Five years younger than Shimizu as Stockton's second "sister city," but almost 300 years older than Stockton itself, is the "Leal y Noble Ciudad" of Iloilo-- a title awarded to that city by the Spanish government in 1896. Founded by the Spanish around 1566 on Panay Island in the Philippines, 55 minutes by air south of Manila, it is an important seaport, and both the commercial center and regional capital of the Western Visayas.

A city of 365,820 residents, it has 30 public and private high schools and four universities. Located in an area of sunlit plains and lovely beaches, Iloilo City is particularly noted for its Museo Iloilo, and for Baroque and Gothic-inspired churches. Less than an hour's flight south of Manila, Iloilo is the gateway to Western Visayas and to the country's premier tourist destination, the famed Boracay Island. The city and province are among the country's center of industry, trade, tourism, culture and education.

Accessible by air and sea from most major cities in the country, Iloilo boasts of an international seaport, excellent road network, sufficient power and water supply, reliable communication facilities, first-class tourism amenities and modern commercial centers. Iloilo's contribution to history is valuable. Considered as the birthplace of Malayan civilization in the Philippines, legends say Iloilo is where 10 Bornean datus and their subjects first settled.

It is also a forerunner in aviation, shipping, land transportation, electrification, education, amusement and entertainment, among others. Called the "Queen City of the South," it has contributed much in shaping the country's destiny.