Molo, Iloilo City

Molo is a district in Iloilo City, Philippines. It is the most crowded part of the city, with many people living there. In 2024, about 76,793 people called Molo home, making it the second biggest district in Iloilo City after Jaro.

Molo is sometimes called the "Athens of the Philippines" because many important thinkers and leaders from the Philippines came from this area. Many famous Philippine leaders, including chief justices, senators, governors, generals, congressmen, and cabinet officials, were born in Molo.

Molo is also known for its old and beautiful Molo Church, which is a well-known landmark in front of Molo Plaza. The district is famous for a special food called Pancit Molo, a tasty pork dumpling soup that started in Molo.

Etymology

The name "Molo" comes from the word "moro", which refers to an Islamic group that often raided the town. Many people in the town were of Chinese descent, and they found it hard to say the "r" sound. Because of this, they said "molo" instead of "moro".

History

Molo began in 1637 as a special area for Chinese traders. They helped people in nearby Villa de Arevalo, which had many Mexicans and Spaniards, by providing goods and services. By the 1800s, Molo became a place known for learning and culture, earning the name "Athens of the Philippines."

In 1896, José Rizal, a famous hero of the Philippines, visited Molo and admired the beautiful Molo Church. Later that year, people in Molo helped plan a big change to end Spanish rule. In 1937, Molo officially joined Iloilo City as one of its districts.

Geography

Molo is a small district in Iloilo City, covering an area of 5.54 square kilometres. It is close to the center of the city, just 3.21 kilometres away from Iloilo City Proper. Molo borders several other districts: Arevalo to the west, Mandurriao to the north, La Paz to the northeast, and City Proper to the east. The Batiano River flows through Molo and empties into the Iloilo Strait in the southeast part of the district.

Barangays

Main article: Districts_of_Iloilo_City § Molo

Molo has 25 barangays, which are smaller communities within the district. These include places like Calumpang, Cochero, Compania, and many others.

Economy

Molo is a busy part of Iloilo City where many important jobs happen. You can find offices for groups that help families and collect taxes, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Bureau of Internal Revenue. These offices help people in the area with support and make sure rules about money are followed.

Culture and landmarks

Molo Church

Main article: Molo Church

Molo Church is a beautiful old church from Spanish times. It has tall red spires and tall bell towers. The church is special because it shows statues of women saints all along its sides. It became a national landmark in 1992. It is the only church with Gothic style outside of Manila.

Molo Mansion

Main article: Molo Mansion

Molo Mansion, also called the Yusay–Consing Ancestral House, is across from Molo Plaza and Molo Church. It has high ceilings, beautiful balconies, and special carvings.

Molo Plaza

Main article: Molo Plaza

Molo Plaza is one of the seven main squares in Iloilo City. Many people think it is the most beautiful square in the city. The plaza has statues of Greek goddesses and a monument for Maria Clara. A fountain was added in August 2022 to make the place more lively.

Molo Fiesta

The big celebration for the feast of Saint Anne, the district's special saint, happens every year on July 26.

Pancit Molo

Main article: Pancit Molo

Pancit Molo is a tasty soup made in Molo. It has pork wrapped in thin dough, with pieces of chicken and shrimp. This dish started in Molo, which is why it has this name.

Education

Molo has a long history as a place for learning, dating back to when the Spanish ruled the Philippines. During that time, Molo had four colleges and was called the "Athens of the Philippines" because it was such an important place for education.

In 1903, a school named Baluarte Elementary School was opened. It was the first public elementary school built outside of Manila. Today, the house of the person who started the school is a museum. Molo still remains an important spot for education in Iloilo City, with many schools such as John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University, Iloilo City Community College, Iloilo Doctors' College, Iloilo Doctors' College of Medicine, St. Therese – MTC colleges, and Iloilo City National High School.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Iloilo

Molo, a district in Iloilo City, is known for many well-known families such as the Locsin, Lacson, Sayson, Pison, Layson, Yusay, Sanson, Ganzon, and Kiamko. Many of these families have roots in Chinese immigrants who adopted the local culture, became Roman Catholicism followers, married Filipinos or Spaniards, and settled in Molo.

Because of its history as an educational center during the Spanish time, Molo has produced many important leaders and learned people. These include chief justices, Supreme Court justices, senators, governors, mayors, and generals from the Philippine revolution. Some famous people from Molo are:

• Agustin Locsin, a key figure in Iloilo City's history and the founder of the Locsin family. He was a Fujianese immigrant who came to Iloilo in the 1700s and later took the Hispanic name Agustín Locsín after becoming a Christian.
• Ramon Avanceña, who served as the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines and was a legal adviser to the Federal State of the Visayas, the revolutionary government of provinces of Iloilo, Capiz and Antique.
• Jhett Tolentino, an award-winning Broadway producer.
• Rodolfo T. Ganzon, a Filipino politician and a former Senator of the Republic of the Philippines, Congressman of the Second District of Iloilo, and Mayor of Iloilo City.
• Jed Patrick Mabilog, a former Mayor of Iloilo City.
• Franklin Drilon, Senate Minority Leader and former president of the Senate of the Philippines.
• Gregorio Araneta, a former chief justice and Secretary of the Malolos Congress and First Secretary of Justice.
• Raymundo Melliza, a former chief justice, general of the Philippine Revolution, and Governor of Iloilo.
• Felicisimo Feria, a former chief justice.
• Francisco Villanueva, a former senator and Representative of the First District of Iloilo, and the first senator of the Seventh Senatorial District, which included Iloilo, Capiz, and Romblon. He also served as Senate Majority Floor Leader during the Fourth Legislature in 1916-1919.
• Esteban de la Rama, a former senator.
• Esperidion Guanco, a former senator.
• Ignacio and Maria Arroyo, philanthropists
• Jose Ma. Arroyo, a former senator and Representative of the First District of Iloilo from 1916 to 1919. He is the grandfather of former first gentleman, Jose Miguel Arroyo, who is the husband of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
• Francisco Zulueta, a former senator.
• Jose C. Zulueta, a former Governor of Iloilo and Senator.
• Potenciano Treñas, a former senator.
• Amado Avanceña, a former governor of Iloilo.
• Gregorio Yulo, a former governor of Iloilo.
• Mariano Yulo, a former governor of Negros Occidental.
• Jose Yulo-Regalado, a former governor of Iloilo.
• Timoteo Consing Sr., a former governor of Iloilo.
• Esteban de la Rama, a former general of the Philippine Revolution and first commandant of the Philippine Marines.
• Pablo Araneta, a former general of the Philippine Revolution.
• Angel Corteza, a former General of the Philippine Revolution.
• Aniceto Lacson, a former general of the Philippine Revolution and leader of the Negros Revolution.
• Juan Araneta, a former general of the Philippine Revolution and leader of the Negros Revolution.