Arevalo

Arévalo is one of the six districts of Iloílo City

Iloilo City

The City of Iloilo is a highly urbanized city in the Philippines and the capital city of Iloilo province. It is the regional center of the Western Visayas, as well as the center of the Iloilo-Guimaras Metropolitan Area...

, in the Philippine province of Iloílo

Iloilo

Iloilo is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Iloilo occupies the southeast portion of Panay Island and is bordered by Antique Province to the west and Capiz Province and the Jintotolo Channel to the north. Just off Iloilo's southeast coast is Guimaras Province,...

. It was originally founded as La Villa Rica de Arévalo by a Spanish official who built his mansion along the coastal settlement in the 16th century. It was absorbed by Iloílo City during the 20th century along with the towns of Mandurriao, La Paz, Molo

Molo

Molo is an ethnic group in Blue Nile state in Sudan.They number less than thousand and speak Molo, a Nilo-Saharan language. Most of them or all of them are Muslims....

 and the city of Jaro

Jaro

-Philippines:*Jaro, Leyte a municipality in the province of Leyte*Jaro, Iloilo City a district of Iloilo City-See also:*Jaro–Winkler distance*Jaro Medien a German music company*Jaro Records, a subsidiary of Rank Records...

. Its historical church possesses one of the oldest Santo Niño (Infant Jesus) figurines in the Philippines

Philippines

The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...

. Arevalo is sometimes given the title "Flower Capital of Iloilo", where potted plants, flowers, bouquets, wreaths can be bought, Arevalo is also famous for its firecrackers and fireworks. Its prominent attraction is the Villa Beach along the coast which boasts several resorts and an outdoor nightlife such as open air restaurants and bars.

History

Established on 1581 by Gobernador Ronquillo De Peñalosa as " La Villa Rica De Arevalo", named after his hometown Arévalo. It is one of the first places in the Philippine archipelago to be named in Spanish. It became the capital of the settlement in the province on 1582. It was invaded by the British on the 1588 and followed by more raids by Moros on 1600 and by the Dutch on 1609, 1614 and 1616. The continuous raids forced the capital to be relocated near the mouth of Iloilo River,
which is the current location of Iloilo City proper. It was incorporated as a district of
Iloilo City on July 16, 1937.

Barangays

The District of Arévalo has thirteen barangay

Barangay

A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...

s.

• Barangay Bonifacio
• Barangay Calaparan
• Barangay Dulunan
• Barangay Mohon
• Barangay Quezon
• Barangay San José
• Barangay Santa Cruz
• Barangay Santa Molanida
• Barangay Santa Filomina
• Barangay Santo Domingo
• Barangay Santo Niño Norte
• Barangay Santo Niño Sur
• Barangay Sooc
• Barangay Yulo Drive

Establishments

• Tatoy's Manokan and Seafoods
• Breakthrough
• Punta Villa Resort
• Iloilo Supermart – Arevalo
• Erning's Manokan and Seafoods
• Adring's Lechon
• Juaning's Lechon
• Stanleys
• Moonlight Lodge
• Panaderia De Iloilo
• Arevalo Sinamay Dealer
• John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University, has one of its campus in Arevalo, w/c was formerly known as Iloilo Maritime Academy.

Sto. Niño de Arevalo Parish

It is home to the third oldest Santo Niño figure in the Philippines. The church was built in such a way that when seen from above it is shaped like a cross. Adjacent to the church is the Arevalo Convent which resembles Spanish colonial design.

Arevalo Town Fiesta

In January, Arevalo celebrates it's town fiesta in honor of the Santo Niño. The festivities take place during the month of January, the Fiesta day is held every 3rd Sunday of January. During Fiesta day households open their doors and prepare food for fiesta goers, friends, visitors and distant relatives. A fireworks display contest is one of the highlights of the celebration held on the night of the town fiesta.

Paraw Regatta

Arevalo hosts the annual Paraw Regatta Festival, which is the oldest traditional craft event in Asia, and the largest sailing event in the Philippines. "Paraw" is a native double outrigger sailboat which is used for transportation and livelihood purpose, while "Regatta" means boat race.

The main event is the paraw boat race along Iloilo Strait and also showcases Pinta Layag, sail painting contest; Porma Balas, sand sculpting; Pintawo, body painting contest; Miss Paraw Regatta,a local beauty pageant; Samba De Regatta,music & Mardi Gras contest; Luces by the Sea,a pyrotechnic exhibition; beach volleyball; and photo competition.

Transportation

Transportation in Arevalo district is mainly by Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJ) w/c serves commuters from the district who travel from the district to the Iloilo City Proper. Metered taxi cabs also serve the traveling public in the district to any point within the city, while special tariff/charges apply when traveling outside the city limits.

Local modes of transportation within the district not accessible by public jeepneys are served by Tricycles and Trisikads (Pedicabs). Tricycles operate within the district but disallowed to access the national highway, where speedlimits and vehicle restrictions are implemented. Trisikads are permitted to operate within the subdivisions and some streets only.

Arevalo has three public utility jeepney routes serving the district,

• Villa-Baybay Iloilo route – loop between Iloilo City proper to Santo Niño Sur,Arevalo. This route is the main access line to Arevalo and its barangays, w/c passes thru distinct plaza and main roads in Arevalo district.
• Villa-Mohon Ilolo route – loop between Iloilo City proper to Barangay Mohon,Arevalo w/c is in the border between Iloilo City and Municipality of Oton. This route serves incoming commuters from the south through Mohon terminal.
• Calumpang Iloilo route – loop between Iloilo City proper to Santo Niño Norte. Is the only jeepney route serving Barangay Santo Niño Norte and Barangay Calaparan.