Basking in My Introversion

 I am an introvert runner. 

And I am also a seasonal introvert traveler. 

I would shift to this persona every time I have an out-of-town marathon. Being alone certainly allows me to autonomously decide my itinerary. This is what happened on January 17, 2025 when I arrived in Iloilo City. 

Ghosted by a contact whom I waited on to recommend a tour guide, I pushed through with my initial plan: a DIY tour. Well, this person might have attempted raining on my parade for whatever reason, but have failed. *chuckles* At any rate, I prepared myself for my trip by visiting Iloilo travel sites prior. The most helpful was angkaladkarin.com. This domain contained an article about the author’s Iloilo City exploration and it partly became my “travel playbook.” 

So after eating my breakfast and having my early check-in past 7:00am that Friday, I settled in my room wishing to catnap since I haven’t slept for a day. Excitement does that to me! I just closed my eyes to minimize the light-headedness. At around 11:15am, I bathed again to be refreshed in preparation for my personal discovery tour. 

Booking a Grab car, I pinned San Jose Church as my initial destination. I learned that this was the first ever Roman Catholic church in Iloilo City. As per practice in a newly visited locale, I would enter a church before anything else. Prayers of gratitude for a safe trip, a safe stay and a safe marathon must be offered. 

Going out of this church, I walked across to Plaza Libertad, a historic park situated in the center of Iloilo City. Formerly known as Plaza Alfonso XII, this site is Iloilo City's counterpart of Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite where the flag of the first Philippine Republic was raised.  

This is where my DIY tour officially commenced as I admired the nearby famous landmarks. It was literally a heritage walk through Iloilo's preserved colonial-era buildings. The detailed architectural designs of these structures convinced me that this City of Love has enough reason to boast of its rich cultural legacy. 

My stroll progressed along Calle Real until I reached another plaza, the Sunburst Park, in front of the Iloilo Customs House. Here I saw marble markers where the names of Ilonggo guerrillas and veterans, who won over the Japanese invaders, were engraved. I executed a salute to honor them. 

From the Sunburst Park I took my chance of looking for more must-sees. The temperature and humidity had increased, yet it didn't bother me a bit in my desire to maximize the whole afternoon. Soon afterward, I saw three parked tricycles. I approached one driver and inquired whether there were museums near the area. He had no idea. Until one of the drivers answered in the affirmative and volunteered to take me there. It was an opening gambit to ask for other tourist spots which he knew. Making a short introduction as a solo traveler, I sealed a deal with him in providing me a transpo service to the places which I wanted to visit. 

From this arresting marquee my exciting museum tours set in. 

1. Museo Iloilo

Paying a minimal entrance fee of Php 50.00 I had a quick tour of this small museum where I had a glimpse of Iloilo City in World War II; a few paintings; and artifacts like pottery, jars, ceramics, and religious images. Not much could be seen here, thus I left at once. Seeing the condition of the museum, I wonder if this was being maintained well.   

2. National Museum of the Philippines, Iloilo City

A minute trip from Museo Iloilo, I reached National Museum of the Philippines. This is the former Iloilo Provincial Jail. Entrance fee was free. However, the security guard oriented us visitors about the museum rules. It was in this second museum visit where I was given an in-depth Western Visayas cultural exposure. The textile exhibit, paintings and stone sculptures were a testament to Ilonggos treasured ancestry. I would cherish this museum for I was able to realize a fantasy - that of wearing a Dinagyang costume and dancing in it! A sincere thank you to the male interns who assisted me!

3. Museum of Philippine Economic History 

Reaching this third museum was a beautiful accident. The trike driver thought that he was already bringing me to the UP Visayas Museum of Art and Cultural Heritage. Warmly welcomed and ushered by two female trainees, I had a free tour in this two-storey museum which is the old Commission on Audit building or Elizalde building. As the name of the museum connotes, this features the vibrant economic history of Iloilo City. What my senses delighted in at Museum of Philippine Economic History were the Spanish tile design, intricate decorative carvings, the Capiz shell windows, and the color and unique scent of the wood. I could just wish doing a vertical run on that grand staircase which initially gave me a spooky vibe. Awoooooo! Hahahaha... 

4. UP Visayas Museum of Art and Cultural Heritage

The last but definitely not the least museum in my list was UP Visayas Museum of Art and Cultural Heritage. I had to see "The Patrimony of All," which displayed obra maestras of the great Filipino painters Juan Luna, Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, Juan Arellano, and Fernando Amorsolo from the Lopez Museum and Library (LML) Collection. Upon reading the news about the schedule of this exhibit I was ecstatic since it coincided with my going to Iloilo City for a marathon. If this were the only museum which I toured, it would be satisfactory all the same. UPVM of Arts and Cultural Heritage, with its humongous valuable art collection, satiated my strong appetite for visual arts and made me miss teaching humanities. 
 
From our museum tour we proceeded to Molo Plaza where one finds Santa Ana Parish Church commonly known as Molo Church. This church earned the moniker "'the feminist church' because of the all-women ensemble of saints represented in 16 statues perched on the aisle pillars." 

Across the plaza is the Molo Mansion aka Yusay-Consing Mansion. I tried recalling the old local movie where I already saw this stately home, but without success. *sighs* An undeniable evidence of affluence in the 1920s, this mansion is considered one of the most outstanding historical houses in our country. 

Stepping on the veranda, I was surprised but thankful that Molo Mansion is not only an iconic attraction but also a souvenir shop. 

Since this was the only visited place where I saw pasalubongs, I already decided to purchase some. When it was over, I was able to pay attention to my grumbling stomach. Surely, I only had one eatery in mind - Roberto's. 

Well-known for its uberdelicious King and Queen siopao (steamed bun), Roberto's completed my Iloilo City sojourn. A siopao lover, I was thrilled to enter this century-old diner where customers would patiently queue for their orders. Jucel, the gregarious and effective trike driver, was my dining companion. A former criminology student, he's one colorful character whom I was blessed to run into on this trip. 

Before 5:00 pm struck, Jucel dropped me off in Shops at Atria where I claimed my race kit. It was here where my empowering solo adventure (day 1) concluded.