BRIEF HISTORY
Irong-Irong appears in the Maragtas legend of the coming
of ten Bornean datus (Chieftains) to Panay who bartered
gold for the plains and valleys of the island from a local Ati
chieftain. One datu, Paiburong by name, was given the
territory of Irong-Irong (now Iloilo). For 300 years before
the coming of the Spaniards, the islanders live in
comparative prosperity and peace under an organized
government and such laws as the Codes of Kalantiaw.
In 1566, the Spaniards under Miguel Lopez de Legaspi came to Panay and established a
settlement in Ogtong (now Oton, Iloilo). He appointed Gonzalo Ronquillo as deputy
encomiendero who in 1581 moved the seat of Spanish power to La Villa de Arevalo, a sitio
named in honor of his hometown in Avila, in Spain. By 1700 due to recurrent raids by
Moro pirates, Dutch and English privateers, the Spaniards moved to the village of IrongIrong where close to the mouth of the river they built Fort San Pedro. Irong-Irong or IlongIlong whose name the Spaniards shortened to "Iloilo" later became the capital of the
province.
The Maragtas, a set of ancient documents, is a popularly accepted chronicle of ancient
Panay, According to the documents, Datu Puti and his fellow datus, together with their
families, warriors and slaves, fled from the tyranny of Sultan Makatunao of Borneo, and
landed at now known as the town of San Joaquin. At that time, Panay was inhabited by
native aboriginal people, the small, dark-skinned "Atis" who were ruled by King Marikudo
and Queen Maniwangtiwang. King Marikudo sold the lowlands of Panay for the price of a
golden hat (saduk), a long golden necklace (manangyad) and other assorted items. After the
sale, the Atis retreated to the highlands and newcomers settled in their new home. In 1566,
when the Spaniards set foot on the land they later renamed Iloilo, discovered an affluent
land bustling with trade and commerce. Its flourished economic activities and excellent
port made Iloilo the premier province of the country.
In December 1898, the Americans entered the Iloilo port and took over the reins of the City.
Under American tutelage, many Ilonggos became luminaries in the fields of politics and
government. The outbreak of the Second World War took a heavy toll on the province.
Like the rest of the country, Iloilo was left with severely shattered economy and deeply
demoralized populace. Possessing the resilience and determination of their forebears, the
Ilonggos slowly regained their foothold. Today, Iloilo has rejoined the ranks of the
progressive provinces outside of Metro Manila. Iloilo's colorful history has distilled a spirit
that posses the complex nuances of contrasting cultures. It is a culture essentially Oriental,
progressively Occidental, yet uniquely Ilonggo.
The Old Dock City
The rapid economic growth of the place led
to the opening of the port of Iloilo to world
trade in 1855. Iloilo soon emerged to be the
biggest center of commerce and trade in the
Visayas and Mindanao, second only to
Manila. In 1890 under Becera Law of 1899
the Ayuntamiento of Iloilo (City
Government) was established. The City of
Iloilo by virtue of a Royal Decree of 1896
was given the honor of having a Coat of
Arms with the Inscription: "La Muy Leal Y
Noble Ciudad de Iloilo."
The period under the American saw Iloilo taking greater roles in politics, industry and
agriculture. With good roads, an airport and irrigation systems, Iloilo rose to be a major
food basket of the country. Its fishing industry flourished that it was known as the "Alaska
of the Philippines." The sugar industry also pushed further the economy upward.
Iloilo's march on the road to progress was hindered by the coming of the Second World
War, but not its march to greatness. For even in difficult times, the Ilonggos, as the people
of Iloilo are known, proved equal to challenges. They refused to be subdued by the enemy.
Its civil government did not surrender to the Japanese. The guerilla warfare waged in Panay
won the admiration of America and the world.
Though the postwar years were not so kind to Iloilo, the Ilonggos survived and managed to
trudge on the road to prosperity. With Iloilo's highly diversified agricultural economy,
industrious people and a great tradition for sincerity and genuine warmth, the Ilonggos
seem to have little to complain about. The New Commercial Port Complex 20.8 hectares of
reclaimed land has container freight station. The Iloilo Shipping Port Facility at Fort San
Pedro is one of the three major shipping ports in the city.