Jaro, Iloilo City
Jaro ([ˈxa.ɾo]; [ˈharo]) is a district in Iloilo City, Philippines, located on Panay Island in the Western Visayas region. It is the largest district in terms of both area and population, with 130,700 people according to the 2020 census. Jaro merged with Iloilo City in the 1940s during the American administration in the Philippines. It is also the largest among the seven districts of Iloilo City. La Paz district and the present municipalities of Leganes and Pavia were historically part of Jaro before becoming independent.
Jaro | |
|---|---|
From upper-left to right: Jaro aerial view, Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral; Lopez Mansion (Nelly's Garden); Central Philippine University Church; Lizares Mansion; Jaro Belfry; Jaro Evangelical Church | |
| Nickname(s): City Within a City, The Mestizo Town of Iloilo, Seat of the Roman Catholicism in Western Visayas, One of the Cradle of Christian faith in the Philippines, The Bible Belt of Western Visayas | |
Location within Iloilo City | |
Jaro Location in the Philippines Jaro Jaro (Philippines) | |
| Coordinates: 10°44′41″N 122°34′0″E | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Western Visayas (Region VI) |
| Province | Iloilo (geographically only) |
| City | Iloilo City |
| Congressional District | Lone district of Iloilo City |
| Founded | 1575 (as a visita of Oton) |
| Cityhood | 1891 |
| Incorporated (as district) | January 7, 1941 |
| Barangays | 42 (see Barangays) |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Jerry Treñas (Mayor of Iloilo City) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 27.48 km2 (10.61 sq mi) |
| Elevation | −2 to 6 m (−6.5 to 20 ft) |
| Population (2020 census) | |
| • Total | 130,700 |
| • Density | 4,756.84/km2 (12,320.2/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Jareño |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time) |
| ZIP code | 5000 |
| Area code | 33 |
| Patron saint | Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Jaro (Our Lady of the Candles) (Catholic Patron Saint of Western Visayas and Romblon) |
| Feast day | February 2 |
| Native languages | Hiligaynon |
Jaro is the namesake of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro, which encompasses the provinces of Iloilo and Guimaras.
The annual Catholic feast of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (Our Lady of the Candles) in Jaro is celebrated on February 2. It is one of the well-known Marian festivals in the Philippines and honors the patron of the Western Visayas and Romblon. The image of Candelaria on the facade of Jaro Cathedral was personally crowned by Pope and Saint John Paul II in 1981, making it the first Marian image in the Philippines and Asia to receive such an honor without a papal legate.
Jaro is often referred to as the Mestizo Town of Iloilo because of its association with prominent Spanish Filipino and affluent Ilonggo families.
The district is a significant religious center in the Western Visayas region. It is home to various institutions established by different religious sects, including the Seminario de San Vicente Ferrer and Jaro Cathedral (National Shrine of Our Lady of the Candles) by Spanish Catholics, and the CPU-Iloilo Mission Hospital (the first American and Protestant hospital in the Philippines), Jaro Evangelical Church (the first Baptist Church in the Philippines), Jaro Adventist Center (the first Adventist church in Visayas and Mindanao), and the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches (the first and oldest Baptist church organization in the Philippines) by Protestant Americans.
Jaro is also notable for being the location of Central Philippine University, founded by Protestant Baptist Americans. It has been ranked as the top university in Western Visayas by Quacquarelli Symonds and Times Higher Education, two renowned international university ranking agencies.
In recent years, Jaro has experienced an economic boom due to investments, particularly in the real estate and retail sectors, driven by the overall economic growth of Iloilo City. This has led to the development of various establishments and townships in the district.