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Wednesday, January 14, 2004
Salvilla: Plaza Miranda of Iloilo
By Atty. Rex S. Salvilla
WHAT is now commonly known as Iloilo City Freedom Park at the front of the Customshouse of Iloilo was where the favorite coffee shops were located during the early American period. The customers were the American soldiers who chose to remain in Iloilo. Among them were the Hodges, the Sullivans, the Bordmans, the Powers and the Frenchs.
Later, especially during the Commonwealth period before the war, the place was a snacks center of those waiting to enter the two movie houses-Cine Palace and Cine Eagle, both fronting the place.
After the war, the place was officially declared by the Iloilo City municipal board as "Sunburst Park" in honor of the 45th "Sunburst" Division of the 8th United States Army which liberated the city on March 18, 1945.
When Rodolfo Ganzon became congressman in 1953, he introduced the Iloilo City Freedom Bill making the posts for Iloilo City mayor, vice mayor and all the city councilors elective. Before this, only four out of the eight councilors were elected. The rest, together with the mayor and vice mayor, were appointed by the President of the Philippines.
In 1961, the place was renamed officially as General Douglas McArthur Park by the Iloilo City Municipal Council when the general made his sentimental journey to the city.
The place became to be popularly known as the Plaza Miranda of Iloilo City where important political rallies were held and became popularly known as the Iloilo City Freedom Park. Ganzon built a grandstand thereon and this was expanded during incumbency of mayor Luis C. Herrera and now, by Senator John Osmeņa.
This historic place in Iloilo City has witnessed many events and gatherings--social, cultural, political and religious. Therefore, it should be preserved at all cost for the benefit of the coming generations.
BY THE WAY. Because of the many request of clippings of back issues of this column, this writer is coming up with a complete album of this column in two volumes-Volume 1 for 2002 with 73 titles and Volume 2 for 2003 with 53 titles Copies are available on request at P400 per volume. Contact this writer at Tel. no. +63 33 337-30-45.
(January 13, 2004 issue)
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