Arevalo, Iloilo City

District of Iloilo City, Philippines

District of Iloilo City in Western Visayas, Philippines

Arevalo

La Villa Rica de Arévalo

District of Iloilo City

Arevalo aerial view

Nickname:

Flower Capital of Iloilo

Location within Iloilo City

Arevalo

Location in the Philippines

Show map of Visayas, Philippines

Arevalo

Arevalo (Philippines)

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Coordinates: 10°41′09″N 122°30′42″E﻿ / ﻿10.68583°N 122.51167°E﻿ / 10.68583; 122.51167
Country| Philippines
Region| Western Visayas (Region VI)
Province| Iloilo (geographically only)
City| Iloilo City
Congressional District| Lone district of Iloilo City
Founded|

* 1566 (Settlement)
* 1581 (Formally established)

Incorporated  (as district)| July 16, 1937
Founded by| Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñalosa
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 Arévalo
Feast day| Third Sunday of January
Native languages| Hiligaynon

Villa de Arevalo ([ˈbiʝa ðe aˈɾeβalo]; [ˈbiːljɐ dɛ ʔɐˌɾɛːbɐˈlo]), commonly known as simply Villa or Arevalo, is a district in Iloilo City, Philippines. It is the westernmost district of Iloilo City and shares its border with Oton to the west, in the province of Iloilo, on the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region.[1] According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 55,476 people.

Camiña Balay Nga Bato, a 19th century heritage house

The district is known for its heritage and cultural landmarks, including the Camiña Balay nga Bato, a 19th-century heritage house,[2] and Villa Beach, which features several resorts and popular local restaurants and bars.

Notable landmarks in Arevalo include the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santo Niño de Arevalo, which houses the Santo Niño de Arévalo, the third oldest Santo Niño (Infant Jesus) image in the Philippines.[3][4] Arevalo is often referred to as the "Flower Capital of Iloilo" due to the abundance of potted plants, flowers, bouquets, and wreaths sold in the district.[5] The district is also renowned for its firecrackers and fireworks.[6]

## History

[edit]

A Spanish settlement was established in 1566 when Spanish conquerors settled in the area between Villa de Arevalo and the neighboring town of Oton. Villa de Arevalo was formally founded as La Villa Rica de Arévalo by Gobernador Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñalosa in 1581. The name Arévalo was derived from his hometown in Spain, making it one of the first places in the Philippines to be named in Spanish.

The initial population of Villa de Arevalo comprised 80 European colonists of pure Spanish descent,[7] who were joined by 169 Mexican soldiers from Latin America.[8] It became the capital of the province's settlement in 1582. In 1586, it welcomed 20 Spanish Households and the garrison was reinforced by 30 Spanish and/or Mexican soldiers.[9] However, the town faced numerous challenges throughout its history. It was invaded by the British in 1588, followed by raids by Moro pirates in 1600, and further attacks by the Dutch in 1609, 1614, and 1616. These constant threats led to the relocation of the capital near the mouth of the Iloilo River, which is the present-day location of Iloilo City Proper.

On July 16, 1937, Villa de Arevalo, along with the towns of Mandurriao, La Paz, and Molo, was incorporated as a district of Iloilo City. This integration solidified its position as an integral part of the expanding urban center.

## Geography

[edit]

Arevalo is the furthest district to the west in Iloilo City. It is located 6.29 kilometres (3.91 mi) away from Iloilo City Proper. It shares its borders with the districts of Molo to the east, Mandurriao to the northeast, and the municipality of Oton to the north and west. To the south, the Iloilo Strait and Villa Beach provide natural boundaries. Traversing the district are the rivers of Iloilo and Batiano.

### Barangays

[edit]

Main article: Districts_of_Iloilo_City § Barangays_6

The district of Arevalo has a total of 13 barangays.

* Bonifacio
* Calaparan
* Dulonan
* Mohon
* Quezon
* San José
* Santa Cruz
* Santa Filomina
* Santo Domingo
* Santo Niño Norte
* Santo Niño Sur
* Sooc
* Yulo Drive

## Education

[edit]

* 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

[edit]

### Archdiocesan Shrine of Santo Niño de Arevalo

[edit]

Main article: Santo Niño de Arévalo

Santo Niño de Arévalo, third oldest Holy Child image in the Philippines.

The district's parish, the Santo Niño de Arevalo Parish, is home to the Santo Niño de Arévalo, third oldest Santo Niño figure in the Philippines. The church, located on Arevalo Plaza, 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

[edit]

In January, Arevalo celebrates its town fiesta in honor of the Santo Niño. The festivities take place during the month of January, 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

[edit]

Main article: Paraw Regatta Festival

Villa Beach, where the Paraw Regatta Festival is held annually

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, a sail painting contest; Porma Balas, sand sculpting; Pintawo, a 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

[edit]

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

[edit]

* Santo Niño de Arévalo
* Paraw Regatta
* Villa Beach

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "About Iloilo City". Iloilo City Government. Archived from the original on January 21, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
2. ^ Cummings, E. E. (November 19, 2016). "Camiña Balay nga Bato: Inside Iloilo's Heritage House by the River". Simply Philippines. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
3. ^ "Sto. Niño de Arevalo Parish (Villa, Arevalo Iloilo)". 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.
4. ^ "You are being redirected..." www.panaynews.net. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
5. ^ "La Villa de Arevalo - Flower capital of Iloilo". Explore Iloilo. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
6. ^ Admin (January 30, 2020). "Arevalo Iloilo City Complete and Updated Guide". Iloilo Ph. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
7. ^ 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 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."
8. ^ 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 .
9. ^ "Jesuits In The Philippines (1581-1768)" Page 143

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Arevalo, Iloilo City.

* Iloilo City Government Official Website

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Iloilo City

La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad de Iloílo

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* History
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Districts|

* Arevalo
* City Proper
* Jaro
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* Molo

Geography|

* Iloilo River
* Batiano River
* Iloilo Strait
* Panay Gulf
* Ortiz
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Landmarks|

* Arroyo Fountain
* Calle Real
* Camiña Balay Nga Bato
* Casa Mariquit
* Casa Real de Iloilo
* CPU Church
* Iloilo Business Park
* Iloilo Central Market
* Iloilo Convention Center
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* Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art
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Education|

* Primary and secondary schools
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* University of San Agustin
* University of the Philippines Visayas
* West Visayas State University

Culture|

* Ilonggo language
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* Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro
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* Paraw Regatta Festival
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