San Joaquin, officially the Municipality of San Joaquin (; ; ), () is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 52,617 people.
Geography
San Joaquin is located in the southern tip of Iloilo Province. One of the rivers that traverse the town is the Siwaragan River with Barangay Siwaragan and Bucaya situated in its mouth. It is the southernmost municipality in the province and is from the provincial capital, Iloilo City, and is from San Jose de Buenavista, the capital of Antique.
Climate
Barangays
San Joaquin is subdivided into 85 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
Amboyu-an
Andres Bonifacio
Antalon
Bad-as
Bagumbayan
Balabago
Baybay
Bayunan, also known as Panday Ora
Bolbogan
Bulho
Bucaya
Cadluman
Cadoldolan
Camia
Camaba-an
Cata-an
Crossing Dapuyan
Cubay
Cumarascas
Dacdacanan
Danawan
Doldol
Dongoc
Escalantera, also known as Dawis
Ginot-an
Huna
Igaratong
Igbaje
Igbangcal
Igbinangon
Igburi
Igcabutong
Igcadlum
Igcaphang
Igcaratong
Igcondao
Igcores
Igdagmay
Igdomingding
Iglilico
Igpayong
Jawod
Langca
Languanan
Lawigan
Lomboy
Lopez Vito, also known as San Pedro
Mabini Norte
Mabini Sur
Manhara
Maninila
Masagud
Matambog
Mayunoc
Montinola
Nagquirisan
Nadsadan
Nagsipit
New Gumawan
Panatan
Pitogo
Purok 1 (Poblacion) Purok 2 (Poblacion) Purok 3 (Poblacion) Purok 4 (Poblacion) Purok 5 (Poblacion) Qui-anan Roma San Luis San Mateo Norte San Mateo Sur Santiago Sinogbuhan Siwaragan Lomboyan, also known as Santa Ana Santa Rita Talagutac Tapikan Taslan Tiglawa Tiolas To-og Torocadan Ulay Bonga Guibongan Bayunan
Demographics
In the 2020 census, the population of San Joaquin, Iloilo, was 52,617 people, with a density of .
Kinaray-a is the main language of San Joaquin. Hiligaynon is spoken as a secondary language and is also understood by the residents.
Economy
Landmarks
San Joaquin Church
The main church in town, a Roman Catholic parish was constructed in 1859 and completed in 1869 by Spanish friar Tomas Santaren, of the Augustinian Order. The church is unique among those in the Philippines for its large pediment featuring a military scene, the Spanish victory over the Moors in the Battle of Tetuan. The National Museum of the Philippines listed the church as a National Cultural Treasure.
San Joaquin Cemetery
The San Joaquin Cemetery is located along the main highway in San Joaquin Town. The construction of San Joaquin Cemetery was commenced by Fray Mariano Vamba, the last Augustinian parish priest of the town in 1892. A statue of Jesus with his arms outstretched stands on top of a baroque style gate, and on each side of Christ, two columns with angelic figures are poised as guards. In addition, sculpted heads of two cherubs and a skull representing death marks the entrance of the cemetery. Twenty stone steps after entering the gate and you will be greeted by the Baroque designed mortuary chapel standing on the center.
Culture
The Bayluhay Festival, celebrated every third week of January, reflects the town's unique mixture of races and cultures. Historical and religious themes, mostly anchored from the Barter of Panay, such as efforts with the preservation of rituals, are reflected through the dances presented in the festivity. Accentuated every annual municipal fiesta is the “Pasungay” or bull fight. During this affair, the best bulls from the different barangays are pitted against each other by weight category in a “bull derby”.
Tourism
The Talisayan Beach Resort is a privately owned beach resort located in the Poblacion. The Cata-an Cove and Tobog Beach Resort in Barangay Cata-an, about 10 kilometers from the Poblacion, is a place perfect for scuba diving and weekend outings.