Iloilo was called in many names. Some called it as the ‘Heart of Philippines’, others said it is a ‘City of Love,’ but most of travellers considered Iloilo as the ‘Summer Capital of the Philippines.
Why some called it as the ‘Heart of the Philippines?’ I will prove to you guys why?
Iloilo province is a part of Panay, a heart-shaped island found right smack in the middle of the Philippines. This central location truly proves handy especially for travelers who are looking to explore other parts of the country. Panay Island is also situated in the western portion of Visayas, one of the Philippines’ three major island groups (the other two are Luzon in the north and Mindanao in the south).
Geographically and considering the shape of Panay, plus the province’s ‘center-left’ location (middle of the country, but at the Western tip of the Visayas island group). Iloilo literally looks like the heart of the Philippines, doesn’t it? Being in the middle also affords Iloilo its coastal charm.
Iloilo is also the original Reigning Monarch. The country’s second most influential city (after Manila) by the end of Spanish rule in 1898. Being a harbor city, it is also an important stop in trade routes that reached China, India, and several parts of Europe.
You see, Iloilo was already a center for trade and tourism by the turn of the 20th century, and has maintained this status to date! In 1986, a Royal Decree from Spain declared the place “La Muy Leal y Noble Cuidad de Iloilo”, which means “the Most Loyal and Noble City of Iloilo”, cementing the Spanish monarchy’s favor and deep affection.
In modern take, the Iloilo’s capital was also tagged as the “City of Love”. This is a playful extension of the province’s “Heart of the Philippines” tagline, and one that represents of the locals’ friendliness and ‘soft-spokenness’. They say that it’s quite easy to find love in (or rather, fall in love with) Iloilo, too, because of the locals’ sweet temperament.
On the other hand, Iloilo isn’t just all about warm fuzzy feelings that will make you want to stay. The province is also home to Molo, a district that’s called the “Athens of the Philippines” because it produced a number of the country’s great thinkers! Since Iloilo was a center for business even from the time of the Spaniards, it only makes sense that it also hosts a number of reputable universities and learning institutions.
Looks, brains, and a heart? If Iloilo were to enter a beauty contest in pageant-crazy Philippines, no doubt our current Miss Universe Philippines, Rabiya Mateo came from Iloilo and people commonly comment “basta ilongga gwapa.”
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| Agho Island - Conception Iloilo (Photo Credit: Bob Gualta) |
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| Agho Island - Conception Iloilo (Photo Credit: Bob Gualta) |
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| Island Hopping Agho (Photo Credit: Bob Gualta) |
But wait, Iloilo is not just for its people but also for its costal natural beauty, island paradises and coastlines adorned with long stretches of fine, white sand. If you love Boracay in Aklan, Coron or El Nido in Palawan minus the crowded tourist, Iloilo is the best place to visit.
There’s the Sand Bar Island Beach, located at the famous Island of Bulubadiangan which is famous for its shifting white sandbar, watch the uunmatched views of limestone cliffs of Gigantes Islands,and lots more to visit at Ajuy Islands, Conception Islands and Sicogon Islands. There are also lots of Instramaggable flower farms like Mapols in Pototan, Kalan-an sa Garden in Barotac Nuevo and many other sustainable and farm to table farm resorts.
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| PUGAD (MAPOLS FARM POTOTAN) |
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| STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN (MAPOLS Farm) |
Do I tempted you enough? — now make the dream a reality and start packing your bag! Who knows what wanderlust-induced magic Iloilo has in store for you? Every tropical getaway is different; better start your great escape now so you can tell us all about it when you’re back!
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