Why is IloIlo the Philippines’ City of Love?

July 22, 2015 Travelosyo ENGLISH, Tourism, TRAVEL 20

Jaro Belfry — Built in 1744, the Campanario de Jaro is one of the few belfries in the country that stood apart from the church where it belonged. It has served both as a religious structure and as a military watch tower during the Spanish Colonial Period - Source Wikipedia

My short day tour in Iloilo City left me wondering why it’s called the City of Love in the Philippines. And I was determined to find out. With the help of my friends and zupiloilo, a website promoting the latest happenings and updates in IloIlo, we asked some people the question, “Why do you love Iloilo?”

From the moment my feet hit the ground, on what I believe by virtue of Queen Regent Maria Cristina of Spain The First and Original Queen’s City in the South, I knew this city has a lot to offer. IloIlo has a pleasant International Airport, the roads are wide, which means less traffic and less commuters’ woes compared with the other mega cities in the country, they have a Diversion Road where automobiles, bicycles, and pedestrians share the road effectively. This is a very good example of a sustainable urban planning.

Now let’s take a look at some feedback that I got from our friends on Facebook and Instagram.

Given these responses, it made me realize that indeed, it is a City of Love. I mean, how can it not be? When it is blessed with century-old and grandeur churches, magnificent mansions, and well-preserved buildings and houses. Truly, IloIlo is a Home of Great Architectural Designs. When was the last time you walked by the clean riverside in city? But even when the place has kept some remnants of the past, it is not so behind when it comes to modernizing some parts of the city, like the construction of new roads and the existence of commercial and residential buildings.

Molo Church is the only Gothic Church in the Philippines outside Manila. This church is considered as one of the most attractive church in the country. It earned the moniker of "women's church" because of the 16 images of women saints inside the church. Also Molo dubbed as Athens of the Philippines. — Molo Church is the only Gothic Church in the Philippines outside Manila. This church is considered as one of the most attractive church in the country. It earned the moniker of “women’s church” because of the 16 images of women saints inside the church. Also Molo dubbed as Athens of the Philippines.

Moreover, the food in Iloilo is LOVE, in fact, the sweetest mango in the world can be found in this island. But more than anything else, I think the reason IloIlo is called the City of Love is because of the people. And it’s not just because of the fact that the Ilonggos have a certain way of speaking that is very soothing to the ears but also, the genuineness that is innate to these people.

Once an ancestral house built in 1937 by Don Emiliano Lizares for his wife Conchita Gamboa is now the home of Angelicum School IloIlo

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Wiki Minerva, the girl I met from an online forum, Two Monkeys Travel, for her willingness to offer her time and effort to take us to a tour and show us just how beautiful Ilo-Ilo is. Thank you Wiki for showing us the churches, the plazas, the mansions, the old houses, and the buildings. Thank you for bringing us to Tatoys Manokan and Seafood Restaurant to try their food and for giving us baked mussels from Melvin’s place. Thank you for showing us a true Ilonggo’s hospitality.

Add her on Couchsurfing by clicking this link. If Wiki is free she might offer you a free city tour too.

Ilo-Ilo City is indeed the City of Love because for me, it is no doubt that it is the most livable city here in the Philippines, with the advantage of having that opportunity to offer the tourists the unique experience of a lifestyle that blends the old and the contemporary. Visit Ilo-Ilo and experience for yourself the rich history of the city.

Built in 1744, the Campanario de Jaro is one of the few belfries in the country that stood apart from the church where it belonged. It has served both as a religious structure and as a military watch tower during the Spanish Colonial Period - Source Wikipedia — Built in 1744, the Campanario de Jaro is one of the few belfries in the country that stood apart from the church where it belonged. It has served both as a religious structure and as a military watch tower during the Spanish Colonial Period – Source Wikipedia

Madamo gid nga salamat Iloilo, Sa liwat naman!

Are you a proud Ilonggo? Why do you love lloIlo? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.

If you are planning to visit Islas De Gigantes click this link to see complete travel guide.

About the Author
Latest Posts

About Travelosyo

Cai Dominguez is the blogger behind travelosyo.wordpress.com and the Secretary-General of Project #BackpackerTeacher. He is an ambitious travel blogger whose goal is to travel 100 places in Philippines before he reach the age of 30. A fulltime Human Resource Specialist and a part time backpacker who loves to do solo wandering. He is a highly patriotic guy who keep his faith that in his own way of blogging about the Philippines he will be able to promote and invite both local and foreign to discover more about his country. He travels with a purpose and brought up issues to the local and national government whenever he encountered opportunities for improvement during his travel.

Old Spain Meets Bataan at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar! - August 30, 2015
Why is IloIlo the Philippines’ City of Love? - July 22, 2015
How can we help people in Nepal? - May 27, 2015
Gusto mo pa bang maging Pinoy? - May 26, 2015
Reasons to Love Baguio City! - May 18, 2015
How Batad, Ifugao Restored My Faith in Humanity - April 30, 2015