San Joaquin, Iloilo

San Joaquin
Municipality
Municipality of San Joaquin
San Joaquin Church
Map of Iloilo with San Joaquin highlighted
San Joaquin Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 10°36′N 122°05′E / 10.6°N 122.08°E / 10.6; 122.08Coordinates: 10°36′N 122°05′E / 10.6°N 122.08°E / 10.6; 122.08
Country	Philippines
Region	Western Visayas (Region VI)
Province	Iloilo
District	1st district of Iloilo
Barangays	85 (see Barangays)
Government [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Ninfa S. Garin
• Electorate	29,381 voters (2016)
Area [2]
• Total	234.84 km2 (90.67 sq mi)
Population (2015 census)[3]
• Total	51,892
• Density	220/km2 (570/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	5024
PSGC	063040000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)33
Climate type	Tropical climate
Income class	2nd municipal income class
Revenue (₱)	143,220,253.74 (2016)
Native languages	Kinaray-a language Hiligaynon Ati Tagalog
Website	www.sanjoaquin.gov.ph

San Joaquin, officially the Municipality of San Joaquin, (Kinaray-a: Banwa kang San Joaquin; Hiligaynon: Banwa sang San Joaquin; Filipino: Bayan ng San Joaquin), is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 51,892 people.^[3]

Geography

San Joaquin is located in the southern tip of Iloilo Province. One of the rivers that traverse the town is the Siwaragan River with Barangay Siwaragan and Bucaya situated in its mouth. It is the southernmost municipality in the province and is 53 kilometres (33 mi)^[4] from the provincial capital, Iloilo City, and is 44 kilometres (27 mi) from San Jose de Buenavista, the capital of Antique.

Demographics

In the 2015 census, the population of San Joaquin, Iloilo, was 51,892 people,^[3] with a density of 220 inhabitants per square kilometre or 570 inhabitants per square mile.

Kinaray-a is the main language of San Joaquin. Hiligaynon is spoken as a secondary language and is also understood by the residents.

Landmarks

San Joaquin Church

Main article: San Joaquin Church (Iloilo)

The pediment of San Joaquin Church featuring the Battle of Tetuan

The main church in town, a Roman Catholic parish was constructed in 1859 and completed in 1869 by Spanish friar Tomas Santaren, of the Augustinian Order.^[4] The church is unique among those in the Philippines for its large pediment featuring a military scene, the Spanish victory over the Moors in the Battle of Tetuan.^[4][8] The National Museum of the Philippines listed the church as a National Cultural Treasure.^[4][9]

San Joaquin Cemetery

Main article: San Joaquin Campo Santo

San Joaquin Cemetery

The San Joaquin Cemetery is located along the main highway in San Joaquin Town. The construction of San Joaquin Cemetery was commenced by Fray Mariano Vamba, the last Augustinian parish priest of the town in 1892. A statue of Jesus with his arms outstretched stands on top of a baroque style gate, and on each side of Christ, two columns with angelic figures are poised as guards. In addition, sculpted heads of two cherubs and a skull representing death marks the entrance of the cemetery. Twenty stone steps after entering the gate and you will be greeted by the Baroque designed mortuary chapel standing on the center.^[4]

Culture

The Bayluhay Festival, celebrated every third week of January, reflects the town’s unique mixture of races and cultures. Historical and religious themes, mostly anchored from the Barter of Panay, such as efforts with the preservation of rituals, are reflected through the dances presented in the festivity. Accentuated every annual municipal fiesta is the “Pasungay” or bull fight. During this affair, the best bulls from the different barangays are pitted against each other by weight category in a “bull derby”.^[4]

Tourism

The Talisayan Beach Resort is a privately owned beach resort located in the Poblacion. The Cata-an Cove and Tobog Beach Resort in Barangay Cata-an, about 10 kilometers from the Poblacion, is a place perfect for scuba diving and weekend outings.

Garin Farm, a 15 hectare privately owned farm resort in Purok 2, Poblacion which showcases agriculture,leisure and pilgrimage theme. Practical and intelligent farming are imparted to the visitors through the agricultural techniques and innovative technologies applied in the demo farm. The resort leisure amenities include a swimming pool, a 5,000 sq.m man-made lagoon located on a hilltop, with fishes and lilies which offers fishing, boating and kayaking, and a 300 meters zip- line which goes over the lagoon and through the trees. On the top of the hill sits the 101 Feet Divine Mercy Cross, which can be accessed by a 456 step stairway. Along the stairway are life-size and lifelike statues depicting the Creation, Noah’s Ark, Ten Commandments, and the 9 Major Events of the Life of Jesus Christ.

Education

The town has 11 high schools. 2 of which are located in Poblacion.

• Don Felix Serra National High School (Mother School)(Poblacion)
• San Joaquin School of Fisheries (Poblacion)
• Tiolas National High School
• Lawigan National High School
• Valverde National High School
• Escalantera National High School
• Sinogbuhan National High School
• Bad-as National High School
• Ginot-an National High School
• Pitogo National High School
• Don Felix Serra National High School Lomboyan Extension

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to San Joaquin, Iloilo.

• San Joaquin on Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• San Joaquin on Local Governance Performance Management System
•  "San Joaquin. A town of Panay, Philippines, in the Province of Iloilo". New International Encyclopedia. 1905.