Municipality of Tigbauan

St . John of Sahagun Church

a Catholic Church which is 439 years old- founded in 1575.

An ecomienda given to Esteban Rodriguez de Figueroa, Tigbauan became a visita of Oton on 3 March 1575. Although it had become an independent parish in 1578, no permanent priest was assigned to Tigbauan until 1580, when Fr. Luis de Montoya was assigned as prior. Originally under the advocacy of Our Lady of Grace it was later renamed Juan de Sahagun, after an Augustinian saint. In 1593, the parish was handed over to the secular clergy because the friar, Fr. Garcia de Quiroga, was appointed secretary of the province and had to leave the Visayas. The seculars held the parish until 1617 when they were assigned to Antique (Hamtic) in exchange for Tigbauan. Fr. Fernando Camporredondo may have built the Tigbauan church described in a report of 1848 as made of yellow limestone and which survived the earthquake of 13 July 1787 despite its considerable height. Fr. Fernando Martin is credited with building the present church, though Augustinian historian Pedro Galende, opines that he may have reconstructed a previous church, since the description of his work corresponds to the one previously mentioned.

Only the church facade, bell tower and a few pillars of the convento remain. The same earthquake that brought Oton to the ground damaged the interior in 1948, apparently. The interior is greatly renovated and has been decorated with mosaics in 1994.Heritage Features: The facade design is simple: a rectangle surmounted by a triangular pediment, the whole hemmed by thick pillars on either side. To the facade’s right is the three-story bell tower composed of cubes decreasing in size and capped by a pyramidal roof. A lintel and post doorway and an arched window mark the first story while the second story has no apertures. The third story had arched windows. What gives the whole facade distinction is the low relief decorating the central portal. Here a retablo-like design fills the central section. Pilasters, similar to the Mexican estipite flank the entrance, between are low relieves of flowers and cords, all finding focus in the cherub head that decorates the capstone of the entrance. Running horizontally from pilaster to pilaster is a floral frieze at whose center is the seal of the Augustinian order. This band marks the division between the first and second stories. Above is a niche flanked by pilasters embellished with flowers and volutes. The church patron San Juan is depicted. Above the niche is a low relief of the Santo Nino inside a niche. The triangular pediment of the whole structure carries a low relief of flowers arranged inside a rectangular plaque. Click here fore more on Tigbauan Church>

S E A F D E C

The Tigbauan Main Station (TMS) is the AQD headquarters situated right on the beach on the south coast of Panay Island, where brackishwater pond aquaculture has historically been a big industry. The 40-hectare complex includes various research laboratories, hatcheries, and broodstock tanks for experiments in artificial propagation, feed development, and health management. TMS also houses the training facilities, library, FishWorld, administration and finance offices, and medical clinic. On-campus housing and cafeteria cater to resident staff, trainees, and guests.

Click here for more info about SEAFDEC.

WW II Panay Landing Memorial, Parara, Tigbauan, Iloilo

The Panay Landing Memorial marks spot where American troops landed on March 18, 1945 on the beaches of Parara, Tigbauan to begin the liberation of Panay Island. The Japanese garrison on Panay was only 2000 to 2350 soldiers. American soldiers came ashore to be greeted by Philippine guerrillas "stiff in starched khaki and resplendent in ornaments." By the time American troops landed, the well-organized resistance fighters were in control of most of the island.

The American 40th Division expanded the beachhead rapidly and ran into no serious resistance until it approached the outskirts of Iloilo City. On March 20th the troops entered Iloilo City and not one Japanese was found.

The monument is just off the National Highway west of Tigbauan proper.

THE COMPLETE STORY OF THE EIGHT ARMY OPERATIONS IN SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES

Sunset by the beach

A tourist enjoys sunset in one of the floating cottage that can be rented in one of the beautiful beach resorts in the Municipality of Tigbauan. Having calm waters from the month of January to June, Tigbauan is one of the favorite summer destination in the southern part of the Province of Iloilo. There are about six beach resorts in this town and all of them accomodates over-night stays ranging from P500.00-P2000.00 per room. Entrance fees are from P10.00-P20.00 per person.

Sol y Mar: a Beach Resort Close to Iloilo City

Sol y Mar is a beach resort in Tigbauan, on the National Highway, about 20 KM west of Iloilo City. While we have not stayed there overnight, we did visit, had coffee (brewed) and looked at the cottages. It's certainly one of the best options for those who want stay at a real beach resort, one good enough for swimming but still close to the urban amenities of Iloilo City. It's also a good option for those in Iloilo City who want to get away to the beach. You can come and use the beach for a P30 per person (P20 for children). You can rent a very nice picnic shelter for the day for P300 or you can rent an air con cottage for P1400 to P1500. The cottages are nicely designed and the entire resort quite meticulously maintained. The restaurant is open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. You can get there via a Tigbauan, Guimbal or Miagao jeepney or by taxi.

Coco Grove Beach Resort, Tigbauan Iloilo

This resort is located Tigbauan proper meaning it's easy to walk to the market, plaza, church and the other amenities of Tigbauan. We have not yet stayed at this resort or eaten meals there but were impressed with how clean, and well-landscaped it is. Rates for picnic shelters are negotiable depending on the size of your party. Aircon rooms are P800 for two persons, P1,000 for four persons.

Tigbauan Muscavado Sugar Mill Ruins. This is a snapshot of what I have been told is a Muscavado sugar mill in Barangay Namocan, Tigbauan, Iloilo. It located on a Barangay road which leaves the National Highway near the Sol y Mar Resort and comes out at the Tigbauan-Leon highway near the Tigbauan High School. I’m told that the mill went into operation during World War II, possibly by the Japanese. The surrounding agricultural lands are now mostly rice land, but formerly were planted with sugar cane. The mill ruins are set in a very pretty grove of large Acacia trees.