Iloilo Museum: Origin of Iloilo's Rich Cultural Heritage

After going to Calle Real, I decided to ride a jeep just to see the Iloilo Provincial Capitol also. The capitol was originally built in 1840. It was called "Casa Real" (meaning Royal House) which served as a residential house for the alcalde-mayor, considered the highest Spanish official in Iloilo.

The Modern American designed capitol fascinated me with it's glorious grandeur but there is another thing that just caught my attention at this very moment: The Iloilo Museum.

I love to go to museums once in a while. I know, this might sound boring to you but I really benefit from  visiting them. Aside from learning some historical facts, this is a very good venue to rest my tired feet from walking, plus, its a relaxing place since most of the lights there are dim and the air inside is cold too. 

It's 9 AM and I am now sitting just near infront of the entrance waiting for it to open. Since it did not open on time, I got the chance to talk with this Japanese man who was waiting for the museum to open too. We had a very good sensible conversation. 

At about 9:30 AM, the museum opened. Here's what to see inside:

More interesting pieces...

The Mickey Mouse money. It was donated by the Central Bank of Iloilo City on 1971. At this point, it has no exact value now and just serve as a memorabilia of the Japanese occupation here in Iloilo.

The Inverted Japanese Riffle. This type of riffle was used during the Japanese occupation. Noticeably, the magazine of this riffle is placed on top, which makes it unique from the riffles being used today.

A reply letter from a US pilot to Douglas McArthur's message: "I shall return."

Handloom Weaving. This business boomed during the 1970's to the 1980's. This is where Piña cloth was woven.

Piña cloth 

Chinese Porcelain Plates

Chinese Porcelain Plate

Native Accessories 

A vintage Japanese missile

A Philippine soldier uniform 

The museum's staffs: Manuela Julio and Robert, were very helpful in providing information about the museum. They also provided reference books so I could read more historical facts about Iloilo's rich cultural heritage. 

I am encouraging you to do the same, too. If in the future you'll come and visit Iloilo and have a free time during a hot lazy summer afternoon, this would be an ideal place for you to spend some minutes or even hours. It's relaxing and at the same time, you are learning. Just put the malls at the bottom corner of your itinerary.



References: 

"Historical Landmarks and Monuments of Iloilo"
by Henry Florida Funtecha and Melanie Jalandoni Padilla