Nestled in the heart of the Philippines, Iloilo City beckons with a cultural tapestry woven from the threads of its rich heritage. Steeped in history, this city invites explorers to embark on a journey through time, where Spanish colonial influences echo in the intricate architecture of churches and ancestral houses.

The vibrant pulse of Iloilo resonates during cultural festivals like Dinagyang, where traditions come alive through spirited performances. Beyond the picturesque landscapes, Iloilo’s heritage is a living narrative, found in the stories of its people, the flavors of its cuisine, and the artistic expressions showcased in its museums.

This is a city that invites you not only to witness its heritage but to actively participate in its preservation, a journey of appreciation that unfolds with every step along its storied streets.

Appreciating the heritage of Iloilo City involves immersing yourself in its rich history, cultural traditions, and architectural marvels. Here are several ways to fully appreciate the heritage of Iloilo City:

• Visit Historical Sites and Landmarks:

• Explore churches like Jaro Cathedral and Molo Church, appreciating their architectural beauty and historical significance.
• Visit Plaza Libertad and other historical landmarks to get a sense of the city’s development over the years.

• Explore Ancestral Houses:

• Take a walking tour of districts like Jaro and Molo to see well-preserved ancestral houses. Some houses offer guided tours, providing insights into the families that once lived there and the history behind the architecture.

• Attend Cultural Festivals:

• Time your visit to coincide with cultural festivals such as the Dinagyang Festival. Participate in the festivities, watch traditional performances, and experience the vibrant cultural expression of the city.

• Museum Visits:

• Spend time in museums like ILOMOCA and Museo Iloilo to gain a deeper understanding of Iloilo’s art, history, and culture. Many museums showcase artifacts, artworks, and exhibits that tell the story of the city.

• Culinary Exploration:
• Taste the local cuisine, including specialties like La Paz Batchoy and Pancit Molo. Many of these dishes have deep roots in Ilonggo culture, and sampling them is a way to connect with the culinary heritage.

• Heritage Tours:
• Join guided heritage tours offered by local agencies or cultural organizations. Knowledgeable guides can provide historical context and interesting anecdotes about various heritage sites.

• Participate in Local Traditions:

• If local events or traditional practices are happening during your visit, participate and engage with the community. This might include religious celebrations, parades, or other cultural events.

• Connect with Locals:

• Strike up conversations with locals, especially elders, who may share stories about the city’s past and cultural practices. This personal connection can provide unique insights into the living heritage of Iloilo.

• Support Local Artisans:

• Purchase locally-made crafts and products. Iloilo is known for its crafts, including weaving and pottery. Supporting local artisans helps preserve traditional skills and contributes to the cultural heritage.

• Educate Yourself:
  • Read books, and articles, or attend lectures about the history and heritage of Iloilo City. A deeper understanding enhances your appreciation for the city’s cultural richness.

• Document and Share Your Experience:
  • Take photographs and notes during your explorations. Share your experiences through social media or a travel blog to raise awareness about Iloilo City’s heritage. A few popular vloggers here in the local and also visiting Iloilo City are already doing this, and you should too.

By actively engaging with the city’s history, culture, and people, you can gain a profound appreciation for the heritage of Iloilo City and contribute to the preservation of its cultural legacy.

Iloilo City’s heritage culture is openly reflected in the several historical structures and tourist spots in the city districts. They are currently protected by the Iloilo City Heritage Council and are partnered to several national agencies that focus on heritage preservation.

Preserving history and heritage is crucial for several reasons:

Identity and cultural heritage: History and heritage are the roots of a society’s identity and cultural heritage. They provide a sense of continuity with the past and help people understand their ancestors’ values, beliefs, and way of life. Preserving these artifacts and landmarks is essential to maintaining the cultural identity of a community and its connection to its past.

Education and learning: History and heritage serve as valuable resources for education and learning. They provide tangible evidence of the past and allow people to learn from their predecessors’ successes and failures. By preserving historical artifacts, buildings, and landmarks, we can educate current and future generations about the past and inspire them to learn from history.

Economic and tourism benefits: Historical sites and landmarks can be valuable tourist attractions, generating revenue and providing employment opportunities. By preserving historical buildings and sites, we can promote tourism, which can benefit the local economy.

Environmental and ecological benefits: Some historical sites and landmarks are also important ecological or environmental resources. For example, national parks and other protected areas can help preserve endangered species and promote biodiversity. By protecting these areas, we can help maintain the natural environment for future generations.

Overall, preserving history and heritage is crucial for maintaining cultural identity, promoting education and learning, providing economic benefits, and protecting the environment.

For today’s blog post on Iloilo City tourism and heritage spots, I present to you the Mejica Mansion. It is located in Baluarte, Molo, fronting the Baluarte Elementary School. We were able to visit the mansion as part of our tourist and heritage spots assessment here in Iloilo City. That is for the preparation of the Iloilo City Tourism and Development Plan. 

For a quick background, Mejica Mansion is the ‘balay na bato’ printing museum and was a repository of pre-war Ilonggo documents. It housed the famous Makinaugalingon press which printed books, commercial calendars, pamphlets and even dance tickets in its years of production. The founder was Don Rosendo Madrazo Mejica (1873-1956), a politician-philanthropist celebrated for establishing the Baluarte Elementary School in 1902, and serving as town councilor for nearly three decades.

Beside the mansion is the current Makinaugalingon press location and Mejica’s Makinaugalingon was the first ever newspaper in Iloilo to use the local language Hiligaynon. The first ever Hiligaynon copies of Rizal’s Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo was their product.

The tour party scheduled the visit around 3:00 in the afternoon and we were to go around inside, checking the old printing machines that they used and a huge cabinets of Makinaugalingon newspaper and their other journal collection. I think I saw a published copy as early as the 1930s. They also had a lot of memorabilia of the Don Rosendo Madrazo Mejica and other historical documents.

Check out below the pictures that I took during the course of the visit.

Educational institutions in Iloilo City has an extensive history which started with the Spanish era. Most of the recognized schools and universities in the city were established during the early 1900s. A few of the notables are as follows (quoting description from the Iloilo City SEP 2015):

Iloilo National High School – Century old institution established in 1902 through American efforts. The school was housed in a two-storey buiding across the street from the Provincial Capitol before it transferred to its present site in La Paz on land donated by Don Francisco Habana Jalandoni in 1906. In 1904 was a significant year in that, for the first time, Filipino students were sent as government pensionados or scholars to the United States.

University of San Agustin – Augustinians friars from Spain belonging to the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus of the4 Philippines founded the University of San Agustin on 1904. It was raised into a university status on March 1, 1953.The Spanish Augustinians were the first Christian missionaries of any religious order to enter the Philippines and begin its conversion to Catholicism. The motto of the privately-owned university is Virtus it Scientia; The University is named in honor of fourth century saint Augustine of Hippo. On February 5, 1917, it was formally incorporated under thename Colegio de San Agustin de Iloilo.

Saint Paul University and Hospital – The university was founded in 1907. It is one of 42 schools owned, managed, and operated by the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres in the Philippines. The university was previously a women’s college until it finally went co-ed to accommodate male students from the male college of Ateneo de Tuguegarao that closed down. The hospital was established in 1909 by the four sisters- Sr. Donatine, Sr. Antoine, Sr. Augustine, Sr. Felix. Now, it has become one of the biggest and famous hospitals in the metropolis.

UP in the Visayas Iloilo City Campus – Currently the main building of the campus, this historical building is actually the old city hall of Iloilo City. Built more than a decade before the Second World War, this building served the city of Iloilo as its city hall from 1936 till the 50s. The city government donated the building to the university and is still used up to this day.

Central Philippine University – One of the largest institutions in the Visayas, located in the district of Jaro. It was founded by American Baptist missionaries in 1905.Its original name was Jaro Industrial School.The 24- hectare campus, with more than 30 buildings used for classrooms and support facilities. It has remained true to its mission as a Christian institution whose motto is Scientia et Fides (Knowledge and Faith).The beautifully landscaped campus had been declared a tourist destination by the local tourism authority. The city council mentioned CPU as home to the largest library in Western Visayas, the Henry Luce III Library, with more than 200,000 volumes. A non-stock, non-profit Christian institution of higher learning in Iloilo City.