Molo, Iloilo City

Molo ([ˈmolo]) is a district of Iloilo City in Iloilo Province, on Panay Island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. It is the most densely populated district of all the seven districts of Iloilo City.[1] Molo was a separate municipality before it was incorporated into the then-municipality of Iloilo by virtue of Act No. 719 of 1903.[2] Molo was originally the Parián (Chinese district or Chinatown) of Iloilo, which is the area that the Chinese residents of Iloilo lived in. It is also known as the "Athens of the Philippines," being the birthplace of famous Philippine Ilustrados and numerous of the country's greatest philosophers and political leaders, including numerous chief justices, senators, governors, generals, congressmen, and cabinet officials.

Saint Anne Parish Church, a feminist church

Molo
District of Iloilo City
From top, counter-clockwise: Molo Church; Molo Mansion; Molo Plaza Bandstand
Nickname: 
Athens of the Philippines
Location within Iloilo City
Location within Iloilo City
Molo is located in Visayas, Philippines
Molo
Molo
Location in the Philippines
Molo is located in Philippines
Molo
Molo
Molo (Philippines)
Coordinates: 10°41′29″N 122°32′32″E
CountryPhilippines
RegionWestern Visayas (Region VI)
ProvinceIloilo (geographically only)
CityIloilo City
Congressional DistrictLone district of Iloilo City
Established1637
Incorporated (as district)July 16, 1937
Barangays25 (see Barangays)
Government
 • MayorJerry Treñas (Mayor of Iloilo City)
Area
 • Total5.54 km2 (2.14 sq mi)
Population
 (2020 census)
 • Total76,393
 • Density13,797.44/km2 (35,735.2/sq mi)
DemonymMoleño
Time zoneUTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time)
ZIP code
5000
Area code33
Patron saintSaint Anne
Feast dayJuly 26
Native languagesHiligaynon

Molo is popular for its Molo Church, a centuries-old church which lies in front of the Molo Plaza. The district is also known for its Pancit Molo, another popular Ilonggo dish, named after a district of Iloilo City where it originated.

According to the 2020 census, Molo has a population of 76,393 people, making it the second-most populous district of Iloilo City, after Jaro.

Etymology

The name "Molo" came from the word "moro", the name of the Islamic group called Moro that frequently raided the town. The town's population had a predominance of Chinese, who had difficulty pronouncing the "r" and kept pronouncing molo instead of moro.[3]

History
Molo Mansion, otherwise known as Yusay-Consing Mansion, on Locsin Street.

Molo was founded after the Chinese traders supplying the colonists then established themselves in the area.[4] It was formally established by the Spaniards as Parián (Chinese district or Chinatown) in 1637. During the 1800s, Molo became the center of learning in the Visayas and earned the sobriquet "Athens of the Philippines".[5]

On August 4, 1896, the Philippines' national hero, José Rizal, visited Molo on his way to Manila from exile in Dapitan in Zamboanga del Norte. He exclaimed, "La iglesia bonita!" as he saw the Molo Church, acknowledging its beauty.[6]

Molo was incorporated into Iloilo City as a district on July 16, 1937, along with the towns of Arevalo, La Paz, and Mandurriao, by virtue of Act No. 719 of 1903.[7]

Economy

The district of Molo is one of the major commercial areas in Iloilo City. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) are among the government agencies with regional offices in Molo.

Culture and landmarks

Molo Church

The notable Spanish-colonial church and heritage site in the district. It stands in front of Molo Plaza, with prominent red spires that crown its tall bell towers. Molo Church is also known as "the feminist church" because of the all-women's ensemble of saints represented in 16 statues perched on the aisle pillars. The church was declared a national landmark by the National Historical Institute in 1992 through the representation of Sir Knight Rex S. Salvilla. It is the only Gothic church in the country outside of Manila.[8]

Molo Mansion

The Yusay-Consing Mansion, more popularly known as Molo Mansion, stands across the Molo Plaza and Molo Church. Its features are its high ceilings, Neoclassical balustrades, and decorative carvings.[9]

Molo Plaza

One of the seven district plazas in Iloilo City. Molo Plaza is considered the most beautiful public plaza in the city. The plaza features statues of Greek goddesses and the monument of Maria Clara. A fountain was also installed to break the monotony of the artworks during the rehabilitation in August 2022.[10]

Molo Fiesta

The annual celebration of the feast of Saint Anne, the patron saint of the district, is celebrated every July 26.

Pancit Molo

Pancit Molo is a pork dumpling soup. It is a type of soup made with wonton wrappers. It consists of a mixture of ground pork wrapped in molo or wonton wrapper, shredded chicken meat, and also shrimp. Pancit Molo originated in Molo, hence the name.[11]

Education

Molo was an educational center during the Spanish occupation in the Philippines, being the only pueblo (town) in the country which has four colleges—Collegio de Santa Ana of the Avanceña sisters; Centro Escolar de Molo of the Salas brothers; Instituto Ensenanza Libre de Molo of Manuel Locsin; and Escuela Publica. In 1903, the labor leader and writer Rosendo Mejica founded the Baluarte Elementary School, the first public elementary school outside of Manila; his house, fronting the school, is a museum.

Currently, Molo has one university, John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University, and four colleges—Iloilo City Community College; Iloilo Doctors' College; Iloilo Doctors' College of Medicine; and St. Therese – MTC colleges.

The national high school of the city, Iloilo City National High School, is also located in Molo.

Barangays

Molo District is composed of 25 barangays. The barangay of Calumpang in Molo is Iloilo City's most populous barangay, with a population of 15,994 people (2020 census). Molo is also the most densely populated district in Iloilo City, with a population density of 13,797 people per square kilometer.

Barangays Population

(2020)

 Area Density
km2 sq mi /km2 /sq mi
Calumpang 15,994 0.88 0.34 18,000 47,000
Cochero 689 0.06 0.023 11,000 28,000
Compania 3,257 0.22 0.085 15,000 39,000
East Baluarte 1,800 0.09 0.035 20,000 52,000
East Timawa 728 0.06 0.023 12,000 31,000
Habog-Habog Salvacion 2,172 0.13 0.050 17,000 44,000
Infante 1,631 0.09 0.035 18,000 47,000
Kasingkasing 2,434 0.08 0.031 30,000 78,000
Katilingban 900 0.05 0.019 18,000 47,000
Molo Boulevard 8,162 0.24 0.093 34,000 88,000
North Avanceña 605 0.10 0.039 6,100 16,000
North Baluarte 4,878 0.13 0.050 38,000 98,000
North Fundidor 2,736 0.70 0.27 3,900 10,000
North San Jose 1,121 0.14 0.054 8,000 21,000
Poblacion 760 0.07 0.027 11,000 28,000
San Antonio 2,356 0.22 0.085 11,000 28,000
San Juan 11,449 0.32 0.12 36,000 93,000
San Pedro 3,029 0.25 0.097 12,000 31,000
South Baluarte 1,477 0.10 0.039 15,000 39,000
South Fundidor 3,299 0.79 0.31 4,200 11,000
South San Jose 1,758 0.27 0.10 6,500 17,000
Taal 1,339 0.33 0.13 4,100 11,000
Tap-oc 356 0.06 0.023 5,900 15,000
West Habog-Habog 1,401 0.07 0.027 20,000 52,000
West Timawa 2,062 0.11 0.042 19,000 49,000
District of Molo 76,393 5.54 2.14 14,000 36,000
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority - Philippine Standard Geographic Code - Iloilo City - Barangays

Notable people
Main article: List of people from Iloilo

Several known families that came from Molo include - the Locsin, Lacson, Sayson, Pison, Layson, Yusay, among others, who are descended from Chinese immigrants who hispanized, adopted Roman Catholicism and settled in Molo.

Being an educational center during the Spanish occupation in the Philippines and being known as the "Athens of the Philippines", Molo produced many learned men and political leaders, including many chief justices, justices of the Supreme Court, senators, governors, mayors, several generals of the Philippine revolution, and other notable figures. A few of the notable Moleños include:

See also

References
  1. "About Iloilo City". Official Website of the Iloilo City Government. Archived from the original on January 21, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
  2. Act No. 719 - Act reducing the fifty-one municipalities of the Province of Iloilo to seventeen, Supreme Court E-Library, retrieved December 31, 2019
  3. "The Ultimate Guide to Molo District in Iloilo City". Iloilo Blogger. July 25, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  4. "Iloilo...My City...My Pride". Archived from the original on January 21, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
  5. "Molo: Athens of the Philippines". www.thenewstoday.info. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  6. "Molo Church". www.thenewstoday.info.
  7. Act No. 719 – Act reducing the fifty-one municipalities of the Province of Iloilo to seventeen, Supreme Court E-Library, retrieved December 31, 2019
  8. "Molo Church: Historical and Religious legacy of Molo". Vigattin Tourism (ARTICLES) - Philippines. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  9. "Molo Mansion". Guide to the Philippines. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  10. Lena, Perla (June 18, 2022). "Iloilo City opens renovated Molo plaza to public". www.pna.gov.ph. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  11. Flores, Wilson Lee. "Iloilo rising: Hometown of pancit molo, Jose Mari Chan & Grace Poe". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  12. "Iloilo City Council honors late Senator Ganzon - IloiloToday - News and Media Blog". Archived from the original on March 20, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Molo, Iloilo City.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.