Iloílo & Panay Island Heritage Watch

[Espano_Atx]

Originally Posted by marieantoinette

They should really remove that title. It is an insult to the Philippine Revolution and Philippine History.

I respectfully disagree, your majesty. I don't think having the title LA MUY LEAL Y NOBLE CIUDAD DE ILOILO on the city seal is an insult to the Philippine Revolution and Philippine History. It just makes my city sound so grand and historic.

[Mercato]

de acuerdo .... Viva Yloilo! Viva Hispanidad! ...Hiligaynon incluido tambien!!!

[Mercato]

dp

[METROPOLITAN_ILOILO]

Originally Posted by Mercato

de acuerdo .... Viva Yloilo! Viva Hispanidad! ...Hiligaynon incluido tambien!!!

I definitely agree!

[METROPOLITAN_ILOILO]

Just wondering... whats the update to the Conservation of the Grand Jaro Mansions?

Do they have a list/directory of the heritage houses/building?

I hope there is... I would love to take a photo of these buildings if ever I ahve the chance... I think there is one worth looking into near Tabuc Suba... a house being occupied by some sort of Fil-Canadian Agency. I just forgot the name though.

[lewdsaint]

This is very nice informations about Molo....

Molo: Athens of the Philippines
By Atty. Rex S. Salvilla President, West Visayas Historical Research Foundation, Inc. (thenewstoday.info)

Can any place in the Philippines, aside from Molo, claim to have produced a chief justice, three justices, nine senators, seven governors, several generals congressmen and cabinet members?

Molo has Chief Justice Ramon Avanceñ, Justices Gregorio Araneta (also secretary of the Malolos Congress and first secretary of justice), Raymundo Melliza and Felicisimo Feria.

Its senators are: Francisco Villanueva, Esteban de la Rama, Esperidion Guanco, Jose Ma. Arroyo, Francisco Zulueta, Jose C. Zulueta, Potenciano Treñas, Rodolfo Ganzon and Franklin Drilon.

The governors are: Raymundo Melliza, Amado Avanceña, Gregorio Yulo, Mariano Yulo, Jose Yulo-Regalado, Timoteo Consing, Sr. and Jose C. Zulueta.

The generals of the Philippine Revolution are: Esteban de la Rama (first commandant of the Philippine Marines), Raymundo Melliza, Pablo Araneta, Angel Corteza and Aniceto Lacson.

The congressmen are: Jose Locsin Sian, Amado Avanceña, Rodolfo Ganzon and Fernando Salas together with Constitutional Convention delegates Manuel Locsin and Efrain Treñas.

Molo had also a father and son mayors -- Leopoldo and Rodolfo Ganzon with Mayor Mansueto Malabor and Jerry Treñas, first lady Iloilo City Councilor Simplicia Magahum-Offemaria, famous vernacular writers Angel Magahum, Sr., Rosendo Mejica and Jimeno Damaso; first Miss Philippines and national suffragette Pura Villanueva Kalaw and first Ilonggo nun Rosario Arroyo.

No wonder why Molo deserves to be called Athens of the Philippines. This was so because during the Spanish time it was an educational center of the Philippines. Perhaps, it was the only pueblo (town) in the country which had four colleges -- Colegio de Santa Ana of the Avanceña sisters (Jovita and Ramona), Centro Escolar de Molo of Salas brothers (Perfecto and Fernando), Instituto Ensenanza Libre de Molo of Manuel Locsin and Escuela Publica.

During the American regime, Rosendo Mejica founded in 1903 Baluarte Elementary School (the first in the country) outside of Manila. In 1941, the Iloilo City High School was opened in Molo which became the first free public high school in the Philippines during the time of Mayor Rodolfo Ganzon.

In the sixties, the first college of medicine in Panay was opened in Molo by the Iloilo Doctor's College. Molo is also the present site of the pioneer private maritime school in the Philippines -- John B. Lacson Maritime University Foundation, Inc. (originally Iloilo Maritime Academy) which was declared few years back as one of the best maritime schools in the whole world.

Molo was already a thriving ancient Malay port when the Spaniards arrived in the Philippines in the late 1500's. When nearby Arevalo became the capital of the alcaldia de Ylong-ylong (Province of Iloilo) Molo was its mere suburb until 1818 when it became a pueblo. Its casa real (municipal hall) is still standing beside the Molo church. During the American regime, it became a mere part of the town of Iloilo in 1903 and in 1973 became a district of the City of Iloilo.

For fear of a Chinese uprising similar to that in Manila, the Spanish authorities implementing the royal decree of Gov. Gen. Juan de Vargas dated July 17, 1679, rounded up the Chinese in Iloilo and hamletted them in the parian (now Avanceña Street).

Incidentally, there were only three parians in the Philippines -- Intramuros, Cebu and Iloilo. This explains the prevalence of Chinese surnames in Molo like Lacson, Locsin, Layson, Yusay, Consing, Sanson, Ganzon, Quimsing, Tinsay and Ditching.

When the Spaniards gave surnames to the Ilonggos in 1849 thru the orders of Gov. Gen. Narciso Claveria y Zaldua, they assigned surnames whose first letters corresponded to the first letters of the names of the pueblos.
Thus, Molo was assigned surnames beginning with letter M. The fiercely nationalistic natives did not take Spanish surnames but instead, adopted native surnames like Magahum, Mabilog, Mahinay, Malabanjot, Mabunay, Maprangala, Macatiag, Malabor, Magbanua and Macatual.

During one of the Moro raids, it was said that the Chinese in the parian, who found difficulty in pronouncing the letter "r", shouted Molo, Molo, Molo... hence, the place came to be called Molo.

The original port of Iloilo was actually near the present Molo-Mandurriao Bridge (Gov. Smith Bridge) at the back of the plaza. It was called Tabucan (river crossing). To reach this port from Iloilo Strait, the Chinese junks and Spanish small boats entered the mouth of Batiano River at the small Spanish fort (Baluarte) which before the war was called Treasure Island land.

The junks followed the circuitous river route westward up to Oton where it turned back eastward to Molo. This was so because the Iloilo River was not navigable at that time.

Incidentally, the other side of the river crossing at Mandurriao still retains the name Tabucan.

Molo is also a religious center in Iloilo. Every July 26 thousands of pilgrims from all over the country troop to the imposing Gothic Church to honor its patron saint Santa Ana -- the patroness of childless couples, family harmony, the sick and the afflicted and other of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Molo is also the site of the only orphanage in West Visayas -- Asilo de Molo founded in 1934 by Vincentian Fr. German Villazan together with Doña Pilar Advincula de Javellana and Doña Adela Liza vda. de Mapa and which was placed under the management of the Daughters of Charity. It is located on the lot donated by Don Ignacio Arroyo.

It is the site of mother houses of religious congregations in the Philippines -- Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary founded in 1925 by the first Ilonggo nun Mother Rosario Arroyo and of the Mill Hill Missionaries since 1906. Molo also housed the Carmelite Sisters in the Philippines before it transferred to Sambag, Jaro.

The district has now four colleges -- Iloilo Doctors College, John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation, Inc., St. Therese-MTC Colleges, Inc. and St. Anne College of Iloilo.

It has also two hotels -- Hotel del Rio and La Fiesta Hotel.

The Mejica Historical Landmark is also found in Molo. It houses items like the first printing press of Makinaugalingon -- the first vernacular daily in West Visayas edited by Rosendo Mejica which hit the streets in 1913 folding up only in 1942 when the Japanese landed in Panay.

Molo is the home of the nationally-known delicacy pansit molo -- a favorite in restaurants in Manila and cookies of Panaderia de Molo and of the Molo County Bake Shop.

Molo is also the site of the nationally famous tourist event -- the annual Paraw Regatta -- race of sailboats in Guimaras Strait.

During the Spanish time, the main defense fort in West Visayas was the La Fuerza del Santisimo Rosario (later Fort San Pedro). Its right flanking fort was Baluarte in Molo where recently two Spanish cannons were discovered in the mud. They are now at the Museo Iloilo.

Molo is proud of its very imposing church -- the only Gothic-Renaissance Church in the Philippines outside of Manila. It was called by Jose Rizal as "bonita iglesia" during his visit at Molo in 1896 on his way back to Manila from his exile at Dapitan.

At present, there are three parishes in Molo -- St. Anne's parish (the original), Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Calumpang and San Jose Obrero in Fundidor.

The barangay of Fundidor (foundry) was the seat of many foundry shops during the Spanish time which built most of the bells in Panay. One of them is Regina.

Molo claims to be the hometown of Blessed Pedro Calungsod -- beatified recently by Pope John Paul. This beato was a catechist who died a martyr at Guam on April, 1672.

[habagatcentral1]

I have my reservations with the said author and work.

[icarusrising]

Originally Posted by habagatcentral1

I have my reservations with the said author and work.

What is it that you don't find comfortable about the author and his work, Mr. Arellano?

[habagatcentral1]

Originally Posted by icarus-rising

What is it that you don't find comfortable about the author and his work, Mr. Arellano?

The usage of superlatives and claims that are unverified by cross-referencing...for positivist historians, it would spell doom if the claim is not supported by verified evidences and multiple cross references and will be nothing but a concoction of misleading information creating false pride amongst the subjects.

For example:
His claim that Iloilo HAS THE BEST HARBOUR IN THE WORLD
has the LARGEST COLISEUM/COCKFIGHT COLISEUM in the country.
Molo as the only GOTHIC RENAISANNCE CHURCH outside Manila.
and so much more that I could doubt not unless verified by other references.

[habagatcentral1]

The Jaro Plaza as a Heritage Gem
by Dr. Henry F. Funtecha Ph.D. | The News Today

image hosted on flickr


THE plaza of Jaro, just like any other plaza in the Philippines, has been a silent witness to the history of the people. It also serves as a show-window of Jaro’s early development as a prosperous town and as the center of Catholicism in Western Visayas.

Jaro’s emergence as a thriving community of industrious inhabitants started long before the coming of the Spanish colonizers. By the time of Spanish contact, Iloilo was leading other sizeable communities in farm production, especially in rice, and in sugar production. It was also noted as a major producer of woven products, based on pina and jusi. Because it had a large population, according to the Spaniards (although there is no available figure on this), it was also very active in trading activities involving the Chinese and those coming from other parts of the country. This was further aided by the presence of two navigable rivers on both sides - the Salog River and the Dungon River (which today is just a creek).

Early in the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, Jaro began its role as the base of Catholic missionaries in their evangelizing efforts in Panay and the rest of Western Visayas. This was in 1570, when two Augustinian friars, Fr. Martin de Rada and Fr. Juan Alba, made Jaro as their ecclesiastical headquarters. Initially, Jaro was not an independent parish but was just a visita of La Villa de Arevalo. It was not long after, however, in 1587, that Jaro was declared as an independent parish.

The origin of the Jaro Plaza may have started during this period because the standard practice of the Spanish missionaries or of the Spanish government at that time was to establish a plaza in their domain. This was so because the plaza turned out to be an effective instrument in bringing the natives closer to Catholicism and in achieving effective administrative control over the people.

The so-called plaza complex involved an open space, usually rectangular or square in shape, a chapel, a municipal building, jail and public market, as well as the houses in its vicinity. The inhabitants in the area were required to put up their houses around the plaza.

Those who refused to do so were considered enemies of the church and of the state, and were, subsequently labeled as bandidos, ladrones,monteses, mondos or insurectos.

With Jaro being made as an independent parish, a larger church was constructed facing the plaza and served the religious needs of the inhabitants. From 1826 to 1837, the Jaro bellfry was built as a lookout tower to warn the inhabitants of the approach of the Moros. The Jaro Cathedral was built in 1864 to 1874 and replaced the old one. In 1865, Jaro became a diocese.

During the Spanish period, the Jaro Plaza served various functions. It was where political and administrative control emanated. It was where the people paid their taxes and rendered forced labor to the colonial masters. It was where census-taking was conducted for easy identification of the natives. It was also where “criminals” or enemies of the state were punished or put to death.

On its religious function, it was where the life cycle of the people was anchored. It was where they were baptized and married, had their confirmation and confession, and brought to when they were dead. The plaza also was the center of other religious activities such as the patronal fiesta, holy week celebration, pasion singing, Christmas celebration, Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan.

Culturally, the plaza was where people witnessed stage plays like the comedia, moro-moro, and, later, the zarzuela. There were other attractions like a band of acrobats from Manila and magic shows.

It can be assumed that Iloilo’s two great heroes, Graciano Lopez Jaena and Gen. Martin Delgado, may have set foot many times in the plaza because both studied at the Jaro Seminary nearby. It is also significant to point out that Gen. Delgado and his troops prepared for their military formation in the Jaro Plaza as they marched to Plaza Libertad to receive the surrender of the Spaniards on December 25, 1898.

Under the Americans up to more recent times, the Jaro Plaza has assumed wider roles. The Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria de Jaro fiesta became very famous and was even attended by prominent politicians, businessmen and civic leaders from various parts of the country. As such, the Jaro Plaza became associated with food in abundance (including finger foods served free in the plaza itself, courtesy of the town’s affluent families), grand fireworks display, elegant ballroom dancing, fabulous Jaro Queen presentation, inspiring agro-industrial fair, various interesting cultural programs, and plenty of assorted rides and show. The plaza also became associated with political rallies and, in more recent times, protest activities and even commercialism like the ukay-ukay and borloloys.

It must be pointed out that Pope John Paul VI had been to the Jaro Plaza in 1982 when he visited the Jaro Cathedral. Moreover, droves of faithful devotees of the Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria come annually from the interior towns and other places in the country to pay homage to her image.

As can be gleaned from the above, Jaro Plaza, indeed, is a very important heritage that needs to be rehabilitated, improved, preserved and kept clean. It is a significant religious, administrative and cultural landmark, a silent witness to the history of the Ilonggos as a people. It is reflective of their rich culture, particularly their being religious, hospitable, festive, caring and loving.

[METROPOLITAN_ILOILO]

We ahve to thank Former Pres. Cory Aquino for "restoring" the Jaro Belfry though not as good as we have expected... since no real bricks were used for the new portions (2nd and 3rd level) and the 4 statues on each corner of the 2nd level... Hopefully in the near future.

[habagatcentral1]

The thanks is quite halfway...because of the construction, the older segment (which is the original base of the belfry) is said to have been leaning already...

[METROPOLITAN_ILOILO]

Waaa what happened Berns? Miscalculation by the engineers? basi hindi mayo pag obra sang 2nd and 3rd level?

[METROPOLITAN_ILOILO]

Coastal Memoirs: An Art Competition

Artists of all affiliations will be given a boost once again through an art competition this month.

Dubbed as "Coastal Memoirs," the tilt also aims to boost tourism in the southern coast of Iloilo because the participants will be asked to make the churches of San Joaquin, Miagao, Guimbal and other religious edifices of southern Iloilo as their entry.

The organizer is the United Architects of the Philippines Hamili Chapter, in partnership with the Department of Tourism, Museo Iloilo, in cooperation with Zonta Club Iloilo Chapter and the Department of Architecture, Fine Arts and Interior Design of the University of San Agustin.

Part of the proceeds will go to the UAP Hamili Chapter's Adopt-A-School program. They will rehabilitate the building of Ilog-Ilog Elementary School in Barangay Ilog-Ilog, Miag-ao.

The required size of entries is 18 inches by 24 inches and the acceptable media are oil on canvas and acrylic on canvas. The entry should be dated not later than 2008 and must be the artist's original work.

The deadline of submission of entries is on November 19 at the Department of Architecture of the USA. Screening will be done on Nov. 20 and 21, opening of the exhibit at the Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center is on Nov. 25, judging is on Nov. 27 and the exhibition will run until Nov. 30.

The works will be judged based on: expressive properties (creative use of imagery and communicative and evocative strength of design), 30%; conceptual properties (originality, freshness of ideas and relevance to the theme), 30% and formal properties (mastery of techniques and materials and the mastery of the design principles), 40%.




Oil painting by Tito Nobleza.


The entry forms are available at the UAP Hamili chapter office, Department of Architecture, Fine Arts and Interior Design of the University of San Agustin.

For more information, contact Ma. Regina Falconite at telephone numbers 0919-4439-742 and 3207242.

[Animo]

November 17, 2008 10:45 am by pna

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 17 -– From the current ordinary stone structure, the statue of the country’s national hero Jose P. Rizal located at the historic Plaza Libertad here will be transformed into a modern granite stone structure.

This was disclosed Friday by Liwayway T. Gener, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC) during the unveiling of the project marker and the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) relative to the project.

Gener said the body will be made of beige granite while black granite will be used for the base.

“The Iloilo Rizal Shrine will be all made up of granite stones. It has to look classic and sophisticated,” she stressed.

The restoration and beautification of the Rizal Shrine at the Plaza Libertad is part of the ‘new multi-sector campaign of the YCG called Buhay Rizal.’

It is part of their missions to ‘help restore the dignity and pride for Rizal as the National Hero.’

Same projects were also done in Baguio, Batangas and Davao.

In Iloilo the project will be sponsored by the Great Pacific Life Assurance Corporation (Grepalid), one of the companies of the YCG.

“We aim to showcase the Rizal Shrine of Iloilo City among the other commemorative shrines all over the country,” Gener said.

Plaza Libertad where the shrine will be built was the venue of the flag raising of the First Philippine Republic after Spanish troops surrendered to Ilonggo revolutionaries led by Gen. Martin Delgado on Dec 25, 1898.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas in behalf of the city government while Helen Y. Dee, chairperson of the YCG and Vic Quisumbing, CEO of the Grepalife signed the MOA that sealed the partnership for the project. (PNA)

[habagatcentral1]

Originally Posted by lewdsaint

Check this video (at 3:45 to 4:40 ).

Screenshots from the Youtube Video.
Iloilo @ 1949
from the video: On A Slowboat To HongKong, Genoa, Philippines by Michael Rogge


I believe this is San Jose de Placer Church grounds and on the background is Plaza Libertad


A beach...perhaps in Villa or near the city


This is very familiar...I can see Javellana Building in corner JM Basa and Guanco Streets at the background of the picture.

[Tyo Tagoy]

Originally Posted by Animo

November 17, 2008 10:45 am by pna

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 17 -– From the current ordinary stone structure, the statue of the country’s national hero Jose P. Rizal located at the historic Plaza Libertad here will be transformed into a modern granite stone structure.

This was disclosed Friday by Liwayway T. Gener, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC) during the unveiling of the project marker and the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) relative to the project.

Gener said the body will be made of beige granite while black granite will be used for the base.

“The Iloilo Rizal Shrine will be all made up of granite stones. It has to look classic and sophisticated,” she stressed.

The restoration and beautification of the Rizal Shrine at the Plaza Libertad is part of the ‘new multi-sector campaign of the YCG called Buhay Rizal.’

It is part of their missions to ‘help restore the dignity and pride for Rizal as the National Hero.’

Same projects were also done in Baguio, Batangas and Davao.

In Iloilo the project will be sponsored by the Great Pacific Life Assurance Corporation (Grepalid), one of the companies of the YCG.

“We aim to showcase the Rizal Shrine of Iloilo City among the other commemorative shrines all over the country,” Gener said.

Plaza Libertad where the shrine will be built was the venue of the flag raising of the First Philippine Republic after Spanish troops surrendered to Ilonggo revolutionaries led by Gen. Martin Delgado on Dec 25, 1898.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas in behalf of the city government while Helen Y. Dee, chairperson of the YCG and Vic Quisumbing, CEO of the Grepalife signed the MOA that sealed the partnership for the project. (PNA)

wow! thanks for posting bro!

[METROPOLITAN_ILOILO]

Public land transportation in Iloilo in the 1930s

Iloilo in the 1920s and in the 1930s was considered as the "Queen City of Southern Philippines". Aside from its reputation as the commercial entrepot and cultural capital of the Visayas, Iloilo also pride itself at that time as the home of the most modern transportation facilities in the country. No doubt, the availability of cheap and convenient means of travel contributed much to Iloilo's premier importance.

In the early 1930s there was already a network of first and second class roads in Iloilo and the rest of Panay, consisting of hundreds of kilometers. Such roads could not have brought the riding public to their destinations and the farmers' products easily to the markets for general consumption had there been no easy means of transportation available.

There were several bus companies operating in the city of Iloilo, its suburbs, and in the province during the 1930s. Practically all the passable roads connecting the different municipalities of Iloilo and other provinces of Panay were served by these bus lines.

The largest of the bus companies operating in Iloilo and the rest of the island of Panay was the Panay Autobus Co., which had its office and terminal in Rizal Street, Iloilo City. This huge transportation company, with a capital investment of P365,000, was the most successful land transportation venture in Panay at that time. In 1937, it operated 316 commodious, clean and comfortable autobuses, at least in the standards of that time. These autobuses plied many accessible roads in the island, reaching even farflung barangays. To maintain its reputation, only experienced and well-trained drivers and conductors were employed by the company.

Other than its central station in Iloilo City, it had substations in Roxas City in Capiz and San Jose, Antique. It also maintained good working stations in a number of municipalities in the island. "To serve the public efficiently" was the motto of the company.

The other major bus company was the Iloilo Transportation Co. whose office and terminal were situated in Blumentritt Street, Iloilo City. It advertised itself as having double-deck buses with radio music. Its double and single-deck steel blue buses maintained regular schedules covering the areas of Jaro, Iloilo City, Molo, Mandurriao, and Arevalo.

Another transportation company operating in certain parts of the province was the Aleosan Transportation Co., Inc. established in 1929. In 1937, it had fifteen autobuses going to Leon via San Miguel, Oton and Tigbauan, and to Alimodian via San Miguel and Oton. The other bus companies that operated units inside and outside of the city were the Eagle Express and the Jaro Express Co. whose units covered Lapuz, La Paz and the Jaro district.

To avoid the stiff competition between the Iloilo Transportation Co., and the Jaro Express Co., the buses of the latter company were bought in 1936 by the former. The ones that were not included in the purchase were the taxis of the Jaro Express Co. because the taxis of the Iloilo Transportation Co. were also transferred to the former. At that time, the fare between Iloilo City and Central Philippine College (now Central Philippine University), about five kilometers distance, was only five centavos for the buses.

Aside from motor vehicles for public transport, there was a railway line that operated between Iloilo and Capiz. The Philippine Railway Co. had its passenger terminal in Muelle Loney just adjacent tothe ILoilo Custom's House and beside the Iloilo Fire Service Station. Its offices and maintenance unit were situated across the river in Lapus, La Paz.

The origin of the railway in Panay could be traced to Act 1497 enacted in 1906 by the Philippine Commission which authorized the Philippine Railway Co. in Manila "to locate, construct, furnish, maintain and operate a railway line" in other parts of the country (Annual Report of Panay Railways 1979). This came about because of the need to improve the ,means of transportation in the archipelago to facilitate the movements of inhabitants and materials. The construction of the railway in Panay was started in 1906 and the 116.1 kms. system was inaugurated in 1912 (Gleeck 1928).

Other than the above-mentioned motorized transportation facilities available in the city and province of Iloilo, there were also taxis, kalesas, karetelas and carromatas. The kalesa, especially, was the popular mode of transportation particularly in the side and smaller streets. Moreover, there was the proliferation of so many bicycles in the city in the mid-1930s brought about by the desire of the people to save money and to have a ready means of transportation anytime.

TNT

[credge]

Originally Posted by lewdsaint

This is very nice informations about Molo....

Molo: Athens of the Philippines
By Atty. Rex S. Salvilla President, West Visayas Historical Research Foundation, Inc. (thenewstoday.info)

Can any place in the Philippines, aside from Molo, claim to have produced a chief justice, three justices, nine senators, seven governors, several generals congressmen and cabinet members?

Molo has Chief Justice Ramon Avanceñ, Justices Gregorio Araneta (also secretary of the Malolos Congress and first secretary of justice), Raymundo Melliza and Felicisimo Feria.

Its senators are: Francisco Villanueva, Esteban de la Rama, Esperidion Guanco, Jose Ma. Arroyo, Francisco Zulueta, Jose C. Zulueta, Potenciano Treñas, Rodolfo Ganzon and Franklin Drilon.

The governors are: Raymundo Melliza, Amado Avanceña, Gregorio Yulo, Mariano Yulo, Jose Yulo-Regalado, Timoteo Consing, Sr. and Jose C. Zulueta.

The generals of the Philippine Revolution are: Esteban de la Rama (first commandant of the Philippine Marines), Raymundo Melliza, Pablo Araneta, Angel Corteza and Aniceto Lacson.

The congressmen are: Jose Locsin Sian, Amado Avanceña, Rodolfo Ganzon and Fernando Salas together with Constitutional Convention delegates Manuel Locsin and Efrain Treñas.

Molo had also a father and son mayors -- Leopoldo and Rodolfo Ganzon with Mayor Mansueto Malabor and Jerry Treñas, first lady Iloilo City Councilor Simplicia Magahum-Offemaria, famous vernacular writers Angel Magahum, Sr., Rosendo Mejica and Jimeno Damaso; first Miss Philippines and national suffragette Pura Villanueva Kalaw and first Ilonggo nun Rosario Arroyo.

No wonder why Molo deserves to be called Athens of the Philippines. This was so because during the Spanish time it was an educational center of the Philippines. Perhaps, it was the only pueblo (town) in the country which had four colleges -- Colegio de Santa Ana of the Avanceña sisters (Jovita and Ramona), Centro Escolar de Molo of Salas brothers (Perfecto and Fernando), Instituto Ensenanza Libre de Molo of Manuel Locsin and Escuela Publica.

During the American regime, Rosendo Mejica founded in 1903 Baluarte Elementary School (the first in the country) outside of Manila. In 1941, the Iloilo City High School was opened in Molo which became the first free public high school in the Philippines during the time of Mayor Rodolfo Ganzon.

In the sixties, the first college of medicine in Panay was opened in Molo by the Iloilo Doctor's College. Molo is also the present site of the pioneer private maritime school in the Philippines -- John B. Lacson Maritime University Foundation, Inc. (originally Iloilo Maritime Academy) which was declared few years back as one of the best maritime schools in the whole world.

Molo was already a thriving ancient Malay port when the Spaniards arrived in the Philippines in the late 1500's. When nearby Arevalo became the capital of the alcaldia de Ylong-ylong (Province of Iloilo) Molo was its mere suburb until 1818 when it became a pueblo. Its casa real (municipal hall) is still standing beside the Molo church. During the American regime, it became a mere part of the town of Iloilo in 1903 and in 1973 became a district of the City of Iloilo.

For fear of a Chinese uprising similar to that in Manila, the Spanish authorities implementing the royal decree of Gov. Gen. Juan de Vargas dated July 17, 1679, rounded up the Chinese in Iloilo and hamletted them in the parian (now Avanceña Street).

Incidentally, there were only three parians in the Philippines -- Intramuros, Cebu and Iloilo. This explains the prevalence of Chinese surnames in Molo like Lacson, Locsin, Layson, Yusay, Consing, Sanson, Ganzon, Quimsing, Tinsay and Ditching.

When the Spaniards gave surnames to the Ilonggos in 1849 thru the orders of Gov. Gen. Narciso Claveria y Zaldua, they assigned surnames whose first letters corresponded to the first letters of the names of the pueblos.
Thus, Molo was assigned surnames beginning with letter M. The fiercely nationalistic natives did not take Spanish surnames but instead, adopted native surnames like Magahum, Mabilog, Mahinay, Malabanjot, Mabunay, Maprangala, Macatiag, Malabor, Magbanua and Macatual.

During one of the Moro raids, it was said that the Chinese in the parian, who found difficulty in pronouncing the letter "r", shouted Molo, Molo, Molo... hence, the place came to be called Molo.

The original port of Iloilo was actually near the present Molo-Mandurriao Bridge (Gov. Smith Bridge) at the back of the plaza. It was called Tabucan (river crossing). To reach this port from Iloilo Strait, the Chinese junks and Spanish small boats entered the mouth of Batiano River at the small Spanish fort (Baluarte) which before the war was called Treasure Island land.

The junks followed the circuitous river route westward up to Oton where it turned back eastward to Molo. This was so because the Iloilo River was not navigable at that time.

Incidentally, the other side of the river crossing at Mandurriao still retains the name Tabucan.

Molo is also a religious center in Iloilo. Every July 26 thousands of pilgrims from all over the country troop to the imposing Gothic Church to honor its patron saint Santa Ana -- the patroness of childless couples, family harmony, the sick and the afflicted and other of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Molo is also the site of the only orphanage in West Visayas -- Asilo de Molo founded in 1934 by Vincentian Fr. German Villazan together with Doña Pilar Advincula de Javellana and Doña Adela Liza vda. de Mapa and which was placed under the management of the Daughters of Charity. It is located on the lot donated by Don Ignacio Arroyo.

It is the site of mother houses of religious congregations in the Philippines -- Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary founded in 1925 by the first Ilonggo nun Mother Rosario Arroyo and of the Mill Hill Missionaries since 1906. Molo also housed the Carmelite Sisters in the Philippines before it transferred to Sambag, Jaro.

The district has now four colleges -- Iloilo Doctors College, John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation, Inc., St. Therese-MTC Colleges, Inc. and St. Anne College of Iloilo.

It has also two hotels -- Hotel del Rio and La Fiesta Hotel.

The Mejica Historical Landmark is also found in Molo. It houses items like the first printing press of Makinaugalingon -- the first vernacular daily in West Visayas edited by Rosendo Mejica which hit the streets in 1913 folding up only in 1942 when the Japanese landed in Panay.

Molo is the home of the nationally-known delicacy pansit molo -- a favorite in restaurants in Manila and cookies of Panaderia de Molo and of the Molo County Bake Shop.

Molo is also the site of the nationally famous tourist event -- the annual Paraw Regatta -- race of sailboats in Guimaras Strait.

During the Spanish time, the main defense fort in West Visayas was the La Fuerza del Santisimo Rosario (later Fort San Pedro). Its right flanking fort was Baluarte in Molo where recently two Spanish cannons were discovered in the mud. They are now at the Museo Iloilo.

Molo is proud of its very imposing church -- the only Gothic-Renaissance Church in the Philippines outside of Manila. It was called by Jose Rizal as "bonita iglesia" during his visit at Molo in 1896 on his way back to Manila from his exile at Dapitan.

At present, there are three parishes in Molo -- St. Anne's parish (the original), Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Calumpang and San Jose Obrero in Fundidor.

The barangay of Fundidor (foundry) was the seat of many foundry shops during the Spanish time which built most of the bells in Panay. One of them is Regina.

Molo claims to be the hometown of Blessed Pedro Calungsod -- beatified recently by Pope John Paul. This beato was a catechist who died a martyr at Guam on April, 1672.

Saan kaya kinuha ng author ang sources nya sa article nya na 'to? Nabasa ko sa History ng Iloilo Doctors' College of Medicine na they entered into consortium with the College of Medicine of WVSU which is already offering a medical program before them, ang 2 or 3 years later they(IDC College of Medicine) became independent from WVSU-College of Medicine. Records would tell us that the pioneer Medical School offering Doctor of Medicine in Western Visayas is WVSU, the 2nd state University to offer the program in Doctor of Medicine, UP being the first.

Same goes with the other claims of the author. Sana naman huwag nya masyadong guluhin ang history natin.

[noi-pinuela]

pangrepst ko lang di a. tnx lewd

Originally Posted by lewdsaint

Buildings around Plaza Libertad