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Home of the
famous Dinagyang Festival
Iloilo province and its city ranks as one of
the country's foremost centers of culture,
industry and trade. A 45-minute flight from
Manila, Iloilo has stretches of breathtaking,
unpolluted seaside communities and beach
resorts. Scuba diving, swimming and snorkeling
can be done in perfection in the islands of
Guimaras and Sicogon as its underwater
seascape are one of the most undisturbed in
the country.
Other sports to be tried are windsurfing,
yachting or just plain beachcombing. Iloilo is
also a place to see spectacular structure as
evident in the period churches and century-old
houses. The Miag-ao Fortress Church is a grand
example of a medieval bastion church with
ornate floral designs on the facade.
Iloilo province is primarily the commercial
and trade center of Western Visayas, with
commercial, industrial development and rural
banks, financial and investment houses,
insurance companies, and real estate agencies
and developers. Nevertheless, agriculture is
the province's main source of livelihood. In
fact Iloilo's production of rice, sugar and
mango has made it one of the country's top
agricultural producers.
Iloilo is a trove of historical sites. Tour
the province's famous sunset strip, Fort San
Pedro or the flower-decked La Villa Rica de
Arevalo, site of the Hispanic governance. Or
one can visit another historical landmark,
Plaza Libertad in the central city district
where the flag of the Philippine
revolutionaries was first raised upon Spain's
final surrender.
Old paintings, tapestries, furniture and
memorabilia may be viewed in the Museo Iloilo
and also in private galleries deeo in the
heart of the city.
It's famous Dinagyang festival, a local mardi
gras, held every January in honor of the
Infant Jesus is a major tourist attraction.
Another event Iloilo is known for is the Paraw
Regatta which is participated in by local and
foreign sportsmen. |
