The storied former Iloilo provincial capitol will add to its history on June 30 when it hosts the first ever UAP Inauguration to be held outside of Luzon.

The two-story building completed in 1873 will be the venue for the Welcome Ceremonies, Chapter Presidents' Orientation, Inauguration on Day 1 of the UAP Inaugural Rites and Strategic Planning Conference.

It may be recalled that the venue  served as the venue for the first ever Independence Day vin d’honneur (wine of honor) which was held outside Malacañang last June 12, 2015. The said vin d’honneur, which Malacañang holds every Independence Day and at the beginning of every year, was attended by about 120 members of the diplomatic corps and their spouses, legislators, and civic and business leaders.

The old Iloilo provincial capitol has undergone several structural and name changes reflective of the rich history and heritage of the province.

Since it was completed during the Spanish period and became the seat of the provincial government, it was called Casa Gobierno de Iloilo, Palacio del Gobernador, Casa Real, Provincial Building of Iloilo, President Garcia Hall and Provincial Capitol of Iloilo.

Standing at one end of historic Calle Real (now J.M. Basa and Iznart Streets), the building was originally built following a “bahay na bato”(stone house) design with the walls of the ground floor made of coral and the second floor of wood.

Construction of the building was initiated under Gov. Jose Maria Carles and completed in 1873 during the term of Gov. Enrique Fajardo under the direction of chief of public works Don Vicente Ruiz, according to a briefer prepared by the Public Information and Community Affairs Office of the provincial government.

The building was described by the Spanish newspaper La Ilustracion Española y Americana as “one of the best of its class”and the “most comfortable and most spacious in the Philippines” at the time.

The provincial government led by Gov. Arthur Defensor had undertaken the restoration of the old provincial capitol to its American-period architecture.

Incoming UAP National President Architect Guillermo Hisancha led the restoration of Casa Real de Iloilo.