Passi, Iloilo

• Passi was the pre-war capital of Iloilo Province in January 1942 to April 16, 1942 until the landing of Japanese Occupation Force.
• Passi was made the quartermaster depot of United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) for the food of the army that resisted in Bataan through Capiz.
• All her building in the central school became the seat of the provincial government offices including the Agricultural and Industrial Bank and the Philippine National Bank before the Japanese landing in Panay.
• Passi has the first warehouse of the Compania General de Tabacos de Filipinas in Central Panay which lately became the Roman Catholic Church and also the warehouse of the USAFE for foodstuff for Corregidor and Bataan.
• Ibajay Cave and mountain northeast of the poblacion was the seat of the Municipal Resistance Government under Mayor Filoteo Palmares and Municipal Treasurer Pedro Oro during the war years.
• Passi Central Elementary School (now Passi I Central School) had the first clean and beautiful ground in the province before the war.
• One of the first regional high schools established in Iloilo was in Passi soon after liberation and one of the first to have acquired the widest site for high school of 12 hectares. Its athletic field cut from a hill and bulldozed by Mayor Palmares, leveled, and improved in time for the most lavished Unit Athletic Meet ever held in the interior in 1949–1959.
• The record of Passi in holding the First Provincial Athletic Meet in the interior before the war and in sustaining all the athletic delegations from different towns in Iloilo most abundantly and freely of which some meat uneaten were only given to them gratis et amore and some heads of cattle (surplus) sold for athletic fund ̶ still unbroken up to this day ̶ a feat that has never been or will ever be equaled in the history of athletic meets of Iloilo.
• In matters of bestowing the old Filipino traditional customs of being hospitable to individual visitor, visiting teams and districts, Passi's record is yet unsurpassed because sumptuous foods and drinks offered by truckloads and caritos flow like water without reservation of any kind.
• Passi has the biggest cattle ranch in Panay before the war because of her wide grazing land.
• Passi therefore was the biggest supplier of meat for the army during the war and also the biggest supplier of rice and corn for sustenance of the guerilla forces and the Provincial Guards of the Civil Resistance Movement of Free Panay and Romblon Gov. Tomas Confesor.
• During Spanish regime, Passi was the home of wealthy families outside Iloilo City.
• Passi became the first component city of Iloilo in 1998.

Passi, like most of the Iloilo's inland towns, belong to the third type climate region which has no pronounced maximum rain period and no distinct dry and wet season while it is not within typhoon belt, but it has its own share of typhoons that visits the province of Iloilo occasionally.

The city is traversed by 5 major rivers namely (1) Jalaur River (2) Lamunan River (3) Hin-ayan River (4) Asisig River and (5) Maliao River. It also has creeks and tributaries which can be tapped for irrigation purposes.

It is relatively dominated by rolling hills and narrow valley plain. It is bordered by two mountains namely Mount Cañapasan and Mount Bayoso.

Passi City is politically subdivided into 51 barangays (38 rural barangays, 11 urban barangays, and 2 city proper barangays), which are grouped into four geographical districts.

Barangays Poblacion Ilawod and Ilaya are the highly urbanized barangays of the city because the two compose the city proper area of Passi. Majority of the downtown area is occupied by Poblacion Ilawod. Dorillo Street divides the whole city proper area into two barangays; the western portion occupied by Poblacion Ilaya, and the eastern part occupied by Poblacion Ilawod. Barangay Poblacion Ilawod was the political center of Passi when it was a municipality; however, the new city hall and the government center were transferred to Barangay Sablogon when Passi was proclaimed as a city in 1998.

The City of Passi belongs to the 4th District of Iloilo.

Listed below are the respective population of each barangay as of 2010.

Kinaray-a is the most dominant language spoken in Passi City. English is used as the language of business and education. In addition, other local dialects such as Hiligaynon is also spoken. Some Spanish words are used accompanying the Kinaray-a conversation, which is very evident among the elderly and some wealthy families and also the elder members of the micro-community of sugar-plantations related families.

The Passinhon people are predominantly Roman Catholic. Protestant churches also exist such as members of Philippine Independent Church or Aglipayan Church, Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Adventist, and other Evangelical Christians. There are also non Protestant and other Christian sects such as Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church of Christ of Latter day Saints (Mormon) and Jehovah's Witnesses.

Passi City being the center of trade and business outside Iloilo City, several banking institutions are presently serving in the city and the surrounding municipalities.

Being the component city of Iloilo Province, Passi serves as the major shopping destination outside the province's capital city.

Gaisano Capital Passi, so far is the first shopping mall in Passi. It has a complete line of grocery store and department store. It has also some leased spaces which are occupied by Rose Pharmacy, Ted's Lapaz Batchoy, Mister Donuts, Goldilocks Cake, Mang Inasal Restaurant, Parajan Deli Resto, Bongbong's Pasalubong, Robinsons Bank, Big Brother Party Needs, Western Union, Jed's Barbershop, Fuji Film Photo, F&C Jewelry, Nouva KTV and Amusement and other stalls.

CityMall (Philippines) Commercial Centers Inc. is now open and is located at the front of Passi City Bus Terminal at the Iloilo-Capiz New Route. It houses some of the famous names in retail like SM Savemore, Ace Hardware, Watsons, Simply Shoes, Expressions, Jollibee, Chowking, and Mang Inasal Food Chains, Fun Nation Game Arcade, Biscocho Haus, Mister Donuts, Oppo Phones and others.

A lot of retail chain of stores had already invested in the city, some of these are: Imperial Appliance, RV Marketing, Rhine Marketing, Emcor and Des Marketing which sells appliances and furniture. Rusi, Motorstar, Emcor, Des Marketing, Motortrade, Racal, Sym, Wheeltek, Eversure and many others, which sells motorcycles. CPT Mart which sells complete line of groceries. 24/7 convenience stores like 7/11 and Quixmart. Dafa Goods Merchandising which sells complete line of cheap, low-end dry goods.

Power distribution is facilitated by Iloilo Electric Cooperative II (ILECO II), to Passi City and neighboring towns such as Dueñas, San Enrique, and Calinog.

Water distribution is facilitated by Balibago Waterworks System Inc. to Passi City proper and neighboring baranggays.

Telephone services including domestic and international direct dial, mobile communications, internet, cable television, post offices and other services.

There are three (3) telephone Service provider in Passi providing landline connections to almost several households, offices and establishments. These are: Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, Globe Telecom and Panay Telephone Corporation (PANTELCO).

Cellular telephone facilities are also provided by two (2) cellular companies namely Smart Communications, and Globe Telecom.

Kalibo Cable TV Inc. (Former Milkyway Cablevision Services, Inc. (MCSI)) provider of local cable TV to Passi, San Enrique, Duenas and Dingle. It offers 74 national and international television channels, plus one local channel (Milkyway Community Channel) showing local programming and talk shows. Talking Point is one of the major programs of this channel where a particular person or organization of an institution is interviewed regarding the particular matters or topics relevant to the City of Passi. It is also broadcast live in Facebook by the page Good Morning Passi.

Cignal HD TV is also available in the area for wireless, direct to satellite signal for watching local and international channels.

Local antenna can also receive signals of local channels like GMA7, Abs-Cbn, TV5 and PTV4.

• Passinhon Times: The official publication of the City of Passi.

The Pintados de Pasi Festival, in Passi City, central of Iloilo province, is one way of celebrating the cityhood of Passi in March 1998. This festival is perhaps one of the best known and established festivals of the Visayan region that have evolved through the years. It has played a big part in the lives of most Passinhons. It is the most popular spectator cultural event and has a large community following. Theatrical-like street dancing performances are a celebrated part of the Pintados festivity that is characterized by heavy and aggressive body movements. Here, performers adorned in traditional body tattoo with elaborate geometrical designs in their body, including their arms, legs and torso dramatizes stories in which the towns’ ancestral beings laid down every feature of the area, especially, their way of life.

Characterized by heavy and aggressive body movements, the dances seem to have developed independent of any external influences, as in the combat dances, folk plays, ritual actions, or character types. Historical or cultural sources are essential materials in sustaining a festival such as theirs.

The first inhabitants of the Island called it Aninipay, after the name of the plant that was then abundant in the area. When the Malayans came, they named it Madia-as, which was the name of the highest peak in the Island.

But unknown to many, the first batch of Spaniards that reached the island gave a different name to it. They called it “Isla de Pintados” after seeing tattooed men whom they called pintados or “painted people.” The art tattooing was practiced all throughout the island. The chronicler Miguel de Loarca, in his account in Historia Pre-Hispanica de Filipinas Sobre la Isla de Panay, described the pintado practice, thus: “The mean tattoo intire bodies with beautiful figures using small pieces of iron dipped in ink. This ink incorporate itself into the blood and the marks are indelible.”

Culturally, the inhabitants of Panay used tattoos to exhibit their record in battle. The more tattoo marks a man had on his body, the higher his status as a warrior. The elegance of the pintado practice has raised tattooing into the level of art. They do then with such order, symmetry, and coordination that they elicit admiration from those who see them.

While the men put tattoo all over their body, it was a rule in the old Panay society that women only wear tattoos on one side of their arms.

According to one account, while a group of Spaniards who had settled in Calinog went downstream of the Jalaur River and anchored in a place called Ansig, they saw a tattooed woman who was winnowing pounded palay. One of them asked her what the name of the place is. The woman, who did not understand Spanish, thought that the man was asking what she was doing and replied “naga-pangpasi” which means peaking out unhusked rice from pounded palay. From then on, the Spaniards called the place “Pasi” which later involved into “Passi”. As the Spaniards begun to Christianize the inhabitants of Panay, the friars believed the tattooing was a pagan practice and forced the natives to abandon the art, thus resulting to the disappearance of the pintado culture.

However, the practice did not escape the eyes of historians who recorded it with respect and veneration that this form of art deserve. For many, it was a practice that ought not only to be preserved but also to be revived in some other ways to highlight the fact that during the pre-Spanish era, an advanced civilization of artistic people had already flourished in this part of the archipelago. It is in this context that Passi, one of the earliest Malayan settlement in the island, embarks on this project to showcase and revive one of Panay's rich cultural legacies from its ancestors.

ImageTourism, through this cultural celebration brings thousands of local and international visitors interested to know the city's rich history, considerable scenic beauty, and a number tourism attraction. The Passinhon 2000 Incorporated devotes their efforts of promoting the festival in the local and national scene. These efforts focus on the cultural festivity—at least in the early promotional stage, is the best way to keep it alive, and a variety of innovative efforts are underway to do just that.

Aside from having its own festival, Passi City also joins as a competing tribe at the Kasadyahan during Iloilo Dinagyang Festival. Last 2005, Pintados de Pasi was hailed as champion during the said event. The said tribe represented the Iloilo Province during the 2005 Aliwan Festival in Manila. Again, Passi was hailed as the overall champion. After garnering those awards, the city announced that they will no longer join as a competing tribe during Dinagyang and that they will become a fully independent festival. The year, 2008 marks the 10th Foundation Anniversary.

Pinta Lawas (body painting) as well as carabao (water buffalo) painting contests are being practiced followed by Karosa Parada (carriage parade that is drawn by a painted carabao) Binibining Pintados (1998-2016), Mr. Passi (a new pageant starting 2017 that replaces Binibining Pintados), a boat and bicycle racing events, Sinadya sa Suba (fun in the river) and a tribal dancing competition.

Christmas in the City is held every middle of December until the first Sunday of January in the next year at Plaza Paloma. During its opening day it had a grand fireworks display, followed by the opening of lights, and food stalls. Trees and other structures in the plaza are designed with colorful lights. Lamp post are also illuminated with designs. It is a must visit for food enthusiast as lechon, liempo, inasal na manok and other meat barbecue are served at the food stalls. Drinks are also served. Food stalls for children are also available like popcorn, cotton candy, pancakes, and others. Every night there are presentations held at the middle of the plaza by different institutions or probably a live band playing to add entertainment to already lively environment.

Passi City celebrates the feast of its patron saint, San Guillermo de Ermita (St. William the Hermit) on the 10th of February along with the coronation of the fiesta queen. Mostly the activities are already starting 1 week before. There will be street parades in the morning. Programs are held every night in the plaza sponsored by different institutions and there will be dancing afterwards. Carnivals and rides in the plaza are available for the public and small store kiosk are open to sell different items like clothing, jewelry, home designs, etc. It is one of the most anticipated festival in the city.

The discovery of Passi, at the same time its foundation as a mission parish by the Spanish explorers for Panay Island occurred in 1584. It was placed under the patronage of St. William of Maleval whose feast had since then been celebrated every February 10. In 1593, Padre Juan Villamayor, an Augustinian friar, became its first resident priest. The first mission church was made out of light materials and located near the riverbank of Jalaur River. In 1600 the church was transferred from the old site to its present location. The foundation and the walls were made of stones, slabs and lime. The parishioners were made to carry the needed materials every time they went to the church. The construction was finished during the time of Padre Pedro Ceberio when Salvador “Badong” Panes Perfecto was the Captain of the town.

• Schism and Abaca

Around 1821 during the time of Padre Apolinario Villanueva, Schism ensued between him as Parish Priest and the Spanish Populace of the town. He transferred the seat of the Parish Church to Abaca where he constructed a chapel. When Padre Martin succeeded him, the seat of the parish church was returned to Passi.

• Aglipayon Revolution

With the concurring Filipino Revolution against the Spanish government, there was a clamor of the Filipino Clergy for reforms. Padre Rafael Murillo, the Parish Priest then was a good follower and supporter of the Aglipay. He was elevated to the rank of an Aglipayan Bishop not long brought with him his family. To support his family, he demanded tributes from the people. The Passinhons under Captain Badong Perfecto strongly objected and Padre Joaquin was removed not long after.

Padre Lorenzo Diaz, a Catholic Augustinian Priest administered the Parish. The year 1891 saw the last Spanish Augustinian Parish Priest of Passi in Padre Bravo.

• Reverend Father Amado Panes Perfecto

In 1893, after three centuries of Christianization, Passi was able to produce its first priest, Padre Amado Panes Perfecto. He studied in the University of Salamanca in Spain and graduated a Doctor of Canon Law, which at that time was a rare privilege. He was appointed the first Filipino Priest of Passi. He constructed the most beautiful convent in the Diocese furnished with carved furniture and imported chinaware and utensils. One of his remaining masterpieces is the “Flores de Mayo Salve” which has become part of the tradition of the town.

• World War II

World War II was conflagration for the Passinhons. Fire gluttered all the Spanish built houses of the town. The guerillas burned all the buildings leaving the town empty for the occupying Japanese. Nothing was left of the wooden structure of both church and convent but the stones. The church was made the garrison of the Japanese forces and later the headquarters of the Residence Civil Government. Filipino troops under the Philippine Commonwealth Army and Philippine Constabulary were liberated in Passi and help the local guerrilla groups by attacking Japanese troops and ended in World War II.

• Lady Caycay earthquake

The 1948 Lady Caycay earthquake occurred on January 25, 1948 at 1:46 AM UTC+08:00 in Panay Island, Philippines. The bell tower did not survive the harshness of the earthquake. The tall tower was wrecked; making the entire bells fell down to the ground. No damage was found except for the other massive bell, which had a very slight crack on it.

• Reconstruction

The reconstruction of the church took a gradual development. The wood and nipa roofing of the church was constructed during the time of Padre Parreñas. Wooden posts were placed at the Eastern side of the church as temporary area to place the bells, since the bell tower was damaged during the 1948 earthquake. When Padre Buenaflor took over, he had the roof changed into galvanized iron. The improvement of the altar which was transferred by Padre Parreñas to the main entrance of the church was done during the time of Padre Castaño. The present church with its steel trusses, washed walls, benches, and a new but permanent belfry, together with the old parish convent already demolished, the Assumption School and the former Social Hall, were all constructed as projects of Msgr. Eligio Villavert, the 81st Parish Priest of Passi.

• Final Restoration and Renovation

It was 1997 when the Parish of St. William of Maleval was graced with another Passinhon Priest. Msgr. Felipe Dativo Palomo, P.C., fully supported by the Parish Councils and the Passinhon Parishioners both local and abroad decided to venture into ambitious but necessary projects. In the year 2000, the completion and the blessing of the Jubilee Hall, the largest and tallest parish convent in the whole Diocese was witnessed. After the completion, behind the church, the attention of the parishioners and Msgr. Palomo were directed to the uncompleted church. The main entrance is nowhere to be found, making Passi Church one of its kind. The landscaping of the Western side of the church and the installation of the statues of the saints took place. The altar was transferred to its original place, to give way to the restoration of its original main entrance. The altar has been beautifully restored according to the Augustinian's original architectural design. The ornate granite flooring, echo-proof ceiling, decorative stained glasses, a huge steel door at the main entrance and modern lighting facilities were installed. On the Eastern side, one can see the Avenida de la Virgin Maria, the Adoration Chapel, parking area, and the very huge relief map of Passi City.

In October 26, 2010, the Church of St. William of Maleval had its Solemn Dedication, an annual festivity which the Parishioners will celebrate to continue recalling the extra graciousness God has abundantly bestowed in the Christian Community of Passi.

• Typhoon Yolanda

On November 8, 2013, signal number four Typhoon Yolanda (also known internationally as Typhoon Haiyan) hit the Visayas Region, causing serious damages to the infrastructure, including the church. The church, three years after it is restored was partially damaged. The ceiling outside the church and into the altar collapsed. The church was temporarily closed and masses are temporarily held at the Jubilee Hall. However, it was opened again to the public on December 16, 2013 after the massive reconstruction and repair.

• F. Palmares Sr. Street

It is also known as the "Calle Real" of Passi since it was the busiest business hub of the city until now. This street is an old national highway when going to the Province of Capiz or Aklan. At present, it is used as an alternative national road going to Iloilo Airport.

• The New City Hall of Passi City

Built in 1995 as a new municipal hall, but in 1998, it is redesigned to become the new city hall. It is located at Corner Monfort Avenue-Casamayor Street.

• The Old Municipal Hall

The municipal hall was built in 1930 and it is one of the only surviving Pre-war infrastructures in Passi. Presently, it houses the office of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Post Office, and Conference Hall. The old municipal hall is sometimes known as "Residencia Passi".

• St. William of Maleval Parish Church Convent

The largest and tallest parish convent in the whole Archdiocese has two reception halls (Jubilee Hall and Lamunan Hall) that can be used in various occasions such as wedding reception.

• Plaza Paloma

Located just in front of the old municipal hall. The large pineapple restroom is one of the most attractive feature of the said park. The park also has a multipurpose sporting court for the people who want to do recreational activities such as playing badminton, tennis and others.

• Paseo de Passi

Just few meters away from plaza paloma, is a brick floored paseo that is a perfect place for people who are fond of doing fitness exercises.

• Passi City Public Market

The new public market of Passi is the largest in the whole Iloilo Province.

• Old Jalaur Railway Bridge

Also known as Watanabe Terror Bridge, it is one of the fewest railroad bridges left in the whole Panay. It is one of the major landmarks of Passi that needs further preservation.

• Muscovado Chimney

The muscovado chimney of Passi Sugar Central is the largest and tallest in the whole Panay island.

The only province-managed district hospital Passi City.

In October, 2013, the inauguration of the extension hospital in Barangay Salngan took place. The hospital will help residents who live very far away from the city proper in giving necessary medical attentions and first aid.

Medicus Passi Fronthub Medilab and Clinics and other privately owned clinics which also offer high quality health services.

Passi City is the new Regional Operations Center of the Philippine Red Cross as well as its new logistics and disaster management training center. The center was inaugurated on April 21, 2017 by several officials of the PRC led by PRC Chairman Richard Gordon as well as the Secretary General of Korea National Red Cross Gunn-Joong Kim and the Head of Delegation of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Kari Isomaa in the presence of Arthur D. Defensor, Sr., Governor of the Province of Iloilo; Jesry Palmares, Mayor of Passi City; Ferjenel Biron, Representative of the 4th District of Iloilo; and Marlyn Convocar, Department of Health Regional Director.[11]

Founded in 1997 by French national Laurence Ligier, Chameleon Association, Inc (CAI), is a non- stock, non-profit and non-government organization that provides holistic and comprehensive rehabilitation to girls survivors of sexual abuse in Western Visayas. Likewise, CAI provides educational assistance to underprivileged but deserving children in our neighboring communities in Passi, San Enrique and Bingawan through its Sponsorship Program. The said organization is located in Barangay Sablogon, Passi City.

The Chameleon Association has branches in Paris, Luxembourg, and Switzerland and contacts in Belgium and Andorra.

Chameleon aims to give children and their families access to education and training; and support medically, morally, legally, and financially so as to help them have honorable and successful living conditions in the long-term. The association has also put in place a prevention program for the protection and training to reintegrate these children back into society and give them an everlasting survival strategy.

The Chameleon Association has an integrated approach and multiple programs to support and protect the children from the region. Their rehabilitation program handles young girls who are victims of sexual abuse in two stages: a three-year residential program and a post-residential program for rehabilitation. The community development program supports the studies of children who are victims of great poverty. This organization has also implemented programs for health, the defense of Children's rights, and income-generating projects.

The Chameleon Association creates long lasting relationships between the children and their sponsors through the exchange of letters, drawings, photographs, report cards, and small gifts.

Chameleon gives back to these children part of their innocence and helps them to fulfill their dreams of going to school and having a future.

Passi City College - courses offered

[12][13]

Passi Trade School (Tesda)

Passi National High School - Senior High, Grade 7 to 10

Assumption School - Senior High, Grade 7 to 10, Grade 1 to 6, Prep School

Academia de San Guillermo High School - Senior High, Grade 7 to 10, Grade 1 to 6, Prep School

Passi Montessori High School - Grade 7 to 10, Grade 1 to 6, Prep School

Man-it Integrated School - Grade 7 to 10, Grade 1 to 6, Prep School

Creative Minds International Academy of Passi - Grade 1 to 6, Prep School

St. Alphonsus School of Passi - Grade 1 to 6, Prep School

Passi I Central School - Grade 1 to 6, Kinder School

Passi Bethel Christian Academy - Kinder School

Passi Baptist Church - Kinder School