Bridging the Gap
By Prof. Henry Funtecha

The old City Hall

(Note: The following is a reprint of the author's previous column)

The old City Hall is considered one of the prominent landmarks in Iloilo , the construction being the largest and the best of its kind in the locality during its time. It is situated two kilometers from the heart of Iloilo City occupying a total land area of 160,000 square meters. The actual construction of the structure started in December 1933, with a total cost of P217,714.68.

The massive structure, which for some time served as the City Hall, was designed in the then Bureau of Public Works, Manila , by the well-known Filipino architect, Juan Arellano. It involved a unique type of architecture, with Spanish influence predominating. The contractor was Andres Bolinas.

The building was used as the seat of the city government until 1947 when the Iloilo Municipal Board donated it and the land around it comprising about eleven hectares for the use of the University of the Philippines . The intention was to make available the Philippines ' premier educational institution in Iloilo . On May 21, 1947 , the University of the Philippines College Iloilo (U.P.I.) was opened. The City Office was transferred to Rizal Elementary School in front of the Tanza Church . Meantime, they negotiated for the house of Fernando Reguera, the Spanish consul at that time, at the corner of Blumentritt and De la Rama Streets.

The City Hall was housed at the Rizal Elementary School for only a month, afterwhich, it was again transferred to the house of Consul Reguera. In 1948, the City Hall was transferred to the Javellana Building in front of the Plaza Libertad in which it has remained there until now.

What makes the building unique and architecturally significant? The great outside lines of the building suggests compactness and complete dominance of the surrounding landscape. As it is a single-storey structure, the floor area is wide. Two big patios and a wide court at the main entrance provide sufficient space for ventilation and lighting of the interior office rooms and hall. A dome with a commanding tower tops the whole imposing view. Ventilation and light entrance have been given great stress in the design of the building.

The main lobby to which the main entrance leads is clustered with beautiful columns and artistic paneled walls. Side entrances open to two other lobbies, while the halls and offices have wooden floors.

The outside concrete wall from the ground level to the floor line is finished plain; while above the floor line, walls are finished with stucco except in corners which have artistic horizontal grooves. The interior walls of the halls, concrete from the   floor to a certain elevation, are wainscoted, while the rest are painted in pleasing combination of hues.