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Calle Real History

Calle Real in Iloilo City, Philippines is a historic street that was the center of commerce during the Spanish colonial era. Many buildings lining the street were constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and show European and American architectural influences. Though damaged over time by war, natural disasters, and neglect, efforts in the 2000s saw the restoration of historic buildings along Calle Real and the street's revitalization as a cultural heritage zone.

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1K views8 pages

Calle Real History

Calle Real in Iloilo City, Philippines is a historic street that was the center of commerce during the Spanish colonial era. Many buildings lining the street were constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and show European and American architectural influences. Though damaged over time by war, natural disasters, and neglect, efforts in the 2000s saw the restoration of historic buildings along Calle Real and the street's revitalization as a cultural heritage zone.

Uploaded by

Benjie Latriz
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Calle Real, Iloilo city

Calle Real (Royal Street in Spanish), officially named as J.M. Basa Street, is a historic street located in the old
downtown district Iloilo City Proper of Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines.The street often referred to as the
"Escolta of Iloilo". It is home to several fine examples of historic luxury American era neoclassical, beaux-arts,
and art deco buildings. The street has been famous since the Spanish Era. However, its importance has dwindled and the
street has become less maintained; yet there have been efforts to revitalize the street which includes the restoration
of the historic buildings along the street and beautification projects.

Even during the Spanish Era, this street has been the main of street commerce for Iloilo. Jos Rizal was even impressed
by the city during his arrival.
During the early period of American occupation of the Philippines, Calle Real was known as a hub of high-end shopping
outlets selling products from Europe.
The street was officially renamed in honor of Jose Maria Basa, a Filipino businessman-propagandist who is also a compatriot
of Jos Rizal. The street remained to be popularly known as "Calle Real". The name would also be later used to refer
to the central business district of Iloilo City.

The Art-Deco buildings and other structures along the street deteriorated but remained to be a shopping hub of the city.
Calle Real as a district consisting of Aldeguer, Guanco and Iznart, J. M. Basa, and Mapa streets was declared a Iloilo
City heritage zone by the virtue of Ordinance No. 00-054 also known as the Local Cultural Heritage Conservation Ordinance
which established the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council (ICCHC).

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines declared Calle Real as a district, a heritage zone in August 8,
2014 with the unveiling of a historical marker outside the Villanueva Building. Its current restoration has been
a public-private partnership between the government and the Iloilo Cultural Heritage Foundation, Inc. (ICHFI).

Other efforts to revitalize the district include the pedestrianization of Calle Real, burying of utility wires, and
minimizing obstructive advertisements. Regarding pedestrianization, experimentations have been done, including closing
the road during Sundays, but permanent pedestrianization is still contested. Cultural performances are then staged to
promote Ilonggo heritage and to attract domestic and foreign tourists. The experimentation ended March 9, 2014, but wished
to be made permanent by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce Iloilo citing this opportunity to make walking viable and to
take pride in the newly rehabilitated heritage buildings of the street.

Buildings
Calle Real is noted for its historic buildings built many of which were built during the late 19th century until the early
20th century.
Eusebio Villanueva Building
Eusebio Villanueva Building, restored in 2012
Javellana Building, built in 1922
Regent Building
S. Villanueva Building
1925 S. Villanueva Building

E/R Villanueva Building


Dating back in 1927, the E/R Villanueva Building was once known as the International Hotel which hosted American, British,
Spanish patrons as well as Chinese bankers, merchants and bankers. It fell into disuse and deteriorated. It was in 2012
that the building was restored.

Sourcce ; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calle_Real,_Iloilo
Calle Real, Iloilo city

Located on JM Basa Street and spanning from Plaza Alfonso XII (now called Plaza Libertad) up to Plazoleta Gay, Calle
Real or Royal Street is the location of prime commercial establishments and is considered as Iloilo Citys historic
center.

Decades old buildings lining up Calle Real still stand against the test of time and reflect how glorious Iloilo was then.
The street serves as some kind of museum of old buildings that have survived the war, countless typhoons, flood, earthquakes,
and of most of all, time. Today, it still serves as the center of commerce and trade in Iloilo City (formerly called The
Queen City of the South). Until now, the street is still alive with the hustle and bustle of downtown traffic and countless
number of people going out and about.

History

Most of the buildings were constructed during the Spanish era (The Philippines was colonized by Spain for 377 years from
1521 1898) and served as the shopping and entertainment center of the region. Most of the buildings show European and
American influences of the late 19th and early 20th century. Most of the buildings are one or two storeys. The first levels
serve as commercial establishments while the second levels serve as residential places for Iloilos elite back then.

Although the heritage buildings located on the street still stand up to this day, they have also been damaged from the
wear and tear of the time. Other factors include World War II and the 1948 magnitude 8.3 great earthquake that struck
Panay, Iloilo City and Antique. Because of this, the old buildings have been neglected.

Restoration

In the year 2000, the Local Cultural Conservation Ordinance was passed by the City Government in order to preserve the
establishment and prevent future damages to the buildings. Today, with the efforts of the local government and private
sectors, most of the buildings have already been restored and beautified.

Source ; http://www.iloilo.net.ph/calle-real-restored-revisited/
Calle Real, Iloilo city

Images :
Calle Real, Iloilo city

1925 S. Villanueva Bldg. 1925 S. Villanueva Bldg.(old)


Calle Real, Iloilo city

S. Villanueva Bldg.(restored)

E.Villanueva Bldg./International Hotel (old) E. Villanueva Bldg./International Hotel

Javellana Bldg. (old) Javellana Bldg. (restored)


Close up Sat. Images of Calle Real / JM Basa Street:
Located on JM Basa Street and spanning from Plaza Alfonso XII (now called Plaza Libertad) up to Plazoleta Gay.
Calle Real, Iloilo city

Intersection at Plazoleta Gay. Ledesma st.,Iznart st.,Arroyo st.,& JM Basa st.


Calle Real, Iloilo city

Intersection at Aldeger St.:

Intersection at Guanco & Sto.Nio St.


Calle Real, Iloilo city

Intersection at Ortiz St.

Intersection at Rizal, Zamora,& General Hughes St.

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