Guimbal: Modern Amenities and Classic Historic Charm

Guimbal, Iloilo is a unique blend of old and new that lends a distinctive charm to its visitors. Despite its bustling main roads, the town offers a calming and peaceful atmosphere boasting a lot of historic treasures.

It has fascinating restored landmark buildings found along the way such as Guimbal National High School along the National Highway of the Poblacion. Established in June of 1946, this huge learning institution measuring eight hectares, occupies the corner lots of Rizal and Magsaysay streets. Its centerpiece is the oldest structure, the first to be constructed in the school premises, its Gabaldon Building. Built during the first decades of American colonial rule, Gabaldon buildings are schoolhouses built from 1907 – 1946. Made of wood, it is situated on an elevated area flanked by two-stairs raised 11-steps from the ground. The building is dominantly painted in white with touches of dark brown and red contrasting nicely with the bright blue sky behind it. Its frontage bears the name “Mataas na Paaralang Nasyonal ng Guimbal.”

The Guimbal Central Elementary School situated fronting the National High School has also its own share of Gabaldon Building. Facing the main entrance, it is situated on the left side of the main building. The Gabaldon Building is dominantly painted in green with yellow and white patches and is raised 9-steps from the ground. It has five front pillars and attached to the middle pillar is a brass plate with the seal of America and the text, “Rebuilt with the Aid of the People of the United States of America Under the Philippine Rehabilitation Act of 1946.” On top of the brass plate is the name of the school with an old Philippine seal.

 

The picturesque St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish Church is the most popular attraction for visitors of this town. The Baroque architectural style of the present church is a reconstruction of the first church built in 1774. Its outside walls are of yellow sandstone. However, it was destroyed in an earthquake in 1787. More reconstructions came in 1893 to 1896 but was again destroyed during the Second World War and the 1948 Lady Kaykay earthquake.

Still a big draw for visitors are the 17^th century Bantayans found in the Barangays of Rizal Tuguisan, C. Colon and Pescadores. These are just a few of the oldest remnants of the original Spanish settlement in Guimbal. Once commanded the town’s calm southern shore, it will remind those who lay eyes upon it of its original function of securing the area for defense and to protect its peaceful community from constant piratical attacks. The Moros depopulated many of our Christianized coastal towns through their merciless constant attack. On their piratical fleet, Moros swept the coasts were they ravaged everything. Towns looted and burned, and their inhabitants carried off as slaves. Some areas were almost completely abandoned by their inhabitants, discouraging settlement. The structures are still impressively intact and definitely worth seeing.

The Guimbal Steel Bridge measuring 348 meters long and almost 11 meters wide is considered as the Longest Steel Bridge in Western Visayas. It connects Barangay Bagumbayan to Barangay Bongol. It is made of Pittsburgh Steel from Virginia, USA and was finished in 1932.

Getting around Guimbal is not a problem even if you do not have a car as there are tricycle services throughout the town.

The town is open to everyone eager to explore its rich culture and history. Also known quiet beaches, not to mention many accommodation establishments to choose from, Guimbal clearly has a lot to offer visitors.

Guimbal is a Fourth-Class municipality located 29 kilometers south from the city. The town shares borders with Tigbauan in the east; in the northeast by Tubungan; Igbaras in the northwest; and west by Miagao. It has a land area of 4, 448 hectares politically subdivided into 33 barangays and populated by 33, 820 inhabitants based on the 2015 Census on Population data. 

To get to the town, one can take a Guimbal jeepney at the Don Benito Q. Acap Sr. Southern Iloilo Perimeter Boundary in Barangay Mohon, Oton or at the Iloilo Terminal Market in Barangay Rizal Pala-Pala I or fronting Arevalo Plaza, Iloilo City. For more information, please contact Miss Karen Felicio – Municipal Tourism Officer at 09177222477.

Know more what do when in Guimbal during the 15^th Tumandok Celebration in celebration of Tourism Month on September 18-22, 2019 at the event center, fountain area of Robinsons Iloilo main mall. The event is brought to you by the Office of Culture, Arts, History and Tourism, DOT-VI, Robinsons Place Iloilo and the Daily Guardian.