BRIDGING THE GAP
Describing what an Ilonggo is
Some articles have been written trying to describe what an Ilonggo is, but the problem is that it is not really easy to do so. It is difficult to come up with a sufficient description that will give justice to the spirit and soul of the Ilonggo.
What strikes anyone trying to understand an Ilonggo is his language -- Hiligaynon or Inilonggo and Kiniray-a. There is unanimity in saying that the Ilonggo language is melodious or sing-song style and the speaker of the language is soft-spoken. In fact, non-Ilonggos are pointing out that it is quite difficult to predict an Ilonggo emotional state because one cannot be certain of the latter's temper. An Ilonggo may still speak in a soft voice even though he is already fuming mad.
Still, on language, an Ilonggo in conversing or in trying to respond to certain things may utter a lot of "Ti!" or "Hay!" which could mean making a query or making a declaration of fact, depending upon his intonation.
Ethnographically speaking and, in a general sense, the Ilonggos are those that are the inhabitants of Western Visayas. However, this classification has brought dissenting opinions from social scientists, as well as from some of the people themselves. The people of Aklan, for example, feel uncomfortable being lumped together with the rest of the people of Panay, Guimaras and Negros Occidental. The main assertion is that they cannot be considered as Ilonggos because they speak an entirely different language -- Akeanon. It must be pointed out that the main basis for ethnic identification is language and culture.
As to the people of Negros Occidental, there is no question as to their ethnic identity. Indeed, most of them are really Ilonggos because they can trace their origin to Iloilo and other sections of Panay. In fact, practically, all the municipalities of Negros Occidental facing the direction of Panay had been peopled through migrations of Ilonggos, mostly from Jaro, Molo, Mandurriao, La Paz and the southern towns like Tigbauan, Guimbal, Miag-ao, and San Joaquin. It was much later that the name "Negrense" was promoted as an identity for the people of Negros. Today, in a more specific and narrow geographic context, the Ilonggos are oftentimes referred to as those inhabiting the provinces of Iloilo and Guimaras.
An Ilonggo, in the past, was also known to be "tikalon" or braggart, although this trait was more aptly associated with the Ilonggos in Negros Occidental. This was mainly due to the boom in the sugar industry that greatly benefited the sugar-producing municipalities of Negros and created a crop of wealthy hacienderos and professionals. Of course, this was before the sugar crisis in the 1970s.
An Ilonggo is also known to be liberal spender and not "kuripot". He loves to flaunt his affluence and he tends to outdo himself and muddle his budget to ensure that visitors have the best of the famous Ilonggo hospitality.
But, ironically, an Ilonggo is notoriously conservative or "segurista" when it comes to business venture. This will explain why for some time, in the 1980s and 1990s, there were more banks in Iloilo City than in Cebu City. An Ilonggo tends to keep his money in banks rather than invests them in risky business.
An Ilonggo is known to be a peace-loving person. As much as possible, he tries to avoid conflicts. But, a word of caution, never provoke an Ilonggo to anger because he also has the reputation as "tam-an kaisog". When already angry, and convinced that he is right, he will fight to the death.
An Ilonggo, in both Panay and Negros, is generally charming and he smiles a lot and will enjoy to the utmost socials and festivals. This will explain why an Ilonggo will always find a basis or rationale for celebrating. This is also the reason why Bacolod has been dubbed as the "City of Smiles."
The composite description of an Ilonggo may be sufficient without mentioning his favorite La Paz batchoy, the noodle and bee/pork entrails concoction eaten with gusto by majority of the people. It is also a hit among non-Ilonggos in other parts of the country. This is the reason why there is La Paz batchoy in the far north as Ilocos region, and in the far south as Tawi-tawi. Is this not a case of Ilonggo cultural imperialism? Together with batchoy is "Pancit Molo" but the latter does not have the widespread popularity gained by the former. Of course, mention must also be made of other popular delicacies consumed by an Ilonggo such as biscocho, pinasugbo, bandi, and baye-baye.