Iloilo Archives - Page 5 of 20 - Cultural Mapping of Panay and Guimaras

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Joaquin Fernandez entered a religious seminary at a young age and took his vows before being ordained as a priest in Cebu City in 1877. He served as parish priest in several towns, including Oton, where he supervised the completion of a large stone church that took forty years to build and was known for its unique Greek-Byzantine design. This church combined Gothic and Classic styles with a distinctive dome, making it one of the most beautiful in the Spanish colony. Fernandez also worked in other towns and later returned to Spain and Brazil to continue his religious mission. Though ...

Significant Personalities

VIRGILIO GONZALES “ PIROT” PETCHELLER

Iloilo, Lemery

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Virgilio “Pirot” Gonzales Petcheller, born in 1954 in Lemery, Iloilo, is a well-known figure in Hiligaynon music, famous for his funny and relatable novelty songs like “Ako ang Namunit.” Raised in a farming family, his father’s skill as a guitarist inspired Pirot’s love for music despite only finishing elementary school. He began performing in the 1980s and gained popularity for songs that reflect the daily lives and culture of Ilonggos. Pirot’s music has been important in preserving Ilonggo traditions and history through its themes and local language. His career, while celebrated, also highlights the struggles traditional artists face, such as ...

Significant Personalities

ROMEO D. DEMETILLO

Iloilo, Leganes

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Romeo Demetillo, born in 1961 in Leganes, Iloilo, is the seventh of ten siblings in a family known for boatbuilding. After his mother passed away, he stopped school to help his father, Loreto, who was skilled in making paraws, a traditional boats that inspired Romeo’s interest. The Demetillo family became famous in their town for building boats and competing in sailing events like the Paraw Regatta Festival. Romeo’s craftsmanship covers various types of boats, including fishing vessels, motorboats, and rescue boats, all made to meet clients’ specific needs. Their boatbuilding business supports the family’s livelihood and attracts customers from nearby ...

Significant Personalities

JUSTICE CAROLINA C. GRINO-AQUINO

Iloilo, Leganes

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Carolina Grino-Aquino, born in Manila in 1923, was a top law graduate who later became a Supreme Court Associate Justice. She was the first female justice from Iloilo and topped the 1950 Bar Exams with a 92.02% average. Her legal career began with Senator Claro M. Recto’s law office and later included roles in prestigious firms and as a law professor. She served as a judge, Court of Appeals justice, and eventually Supreme Court justice, appointed by President Corazon Aquino in 1988. Carolina also co-authored several legal books with her husband, former Chief Justice Ramon Aquino. Even after retirement, she ...

Significant Personalities

RYMER GENGONI

Guimbal, Iloilo

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Rymer Gengoni is an artist from Guimbal, Iloilo, recognized for creating art that expresses deep emotions and connects with viewers. He works with various materials but is especially known for his terra cotta sculptures and detailed paintings. Gengoni has earned awards in national competitions, such as the GSIS and Metrobank art contests, and was honored by his hometown as an Outstanding Guimbalanon in Visual Arts. He also works with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas as a designer of coins, medals, and banknotes, earning him national recognition through the Gawad Gantimpala awards. His art mixes tradition and modern techniques, helping elevate ...

Significant Personalities

CRESENCIANO E. GAYOMA

Guimbal, Iloilo

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Cresenciano E. Gayoma, born in Guimbal, Iloilo in 1920, is a celebrated composer known for creating The Guimbal March and The Guimbal Hymn. His music is deeply tied to the identity and pride of his hometown, often performed during local ceremonies and events. Through his compositions, Gayoma blended tradition with modern elements, using both Hiligaynon/Kinaray-a and English to reach a wider audience. These works are preserved and shared by his family, ensuring that his musical legacy remains alive in the community. Gayoma’s music not only showcases his talent but also strengthens unity and cultural pride among the people of Guimbal.

Significant Personalities

BILLY RAY “JORDAN” AMOROSO ROBLES (ILONGGO SUPERMAN)

Estancia, Iloilo

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Billy Ray Robles, born in Estancia, Iloilo, on May 30, 1992, is a professional basketball player known for his resilience and dedication to the sport. He began playing basketball as a child, guided by his father, and steadily built his skills through school competitions, eventually representing his region in national meets. After college, he played for the Sara Warriors and was later discovered by Coach Eugene Tan, which led to his debut in the PBA D-League with Hogs’ Breath. Although undrafted in the 2016 PBA Draft, he earned spots with Rain or Shine and later with the Davao Occidental Tigers, ...

Significant Personalities

ROY BABAS

Estancia, Iloilo

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Roy B. Babas was a 12-year-old Boy Scout from Estancia, Iloilo, who became a hero during a tragic pier accident on January 24, 1971. After his father died, he helped support his family by working as a porter while living with his grandfather. During the accident, when the ship El Cano crashed into the pier during a strong wind, Roy jumped into the sea and saved seven people from drowning. Despite being urged to stop, he went back to rescue more, proudly declaring, “Boy Scout ako ‘ya!” before being fatally struck by a falling box when the pier collapsed. His ...

Significant Personalities

COL. QUINTIN SALAS

Dumangas, Iloilo

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Col. Quintin Salas, born on October 31, 1870, in Dumangas, Iloilo, was a revolutionary leader known for his bravery during the Philippine struggle for independence. He led successful uprisings against the Spanish in several Iloilo towns and later fought the Americans, becoming the last Visayan revolutionary to surrender on October 4, 1901. After his military service, he became a lawyer, served as municipal president of Dumangas and Barotac Nuevo, and led the Iloilo Bar Association and Veterans of the Revolution. As a civilian, he generously donated land for public spaces and supported the local church and education. His legacy lives ...

Significant Personalities

PETER SOLIS NERY

Dumangas, Iloilo

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Peter Solis Nery, born in Dumangas on January 6, 1969, is a multi-awarded writer, filmmaker, educator, and cultural advocate. He studied Biology at UP Visayas, later took Philosophy, and worked as a teacher and missionary in Macau and Hong Kong. Known for his achievements in literature and film, he has won 19 Palanca Awards, entered the Hall of Fame in 2012, and created notable Ilonggo films set in Dumangas. He has written over 32 books, including a creative writing textbook used in Philippine senior high schools. In 2012, he founded The Peter Solis Nery Foundation to support Hiligaynon literature and ...

FR. JOAQUIN FERNANDEZ

Cultural Mapping Of Panay and Guimaras

Quick Links

Locations

Domains