Arevalo, Iloilo City
Villa de Arevalo ([ˈbiʝa ðe aɾeˈβalo]; [ˈbilya de areˈbalo]), commonly known as simply Villa or Arevalo, is one of the seven districts of Iloilo City in the province of Iloilo, on the island of Panay in Western Visayas, in the Philippines.[1] According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 55,476 people. Arevalo is the westernmost district of Iloilo City and it borders Oton to the west.
Arevalo La Villa Rica de Arévalo | |
|---|---|
Camiña Balay Nga Bato along Osmeña Street | |
| Nickname: Flower Capital of Iloilo | |
Location within Iloilo City | |
Arevalo Location in the Philippines Arevalo Arevalo (Philippines) | |
| Coordinates: 10°41′09″N 122°30′42″E / 10.68583°N 122.51167°ECoordinates: 10°41′09″N 122°30′42″E / 10.68583°N 122.51167°E | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Western Visayas (Region VI) |
| Province | Iloilo (geographically only) |
| City | Iloilo City |
| Congressional District | Lone district of Iloilo City |
| Founded | 1566 |
| Incorporated (as district) | July 16, 1937 |
| Barangays | 13 (see Barangays) |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Jerry Treñas (Mayor of Iloilo City) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7.58 km2 (2.93 sq mi) |
| Population (2020 census) | |
| • Total | 55,476 |
| • Density | 7,316.80/km2 (18,950.4/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Arevaleño; Villahanon |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time) |
| ZIP code | 5000 |
| Area code | 33 |
| Festival(s) | Paraw Regatta Festival – Third Weekend of February |
| Patron saint | Santo Niño de Arevalo (Infant Jesus) |
| Feast day | Third Sunday of January |
| Native languages | Hiligaynon |
Its church, Santo Niño de Arevalo Parish, possesses the third oldest Santo Niño (Infant Jesus) image in the Philippines.[2][3] Arevalo is sometimes given the title "Flower Capital of Iloilo", where potted plants, flowers, bouquets, wreaths can be bought.[4] Arevalo is also famous for its firecrackers and fireworks.[5] Its prominent attraction is the Villa Beach (Playa de Villa de Arevalo) along the coast which boasts several resorts and an outdoor nightlife such as open air restaurants and bars.
Camiña Balay nga Bato (formally known as the Avanceña Ancestral House) is a heritage house and a restaurant in Arevalo that was constructed in 1865. It is one of the best heritage attractions in Iloilo serving the traditional Filipino way-made tsokolate.[6]
History
Villa de Arevalo was established in 1566 when Spanish conquerors established a settlement in the areas between it and the neighboring town of Oton. It was formally founded as La Villa Rica de Arévalo by Gobernador Ronquillo de Peñalosa in 1581, named after his hometown Arévalo, Spain.[7] It is one of the first places in the Philippine archipelago to be named in Spanish.
The founding population consisted of 80 colonists who were pure Spaniards from Europe[8] and reinforced by 169 Mexican soldiers from Latin America.[9] and It became the capital of the settlement in the province on 1582. It was invaded by the British in 1588 and followed by more raids by Moros in 1600 and by the Dutch in 1609, 1614 and 1616. The continuous raids forced the capital to be relocated near the mouth of Iloilo River, which is the current location of Iloilo City Proper.
It was incorporated as a district of Iloilo City on July 16, 1937, along with the towns of Mandurriao, La Paz, and Molo.
Barangays
The district of Arevalo has 13 barangays.
| Barangays | Population (2020) | Area | Density | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km2 | sq mi | /km2 | /sq mi | ||
| Bonifacio | 1,994 | 0.37 | 0.14 | 5,400 | 14,000 |
| Calaparan | 9,158 | 0.33 | 0.13 | 28,000 | 73,000 |
| Dulonan | 4,616 | 0.69 | 0.27 | 6,700 | 17,000 |
| Mohon | 1,279 | 0.15 | 0.058 | 8,500 | 22,000 |
| Quezon | 1,820 | 0.16 | 0.062 | 11,000 | 28,000 |
| San José | 2,185 | 0.62 | 0.24 | 3,500 | 9,100 |
| Santa Cruz | 3,813 | 0.56 | 0.22 | 6,800 | 18,000 |
| Santa Filomina | 2,622 | 0.35 | 0.14 | 7,500 | 19,000 |
| Santo Domingo | 2,335 | 0.41 | 0.16 | 5,700 | 15,000 |
| Santo Niño Norte | 3,922 | 0.20 | 0.077 | 20,000 | 52,000 |
| Santo Niño Sur | 9,266 | 0.98 | 0.38 | 9,500 | 25,000 |
| Sooc | 8,568 | 2.26 | 0.87 | 3,800 | 9,800 |
| Yulo Drive | 3,898 | 0.51 | 0.20 | 7,600 | 20,000 |
| District of Arevalo | 55,476 | 7.58 | 2.93 | 7,300 | 19,000 |
| Source: Philippine Statistics Authority - Philippine Standard Geographic Code - Iloilo City - Barangays | |||||
Education
- Melchor L. Nava National High School, named after Melchor Nava the former barangay captain of Calaparan.
- Ramon Avanceña National High School, named after Ramon Avanceña the former Chief Justice.
- John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Arevalo campus, formerly known as Iloilo Maritime Academy.
Culture
Santo Niño de Arevalo Parish
The district's parish, the Santo Niño de Arevalo Parish, is home to the third oldest Santo Niño figure in the Philippines. The church was built in such a way that when seen from above it is shaped like a cross. Adjacent to the church is the Arevalo Convent, a heritage building in a Spanish colonial design. Residing parish priest is Rev. Fr. Jose Gerardo Classico Nufable.
Arevalo Town Fiesta
In January, Arevalo celebrates its town fiesta in honor of the Santo Niño. The festivities take place during the month of January, the Fiesta day is held every 3rd Sunday of January. During Fiesta day households open their doors and prepare food for fiesta goers, friends, visitors and distant relatives. A fireworks display contest is one of the highlights of the celebration held on the night of the town fiesta
Paraw Regatta Festival
Arevalo hosts the annual Paraw Regatta, which is the oldest traditional craft event in Asia, and the largest sailing event in the Philippines. A paraw is a Filipino double-outrigger sailboat much like a pump boat which was used for transportation and fishing and still is in limited areas.
The main event is the paraw boat race along Iloilo Strait and also showcases Pinta Layag, sail painting contest; Porma Balas, sand sculpting; Pintawo, body painting contest; Miss Paraw Regatta, a local beauty pageant; Samba De Regatta, music & Mardi Gras contest; Luces by the Sea, a pyrotechnic exhibition; beach volleyball; and photo competition.
Transportation
Transportation is mainly by jeepney which serves the district to the Iloilo City Proper. Metered taxi cabs also serve the traveling public. Tricycles and trisikads operate within the district. The Don Benito Acap Southern Iloilo Line Jeepney Terminal (Mohon Terminal) in the district serves the routes to and from southern Iloilo towns and the province of Antique.
See also
References
- ^ . Iloilo City Government. Archived from the original on January 21, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
- ^ . Visita Iglesia: A Visit to the Sanctuarium of Catholic Faith. July 28, 2009. Archived from the original on May 1, 2011. Retrieved April 4, 2011.
- ^ "You are being redirected..." www.panaynews.net. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
- ^ "La Villa de Arevalo - Flower capital of Iloilo". Explore Iloilo. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
- ^ Admin (January 30, 2020). "Arevalo Iloilo City Complete and Updated Guide". Iloilo Ph. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
- ^ Cummings, E. E. (November 19, 2016). "Camiña Balay nga Bato: Inside Iloilo's Heritage House by the River". Simply Philippines. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
- ^ Barrows, David P. (1905). A History of the Philippines. New York: American Book Company. p. 147 – via University of Michigan Library.
The few years of Ronquillo's reign were in other ways important. A colony of Spaniards was established at Oton, on the island of Panay, which was given the name of Arévalo (Iloilo).
- ^ Barrows, David P. (1905). A History of the Philippines. New York: American Book Company. p. 172 – via University of Michigan Library.
In the Bisayas were the Cities of the Holy Name of God (Cebu), and on the island of Panay, Arévalo (or Iloilo). The first maintained something of the importance attaching to the first Spanish settlement. It had its stone fort and was also the seat of a bishopric. It was visited by trading-vessels from the Moluccas, and by permit of the king enjoyed for a time the unusual privilege of sending annually a ship loaded with merchandise to New Spain. Arévalo had about eighty Spanish inhabitants, and a monastery of the Augustinians.
- ^ Mawson, Stephanie J. (2016). "Convicts or Conquistadores ? Spanish Soldiers in the Seventeenth-Century Pacific". Past & Present (232): 87–125. doi:10.1093/pastj/gtw008., AGI, México, leg. 25, núm. 62; AGI, Filipinas, leg. 8, ramo 3, núm. 50; leg. 10, ramo 1, núm. 6; leg. 22, ramo 1, núm. 1, fos. 408 r –428 v ; núm. 21; leg. 32, núm. 30; leg. 285, núm. 1, fos. 30 r –41 v .
External links
- Iloilo City Government Official Website