In Iloilo City, Molo Church is known as the “Feminist Church”; this nickname draws attention to a distinctive feature of its statues of saints. Other cultural points of interest include Jaro Cathedral, Plaza Libertad and the NM Western Visayas Regional Museum. Local cuisine and the Port of Iloilo add other perspectives. If you are planning a trip to Iloilo, you can organize your priorities around your interests—from churches and history to weaving and food culture. When choosing a hotel in Iloilo, it helps to first consider which of these themes will shape your trip most.

Churches and historical traces

The statues of saints at Molo Church depict women exclusively; this is why the church is known as the “Feminist Church.” Jaro Cathedral in Iloilo City is the seat of a metropolitan cathedral. Plaza Libertad is located in City Proper, Iloilo City, and is a Level I national historical landmark. Jaro Belfry in Jaro, Iloilo City, survived a major earthquake before the outbreak of World War II. These examples highlight different aspects: ecclesiastical function, the subject of the statues, national designation and a historic natural event. When exploring historic sites, you can consider different aspects of their significance rather than classifying them by name alone.

Community heritage and weaving

The NM Western Visayas Regional Museum in Iloilo City preserves collections relating to the heritage of communities in Western Visayas. “Habol Panay: The Woven Artistry of Western Visayas,” one of the museum’s two permanent exhibitions, is on permanent display there. The exhibition title highlights woven art as a specific subject, while the collections take a broader view of community heritage. The museum thus combines a broad perspective on community heritage with a clearly defined exhibition of textile art. If you are particularly interested in weaving, it offers a distinct focus alongside churches and historic sites.

Local cuisine as a cultural theme

“Timplada” offers another perspective on Iloilo City. Since 2021, the city has held this event to showcase the creativity of the food service sector and local cuisine. It also includes educational programs about local culinary traditions. The showcase and educational programs emphasize different aspects: the event presents culinary creativity and local cuisine while also sharing knowledge about culinary traditions. For travelers who also view local food culture as a cultural subject, Timplada brings these two perspectives together.

The port and travel planning

The Port of Iloilo is a historic seaport with connections to Manila, Bacolod, Guimaras and other islands. These maritime connections add another perspective to the cultural and culinary themes. If such connections are part of your travel plans, the destinations listed provide a concrete point of reference.

Discover more destinations: Pavia, Iloilo City, Negros Occidental, Antique, Capiz, Aklan.

For the main travel overview: Western Visayas.