A Tour on the National Museum of the Philippines – Iloilo

National Museum of the Philippines – Iloilo is housed inside the Iloilo Provincial Jail (old prison of Iloilo). It was built in 1911 and was used as a rehabilitation center until 2006. Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. led the initiative of its adaptive reuse to make it the regional museum of Western Visayas.

The Province of Iloilo sponsored its retrofitting and the National Museum of the Philippines funded its restoration in 2015.

[Read also] Iloilo City Cultural Heritage: Old Iloilo Prison Building

Museum Hours and Entrance Fee

Inside the National Museum of the Philippines – Iloilo

The museum has five galleries on the ground floor. It also has an art exhibition in the hallway. The second floor is a bonus for museum visitors.

First Floor

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Second Floor

Gallery 1 – Geology and Paleontology Exhibition

Geology and Paleontology Exhibition Hall is a permanent gallery and was opened on January 25, 2020.

In this gallery, you will have a glimpse of life in the past 250 million years. You can see how geology crafted the landscape of Western Visayas and how the land shapes the lives of its inhabitants. You can expect to read and learn about the geographical, topographical, and climatic changes in the region, as well as the diversified as new lands emerged from the sea which created new lives.

Unfold the history of how elephants and stegodonts roamed around in the region, how volcanic eruptions created fertile soil, and how the weaves of the geology and history unveil the life of the region.

Gallery 2 – Amlig: Unveiling the Greatest Wonders of Negros-Panay

Text from the gallery:

The Greater Negros-Panay Biogeographic Region (NPBA) is one of the Key Biodiversity Areas in the country that boasts diverse forest and marine ecosystems. Its lands are home to unique lifeforms, while its waters have rich aquatic biodiversity from freshwater and marine ecosystems.

Despite being considered one of the country’s biologically rich regions, the Greater Negros-Panay is facing threats from habitat destruction, wildlife poaching, climate change, economic advancement, and other anthropogenic activities that affect the survival of its diverse organisms.

This exhibition unveils the greatest biological wonders of the NPBR while providing an avenue to call for action in protecting and conserving the extensive biodiversity of the region.

Conservation efforts of wildlife biologists, conservation centers, and biodiversity conservation enthusiasts, along with the strict implementation of laws, are necessary to continuously safeguard the region’s thriving biodiversity.

Gallery 3 – Dumaan nga Pagpangabuhi sa Panay: Subsistence, Trade, and Funerary Practice

Text from the gallery:

The Dumáan nga Pagpangabúhi sa Panay: Subsistence, Trade, and Funerary Practices exhibition takes you into the prehistoric past of Panay Island.

From the Late Pleistocene to the 18th century common era (CE), this exhibition showcases artifacts and other archaeological finds in the region, revealing the changing lifestyles of the island’s ancient inhabitants.

From looking for food and community interactions to spiritual beliefs and burial rites, these material remains tell stories of the beginnings, transformations, and emergence of early Panayanon cultures.

The Dumáan nga Pagpangabúhi sa Panay invites you to explore these stories through archaeology.

This will promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of the local archaeological heritage and enrich your knowledge of Panay Island’s deep history.

Gallery 4 – Habol Panay: The Woven Artistry of Western Visayas

Habol Panay: The Woven Artistry of Western Visayas is first permanent gallery at the National Museum of the Philippines Iloilo. It was opened on December 15, 2019.

Gallery 5 – Halangdon: The Art of J. Elizalde Navarro

Text from the gallery:

National Artist J. (Jeremias) Elizalde Navarro, born on May 22, 1924, in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, emerged as a prominent figure in Philippine arts in the 1950s. Affectionately known as “Mias” or “Nene,” he spent his primary and secondary education at San Jose Central School and Antique National High School, respectively. He graduated with a degree in fine arts from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in 1951. Serving as art editor of The Varsitarian, the official student publication of UST, earned Navarro a spot as one of the top students in college.

Navarro’s artistry extended to advertising and graphic design, acting as art director of the pioneering Filipino-owned firm Ace Advertising Agency.

Since he won his first Art Association of the Philippines Award in 1952, Navarro continued to express his creativity through diverse media, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, metal, wood, print, and found objects. His artistic explorations encompassed abstract and figurative paintings, sculptures, and assemblages.

In his quest for artistic growth and to mentor future generations of artists, Navarro pursued further studies in New York City. He also held teaching positions at UST and Randwick University in Australia. His artistic legacy continues even after his passing on June 10, 1999. Honored posthumously as a National Artist for Visual Arts, Navarro’s significant contributions to Philippine art, spanning over four decades, remain an indelible mark of his artistry and influence

[Read also] A Guide to Iloilo’s Art Galleries and Museums

How to Get There

The National Museum of the Philippines – Iloilo can be found inside the Iloilo Provincial Capitol Complex. This is located along Bonifacio Drive, City Proper, Iloilo City.

You can reach the place via jeepneys. You can use the landmarks “Old Prison”, “Museo”, or “Capitol” to guide the drivers or the passenger assistance officers to the right unloading area.

Here are the most convenient jeepneys you can board:

ROUTE 3 UNGKA TO CITY PROPER VIA CPU LOOP

ROUTE 5 FESTIVE WALK TO CITY PROPER VIA B. AQUINO AVE. AND SM CITY LOOP

ROUTE 9 MOHON TO CITY PROPER LOOP

ROUTE 10 BUNTATALA / TAGBAK TERMINAL TO CITY PROPER LOOP

ROUTE 11 TICUD, LA PAZ TO CITY PROPER LOOP

ROUTE 19 BITO-ON TO CITY PROPER VIA LA PAZ LOOP

ROUTE 24 LA PAZ TO FESTIVE WALK VIA NABITASAN LOOP

ROUTE 25 MOLO TO CITY PROPER VIA GENERAL LUNA LOOP