Five years younger than Shimizu as Stockton's second "sister city," but almost 300 years older than Stockton itself, is the "Leal y Noble Ciudad" of Iloilo-- a title awarded to that city by the Spanish government in 1896. Founded by the Spanish around 1566 on Panay Island in the Philippines, 55 minutes by air south of Manila, it is an important seaport, and both the commercial center and regional capital of the Western Visayas.

A city of 365,820 residents, it has 30 public and private high schools and four universities. Located in an area of sunlit plains and lovely beaches, Iloilo City is particularly noted for its Museo Iloilo, and for Baroque and Gothic-inspired churches.

Less than an hour's flight south of Manila, Iloilo is the gateway to Western Visayas and to the country's premier tourist destination, the famed Boracay Island. The city and province are among the country's center of industry, trade, tourism, culture and education.

Accessible by air and sea from most major cities in the country, Iloilo boasts of an international seaport, excellent road network, sufficient power and water supply, reliable communication facilities, first-class tourism amenities and modern commercial centers.

Iloilo's contribution to history is valuable. Considered as the birthplace of Malayan civilization in the Philippines, legends say Iloilo is where 10 Bornean datus and their subjects first settled.

It is also a forerunner in aviation, shipping, land transportation, electrification, education, amusement and entertainment, among others. Called the "Queen City of the South," it has contributed much in shaping the country's destiny.

Iloilo City, the provincial capital, is a bustling metropolis. With five universities and a number of colleges, its populace is one of the most educated in the country.

A leading food producer, Iloilo province yields a variety of crops. It is an investment hub in the fields of manufacturing, food processing and tourism.

Standing as living witnesses to Iloilo's opulent past are old houses of unique and stunning architecture which are manifestations of the people's love for elegance.

Proud of their legacy as a people, Ilonggos entertain their guests with enriching tales of their cultural affluence, made more graphical with a tour to places where there are concrete proofs of a wealthy past.
Being one of the busiest pre-Spanish trading posts in the country, it is not surprising for Iloilo to possess a vast collection of antiques, most of them found in private homes that can be viewed upon arrangement like the Dellota and Jesena collections.

Iloilo is a culinary society where eating has almost become a hobby. Dine with its people and you will surely get your stomachs filled with sumptuous dishes. Ilonggo hospitality is not complete without the food.

General Information
Land Area: 7,023 hectares (70.23 sq. km.)
Population: 365,820 (2000 Census)
Annual Growth Rate: 1.93
Topography: Land feature is flat and low level mass. Ninety percent of landmass has an elevation of 2,637 meters above the main water level; the rest has an elevation of 5.19 meters.
Climate: Monsoonal (wet and dry seasons)
Banks: 102
Hospitals: 5
Health Units: 338
Hotels: 17
Pension Houses: 4
Language Spoken: Hiligaynon, Filipino, English, Chinese and Cebuano
Consumer Price Index: 155.5 (March 2002)
Inflation Rate: 4.7 (March 2002)
Purchasing Power of Peso: 0.64 (March 2002)
Average Family Income: 143,047 (Pesos - 1997)
Motor Vehicles Registered: 57,896 (2001)

*Certain images and information taken from brochure "Fascinating Iloilo," courtesy of the government of Iloilo.