ILOILO

The Ilonggo way of life is a mixture of different Ilonggo Culture. They vary from the bizzare to the finical. The Chinese tradition is efficacious in food and in taste of art which might be the reason why the Ilonggos loved porcelains and ceramics. The hispanic versions of Ilonggos is prevalent in the sense of thought and actions, where they are conservative and well mannered as if they were trained to be so. Ilonggo language is also heavily hispanized.

The Ilonggos witnessed many diversifications of time and races. The culture of the aetas are evidence Paganism and Animism. The different dances of bird mimicry and hunting rituals are now "endangered" to be lost forever. There are few of these people who practice such indigenous art. Today, most aetas are literate and would rather leave their remote lifestyle and live or work in the urban zones. Only the aged cheiftains are those who were left to pursue the traditions left by our original ancestors.

Few aristocrats who parctice western living stand out from the crowd of ordinary Filipinos. These people would wear something expensive and dangling genuine jewelries which prove their social status. Most of them are heirs and heiresses of haciendas and large businesses.

The Rural folks of Iloilo are religious in nature. In different towns of Iloilo, many places had been transformed into pilgrimages for the faithfull. Every afternoon when the church bells ring at 6:00, people would pause and pray or even join the "Novena" which dominates the rural afternoon atmosphere. Every lent, the pilgrims and the faithful would rise up early and join the procession which commemorates the sufferings of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Education is one of the most important things the Americans contributed to the Philippines. In Iloilo, it is a social rule that parents should send their children to school. That must be the reason why almost every barangay in the province have public grade and secondary schools.

The Ilonggo farmers are the epitome of merrymen. Every afternoon they would be seen gathering with rice wines, singing and enjoying the serenity of the evening. They would tell stories of Love, bravery and experiences with each other. The olden people are those who never ran out tales and legends. They would tell their grandchildren eerie stories of superstitions and tales of romance and adventure.

Fiesta completes the Ilonggo living. food is served to visitors from different places. They would serve meals, desserts and apitizers that give the tastebuds a sense of excitement