The Iloilo City Government and partners launched a legacy book entitled “Iloilo City Rises: Padayon sa Pag-uswag” on Monday, May 20 at the Iloilo Convention Center. The book chronicles the southern city’s remarkable achievements, development, and transformation into a vibrant and progressive metropolis as well as a center of the arts, culture and heritage in the Visayas.
“The launch of our legacy book signifies not just the culmination of a project, but the beginning of a new chapter as we continue to move forward creating a better future, with our past accomplishments as our source of motivation and inspiration,” said Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, who led the launching together with other City Hall officials, sponsors and the book’s editorial team.
The 256-page publication was authored by five Ilonggo writers, five photographers and two contributors.
It has seven chapters which include A Livable, Lively Urbanscape written by Ma. Luisa Mabunay; Between Heritage and Modernity by Vicente S. Salas; Ahead of the Curve by Ted Aldwin Ong; Pagpalangga in Iloilo City, and Classrooms of the Future by Hazel P. Villa; and Living in Harmony with Nature, and Rhythm and Pulse by Rhick Lars Vladimer T. Albay.
Villa, who was also one of the writers of the coffee table book “A Rich and Noble Land” published 17 years ago, said the new follow-up book “speaks volumes about how we have changed as a city and as a people.”
“I thank God for giving me the opportunity to chronicle these important years in the evolution of modern Iloilo City, and I look forward to a third volume. It is commendable of the Iloilo City Government to release this book at a time when we are receiving global attention for the city’s initiatives in various aspects of governance. There are so many learnings from this book aside from the excellent photography,” she added.
Former Tourism Secretary Narzalina Lim, the editorial and production director of the book, said the book tells stories from the point of view of the Ilonggos themselves, how the dramatic, miraculous transformation of the city took place and continues to unfold.
“We chose five Ilonggo writers, all residents of the city, to tell stories about various facets of its development. With five Ilonggo photographers and two contributors, who took hundreds of photographs, 300 of which are in the book, we have produced a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Ilonggos who, inspired by the right leadership, rallied behind their political leaders to transform Iloilo City to what it is today,” she shared during the launching ceremony.
Former senator Franklin M. Drilon, a true-blooded Ilonggo himself, was among those who graced the event. He was acknowledged by Treñas as the one who brought in so many developmental projects for Iloilo when he was still a senator, and even until now in his private capacity.
“Iloilo City Rises takes the reader on a journey across time and space, celebrating our vibrant development as Ilonggos. More importantly, the book pays tribute to Ilonggos’ unyielding fortitude and optimism under the most difficult circumstances,” he said in his speech.
The book is dedicated to Oscar M. Lopez, an Ilonggo scholar, writer, and historian who believed in Iloilo’s potential and the one who led the publication of the book “A Rich and Noble Land.”
The book is co-published by the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) and Kasingkasing Press. Treñas, meanwhile, expressed his gratitude to the editorial team, the sponsors and everyone, who in one way or the other, contributed in the making of the book.
Book orders are being accepted by IFFI. Hardbound price is at PHP2,700.00 and PHP 1,600.00 for softbound. For orders and inquiries, please call 0960-420-2129 or email iffisecretariat2023@gmail.com. (via Iloilo City PIO)
