Early history Little is known about the history of the region prior to the arrival of the Spanish. However, numerous legends exist about the origins of the
Hiligaynon people. One of the most famous is the
Maragtas epic by Pedro Monteclaro, first published in 1907. It tells the story of ten
datus and their families, led by Datu Puti, who fled the "kingdom of
Borneo" to escape the oppressive rule of Sultan Makatunaw. They arrived in Panay and negotiated the purchase of the lowlands from King Marikudo of the
Ati people. The settlers established themselves at the mouth of the
Iloilo River, naming the area
Irong-irong, under the leadership of Datu Paiburong. Once widely accepted and included in school textbooks, the
Maragtas (along with the
Code of Kalantiaw) is now regarded as a 20th-century fabrication. Historian
William Henry Scott’s 1968 critique debunked its authenticity, a view supported by experts like
Gregorio Zaide and
Teodoro Agoncillo. A 2019 thesis by Talaguit highlights an earlier version of the story recorded by Augustinian Friar Rev. Fr. Tomas Santaren in 1902. Santaren's account, based on manuscripts he obtained in Iloilo after 1858, corroborates much of Monteclaro's narrative. However, these manuscripts, written in romanized Hiligaynon during the colonial era, likely reflect oral folklore rather than pre-colonial history. While the
Maragtas may contain elements of local folk traditions, it is not considered an authentic historical document but rather a blend of myth and invention.
Colonial period In 1602, Spanish and Chinese residents from
Jaro and
Molo, respectively, expanded their settlements to the nearby area of Irong-Irong, naming it La Punta. By 1700, due to continuous attacks by
Moro pirates and
Dutch forces, the Spanish transferred their capital and seat of power from
La Villa Rica de Arevalo to La Punta, which later became known as Iloilo. The area emerged into a significant trading port in the 19th century. Its strategic location and economic importance attracted leading countries like
China,
Norway, and the
United Kingdom to establish consulates in the city. This was especially evident after Iloilo was declared an
international port in the 1850s, which spurred a surge in commercial activity. The city saw rapid development, with the construction of infrastructure, recreational facilities, educational institutions, banks, and foreign consulates. On October 5, 1889, due to its economic prominence as the second most important port in the Philippines after
Manila, Iloilo was elevated from a town to a city by royal decree. The city government was formally established in 1890. Iloilo's loyalty to Spain earned it the perpetual title of "
La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad" (Most Loyal and Noble City), granted by
Queen Regent Maria Christina on March 1, 1898. Over time, this title evolved into the city's nickname, the 'Queen City of the South', being the second most important Spanish port after Manila and its location in the southern part of the archipelago. On December 25, 1898, the
Spanish government surrendered to Ilonggo revolutionaries led by General
Martin Delgado at Plaza Alfonso XII (now
Plaza Libertad). The event marked the first raising of the Philippine flag on the island of Panay, making Iloilo its last Spanish colonial center in
Asia and the Pacific. and Ledesma Street, 1920sThe city was re-chartered by the American government on July 16, 1937, incorporating the towns of
Molo,
Arevalo,
Mandurriao, and
La Paz into its jurisdiction. Later, on January 7, 1941, the city of
Jaro was also integrated into greater Iloilo City.
Late 20th and early 21st centuries On February 7, 1966, a
fire devastated Iloilo City Proper, destroying nearly three-quarters of the area. The blaze lasted approximately 12 hours and resulted in ₱50 million worth of property damage (1966 value), making it the most destructive fire in the city's history. In the early 21st century, Iloilo City experienced a significant economic boom. While much of the new major developments occurred outside Iloilo City Proper, the district remains the economic and political center for both the city and the entire province. == Geography ==