Anything Under the Sun
Dominican Sisters of Iloilo
The second Filipino congregation of nuns founded in the Philippines was the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary. It was founded in 1925 in Molo, Iloilo City by an Ilonggo nun, Mother Rosario de la Visitacion.
Its mother house was built on lots donated by Sister Rosario's parents, capitan Ignacio Arroyo and Maria Rey del Pidal.
Mother Rosario was its first prioress. She was followed by Mo. Natividad Vidal, Mo. Amaro Elmido, Mo. Visitacion Alecto and Mo. Felicetas Macsera (the incumbent).
At present, the congregation has communities throughout the country and abroad (Saipan Islands, Kenya, Hawaii, California and Rome).
In West Visayas, it had the following schools: Iloilo – (Holy Rosary Academy in Molo, St. Anthony Abbot Parochial School in Tubungan, Mary Immaculate Academy in Calinog, Immaculate Concepcion Parochial School in Oton, Eucharistic King Academy in Sara, St. Jerome Academy in Dueñas, St. Anne Catholic School in Balasan, Sacred Heart Academy in Zarraga);
In Guimaras – Holy Rosary Academy; Capiz – (St. Martin Academy in Dumalag and Our Lady of Fatima Academy in Dao); Antique – St. Joseph in Bacolod.
They had also schools in their communities in Mindanao and Luzon as well as in abroad. The Congregation's lead school is the tertiary Dominican College in Iloilo City.
Incidentally Mother Rosario is also a sister of Sen. Jose Ma. Arroyo and Gov. Mariano Arroyo.