Jolo,Sulu

"JOLO"

     Jolo is the capital and a developing city on the island of Jolo in the province of Sulu. it is the largest town in the province. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 87,998 people in 12,814 households. Part of its population is of Chinese descent, mainly fromSingapore. Of the population, 90% are Muslim, the remaining 10% are Christian.

     Jolo is Located at the western part of the mindanao in the northwest side of the jolo Island. The Jolo Island is situated between the Province of Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, sulu sea to the North and Celebes sea to the south.

Jolo is politically subdivided into 8 barangays:

§  Alat

§  Asturias

§  Bus-Bus

§  Chinese Pier

§  San Raymundo

§  Takut-Takut

§  Tulay

§  Walled City

"HISTORY"

     The Sulu Archipelago is an island chain in the Southwest Philippines between Mindanao and Borneo; it is made up of 900 islands of volcanic and coral origin covering an area of 2,688 km². Jolo is a volcanic island, which lies in the center of the Sulu Archipelago covering 890 km². There are numerous pyroclastic volcanoes and craters around Jolo, and the last known eruption took place in 1897.

    It is said that the Chinese traders who frequented the place named Jolo after ho lâng (好人).Ho lâng meaning ‘Good People’ reflects the Chinese perception of the natives. Chinese traders would leave goods on Jolo’s shore, and find them undisturbed on their return. The phrase was eventually extended to ho ló (好佬) meaning ‘Good Community’. The native inhabitants on the island are the Tausug. The Tausug are part of the larger Moro group which dominates the Sulu Archipelago. The Moro had an independent state known as the Sulu Sultanate, which was politically and economically centered on Jolo. Jolo was the regional entrepot and developing city years before The Philippines was even a country. The Sulu economy formed its base around commerce and through the network of nearby trading partners.

“RELIGION”

The majority of the people living in Jolo practice Islam, but there is also a significant Christian minority comprising of Roman Catholics and Protestants.

Tulay Central Mosque is the largest mosque in town and in the province. There are also numerous mosques located in different areas and barangays around Jolo. The Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church is a Roman Catholic church located in the town center and is the biggest church in town.

“FESTIVAL”

The Feast of the Rajah Baguinda (or Rajah Baguinda Festival) is a celebration to commemorate the important contribution of Rajah Baguinda in history. He led the spread of the religion of Islam and the adoption of the Sulu Sultanate government. The festival lasts three days to celebrate every second week of August in Jolo, Sulu, by several cultural performances.