Jaro, Iloilo City

Jaro
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
Location within Iloilo City
Map
Jaro is located in Visayas, Philippines
Jaro
Jaro
Location in the Philippines
Jaro is located in Philippines
Jaro
Jaro
Jaro (Philippines)
Coordinates: 10°44′41″N 122°34′0″E / 10.74472°N 122.56667°E / 10.74472; 122.56667
Country Philippines
RegionWestern Visayas (Region VI)
ProvinceIloilo (geographically only)
CityIloilo City
Congressional DistrictLone district of Iloilo City
Founded1575 (as a visita of Oton)
Cityhood1891
Incorporated (as district)January 7, 1941
Barangays42 (see Barangays)
Government
 • MayorJerry Treñas (Mayor of Iloilo City)
Area
 • Total27.48 km2 (10.61 sq mi)
Elevation
−2 to 6 m (−6.5 to 20 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)
 • Total130,700
 • Density4,756.84/km2 (12,320.2/sq mi)
DemonymJareño
Time zoneUTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time)
ZIP code
5000
Area code33
Patron saintNuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Jaro (Our Lady of the Candles) (Catholic Patron Saint of Western Visayas and Romblon)
Feast dayFebruary 2
Native languagesHiligaynon

Jaro ([ˈxa.ɾo]; [ˈharo]) is a district in Iloilo City, Philippines, located in Iloilo province, on Panay Island in the Western Visayas region. It is the largest district in terms of both geographical area and population, with 130,700 people according to the 2020 census. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro, which encompasses the provinces of Iloilo, Guimaras, Antique, and Negros Occidental, as well as the center of the Candelaria devotion in the Philippines.

Jaro is renowned for the annual feast of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (Our Lady of the Candles) held every February 2. The Marian image at Jaro Cathedral was personally crowned by Pope John Paul II in 1981.[1][2] The district is also known as the Mestizo Town of Iloilo due to its association with prominent Spanish Filipino and affluent Ilonggo families.

As a major religious center, Jaro hosts numerous institutions such as the Seminario de San Vicente Ferrer, Jaro Cathedral, CPU-Iloilo Mission Hospital, Jaro Evangelical Church, Jaro Adventist Center, and the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches. It is home to Central Philippine University, a top-ranked university founded by Protestant Baptist Americans.[3][4][5][6][7]

In recent years, Jaro has experienced significant economic growth, with investments in real estate and retail sectors leading to the development of various establishments and townships in the district.

  1. ^ Momblan, Gail (February 2, 2019). "Jaro Fiesta Centers on the Life of Youth". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  2. ^ "Jaro Fiesta Scenes". Daily Guardian. February 4, 2019. Archived from the original on May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  3. ^ Lunasco, Rusieljs G. (November 27, 2020). "CPU Among 14 PH Universities Included in QS 2021 World Ranking". Central Philippine University. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  4. ^ "Fourteen (14) Philippine Universities Among Asia's Best Higher Education Institutions – Qs World University Rankings: Asia 2021". Commission on Higher Education. November 25, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  5. ^ Ornedo, Julia Mari (November 25, 2020). "14 Philippine Universities Make It on QS List of World's Best". GMA News Online. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  6. ^ Pelayo, Marje (November 26, 2020). "14 Philippine Universities Among World's Best in QS 2021 Ranking". UNTV News & Rescue. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  7. ^ "Central Philippine University". Top Universities. Retrieved March 6, 2022.