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Molo () is a
district A district is a type of administrative division that in some countries is managed by the local government. Across the world, areas known as "districts" vary greatly in size, spanning regions or county, counties, several municipality, municip ...
in
Iloilo City Iloilo City, officially the City of Iloilo (; ; ), is a Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, highly urbanized city in the Western Visayas Regions of the Philippines, region of the Philippines, located on the southeastern coast of th ...
,
Philippines The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an Archipelagic state, archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of List of islands of the Philippines, 7,641 islands, with a tot ...
. It is the most densely populated district in the city. According to the 2020 census, Molo has a population of 76,393 people, making it the second-most populous district, after Jaro. Molo is often referred to as the "Athens of the Philippines" due to its association with influential Filipino intellectuals and political leaders. Many renowned Philippine ''Ilustrados'', philosophers, and political figures were born in Molo. The district has produced numerous chief justices, senators,
governors A governor is an politician, administrative leader and head of a polity or Region#Political regions, political region, in some cases, such as governor-general, governors-general, as the head of a state's official representative. Depending on the ...
, generals, congressmen, and cabinet officials throughout history. It was also known as '' Parián'' or Chinatown of Iloilo, where the Chinese residents of the city resided. Molo is home to Molo Church, a popular centuries-old church located in front of the Molo Plaza. The church is a notable landmark and holds cultural and religious significance. Molo is also known for its local dish, Pancit Molo, a popular pork dumpling soup named after the district where it originated.


Etymology

The name "Molo" came from the word "moro", the name of the Islamic group called Moro that frequently raided the town. The town's population had a predominance of Chinese, who had difficulty pronouncing the "r" and kept pronouncing ''molo'' instead of ''moro''.


History

Molo was founded as a Chinese district or Chinatown in 1637. Chinese traders supplied the colonists settled in the area, as Molo serviced the nearby Villa de Arevalo which was full of Mexicans and Spaniards, who needed the Chinese in Molo for their services in trade and it was formally recognized by the Spaniards as '' Parián''. Throughout the 1800s, Molo flourished as a center of learning in the Visayas region, earning the nickname "Athens of the Philippines" for its intellectual and cultural prominence. In 1896,
José Rizal José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (, ; June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896) was a Filipino nationalist, writer and polymath active at the end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. He is popularly considered a na ...
, the national hero of the Philippines, visited Molo on his way to
Manila Manila, officially the City of Manila, is the Capital of the Philippines, capital and second-most populous city of the Philippines after Quezon City, with a population of 1,846,513 people in 2020. Located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay on ...
from exile in Dapitan. He was captivated by the beauty of the Molo Church and exclaimed, "''La iglesia bonita!''" (The beautiful church) in admiration. During the same period, a group known as the "Conspirators' Committee" or Comite Conspirador was formed in Molo. This committee played a significant role in planning an uprising against the Spanish colonial authorities. In August 1898, the revolution spread throughout Panay Island, with Molo at its forefront. The revolutionaries established a temporary revolutionary government, which became known as the Provisional Government of the District of Visayas. On July 16, 1937, Molo was incorporated into Iloilo City as a district, alongside the towns of Arevalo,
La Paz La Paz, officially Nuestra Señora de La Paz (Aymara language, Aymara: Chuqi Yapu ), is the seat of government of the Bolivia, Plurinational State of Bolivia. With 755,732 residents as of 2024, La Paz is the List of Bolivian cities by populati ...
, and Mandurriao, through Act No. 719 of 1903. This consolidation brought together these distinct areas under the administration of Iloilo City, further contributing to the city's growth and development.


Geography

Molo is the third-smallest district in Iloilo City, with an area of . It is away from
Iloilo City Proper Iloilo City Proper, also known as Downtown Iloilo or simply Iloilo among locals, is an Districts of Iloilo City, administrative district in Iloilo City, Philippines, located on the southeastern coast of the island of Panay in the Western Visayas ...
. Molo shares borders with Arevalo to the west, Mandurriao to the north, La Paz to the northeast, and City Proper to the east. The district is the location of the mouth of the Batiano River, which then empties into the Iloilo Strait in the southeast part of the district.


Barangays

The district of Molo has a total of 25 barangays. * Calumpang * Cochero * Compania * East Baluarte * East Timawa * Habog-Habog Salvacion * Infante * Kasingkasing * Katilingban * Molo Boulevard * North Avanceña * North Baluarte * North Fundidor * North San Jose * Poblacion * San Antonio * San Juan * San Pedro * South Baluarte * South Fundidor * South San Jose * Taal * Tap-oc * West Habog-Habog * West Timawa


Economy

The district of Molo is one of the major commercial areas in Iloilo City. It is home to various government agencies, including regional offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). These agencies play crucial roles in providing social services and ensuring tax compliance in the region.


Culture and landmarks


Molo Church

The notable Spanish-colonial church and heritage site in the district. It stands in front of Molo Plaza, with prominent red spires that crown its tall bell towers. Molo Church is also known as "the feminist church" because of the all-women's ensemble of saints represented in 16 statues perched on the aisle pillars. The church was declared a national landmark by the National Historical Institute in 1992 through the representation of Sir Knight Rex S. Salvilla. It is the only Gothic church in the country outside of Manila.


Molo Mansion

The Yusay–Consing Ancestral House, more popularly known as Molo Mansion, stands across the Molo Plaza and Molo Church. Its features are its high ceilings, Neoclassical balustrades, and decorative carvings.


Molo Plaza

One of the seven district plazas in Iloilo City. Molo Plaza is considered the most beautiful public plaza in the city. The plaza features statues of Greek goddesses and the monument of Maria Clara. A fountain was also installed to break the monotony of the artworks during the rehabilitation in August 2022.


Molo Fiesta

The annual celebration of the feast of
Saint Anne According to apocrypha, as well as Christianity, Christian and Islamic tradition, Saint Anne was the mother of Mary, mother of Jesus, Mary, the wife of Joachim and the maternal grandmother of Jesus. Mary's mother is not named in the Bible's Gosp ...
, the patron saint of the district, is celebrated every July 26.


Pancit Molo

Pancit Molo is a pork dumpling soup. It is a type of soup made with wonton wrappers. It consists of a mixture of ground pork wrapped in molo or wonton wrapper, shredded chicken meat, and also shrimp. Pancit Molo originated in Molo, hence the name.


Education

Molo was an educational center dating back to the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines. It was known for having multiple colleges, making it a significant hub of learning at the time. During the Spanish occupation, Molo was home to four colleges: Collegio de Santa Ana, Centro Escolar de Molo, Instituto Ensenanza Libre de Molo, and Escuela Publica. These institutions provided education and academic opportunities for the local population. As a result, Molo has been hailed as the "Athens of the Philippines". In 1903, Molo became even more notable in the realm of education when Rosendo Mejica, a labor leader and writer, established Baluarte Elementary School. This school holds the distinction of being the first public elementary school established outside of Manila. Today, Mejica's house, which is located in front of the school, serves as a museum, preserving the history and legacy of this educational pioneer. Currently, Molo continues to be a center of education in Iloilo City. It is home to several educational institutions, including John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University, Iloilo City Community College,
Iloilo Doctors' College Iloilo Doctors' College is an institution of higher education located in Molo, Iloilo City, Philippines The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an Archipelagic state, archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Located ...
, Iloilo Doctors' College of Medicine, and St. Therese – MTC colleges. Additionally, Molo is also home to Iloilo City National High School, one of the most prominent national high schools in the city.


Notable people

Several known families that come from Molo include - the Locsin, Lacson, Sayson, Pison, Layson, Yusay, among others, some of whom are descended from Chinese immigrants who hispanized, adopted
Roman Catholicism The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
, married Filipino or Spanish individuals, and settled in Molo. Being an educational center during the Spanish occupation in the Philippines and being known as the "Athens of the Philippines", Molo produced many learned men and political leaders, including many chief justices, justices of the Supreme Court, senators, governors, mayors, several generals of the
Philippine revolution The Philippine Revolution ( or ; or ) was a war of independence waged by the revolutionary organization Katipunan against the Spanish Empire from 1896 to 1898. It was the culmination of the 333-year History of the Philippines (1565–1898), ...
, and other notable figures. A few of the notable ''Moleños'' include: * Ramon Avanceña, former
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines The chief justice of the Philippines () presides over the Supreme Court of the Philippines, Supreme Court and is the highest judicial officer of the government of the Philippines. As of April 5, 2021, the position is currently held by Alexander ...
and served as a legal adviser to the Federal State of the Visayas, the revolutionary government of
provinces A province is an administrative division within a country or state. The term derives from the ancient Roman , which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire's territorial possessions outside Italy. The term ''provi ...
of
Iloilo Iloilo ( ; ), officially the Province of Iloilo (; ; ; ), is a province in the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital and largest city is Iloilo City, the regional center of Western Visayas and politically independen ...
,
Capiz Capiz (), officially the Province of Capiz (Capiznon language, Capiznon/Hiligaynon language, Hiligaynon: ''Kapuoran sang Capiz''; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the central part of the Western Visayas Regions of the Philippines ...
and Antique. *
Jhett Tolentino Jhett Tolentino (born December 28, 1976) is a Philippines, Filipino film and theatre producer. He is known for being the second Ethnic group, Philippine-born awardee of the Tony Award, behind Lea Salonga. Having won three Tony Awards for his pro ...
, award-winning Broadway producer. * Rodolfo T. Ganzon, Filipino politician and a former Senator of the Republic of the Philippines, Congressman of the Second District of Iloilo, Mayor of Iloilo City. * Jed Patrick Mabilog, former Mayor of Iloilo City. * Franklin Drilon, Senate Minority Leader and former
president of the Senate of the Philippines The president of the Senate of the Philippines ( or ), commonly referred to as the Senate president, is the presiding officer and the highest-ranking official of the Senate of the Philippines, and third highest and most powerful official in the ...
. * Gregorio Araneta, former chief justice and Secretary of the
Malolos Congress The Malolos Congress (), also known as the Revolutionary Congress () and formally the National Assembly, was the legislative body of the Revolutionary Government of the Philippines. From 1898 to 1899, prior to the Philippine Declaration of I ...
and First Secretary of Justice. * Raymundo Melliza, former chief justice, general of the
Philippine Revolution The Philippine Revolution ( or ; or ) was a war of independence waged by the revolutionary organization Katipunan against the Spanish Empire from 1896 to 1898. It was the culmination of the 333-year History of the Philippines (1565–1898), ...
, and Governor of Iloilo. * Felicisimo Feria, former chief justice. * Francisco Villanueva, former senator and Representative of the First District of Iloilo, and as the first senator of the Seventh Senatorial District comprising Iloilo, Capiz and Romblon. He also served as Senate Majority Floor Leader during the Fourth Legislature in 1916-1919. * Esteban de la Rama, former senator. * Esperidion Guanco, former senator. * Ignacio and Maria Arroyo, philanthropists * Jose Ma. Arroyo, 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 Maria Gloria Macaraeg Macapagal-Arroyo (; born April 5, 1947), often referred to as PGMA or GMA, is a Filipino academic and politician who served as the 14th president of the Philippines from Presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, 2001 to 2010 ...
. * Francisco Zulueta, former senator. * Jose C. Zulueta, former orovincial governor of Iloilo and Senator. * Potenciano Treñas, former senator. * Amado Avanceña, former governor of Iloilo. * Gregorio Yulo, former governor of Iloilo. * Mariano Yulo, former governor of Negros Occidental. * Jose Yulo-Regalado, former governor of Iloilo. * Timoteo Consing Sr., former governor of Iloilo. * Esteban de la Rama, former general of the Philippine Revolution and first commandant of the Philippine Marines. * Pablo Araneta, former general of the Philippine Revolution. * Angel Corteza, former General of the Philippine Revolution. * Aniceto Lacson, former general of the Philippine Revolution and leader of the Negros Revolution. * Juan Araneta, former general of the Philippine Revolution and leader of the Negros Revolution.


See also

* Molo Church *
Molo Mansion The Yusay-Consing Ancestral House, originally known as the Lacson-Yusay Ancestral House, and now popularly known as the Molo Mansion, is a Neoclassical architecture, neoclassical-Art Deco, art deco heritage house located in the district of Molo, ...
* Pancit Molo


References


External links


Iloilo City Government Official Website
{{coord, 10, 42, N, 122, 33, E, display=title, region:PH_type:city_source:GNS-enwiki Districts of Iloilo City Former municipalities of the Philippines Populated places established in 1637