Iloilo History And Wealth During Colonial Times
Iloilo has been known during the colonial times for being second to Manila as the center of country’s economy, learn more about Iloilo’s history.
The province of Iloilo was used to be Rice Granary of Visayas and following the footsteps of Manila in terms of trade, commerce, culture, arts, economy, and education. Iloilo’s seaport was already joining the international trading since 1850’s.
Hoskyns Department Store that can be located in downtown Iloilo City was the oldest shopping center in the Philippines. An Englishman named Henry Hoskyns founded the department store last 1877 and introduced the fixed-price policy in selling.
In 1933, Lopez family had launched the country’s first commercial airline at For San Pedro. It was 8 years in advance before Philippine Air Lines was introduced. The airport was badly damaged due to Japanese bombing during war but they are still providing medical-emergency flight.
Iloilo has also the large numbers of millionaires outside Manila and the country’s first Millionaire’s Row can be found in Jaro, Iloilo. It has also once become as the most important province in the country. Also a separate in Iloilo was called as Mansion Capital of the Philippines.
Also, the 35-hectare Iloilo Golf and Country Club in Sta. Barbara town was the oldest golf course in Southeast Asia. The golf course was the first country’s club to be accepted by Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in Scotland.
“Hinilawod,” is an Iloilo epic, which indicates ancient civilization. It also shows Ilonggos wearing fineries, while Cebuano’s are wearing loincloths with tattoos. Iloilo has something more to show, because it is abundant in natural resources.
What can you say about the Iloilo’s history, natural resources, and wealth? Just feel free to leave your comments and reactions for this article.