Jaro, Administrative district in Iloilo City, Philippines.
Jaro is a large administrative district in Iloilo City on Panay Island, comprising 42 separate barangays with more than 130,000 residents. The area includes several shopping centers such as SM Hypermarket, Robinsons Place, and CityMall that serve the local population's everyday needs.
The district began as a wealthy Spanish colonial settlement in 1886 and gradually developed into an independent city with growing trade importance. By the 1940s, it merged with Iloilo City while maintaining its economic role in the region.
The Jaro Cathedral holds a statue of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, the district's patroness, serving as a focal point for the community's faith. Visitors can witness religious celebrations and processions that reflect the deep Catholic traditions woven into daily life here.
The district is easy to navigate on foot since the barangays are interconnected and can be reached through local roads and pathways. The shopping centers and religious sites serve as helpful landmarks and are generally accessible to visitors exploring the area.
The area maintained trade connections with China and Siam through its river port, establishing itself as an economic hub of the Visayas region. This legacy as an important trading point continues to shape how the district functions as a commercial center today.
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