Located southwest of Panay Island Guimaras Island is separated physically from Iloilo by a narrow channel, which takes  about ten minutes to cross by pumpboat from the Ortiz landing on Iloilo to Jordan, Guimaras.  Geologists opine that the island formed one landmass with Panay in the past.  Guimaras was also known as Himal-us.  A sub-province of Iloilo, Guimaras became full-pledged province on 22 May 1992.  Comprising five towns, it has Jordan town as the capital, and has a total land area of 604.65 sq. km.

Guimaras is well-known for its agricultural crops, in particular mangoes where some 50,000 of these trees are planted.  Guimaras also has many coves and neighboring islets with fine white sand beaches which is the reason why the island was the favorite spot for vacation houses by the well-heeled of Iloilo.  The most famous of such houses is the Lopezes’ Roca Encantada, which a landmark one passes enroute to Bacolod.

Archaelogical evidence indicate that Guimaras had a thriving native population before Gonzalo Ronquillo de Penalosa who established Villa Arevalo visited the island and notes the abundant timber forests and limestone deposits useful for building, as well as the island’s hunting and fishing grounds.

Evangelization of Guimaras occurred around the same time the friars were making inroads in Panay.  The Augustinians established the visitas of Nayup and Igang dependent on Oton, Iloilo. Gov. Gen. Dasmariñas 20 June 1551 report ton the king noted that that the friars of Oton made regular visits to the island.  In 1742, jurisdiction over the island was transferred to Dumangas and in 1751, the Jesuits who had established a school in Iloilo, and had missions in Molo and Arevalo too charge of the island. 

In 1742, the island fekk under the jurisdiction of Dumangas until 1751 when the Agustinian Order was replaced by the Jesuits. Then the Dominicans took charge of Guimaras.  By 1755, it was raised to the status a regular parish.  With increase in population, the island was constituted as a town with the seat of government at Tilad, now Buenavista.  The exact site of the Buenvista is the place called today today “Old Poblacion.”

Because of the deep waters near Jordan, the Americans built a wharf at Buenavista for international shipping in 1903.  The wharf was pivotal in the sugar trade of Western Visayas.  Gen. Douglas MacArthur was responsible for this initiative as well as for the construction of roads on the island. He constructed roads and the Sto. Rosario wharf that are still in use today.  The Americans also built Camp Jossman and set aside Punta Blanco as target range.

Guimaras attractions are for the most part natural: white sand beaches and private coves, farms and the like.

Heritage site:  One historical site is noted, namely along the coast at Barangay Navalas, Buenavista where a colonial church built in 1880 still stands.  The church functioned also a place of refuge in times of distress.

Extra: A visit to the beaches of Guimaras can be enriched by dropping by Navalas to visit its historic church.  Other religious sites frequently visited are:

• Trappist Monastery: Founded in 1972 by American monks it is located 12 kms. from Jordan Wharf.  True to the Benedictine tradition, the monks engage in farming, growing guava, cashew and other tropical fruits and preparing jams and preserves, which are sold in the monastery’s souvenier shop.  Proceeds from the shop support the monastery.  The monastery also welcomes guests who want to spend a silent retreat in the premises.

• Bala-an Bukid Shrine, has a large whitewashed cross located on the peak of Bundulan Point t at  Barangay, Hoskyn, Jordan.  The cross is clearly visible from Iloilo, and incoming ships to the Iloilo harbor note it as a landmark.  Bala-an Bukid or Holy Mountain is a pilgrimage site for Catholics, who do the Stations of the Cross and participate in other religious rites, every on 1 May and Holy Week.

Pagtal-tal sa Guimaras:  This is the Guimaras version of the Sinakulo or Passion Play performed on Holy Week.