Philippine Travel Notes

Just as I thought! Before coming here, I really thought I would find something worth a second look in this little town that actually is now a suburb of the city proper (Iloilo). This municipal hall is 60 years old. And there is a National Historical Commission marker describing the significance of Oton in Philippine History. See?! Let me attempt to translate what that marker says. One of the centers of Trade and Commerce in the Visayas during the 12th Century until arrival of the Spaniards. Previously the capital of the province of Ogtong (now Iloilo Province) 1570-1581. Served as a seaport, shipyard and a supply source of the Spanish military camps in Moluccas and Mindanao, during the 16th century. Considered as the 3rd mission of the Augustinian Missionaries outside of Manila and Cebu, 03MAY1572. Heavily damaged during Spain's war against England?, 1593. Raids and burning by the Dutch, 1630, and the assaults of Moros who were against Spanish colonization of Mindanao in 166

Walking from the church to the municipal building, I saw this under the shade of trees at the plaza! I asked my guide if fiesta or anything like it was coming. He said "last first week of May pa". But today was already part of the last week! He smilingly shrugged. Well, I just thought, maybe this was their "fiesta hangover" hehe! It has been a while since I last saw this kind of instant market that usually happens (or allowed) at a town's center during fiesta celebrations. Looking at the number of people and their enthusiasm, I could tell this "market" is not a permanent feature on this plaza. And hmm, a nice "study" for those of you who are into sales and marketing! I happily watched! Stalls using loud (at times irritating) public address systems to entice customers, get more crowded, right? But there's none of that here. Just their voices - but standing on their tables hehe! That's the area where the yellow arrow points to.

In just about 8 minutes from the Avanceña House, we arrived at the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in the town of Oton, Iloilo. But even before that arrival, I already asked my tour guide "what is there to see" in Oton. He was quick to tell me "wala masyado". So I said let us see the church and the munisipyo nalang. I actually did a little bit of research last night, and I learned that this church in Oton was one of the oldest, although crumbled to dust during a very strong earthquake called "Lady *something*". So it was here that Catholicism started to flourish on Panay Island. This is it, the church as it is now, circa the 1970s rehabilitation, since this was frequently spruced up before and after that time. It looks appealingly different to me though I am not sure why. Maybe because of the "more angular" structure? Or the airiness? This thick wall before the grotto commanded my attention... Not that I thought it to be anyth