Barotac Viejo, Iloilo - My Memories of the Town from 1945 to 1953

The Roman Catholic Church -a 2 Minute walk from our Residence 💚
Barotac Viejo, Iloilo is the ancestral town of my Mother. It is the town where I spend my teenager years- elementary and high school years, 1941-1953. It was a 3rd class municipality at that time.    

Today. Barotac Viejo is a booming 1st class municipality with an economy centered on farming, fishing, and a growing tourism industry. Located 56 kilometers from Iloilo City, daily life is peaceful and community-focused, highlighted by vibrant annual fiestas, but also occasionally challenged by infrastructure and environmental issues. 

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=barotac%20viejo%20tourism

The Economy

• Agriculture & Fishing: A large portion of the town's massive land area is used for farming. Locals make a living by growing rice, corn, and sugarcane, or by fishing in the town's coastal waters.
• Tourism Growth: The Department of Tourism Region VI named Barotac Viejo a top tourist destination in the province. Popular natural and resort spots, such as Nagpana Falls, draw many visitors and create local jobs. 
• Business & Infrastructure: The addition of the new Savemore Market Barotac Viejobrings modern convenience and fresh groceries to residents. A 2.2-kilometer bypass roadis being constructed to ease traffic and boost local trade.

Daily Life & Culture

• Culture & Festivals: The town has a strong cultural heartbeat. Residents celebrate with events like the annual Patronal and Municipal Fiesta, which features parades, drum and lyre corps, and community street dances.
• The People: The municipality includes a mix of coastal and upland barangays (villages). It is also home to indigenous communities like the Aeta, who share their traditions with visitors. []

Current Challenges

• Water Supply: Like many rapidly developing towns, Barotac Viejo occasionally experiences water supply issues, requiring help from local government units and the BJMP to deliver water to facilities. [1]
• Environmental Pressures: The expansion of farming creates challenges, like the loss of watershed forests and risks of flooding, which the wider province is trying to address. 

Despite these growing pains, the town continues to push forward with its "Asenso Barotac Viejo" (Progress Barotac Viejo) movement, creating a blend of traditional provincial life and modern growth.  

Coronation Night. 2026 Fiesta, June 29, 2026 * see the 1953 Version with my Photo on it.   

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barotac_Viejo

Meanwhile, A Look Back Seventy -Three ( 73) _ Years Ago

Town Fiesta, 1953 Coronation Night-Public Plaza  

I am one of the Consorts ( 3rd Guy from the Left) 

1945-1951- My elementary and high school years were in the town of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo. The town is the ancestral home of my Mother, Paz Barrido Balleza Katague 

Here's a brief description of the town, I wrote in 2009.

Barotac Viejo, Iloilo(BVI) is a 4th class municipality about 60Km North of Iloilo City. Iloilo is one of the four provinces in Panay Island. Panay Island is part of the Western Visayas Region of the Philippines. The Visayas Region is the Central Part of the Philippine Archipelago. 

BVI is the town where I grew up. It is the town where I finished my elementary school years. It is also the town where I finished high school. In 1951 I graduated valedictorian of my high school class. It is the town where I have both pleasant and unpleasant memories of my childhood and teen-aged years. 

My childhood memories of the American-Japanese war occurred in the town proper, foothills, seacoasts and jungles of this town. 

 https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2026/03/my-childhood-memories-of-world-war-2.html

When I left BVI in 1951 to pursue my college degree in Iloilo City and later in Diliman, Quezon City, BVI was a 4th class town with less than 5000 residents. In 2015, Wikipedia states that is now a 3rd class municipality, with a population of  around 45,000. When I left BVI in 1955, there was the elementary and high schools, public market, Cockfighting Arena, the Catholic Church, the Post office and one gas station, a couple of hardware stores, a Chinese bakery and may be 100 residential homes in the town proper. 

Today this 4th class town has more buildings both for business and private homes. The local high school was named a national agricultural high school. Part of the land for the school was donated by my uncle ( Jose Balleza) and my mother Paz Balleza . When I left the town in 1955, the mayor of the town was Luis Tupas, a relative of my mother. Today the local politics, are still controlled by the Tupas family and their clan.  

In 2005, my wife and I accompanied by my sister visited our parents grave site .Me and Macrine(RIP) with sister Amor at the Cemetery. 

Our old house (located at the back of the Post Office) was gone. The only thing that remained was the foundation stone with the engraving Dolce Building, 1952. 

Tears from my eyes flowed like a gentle rain, when I saw that foundation, recalling the pleasant memories of my teen-age years. The house (photo below) is gone but my memories of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo will live forever.💚

 

Our ancestral Home-The Dolce Building, 1953- My Home during my elementary and high school years in the Philippines.   The other side of the street is the Municipal Building and the Office of the Mayor and the Catholic Church a 2 minute walk uphill. 

Meanwhile, here are some photos taken during the 2026 Town Fiesta, June 29, 2026, Feast of St Peter and Paul from FaceBook Page.  The following is a 6-minute video of the 4-days of celebration culmination in the coronation night. 

https://fb.watch/I506BPWsyN/

BAROTAC VIEJO FIESTA QUEEN AND KING

Inspired by two enduring symbols of Filipino identity, the kalesa, representing our rich history and timeless traditions, and the bangka, symbolizing resilience, unity, and our journey toward progress, this year’s Royal Float is a vibrant tribute to the beauty of the Filipino spirit.

Designed with bold tropical colors, intricate layered details, and contemporary artistic elements, the float seamlessly blends heritage with modern creativity. Every detail reflects the warmth, joy, and cultural pride that define the people of Barotac Viejo, making it more than just a parade center piece, it is a moving celebration of our shared history, identity, and aspirations.

As our Fiesta Queen and King grace this masterpiece, they embody the municipality’s commitment to honoring its roots while embracing a future filled with promise and progress. Together, they proudly represent the heart of a community that remains deeply rooted in tradition, united in faith, and continuously moving forward.

Concept, Structure and Design: Allen Van Balleza

Float Stylist: Robertson Lampa of Robertson Events

Sponsoring Agency: Local Government Unit of Barotac Viejo

Coronation Night- Featuring the King and Queen of the Fiesta Night

When Is It Time? A Difficult Reality in Senior Living

Living at The Heritage Downtown (THD) for nearly three years has given me a front-row seat to the joys and challenges of growing older. Most of us here continue to enjoy an active lifestyle. We play Bridge and Mahjong, attend concerts, exercise classes, lectures, and excursions, and enjoy the companionship of fellow residents.

But occasionally, something happens that reminds us that aging is not always kind.

Recently, while walking to lunch, I saw a fellow resident gently holding a beautiful stuffed cat and trying to make it drink water. The toy looked remarkably lifelike from a distance. I quietly mentioned that the cat was not real, but she simply looked at me with a blank expression as I continued on my way.

A few days later, another incident caught my attention.

As organizer of our Monday Bridge group, I maintain a list of substitute players whenever one of our eight regular players cannot attend. A new resident had asked to be included, so I gladly placed her on the substitute list. Two weeks ago, I called her because we needed a fourth player. She never returned my call.

Several days later, she confronted me in the hallway and asked why I was preventing her from playing Bridge. I explained that I had called her recently, but she insisted her phone had not been working.

Neither of these encounters was humorous to me.

Instead, they made me pause and think about the difficult reality many senior living communities face.

As we age, some residents begin to experience memory loss or early dementia. At first, the signs may be subtle. They may forget conversations, become confused about recent events, misplace objects, or misunderstand situations. Family members may dismiss these changes as "just getting older," but sometimes they are the early symptoms of cognitive decline.

There comes a point when independent living may no longer provide enough support.

Assisted Living and Memory Care communities exist for a reason. They provide trained staff, structured routines, medication management, and specialized care designed to help residents remain safe while preserving as much dignity and independence as possible.

This raises an important question.

Should the management of an active senior living community become involved when they observe signs that a resident may no longer be thriving independently?

I believe they should.

Management is not there to diagnose medical conditions. That responsibility belongs to physicians and qualified healthcare professionals. However, management members are often among the first people to observe changes in a resident's daily functioning. They see residents every day. They notice repeated confusion, missed meals, unusual behavior, or increasing forgetfulness.

When these concerns become noticeable, management has a responsibility to communicate with the resident's designated family members or legal representatives. Together, they can encourage a medical evaluation and determine whether additional support is needed.

This is not about taking away someone's independence.

It is about protecting their safety, preserving their dignity, and ensuring they receive the care they deserve before a crisis occurs.

Dementia affects not only the individual but also families, friends, neighbors, and the entire community. The earlier it is recognized, the better the opportunities for treatment, planning, and support.

Growing older is a privilege denied to many. Growing older safely, with compassion and appropriate care, should be a goal we all share.

Perhaps the greatest kindness we can offer one another in a senior community is not simply friendship, but the courage to recognize when someone may need more help than we can provide.

Meanwhile, Last Photos of June, Welcome, July, 2026

It is hard to believe June is already behind us! Here is a post to celebrate the transition into the heart of summer: ​And just like that, June slips away into the memory book.

​Thank you, June, for the long, sun-drenched days, the vibrant golden hours, and the beauty of early summer. You brought the warmth and the inspiration, and now we hand the torch over to July.

​Welcome, July! Here’s to deeper summer days, new adventures under wide open skies, and capturing every beautiful moment along the way. Let’s make it unforgettable.