Seated in downtown Illoilo, Calle Real or more popularly known as JM Basa Street is the Escolta of Iloilo having its resemblance of the old Escolta in Manila and is said to have been completed during the 1800s or the Spanish Colonial Period.
During the American occupation, Calle Real is a hub of high-end shopping stores selling American and European goods. The stretch is home to several American period neo-classical, beaux-arts and art deco buildings
Even the late national hero Dr. Jose Rizal was impressed of its beauty. The street that would later be known as the city’s central business district was eventually renamed in honor of Jose Maria Basa, a Filipino businessman-propagandist and a colleague of Dr. Rizal.
The Iloilo City government declared the stretch of JM Basa, Aldeguer, Guanco and Iznart Streets as heritage zone in August 8, 2014, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines declared it as such.
Calle Real is a trip to the memory lane for visitors who are into history and the appreciation of the past as it hosts several old buildings that would include the Edificio de E/R Villanueva, Edificio de S. Villanueva, Edificio de Celso Villanueva, Teatro Regente, Edificio de Cine Aguila, Aduana de Iloilo, the sunburst park, Edificio de Elizalde y Compania, Guaderra and Hoskyn’s Department Store.