The city of Iloilo is likely home to the most number of museums in the country. Within its roughly 79 square kilometer area, one can find several museums that will satisfy one's curiosity about arts, heritage, and history. These include the Museo Iloilo, the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Philippine Economic History, the National Museum of Western Visayas, the Museum of Philippine Maritime History, and even the University of San Agustin campus in the city, has its own archives and museum.
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| Originally the Ayuntamiento or town hall of Iloilo, it became part of the UP Visayas campus in 1947. |
Inside
the grounds of the University of the Philippines Visayas is another must-visit
museum due to its vast collections pertaining to Visayan culture, as well as
the presence of several works by our national artists.
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| In 2017, this neo-classical Art Deco building became a museum. |
The
University of the Philippines Visayas, or UPV Museum of Art and Cultural
Heritage, was one of the places we visited during the #PhilippineExperience #WesternVisayas
leg, which took place in Bacolod and Iloilo. In this program, the Department of
Tourism sampled a three-day itinerary to explore both cities, which tourists
can replicate — and it included everything that appeals to travelers such as
culinary, nature, history and cultural destinations.
Promoting
Interest in Art and Cultural Heritage
Housed
inside the main building of the UP Visayas, Iloilo City campus, the UPV Museum
of Art and Culture Heritage was formally launched on October 22, 2022. In his
opening remarks, UP Visayas Chancellor Clement C. Camposano characterized
culture as not only varied but also fluid. "(culture) is constantly
moving," Chancellor Camposano said. He spoke of what academics describe as
culture, a dynamic and ongoing journey of meaning-making that is constantly
evolving.
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| The entrance will immediately wow you |
"These
galleries, which I will dare call the cultural crown jewel of Panay and Iloilo,
are really a space to celebrate both the plurality and fluidity of culture."
Chancellor Camposano emphasizes the importance of this place as a democratic
haven, a generous offering from the university that fosters the creation of
platforms for diverse voices to be heard.
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| Best place to discover works of Visayan artists |
The
renovation of the main building's interior to achieve museum standards was made
possible by a 44-million-peso grant from the National Historical Commission of
the Philippines (NHCP) on top of a 15-million-peso grant given by the
Commission of Higher Education (CHED) in 2019.
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| A gallery displaying common items hundreds of years ago |
According
to its mission statement, the museum aims to create engaging programs and
exhibitions in the visual arts and cultural heritage, catering to a wide range
of audiences both within and beyond the University. It also aspire to foster
learning and inspire a lasting passion for art and cultural heritage, not only
in the Visayas region but also of the whole country. Seeking to enhance both
academic and civic life, by positioning itself as a vital component of the
University of the Philippines Visayas and the surrounding community.
City
of Love (of Learning)
Iloilo
is known as the “City of Love” because the Hiligaynon, the language
predominantly spoken here, sounds very soothing to the ears and has a sweet
intonation, making the speaker sound more friendly, loving, and kind-hearted.
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| Staring intently at Carlos "Botong" Francisco's painting entitled "Harana" (left one) |
Given
the abundance of museums, the city could easily earn the reputation of being a
hub for individuals who have a passion for learning. The city's numerous
exhibition halls, galleries, and art spaces offer a glimpse of history and
culture, transforming a visit into an educational experience.
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| The Hanas Gallery |
After
listening to the museum's curator's fascinating insights in the reception hall,
we were divided into three smaller groups with a guide being assigned to each
group before we entered each gallery.
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| Inside Panapton Textile Gallery |
In
the past, I had the tendency to experience information overload and settle into
zoning out, but inside this museum, I remained attentive to our guide as I
absorbed a continuous flow of captivating anecdotes, historical context, and
the cultural importance of each exhibit.
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| A photo book by Ramon L. Muzones. Margosatubig is a Hiligaynon novel about a fictional Muslim state in Mindanao |
Housed
inside the neo-classical walls of the UPV Museum of Art and Cultural Heritage,
which used to be the old Iloilo City Hall during the pre-war years, are seven
galleries: Panapton Textile Gallery, Taliambong UPV Art Gallery, Ed Defensor
Gallery, Nelfa A. Querubin Gallery—dedicated to two Ilonggo artists, Duna
Intangible Cultural Heritage Gallery, Lantip Gallery 1, and Hanas Gallery 2.
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| DOT 6 Regional Director Krisma Rodriguez |
The
Hanas Gallery 2 stands out as a personal favorite, showcasing the art
collection of former UPV Chancellor Dr. Dionisia Rola. This impressive display
features a selection of paintings from renowned national artists, including
Carlos "Botong" Francisco, Ang Kiokok, Jose T. Yoya, and Arturo Luz.
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| Thing of beauty everywhere you look |
Because
of the many significant artworks on display I wasn’t able to take note of all
the paintings on display. According to Iloilo Art Life, it also houses “masterpieces by Manuel
D. Baldemor, Mauro Malang Santos, Romulo Olazo, and Manuel Rodriguez, Sr.
Norberto Carating, Virginia Flor-Agbayani, Solomon Saprid, Philipp Badon, Jonah
Salvosa, Esther Bailey, and Manene.
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| Choir singers from UPV serenaded us with a harmonious song |
The
exhibit also has earlier works by Alan Cabalfin, Nelson Ferraris, Nelfa
Querubin, Ed Defensor, Joseph Decierdo, Edsel Moscoso, Edgar J. Gonzales, and
JM Castociano”
The
Panapton Textile Gallery captured my attention with its showcase of locally
crafted textiles, prominently highlighting hablon cloth. Derived from the
Hiligaynon term for "clothing," Panapton showcases an array of
traditional attire, including the camisa (undergarment), Barong Tagalog, Traje
de Mestiza (gowns), scarves, and infant baptism garments known as the Panyal,
alongside the Saypang, a traditional garment from the Panay-Bukidnon region.
I
would love to spend more time inside the museum, but since we’re following a
strict schedule, we had to leave after a couple of hours. I think I should
allocate more time to revisit this museum during my next visit to the City of
Love, Iloilo. While I enjoy exploring the city's gastronomy scene, the heritage
district, and exchanging pleasantries with the people, I also enjoy delving
into the city's rich history and culture. It is now evident that the city's
array of museums provides an enriching experience that ensures those with a
thirst for knowledge depart with a treasure trove of fresh understandings not
only about the city and the province, but of the whole Visayas region as well.
