#ShareIloilo: Restoring Iloilo’s glory

Rappler.com

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For tourism officer Ben Jimena, Iloilo is on its way to regaining its Spanish-era glory by way of a tourism boom

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Once upon a time, in the thick of the Spanish occupancy in the Philippines, Iloilo was a rich, bustling town, home to grand churches, rich textiles, and vast sugar plantations. Life was prosperous and comfortable, at least for the landed hacienderos and the frailes in the churches, for people did not seem to want much.

But the harrowing effects of war stripped the province of its glory, says Iloilo tourism officer Ben Jimena, leaving the edifices of power – churches, the homes of the rich, and other establishments – left either in shambles or in a state of decay.

“After the war, we seemed to forget development,” Jimena tells Rappler. “We were so concerned about being satisfied with what we have. I think it’s the Ilonggo culture of not being too hungry for improvement.”

But modern-day Iloilo wants to change that, and bring back its former glory. Watch the video to see how Jimena and the rest of Iloilo intend to do it. – Rappler.com

 

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