As I have recently worked on updating the Socio-Ecological Profile of Iloilo City for the year 2016, I acquired the data sent by the region’s Department of Tourism on the list of tourist attractions in the city. I never knew Iloilo to be that rich in heritage and culture and that we were able to preserve most of the sites.

The list consists of churches, mansion houses, and relevant landmarks. Most of the churches not only within the city but also in various towns and municipalities in the province were the icons that Spain left to us. It is important that we know the history of each of these heritage spots and treasure it generation by generation. The notables are:

Jaro Cathedral – the famous cathedral that houses and celebrates the feast day of Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria (Our Lady of Candles). That is every February 2.

Molo Church – located in the district of Molo, it is affectionately known as the “Women Church” because of the sixteen nearly life-size images of female saints occupying the columns on either side of the church’s center aisle. Dr. Jose Rizal paid a visit to this church during the late 19th century because of the renowned paintings of biblical characters within its structures.

Arevalo Church – Home of the 3rd oldest Sto. Niño image. There are only three original images of the child Jesus in the whole archipelago. The oldest is found in Cebu, which was discovered by Legaspi in 1565, 2nd in Tondo Church found in 1572, and the 3rd in Arevalo.

As for the heritage mansions and houses, we have:

Nelly Garden – Built-in 1928 and was commissioned by the philanthropist and statesman Don Vicente Lopez y Villanueva together with his wife, Doña Elena Hofilena y Javelona. The place was named after their eldest daughter Nelly. This grand mansion sits on the four-hectare property in the Jaro district.

Lizares Mansion – Sitting on a sprawling estate and resplendent in white paint along the highway in Tabuc-Suba, Jaro. It was once the mansion and villa of the Lizares family sold to the Dominican Order of the Philippines in the 1970’s and is now the seat of Angelicum School, a Catholic School run by the Dominican Order of Preachers.

Molo Mansion – the recently restored historic house, Yusay-Consing Mansion fronting the Molo plaza has now become a heritage attraction to visitors and locals alike. A big thanks to SM Land Inc. for initiating and funding the restoration of not only the mansion but also turning the surroundings into a sort of a park and outdoor shopping market. The Yusay-Consing Mansion was built in the 1920s and was originally owned by Doña Petra Lacson-Yusay. It was later handed down to the family of Timoteo Consing Sr., who served as Iloilo governor from the year 1935 to 1937.

Casa Mariquit – Two-century-old house, considered one of the oldest existing houses in Iloilo and where the Javellana Family once resided.

One of the family members, Maria Mariquit Javellana lived there with her husband, the former Vice President of the Philippines, Fernando Lopez, Sr.

Casa Mariquit has located a few blocks from Jaro plaza going to Tabuc Suba.

That is about it for now. There is much more that I would want to share so stay tuned for part 2 of Iloilo City’s heritage attraction on this blog. Thanks for reading.