Pavia, Iloilo

Pavia, officially the Municipality of Pavia (, Banwa sang Pavia, ), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 70,388 people.

Pavia is the smallest municipality in terms of area in Iloilo, covering only 2715 ha. The municipality is the Regional Agro-Industrial Center for Western Visayas and is located 10 km north of Iloilo City.

The Catholic church, currently undergoing restoration, is similar to one in Pavia, Italy.

Pavia is a part of the Metro Iloilo–Guimaras area, centered on Iloilo City.

Etymology
How the town got its name is unclear, and has long been disputed. One theory has it that the name came from a certain Colonel Pavia of the Spanish garrison in Iloilo who was supposedly responsible for initially establishing a Spanish presence in the area. Others believe that the name is a Spanish corruption of the Hiligaynon word biya-biya, as the area was originally considered a neglected patch of land that served mostly as a camping ground for city sophisticates and absentee landlords. Others claim that the town was named after a Spanish governor-general, Manuel Pavia y Lay, Marquis of Novaliches, who eventually became a priest after his short tenure in the Philippines from 1853 to 1854. However, the more credible theory seems to be the overlooked fact that the town's religious well-being was placed under the jurisdiction and supervision of the friars of the Augustinian Order, and they simply named the place in honor of the town of Pavia, Italy, where the founder of their order, Saint Augustine, was buried.

The last theory seems to be supported by circumstantial historical evidence: it was also in 1862 that an independent parish dedicated to Saint Monica was established by an Augustinian friar, Policarpio Minayo. But it was only in 1889 when construction of the famous brick church—as it now stands—began. It was envisioned and built in the Byzantine style, with Romanesque design elements. Two Greek crosses dominate the facade, and the transept is round set against the rear wall. It is unique in the whole of Panay Island, as it is the only church built entirely of red brick, inside and out. Quite significantly, the church design was apparently inspired by the ancient royal arched basilica of San Michele Maggiore in Pavia, Italy—minus the front columns.

History
Pavia was initially settled by primitive Malays, followed by the arrival of Chinese immigrants between the 15th and 16th centuries. Archaeological excavations at a Chinese burial ground in Cabugao Sur have provided evidence of these early settlements, suggesting a population of around 200 to 400.

During the Spanish Colonial Era, Pavia officially separated from the town of Jaro and was established as an independent entity in 1848. Thirteen landowners came together to transform what was once a "camping place," a "settlement place," or an "abandoned place" into a thriving community.

Over time, Pavia experienced changes in its administrative status. It became part of Santa Barbara in 1901 and then joined Iloilo City in 1904. However, in 1907, Pavia, along with Leganes and Jaro, seceded from Iloilo City to form the suburb of Jaro. Petronilo Gumban served as the leader of Pavia from 1916 until his election as Presidente Municipal of Jaro in 1920. In 1921, under the leadership of Delfin Gumban, Pavia regained its status as an independent municipality.

Today, Pavia has emerged as one of the high-population suburban areas within the Iloilo metropolitan area. The town quickly transformed from the province's center of the agriculture industry to a center of commerce of its own, influenced by the presence of nearby Iloilo City. Developers such as Sta. Lucia Land, Robinsons Land, International Builders Corporation, among others, have established a significant presence in the town, positioning it for rapid development and poised to evolve into one of the central business districts in the province, outside of Iloilo City.

Geography
Pavia is 10 km north of Iloilo City. It is bordered by the Iloilo City districts of Jaro and Mandurriao to the east and south, respectively; the towns of Leganes to the northeast; Santa Barbara to the north; San Miguel to the west; and Oton to the southwest. Pavia is a part of Metro Iloilo-Guimaras area. Due to its close proximity to the urban core of the metropolitan area, it is one of the most urbanized towns in the province.

Barangays
Pavia is politically subdivided into 18 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.


 * Aganan
 * Amparo
 * Anilao
 * Balabag
 * Purok I (Poblacion)
 * Purok II (Poblacion)
 * Purok III (Poblacion)
 * Purok IV (Poblacion)
 * Cabugao Norte
 * Cabugao Sur
 * Jibao-an
 * Mali-ao
 * Pagsanga-an
 * Pal-agon
 * Pandac
 * Tigum
 * Ungka I
 * Ungka II

Demographics
Pavia is the fastest-growing municipality in the province, both in terms of economy and population. In the 2020 census, the population of Pavia, Iloilo, was 70,388 people, with a density of undefined PD/km2.

Pavia, being a suburb of Iloilo City, Hiligaynon is also the most dominant language used by its residents. Karay-a is also being spoken, as well as Tagalog and English. Roman Catholicism is the most dominant religion in this municipality.

Economy


Pavia has emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in Iloilo, with a diverse range of industries and developments. It serves as an agricultural-industrial center, hosting companies like Vitarich Corporation and New Panay Agri-ventures in Cabugao Sur, Pavia. The town has transformed into a commuter town with the establishment of suburban neighborhoods such as Green Meadows, Providence, Centro Verde, Parc Regency, Centennial Homes, and Deca Homes.

Pavia has seen the rise of new large establishments, including the newly renovated Mandaue Foam, City Mall, Puregold, GT Town Center, and Robinsons Place Pavia. The presence of these commercial centers contributes to the town's economic growth and provides convenient shopping options for residents. Additionally, Pavia is home to Panay News, a prominent news media outlet.

The town features several hotels such as the Gateway Hotel, Sotogrande Hotel, and JECA MJC Hotel & Event Center, catering to visitors and travelers. The newly opened Holy Mary Women and Children's Hospital offers healthcare services to the community. Major companies like Robinsons Builders, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and Taytay sa Kauswagan provide employment opportunities for thousands of individuals in Pavia.

Notably, the development of Mercado Central within the Sta. Lucia Land, Inc.'s Hacienda Verde township is expected to be a commercial and business hub in Pavia. Spanning 43 ha, it will house corporate and business process outsourcing (BPO) offices, hotels, residential areas, a mall, and a stadium. This development along the Iloilo Circumferential Road 1 (C1) will further boost trade and commerce in the town.

Pavia is famous for "baye baye," a sweet delicacy made from scraped young coconut meat, sugar, and pinipig, derived from newly harvested palay. The town's century-old pottery industry in Barangay Pandac and Jibao-an continues to thrive, showcasing traditional craftsmanship amidst flower and bonsai gardens. Pottery makers create various items using the open pit firing method, including pots, stoves, drinking jars, and water containers.

Government
Laurence Anthony G. Gorriceta is the present mayor.

List of former chief executives
The different Presidente Municipal (equivalent to Municipal Mayor now) who had served Pavia.
 * Delfin Gumban (1921–1924) – known to be Pavia's Father of Independence
 * Domingo Guillem (1924–1927)
 * Simplicio Hechanova (1927–1934)
 * Pacifico Jabonillo (1934–1942)
 * Buenaventura Gumban (1942–1945) Resistance Civil Government
 * Cornelio Gumban (1942–1945) Japanese Government
 * Juan de Dios Gonzaga (1945–1946)
 * Luzon Gumban (1946–1952)
 * Vicente Gerochi (1952–1955)
 * Florencio Hisole (1956–1959)
 * Gerardo Gorriceta (1960–1971)
 * Nelson Gumban (1972–1986)
 * Felix Gorriceta, Jr. (1986–1994)
 * Rogelio Trimanez (1994–1995) serving the unexpired term of Mayor Gorriceta
 * Felix Caronongan, Jr. (March – June 1995)
 * Ervin G. Gerochi (1995–2004)
 * Arcadio H. Gorriceta (2004–2013)
 * Michael B. Gorriceta (2013–2019)
 * Laurence Anthony G. Gorriceta (2019–present)

Carabao-Carroza Race
Pavia, since 1973, holds the Carabao-Carroza Race Festival every 3 May. The Carabao is made the "king" for a day, and the race features carabaos each pulling a bamboo sled or "carrosa" on a 400-meter course. Carrozas with native designs are also paraded as part of festivities.

Tigkaralag Festival
The Tigkaralag festival is celebrated in consonance with All Souls' Day. The term "Tigkaralag" comes from the Ilonggo words, "tig," which means "season of," and "kalag," which means "soul". Participants from the municipality's 18 barangays wear costumes and parade themselves from Barangay Aganan to the town's plaza for a dance-drama competition with a storyline reflective of Tigkaralag. Held every 30th day of October, the festival was conceived by Cecilia H. Capadosa in 1992. Recently, Baye-baye night was included as a side event of the festival in celebration on one of the town's industry, the Baye-baye.

Pavia Parish Church
Pavia Parish Church, popularly known as Santa Monica Parish Church is a century-old church built by the Spanish Augustinian Fathers sometime in 1862. Its interior and exterior walls are made entirely of red-bricks, making it the only existing brick-constructed church in the island of Panay. This church is similar to the church of the town's namesake, Pavia in Italy.