Discover the Province of Iloilo: A Hub of Firsts in the Philippines

The province of Iloilo is a place of many “firsts” in Philippine history and culture. From being the site of the Malayan landing to being home to many firsts in education, commerce, transportation, and more, Iloilo has played a significant role in shaping the Philippines as we know it today.

Here are just a few of the many “firsts” that Iloilo can boast of:

• The first school for boys in the Philippines was founded in Tigbauan by the famous 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 was the first city outside of Manila to have a foreign business house (Loney & Co.) and the first foreign vice-consul.
• Iloilo was the first province to export sugar to Australia.
• Iloilo was the only province to have two cities during Spanish rule: Iloilo City and Jaro.
• Iloilo was the biggest province in the Philippines in terms of population, income, and economic production during the 19th century.
• Iloilo was the best and biggest producer of textiles during the Spanish era.
• Iloilo was the first city outside of Manila to have electricity, telephone, telegraph, railway, ice plant, automobile and other modern conveniences.
• Iloilo was the first province outside of Luzon to fly the Philippine National Flag (in Sta. Barbara, Nov. 17, 1898).
• Hoskyn & Co., established in 1877, was the first department store in the country.

Iloilo’s contributions to education and innovation are also noteworthy. The first provincial high school in the Philippines, the Iloilo National High School, was located in Iloilo. The first elementary school established under American rule, Baluarte Elementary School in Molo, was also in Iloilo. Iloilo is also home to the first protestant barrio in the country, Calvario in Janiauy, and the first Baptist Church in the Philippines, Jaro Evangelical Church.