It is commonly recognized that Iloilo’s major development and greatest prosperity were caused primarily by the boom in the sugar industry in the West Visayan region. This was in turn brought about by the opening of Iloilo’s port to international trade in 1855.
With incentives given to sugar production, plantations in the region, especially in Negros [...]

This Sunday, June 21, is the first anniversary of one of the most unforgettable typhoons that hit the Western Visayas region, the typhoon Frank. Unforgettable because it caused so much devastation. Several areas in the provinces of Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo and Negros Occidental were washed out by the deluge of floodwaters coming from the [...]

Bulang or cockfighting has always been a popular past-time of the Filipinos since early times. There are indications, in fact, that the said community activity is pre-colonial in origin although practitioners at that time were not using blades yet. They just engaged in the so-called “pa-uwak” where the outcome of the fight was determined by [...]

In the previous two column articles, it was pointed out that the Ilonggo-Bisaya, after having been subjugated and converted to Christianity by the Spaniards, began to be utilized by the latter to pursue their colonial ambitions. They were frequently employed by the conquerors as sailors and soldiers in their military campaigns against the Moros of [...]

In the previous column, it was pointed out that engagements between the “Bisaya” and the “Moro” during the initial years of Spanish rule occurred as early as 1578. In that year, the Spaniards launched their first military expedition to the south due to “the necessity of opposing raids, outrages, piratical expeditions and differences in religion.” [...]

Redding, California, USA, May 25—Today, Memorial Day, throughout the United States, all of media are replete with remembering—paying tribute, honor, and respect to those who “have fallen in service.” But, as one newspaper says, it is also a day to honor the living who fought and survived America’s wars. And so, on a personal note, [...]

The term “Bisaya” is derived from the word “Bisayas” or “Visayas” which denotes the inhabitants of the islands of central Philippines. All throughout most parts of the Spanish period, the people were generally called “Bisaya”. By the beginning of the 20th century, the Bisaya had been grouped into the more geographic and administrative labels as [...]

It has always been said that the history of a nation is, by and large, the story of its great leaders. Great leaders always make history, although it can also be said that history produces great men. This is especially true when we think of our country’s history or the history of our towns and [...]

“Frolic in the pristine waters and dance in the brilliant white sand.” Every word a touristy come-on for us who had chosen the 3-hour sojourn to Nassau’s Blackbeard Beach. Rather than remain in the cruise ship SENSATION (for more bingo, music, scavenger hunt, faces trivia, etc.), we chose to have a dip in Nassau waters, [...]

Traditional beliefs and practices in farming are handed down from generation to generation as part of the community’s culture and tradition. They have evolved into more complicated folkways that include folksongs, folk sayings, folk idioms, and many others. In more recent times, however, most of these folkways have been relegated into the background due to [...]