The Eusebio Villanueva Building (previously, International Hotel) is among
the prominent buildings on Calle Real, the historic street in Iloilo
City. ILOILO CITY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2020-2022 PHOTO
BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – This southern metropolis has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mayor Jerry Treñas announced yesterday the inclusion of the city’s historic street, Calle Real, in the tentative list of nominees for the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.
“I have toyed with proposing an ordinance identifying Calle Real. Now, we await the final results of the workshop and use the same. We might be the first city with a Calle Real identified by UNESCO,” said Treñas.
Calle Real, the momentous street located in the downtown area, is known for its well-preserved colonial-era buildings, which date back to the Spanish and American colonial periods.
This former Commission on Audit building or Elizalde Building is also one of
the heritage buildings along Calle Real. PN FILE PHOTO
It is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, offering a glimpse into the city’s rich history and architectural heritage.
The street is also lined with shops, restaurants and cafes, making it a vibrant hub of activity in Iloilo City.
On its website, UNESCO noted that Calle Real is a heritage zone designated by the Iloilo City Government, and a declared district and heritage zone by the National Historic Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).
Calle Real also became part of the Sugar Cultural Landscape of Negros and Panay islands, alongside Silay City’s historic center, the Hawaiian-Philippine Company, Victorias Milling Company, Hacienda Santa Rosalia, Balay ni Tana Dicang, and the Aniceto Lacson Mansion.
The above iconic sites have been nominated in UNESCO’s World Heritage tentative list.
The Hawaiian-Philippines Co. and Victorias Milling Corporation are operational sugar centers.
Hacienda Santa Rosalia currently functions as a private home, with open tours for visitors around the ancestral mansion, chapel, and grounds conducted by the owner.
The Balay ni Tana Dicang also operates as a museum managed by the private owner, while the Aniceto Lacson Mansion, with cooperation with the private owner, will be adaptively reused by the National Museum of the Philippines.
“The Sugar Heritage Landscape of Western Visayas encapsulates the region’s journey of growth and development, which was significantly influenced by historical colonial ties and emblematic of globalization during its time,” UNESCO noted.