Pototan is a municipality in the province of Iloilo on Panay island in the Philippines. Considered the "rice granary" of Panay, the town is bordered by Passi City to the north, Zarraga to the south, New Lucena to the east, and Dumangas to the west.

The town lies on the banks of the Suage River, 17 miles or 30 km distant the City of Iloilo. It is a large town composed of 50 barangays. The town has an area of 94 km², 85% of which is agricultural land. Last December 1997, it was declared as the "Christmas Capital of Western Visayas" because of its famed Christmas Festival of Lights.

History

Early history

The first people of Pototan were the family of Datu Ramon, grandson of Datu Puti, a Malay from the town of Dumangas. They first settled at Barangay Naslo, which was formerly the Poblacion. In that place was found a luxuriant growth of trees called "putat", after which the place was subsequently called "Kaputatan" (Place of many Putat trees). However, due to its hilly terrain and the arduousness of securing their water supply, they decided to move nearer the bank of the Suage River , which turned later into a flourishing place; now called Pototan.

In the middle of the 16th century, the Chinese traders arrived in Pototan. Their arrival gave birth to a new horizon. The natives learned the techniques of trade and commerce, which continued to flourish until the middle part of the 17th century.

Spanish era

The arrival of the Spaniards in 1593 sparked new changes in the socio-economic and political life of the natives. It was the start of a new era, the natives were converted to Catholicism through the efforts of Augustinian Friars . The settlement was subsequently made into a Parish. Education, though at the onset only for the privilaged few, was introduced. The name "Kaputatan", which the Spanish have difficulty pronouncing, was changed to "Pototan".

To improve the economic and social condition of the place, the Spaniards introduced and built roads and bridges. They constructed the Tribunal or Municipal Hall uder the supervision of Don Tomas Sajen and Don Escribano with the natives contributing the labor force. The Tribunal was able to withstand the wrath of the last global war and in the early 50s was modified into what is now the Western Visayas Hospital.

In 1874, Pototanons were given the opportunity to run their own political affairs with the appointment of Don Juan Marcelo as the first Capitan Municipal. This form of government continued until the arrival of the Americans.

During the incumbency of Capitan Municipal Braulio Peñaranda, a horrifying event happened&mash;something that the Pototanons will never forget—the Cholera outbreak of 1891. Old folks who were able to survive the epidemic can still recall the torment and anguish of their townmates afflicted by the unexpected plague. Because of the absence of medicine, many lives were lost.

During the Philippine Revolution, Pototanons such as Teresa Magbanua (known as the Joan of arc of the Visayas) and her two brothers, Elias and Pascual Magbanua took up arms and joined the revolution.

The Americans arrived after Spain ceded Philippines to the United States in 1898. The remaining Spanish population fled to the hills together many Filipinos including the last Gobernadorcillio, Don Mariano Peñaflorida . He was later held prisoner by the Americans but was subsequently named the first Municipal President.

American era

Under the Americans, the natives were granted the freedom of speech and worship. Education was liberalized; more and better roads and bridges were constructed. Improvements were also noticed in the economic, social and cultural life of the people.

During the incumbency of Mun. President Primitivo Ledesma , the Pototanons again wittnessed another unforgettable event: the burning of the entire half of the publacion in November 1914. The cause of the fire is unknown.

When the Philippine Constitution was ratified in 1935, another change in the town's local governance was introduced: the title of Municipal President was changed to Municipal Mayor. Fernando Parcon was the first Municipal Mayor. He was succeeded by Mariano Peñaflorida in 1940. Peñaflorida served until September 16, 1942.

The coming of the Japanese during World War II spread chaos and fear among Pototanons. Mayor Peñalorida continued to act as Mayor under the Free Revolutionary Government of Tomas Confessor. While the Japanese Imperial Forces designated Tomas Ferrariz as Puppet Mayor.