mybeautifulILOILO: Passi: The Sweet City in the Heart of Panay

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Passi: The Sweet City in the Heart of Panay

PASSI CITY, Iloilo is geographically located in the center of the island. Traditionally, Passi has been famous for its vast plantation of sugarcane of different varieties and fruits. However, its biggest asset is its people; sweet-smiling and demure ladies, gentle, peace, loving, family-oriented and hardworking citizens. It has its share of attractions and activities that are popular to local tourists.

photo by Vincent Angelo Gefes

PINTADOS DE PASI FESTIVAL is an annual celebration in March. It foretells Passi’s pre-Spanish history from battles, epics and folk religion. Spaniards came to central Panay and found in the area heavily tattooed men and women, whom they called Pintados. The name “Pintados” is derived from what the native warriors, whose bodies were adorned with tattoos. They had a culture of their own, commemorating victories by holding festivals and honoring their gods after a bountiful harvest. The festivity displays the rich cultural heritage of the city, incorporating tribal music and dances. The streets in the city are filled with body-painted dancers in patterns looking a lot like tattooed warriors of old. Guests get a glimpse of the history of the people that once lived on the islands of Panay so long ago. The Pintados de Pasi Festival serves as the last bastion of an unbroken tradition of tattooing in Panay. The festival keeps the focus on creativity — without leaving behind the character at the root of tattoo traditions.

photo by Jun Fuerte

SAN GUILLERMO PARISH popularly known as Passi church is a massive structure in Baroque architecture. It was constructed in 1821 and finished in 1837. During its earlier years, the church was destroyed by a fire caused by lighting. The church is dominated with massive buttresses in all sides. From the entrance of the church, the Garden of the Saints or “Jardin de los Santos” can be found at the left side of its building. On its right side is a large relief of the Passi City Map.

photo by Toby Pagulayan Jr. (PALI)

CAVE EXPLORATION is one the most popular activities in the area. It boasts of 16 caves namely: Cueva ni Musyo Cave in Barangay Bayan; Cuadrado Cave in Barangay Agtambo; Suhoton Cave in Barangay Agtambo, Tinay Cave in Barangay Imbang Grande; Bitas Cave in Barangay Imbang Grande; Erimnat Maya Cave in Barangay Agtambo; Irimnan It Maya Spring Cave in Barangay Magdungao; Santos Cave in Barangay Magdungao; Baboy-baboy and Amorotik Cave in Barangay Magdungao; Tubigon Cave in Barangay Magdungao; Ninfa Cave in Barangay Aglalana; Kweba ni Wening in Barangay Aglalana; Ibajay Cave in Barangay Bacuranan; Bita-ogan Cave in Barangay Bita-ogan; and Cabugon Cave in Barangay Imbang Grande. They offer both self-exploring and guided opportunities. Whichever method of exploring the caves you choose, you are bound to be fascinated by this amazing underground world in the heart of Passi City.

MIDWAY in Barangay Bacuranan is a one stop organic and environmental shop with a public organic farm that combines education, recreation and nature appreciation. Visitors can explore the farm on their own or with a guided tour upon request. It has a greenhouse with plant nurseries of popular local fruit-bearing trees such as atis, chico, duhat or lumboy, durian, guava, papaya, jackfruit, lansones, mangosteen, marang, santol, sambag, pomelo, rambutan, dalandan, bananas and mangoes. They also grow lettuce, basil, tomatoes, cucumber, rosemary and thyme. The area also boasts of its fresh market and restaurant where it serves breakfast meals, lunch and snacks only. It also has a convenient store and pasalubong center. Everyone will surely enjoy its garden cottages built closely around its garden of fruits and vegetables, fishpond, chicken house and its mini-aviary. Midway has spacious parking areas, a very clean restroom and is wi-fi ready. Midway opens daily from 7 a.m. till 5:30 p.m. only.

photo by Vincent Angelo Gefes

ROSARY HERBAL PRODUCTS in F. Palmares Street believes in the immense value of providing an alternative to mainstream medicine and have discovered that consumers agree with them. The company uses 90-98% organic herbs that are commonly found in farms, mountains and forest. Indigenous people attest the use of these herbs remedy their sickness and pains. Pharmaceutical chemicals used are very minimal, just as the base for the preparations of their products. Popular products are the Balanyos, Passi Herbal Vaporub, RHP Skin Disease Ointment, Q.C. Herbal Candle, Women Papaya Herbal Soap, Women Herbal Bath Soap, Nature Herbal Lotion and Glutathione Soap. For more information, please call Ma. Tessie S. Pagay at telephone number (033) 3315186 or at 09208912095. PINEAPPLE WINE, VINEGAR, PRESERVED AND JAM is also locally produced and had been exposed to various local trade fairs and exhibits.

Passi City is located along the Iloilo-Capiz National Highway. It is an hour ride from Tagbak Bus Terminal in Jaro, Iloilo City. It shares boundaries with San Enrique on the north; on the south is Dumarao, Capiz; Calinog on the east; and on the west is Lemery. It is composed of 51 barangays. It has the largest land area in Iloilo Province and is 50 kilometers away from Iloilo City.

To get to the city of Passi, busses are available daily at the Northern Central Iloilo Transport Terminal, Inc. in Barangay Tagbak, Jaro, Iloilo City. For more information, please contact Mrs. Mae Pojol-Buenaflor - City Tourism Officer at 09213543537.

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ILOILO: the Heart of the Philippines

Known as the heart of the Philippines, Iloilo stands at the crossroads of the orient and the developed Western world. Iloilo prides itself as the center of education, trade, commerce and tourism in the region. It occupies the southern and northeastern portion of Panay Island; to the north of it is the bountiful province of Capiz and the Jintotolo Channel; Guimaras Strait washes its southern shores; to the eastern side are the calm waters of Panay Gulf and Iloilo Strait; and the progressive province of Antique is its western neighbor. It lies in the midst of both; air and sea traffic.

Stretching 4,663 square kilometers, Iloilo is composed of 42 municipalities and a component city. It is sub-divided into five (5) congressional districts with topography varying from flat lands and rolling hills to mountain peaks and ranges, and roll down into flat plains towards the coastal towns. Iloilo City; the vibrant provincial capital, is a booming financial center.

It has a population of 2,110,588 Ilonggos (2007 NSO survey) for both province and city combined.

Hiligaynon is its local dialect. Filipino is the national language. English, the business language, is spoken widely.

Buses, jeepneys, public utility vans (PUV’s) ply the province while taxis and jeepneys ply the city’s well-developed system of road network. Fares are fixed except for taxicabs which have metered fare.

HISTORY

Iloilo is a junction over which Malay, Spanish, Chinese, American cultures met in the course of centuries. It has a colorful history that stretches back to a rich pre-colonial culture. According to oral tradition, 10 Datus from the kingdom of Bornay (now Borneo), escaped from the wrath of an oppressive regime of Sultan Makatunao in 1225 A.D. Finding a place where they can live in peace and harmony, the 10 Datus or chieftains namely Datu Puti (the leader), Datu Bangkaya, Datu Dumalugdog, Datu Sumakwel, Datu Lubay, Datu Paiburong, Datu Dumangsil, Datu Balensusa, Datu Paduhinog and Datu Dumangsol, along with their followers boarded on their balangays (vintas or boats) without knowing where to go, sailed across the Sulu Sea on their quest for the Promise Land. The group skirted to the southern tip of the island of Panay, towards the Siwaragan River in San Joaquin and proceeded to navigate inward to Andona creek just within the settlement of Sinugbuhan.

It was said that when Datu Puti along with his men landed in Sinugbuhan, they met an aeta who at that time was fishing along the riverbank. Through him the datus learned about Marikudo, his people and his territory. And through this fisherman, they sought an audience with the aeta chieftain. They sat down with the natives, negotiated and agreed to purchase the lowlands of Panay for their abode. According to the folk legend, they purchased the island from the Negritos led by their chieftain Marikudo and his wife Maniwantiwan, for a golden sadok or salakot (hat) and a manangyad (long golden necklace) that was said to have touched the ground. The datus then settled in the coastal areas of the island, while the natives agreed to live in the mountains and hinterlands.

Modern history of Iloilo began in 1566 when the Spaniards under Legaspi, established their first settlement in Oton. Christian doctrine was propagated, with the church as their house of worship and where Ilonggos acquired their first education. Spaniards under Miguel Lopez de Legaspi came to Panay and established a settlement in Ogtong (Oton) and later moved to La Villa de Arevalo (Arevalo) as the seat of Spanish power in 1581 with Gonzalo Ronquillo as deputy encomiendero. Because of rampant Moro attacks, the Spaniards moved to a village close to the mouth of the river. Irong-Irong or Ilong-Ilong, the name shortened to “Iloilo” later became the capital of the province.

With its rapid economic growth, the port of Iloilo opened to world trade in 1855 and soon became the center of commerce and trade in the whole Visayas and Mindanao. It was in 1890 under Becera Law of 1899, the Ayuntamiento of Iloilo (City Government) was established by virtue of a Royal Decree of 1896 and was given the honor of having a Coat of Arms with the Inscription: “La Muy Leal Y Noble Ciudad de Iloilo.”

Iloilo City is made up of many small neighborhoods, full of old-world character, linked by narrow, winding streets. Students, foreigners and artists thrive in this area, attracted by its sense of history and cosmopolitan feel along with its trendy bars and good restaurants.

Peaceful climate, dynamism of the local economy, a better quality of life, rich pool of skilled workforce, and excellent accessibility and linkages are factors that help maintained Iloilo’s competitive position among other provinces in attracting investments and penetrating new markets for its products.

Iloilo is place of perfect balance. It is fast-paced yet relaxed. It offers more than the usual; culture and arts, destinations, cuisine, people. Wherever you go, whatever you do, you will always enjoy the warmest and friendliest welcome in the heart of the Philippines.

HOW TO GET TO ILOILO

One can travel from other parts of the country in style through NAIA in Manila as its premier gateway. Major airlines have roundtrip flights that take about an hour. The new Iloilo Airport located in Cabatuan is built in a wider and panoramic place with state-of-the-art computerized facilities. It is 18 kilometers from the city and is accessible by van, jeepney and taxi. The city is the province’s port of entry for sea transport. Considered the third largest port in the country after Manila and Cebu, it is just five (5) minutes away from the city’s main commercial district. Shipping lines have regular trips taking about 20 hours, 12 times weekly; 14 hours boat trip from Zamboanga or Cagayan twice a week; daily 12- hour trip to Cebu. Fastcrafts from Bacolod City take 50 minutes. A relatively short trip and you are magically transported to a totally different environment. If ever a place could truly be called a melting pot of people and cultures, Iloilo is it.

Iloilo's FIRSTS

Perhaps, no other province in the Philippines has a record of so many FIRSTS as the province of Iloilo. The following list is by no means complete:

According to Maragtas Legend, Iloilo is site of the Malayan landing in the Philippines;

The first school for boys in the Philippines was founded in Tigbauan by Jesuit priest and historian, Pedro Chirino in 1592;

The first place to put up a Christian church in the Philippines was Jalaud (Dumangas) in what is now the barangay of Ermita, in 1566;

Iloilo is the first city outside Manila to have a foreign business house, the Loney & Co. and the first foreign vice-consul;

The first province to export sugar to Australia;

The only province to have two cities during the Spanish time: Iloilo City, chartered in 1890, and Jaro in 1891;

The biggest province in the Philippines in population, income and economic production during the 19^th century;

The best and biggest producer of textile during the Spanish era;

The FIRST golf course in the Philippines, Sta. Barbara Golf and Country Club in Sta. Barbara, 1907;

The FIRST department store in the country, Hoskyn & Co., established in 1877;

The FIRST commercial airline in the country was the Iloilo Negros Air Express Co. (INAEC);

The FIRST Philippine airline established after World War II was organized by Ilonggos, the FEATI;

The FIRST Provincial High School in the Philippines, the Iloilo National High School;

The FIRST Elementary School established under the Americans, Baluarte Elemenetary School in Molo;

The FIRST protestant barrio in the country, Calvario in Janiuay;

The FIRST Baptist Church in the Philippines, Jaro Evangelical Church;

The FIRST luxury liner in the Philippines, S/S Don Esteban of the De la Rama Line;

The FIRST city to have double-decked buses in the country;

The FIRST concrete road in the country, from Forbes Bridge to Jaro Plaza;

The FIRST city to have a car assembly plant, Taller Visayas de Strachan & McMurray. The car assembled was the “Deiler” in the 1920’s;

The FIRST province to produce many millionaires and the first city to have a millionaire’s row;

The FIRST Filipino to launch the propaganda movement in Spain, Graciano Lopez Jaena of Jaro also known as the greatest orator the Philippines’ ever produced;

The ONLY Filipino nominated to the Supreme Court of Cuba, Raymundo Melliza;

The FIRST Filipino to fly a passenger airplane, Jose Tinsay in 1925;

The FIRST doctor of laws from Oxford University, Melquiades Gamboa;

The FIRST doctor of philosophy in Political Science, Victorino Diamonon;

The FIRST Filipino doctor of Education, Pedro E. Y Rio;

The FIRST Filipino woman doctor of Philosophy in Engineering, Josette Garcia Portigo;

The FIRST Filipino doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology F. Landa Jocano;

The FIRST Filipino to win the Congressional Medal of Honor during the WWII, Captain Jose Calugas of Leon;

The FIRST Filipino soldier in the American Army to win medals of Heroism and Courage from the governments of United States, Belgium and France during the WWII, Sgt. Ramon Subejano of New Lucena;

The FIRST Filipino girl to be called the fastest woman in Asia, Inocencia Solis of New Lucena;

The FIRST most-be-medaled Filipino girl swimmer, Nancy Deano of Dingle;

The FIRST Filipino International Chess Grandmaster, Eugene Torre of Lapaz;

The FIRST guerilla unit to contact Gen. Douglas MacArthur and President Quezon by radio during World War II;

The FIRST Filipino lady to win a cultural heritage award, Magdalena Jalandoni of Jaro;

The FIRST Filipino feminist, Pura Villanueva Kalaw;

The FIRST modern custom house in the country;

The FIRST government constructed museum building in the Philippines, Museo Iloilo;

The FIRST successful compact farm in the country, Tagsing Buyo, Sta. Barbara;

The ONLY province to have an anti-biotic drug named after it, Ilozone and Ilotycin which are brands of erythromycin, a wonder drug developed from a soil sample from Iloilo;

The FIRST province to be declared a model in development planning by NEC/ USAID;

The number one food-producing province of the Philippines today;

The FIRST and ONLY town in the Philippines to produce four justices of the Supreme Court, seven senators, seven governors, and seven Cabinet Members;

The site of the FIRST International Research Center in the fishing industry in the country, SEAFDEC in Tigbauan;

The BIGGEST public school division in the country is the Division of Iloilo;

The FIRST city that initiated a free education program is the elementary schools by eliminating the matriculation fees and providing free school supplies and the elimination of tuition fees in public secondary schools.

REFERENCES

IIoilo’s FIRST, The Visayan Tribune, January 31, 1977;

Iloilo’s Artistic Cemeteries, Sumagaysay, Joy R., Iloilo Preview, Vol. 4, 2008;

Pasana-aw: Vignettes on Bisayan History and Culture, Funtecha, Henry F., Vol. 1, 2004;

mybeautifulILOILO

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Passi: The Sweet City in the Heart of Panay

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