Guimbal, Iloilo

GUIMBAL
—  Municipality  —
Map of Iloilo showing the location of Guimbal
GUIMBAL Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 10°39′46.8″N 122°19′15.6″E
Country	Philippines
Region	Western Visayas (Region VI)
Province	Iloilo
District	First District of Iloilo
Founded	1703
Barangays	33
Government
• Mayor	Hon. Christine S. Garin
Area
• Total	44.48 km2 (17.2 sq mi)
Elevation	2 m (6 ft)
Population (2007)
• Total	29,724
• Density	668.3/km2 (1,730.8/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	5022
Income class	4th class
Website	guimbaliloilo.com

Guimbal is a 4th-class municipality in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. It has been cited as most business-friendly local government unit in Western Visayas, and the cleanest and greenest town in Iloilo. With a 9 km shoreline facing the blue waters of the Panay Gulf, it has attracted tourists from different places because of its scenic beaches and inland resorts.

Guimbal produces mango in Iloilo as well as other seasonal fruits. Farming and fishing are among the main sources of livelihood of its people.

Location

Guimbal, a coastal municipality, is located at the southwestern part of Iloilo province. It is situated between the coordinates of 1250 57’ longitude, and 100 39’ latitude. It is 29 km away from Iloilo City.

Boundaries

• North: Municipality of Tubungan
• South: Panay Gulf
• East: Municipality of Tigbauan
• West: Municipality of Igbaras
• Southwest: Municipality of Miag-ao

Land area

It has the total land area of 4,448 has. Or 44.48 sq.km.

Topography

It is only six feet above sea level, and has varying features in terms of its slopes and elevation.

Climate

Type I climate, characterized by two district seasons: dry season, which falls from December to May, and the wet season, which is from June to December.

Investment areas

Fish, livestock, Hatcheries, Rice and fruits

Transportation

A 30-minute drive from Iloilo City, Guimbal is accessible from all points of Panay Island. its baranggays are served by municipal and other provincial jeepneys and buses that pass through the town and by almost 180 tricycles and 350 motorbikes playing their respective routes. The transport of farm products to the poblacion and the city is made easy by farm-to –market roads.

History

The first reference to Guimbal by such name in Spanish records appeared in Father Coco’s appendix to Medina’s “The History of the Agustinian Order in the Philippines” Where it referred to the establishment of a convento in Guimbal, Iloilo in 1590.

A closer fact compared to some other writings showed that the name of the municipality was derived from a musical instrument called guimbal. The Spaniards discovered the settlers using the instrument to warn the people of the coming of the raiding Moro pirates who used to loot the town and capture the natives to be sold as slaves in Mindanao. To show gratitude to the instrument, with high spirit and pride as the unconquered people, the inhabitants named their settlement Guimbal.

Record show that Guimbal was established by the as a pueblo civil in 1703, and immediately selected Bernardo Angan as its first leader.

Municipal officials

• Mayor: Hon. Christine S. Garin
• Vice Mayor: Hon. Mary Anne Suyao
• SB Members:
• Hon. Francis Basco
• Hon. Patricio Gelasan
• Hon. Dolores Lencioco
• Hon. Gil Gegato
• Hon. Marcelino Gelvero, Sr.
• Hon. Edmund Gomez
• Hon. Benito Geolamin
• Hon. Mario Louis Garibay, Sr.
• Liga. Pres. Leonardo Pilarta
• SKMF Pres. Julie Ann Genzola

Barangays

Guimbal is politically subdivided into 33 barangays.

Anono-o Bacong Baras Binanua-an Bongol San Miguel Bongol San Vicente Bulad Cabasi Cabubugan Calampitao Camangahan Igcocolo Iyasan Lubacan Nahapay Nalundan Nanga Nito-an Lupsag Particion Sipitan-Badiang Sta. Rosa-Laguna Poblacion: Bagumbayan Balantad-Carlos Fruto Burgos-Gengos Generosa-Cristobal Colon Gerona-Gimeno Girado-Magsaysay Gotera Libo-on Gonzales Pescadores Rizal-Tuguisan Torreblanca-Blumentritt Schools Secondary: Guimbal National High School Camangahan National High School Particion National High School Nalundan National High School Elementary: Guimbal Central Elementary School Cabasi-Sta. Rosa Elementary School Nalundan Elementary School Atty. Blas and Maria Gerona Memorial Elementary School Particion Elementary School P.G. Garin Memorial Elementary School Nanga Elementary School Igcocolo Elementary School Camangahan Elementary School Nahapay Elementary School Buluangan Elementary School Sipitan-Badiang Elem. School Festivals and events Bantayan Festival A celebration which commemorates the town's foundation.It is celebrated before the Holy Week. Disyembre sa Guimbal Celebration A two-week pompous and extravagant celebration of Christmas usually held on the third week of December until New Year. it has gained popular support from all sector in the municipality that made it successful annual celebration. Annual Town Fiesta Celebrated every 10th of September in honor of St. Nicholas of Tolentino, the town's patron saint, and this week-long celebration reflects the kind of people Guimbalanon's are festive. Various activities are lined up, making celebration colorful. Holy Week celebration (Bari-Bari) A unique observance in the Lenten season, parishioners religiously preserve the tradition of the catholic faith of remembering and observing the passion of Lord Jesus Christ. People put up the 14 kapiyas depicting the 14 station of the cross along the lansangan. After the procession of Holy Thursday and good Friday, people do the bari-bari taking the route of the procession to take a closer look of the kapiyas. Holy week is also a time of reunions, homecoming and other social gatherings for the Guimbalanons. Historical sites and landmarks Guimbal Church The newly restored 400-year-old church made of yellow adobe and coral stones, one of the oldest in the country. Moro Watchtowers Originally, there were four structures located in different sites along the shoreline area in the poblacion. Only three are still intact and renovated to its original condition through the Department of Tourism. These are the 17th Century structures used as look-out for raiding Moro pirates. Like the church, it was also constructed through force labor. Guimbal Steel Bridge Constructed during the American period. The construction was ordered by US President Roosevelt. It is approximately 0.350 kilometers long and made of Pittsburgh Steel, which were imported from Virginia, USA. It is the longest steel bridge in Western Visayas. Public Plaza Known for its beautiful ornamental plants and landscapes, the plaza is described by many as the little Luneta of southern Iloilo. It is well-maintained and well-lighted at night. It can be likened to a European labyrinth. New Municipal Building Guimbal’s symbol of public service, the new municipal building houses local and national government offices in the municipality. It is branded by many as the “Parthenon of Western Visayas.” In front of the Athenian conceived open coliseum and an amphitheatre where cultural shows, programs, sports, activities, and public gatherings are held. One can experience being in the golden age of history just walking around. Taytay Tigre A short bridge constructed during the Spanish colonial period. It is commonly known as “Taytay Tigre” because of the tiger stone structure made part of its approaches on both sides guarding the bridge before one enters the poblacion. It was reconstructed through donation from a veteran Guimbalanon. Ayaw-ayaw Monument Situated on a hill, near Nahapay Elementary School. It is life-size replica of one of our heroes, Andres Bonifacio, father of Philippine Revolution standing proud with his bolo on his right hand. Ayaw-ayaw is a word that signifies opposition from anything or anyone. The monument was erected on the site where early American soldiers met resistance from revolutionaries. It is a symbol of bravery, a manifestation of deep love for true freedom and independence shown by revolutionaries who resisted foreign dominion. References External links Philippine Standard Geographic Code 1995 Philippine Census Information 2000 Philippine Census Information 2007 Philippine Census Information Local Governance Performance Management System Municipality of Guimbal Official Website