Iloilo City, the largest city in Western Visayas, shares a rich history of nicknames and titles akin to Manila, the capital of the Philippines. While it is currently known as the City of Love, it is historically recognized as the Queen City of the South. The city's official title, La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad (Most Loyal and Noble City), is prominently featured on its official seal.

Iloilo City is also often shortened to Ill City (popularized by a local clothing brand), ^[1] Lilo (mostly used by locals), ^[2] or ILO (the IATA code for Iloilo International Airport).

Nicknames

• Most Loyal and Noble City ( Spanish: La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad), the royal title acquired on March 1, 1898, after being given by Queen Regent Maria Christina of Spain. This is an inscription in the city's coat of arms from the royal decree of 1896 in recognition of the people's loyalty to the Spanish crown. A replica of the Spanish crown architectural structure can be seen in the present Arevalo district of the city. ^{[3] [4]}
• Queen City of the South ( Spanish: La Reina Ciudad del Sur), initially the Queen's City in the South, an honor it earned after being Queen Regent Maria Christina's favorite city in the capital's south. At the turn of the 20th century, the title evolved to what is now known as the Queen City of the South, after the city became second to the country's primate city of Manila in terms of economic importance. Following the city's economic downfall in the mid-1900s as a result of World War II destruction, Cebu City also adopted the title. City officials, however, disagree with Cebu's claim because the title is historically significant to Iloilo alone, and not for which city is the country's next second-largest economic center. ^{[5] [4]}
• City of Love ( Hiligaynon: Siyudad sang Paghigugma), also the Asia's City of Love, referring to the city's citizens' Ilonggo accents, which are very soothing to the ears, as well as their well-known presumption of being the most loving, friendly, kind-hearted, and soft-spoken Filipinos. The city's great river and old architectural structures also lend the city's romantic ambiance. ^{[6] [7]}
• Textile Capital of the Philippines ( Spanish: Capital Textil de Filipinas), referring to the development of a large-scale weaving industry that started in Iloilo and its surge in trade and economy in the Visayas in the late 18th century. Sinamay, piña, and jusi are some examples of the products produced by the looms of Iloilo and were exported to Manila and other foreign places. ^[8]

• Heart of the Philippines, referring to the city's human heart-shaped territory as well as its geographical location at the center of the Philippine archipelago. The main flagpole of the Central Philippine University (CPU) in Jaro district is considered the center of the Philippines by longitude and latitude. ^[9]
• Royal City of the South ( Spanish: Ciudad Real del Sur), in reference to the city's being a royal Spanish city in the south of the capital, Manila, during the Spanish colonial era in the Philippines. ^[10]
• City of Mansions, in reference to the city's being home to many well-preserved heritage houses built by the hacienderos and sugar barons way back in the pre-war era. ^[11]
• Museum City of the Philippines, or simply the Museum City, referring to the city's abundance of historical sites and various types of museums. ^[12]
• Athens of the Philippines, particularly referring to the Molo district, which produced many of the best political leaders and philosophers in the Philippines. ^[13]
• Where the Past is Always Present, a recent nickname and tourism slogan coined by the Department of Tourism (DOT) in 2015, in reference to the city's numerous centuries-old houses and buildings that have coexisted with the city's present modern architecture. ^[14]
• City of Many Firsts, from the information compiled by the late Norberto Baylen of the Visayan Tribune in the 1970s, in reference to the city's many firsts in the country and being a pioneer in many fields. ^[15] In 2019, it is the first city in Asia where 3 properties were sold in exchange of cryptocurrencies. ^[16]
• Festival Capital of the Philippines, in reference to the city's various popular and innovative festivals, including the Dinagyang and Paraw Regatta festivals, that are flocked and celebrated in the city by the thousands to millions of tourists. Each district in the city also has its own festivals or fiestas, also known as district fiestas, celebrated annually within the district's territory. The most popular one is the Feast of Our Lady of Candles of Jaro district. ^{[10] [17]}
• Bike Capital of the Philippines, in reference to the city's having the Philippines' longest protected bike lane, as well as being the most bike-friendly city in the country. ^[18]
• Food Haven of the Philippines, a new tagline declared by the city council and supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT) in 2021, recognizing the city as a gastronomic hotspot with its dozens of popular local cuisines and dishes, including the La Paz Batchoy and Pancit Molo. ^{[19] [20]}
• City of Gastronomy, recognized by UNESCO through Creative Cities Network on October 31, 2023, first in the Philippines. ^[21]

See also

• List of city and municipality nicknames in the Philippines

References