Presenting the City of My Birth- Iloilo City, Philippines

Iloilo City, located on the southeastern coast of Panay Island in the Philippines, is a highly urbanized city with a rich history and diverse cultural influences. It serves as the capital of Iloilo Province and the regional center of Western Visayas, playing a significant role in the region's economy, culture, and education. Iloilo City is the place of my birth.

- Historical Significance: Iloilo City was one of the earliest Spanish colonial centers in the Philippines, dating back to 1566. It was recognized as a royal Spanish city and served as the last capital of the Spanish Empire in Asia and the Pacific .

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- Strategic Location: Situated at the mouth of the Jaro River on the Iloilo Strait, the city is sheltered by Guimaras Island, making it a commercial center and a regional hub for sugar exports. Its port has been a major gateway for passenger and freight traffic in the Visayas region .

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- Cultural Heritage: Iloilo City is known for its well-preserved old churches and Spanish-influenced architecture, particularly buildings constructed after the fire of 1899. The city is also famous for its production of jusi (raw silk) and piña (pineapple fiber) fabrics .

- Economic Hub: Iloilo City is a significant commercial center, driven by sugar exports and a growing IT-BPO industry. It is projected to become the third-largest hub for the IT-BPO industry in the Philippines by 2025 .

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- Education Center: The city is home to several prominent educational institutions, including Central Philippine University, University of San Agustin, and West Visayas State College. Central Philippine University, established by American Protestants, attracts students from across the Philippines and abroad and is ranked by global university ranking agencies .

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- Creative City of Gastronomy: Iloilo City was designated as the first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in the Philippines, highlighting its rich culinary traditions .

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- Nicknames: Iloilo City is known by various nicknames, including "City of Love," "Queen City of the South," "Bike Capital of the Philippines," and "Royal City of the South," reflecting its diverse attributes and cultural identity .

Here are some photos of the City from the Facebook Page :

Meanwhile, Did you know that......

In 2024, the Philippines had a population of 115.8 million, 64.3 million lives on the island of Luzon.

Out of the 64.3 million population of Luzon, more than 40 million are concentrated in Megalopolis of Manila, which includes Calabarzon, Central Luzon and NCR.

Lastly, may I add my own Appreciation to All the Hard-working Employees of THD.

Publicly presenting this in our Lobby, is one action THD Management have done to enhance employees morale, the exact opposite of recent frequent and several employee turnovers during my first two years here at THD.

The Name of Lea ( Front Desk and Activity Assistant) is not in the above list, because she is hired via a contractor and not considered a regular THD employee. Karen Kopp is in the list. Once in a while, she is here at THD to help on some Activities Events. Nancy Carson has retired, but once in a while. I see her at the Front Desk. I do not see Eric's name, however. How many of these employees do you Know?