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 [...]

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.” [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Many old farmers in the mountainous sections of Panay still stick to the familiar traditional beliefs and practices handed down through generations. Mother Nature is the key to a successful harvest and, therefore, they give it due respect. Their sensitivity to their natural environment and what it can provide is shown in the extra care [...]

Prior to the onset of World War II, there were already Japanese in the various parts of Wetern Visayas. In Panay, along with the Japanese merchants and entreprenuers, came numerous fishermen, most of whom were from Okinawa (Mabunay 1979). The entrance of the increasing numberof Japanese immigrants into the country during this time was partly [...]

The Ilonggo-Bisaya people are never short of writing talents and interests even in the past. What they wrote, of course, were in the context of their time, history and cultural millieu.
Among the early Ilonggo-Bisaya writers who shone in the literary-political arena was Graciano Lopez-Jaena. He had the honor of being chosen as the first editor [...]