such IloIlo City. Perhaps all that has to be done is to elevate the area first. Landscaping is easier on an elevated surroundings also.

The main reason why there is flooding in IloIlo city is because the plain land surface is adjacent to the two main bodies of water, the river and the deep sea. With a massive amount of rain pouring down, it is more likely that flooding will affect the area. Elevating the area to accomodate tall buildings is really advisable.
I have been to Bucari 2 years ago, there are some parts of the surrounding mountains that are "nude" the road is dirt, so odds your white t-shirt will become brown after the trip. Unrestricted mining is found beside the roads. There are little to no tourist facilities ... But the place is very nice and relaxing, it has a lot of potential, if only they build more infra and facilities.

Yeah I dont buy it either, mega structures have been built in more unfavorable conditions. I guess elevating the land has been practiced in flood-prone areas of Jaro, City Proper, and La Paz ... but people prefer to move or build houses and subdivisions in Mandurriao, where the land is higher.

Wecky has not been online for a while, he has arrived in Iloilo but has not contacted me yet. Bummer. I have no ways to contact him, maybe I should go to CPU to ask? (lol)

(repost)

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/IloiloCapitol.jpg

I think Wecky is a lady, lol

http://i.pbase.com/u22/chie/large/12702312.Dsc01285.jpg
Along Gen. Luna St.

Where is the Weck by the way?

Isn't he/she in Iloilo because of that grand alumni reunion of his/her university? Maybe he's/she's having way too much fun and forgot all about us! :lol: I'm sure we'll see him/her again when he/she comes back from his/her vacation. :colgate:

Visayan provinces among those with high market potential
Posted: 2:47 AM | Aug. 01, 2005

Carla P. Gomez
Inquirer News Service

BACOLOD CITY-Three Visayan provinces--Cebu, Negros Occidental and Iloilo--made it to the top 10 Philippine provinces with high market potential, according to a study of the School of Economics of the University of Asia and the Pacific.

The study, dubbed "Boomtowns and Gloomtowns (An Index of Marketing Potential)," which placed Laguna on the top spot, had Cebu in fourth place, Negros Occidental in sixth and Iloilo in 10th place in the ranking of 77 provinces as of June 2005.

Conducted by Cid Terosa of the School of Economics Urban Strategies Group, the study measured the market potential of the country's 77 provinces by establishing five dimensions. These are market size, 30 percent; market consumption capacity and intensity, 20 percent; market growth rate, 15 percent; and market attractiveness, 15 percent.

Also, indicators were chosen and used to construct an index for each dimension. The indexes of the five dimensions were added to form a composite index of market potential.

Considered as boomtowns, the provinces with the 10 highest index of market potential as of June 2005 are: Laguna, 0.7059; Cavite, 0.6884; Rizal, 0.6548; Cebu, 0.6430; Bulacan, 0.5581; Negros Occidental, 0.5544; Pampanga, 0.5300; Batangas, 0.4929; Misamis Oriental, 0.4443; and Iloilo, 0.4385.

According to the study, the cities of Bacolod and Iloilo are expected to hog the attention of businessmen and investors in Western Visayas.

In terms of regional market potential, Negros Occidental outshone Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Guimaras and Antique, the study showed.

Terosa said market potential is one of the key indicators that businessmen and investors normally keep track of. It is defined as the size or value of the total market should all those who are willing and able to buy various products actually purchase them. Hence, the market potential refers to the upper level of market demand, he said.

"Since market potential is an important criterion for business location and investment decisions, the creation of an index potential is a valuable task," Terosa said.

Of the high-potential provinces, Laguna topped the field in terms of market attractiveness and market and commercial infrastructure while Cavite closely followed.

Both Laguna and Cavite ranked among the top 10 in terms of market size and market consumption capacity and intensity. Rizal had the highest market consumption and intensity index while Bulacan, the highest market size index.

The study noted that although Cebu did not record the highest index in any of the five dimensions, it consistently ranked among the top 10 in market size, market consumption capacity and intensity, and market and commercial infrastructure.

On the other hand, the top 10 "gloom towns" or low-potential provinces are: Apayao, 0.1147; Sulu, 0.1346; Kalinga, 0.1374; Lanao del Sur, 0.1388; Basilan, 0.1421; Tawi-tawi, 0.1435; Batanes, 0.1505; Ifugao, 0.1559; Sultan Kudarat, 0.1584; and Biliran, 0.1610.

I think wecky should speak out now and clarify all these apprehensions e.g. gender issue, whereabouts, etc., it seems he's hiding just like garci...lol

The Queen City of the South title now belongs to Cebu for obvious reasons. I find it funny that people from the Cebu thread would have to come here and have to defend their "Queen City" title.

Iloilo was the Queen City of the South because it was 2nd to Manila. You can say that Manila was the Queen City of the North. Iloilo lost the title so Cebuanos were confident to name their city as the Queen City of the South, knowingly or unknowingly that Iloilo had that title in the first place.

Personally I don't care. Any progress in any Filipino city is a big plus! I'm excited seeing progress in OUR country. If there is any competition at all, it shouldn't even be between Manila, Cebu, Iloilo or Davao. We must compare ourselves with our neighbors instead, countries that are leaving us behind as far as progress.

Wecky's gender is not important. Wecky's contribution to the old threads are inspiring.

Wecky, we're waiting for you to post lots of pictures!

Chymera, do you have a run down and pictures of all the Universities, colleges, and specialize technical schools in IloIlo. I know for sure that IloIlo has one of the most number of Universities and Colleges for a single province brought about by its boom in the mid 1800’s up until before WWII.

This sucks. twice it happened - I was about to post when suddenly power runs out amp (I hate heavy rains). Anyways, Wecky is probably having too much time that he has not contacted me yet (probably still digesting the 100 lechons that CPU prepared for their alumnis :) )but whyte did though, and we will be meeting (hopefully) sometime this week.

@Sandrin: I dont have pictures of all of them but I will try to dig out as much of them as I can ... It deserves a space here :)

Iloilo Province (exc. Iloilo City):
No. of Tertiary Schools: 25 (SY 2003-2004)

(no list of existing schools in the province yet)

Iloilo City:
No. of Tertiary Schools: 30 (SY 2003-2004)

Universities
Central Philippine University
University of Iloilo
University of San Agustin
University of the Philippines in the Visayas
West Visayas State University
St. Paul's University

Colleges (incomplete)
AMA
Cabalum Western College
Central Radio Electronic School
Colegio Del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus
Colegio de San Jose
Computer College of the Visayas
De Paul College
Forways Computer School
Iloilo College of Business and Computers
Iloilo Doctor's College
Informatics Computer Institute
Interface Computer College
John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation
Polytechnic School of Iloilo
St. Therese College
Systems Technology Institute
Western Institute of Technology
Western Visayas College of Science and Technology

Iloilo In Focus

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/Sta.jpg
I read somewhere that it has been expanded to an 18-hole golf course. I could be wrong :)

Sta. Barbara is a nice course!

Sta. Barbara is a nice course!
have you gone inside the course? Hangang gate lng ako KC :)

The early years of Calle De la Rama

Among the streets that emerged as an artery of commerce and trade in Iloilo City during the closing decades of the Spanish period and the early years of the American rule was Calle Progresso, later known as Calle De la Rama. It linked the waterfront with the heart of the city. Considered as the hub of commercial traffic and the life vein of the sugar trade, it was originally built in 1857 by Nicholas Loney, the first British vice-consul in Iloilo, to connect the bodega or warehouse that he had constructed at the waterfront with the city.

Calle Progresso was, as its name implies, a brokerage center, the site of the city's banks and commercial offices, and some of the most expensive residential-commercial real estates. Here were located the branch offices and warehouses of Smith Bell and Co., Peele-Hubble, McLeod and Co., Warner, Barnes and Co., Lucksinger y cia, Forbes and Co., W.E. Stevenson, and others, as well as the offices of the Chartered Bank, Banco Las Islas de Filipinas, and Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (Contribuciones Industriales, 1897). The office and machine shop of Strachan and McMurray Ltd. were also found here. The banks and other commercial establishments were interspersed by impressively constructed houses.

Calle Progresso was also home to the De la Rama Shipping Co., a Filipino firm which ran several luxurious vessels in the coastwise service, particularly on the Iloilo-Manila route. It also served ships to foreign countries, like the United States and England. It was owned by a local magnate by the name of Isidro De la Rama.

At the end of Calle Progresso, leading towards the heart of the city was found the public square, Plaza Alfonso XII (today known as Plaza Libertad). Near the plaza was the San Jose Catholic Church and an English commercial house, Holman and Co., which engaged in import business (Contribuciones Industriales). There were also two imposing buildings owned by the Swiss businessman, Samuel Bischoff, and the Filipino, Julio Lacson (Fincas Urbanas, Iloilo). The one owned by Lacson can still be seen standing today beside the church.

Two more major streets were connected to Calle Progresso through Plaza Alfonso XII. One was Calle Rosario, noted for the wealthy residents along it. It was an area with a number of large buildings owned by both Filipinos and foreigners. Today, this particular street is still known as Calle Rosario. The other is Calle Real (now referred to as J.M. Basa St.), also known as the “Escolta of Iloilo”. It was the site of most of the city's European, Chinese and American retail stores, with property values markedly high along it. Its whole length, from Plaza Alfonso XII to the Casa Real or the Provincial Capitol was the busiest section of the city in terms of traffic, both human and vehicles, during that period of time.

Where exactly is Calle De la Rama???

hello everybody. im into my 2nd week of vacation here and so far its been raining like there's tomorrow LOL (10 out of 12 days ive been here as of last count.)

* had dinner at OCEAN CITY upon arrival and it was really great!
* i personally do not like/naninibago with SM DELGADO. lol
* our schools centennial was a blast.a week of reunions/fairs/etc capped off by a boracay trip via an NN boat (which also served as the hotel-di ako sumama LOL).
* and ill be meeting CHYMERA tomorrow.

DE LA RAMA street is parallel with ZAMORA st

^^wow.. gudluck to ur meet w/ chymera..enjoy!

Newly Painted Museo Iloilo
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid181/p8d39172c7b2aeb956c1b1012609f10a8/f2dbd50c.jpg

Traffic in the City ..
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid181/pdfa17259bd7a0114f45aecf6be2d7543/f2dbd5f1.jpg

Downtown
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid181/p578e1ffdd5898848982004a57b278899/f2dbd5d8.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid181/pb7365823b0692114b52def4057d712c0/f2dbd594.jpg

Iznart St.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid181/pc37438c266d5c41c66bd67c4fbfaf186/f2dbd57b.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid181/p04068068f2444cb3eaecc36d8eabddff/f2dbd5a4.jpg


La Paz District
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid181/p0590403bff9e6895b8ddabfdd5fece44/f2dbd554.jpg

WVSU Medical Cener
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid181/pef56900ea094573a0959445b5f79b97c/f2dbd56c.jpg

Jaro District
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid181/pff8d372ee7f229b15c69e3365a4c8190/f2dbd522.jpg

SM City Iloilo
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid181/pfac500f0714fdef03b8e151b3b08b3d8/f2dbd4f9.jpg

nice pics.. thanks for sharing them.

nice pics chymera.

In a number of articles I've read, Iloilo city and Bacolod were always raised as rival cities.Sometimes known as twin cities of Western Visayas. I would rather treat the rivalry as positive and healthy just like the rivalries of Beijing and Shanghai, Madrid and Barcelona, etc.

No question Iloilo city is far older, and the regional center. But if you take these two away and compare the present status of the two cities, which of the two has an edge?

Iloilo has more universites and malls and whose urban configuration is compact. The streets are narrower which leads to congestion of motor vehicles. It has higher population density than Bacolod.

On the other hand, Bacolod prides itself as the region's largest and most populous city. It has a larger land area and has more people than iloilo city. The streets are wider thus look cleaner. If you'll take a look from Bacolod's website and judging from those pictures, we couldnt deny that sheer rivalry really occurs on which city is really the greatest in region 6?

If someone could help me lay down all the figures ranging from economy, population, size, urbanization, importance, number of vehicles and establishments and a lot more, maybe we can rightfully declare and enthrone a city to reign as the undisputed leader in region 6.

^^wow.. gudluck to ur meet w/ chymera..enjoy!
We didn't get the chance to meet today because whyte got busy and my class was rescheduled in the afternoon ... bummer. At least wecky finally contacted me his landline. Woke him up coz I called at around 12am he was a bit grumpy about it, hehe. If our plans push through we could have the meet on sunday or next week. I hope it'll push through , the three of us are really busy :)

hello everybody. im into my 2nd week of vacation here and so far its been raining like there's tomorrow LOL (10 out of 12 days ive been here as of last count.)

* had dinner at OCEAN CITY upon arrival and it was really great!
* i personally do not like/naninibago with SM DELGADO. lol
* our schools centennial was a blast.a week of reunions/fairs/etc capped off by a boracay trip via an NN boat (which also served as the hotel-di ako sumama LOL).
* and ill be meeting CHYMERA tomorrow.

DE LA RAMA street is parallel with ZAMORA st
Nice to hear from you whyte ... yes it has been raining like crazy, pouring hard and stopping rather unpredictably. I hope you took lots of pictures :) Looking forward to meet you!

nice pics chymera.

In a number of articles I've read, Iloilo city and Bacolod were always raised as rival cities.Sometimes known as twin cities of Western Visayas. I would rather treat the rivalry as positive and healthy just like the rivalries of Beijing and Shanghai, Madrid and Barcelona, etc.

No question Iloilo city is far older, and the regional center. But if you take these two away and compare the present status of the two cities, which of the two has an edge?

Iloilo has more universites and malls and whose urban configuration is compact. The streets are narrower which leads to congestion of motor vehicles. It has higher population density than Bacolod.

On the other hand, Bacolod prides itself as the region's largest and most populous city. It has a larger land area and has more people than iloilo city. The streets are wider thus look cleaner. If you'll take a look from Bacolod's website and judging from those pictures, we couldnt deny that sheer rivalry really occurs on which city is really the greatest in region 6?

If someone could help me lay down all the figures ranging from economy, population, size, urbanization, importance, number of vehicles and establishments and a lot more
Thanks, I took these pictures on the top floor of the TTK tower. GSIS was occupying it and they graciously allowed me to take pictures through their windows :) YAY.

For now Iloilo still has the edge ... Bacolod may be a nice place with clean and wide boulevards but Iloilo is still the region's Financial, Educational, Economic, Administrative, Medical, and Cultural center of Western Visayas.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid181/p8d39172c7b2aeb956c1b1012609f10a8/f2dbd50c.jpg
The Museo looks kind of weird with its new coat ... Blue, Red, Yellow, White --> colors of the Philippine Flag

(from sunstar.com.ph)

Iloilo to host Seag football?

ILOILO CITY -- Joseph Gensaya, Iloilo Football Association (IFA) general secretary, officials from Philippine Football Federation (PFF) and the Asian Football Confedertion (AFC) have recently inspected the Iloilo Sports Complex as possible alternate venue for the football event in the forthcoming South East Asian Games (Sea Games) in December.

For the record, football will be hosted by neighboring Bacolod City. This will be played in two venues, the Panaad Football Stadium and at the Paglaum Sports Complex. There are ten competing teams and they will be divided into two groups. However as of this writing the repair at Paglaum has not yet been completed prompting AFC officials to scout for alternate venue in the event the Paglaum Sports Complex will not be completed on time.

Gensaya said Iloilo's hosting will be dependent on the outcome of Paglaum. "But they (Sea Games competitions committee) have to give us ample time to prepare in case one group will play here. We have to consider the hotel accommodations of the teams, security, media exposure etc, and the renovations at the Iloilo sports Complex will be according to AFC standards."

The football officials were warmly welcomed by Bombit Heller, Iloilo sports complex administrator who briefed them about the existing facilities and they were impressed by the cleanliness of the the well maintained stadium.

"This is the sport that we Ilongos truly excel and has a great following. We have brought numerous accolades and bring honor to Iloilo through football We are asking the private sector as well as the local government to work hand in hand with us not only in this endeavor but to the whole program of IFA so that we could have numerous tournaments from the grassroot level and continuous competitions all throughout the year," Gensaya said.

Iloilo has already hosted three international football events, the 1999 Asian Women's Championship, and the 1996 and 1997 President's Cup.

Hehe, they better improve that Paglaum Sports Complex fast or else SEAG football will be staged here :) Iloilo is more than prepared for that because the Iloilo Sports Complex has just recently been rennovated for the Palaro Pangnayon.

http://thenewstoday.info/20050429/sportscomplexoval.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid167/p027e1f8325e384170a4c933161981478/f435af5f.jpg

Robinson's Place Iloilo
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid181/p135d712ee6ca3f72fba0fb1192710132/f2d797d6.jpg

Marymart Center
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid181/pe6ab00fed0f7f11e52f5c314bca77e2e/f2d797e2.jpg

Gaisano City
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid181/p41d3369e7e656c11898d1329ced526d3/f2d797f0.jpg

Downtown
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid181/pa6abe8d9f66568ba77870c1ee89a0f21/f2d79804.jpg

The Grand Dame Hotel
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid181/p5982c1b4746b07d6bd1c8ef81341bda5/f2d797e9.jpg

Emilion in Grand Dame (Delicious food!)
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid181/p65ed62b9177adeb9848bd343782294c7/f2d797f8.jpg

Assumption Iloilo
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/bEnChFrEaK/iLoiLo%20TriP/angel044.jpg

Assumption Chapel
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/bEnChFrEaK/iLoiLo%20TriP/angel051.jpg

Airport project hits snag
By Francis Allan Angelo

THE new Iloilo airport of international standard in Cabatuan-Sta. Barbara towns might not be completed on schedule due to several problems.
Gov. Niel Tupas said Taisei-Shimizu, the Japanese consortium constructing the airport, incurred a 22 percent negative slippage in the ongoing construction.
Tupas said the contractor is supposed to finish the project by October 2006 “but they have only accomplished 11 percent so far.”
One of the reasons for the delay in the construction is the refusal of 17 settlers, mostly landowners, farmers and tenants, to clear the airport site.
Tupas said the 17 settlers and their familieshave received financial compensation for giving up their rights on their land which was included in the airport site.
But the settlers are asking for more, Tupas added.
“Aside from the compensation, they are also asking money to put up their houses in the relocation site at Barangay Banguit in Cabatuan. But that is impossible since it was not included in the compensation package,” Tupas said.
Last week, Osamu Murata, chief representative of the Japan Bank of International Cooperation to Manila, met with Tupas to discuss the developments in the project.
Mayors Ramon Yee of Cabatuan and Isabelo Maquino of Sta. Barbara and Engr. Raffy Lavides, airport project manager from the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) also attended the meeting.
Murata told Tupas to clear the airport of settlers to fast track its construction.
As an initial solution to the problem, Tupas said Senate President Franklin Drilon has allocated P5.5million to buy materials for 101 families displaced from the project site.
Aside from the housing materials, each family will also receive P10,000 cash in financial assistance.
The said funds are now with the National Housing Administration (NHA) and will only be released after the signing of a memorandum of agreement between Drilon, the NHA, and the DOTC.
The rainy season has also gotten in the way of the construction giving the contractor a hard time in proceeding with the project.
“When it rains, the site gets muddy and it is hard to move the equipments around,” Tupas said.
He added the Japanese contractor assured to catch up with the delayed work during the summer season and when other equipments needed in the construction have arrived

Launched this Ilonggo site just a little over two weeks ago, Jul 30th. http://www.dinagyang.com Indi pa compatible with Firefox and I'm still fine tuning my little promotions. Daw mas maka wiwili than building the site. Kon sino da may e contribute kag ma bulig manage, kinganglan gid. Dinagyang.com seeks to become the premiere Ilonggo meeting place on the net, so wala ini ga conflict with the SkyscraperCity Iloilo threads. Salamat.

-Back to Topic-

Launched this Ilonggo site just a little over two weeks ago, Jul 30th. http://www.dinagyang.com Indi pa compatible with Firefox and I'm still fine tuning my little promotions. Daw mas maka wiwili than building the site. Kon sino da may e contribute kag ma bulig manage, kinganglan gid. Dinagyang.com seeks to become the premiere Ilonggo meeting place on the net, so wala ini ga conflict with the SkyscraperCity Iloilo threads. Salamat.

-Back to Topic-

Wow ... thanksfor putting this up for Ilonggos expect me to bearegular there! Actually I have my own website (www.iloiloonline.tk) but it wasn't intended to be a community site like yours :) I will be happy to help you manage it :)

um, just a question...
what actually is the population of iloilo city ? and iloilo province as a whole?

um, just a question...
what actually is the population of iloilo city ? and iloilo province as a whole?
Iloilo City
Land Area : 56 sq. km (2004)
No. of Barangays: 180 (As of September 2003)
No. of Districts: 6 (As of September 2003)
Total Population: 365,820 (As of May 1,2000 census)
Total Population: 395,809 (2005 Estimate)
Population Density: Iloilo - 6,533 (As of May 1,2000 census)
Population Growth Rates: 1.93 (1995-2000)

Iloilo Province
Land Area : 4,719.4 sq km (2004)
No. of Barangays: 1,901 (As of September 2003)
No. of Municipalities: 42 (As of September 2003)
No. of Cities: 2 (As of September 2003)
Total Population: 1,925,002 (As of May 1, 2000 census)
Population Growth Rates: 2.10 (1995-2000)

Metro-Iloilo (Not yet official, 2000 figures)

Municipality - Population/Land Area/Density

Iloilo City 365,820/56/6,533
Leganes - 23,475/ 32.20/729.04
Oton - 65,374/ 86.44 /756.29
San Miguel - 20,754/ 31.97/649.17
Pavia - 32,824/ 15.46 /2,123.16
Total - 508,818.00/ 222.07/2,291.25

Me and wecky just met kanina sa SM ... yey. Whyte was not there yet but we will meet again next week

[QUOTE=chymera00]
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid181/p8d39172c7b2aeb956c1b1012609f10a8/f2dbd50c.jpg

How is this Marcos Caratao Jr. related to Marcos Caratao, Efren Caratao and Virginia Caratao of Bantayan, Cebu?

They're my lolos and lolas ... why you ask?

Btw, if you want to register @ Dinagyang.com (Online Ilonggo Community) please !click here (http://www.dinagyang.com/index.php?option=com_comprofiler&task=registers&referal=chymera00). Help me win an iPod, It will take less than 10secs promise

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid160/pb736a0b87f8485dbd281c4858c763be2/f4e27ca6.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid160/pd2c9bb55582f21bde96a58b0519eaba2/f4e27b7a.jpg

Robinson
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid160/p12fad850862e5a2db3f361e56a40debc/f4e27d50.jpg

This may be a bit OUT OF TOPIC but anyway, this would affect the regional development of Region6... Do you agree/ are you aminable that Palawan be joined to Region 6?

Of course we are amiable to the inclusion of Palawan to Region 6. Iloilo will be the first to benefit because more people (Palawenos) will be coming to Iloilo for gov't and bus. transactions.

Good news ... Wecky has already taken pictures of the new Iloilo International Airport, he said the 4 storey terminal is under construction.

Come info about iloilo I just researched @ NSO website
http://www.census.gov.ph/data/publications/PIF2005.pdf

Population density of selected
highly urbanized cities
(persons/km 2 )*

1990 1995 2000
1. Iloilo City 7,369 7,965 8,724
2. Bacolod City 2,238 2,473 2,749
3. Cebu City 1,938 2,103 2,282
4. Zamboanga City 313 361 425
5. Cagayan de Oro City 823 1,038 1,119
6. Davao City 384 455 469

i havn't been to Iloilo yet but based sa mga pics na nakita ko dito and also sa mga Ilonggo kong mga friends here sa Cebu, halos pare pareho lng nmn pla ang progress ng Cebu at Iloilo, di nmn cguro ganun kalayo.... pag inumerate ninyo ng mga malls ng Iloilo I think mas marami pa ngang malls ang Iloilo than Cebu kaya di nmn pla impossible na ma claim uli ng Iloilo ang Queen city title na sa kanya nmn talaga... Iloilo is also very well known sa ating bansa like Cebu...I really wanna go to Iloilo coz may mangandang ilongo dito and I wanna know her and be with her in Iloilo...hehehe

i havn't been to Iloilo yet but based sa mga pics na nakita ko dito and also sa mga Ilonggo kong mga friends here sa Cebu, halos pare pareho lng nmn pla ang progress ng Cebu at Iloilo, di nmn cguro ganun kalayo.... pag inumerate ninyo ng mga malls ng Iloilo I think mas marami pa ngang malls ang Iloilo than Cebu kaya di nmn pla impossible na ma claim uli ng Iloilo ang Queen city title na sa kanya nmn talaga... Iloilo is also very well known sa ating bansa like Cebu...I really wanna go to Iloilo coz may mangandang ilongo dito and I wanna know her and be with her in Iloilo...hehehe

What Iloilo lacks as far as malls is an Ayala Center. Hopefully that comes into fruition soon. It has the fairly new Robinsons Mall, the old Gaisano, the old SM newly renuvated in Delgado and SM City in Diversion Rd. (am I missing something?). As far as infrastructure, having been to Cebu many times and back and forth, Cebu has the international airport while Iloilo is still on the works. Cebu has a better road-transportation system than Iloilo. Overall, the Cebuanos have it together in Cebu and the Ilonggos are following behind. Of course, history wise, Iloilo in its hayday was called the Queen City of the South because it was 2nd to Manila in their respective criterias. Cebu could not have claimed that title then until just recently maybe the last couple of decades.

A few factors come to mind the as far as the decline of Iloilo. Many of its rich families migrated to Bacolod. Cebu's wealthy business minded families did not go anywhere as far as I know. Also, World War II comes to mind, it represents the last nail on the coffin for Iloilo and many businesses never recovered. I can attest to some of the destruction in Iloilo as my family's houses around Jaro were mostly destroyed (my grand uncle's big blue house) in Jaro and the big houses on the corners of Jaro's plaza. I've seen the pre-WWII pics of these big houses which were destroyed during the bombings. While Cebu on the otherhand, the liberation came quietly with no resistance and most of the fighting occurred outside the city (Lahug battle, the Reservoir battle, etc).

Density wise Iloilo is big! But doesn't necessarily translate to being good. Having grown up in Iloilo in the 70's, now going back to Iloilo, I find it very crowded. Anyway I have now lived in the U.S for 25yrs so I'm no expert about Iloilo and the only thing that keeps me in touch with my birthplace is with this forum.

Ironically, most of my friends when I come and visit Iloilo are Cebuanos, due to the fact that where I usually stay at my niece's house who was born in Cebu and proud to be a Cebuana along with her husband who is also a Cebuano. So most of my associates are Cebuanos who are close friends of my niece. They all collectively say that Ilonggos are mostly conservative while Cebuanos are the opposite. These are impressions of Cebuanos who have lived in Iloilo for years now. Whether that translates to progress... I dont really know. I'm just eager to see new projects in Iloilo coming up, like the restoration of the railway system, international airport, etc.

I've heard of Ayala Iloilo but iloilo has SM, Robinsons, Gaisano and other SM's and Marymart pa diay...the only massive malls here in Cebu is only Ayala and SM, ala nang iba but it has really changed the lifestyles of the Cebuanos last 1992 as the 1st huge mall was enagurated (SM), its the time where most of Cebuanos get more in thouched with a social life lessening their being conservative people....

My browser is Mozilla Firefox so the fonts of dinagyang.com appear as question mark or in japanese.

I know where Ping Lacson spliced the tapes. It’s with Jose Marie Gonzales recording studio. The reason why Gonzales, a loyalist of Erap, remained mum to avoid getting busted. But he is already busted. Apparently, they added the noise on the background to cover-up the splicing.



Ilonggo 'audio expert' redeems credibility, fires back at Ping

By Ronilo L. Pamonag
Joseph Tiongco

A digital sound engineer whom Environment Secretary Michael Defensor presented to prove that the recordings linking President Arroyo and an election official to cheating were spliced has come out to redeem his questioned credibility.

“Sound engineering is an exact science. My credibility has no business in exact science. I only conclude on what I have discovered. What is important is what science says,” Jonathan Tiongco said during a press conference with the local media here Sunday noon.

He was reacting to statements made by opposition Senator Panfilo Lacson questioning his credibility. Lacson criticized Defensor for tapping the services of local audio experts with allegedly tainted reputations, alluding to Tiongco.

“I can be a liar and yet will still be true when I say that the world is round; and I can also tell Ping Lacson that when a big rock hits your head, your head will crack,” he stressed, as he insisted that the ‘Hello Garci' tape was spliced, as shown by variations in the background noise.

Tiongco also denied charges that he offered his testimony to Sandra Cam and Boy Mayor, witnesses who implicated Mrs. Arroyo and members of the First Family during a Senate inquiry on illegal gambling.

“I did not. Ganito yun, may kaibigan ako na kaibigan rin ni Mayor (This is what happened, I have a friend who is also a friend of Mayor),” Tiongco explained.

“What capacity do I have to do that?” he asked.

He admitted though that he approached Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez and offered his report. Apparently, Gonzalez paid him no attention.

“I approached Secretary Gonzalez because he's an Ilonggo,” he said, “but I didn't offer my services. Just my report.”

“You know in Manila, if you're nothing, they won't recognize. They would ask, ‘Sino yan? (Who's he?) ,' ” Tiongco said. At any rate, he added, he just left his report with Gonzalez during his visit to the latter last month.

Because of the attacks against his credibility, he said, his father, Lawyer Jose Tiongco, suffered a mild stroke, the reason why the Manila-based sound engineer traveled to Iloilo City.

The younger Tiongco said that he was told that his 83-year-old father fainted during a court hearing on hearing of the attacks against him Friday last week.

The older Tiongco, said to be a favorite among accused persons who have no money for the services of a private practitioner, is now recuperating at their home in Molo district.

I've heard of Ayala Iloilo but iloilo has SM, Robinsons, Gaisano and other SM's and Marymart pa diay...the only massive malls here in Cebu is only Ayala and SM, ala nang iba but it has really changed the lifestyles of the Cebuanos last 1992 as the 1st huge mall was enagurated (SM), its the time where most of Cebuanos get more in thouched with a social life lessening their being conservative people....

Actually, Cebu City's major malls are
>Ayala Center Cebu (Ayala Northpoint Cebu)
>SM City Cebu
>Robinson's Place Cebu
>Banilad Town Center
>Gaisano Country Mall
>Elizabeth Mall
>Mango Square
>JY Discovery Plaza
>Cebu Boardwalk (soon)
>Ayala Southpoint Cebu (soon)
Downtown's crowd favorite
>Metro Colon
>Gaisano Main
>Gaisano South
Northern malls
>Super Metro Mandaue
>Gaisano Bogo
>Gaisano Danao
>Gaisano Mactan
>Metro Consolacion (soon)
Southern malls
>Gaisano Fiesta Mall
>Gaisano Carcar
Hip Malls
>The Village
>Crossroads Mall

Metro Cebu obviously has more malls plus it has an Ayala :( "Metro-Iloilo" on the otherhand has less malls because all of it is concentrated in Iloilo City.

Major Malls in Iloilo City include:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/IloiloBannerMalls.jpg

Other smaller "malls" (or supermarket with a few shops and botiques) are:
Gaisano Guanco
SM Jaro
Payless Plaza
Iloilo Supermart Molo
Iloilo Supermart Mandurriao
Iloilo Supermart Jaro
(I am missing some of them)

My browser is Mozilla Firefox so the fonts of dinagyang.com appear as question mark or in japanese
Dinagyang.com is not Mozilla compatible. You should be able to view it in IE or Netscape :)

A few factors come to mind the as far as the decline of Iloilo. Many of its rich families migrated to Bacolod. Cebu's wealthy business minded families did not go anywhere as far as I know. Also, World War II comes to mind, it represents the last nail on the coffin for Iloilo and many businesses never recovered. I can attest to some of the destruction in Iloilo as my family's houses around Jaro were mostly destroyed (my grand uncle's big blue house) in Jaro and the big houses on the corners of Jaro's plaza. I've seen the pre-WWII pics of these big houses which were destroyed during the bombings. While Cebu on the otherhand, the liberation came quietly with no resistance and most of the fighting occurred outside the city (Lahug battle, the Reservoir battle, etc).
Also, it can be attributed to Mayor Ganzon's term, where he advocated the "Timawa" (Visayan for Maharlika or Upperclass) and discouraged the Chinese Businessmen. This eventually led most of them to flee Iloilo and transfer to Cebu. Iloilo's downfall is very much related to the rise of Bacolod and Cebu City :)

-------------------------------------------
Pre-war tourist destinations in Iloilo
Considered to be the historical cradle of Panay Island, Iloilo has long been of great national and international renown. Added to its strategic location at the center of the Philippine Archipelago are numerous tourist attractions which its natural resources and cultural history endowed. Iloilo abounds in scenic spots, wholesome and inviting beaches, historical landmarks, classical and modern buildings, baroque and gothic churches, old Spanish houses, great culinary delights, and colorful festivals.

While some of the beautiful scenes and structures in Iloilo during the Spanish days and until the period of American occupation did not survive the Filipino-American War and World War II, as well as several conflagrations, may have been preserved and maintained up to the present. Among those that were not able to survive is Fort San Pedro, an impressive historical landmark of Spanish colonization that stood on a promontory at the entrance of Iloilo harbor and also an ideal place for viewing the “floating island” of Guimaras. Near Fort San Pedro, there used to have a beautiful waterside esplanade where the cosmopolitan society of Iloilo promenaded on a sultry afternoon.

There were still some other great sights which used to have been Iloilo's pride to its visitors. Around Plaza Libertad were a number of banking and commercial houses and hotels. Just a little beyond were the Casino Español of the Spanish community and the Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus. In the same section of the city, some stone old houses built during the Spanish times were still at sight. Jose Ma. Basa St., also known as “Calle Real” and the liveliest place in the commercial district had a lot of entertainment to offer, being the hub of show houses, restaurants, and cafes, as well as business, professional, and commercial establishments.

A sight-seeing trip to Iloilo can never be complete without seeing the districts of Jaro, Molo, Lapaz, and Arevalo. Jaro Plaza was then the most beautiful plaza in the island of Panay. Around it were the imposing Jaro Cathedral and its lofty tower looming magnificently over the placer, the Bishop's Palace, the Catholic Society Building, the modern town hall, the Jaro Evangelical Church, considered to be the oldest Baptist church in the country.

At the outskirts of Jaro were the Sambag Battlefield where many American and Filipino soldiers fell during the Filipino-American War, the Iloilo Jockey Club in Balantang; and a little beyond, the Leganes Church which was, and still is, considered to be the “Mecca” of Iloilo as thousands of people from all over Panay, Guimaras and Negros flock to it yearly to pay homage to its miraculous patron saint.

La Paz, another district located between Jaro and Iloilo City, had the Redemptorists' Monastery, Iloilo Tennis Club, Inc., the Lopez and Cacho mansions, as well as the famous Nelly Garden.

The district of Molo was, and still is, recognized for its gothic church considered to be one of the most artistic churches in the archipelago with its fine symmetry and beauty of architecture. Another suburb, Arevalo, also showcased valuable relics of the past, among which were the weaving looms and the old Spanish tower at its public square.

Having an already established commercial life in the heart of the city, Iloilo provided its visitors with the necessary facilities and the services they needed while visiting the place. By 1912, Iloilo had already four hotels to accommodate a number of transient lodgers: the Metropole on Plaza Libertad with rates of P2.50 to P4.00 per day and P75.00 per month; the Universal on Calle Marina, the Bilbao on Calle Real; and the Panay on Plaza Libertad, the last three having a rate of P2.50 a day (Arnold, 1912). There were also three livery stables to transport passengers to and from the different places of the city. They were the Park, the Iloilo and the Panay.

Tourists were transported to Iloilo by any of the three means of transportation. Inter-island steamers plying between Zamboanga and Manila always brought a batch of visitors to the Iloilo port. Commodious cars with deep-cushioned seats and taxicabs readily met tourists at the wharf and took them to show houses, hotels, casinos, and resort places out of town at low cost of fare.

A smooth air trip to Iloilo was ushered by the Iloilo-Negros Air Express Co. (INEAC) by its initial Iloilo-Bacolod route in 1932 and another new route, the Iloilo-Manila, 1933.
http://thenewstoday.info/20050819/column4.htm
-----------------------------
Pictures of Leon and Bucari, Iloilo's little Baguio:

http://thenewstoday.info/20050819/leon2.jpg
The municipality of Leon, a 48-minute hop by jeepney, 28.2 kilometers southwest of Iloilo City, sits at the foot of Mount Madja-as. With Barangay Bucari (the highest portion) on a 1,200-metre-above sea level location surrounded with evergreens, and because of its cool climate---on some days it even gets foggy---the area around is a popular summer retreat from the heat of the nearby city.

http://thenewstoday.info/20050819/leon1.jpg
The municipality exercises a curious, magnetic pull. This is rural life in extremis, on market days at Fridays, are rambunctious group of merchants and middlemen flogging chickens in exchange for clothes or shoes, fresh vegetables by the baskets and the sweetest mangoes in the province. Compulsive eaters sing the praises of “ Linagpang nga Manok ,” loved as much for its native chicken on spicy soup stock. A visit to the 18 th century church, Parish of St. Catherine of Alexandria , is acclaimed to have the biggest stone edifice in the whole island of Panay, will give you some idea of the area's historical significance. (Click here for full article: http://thenewstoday.info/20050819/festure2.htm)
http://thenewstoday.info/20050819/leon5.jpg

With a land area of 14,013 hectares, the municipality is home to 43,729 residents. Its 85 barangays offers some of the best, and often the most extreme, trekking in Iloilo. Leon offers plenty of opportunities to explore pristine wilderness areas. Popularly known as the little Baguio of Iloilo Province, BUCARI , for example offers exhilarating trekking through dense 30-50 year old evergreens. Declared as an Eco-tourist zone, this 10,432.875-hectare land is more eco-friendly than its Banaue counterpart because of the agro-forest character of the farms diversified by fruit trees in between the terraces.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/iloilobanner.jpg

from the "CEBU DAILY NEWS" 8.18.05
>>daily segment:: SILOY's PAL

QUOTE::: "the congressmen from outside cebu want cebu divides because cebu's voice is clearly heard...natatakot cla na baka ma-overpower sila ng cebu....look at those divides islands, panay, leyte, negros, mindoro and palawan, regardless their size, do we hear their voices? no! because they're divided....

I've heard of Ayala Iloilo but iloilo has SM, Robinsons, Gaisano and other SM's and Marymart pa diay...the only massive malls here in Cebu is only Ayala and SM, ala nang iba but it has really changed the lifestyles of the Cebuanos last 1992 as the 1st huge mall was enagurated (SM), its the time where most of Cebuanos get more in thouched with a social life lessening their being conservative people....
Before SM came to Cebu, the 4-level White Gold Mall and the 5-level Metro Gaisano already existed, proof of their passion for shopping. The White Gold House (beside the mall) was one of the grandest chinese restaurant in the country. Let's just say SM and Ayala reinforced Cebuanos' social life. :okay:


Actually, Cebu City's major malls are
>Ayala Center Cebu (Ayala Northpoint Cebu)
>SM City Cebu
>Robinson's Place Cebu
>Banilad Town Center
>Gaisano Country Mall
>Elizabeth Mall
>Mango Square
>JY Discovery Plaza
>Cebu Boardwalk (soon)
>Ayala Southpoint Cebu (soon)
Downtown's crowd favorite
>Metro Colon
>Gaisano Main
>Gaisano South
Northern malls
>Super Metro Mandaue
>Gaisano Bogo
>Gaisano Danao
>Gaisano Mactan
>Metro Consolacion (soon)
Southern malls
>Gaisano Fiesta Mall
>Gaisano Carcar
Hip Malls
>The Village
>Crossroads Mall
you forgot to mention Mactan Marina Mall, near the airport where most foreign restaurants are. :)

ok people,.. please,... bacolod is not competing for queen city of the south....
we are the city of smiles, negros is the island of the sugar barons,... it has never crossed our minds to compete for that, Its actaually non-negrenses who put us in that race maybe because of that research by aim.... I placed a bacolod thread so place yer comments der, I dont hav time to take photographs ,... so any of you are free to do that...

Um lemme see, and please try not to take away from us....
no.2 we do not consider ourselves second to any city, we hav our own achievments which no other city in this country have beaten us....

and no. 3 bacolod is not the only city in negros we have 13, mor dan metro manila, we are still the nation's sugar bowl and in victorias city we have the world's largest integrated sugar mill,... and silay city is the vigan of the south and the paris of negros,.. the entire city is a spanish commune well preserved and untouched by time... we are also building a new airport in san carlos city aside from the new one in silay..... and an export processing zone in the same city is being built too... and we are also developing ethanol ( sugar based fuel) so that by 2010 we can reduce the cost of gasoline....

and people, bacolod has a casino , Iloilo does not,... we are the cleanest and greenest in the country and the most competitive mid size city..., we have three golf courses,( the largest no. in the visayas).. we even have an ayala subdivision...and several things Iloilo does not like wide roads and no traffic...

but then Iloilo has its own strengths, like more malls , savings bank and more industries within the city,...

and Id like to make some clarifications , the richest congressmen are from negros,.. and the richest man in southern phil is danding cojuangco who is based in pontevedra, which will become our fourteenth city thanks to charlie cojuangco....

hacendero is synonymous with negros, up until now the great estates are still intact like hacienda fortuna, hacienda balbina and the like.....

Iloilo is our port ... during the early years negros was where sugar was cultivated,.. Iloilo served as the port,.. and our financial center, before we developed bacolod....

and last but not the least, the legendary haut bien came from our province ... in 1988 when edu manzano came to bacolod to host the maskarra queen , he asked the candidate who she admired the most....
the candidate answered : I like princess di because shes beautiful and royalty.... in reply edu manzano said this: well your beautiful and since your from negros your probably royaly....

and no. 3 dumaguete is too small for us to compete against

ok people,.. please,... bacolod is not competing for queen city of the south....
we are the city of smiles, negros is the island of the sugar barons,... it has never crossed our minds to compete for that, Its actaually non-negrenses who put us in that race maybe because of that research by aim.... I placed a bacolod thread so place yer comments der, I dont hav time to take photographs ,... so any of you are free to do that...

Um lemme see, and please try not to take away from us....
no.2 we do not consider ourselves second to any city, we hav our own achievments which no other city in this country have beaten us....

and no. 3 bacolod is not the only city in negros we have 13, mor dan metro manila, we are still the nation's sugar bowl and in victorias city we have the world's largest integrated sugar mill,... and silay city is the vigan of the south and the paris of negros,.. the entire city is a spanish commune well preserved and untouched by time... we are also building a new airport in san carlos city aside from the new one in silay..... and an export processing zone in the same city is being built too... and we are also developing ethanol ( sugar based fuel) so that by 2010 we can reduce the cost of gasoline....

and people, bacolod has a casino , Iloilo does not,... we are the cleanest and greenest in the country and the most competitive mid size city..., we have three golf courses,( the largest no. in the visayas).. we even have an ayala subdivision...and several things Iloilo does not like wide roads and no traffic...

but then Iloilo has its own strengths, like more malls , savings bank and more industries within the city,...

and Id like to make some clarifications , the richest congressmen are from negros,.. and the richest man in southern phil is danding cojuangco who is based in pontevedra, which will become our fourteenth city thanks to charlie cojuangco....

hacendero is synonymous with negros, up until now the great estates are still intact like hacienda fortuna, hacienda balbina and the like.....

Iloilo is our port ... during the early years negros was where sugar was cultivated,.. Iloilo served as the port,.. and our financial center, before we developed bacolod....

and last but not the least, the legendary haut bien came from our province ... in 1988 when edu manzano came to bacolod to host the maskarra queen , he asked the candidate who she admired the most....
the candidate answered : I like princess di because shes beautiful and royalty.... in reply edu manzano said this: well your beautiful and since your from negros your probably royaly....

and no. 3 dumaguete is too small for us to compete against
??? Yeah we shouldn't be too concentrated in rising above other cities, but the growth and development of our country as a whole. Each city is distinct and unique, Iloilo cannot say it is better than Bacolod. But being an administrative center, Iloilo has an advantage of being considered Western Visayas' urban center.

We did have a casino before, you know ... called Casino Espanola or something. Our golf course is the oldest in SEA. We also have lots of high class subdivisions too. Ayala will be building an Ayala Center here in Iloilo :) A lot of richest families in the whole country has roots in Iloilo like the Lopezes

I hate to say this... in the 1980's der was a move to transfer... the regional center to bacolod.... dats d reason why the regional office of the bir, sss,... and other financial regional offices are in bacolod.. ayala center already laid out plans for the ayala center not in bacolod , but in talisay city, north of bacolod... Iloilo does not have a casino now.... and regarding roots of wealthy families , well we have d aranetas, d lacsons, d locsins, d montelibanos, and yes even d lopezes, and of course der r d arroyos ,... den d gonzagas, d de la ramas , d abellos ,... lopa ,.. luzuriagas, jalandoni, oppen , and the new ones the cojuangcos,.. let me see .,, oh and there are the gallagas, the lizares, zubiris , and the hilados, agustin, varela , and .....

I hate to say this... in the 1980's der was a move to transfer... the regional center to bacolod.... dats d reason why the regional office of the bir, sss,... and other financial regional offices are in bacolod.. ayala center already laid out plans for the ayala center not in bacolod , but in talisay city, north of bacolod... Iloilo does not have a casino now.... and regarding roots of wealthy families , well we have d aranetas, d lacsons, d locsins, d montelibanos, and yes even d lopezes, and of course der r d arroyos ,... den d gonzagas, d de la ramas , d abellos ,... lopa ,.. luzuriagas, jalandoni, oppen , and the new ones the cojuangcos,.. let me see .,, oh and there are the gallagas, the lizares, zubiris , and the hilados, agustin, varela , and .....
Yes, but Iloilo is the administrative center now. A lot of wealthy families you mentioned came from Iloilo but just migrated to Negros :)

wow!...that is a lot of rich clans coming from bacolod. I hope that this people will be able to help the economy of bacolod by investing in the city. Same goes with Iloilo. Cebu's economic growth is partly brought by the rich Cebuanos investing in their city. Like say Gokongwei. His businesses around the country is very much profitable especially Metro Manila but why did he choose to make Cebu, Cebu Pacific's hub and why did he invest for a mall and a hotel in the city when market and profitability in that business in Cebu is very tight? Why would the Aboitiz Group's national headquarters be based in Cebu when 70% of its business is located in Luzon and Metro Manila? Investments in Cebu I think is more of concern for their very own people by Cebuanos themselves. I hope that this phenomena will also happen to the Philippines as a whole counting on the 8 million Filipino diaspora.

Before SM came to Cebu, the 4-level White Gold Mall and the 5-level Metro Gaisano already existed, proof of their passion for shopping. The White Gold House (beside the mall) was one of the grandest chinese restaurant in the country. Let's just say SM and Ayala reinforced Cebuanos' social life. :okay:
to correct, white gold was only 3 levels and metro Gaisano is 7 levels... :)


you forgot to mention Mactan Marina Mall, near the airport where most foreign restaurants are. :)

actually cebu has a lot to owe to its wealthy chinese citizenry, like gokongwei 90 percent of its industry are owned by the chinese( or thats what the tour guide said to me)

anyways, actually the problem with negros is the fact that bacolod is not the only city, we hav 13 ,each wealthy clan tends to invest where their land is.... or hacendia for that matter..... each city has its own distinctive taste and strength.... like for example charlie cojuangco placed all of the public school teachers in his district on scholarship, had them earn their PH Ds or MBAs and had all the schools connected to the net... he covers the fourth distict not bacolod.... but then we all consider bacolod as our capital,... but then its not everything for us... we are less centralised... the wealthy clans of this province are of negros thats wer our allegiance is, anything can be said wer we came from, but this is wer we struck gold and we owe it to the land...

actually cebu has a lot to owe to its wealthy chinese citizenry, like gokongwei 90 percent of its industry are owned by the chinese( or thats what the tour guide said to me)

Actually I think this is correct but Chinese Cebuanos are very much blended into Cebu's population and psyche. In spite of the very large Chinese Cebuano population in Cebu they don't have a place that they call Chinatown this I think because Cebu has been able to embrace different cultures and take this as their advantage. It's normal for you to have a half chinese-japanese and filipino and spanish neighbor or friend if they are from Cebu. I think this has brought the dynamism of Cebu's economy and cultural landscape. Iloilo I think is more of the Chinese and Spanish and Filipino/Ilonggo intermarriages.

Yes, but cebu does have a spanish background too < right ... the province's political elite comes from this background.....

I'am of spanish-chinese-malay descent ,.. and I have relatives in cebu...

and oh ... love the chinese temple in beverly hills,... reminds me of the peak in hongkong..

yes and we are now bringing the cebu thread in the iloilo thread..hehe

can we just separate and form our own republic!!!

if we'd separate...we'd surely topple down manila to death....

well manila is melting at it's core,.... its just the capital....

question.... what is Iloilo's title?????

question.... what is Iloilo's title?????


HEART OF THE PHILIPPINES

CIUDAD SOPHIA?

can we just separate and form our own republic!!!
As much as I think Iloilo would be better off at forming its own republic. Let's try to put our national interest first, and seek the better alternative which is a federal gov't

---------------
According to wecky, the Ayala Center Iloilo will be built along a road in the Jalandoni Bridge Project. It will be built in the swamplands near SM City Iloilo
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/Panorama2.jpg

Ateneo will build its first Campus in the visayas near this area too

HEART OF THE PHILIPPINES

CIUDAD SOPHIA?

thank you... well I'm here right now in Iloilo... I'm checking all d places...

the city should advertise it's title more, I didnt see anything of that kind on the ports of entry...

thank you... well I'm here right now in Iloilo... I'm checking all d places...
Cool .. how long will you be staying here?
You won't find any much of titles here in Iloilo City ... you're most probably to find some "aton ini" signs. Iloilo nowadays, isn't really that particular about titles not like Bacolod (The City of SMILES!) or Cagayan de Oro (the City of GOLDEN FRIENDSHIP) hehe ... we want our original title "Queen City of the South" back! :)

I wonder what happened to these projects:

http://www.geocities.com/irongirongph/page12/img11.gifhttp://www.palafoxassociates.com/images/office02.jpg

The latest addition in the investment equation is the Iloilo Corporate Center, an 18-hectare business park that aims to be the nerve center of business in Iloilo City.

The self-contained city is envisioned to include state-of-the-art commercial and business facilities as well as amenities at par with metropolitan living standar

Cool .. how long will you be staying here?
You won't find any much of titles here in Iloilo City ... you're most probably to find some "aton ini" signs. Iloilo nowadays, isn't really that particular about titles not like Bacolod (The City of SMILES!) or Cagayan de Oro (the City of GOLDEN FRIENDSHIP) hehe ... we want our original title "Queen City of the South" back! :)

I wonder what happened to these projects:

http://www.geocities.com/irongirongph/page12/img11.gifhttp://www.palafoxassociates.com/images/office02.jpg

The latest addition in the investment equation is the Iloilo Corporate Center, an 18-hectare business park that aims to be the nerve center of business in Iloilo City.

The self-contained city is envisioned to include state-of-the-art commercial and business facilities as well as amenities at par with metropolitan living standar

AFAIK, Cebu'll do anything to defend its title. So Ilo-ilo should just be the Princess City of the South?

I am also suggesting to Malacanang that they just declare a "CITY OF THE YEAR" considering some CRITERIA such as "Dynamism of Economy", "Availability of Resources", etc... and ERASE all the titles that have been declared so that there'll be no conflict within these cities...

Hnoestly to Ilonggos in Iloilo.... what are your reactions everytime Cebu is being mentioned in any TV programs and also in documentaries like "Cebu City, the Queen City of the South"? Do you feel a kind of hatred to Cebu or Cebuanos? or just give me an idea coz I wanna know.... Regarding my part, everytime they mentioned it I feel uncomfortable coz I know that the title is refered/given to Iloilo and I think on that time that the Queen ? gave that title to Iloilo, it is non transferable or the title will be given to the most progressive city in the country....maybe nomatterwhat she gave that title to Iloilo coz she liked Iloilo after all... Its ok if the Queen really transferred the title herself to Cebu but I think she didn't... Am I right?

AFAIK, Cebu'll do anything to defend its title. So Ilo-ilo should just be the Princess City of the South?
sure :) Iloilo is more of a Queen Mother than a princess :p
I am also suggesting to Malacanang that they just declare a "CITY OF THE YEAR" considering some CRITERIA such as "Dynamism of Economy", "Availability of Resources", etc... and ERASE all the titles that have been declared so that there'll be no conflict within these cities...
Let the private sector, like AIM do that. Gov't should prioritize dealing with the real issues in our country.
Hnoestly to Ilonggos in Iloilo.... what are your reactions everytime Cebu is being mentioned in any TV programs and also in documentaries like "Cebu City, the Queen City of the South"? Do you feel a kind of hatred to Cebu or Cebuanos? or just give me an idea coz I wanna know.... Regarding my part, everytime they mentioned it I feel uncomfortable coz I know that the title is refered/given to Iloilo and I think on that time that the Queen ? gave that title to Iloilo, it is non transferable or the title will be given to the most progressive city in the country....maybe nomatterwhat she gave that title to Iloilo coz she liked Iloilo after all... Its ok if the Queen really transferred the title herself to Cebu but I think she didn't... Am I right?
I think its pretty much accepted that Cebu has taken the topspot here in the south, most Ilonggos share a healthy relationship with Cebuanos. Its just for some people, who have known Iloilo to be the original Queen, want the title back. For me, I'd like to see Iloilo regain its former glory (but not ofcourse at the expense of Cebu or any other city), but what really is more important is national development.

You know, its kind of weird too. ABS-CBN Network (the TV Station) is number 1 in the whole Philippines except in Manila and in Ilo-ilo, I just don't know why.... :runaway:

You know, its kind of weird too. ABS-CBN Network (the TV Station) is number 1 in the whole
Philippines except in Manila and in Ilo-ilo, I just don't know why.... :runaway:ABS-CBN is #1 in Iloilo. There's even an advertisement in the ABS Channel saying so :)

---------------------
Ateneno de Iloilo - the first Ateneo in the Visayas
Friday was a red-letter day for Iloilo. That was because of the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement
among Jesuit Provincial head Fr. Romeo Intengan, Victor F. Pison of the Kauturan Pison
Development Corp. and Fr. Manuel Uy, S.C., director of the Ateneo de Iloilo.

The Pison family donated two of seven hectares plus another half-hectare of their sprawling
property jut behind the SM City along the Circumferential Road for the site of the Ateneo de Iloilo.
Actually, according to Fr. Intengan, the first Ateneo of the Visayas.

Archbishop Angel Lagdameo attended the MOA signing. He and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas
were witnesses to it. Treñas is himself a graduate of the Ateneo who topped the bar
examinations a year after graduation. His son is also enrolled at the ID. Another
brother, Francis, has an MBA from the Ateneo. He is chair of the Panay-FED.

I was surprised to learn that the present Sta. Maria Catholic School has already been
recognized as the ADI. Its campus will be transferred to the 7-hectare property as
the new site is completed.

For years, Ateneo graduates had dreamed of an Ateneo in the Visayas, "That dream has
become a reality," commented Fr. Uy.

The SMCS actually caters to Filipino-Chinese students, especially in the secondary level.
But it does not exclude non-Tsinoys. The school, however, to identify and enrich Philippine
culture and helps students to develop an understanding and an appreciation for the Chinese
cultural heritage, fostering thereby a harmonious integration of this with Philippine values
and traditions.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/Panorama3.jpg

You know, its kind of weird too. ABS-CBN Network (the TV Station) is number 1 in the whole Philippines except in Manila and in Ilo-ilo, I just don't know why.... :runaway:

well, I know why.... its because our taste is diffrent from theirs.... they like less appealing than more appealing artists and it is clearer than a clear glass....hehe Just like their attitude compared to ours....You already know what I mean. but do u mean that GMA is number 1 in Iloilo? cut! I'm tired about the Manila and TV stations issues....my excitement goes for the posititve developments of Cebu and the whole Philippines as a whole....

IloIlo - the Queen Mother of the South ...LOL

Iloilo to host nat’l gab of local planning, dev’t coordinators

ILOILO City – The Province of Iloilo will host this year’s Annual Convention of the League of Local Planning and Development Coordinators of the Philippines on August 23-25, 2005 at Punta Villa, Arevalo district.

Already on its 16th year, “this annual convention would bring priceless experience and learning using information technology in development planning both from government and the private sectors’ perspective,” said Mario Nillos, head, Provincial Planning and Development Office and this year’s convention chair.

“Hopefully, the experiences would enhance the skills and capacities of the local planning and development coordinators in selecting and using appropriate Information Technology (IT) tools and techniques that would result to better governance in their respective local government units,” he added.

Nillos further said, “in this age of IT, development planning seems to be in the fingertips. Upon close scrutiny, the use of IT in development planning is simply a tool or a technique that would make development planning more meaningful and appropriate in this challenging time.”

Topics to be discussed during the three-day convention will include Utilizing IT and the Role of NCC in Development Planning for Effective Local Governance by Frederick DC Amores, Group Head-Visayas, NCC, Cebu City; GIS as an Input to Local Development Planning: the Cebu City Experience, Engr. Emar Montejo, OIC, Cebu City GIS Center; E-Procurement, Dir. Alfonso B. Bedonia, Jr., ARD-DBM, Region VI; Local Government Performance Monitoring System, Dir. Rolando Acosta, BLGS, DILG; Poverty Database and Monitoring Software, Mr. Samuel J. Gulayan, Exec. Director, Bohol Local Devt. Foundation; Ortho-Photo Maps and GIS: Addressing the Need for Spatial Information in Local Development Planning, Mr. Virgilio S. Santos, Survey Geomatics Division, FF Cruz & Co, Inc.; Local Government System: Boosting Local Government Revenues without Enacting Laws, Monette Lim, E*SPRINT Software, Mandaue City; and Turning Location-based Intelligence in Government Advantage, Lanie Silerio, System Technology Research Corporation, Mandaluyong City.

This year’s convention bannered the theme “Information Technology: An Indispensable Tool for Effective Local Development Planning.

About 600 to 800 participants all over the country are expected to join the said gathering of local planners and development coordinators.

Iloilo Province first hosted the said convention in 1995.

first of all congratulations Chymera for the job well done ! Really proud of your works man (and of course nice meeting you in Iloilo last week. I'm back here in London for two days na ... been very tired though. Anyway, I'll keep you posted. I'll email some of pics of Iloilo to you. Been very busy when I was there so less ang pictures taking.

IloIlo - the Queen Mother of the South ...LOL


hahahaha ... what a title .. forget the title I guess .. we had much of those in the past .... I still go for the title ... "The HEART OF THE PHILIPPINES".

hi sandrin ... been to Guimaras for a day ... we went to Raymen's (formerly Alubijod Resort), the Trappist Monastery, etc ... such a lovely Guimaras Island. Like Boracay, it's full of tourist as well.

I thought there was an ateneo in cebu, I saw it last time....

You know, its kind of weird too. ABS-CBN Network (the TV Station) is number 1 in the whole Philippines except in Manila and in Ilo-ilo, I just don't know why.... :runaway:

when I was there a week ago .. ABS CBN is loudly proclaiming that they have a 17% share of Iloilo's televiewees while GMA got 16% .... wahhh ... what's with that anyway ... Iloilo as far as I know is a GMA country rather than ABS CBN ... maraming KAPUSO sa Iloilo in comparison to Kapamilya. Hehehe ...

its not that,... abs-cbn does not hav a sub-station in iloilo

Hnoestly to Ilonggos in Iloilo.... what are your reactions everytime Cebu is being mentioned in any TV programs and also in documentaries like "Cebu City, the Queen City of the South"? Do you feel a kind of hatred to Cebu or Cebuanos? or just give me an idea coz I wanna know.... Regarding my part, everytime they mentioned it I feel uncomfortable coz I know that the title is refered/given to Iloilo and I think on that time that the Queen ? gave that title to Iloilo, it is non transferable or the title will be given to the most progressive city in the country....maybe nomatterwhat she gave that title to Iloilo coz she liked Iloilo after all... Its ok if the Queen really transferred the title herself to Cebu but I think she didn't... Am I right?


oohhh .. another Queen City of the South query .... I think we'll leave it as is .. if Cebu claims to be the Queen City let it be ... if Iloilo does as well, let it be too ... besides, the Queen City title of Iloilo was given by the Queen of Spain herself during the time when Iloilo is the next important city outside Manila especially the time when sugar industry is booming. The Queen City title of Cebu started only when ? 1980's ? To make the story short ... each of them have the right to claim the title ( to each its own) .. even Davao, Bacolod, CDO, etc can claim the title so, if they want.

its not that,... abs-cbn does not hav a sub-station in iloilo

It does ... ABS CBN Iloilo - TV 10 .... ABS CBN Bacolod TV 4 ..... GMA Iloilo TV 6


ABS CBN Iloilo (TV 10) is located near West Visayas State University and Iloilo National High School.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/etching/IndependenceDayBanner2.jpg

Iloilo City and Province thread I (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=166860&page=1)
Iloilo City and Province thread II (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=214487)

Iloilo City, Philippines

Time for a third thread! Hopefully there will be more pictures added to the collection as wecky will be coming back here in Iloilo! We have planned for a sort of Forum Meet, I hope it all goes out as planned :) Sorry for the delay, got caught up in school lately :)

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/IloiloLocation.jpg

A visit to Iloilo gives a visitor a feeling of a place with a rich and glorious past. Standing side by side on a busy street is an Internet café and an Antillean mansion. For such is the charm of Iloilo, the cradle of old world genteel aristocracy that has morphed with new age technology like an eclectic tapestry.

When the Spaniards came to Iloilo in the 16th century, they discovered a people with two outstanding characteristics: industry and flair. The women had a penchant for beautiful clothes and jewelry and the men were driven to trade and industry. As early as the 19th century when most of the Philippines was still in siesta, Iloilo’s international harbor was thriving with direct shipping lines to Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, England, Europe and America. Aside from the staples of agriculture and fishing, her textile weaving industry has been on a large commercial scale and because of an abundance in timber, her shipyards were flourishing. So remarkable was the growth of commerce and trade that Spain’s Queen Regent, Maria Cristina elevated the status of Iloilo to that of a city in 1899. Inscribed in her coat of arms are the words, “La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad de Iloilo.”

Thus Iloilo’s golden age had begun… her port was opened to international trade which gave way to the sugar rush during the Commonwealth period. This served as a backbone of Iloilo’s unprecedented growth. The fertile plains of Panay and the rich volcanic soil of Negros were ideal for sugarcane. Exports boomed and sugar farming became a world-class industry. A new breed of wealth emerged – the sugar barons. A number of sugar centrals mushroomed and more work opportunities were available; warehouses lined Muelle Loney, filled to the hilt with sugar to be transloaded to international vessels. Iloilo then became the undisputed leader among the provinces. Sugar money built majestic tree-lined ancestral mansions around the city, afforded family travels to Europe and to the world, opened new business establishments, bought carriages, automobiles and a fleet of servants for the privileged. Because of the expansion of trade and the rapid growth of business and economic activities, a number of foreign and local firms built offices and outlets – banks, stock exchange offices, machine shops, warehouses, retail shops, printing presses, educational institutions, medical facilities, commercial firms and social clubs.

After World War II, Iloilo’s crown was tarnished with the impending decline in business and the rebuilding of a war-ravaged city. The city has not quite regained its stature as the Queen City of the South, a title she lost to Cebu some years later. The old moneyed families left for Manila, to more lucrative opportunities. They sent their children abroad to study and they never came back. The tree-lined antique laden structures and the Antillean mansions are now empty save for an encargado and his family who take charge of maintaining them, if and when funds trickle in. Casino Español stands as a ravaged skeleton, a silent reminder of its past glory. The Plaza Alfonso XII (now Plaza Libertad) is bare and empty, only its chipped marbled park benches remain a mute witness to the good old days, where a band used to play in its magnificent band-stand on the Alameda.

The glorious days are over but in its place, a new breed of Ilonggos with the same passion for flair and industry as their forebears have risen. These are the intellectual elite; the tai pan capitalists, the new entrepreneurs and contract workers. Migrant money. Nouveau riche. A new middle class of hardworking entrepreneurs closed the gap between the rich and the poor. For when Iloilo’s power as an economic force waned, its people were compelled to adjust their lifestyle accordingly.

Today, the city continues its march towards progress and its children have learned to live in simple peace and harmony. The province’s heritage is the Ilonggo’s solitary pride, in every sense, she is still “muy leal y noble,” the knowledge that somewhere in time, there truly was a golden age in this land. There is just too much evidence all around the province today and to the modern Ilonggo, it still is, the best of times.
(from http://www.pilmap.com.ph/pilmap%20(holiday%20issue)/iloilo.asp)

FACTS & FIGURES (Updated!)
Land Area : 56 sq. km (2004)
No. of Barangays: 180 (As of September 2003)
No. of Districts: 6 (As of September 2003)
Total Population: 365,820 (As of May 1,2000 census)
Total Population: 395,809 (2005 Estimate)
Population Density: Iloilo - 6,533 (As of May 1,2000 census)
Population Growth Rates: 1.93 (1995-2000)
Income Class: First
Consumer Price Index (2000=100): 129.1 (2004)
Inflation Rate: 7.7 (2004)
Purchasing Power of Peso: 0.77 (2004)
Average Family Income: 283,604 (2000)
No. of Elementary Schools:
Public: 52 (SY 2003-2004)
Private: 29 (SY 2003-2004)
No. of Secondary Schools:
Public : 14 (SY 2003-2004)
Private: 15 (SY 2003-2004)
No. of Tertiary Schools: 30 (SY 2003-2004)
No. of Health Centers: 7 (2003)
No. of Barangay Health Stations: 44 (2003)
No. of Motor Vehicles Registered: 49,408 (2004)

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/iloilobanner.jpg


THE BEST GID IKAW, CHYMERA ! WOWOWWWWWEEEEE !!!

Recap of the second thread:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/Label.jpg

Iloilo City Pano
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/Panorama2.jpg

SM Delgado
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/p0b445a096a637f76c419c062522dec87/f40aa017.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/p7e0dc5333e93d962ff47f95d809b6c17/f40aa015.jpg

General Luna St.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/p3934015f1667bcb9309ec695ae516a75/f40a958e.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/p460a04dfa75f24cb6f1019c0fa983a9d/f40a958d.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/pa498e5b64967c7dffa7f997af87e3938/f40a958c.jpg

Pano of Whole Downtown up to Molo District (Molo Church is visible):
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/Panorama1.jpg

Iloilo Provincial Capitol
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/p90dbf16c52fbedbcd47951a391b1202f/f40086b0.jpg

Smallville Business Center
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/p8f5a6b4c58903a150d6f6683413f76c1/f40086b4.jpg

Diversion Road
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid170/p5749cc56a928965621a6f16b117436ea/f40067c6.jpg

Downtown
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid169/p83aa08f66a5338aa057b7ea152c3d90c/f40086bd.jpg

Muelle Loney, Domestic Port
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/IloiloRiver3.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid170/p6f93fda6ea548cfc58968f434cd11b94/f3fc76fb.jpg

Iloilo River
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid170/pa8dceb6d5297eae2dcb6c4dbb1a62958/f3fc76f7.jpg

Sicogon Island, Estancia
http://home2.pacific.net.ph/~icp_natl/images/sicogon1.jpg
http://home2.pacific.net.ph/~icp_natl/images/sicogon2.jpg
(from:http://www.asiatravel.com/iloinfo.html)

Iloilo Port
http://www.lakbaypilipinas.com/images/visayas_iloilo_port.jpg
http://www001.upp.so-net.ne.jp/gaki/cusyomeh.jpg

Mandurriao District
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/Panorama3.jpg

Gen. Luna St. - Benigno Aquino diversion Ave. Intersection
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/GenLunaSt-DiversionRoad.jpg

Sta. Teresita Church
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/Downtown2.jpg

Downtown
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/Downtown.jpg

Old Mansions
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid53/p5942b622e069b09cdb604f51cb157b67/fc8c20f1.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid53/p0a932353fb4e504a35c09797d247a2a6/fc8c1cc1.jpg

Fort San Pedro
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid53/p911d05b7d931044d2fcbbe9a7c27d5a4/fc8c204a.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid53/p80927709207669a277a6ca4a565fc941/fc8c20cf.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/JalandoniBridge.jpg


LOVELY PICTURES ........ CAN'T WAIT TO POST MY PICS ( kahit konti lang ... hehehe )

It does ... ABS CBN Iloilo - TV 10 .... ABS CBN Bacolod TV 4 ..... GMA Iloilo TV 6


ABS CBN Iloilo (TV 10) is located near West Visayas State University and Iloilo National High School.

its an office not a substation.... meant for radio broadcast.,,, or that's what they told me.... Il go check

oohhh .. another Queen City of the South query .... I think we'll leave it as is .. if Cebu claims to be the Queen City let it be ... if Iloilo does as well, let it be too ... besides, the Queen City title of Iloilo was given by the Queen of Spain herself during the time when Iloilo is the next important city outside Manila especially the time when sugar industry is booming. The Queen City title of Cebu started only when ? 1980's ? To make the story short ... each of them have the right to claim the title ( to each its own) .. even Davao, Bacolod, CDO, etc can claim the title so, if they want.

IT lost its title after world war II,...

actually Iloilo had already lost it's title during the peak of the sugar boom,.... 1960's and 70's

its an office not a substation.... meant for radio broadcast.,,, or that's what they told me.... Il go check

yep .. it's a compact station ... with ABS CBN Iloilo ... DZMM Iloilo and the MOR Iloilo. Try and check though.

IT lost its title after world war II,...

actually Iloilo had already lost it's title during the peak of the sugar boom,.... 1960's and 70's


might be toward late 70's but not 60's ... we're still on the 50/50 zone during that time.

LEON: The Great Escape
By Bombette G. Marin


The municipality of Leon, a 48-minute hop by jeepney, 28.2 kilometers southwest of Iloilo City, sits at the foot of Mount Madja-as. With Barangay Bucari (the highest portion) on a 1,200-metre-above sea level location surrounded with evergreens, and because of its cool climate---on some days it even gets foggy---the area around is a popular summer retreat from the heat of the nearby city.

The municipality exercises a curious, magnetic pull. This is rural life in extremis, on market days at Fridays, are rambunctious group of merchants and middlemen flogging chickens in exchange for clothes or shoes, fresh vegetables by the baskets and the sweetest mangoes in the province. Compulsive eaters sing the praises of “ Linagpang nga Manok ,” loved as much for its native chicken on spicy soup stock. A visit to the 18 th century church, Parish of St. Catherine of Alexandria , is acclaimed to have the biggest stone edifice in the whole island of Panay, will give you some idea of the area's historical significance.


With a land area of 14,013 hectares, the municipality is home to 43,729 residents. Its 85 barangays offers some of the best, and often the most extreme, trekking in Iloilo. Leon offers plenty of opportunities to explore pristine wilderness areas. Popularly known as the little Baguio of Iloilo Province, BUCARI , for example offers exhilarating trekking through dense 30-50 year old evergreens. Declared as an Eco-tourist zone, this 10,432.875-hectare land is more eco-friendly than its Banaue counterpart because of the agro-forest character of the farms diversified by fruit trees in between the terraces.

Not so much of a secret any more, Leon boasts a handful of good waterfalls. Most popular is situated at Barangay Camandag, 31 kilometers straight from the Poblacion, the IMOY Waterfalls . Surrounded by wild flowers, this type has a natural spring which is the main source of its water. This falls is accessible by jeepney all year round.



Throw yourself to the unending beat of indigenous instruments and Leon's predisposition for a good party. HANDURAW Festival is a sustained week-long frenzy of the municipality's culinary ingenuity. Handuraw is partly a historical festival----held to commemorate the transfer of Pueblo del Camando to Sitio Capan, the present site of the municipality. Groups coming from outlying entities with rhythmic movements will be part of a street spectacle and assumed the status of an exuberant cultural show for locals and visitors alike. Surely, for first-timers, it will be a memorable, deafening spectacle, with dozens of intricately-dressed Leonians dancing the Camando dance through the streets in to the sounds of the Handuraw drums. With the theme; “ Leon: The Next Eco-Tourism Destination ,” the festival, now on its 5 th year, is committed to provide the people of Leon and its visitors an experience they will surely miss.


Headed by their very active mayor, Hon. Romulo C. Cabana, Jr. the festival is set to open on August 26, 2005, with series of lined-up activities for everyone to enjoy. From Food Festival to Agro-Industrial fair, Torch Parade to Tunog-Pinoy--- set to open on the first day. The search for Binibining Leon-Tourism will mesmerize everyone on the second day. A Seminar on Livestock Upgrading, Mango Production, Coconut Virgin Oil Demonstration with LGU Officials and Employees Night follows on the third day. The Handuraw tribe competition culminates on September 1, 2005.

Leon, a municipality rich in culture…gifted with natural wonders…proud of its history and hard-working, environmentally-conscious and peace-loving people. No other place offers great escape from city life than Leon. Whatever you do, wherever you go in this municipality, you will always enjoy the warmest welcome in this side of the province. (photos by Ramon Ramirez)



(from The News Today Info)

might be toward late 70's but not 60's ... we're still on the 50/50 zone during that time.

I just read it in the newspaper archives,...from one of those old mags (you won't believe the dust),.. all they said is after the war, thats when the lopezes moved to paranaque... and Iloilo's ports where no longer used for sugar shipments... Iloilo's fate had more to do with the fact that the planters decided not to use Iloilo's ports anymore.... the collapse was tied more to decision than the collapse of the price of sugar...

wow Kyle, thanks for the info ... hinalungkat mo pa baul mo dira ? ... hehehe ... I just came back from Iloilo few days ago .. and I'm really glad of the great developments ongoing there. Hopefully, we can sustain the momentum of progress.

Pwerte na kadugay last time nakakadto ko sa Iloilo.
Mya mga parente lang gihapon kami dira.
Iloilo is looking good. Thnx for da pix.

Come and visit Iloilo now, Joey (tokayo!) ...... such a surge of progress at hand. Lots and lots of new things are happening in Iloilo everyday, of course development-wise. Hopefully, the NGOs and gov't will continue to work and help each other hand and hand for further developments.

first of all congratulations Chymera for the job well done ! Really proud of your works man (and of course nice meeting you in Iloilo last week. I'm back here in London for two days na ... been very tired though. Anyway, I'll keep you posted. I'll email some of pics of Iloilo to you. Been very busy when I was there so less ang pictures taking.
Nice meeting you too wecky, I've been anticipating your email (with pictures of the international airport) for days :) nak-page 6 na kmi since you left hehe :) :)

wow Kyle, thanks for the info ... hinalungkat mo pa baul mo dira ? ... hehehe ... I just came back from Iloilo few days ago .. and I'm really glad of the great developments ongoing there. Hopefully, we can sustain the momentum of progress.

nah it was an archive,.. a library.... I was also Iloilo yesterday

hahahaha ... what a title .. forget the title I guess .. we had much of those in the past .... I still go for the title ... "The HEART OF THE PHILIPPINES".

hi sandrin ... been to Guimaras for a day ... we went to Raymen's (formerly Alubijod Resort), the Trappist Monastery, etc ... such a lovely Guimaras Island. Like Boracay, it's full of tourist as well.

Welcome back Wecky!!!!!....IloIlo is the City of Hearts. I think we should start making T-Shirst with that logo....IloIlo the heart of the Philippines, City of Hearts...

Nice meeting you too wecky, I've been anticipating your email (with pictures of the international airport) for days :) nak-page 6 na kmi since you left hehe :) :)


I'm glad na nakapage-6 na kamo di .. really been busy sa Iloilo (as you knew) that's why wala gid ako ka post a. I'll try to email you the pics in the next few days. I'm sorting a lot of things at present here in UK. Damo backlog. Carry on with all your great works Chymera ... all of it will yiled good fruition in the end.

Right now, I'm very homesick ... gosh .. 4 weeks in Iloilo changed a lot of my life here in UK ... hehehe.

Ciao!

nah it was an archive,.. a library.... I was also Iloilo yesterday

Wow ... was it just a visit Kyle ? I really missed Iloilo so much

Welcome back Wecky!!!!!....IloIlo is the City of Hearts. I think we should start making T-Shirst with that logo....IloIlo the heart of the Philippines, City of Hearts...


that's nice, sandrin. I think some of Iloilo T-shirts / souvenirs carry this phrase already. ILOILO will always be the "Heart of the Philippines" .. making Iloilo City, the City of Love.

Iloilo City is model LGU in the Phil.
(from http://www.thenewstoday.info/20050722/iloilonews8.htm)

Iloilo City was adjudged as one of the model local government units in the Philippines for Best Practices besting other entries coming from the different cities in the country.

The citation was given by the League of Cities of the Philippines in cooperation with the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA).

Other winners were Calbayog in Western Samar, Cebu, Tagbilaran City in Bohol, Surigao, Island Garden City of Samal, Marikina, Naga and San Fernando in La Union.

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas presented the Iloilo City government's private and public partnership through Dinagyang Festival.

The organization and implementation of the Dinagyang festival was given to the private sector in 2002 immediately after the assumption into office of Treñas.

Entries for LCP Best Practices were judged according to its efficiency, transparency, effectiveness of the program, safety and security, transferability and sustainability, poverty reduction or the ability of the program to significantly reduce poverty in the city and innovativeness.

Meanwhile, the city government is slated to conduct a working session for public governance strategy on July 26 th and 27 th . Participants include leaders from the media, youth, academe, civic and professional organizations and business groups. (Adora B. Bandorio/PIO)

City tourist arrivals up
(from http://www.thenewstoday.info/20050722/iloilonews9.htm)

Tourist arrivals in this Southern metropolis has significantly increased in the first six months of this year compared with the same period last year.

In a report submitted to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, city tourism officer Heloise Javellana said that based on the monitoring report submitted by the city's tourism information assistance center (TIAC), the recorded arrivals at the Mandurriao airport alone showed a total of 615 tourists in 2005, compared to the 527 tourist arrivals in 2004.

On the other hand, accommodation establishments recorded a total of 191,328 tourist arrivals in January to June, compared to the 142,627 tourist arrivals of 2004. Accommodation establishments include all registered hotels and pension houses.

Of this total, 352 visitors came from all over Asia; 3,848 from East Asia; 104 from South Asia; 3,625 from North America; 438 from Oceania; 1,902 from Europe; and 68 from Middle East.

The prompt and proper submission of data by all registered hotels, pension houses and other accommodation establishments here has enabled city tourism authorities to determine immediately the number of tourists that visited Iloilo City.

Javellana thanked the various establishments for submitting the necessary data on time which helped the city update its tourist records.

Having these updated figures will assist the city in determining the factors why tourist arrivals either increase or decrease in the metropolis, she pointed out.

In the last six months of the year, the CTO has implemented crowd drawing projects and programs that include Dinagyang, Chinese New Year, Arts Month, Paraw Regatta, Iloilo City Freedom Day, Fiesta in the City, Flores de Mayo and Best in the Region among others.

The CTO has also launched “Experience Iloilo-Guimaras 2006.” (Adora B. Bandorio/PIO)



40% Rice Production of the Country in Iloilo? ... I doubt this is accurate

The percentile might be wrong but that only means that we are a "food sufficient" province. We can have a least a good three meals a day in our table.


Been to Guimaras for my vacation last month ... wow ... sorry to say pero mas gusto ko ang Guimaras compare sa Boracay ... it's more tranquil, serene and clean. I asked my friends in Iloilo, too to support the "Iloilo-Guimaras Visit 2005". Really great !

by CHYMERA

sana yugn area near PHASE III would be a commercial/recreational/entertainment "district"
kung pwede nga lang may hotel and conventional facilities (kung kakayanin ng lupa) kasi that area is sort of the CENTER of the CITY and it hs the Iloilo river for a "dramatic" background


I agree Whyte ... hopefully the commercial/recreational/entertainment will be realised. There are too many small hotels sprouting around the city but we need bigger international hotels and convention centres, I guess.

Yeah ... we're on our 3rd thread yey!

2004 Gross Regional Domestic Product Highlights for Western Visayas

2004 GDRP Growth Rate : 7.9% (2nd Highest)
2003 GDRP Growth Rate : 5.9 % (2nd Highest)
2004 Contribution to GDP : 7.6% (4th Highest)
2004 GDRP Level : P86,034,130,000 ^
2004 GDRP Level (PPP) : $32.73 (Est. from CIA World Factbook)

Contributon to GDP Growth Rate : 0.6% (2nd Highest)
Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries GR : 7.6% (3rd Highest)
Industry GR : 6.5% (3rd Highest)
Services GR : 8.36% (Highest)
Per Capita : P13,146 (4th Highest)




http://www.nscb.gov.ph/grdp/2004/h2.jpg

impressive GDRP ! We're really doing it well. How's our region's purchasing power ? Any ideas ?

MARKET MARKET is still one big BOX from afar jutting out of a plain.
havent been there but seen it on tv/film/etc :lol: nice lay out design.
"AYALA-designed" mall GAISAN0 operated - is this correct?


hehehe ... Ayala- designed, Gaisano operated mall ? Huwag naman sana ... hehehe

Monday, August 22, 2005
Iloilo to hold first Art Festival
By Lory Ann B. Bilbao


FOR the first time, an Art Festival will be held here from September 26 to October 3.

The festival, which is entitled "Arte Iloilo", will gather 36 Ilonggo artists in an art exhibit consisting of paintings, lithographs, sculptures, and carvings.

Arte Iloilo is one of the events celebrating the art festival which aims to promote local artists' art pieces and cultivating art appreciation among the greater number of people.

Arte Iloilo will be held in five exhibit areas in SM City Iloilo.

Five of the artists groups to be featured are Busilak under architect Joemarie Moleta, Circulo Artists Group of Eric Divinagracia, Hubon Madia-as of Prof. Ed Defensor, the artists group of Norman Posecion, Tayni Firmeza, Libby Limoso among others, and some artists coming from selected towns of Iloilo Province.

"Local art collectors, art lovers and people who are interested to beautify or enhance their homes or offices are enjoined to support and patronize the creative works of our local artists. It's the only sure way of boosting up and energizing Iloilo's art scene."

Arte Iloilo was brought by Zonta Club of Iloilo City II, Inc., an organization of women in business and in the professions in partnership with SM City Iloilo.

Iloilo Art Festival is a private-public sector partnership. Spearheaded by the Iloilo Art Festival Committee headed by Mayor Jerry P. Treñas as the honorary chairman, Arch. Ramon Teruel Fuap, Co-Chairman Councilor Merci Drilon-Garcia, Vice Chairman DOT Dir.Edwin Trompeta and Councilor Joe Espinosa III.

The Committee envisions itself a as private sector led patron of the arts, acting as a catalyst to a sustained and prolific art scene that nurtures respected artists and build up an enthusiastic audience thus ensuring Iloilo as an art destination.

Its mission is to deliver programs to educate the "audience" and artists (through art talks, workshops etc.); to promote culture and aesthetic _expression (through exhibits, exchange programs and other art activities); discover and support young artists (through contests etc.); and to safeguard existing valuable works of art.

Arte Iloilo exhibit shall be opened September 26 at 11 a.m. at SM City.

At 1 to 5 p.m., on September 28, portrait making will be done at Museo Iloilo and 8 to 9 p.m. will be the art competition-pre judging at Robinson's Place.

September 29 at 8a .m. to 11 a.m., art workshop in Museo Iloilo will be held with nine professional artists from the Young Thomasian Artist Circle of the University of Sto. Tomas as resource speakers.

Publicity and Screening Chairman Desiree Bretana said that the goal of this event is to elevate the status and quality of local artworks from basic to advance pieces.

One of the panelists of a press conference held Friday. Gina Espinosa, said that the event is like a dry run, if the event would come out successful, then, the event be done annually.



(from Sunstar Iloilo News Online)

yehey the weck is back!!!! :banana:

Im back from my 3-week vacation in Iloilo.

* not that much change physically except for jalandoni bridge and sm delgado
* made it a point ot have at least a bowl of TEDS LA PAZ batchoy and it was gstill great.schoolmate ko yung proprietress ng teds
* had dinner at OCEAN CITY after arrival.one of the best pancit ive ever tasted. parang seafood chopsuey.noodles pa lang solved na
* nagulat ako at may YELLOWCAB na dun. and guess what puno palagi.
* CPU centennial celeb was great but it was dampeded (literally) by the days of non stop rain.
* 70% ng baggage ko pabalik ng manila ay pasalubong lahat.had a great time buying dried seafood sa central market.malamang ang danggit unlike the ones sold in groceries. 360/kilo yata.
* pero my ultimate pasalubong is butterscotch of biscocho haus.
* upon the plane's ascent going to manila i had the chance (by accident) to have seen the construction of the new airport (the scaled model of which i chanced in the dilapidated mandurriao airport). sana matapos agad.
* lastly my apologies to wecky and chymera for spoiling our planned EB 2x :runaway:

yep .. it's a compact station ... with ABS CBN Iloilo ... DZMM Iloilo and the MOR Iloilo. Try and check though.

as far as i know there's only TV 10 ILOILO and MOR
walang AM station ang ebs sa iloilo

yehey the weck is back!!!! :banana:


thank you so much, Lex ... been a busy four-week in Iloilo. Did you go home as well ?

First day in Iloilo already leads me to visit Passi City, Pototan, Leganes and Dumangas. It's really nice dining in along the Coastal Road going to Dumangas. Such a great scenery, indeed. Overlooking is the beautiful island of Guimaras. We also went to Casa Fiametta in Barotac Nuevo. Apparently, we weren't able to do horseriding as horses were off to rest from 11am to 3pm. Hehehe .... my vacation in Iloilo is such a blast ... whew .... i can still breath the air of Iloilo til now ... hehehe.

as far as i know there's only TV 10 ILOILO and MOR
walang AM station ang ebs sa iloilo


I might be wrong with this one Whyte ... but i still remember that there's radio (AM) ABS. Mas nauna pa yata eto compare sa TV10 Iloilo.

Im back from my 3-week vacation in Iloilo.

* not that much change physically except for jalandoni bridge and sm delgado

quite a good change I guess Whyte .. I love the smallville area. We even stayed there til 3am at MO2. Grabe .. I love it's Friday night. My friends enjoyed it a lot. We barely went for drinking spree in an open area here in London. Enjoyed talaga kami though most of our seatmates seemed a three-quarter of our age. Few of us from London and UK went home. Damo gid mga taga-America. Really great and they're all impressed.


* made it a point ot have at least a bowl of TEDS LA PAZ batchoy and it was gstill great.schoolmate ko yung proprietress ng teds

me, too .. even went out at the wee hours of the night. My fave area is at TEDs along Diversion Area dahil 24-hour siya.


* had dinner at OCEAN CITY after arrival.one of the best pancit ive ever tasted. parang seafood chopsuey.noodles pa lang solved na


no chance to visit Ocean City ... Breakthrough, Tatoy's, Punta Villa, Villa Bora, Mang Inasal, etc are my faves. Should I also include the bihon guisado of Robertos ? ... hehehe .. baw namit gid.


* nagulat ako at may YELLOWCAB na dun. and guess what puno palagi.

I haven't seen one ... kasi most of the time outside city proper kami due to heavy traffic.


* CPU centennial celeb was great but it was dampeded (literally) by the days of non stop rain.

I agree .. but it did not dampened our spirit ... at least this year Nursing won first runner up in Cheerdance. Grabe ang Computer Studies ... what a great performance gid !


* 70% ng baggage ko pabalik ng manila ay pasalubong lahat.had a great time buying dried seafood sa central market.malamang ang danggit unlike the ones sold in groceries. 360/kilo yata.
* pero my ultimate pasalubong is butterscotch of biscocho haus.

ako man Whyte .... butterscotch of biscocho haus gid man ... my friends here nanamitan gid. Man ang upod ko last year from Davao asked me to bring the butterscotch again. Nanamitan siguro sang ara siya sa Iloilo for vacation last year.


* upon the plane's ascent going to manila i had the chance (by accident) to have seen the construction of the new airport (the scaled model of which i chanced in the dilapidated mandurriao airport). sana matapos agad.

I have the pics inside the airport myself ... will forward it to chymera then he'll post it here. Whether on how did I do it ... well, I pulled some of the strings to get into the area itself ... hehehe.


* lastly my apologies to wecky and chymera for spoiling our planned EB 2x :runaway:

no worries my friend ... next time naman. I'll be there in January 2007 with some of my friends for the Dinagyang Festival.


WELCOME BACK, WHYTE !

I hope to see an Ancestral Home inspired Ayala Mall with Pintados Colors in IloIlo to complement the elegant design and colorful history of IloIlo’s rich past.

I think the design of Market Market and Alabang Town Center is somewhat different. Alabang Town Center has a posh mediterranean ambience while Market Market seems to be more on the pinoy side. ATC is also more colorful than Market Market.


that's a good scheme Sandrin ... it will be the most colourful Ayala Mall, just in case. Ancestral home or Mansion - inspired mall could be one of the best shopping centre in Metro Iloilo. Can't wait ...

The Queen City of the South title now belongs to Cebu for obvious reasons. I find it funny that people from the Cebu thread would have to come here and have to defend their "Queen City" title.

Iloilo was the Queen City of the South because it was 2nd to Manila. You can say that Manila was the Queen City of the North. Iloilo lost the title so Cebuanos were confident to name their city as the Queen City of the South, knowingly or unknowingly that Iloilo had that title in the first place.

Personally I don't care. Any progress in any Filipino city is a big plus! I'm excited seeing progress in OUR country. If there is any competition at all, it shouldn't even be between Manila, Cebu, Iloilo or Davao. We must compare ourselves with our neighbors instead, countries that are leaving us behind as far as progress.


I absolutely agree with you, Virtute .. what's with the title anyway .. we had it already .... hehehe ....

(from Cebu thread)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ReDeYEs
Do people in Cebu even care about the Queen City status?


Cebu does not really depend on the title Queen City infact here in Cebu, bihira kang makarinig ng mga Cebuanos na magsasabing 'welcome to the Queen City of the South' but instead just a simple "welcome to Cebu" coz the word CEBU is more popular than the phrase The Queen City of the South....Cebu is only defined as a Queen City of the South by those people from outside Cebu specifically from Manila, Cebu City mayor is not proud of that title at all... He said it's just a phrase written next to the words 'Cebu City'.....I havn't heard Cebuanos talking about the Queen City title even in tourism forums/gatherings here in Cebu. When we talk about Cebu or anything about Cebu that makes us proud, the Queen City title of Cebu is seldom talked about. Cebuanos didn't asked the Government or the Queen to transfer the crown to Cebu but instead Cebuanos were just surprised when the government transfered the title to Cebu....We just accepted what they've given us....

infact, an Ilo-ilo forumer is currently "nanggugulo sa Cebu thread"... I don't understand what his motives are for entering the forum just to insult an u/c hotel.. Well, he'll speak for himself once that building gets done.

impressive GDRP ! We're really doing it well. How's our region's purchasing power ? Any ideas ?

Iloilo City:
Purchasing Power of Peso: 0.77 (2004)

Its not that high :) Where are the pictures??? I'm dying to see them. hehe

infact, an Ilo-ilo forumer is currently "nanggugulo sa Cebu thread"... I don't understand what his motives are for entering the forum just to insult an u/c hotel.. Well, he'll speak for himself once that building gets done.
Let him share his own opinion of the tower, I myself don't think both towers look good (maybe just a little) but that doesn't mean I'm insulting or anything. He called Cebu a bastard city ... that's just wrong. If you feel so bad about it just PM him, you don't need to get all of us involved.

that's a good scheme Sandrin ... it will be the most colourful Ayala Mall, just in case. Ancestral home or Mansion - inspired mall could be one of the best shopping centre in Metro Iloilo. Can't wait ...

what's the exact location of the future Ayala Ilo-ilo Mall? is it in Ilo-ilo city or any other city?

(from Cebu thread)




Cebu does not really depend on the title Queen City infact here in Cebu, bihira kang makarinig ng mga Cebuanos na magsasabing 'welcome to the Queen City of the South' but instead just a simple "welcome to Cebu" coz the word CEBU is more popular than the phrase The Queen City of the South....Cebu is only defined as a Queen City of the South by those people from outside Cebu specifically from Manila, Cebu City mayor is not proud of that title at all... He said it's just a phrase written next to the words 'Cebu City'.....I havn't heard Cebuanos talking about the Queen City title even in tourism forums/gatherings here in Cebu. When we talk about Cebu or anything about Cebu that makes us proud, the Queen City title of Cebu is seldom talked about. Cebuanos didn't asked the Government or the Queen to transfer the crown to Cebu but instead Cebuanos were just surprised when the government transfered the title to Cebu....We just accepted what they've given us....

that's good to know then, slerz ... whatever and whoever give Cebu the title, let them be .... the title doesn't count too much ... it's how progressive and developed a place can be that counts ... that's how cebuanos should be proud of Cebu to be.

infact, an Ilo-ilo forumer is currently "nanggugulo sa Cebu thread"... I don't understand what his motives are for entering the forum just to insult an u/c hotel.. Well, he'll speak for himself once that building gets done.


oh poor Ilonggo ... can't comment much. I haven't even had a chance to look at other threads except for Iloilo .. and of course Bacolod and Boracay partly. The best thing you can do, ask the moderators to ban him on your thread.

Let him share his own opinion of the tower, I myself don't think both towers look good (maybe just a little) but that doesn't mean I'm insulting or anything. He called Cebu a bastard city ... that's just wrong. If you feel so bad about it just PM him, you don't need to get all of us involved.


right o, migo Chymera ... ano man aton labot diri sa Iloilo Forum sang iya style ... hehehe ... it just doesn't make sense at all.

Iloilo City:
Purchasing Power of Peso: 0.77 (2004)

Its not that high :) Where are the pictures??? I'm dying to see them. hehe


not too impressive Chy ... hehehe ... buot hambalon damo kuripot sa Iloilo ? ... hehehe ... joke lang.

Pics ? ... hold your breath Chymera ,... I already shown it to you during my despedida party. I'm still busy these past few days. Catching some works that I left before I went home last month. Plus the fact that my sis visited me here in London since Monday pa. Siyempre, I toured her pa before she'll start her work this coming saturday in Linconshire, two-hour train from my place here in London. As soon as may time, pasa ko dayon sa imo dira. Ciao, ciao amigo !

what's the exact location of the future Ayala Ilo-ilo Mall? is it in Ilo-ilo city or any other city?


Most likely within the Iloilo City itself ... I wish it will be somewhere outside the city boundaries ... sobra na ang traffic dito .. dadagdagan pa nila ? well, they can put it in nearby municipalities if possible.

Donations to city hall pour in
By DAVID ISRAEL SINAY

ILOILO City – Business groups, non-governmental organizations and the Association of Barangay Captains (City Proper District) will donate different kinds of equipment to the city government to boost its efficiency.

On August 29, the City Government will receive two patrol jeeps, a raincoat, 15 handheld radios, six bicycles with helmets and 24 sets of uniform.

The Rotary Club of Midtown Iloilo will donate a patrol jeep; Iloilo Society Commercial, one patrol jeep and a raincoat.

The Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Panay will donate five handheld radios while the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Iloilo, Inc. will give five handheld radios.

Meanwhile, the Tiu Cho Teg and Ana Ros Foundation will donate five handheld radios; and the Association of Barangay Captains in the City Proper District will give six bikes with helmets and 24 sets of uniforms.

PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Doroteo Reyes II will be the guest speaker during the turnover ceremony.

The donations will be used by police precincts. The patrol jeeps and bicycles are expected to improve police mobility.




Bicolanos in Iloilo to celebrate fiesta

ILOILO City – The Bicol Residents of Iloilo will be celebrating their annual fiesta on September 11, 2005 in honor their patroness (patroness of the whole Bicolandia), Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

On September 2 at 4:30 p.m, the “Traslacion” takes place – that is, the image of Our Lady will be taken from the Peñafrancia Chapel, Villa Beach and transferred to De Paul College in Jaro district where all novena masses will take place every 5 p.m.

The theme of the fiesta this year is “The Blessed Virgin Mary - Joy of Our People.” Here are the other daily themes leading to the fiesta:

• Sept. 2 – Friday – A New Way of Life
• Sept. 3 – Saturday – Mary, we are the children
• Sept. 4 – Sunday – Mary Our Companion Prayer
• Sept. 5 – Monday – Mary, a healing gift of God
• Sept. 6 – Tuesday – Mary, Queen of the Apostles
• Sept. 7 – Wednesday – Mary, Our Model of Living the Beatitudes
• Sept. 8 – Thursday – Mary, Mother of Jesus
• Sept. 9 – Friday – Mary, Our Guide to God’s Kingdom
• Sept.10 – Saturday – Mary, Attentive to the Word of God
• Sept.11 – Sunday – Mary, the Joy of Forgiveness

On September11 at 7 a.m. there will be a motorcade from De Paul College to Parola, followed by a fluvial procession from the Iloilo River to Aduana. There will be another motorcade going to the Peñafrancia Chapel, Villa Beach.

At 10:30 a.m., there will be a concelebrated mass then lunch and a short program.



(from panay News Online)

nice pics chymera.

In a number of articles I've read, Iloilo city and Bacolod were always raised as rival cities.Sometimes known as twin cities of Western Visayas. I would rather treat the rivalry as positive and healthy just like the rivalries of Beijing and Shanghai, Madrid and Barcelona, etc.

No question Iloilo city is far older, and the regional center. But if you take these two away and compare the present status of the two cities, which of the two has an edge?

Iloilo has more universites and malls and whose urban configuration is compact. The streets are narrower which leads to congestion of motor vehicles. It has higher population density than Bacolod.

On the other hand, Bacolod prides itself as the region's largest and most populous city. It has a larger land area and has more people than iloilo city. The streets are wider thus look cleaner. If you'll take a look from Bacolod's website and judging from those pictures, we couldnt deny that sheer rivalry really occurs on which city is really the greatest in region 6?

If someone could help me lay down all the figures ranging from economy, population, size, urbanization, importance, number of vehicles and establishments and a lot more, maybe we can rightfully declare and enthrone a city to reign as the undisputed leader in region 6.


Iloilo City and Bacolod City remains to be the staunchest duo that propel Western Visayas to its height ... two big cities, indeed .... there might be a rivalry between the two but I think that mostly, it is of a healthy competition rather than other way around. Bacolod City will remain and always is our sister city ... no matter what ! Go Western Visayas !

ok people,.. please,... bacolod is not competing for queen city of the south....
we are the city of smiles, negros is the island of the sugar barons,... it has never crossed our minds to compete for that, Its actaually non-negrenses who put us in that race maybe because of that research by aim.... I placed a bacolod thread so place yer comments der, I dont hav time to take photographs ,... so any of you are free to do that...

Um lemme see, and please try not to take away from us....
no.2 we do not consider ourselves second to any city, we hav our own achievments which no other city in this country have beaten us....

and no. 3 bacolod is not the only city in negros we have 13, mor dan metro manila, we are still the nation's sugar bowl and in victorias city we have the world's largest integrated sugar mill,... and silay city is the vigan of the south and the paris of negros,.. the entire city is a spanish commune well preserved and untouched by time... we are also building a new airport in san carlos city aside from the new one in silay..... and an export processing zone in the same city is being built too... and we are also developing ethanol ( sugar based fuel) so that by 2010 we can reduce the cost of gasoline....

and people, bacolod has a casino , Iloilo does not,... we are the cleanest and greenest in the country and the most competitive mid size city..., we have three golf courses,( the largest no. in the visayas).. we even have an ayala subdivision...and several things Iloilo does not like wide roads and no traffic...

but then Iloilo has its own strengths, like more malls , savings bank and more industries within the city,...

and Id like to make some clarifications , the richest congressmen are from negros,.. and the richest man in southern phil is danding cojuangco who is based in pontevedra, which will become our fourteenth city thanks to charlie cojuangco....

hacendero is synonymous with negros, up until now the great estates are still intact like hacienda fortuna, hacienda balbina and the like.....

Iloilo is our port ... during the early years negros was where sugar was cultivated,.. Iloilo served as the port,.. and our financial center, before we developed bacolod....

and last but not the least, the legendary haut bien came from our province ... in 1988 when edu manzano came to bacolod to host the maskarra queen , he asked the candidate who she admired the most....
the candidate answered : I like princess di because shes beautiful and royalty.... in reply edu manzano said this: well your beautiful and since your from negros your probably royaly....

and no. 3 dumaguete is too small for us to compete against


agree gid ko iya sa imo post Kyle ... matter of fact, isn't it ?

Iloilo and Bacolod is distinct to each other ... we have our own strengths, capabilities and capacities. We just simply compliment each other.

??? Yeah we shouldn't be too concentrated in rising above other cities, but the growth and development of our country as a whole. Each city is distinct and unique, Iloilo cannot say it is better than Bacolod. But being an administrative center, Iloilo has an advantage of being considered Western Visayas' urban center.

We did have a casino before, you know ... called Casino Espanola or something. Our golf course is the oldest in SEA. We also have lots of high class subdivisions too. Ayala will be building an Ayala Center here in Iloilo :) A lot of richest families in the whole country has roots in Iloilo like the Lopezes



no to casino please ... hehehehe ... Iloilo is bettter off without casino and I'm glad of Iloilo's local government strong lobby against to build one in. We had it in the past ... leave it like that. We don't need a casino to sustain our local economy. we can get some more investments than a casino.

About the Ayala centre .. it's still in the drawing board. Let them build one first ... and we'll see ...

that's a good scheme Sandrin ... it will be the most colourful Ayala Mall, just in case. Ancestral home or Mansion - inspired mall could be one of the best shopping centre in Metro Iloilo. Can't wait ...

Ayala malls are unique, something that makes it great to shop, dine, etc. there's like a swamp area within the city right? i'm so much into romantic places. it's also a good idea to construct a mall in the vicinity and it's a challenge for the Ayalas to design sumthin that will blend perfectly with the environment. By the way, is Ilo-ilo a Metropolis? how many cities / municipalities make up the metro?

wecky i'd really love to see iloilo having a casino in the very near future. It would surely propel ilolilo's growth. Undeniably gaming industry helps promote the city's economy. Even singapore which banned casinos for the last decades reconsidered its position. According to Lee Kwan Yew, singapore's senior advisor, his country needs to reinvent itself to maintain its status as Southeast asia's biggest economy. At the rate other cities are developing in leaps and bounds singapore has finally opened its horizon to casinos.

Just as iloilo if its wants to stay on top, it would just be prudent to have a foresight...build casinos and maintain stringent regulations for minors...I'd really love to see iloilo grow..and with the determination of ilongos, i know its just a stone's throw away.

Ayala malls are unique, something that makes it great to shop, dine, etc. there's like a swamp area within the city right? i'm so much into romantic places. it's also a good idea to construct a mall in the vicinity and it's a challenge for the Ayalas to design sumthin that will blend perfectly with the environment. By the way, is Ilo-ilo a Metropolis? how many cities / municipalities make up the metro?
Yes, there's a 'swamp area' beside the river ... I actually like the mall to be built there, because the location is accessible (not too much traffic in getting there, not like robinson's) and there's a large enough space available if Ayala wants to develop the area into a business center or something but they have to deal with the smell and pollution caused by env't, squatters, residences around the area.

Right now there is no Metro areas in Iloilo but if it will be approved then Metropolitan Iloilo will be composed of Iloilo city and the municipalities of Oton, San Miguel, Pavia and Leganes. It is planned to be the center for residential, commercial, financial and industrial activities for the region. The planned metro-area is still small, they should add more municipalities to it

Municipality - Population/Land Area/Density
Leganes - 23,475/ 32.20/729.04
Oton - 65,374/ 86.44 /756.29
San Miguel - 20,754/ 31.97/649.17
Pavia - 32,824/ 15.46 /2,123.16
Total - 508,818.00/ 222.07/2,291.25

wecky i'd really love to see iloilo having a casino in the very near future. It would surely propel ilolilo's growth. Undeniably gaming industry helps promote the city's economy. Even singapore which banned casinos for the last decades reconsidered its position. According to Lee Kwan Yew, singapore's senior advisor, his country needs to reinvent itself to maintain its status as Southeast asia's biggest economy. At the rate other cities are developing in leaps and bounds singapore has finally opened its horizon to casinos.

Just as iloilo if its wants to stay on top, it would just be prudent to have a foresight...build casinos and maintain stringent regulations for minors...I'd really love to see iloilo grow..and with the determination of ilongos, i know its just a stone's throw away.
I'n not too keen with the casino too, but I guess anything that will spur economic activity is a good thing. I've heard somewhere that the biggest cockfighting arena in Western Visayas (or is it the country) is in Iloilo, so gambling will not really disrupt the local population coz its already practiced rampantly. Taxes from a casino can really help a lot and tourism will also get a boost.

not too impressive Chy ... hehehe ... buot hambalon damo kuripot sa Iloilo ? ... hehehe ... joke lang.

Pics ? ... hold your breath Chymera ,... I already shown it to you during my despedida party. I'm still busy these past few days. Catching some works that I left before I went home last month. Plus the fact that my sis visited me here in London since Monday pa. Siyempre, I toured her pa before she'll start her work this coming saturday in Linconshire, two-hour train from my place here in London. As soon as may time, pasa ko dayon sa imo dira. Ciao, ciao amigo !
I know purchasing power is used to evaluate the value of a currency but I don't understand it deeply enough. What does a 0.77 purchasing power mean? how does saving or spending influence purchasing power? and why would companies look at purchasing power before investing?

agree gid ko iya sa imo post Kyle ... matter of fact, isn't it ?

Iloilo and Bacolod is distinct to each other ... we have our own strengths, capabilities and capacities. We just simply compliment each other.
That's right ... grabeh guid ya ka distinct ang Iloilo and Bacolod ang pareho lng guro is language and that both cities are booming.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/iloilobanner.jpg

Swamp Area
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/DiversionRoad.jpg

More
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/Panorama3.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/Panorama2.jpg

thank you so much, Lex ... been a busy four-week in Iloilo. Did you go home as well ?

First day in Iloilo already leads me to visit Passi City, Pototan, Leganes and Dumangas. It's really nice dining in along the Coastal Road going to Dumangas. Such a great scenery, indeed. Overlooking is the beautiful island of Guimaras. We also went to Casa Fiametta in Barotac Nuevo. Apparently, we weren't able to do horseriding as horses were off to rest from 11am to 3pm. Hehehe .... my vacation in Iloilo is such a blast ... whew .... i can still breath the air of Iloilo til now ... hehehe.
I've seen the Casa Fiametta already, though sa TV lng Channel 13 :) They have small cabins for small seminars ... Mostly central Iloilo ang na visit mo? Did you find anything interesting there?

not too impressive Chy ... hehehe ... buot hambalon damo kuripot sa Iloilo ? ... hehehe ... joke lang.

Pics ? ... hold your breath Chymera ,... I already shown it to you during my despedida party. I'm still busy these past few days. Catching some works that I left before I went home last month. Plus the fact that my sis visited me here in London since Monday pa. Siyempre, I toured her pa before she'll start her work this coming saturday in Linconshire, two-hour train from my place here in London. As soon as may time, pasa ko dayon sa imo dira. Ciao, ciao amigo !
I understand, ok lng I can wait patiently :nuts: :nuts: :nuts:

Most likely within the Iloilo City itself ... I wish it will be somewhere outside the city boundaries ... sobra na ang traffic dito .. dadagdagan pa nila ? well, they can put it in nearby municipalities if possible.
Yeah they can put it in Pavia or Leganes ... hopefully the new airport will mean wider roads in these areas to ease traffic.

Been to Guimaras for my vacation last month ... wow ... sorry to say pero mas gusto ko ang Guimaras compare sa Boracay ... it's more tranquil, serene and clean. I asked my friends in Iloilo, too to support the "Iloilo-Guimaras Visit 2005". Really great !
Aside from Alubihod, where in Guimaras have you been? what activities did you do there, did you do island-hopping? nxt time when I go to guimaras maybe I'll go to other places coz I've grown weary of Alubihod already :)

Im back from my 3-week vacation in Iloilo.

* not that much change physically except for jalandoni bridge and sm delgado
* made it a point ot have at least a bowl of TEDS LA PAZ batchoy and it was gstill great.schoolmate ko yung proprietress ng teds
* had dinner at OCEAN CITY after arrival.one of the best pancit ive ever tasted. parang seafood chopsuey.noodles pa lang solved na
* nagulat ako at may YELLOWCAB na dun. and guess what puno palagi.
* CPU centennial celeb was great but it was dampeded (literally) by the days of non stop rain.
* 70% ng baggage ko pabalik ng manila ay pasalubong lahat.had a great time buying dried seafood sa central market.malamang ang danggit unlike the ones sold in groceries. 360/kilo yata.
* pero my ultimate pasalubong is butterscotch of biscocho haus.
* upon the plane's ascent going to manila i had the chance (by accident) to have seen the construction of the new airport (the scaled model of which i chanced in the dilapidated mandurriao airport). sana matapos agad.
* lastly my apologies to wecky and chymera for spoiling our planned EB 2x :runaway:
Welcome back whyte, it would have been great if you have attended the meet too :) Wrong timing lang kc tau palagi ... Oooh there's a model of the new airport in the "dilapidated"?! mandurriao airport, i'll go look at it tommorow. What other places in iloilo have you visited?

Saturday, August 20, 2005
Shortage of funds delays DLR relocation to Iloilo

By Ronnie E. Calumpita, Reporter

DESPITE uncertainty where to source the funds for the transfer of the central office of the Department of Land Reform to Iloilo, Acting Secretary Nasser Pangandaman said Friday the transfer will push through.

Pangandaman admitted that lack of funds has delayed the transfer, which is part of President Arroyo’s policy to decongest Metro Manila by transferring major government agencies to the provinces. “There were already initial moves,” he said in an interview. “The Iloilo provincial government has donated its old capitol building to the DLR but we still need to spend huge amount of money for its renovation.”

Pangandaman said the transfer will proceed despite the decision of Senate President Franklin Drilon and former land reform secretary Rene Villa, both Ilonggos, to withdraw their support from the President.

“It [lack of fund] has no connection with it [political differences], we just don’t have budget but it doesn’t mean it is not being prioritized,” Pangandaman explained.

The donation of the old Iloilo capitol building was made during the term of Villa, who served as DLR chief from August 2004 to July 2005 when he resigned after Drilon called for the resignation of the President.

The department said the budget for the transfer is P391.8 million, P300 million for the relocation, including the housing, of some 1,400 employees.

Early retirement packages for employees who do not want to work in Iloilo are also included in the budget, which has yet to be allocated by the national government.

Members of the DAR Employees Association opposed the relocation plan, saying this would affect the studies of their children and the employment of their spouses.

The members added that the transfer is contrary to the austerity program of the government.
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Tuesday, August 09, 2005
City will soon have its night market
By Lory Ann B. Bilbao

ILOILO City will soon have its night market.

This, after the Sangguniang Panlungsod approved the ordinance amending Ordinance No. 415, Series of 1993 otherwise known as an Ordinance Providing for a Night Market in the City of Iloilo.

Proponent, Councilor Jed Patrick Mabilog, in the said ordinance stated that "Efforts for economic growth such as revival of night markets will revitalize the economic situation of the City and will make it the center of business and trade and promote tourism as well."

He added, "the night market during the Chinese New Year Celebration was indeed successful."

Mabilog, chairperson of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Industry stated further that it is beneficial to both the City Government and to the vendors to amend the provisions of Ordinance 415, Series of 1993.

He therefore recommended that Section 21(d) of the Local Government Code of 1991 provides that "any city, municipality, or barangay may, by a duly enacted ordinance, temporarily close and regulate the use of any local street, road, thoroughfare, or any other public places where...flea or night market... may be established and where goods,merchandise, foodstuffs, an commodities, or articles of commerce may be sold and dispensed to the general public."

Section 233 of Ordinance 399, Series of 1992 otherwise known as the "Local Revenue Code of Iloilo City" also provides that "the city may, by Ordinance, create, fix and regulate flea and night market as well as ambulant vending in any City street or designated thoroughfares."

The night market shall operate from 7 p.m. to 12 midnight.

Persons qualified to sell any kind of general merchandise and/or any kind of foodstuff and may apply for a single space should be a natural born Filipino Citizen; must have legal capacity to enter into a contract; resident of the city of Iloilo; must have a small business duly registered with the City of Iloilo as a night market vendor with a capitalization of not more than P100,000.

The street which are designated as possible sites for night market are Arsenal Street, between Muelle Loney and J.M Basa Streets; Aldeguer Street, between Muelle Loney and J.M Basa Streets; Guanco Street, between Muelle Loney and J.M Basa Streets; J. De Leon Street, between Iznart Street and Quezon Street; Along Promenade, Muelle Loney Street, between Corner of Quirino Lopez Bridge and Corner of Yulo Street; half of the Night Market along Promenade, Muelle Loney Street, between Corner of Quirino Lopez Bridge and Corner of Yulo Street shall be designated for vendors selling general merchandise and half of it shall be designated for food peddlers selling foodstuff; The City Council shall designate such other streets as night market as the need arises; for the purposes of the night market, the designated streets are hereby closed to vehicular traffic from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m.

A night market committee will also be created to be composed of the City Mayor as Chairman, the Chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Industry as Vice-Chairman, and as members, the City Treasurer, Head of the Department of General Services, Chairman of the Tourism and Culture of the City Council or his duly authorized representative, and the Chairman of the Committee on Markets and Slaughterhouse or his duly authorized representative.

The City Engineer shall cause to be painted along the entire length of such designated areas on both sides, yellow lines two meters long and two meters apart drawn at right angles from the side of the street thereby making an area of four square meters each space, every market space to be numbered consecutively for identification purposes.

Aside from regulatory fees and in lieu of local business taxes, those granted spaces in this night market shall pay only P20 per space per day, paid to the office of the City Treasurer before the close of office hours for that day and official receipt shall be openly displayed for the night and subject to inspection by the representative of the City Treasurer./LABB
--------------------
6 outstanding mayors recognized

First posted 02:30pm (Mla time) Aug 10, 2005
By Tarra V. Quismundo
Inquirer News Service

SIX mayors were recognized on Wednesday for outstanding governance based on their achievements of their long-term goals laid down last year.

The mayors were recognized by the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA), a non-government think-tank on good governance, at the Shangri-la Manila in Makati City.

The awardees, who were recognized as fellows of ISA, were Mel Sarmiento of Calbayog City, Jerry Treñas of Iloilo City, Jesse Robredo of Naga City, Rogelio Antalan of Samal, Mary Jane Ortega of San Fernando, La Union province, and Dan Neri Lim of Tagbilaran.

The following were also recognized as ISA fellows: Antonieta Ibe, former chairman of the Professional Regulation Commission; Nick Fontanilla of the Asia Pacific Center for Research Inc.; Rex Drilon II of the Ortigas and Company Limited Partners, and Pericles Dakay of the Cebu Rotary Club.

According to this article the sugar industry in Iloilo was still booming in the 1960's to 1970s
------------
Sugar production in Iloilo, 1950s-1960s

During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, sugar production in Iloilo was on a standstill. After the liberation of the country from Japanese control, the United States' sugar requirement began to expand. Devastated areas of the world cried for food and economic assistance for which the U.S. had to respond. Consequently, the Roosevelt administration had to fulfill its political and economic commitments to the Philippines so that along with the granting of independence in 1946 was the loosening of restrictions on Philippine sugar entering the U.S. market.

In Iloilo, the first mill to resume operation right after the war was Central Santos-Lopez in Barotac Nuevo. Out of its depleted remains, the sugar mill plunged into the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the factory, invested no less than one million pesos for the installation of one more mill, and updated the two mills to accommodate the expanding milling requirements of the mill district.

According to a brief history of the Central Santos-Lopez written by R. Blancaflor, in just a span of less than two years, the milling corporation had completely recovered and turned out a quantity of 75,230 piculs for its post-liberation production. Continuously operating at its expanded capacity of 1,800 tons per hour, the said sugar central yielded out 355,544 piculs for the crop year 1954-1955. After almost a decade, it decisively vindicated and justified its investment for expansion when it milled 579, 245 piculs of sugar in the crop year 1963-1964, the highest production of the said mill district up to that year's records.

Since then, the factory accordingly accepted the sugarcane planters' challenge for expansion by immediately launching a timetable for the importation of equipment and machinery on a massive scale. Completed at the cost of six million pesos in 1966, the factory's increased capacity handled 3,000 tons per hour. Ironically, however, the same planters who were so loud about their demand for the mill's expansion, rather failed to produce enough canes to equally sustain the central's milling capacity. As a consequence, the factory incurred tremendous losses during the post-expansion crop years that followed due to lack of cane supply.

In 1966, the U.S. Sugar Act Amendment required the Philippines a supply of not less than two million tons of sugar every crop year beginning the crop year 1966-1967 and for this purpose, awarded the Philippines 47% of the total global quotas allotted to the sugar-producing areas of the world. Thus, sensing the sure loss of millions of dollars should it abandon its commitment, the Philippines placed its sugar industry into a state of emergency.

In response to the need for an increase in sugar production, additional sugar centrals were put up in Iloilo in 1968. These were the Calinog-Lambunao Sugar Corp. in Calinog, the Passi Sugar Central, and the New Frontier Sugar Central, also in Passi. The Passi Sugar Central was reputed to be the most modern mill in Asia at that time.

As a result of the putting up of more sugar mills, cane cultivation in several municipalitites of Iloilo also expanded. This was especially true in the towns of Calinog, Bingawan, Lambunao, Passi, Duenas, San Enrique, Barotac Nuevo, Barotac Viejo, San Rafael, Lemery, Mina, Janiuay, Badiangan, Maasin, and Cabatuan.

Western Visayas is sufficient enough to become a federal state ... no need to merge with other regions or with palawan.
----------------------------
WV to become a state in federal Philippines

By DAVID ISRAEL SINAY

ILOILO City – If a shift to a federal form of government pushes through, Western Visayas will become a state – one of the 12 states being proposed by advocates of federalism.

Other regions will be combined to form a State.

“The States shall have more power, more resources, political autonomy, and a good chance of making a very dynamic nation,” said Dr. Jose Abueva, a member of the government-created Consultative Constitutional Commission selling the idea of federalism to Filipinos.

Abueva was here yesterday and conducted a symposium entitled “FEDERALISM: Shall We Shift?”

According to Abueva, the 12 States were identified according to their economic potential, viability and geographical location.

The proposed States are the Bangsamoro (ARMM), Davao Region and Central Mindanao, Western and Northern Mindanao, Central and Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas, Palawan, Bicol, Southern Luzon, Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Cordillera and Northern Luzon.

The State of Western Visayas will have a State Assembly, a State Governor, Vice-Governor, Cabinet Officials and Assemblymen.
Abueva said the proposed federal-parliamentary form of government shall have a national government, 255 Members of the Parliament and the 12 States.

A shift in the form of government is needed to answer the inadequacy of social services, health, education, and infrastructures, among others in the present presidential form of government, stressed Abueva.

“Modifying our government, we would have a better chance of solving our problems,” he added, although he clarified that “there’s no magic cure.”

Government officials, members of the academe, barangay officials, non-governmental organizations and private organizations, among others, attended the forum.

Under the federal-parliamentary form of government, Abueva said, there would be “a deeper sense of nationhood because it brings the government closer to the people.”

“In our present political system, personality-oriented parties win and not program-oriented (parties) or competence,” observed Abueva.

The States shall have bigger resources (tax share) contrary to what is happening now, added Abueva.

Income taxes (individual and corporate), franchise tax, documentary stamps, motor vehicle registrations, and some taxes shall be allocated in favor of the State, he explained.

The three-hour forum was held at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas Auditorium from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. yesterday.

Western Visayas is sufficient enough to become a federal state ... no need to merge with other regions or with palawan.
----------------------------
WV to become a state in federal Philippines

By DAVID ISRAEL SINAY

ILOILO City – If a shift to a federal form of government pushes through, Western Visayas will become a state – one of the 12 states being proposed by advocates of federalism.

Other regions will be combined to form a State.

“The States shall have more power, more resources, political autonomy, and a good chance of making a very dynamic nation,” said Dr. Jose Abueva, a member of the government-created Consultative Constitutional Commission selling the idea of federalism to Filipinos.

Abueva was here yesterday and conducted a symposium entitled “FEDERALISM: Shall We Shift?”

According to Abueva, the 12 States were identified according to their economic potential, viability and geographical location.

The proposed States are the Bangsamoro (ARMM), Davao Region and Central Mindanao, Western and Northern Mindanao, Central and Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas, Palawan, Bicol, Southern Luzon, Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Cordillera and Northern Luzon.

The State of Western Visayas will have a State Assembly, a State Governor, Vice-Governor, Cabinet Officials and Assemblymen.
Abueva said the proposed federal-parliamentary form of government shall have a national government, 255 Members of the Parliament and the 12 States.

A shift in the form of government is needed to answer the inadequacy of social services, health, education, and infrastructures, among others in the present presidential form of government, stressed Abueva.

“Modifying our government, we would have a better chance of solving our problems,” he added, although he clarified that “there’s no magic cure.”

Government officials, members of the academe, barangay officials, non-governmental organizations and private organizations, among others, attended the forum.

Under the federal-parliamentary form of government, Abueva said, there would be “a deeper sense of nationhood because it brings the government closer to the people.”

“In our present political system, personality-oriented parties win and not program-oriented (parties) or competence,” observed Abueva.

The States shall have bigger resources (tax share) contrary to what is happening now, added Abueva.

Income taxes (individual and corporate), franchise tax, documentary stamps, motor vehicle registrations, and some taxes shall be allocated in favor of the State, he explained.

The three-hour forum was held at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas Auditorium from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. yesterday.

Actually, the Cebuanos (as what I've heard in the news and what I've read from comments in the tabloids) are against merging Central and Eastern Visayas because Central Visayas (Cebu, Siquijor, Negros Oriental and Bohol) are already established potential spots for business and tourism but Eastern Visayas (Leyte and Samar provinces+ Biliran) are still underdeveloped.

Most likely within the Iloilo City itself ... I wish it will be somewhere outside the city boundaries ... sobra na ang traffic dito .. dadagdagan pa nila ? well, they can put it in nearby municipalities if possible.

The swamp area within the city is a good location as long as it is raised one or two stories up.

Where is the exact location of Ateneo de IloIlo? Another good University to be added on the list. Most of my elder relatives and their kids/grandkids attended Ateneo (generations of them).

Many things to look forward to in IloIlo.

Ayala malls are unique, something that makes it great to shop, dine, etc. there's like a swamp area within the city right? i'm so much into romantic places. it's also a good idea to construct a mall in the vicinity and it's a challenge for the Ayalas to design sumthin that will blend perfectly with the environment. By the way, is Ilo-ilo a Metropolis? how many cities / municipalities make up the metro?


upcoming Metro Iloilo (or as accepted already) will be composed of Iloilo City, towns of Pavia, San Miguel, Oton and Leganes. Very small area indeed. Hoping they can extend it to other towns nearby.

Swamp areas around the city is a good site but it would be better if they build Ayala Mall and/or Ayala Centre outside the city .. probably somewhere in Pavia or Sta Barbara ... or even the upcoming city of Pototan will be a good site as well.

wecky i'd really love to see iloilo having a casino in the very near future. It would surely propel ilolilo's growth. Undeniably gaming industry helps promote the city's economy. Even singapore which banned casinos for the last decades reconsidered its position. According to Lee Kwan Yew, singapore's senior advisor, his country needs to reinvent itself to maintain its status as Southeast asia's biggest economy. At the rate other cities are developing in leaps and bounds singapore has finally opened its horizon to casinos.

Just as iloilo if its wants to stay on top, it would just be prudent to have a foresight...build casinos and maintain stringent regulations for minors...I'd really love to see iloilo grow..and with the determination of ilongos, i know its just a stone's throw away.


you have a good point, dominique about the casino/s ... who knows, they might approve it in the near future?

Western Visayas is sufficient enough to become a federal state ... no need to merge with other regions or with palawan.


you're right Chymera .... we don't really need to take other province/s from other regions ... we can stand on our own in Western Visayas ... though it will be far better having Palawan and Romblon on our side, too. Hope they'll fasttrack the implementation of this federal-parliamentary form of government. It's really good !

* as far as i know/understand, "PESO" PURCHASING POWER is a measure of how much your money can go. The lower the level, the much affordable the goods/commodities/services or which ever is included, are. Correct me if im wrong. What can be bought for P1 in ceratin places can be bpought only ny 0.77 cents in others.
* CHYME/WECKY at leasst you've already met each other. "pirme abi may ibang nga butang nga naga abot" The airport model is in the pre departure area.its bheen there a long time ago."guba" na ang casing nito :lol: it is
* aside from the airport, i also had to chance (for the nth time) to see boracay by air.
* i guess the next area of development will be "centered" on the route to and from iloilo city to intl airport and sta.barbara will be one of the beneficiaries of that.
* WV fed rep? palawan-tourism; romblon-marble are a plus factor.
* i would still like to see, if ever, the proposed ayala mall within the city itself preferably in mandurriao, near the city but not in the city center it self.
* would the city government take time to tread the road from teh airport to the city itself?its an embarassment to tourists/1st timers/balikbayans to see a crowded/dilapidated street.it leaves a not so good impression to visitors.

Actually, the Cebuanos (as what I've heard in the news and what I've read from comments in the tabloids) are against merging Central and Eastern Visayas because Central Visayas (Cebu, Siquijor, Negros Oriental and Bohol) are already established potential spots for business and tourism but Eastern Visayas (Leyte and Samar provinces+ Biliran) are still underdeveloped.
Yah I've heard about that too, and I think its a good idea. Cebu has significantly influenced growth in the smaller provinces of Central Visayas. Integrating the Eastern Visayas with Cebu will help improve some of the poorest provinces in the Philippines.
upcoming Metro Iloilo (or as accepted already) will be composed of Iloilo City, towns of Pavia, San Miguel, Oton and Leganes. Very small area indeed. Hoping they can extend it to other towns nearby.

Swamp areas around the city is a good site but it would be better if they build Ayala Mall and/or Ayala Centre outside the city .. probably somewhere in Pavia or Sta Barbara ... or even the upcoming city of Pototan will be a good site as well.
I've heard about plans of making Pototan the 3rd city in Iloilo. Pototan, dubbed as the Rice Granary of Western Visayas, is a second class municipality, with only 60k pop. I don't know what the req'ts are so a municipality can become a city, but Pototan's profile doesn't sound like it has a big enough economy.

you're right Chymera .... we don't really need to take other province/s from other regions ... we can stand on our own in Western Visayas ... though it will be far better having Palawan and Romblon on our side, too. Hope they'll fasttrack the implementation of this federal-parliamentary form of government. It's really good !
But the Palawenos dont want to be a part of WV, thy're saying they can stand on their own because they can get their income from the Malapaya Gas field. I can understand their position nman, pero if they want to be more stable they should join WV. What if something happens to Malampaya, where will they get their money then?

* as far as i know/understand, "PESO" PURCHASING POWER is a measure of how much your money can go. The lower the level, the much affordable the goods/commodities/services or which ever is included, are. Correct me if im wrong. What can be bought for P1 in ceratin places can be bpought only ny 0.77 cents in others.
* CHYME/WECKY at leasst you've already met each other. "pirme abi may ibang nga butang nga naga abot" The airport model is in the pre departure area.its bheen there a long time ago."guba" na ang casing nito :lol: it is
* aside from the airport, i also had to chance (for the nth time) to see boracay by air.
* i guess the next area of development will be "centered" on the route to and from iloilo city to intl airport and sta.barbara will be one of the beneficiaries of that.
* WV fed rep? palawan-tourism; romblon-marble are a plus factor.
* i would still like to see, if ever, the proposed ayala mall within the city itself preferably in mandurriao, near the city but not in the city center it self.
* would the city government take time to tread the road from teh airport to the city itself?its an embarassment to tourists/1st timers/balikbayans to see a crowded/dilapidated street.it leaves a not so good impression to visitors.
Medyo gets ko na ang purchasing power. Ayala (for example) would look at the purchasing power of Iloilo before investing so they can asses the ability of the Ilonggos to purchase goods and services. Prices or Inlfation are not the sole basis of PP, may ara pa income, Consumer Price Index etc.. A higher Purchasing Power would mean that Ilonggos' income rise faster than inflation while a lower one would mean Ilonggos are having a hard time buying stuff. Tskato?

It would have been better if you came with us :) I went to the airport yesterday, found out they do not let non-passengers in the departure areas, you have to get a permit from the admin first.

They are already planning to build a world-class highway. Right now the roads leading to the airport is being 'widened'. I hope its 3-4 lanes on both sides, my friend in Cabatuan said the national road is only being widened to 2lanes on both sides ...
The swamp area within the city is a good location as long as it is raised one or two stories up.

Where is the exact location of Ateneo de IloIlo? Another good University to be added on the list. Most of my elder relatives and their kids/grandkids attended Ateneo (generations of them).

Many things to look forward to in IloIlo.
The Pison family donated two of seven hectares plus another half-hectare of their sprawling
property just behind the SM City along the Circumferential Road for the site of the Ateneo de Iloilo.
Actually, according to Fr. Intengan, the first Ateneo of the Visayas.
image link --> http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/Panorama3.jpg

Iloilo in Focus
Municipality of Pototan
(To be Iloilo's third City)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/p1c25846e1aefe45d746ccef6e626e6ea/f29d49cb.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/p9a9e0c63f80ad4395510d8c6f859eef8/f29d49c9.jpg
(Municipal Hall)

Land Area = 94 km sq.
Population (2002, projected) = 62, 517
Ave. Annual Pop Growth rate = 2.1%

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/pdeec05080709f90b3d95bd505a5c6269/f29d370f.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/pcf6f78acbdf95500f52ff23178e0453d/f29d49b7.jpg

Pototan is the top rice-producing town in the Province of Iloilo, a trademark that the Pototanons are being proud of. it is dubbed as the Rice Granary of Western Visayas.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/pe7afffee3cff736eac7f760803f36ba0/f29d49b0.jpg

IWAG, having been conceptualized as a Celebration of Lights during the Yuletide Season by its founding members, and with the realization of a need for an integrally developed Municipality, It is the MISSION of IWAG to be a helping hand of the Local Government and the Community to uphold with the honor the title as Christmas Capital of Western Visayas. Promote Pototan as a tourist destination during the season.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/pacd7251fa9eeeba8717f4380ac3e9422/f29d4917.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/p2bcd1feed440d252bf949597282506da/f29d4919.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/p4da95280689ea96bb6857dcada6eece7/f29d4918.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/pea49ce7ec242e68b7c77ae692d136d6b/f29d491a.jpg

The town has also one of the widest, cleanest and beautiful plazas in the province. It contains an obelisk, a lagoon, a historical marker, a skating rink and an astrodome for sports and cultural presentations. Lined with stately Indian and mahogany trees, the plaza also serve as an tree park - a haven for children and promenaders.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/p019a720fe202f5f0ae60e4e0ad7616cd/f29d49ca.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/p990cbc68ee07edbeb86ea4c6b1ee6f31/f29d49c8.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/pf67da98424b9be90d869892c0385c798/f29d49b8.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/pe7afffee3cff736eac7f760803f36ba0/f29d49b0.jpg

Mission
We dream of Pototan to become the sports center of Iloilo because of the presence of the newly constucted astrodome; to be the agricultural center of the Province aside from being the "rice granary of Iloilo" wherein agricultural products flow in abumdance; open new avenues for investment oppotunities; and to be a comonent city of the Province of Iloilo wherein each citizen is given equal opportunity in exercising his rights and is provided his minimum basic needs thus improving the quality of lives of the populace.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/pb5a61f1c20e2468ae6343b515ded3ab8/f29d49a9.jpg

According to this article the sugar industry in Iloilo was still booming in the 1960's to 1970s
------------
Sugar production in Iloilo, 1950s-1960s

During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, sugar production in Iloilo was on a standstill. After the liberation of the country from Japanese control, the United States' sugar requirement began to expand. Devastated areas of the world cried for food and economic assistance for which the U.S. had to respond. Consequently, the Roosevelt administration had to fulfill its political and economic commitments to the Philippines so that along with the granting of independence in 1946 was the loosening of restrictions on Philippine sugar entering the U.S. market.

In Iloilo, the first mill to resume operation right after the war was Central Santos-Lopez in Barotac Nuevo. Out of its depleted remains, the sugar mill plunged into the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the factory, invested no less than one million pesos for the installation of one more mill, and updated the two mills to accommodate the expanding milling requirements of the mill district.

According to a brief history of the Central Santos-Lopez written by R. Blancaflor, in just a span of less than two years, the milling corporation had completely recovered and turned out a quantity of 75,230 piculs for its post-liberation production. Continuously operating at its expanded capacity of 1,800 tons per hour, the said sugar central yielded out 355,544 piculs for the crop year 1954-1955. After almost a decade, it decisively vindicated and justified its investment for expansion when it milled 579, 245 piculs of sugar in the crop year 1963-1964, the highest production of the said mill district up to that year's records.

Since then, the factory accordingly accepted the sugarcane planters' challenge for expansion by immediately launching a timetable for the importation of equipment and machinery on a massive scale. Completed at the cost of six million pesos in 1966, the factory's increased capacity handled 3,000 tons per hour. Ironically, however, the same planters who were so loud about their demand for the mill's expansion, rather failed to produce enough canes to equally sustain the central's milling capacity. As a consequence, the factory incurred tremendous losses during the post-expansion crop years that followed due to lack of cane supply.

In 1966, the U.S. Sugar Act Amendment required the Philippines a supply of not less than two million tons of sugar every crop year beginning the crop year 1966-1967 and for this purpose, awarded the Philippines 47% of the total global quotas allotted to the sugar-producing areas of the world. Thus, sensing the sure loss of millions of dollars should it abandon its commitment, the Philippines placed its sugar industry into a state of emergency.

In response to the need for an increase in sugar production, additional sugar centrals were put up in Iloilo in 1968. These were the Calinog-Lambunao Sugar Corp. in Calinog, the Passi Sugar Central, and the New Frontier Sugar Central, also in Passi. The Passi Sugar Central was reputed to be the most modern mill in Asia at that time.

As a result of the putting up of more sugar mills, cane cultivation in several municipalitites of Iloilo also expanded. This was especially true in the towns of Calinog, Bingawan, Lambunao, Passi, Duenas, San Enrique, Barotac Nuevo, Barotac Viejo, San Rafael, Lemery, Mina, Janiuay, Badiangan, Maasin, and Cabatuan.


That's true Chymera ... as I told begore, the decline starts late 70's or early 80's ... Iloilo was still themost important city next to Manila during that time .. it's history ...

The swamp area within the city is a good location as long as it is raised one or two stories up.

Where is the exact location of Ateneo de IloIlo? Another good University to be added on the list. Most of my elder relatives and their kids/grandkids attended Ateneo (generations of them).

Many things to look forward to in IloIlo.


Ateneo de Iloilo 7-hectare campus will be located in Diversion Road, I guess ... near SM City Iloilo.

At present, Sta Maria Catholic School is the Ateneo de Iloilo. I forgot the street address of Sta Maria but it is somewhere near University of Iloilo and right next to Sun Yat Sen High School.

If Ateneo will be lucky enough to erect their campus soon ... it'll be the 7th university within the city of Iloilo ... if not, they'll probably end up 8th or 9th ... there are few more schools applying for universityhood ... one is the John B Lacson Colleges Foundation (the centre of marine and nautical course in the region), another one the Iloilo Doctor's College ... and the list goes on. So who knows ?

Iloilo in Focus
Municipality of Pototan
(To be Iloilo's third City)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/p1c25846e1aefe45d746ccef6e626e6ea/f29d49cb.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/p9a9e0c63f80ad4395510d8c6f859eef8/f29d49c9.jpg
(Municipal Hall)

Land Area = 94 km sq.
Population (2002, projected) = 62, 517
Ave. Annual Pop Growth rate = 2.1%

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/pdeec05080709f90b3d95bd505a5c6269/f29d370f.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/pcf6f78acbdf95500f52ff23178e0453d/f29d49b7.jpg

Pototan is the top rice-producing town in the Province of Iloilo, a trademark that the Pototanons are being proud of. it is dubbed as the Rice Granary of Western Visayas.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/pe7afffee3cff736eac7f760803f36ba0/f29d49b0.jpg

IWAG, having been conceptualized as a Celebration of Lights during the Yuletide Season by its founding members, and with the realization of a need for an integrally developed Municipality, It is the MISSION of IWAG to be a helping hand of the Local Government and the Community to uphold with the honor the title as Christmas Capital of Western Visayas. Promote Pototan as a tourist destination during the season.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/pacd7251fa9eeeba8717f4380ac3e9422/f29d4917.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/p2bcd1feed440d252bf949597282506da/f29d4919.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/p4da95280689ea96bb6857dcada6eece7/f29d4918.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/pea49ce7ec242e68b7c77ae692d136d6b/f29d491a.jpg

The town has also one of the widest, cleanest and beautiful plazas in the province. It contains an obelisk, a lagoon, a historical marker, a skating rink and an astrodome for sports and cultural presentations. Lined with stately Indian and mahogany trees, the plaza also serve as an tree park - a haven for children and promenaders.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/p019a720fe202f5f0ae60e4e0ad7616cd/f29d49ca.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/p990cbc68ee07edbeb86ea4c6b1ee6f31/f29d49c8.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/pf67da98424b9be90d869892c0385c798/f29d49b8.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/pe7afffee3cff736eac7f760803f36ba0/f29d49b0.jpg

Mission
We dream of Pototan to become the sports center of Iloilo because of the presence of the newly constucted astrodome; to be the agricultural center of the Province aside from being the "rice granary of Iloilo" wherein agricultural products flow in abumdance; open new avenues for investment oppotunities; and to be a comonent city of the Province of Iloilo wherein each citizen is given equal opportunity in exercising his rights and is provided his minimum basic needs thus improving the quality of lives of the populace.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/pb5a61f1c20e2468ae6343b515ded3ab8/f29d49a9.jpg


I rather had Pototan as the next city than Passi ... I love Pototan, I guess ... hehehe ... big roads ... almost accessible to everyone ... site of New Iloilo Rehab Centre and Iloilo Provincial Hospital, etc ... we'll see Chymera ... there are also few municipalities in Iloilo gearing to become the city ... first and foremost is the long timer PAVIA ... it was due to become a city during the time of Cory Aquino pa, being sited for the first Regional Agro Industrial Centre .. I don't know what happen after that ... especially during Ramos' regime .. it just suddenly lost it's access and development. I think it's high time for Pavia to bid to become a city again.

Mentored by excellence, an Ilongga teacher wins
Metrobank's 2005 Search for Outstanding Teacher
By Lyncen M. Fernandez, UPV-IPO



“In high school, I wanted to be a chemical engineer like my male cousin who was a manager of a sugar central in Bacolod. Being a manager of a company was such a big deal then. My parents discouraged me because they thought that chemical engineering was not a course for women. My parents were a product of their generation; gender advocacy had yet to take form during their time.”

This was how Dr. Diana Sillador-Aure responded when asked if she had always wanted to be a teacher. Dr. Aure is this year's winner of the Metrobank Search for Outstanding Teachers in the secondary level category. She is a faculty member at the University of the Philippines High School in Iloilo.

Chemical engineering's loss became education's gain. Dr. Aure enrolled instead, in a BS Math program which, unfortunately at that time, was not completely offered at UP Iloilo College in the 1960s. So she opted for BS Education majoring in physical sciences with math, chemistry and physics emphasis.

Perhaps it was really her destiny to become a teacher. So much so that when she graduated with her BSE degree from UP College Iloilo, her teachers at the Bacolod City High School, where she graduated valedictorian, urged her to teach in her alma mater. It was at BCHS, one of the few noted, excellent public schools that had a pilot class for science, that she got the teaching bug.

“At Bacolod City High School, I came to realize how much my teachers did for us [students]. We were always joining and winning competitions in Math even with contenders from other schools in the city. We won because of our teachers. They would go to great lengths to prepare us. I remember one teacher, Miss Takahara who would have us stay at her house and sleep over to continue with our review, even on Saturdays. My teachers were very, very dedicated. They had a passion for excellence.”

Mentored by excellence, Dr. Aure said that she cannot help but give the same quality of teaching to her students.

“I did the same for my students when I taught at Bacolod City High School – reviewing for the quizzes in math, science and chemistry, and doing science projects with them. It paid off because our students made good in the division and regional levels, and even figured in the national level.”

In 1972, Dr. Aure joined the teaching corps of the UPHSI as a substitute instructor, teaching general science and math subjects. As one who believes that a good teacher should always look for ways to improve her capability to teach, she enrolled in a master's program in math at UP Diliman in 1978. The sweet reward for earning her graduate degree was being promoted as assistant professor and having her temporary appointment changed to one with a permanent tenure. She also started accepting administrative posts such as Secretary of the UPV Graduate School, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Director of the Philippine Science High School Western Visayas, Chairperson of the Division of Professional Education and OIC Dean of UPV Tacloban College.

In 1987, Dr. Aure went back to UP Diliman for a PhD in Science Education major in Math. At present she is the Director of UPV's Graduate Program Office.

Thirty-six years of teaching, three at the BCHS and 33 at UPHSI has not dimmed her passion to teach with excellence in the classroom.

“I think it's because I like my job. I enjoy teaching and I also have a happy disposition. I am excited in meeting my students and teaching them. I look at the positive side of life. Even if my students have difficulty learning the lessons, I look for solutions on how to help. This is probably because I am a Math teacher; I am solution-oriented. When something goes wrong, at the back of my mind, I would think, there is always a solution.”

Thirty-six years into the profession rewarded for outstanding performance by Metrobank. How does she feel about this most prestigious award for a teacher like her?

“Personally, the award is a source of self-fulfillment for me. On the other hand, it is also a humbling experience. It is because, out there, there are many teachers who are equally deserving but may have not been given the opportunity to have this recognition. They prefer to work in silence. They deserve the same award.”

To the Metrobank Foundation, this is what she has to say:

“I truly, truly appreciate this recognition. I thank you for this award and for honoring all the teachers. For having honored me, you have also honored my colleagues. I am merely representing them. Thank you for inspiring us and challenging us to do better and to really make a difference in the lives of our youth. Thank you for giving me this wonderful, memorable experience.”

In return, Dr. Aure says that as a faculty member at UPHSI she will try to motivate and inspire her colleagues to be a Metrobank Outstanding Teacher nominee because, “I believe that every faculty member at UPHSI is a potential nominee, considering their different qualities and qualifications.”

She also adds that she will promote the search not just in UPHSI but probably to the rest of the teachers in Iloilo or Region VI.

“I will try to provide inspiration and motivation for them to do better, to continue to learn, to gain new insights and perspectives in teaching, and to lead lives which are within the values prescribed by Metrobank. Who knows, they may also have the chance to be a winner.”

In August 30, Dr. Aure, together with the other Metrobank 2005 Outstanding Teacher awardees, will receive their gold medallions from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during a reception at the Malacañan Palace. The formal awarding ceremonies will be held at the Metrobank Plaza on September 2 as the highlight of the company's 43rd anniversary celebration.

What would life be like beyond the Metrobank award?

“I will go on with my teacher training programs. I'm very much involved with that and of course teach at the UP high school.”

“Life in UP is full of choices. You can choose to do your work well. You can choose to transcend yourself and be the best in what you do. You can continue to teach and learn and model excellence, morality and integrity. These are really the values that Metrobank emphasizes for a teacher.”


-----------------------------------------------


Another Ilongga teacher to win the award ... congrats !

Where’s Iloilo City’s share in road tax?

By DAVID ISRAEL SINAY


ILOILO City – The local government here has not received its share in the Special Road Support Fund (SRSF), otherwise known as the Road User’s Tax (RUT).

Mayor Jerry Treñas said the Road Board has only given them figures but “not the amount.”

“According to them, the city was allotted P200,000 for the first release and around P1.2 million for the second release,” Treñas said.

The money would be used for the rehabilitation of Iloilo City’s roads.

“We already identified the projects to be undertaken but the funds have yet to be released,” Treñas said.

Under Republic Act No. 8794, local governments must use their share in the RUT for road maintenance, drainage improvement, traffic lights and other road safety devices, and for pollution control.

The P200,000 should have been for the maintenance of Jalandoni Street in Jaro District, said Treñas.

The P1.2 million, on the other hand, should be for the maintenance of Delgado Street in downtown Iloilo City.

The RUT comes from the payment of Motor Vehicle User's Charge (MVUC) for every motor vehicle, whether for hire or for private use, including government motor vehicles.

Sec. 7 of RA 8794 states: “all monies collected shall be earmarked solely and used exclusively for road maintenance and the improvement of road drainage, for the installation of adequate and efficient traffic lights and road safety devices and for air pollution control… 70 percent of the Special Road Support Fund shall be used exclusively for the maintenance of, and the improvement of drainage of, national primary roads. The remaining 30 percent thereof shall be allocated and used for the maintenance, and improvement of drainage of national secondary roads throughout the country.”

The Special Local Road Fund shall be apportioned to provincial and city governments in accordance with the vehicle population and size of the road network under their respective jurisdictions, and shall be used exclusively for maintenance of local roads, traffic management and road safety devices.

The monies shall be deposited in a special trust accounts in the National Treasury – Special Road Support Fund; Special Local Road Fund; Special Road Safety Fund; and Special Vehicle Pollution Control Fund – for the implementation of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Transportation and Communications.



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SCUMBUG ! ! !

Where’s Iloilo City’s share in road tax?

By DAVID ISRAEL SINAY


ILOILO City – The local government here has not received its share in the Special Road Support Fund (SRSF), otherwise known as the Road User’s Tax (RUT).

Mayor Jerry Treñas said the Road Board has only given them figures but “not the amount.”

“According to them, the city was allotted P200,000 for the first release and around P1.2 million for the second release,” Treñas said.

The money would be used for the rehabilitation of Iloilo City’s roads.

“We already identified the projects to be undertaken but the funds have yet to be released,” Treñas said.

Under Republic Act No. 8794, local governments must use their share in the RUT for road maintenance, drainage improvement, traffic lights and other road safety devices, and for pollution control.

The P200,000 should have been for the maintenance of Jalandoni Street in Jaro District, said Treñas.

The P1.2 million, on the other hand, should be for the maintenance of Delgado Street in downtown Iloilo City.

The RUT comes from the payment of Motor Vehicle User's Charge (MVUC) for every motor vehicle, whether for hire or for private use, including government motor vehicles.

Sec. 7 of RA 8794 states: “all monies collected shall be earmarked solely and used exclusively for road maintenance and the improvement of road drainage, for the installation of adequate and efficient traffic lights and road safety devices and for air pollution control… 70 percent of the Special Road Support Fund shall be used exclusively for the maintenance of, and the improvement of drainage of, national primary roads. The remaining 30 percent thereof shall be allocated and used for the maintenance, and improvement of drainage of national secondary roads throughout the country.”

The Special Local Road Fund shall be apportioned to provincial and city governments in accordance with the vehicle population and size of the road network under their respective jurisdictions, and shall be used exclusively for maintenance of local roads, traffic management and road safety devices.

The monies shall be deposited in a special trust accounts in the National Treasury – Special Road Support Fund; Special Local Road Fund; Special Road Safety Fund; and Special Vehicle Pollution Control Fund – for the implementation of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Transportation and Communications.



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SCUMBUG ! ! !
All the more reasons why we should change to a federal system immediately!

All the more reasons why we should change to a federal system immediately!


I agree Chymera ... it's the best way we can progress as a city, province and region as a whole. Too much delayed at all times waiting for national gov't fund.

Yes, there's a 'swamp area' beside the river ... I actually like the mall to be built there, because the location is accessible (not too much traffic in getting there, not like robinson's) and there's a large enough space available if Ayala wants to develop the area into a business center or something but they have to deal with the smell and pollution caused by env't, squatters, residences around the area.

that's right Chy ... but pavia and Sta Barbara towns are two of the most suitable sites, just in case .... wider space .. not too far from Iloilo city being the centre of everything ... another good point is that, it is near the proposed airport of international standard.


Right now there is no Metro areas in Iloilo but if it will be approved then Metropolitan Iloilo will be composed of Iloilo city and the municipalities of Oton, San Miguel, Pavia and Leganes. It is planned to be the center for residential, commercial, financial and industrial activities for the region. The planned metro-area is still small, they should add more municipalities to it

Municipality - Population/Land Area/Density
Leganes - 23,475/ 32.20/729.04
Oton - 65,374/ 86.44 /756.29
San Miguel - 20,754/ 31.97/649.17
Pavia - 32,824/ 15.46 /2,123.16
Total - 508,818.00/ 222.07/2,291.25


It is not totally approved yet but it is widely recognised already. And yes Chymera, it is very small in area. I suggest they'll include Sta Barbara, Pototan, Zarraga, Barotac Nuevo and Tigbauan ... or probably more.


I'n not too keen with the casino too, but I guess anything that will spur economic activity is a good thing. I've heard somewhere that the biggest cockfighting arena in Western Visayas (or is it the country) is in Iloilo, so gambling will not really disrupt the local population coz its already practiced rampantly. Taxes from a casino can really help a lot and tourism will also get a boost.

ok then .. hope we'll have a more acceptable residents in a row.


That's right ... grabeh guid ya ka distinct ang Iloilo and Bacolod ang pareho lng guro is language and that both cities are booming.


That's true ... no two cities are absolutely the same .. Bacolod City right now is as progressive as Iloilo City, too .... their population, area, roads are much bigger than of Iloilo City .. BUT ... Iloilo City is the educational, commercial, trade, financial, regional, etc centre of western Visayas ... Iloilo City is already a history ... Bacolod being a new city is starting to make up their own, too. Whatever Bacolod City will achieve in the future, all of us Ilonggos (as bacolod are ilonggos as well) will be very happy for them as well.

I've seen the Casa Fiametta already, though sa TV lng Channel 13 :) They have small cabins for small seminars ... Mostly central Iloilo ang na visit mo? Did you find anything interesting there?

I tried my best to see most of the towns of central Iloilo as they are the ones who are agggressive when it comes to tourism. Casa Fiametta is nice ... it's an old Lopez mansion in the midst of their hacienda in barotac Nuevo, Iloilo. Dumangas? oh .. just love it .... seaside overlooking Guimaras Island, etc. Couple with it is the thriving municipal economy based on crop production and fisheries (damo mayaman didto!). Pototan, as it gears to become the third city of Iloilo is great, too. Leganes of course will always be part of my trip in Iloilo as it is the centre of religious faith we have (being a Catholics ... wonder why so many out towners visit Leganes?) ... so on and so forth.

Actually, Chymera, we also went to Southern Iloilo ... the Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal and Miag-ao area. Most of the times pag may bisita ako who are not from Iloilo, I usually brings them to Miag-ao to see the pictureque Fortress Church of Sto Tomas de Villanova. Of course, the famous University of the Philippines in the Visayas - Miag-ao campus .. the centre of UP in the Visayan region, etc. Should I include the famous turistic area of Guimbal town as well .. the Racsos (Zoo), Guimbal Municipal Hall (which looks much better than the Iloilo Capitol during Independence Day 2004), Shamrock Beach Resort, etc .


I understand, ok lng I can wait patiently :nuts: :nuts: :nuts:

thank you so much.


Yeah they can put it in Pavia or Leganes ... hopefully the new airport will mean wider roads in these areas to ease traffic.


I've seen the roads to the airport already Chy ... it is wide ... really well-planned gid. Hopefully it can accomodate four vehicles in every side ... kanami siya.


Aside from Alubihod, where in Guimaras have you been? what activities did you do there, did you do island-hopping? nxt time when I go to guimaras maybe I'll go to other places coz I've grown weary of Alubihod already :)

There's a plan for island hopping pero di natuloy for couple of reasons ... we stayed in Raymen's resort ... lots and lots of Korean foreigners are there and few Americans as well. We went to Trappist Monastery on our way back home. Sight seeing around Jordan area. The children loves it. We just hired two small van to roam around ... people there are really nice. Believe me, I enjoyed Guimaras more than our Boracay Trip last year.

Chy, I forwarded you some of the pics .. check lang sa email (gmail) mo. Ciao !

Iloilo to host nat'l confab of local planning coordinators


THE Province of Iloilo will host this year's Annual Convention for the League of the Local Planning and Development Coordinators of the Philippines, which is slated on August 23 to 25 at Punta Villa, Arevalo, Iloilo City.

Already on its 16th year, "this annual convention would bring priceless experience and learning using information technology in development planning both from government and the private sectors' perspective," says Mario Nillos, head, Provincial Planning and Development Office and this year's convention chair.

"Hopefully, the experiences would enhance the skills and capacities of the local planning and development coordinators in selecting and using appropriate Information Technology (IT) tools and techniques that would result to better governance in their respective local government units," he added.

Nillos further said, "in this age of IT, development planning seems to be in the fingertips. Upon close scrutiny, the use of IT in development planning is simply a tool or a technique that would make development planning more meaningful and appropriate in this challenging time."

Topics to be discussed during the three-day convention will include Utilizing IT and the Role of NCC in Development Planning for Effective Local Governance by Frederick DC Amores, group head-Visayas, NCC, Cebu City; GIS as an Input to Local Development Planning: the Cebu City Experience, Engr. Emar Montejo, OIC, Cebu City GIS Center; E-Procurement, Dir. Alfonso B. Bedonia, Jr., ARD-DBM, Region VI; Local Government Performance Monitoring System, Dir. Rolando Acosta, BLGS, DILG; Poverty Database and Monitoring Software, Samuel J. Gulayan, exec. director, Bohol Local Devt. Foundation; Ortho-Photo Maps and GIS: Addressing the Need for Spatial Information in Local Development Planning, Virgilio S. Santos, Survey Geomatics Division, FF Cruz & Co, Inc.; Local Government System: Boosting Local Government Revenues without Enacting Laws, Monette Lim, E*SPRINT Software, Mandaue City; and Turning Location-based Intelligence in Government Advantage, Lanie Silerio, System Technology Research Corporation, Mandaluyong City.

This year's convention bannered the theme "Information Technology: An Indispensable Tool for Effective Local Development Planning.

About 600 to 800 participants all over the country are expected to join the said gathering of local planners and development coordinators.

It was learned that Iloilo Province first hosted the said convention in 1995.


(from Sunstar Iloilo News Online)