CRISTY IN THE CITY: arts and culture

arts and culture

Monday, February 2, 2026

Before the final day of January slipped quietly into night, I made a last-minute dash to the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art at Festive Walk Parade to catch Patis Tesoro's Filipiniana Is Forever before the exhibition folded its curtains for good.

What awaited me was an ethereal showcase of Filipiniana couture—pieces rooted in heritage yet alive with modern silhouettes, texture, and movement. Opened on October 11, 2025 as a kickoff exhibition for the Iloilo Arts Festival 2025, the show paired Tesoro’s delicate craftsmanship with a vibrant mix of paintings and wooden sculptures, creating a quiet dialogue between tradition and contemporary expression.

These images are moments I lingered over—captured for posterity, memory, and inspiration. Do enjoy the visuals.

Saturday, November 29, 2025

Maps, Forts and Museums: A Cultural Walk in Cebu City

A Cebu City itinerary wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the National Museum of the Philippines–Cebu (NMP Cebu) at Plaza Independencia. Just a few steps from the plaza stands the stately Aduana Building, once a bustling Customs House before its transformation into a museum in 2023. Restored to its architectural glory, it now features three permanent galleries on the ground floor and two changing galleries on the second level.

My favorite corner of the museum is the cartography section—an absolute delight for a map lover like me. The archaeological, ethnographic, and maritime historical collections are equally fascinating. With its expansive layout, soaring ceilings, and blissfully cold air-conditioning (a welcome contrast to Cebu’s heat and humidity), the museum invites visitors to slow down, wander, and fully absorb the displays.

Right beside NMP Cebu is Fort San Pedro, the historic military defense built during the Spanish colonial period under Miguel López de Legazpi. Designed in the Italian-Spanish style of fortification, the compact structure can be explored in under 30 minutes. A small colony of well-fed resident cats adds unexpected charm to the experience, often lounging along the fort’s weathered cobblestones.

Both the National Museum and Fort San Pedro are a short 10-minute walk from the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu and the Magellan’s Cross Shrine—making this heritage-rich corner of the city perfect for a half-day cultural stroll. The Plaza Independencia landmarks are best explored on weekends after a pilgrimage and mass in the Basilica.

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Cultivating a culture for heritage maintenance

The City of Love is definitely getting a serious makeover. Gone are the gaudy and garish public plazas and public buildings. We now see a blossoming of heritage consciousness and urbanity. Lately, I have seen millennials and Gen Z kids at the newly renovated Jaro Plaza huddling together in grassy spots sharing laughter and light moments as if they are in some park in London. Decades ago, said plaza was in a decrepit stage reeking of stale urine and detritus. Having fallen into neglect and disrepair, it had turned into an ukay-ukay market and a makeshift beer garden during town fiestas. Forlorn, overgrown trees cast long shadows, making the plaza an ideal spot to get robbed by shady elements.For many years, I wished for the plaza to be given the makeover and dignity it deserved. Happily, after more than three decades, my wishful thinking materialized—thanks to national and local conservation efforts. Nowadays, it is a pleasure to walk through Jaro Plaza. The wrought iron benches provide comfort and solace for lonely thoughts and weary souls. Sometimes I would feed a lonesome Jaro Plaza cat some kibbles.

From any vantage point in the plaza, the newly restored Jaro Belfry stands like a beacon under the watchful eye of Our Lady of Candles. I believe it is a beacon and a light for shared social responsibility.

As public spaces grow in number, so do the number of visitors and locals who visit. Littering becomes an issue and concern. If the locals do not adapt the mindset of being responsible for one's trash, the beautiful spaces we now enjoy might fall again into premature dilapidation. After all, conservation, restoration and maintenance go hand in hand.

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Flow the movie: A story of a triumph and hope

I've been wanting to watch Flow, the award winning animated film by Gints Zilbalodis the moment it came out in cinemas. Unfortunately, it didn't hit local theaters in Iloilo City and was not available on online streaming platforms in our region. During the last week of April, I was beyond excited to learn that Film Development Council of the Philippines included Flow in their I Animate festival line-up of notable and award winning animated films scheduled for screening in selected SM Cinema and Cinematheque Centres nationwide. I watched a 6PM screening at Cinematheque Iloilo and enjoyed the virtually empty 74-seater theater all to myself. Ten minutes into the movie, I realized it was dialogue-free, wordless movie that relied heavily on rich ambient soundscape and a stirring musical score. Needless to say, the movie was highly entertaining, powerful and emotionally engaging that I decided to watch it again on the next screening date. During the second screening, I took notice of the nuances, details and minutiae that I missed during the first screening.

Flow's main character is a courageous black cat. I adore black cats and the movie reminded me of my black half-Persian half-Puspin cat Marsha. I have three black cats and I am in awe of their feline mystique which borders on the spiritual. Why Gints Zilbalodis chose to feature a black cat instead of a tuxedo or tortoiseshell cat is fitting. Black cats are enigmatic, sinuous and incredibly street smart. Even in a post-apocalyptic setting, the black cat is poised to survive the harshest, hardest places.

I usually have low expectations for animated movies but Flow is pure cinematic splendor. I was blown away by the mystical imagery and luminosity of this endearing film. The sparkling, scintillating evanescence of nature is highlighted by this film. The movie starts with a scene of the black cat looking into a reflecting pool, the waters glistening with the tremors of an impending doom. Coming full circle, the movie concludes with a scene of the black cat staring back at his reflection with a beached, dying whale beside him. This time he is not alone. He is in the company of three other animals whom he journeyed with to safe harbor.

The movie invites you to reflect on your fears and overcoming them the way our feline protagonist did. Cats are known to hate water but the post-apocalyptic flooding that is the central theme in the movie is the dangerous and perilous backdrop that black cat and his animal companions had to navigate. The black cat unexpectedly finds company and friendship with an odd menagerie of domestic and wild creatures such as a playful Labrador retriever, a sleepy capybara, a mysterious Secretary bird, a comical ring-tailed lemur, and a mythical whale. The animals are thrown by fate into a sailboat for an epic adventure that transports them to a breathtaking and dangerous waterlogged world. The animals go with the flow and trust their survival instincts.

Flow's greatest charm lies in its ability to connect with viewers without the need to anthropomorphize animals or rely on glossy Disney like animation quality. The movie has the aesthetics of a video game combined with a dreamy Ghibli feel. It is visually hypnotic in combination with dramatic musical scoring that pulls in the viewers to ride a crescendo of strong and complex emotions.

Through Flow, we see a cataclysmic world through the eyes of a cat. Flow is a big ASMR immersive experience and we are grateful to be partake in its visual extravagance.

Friday, May 9, 2025

A Local’s 48-Hour Travel Guide to Iloilo City, Philippines

Looking for a relaxed weekend getaway in the Philippines? Iloilo City—fondly called the City of Love—is one of the country’s most laid-back urban destinations. Known for its heritage churches, creative food scene, walkable green spaces, and easygoing pace, Iloilo is perfect for travelers who want culture without the chaos.

This 48-hour Iloilo City travel guide is written from a local’s perspective and designed for flexible travel. Mix and match stops depending on your mood, energy, and appetite.

Why Visit Iloilo City?

Iloilo City offers a rare balance of old and new. You’ll find centuries-old churches beside modern art museums, riverside walks minutes away from cafés, and some of the best food in the Visayas—all without the rush of bigger cities.

As a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, Iloilo doesn’t just feed you well—it feeds you with heart.

Day 1 in Iloilo City: Heritage, Art, and Local Flavor

Morning: Iloilo River Esplanade and Breakfast Spots

Start your day with an early walk along the Iloilo River Esplanade, one of the city’s most beloved public spaces. Lined with mangroves and shaded paths, it’s especially peaceful in the morning when the city is just waking up.

For breakfast and coffee near the esplanade, try:

Drip Cafe Coffee and Community (Diversion Road)
Cafe Augusto (Molo), known for Ilonggo pamahaw and full English breakfasts

Right beside Cafe Augusto is Panaderia de Molo, a heritage bakery famous for local biscuits and pastries—perfect for pasalubong.

Midday: Jaro Cathedral, Molo Church, and Historic Plazas

No Iloilo heritage itinerary is complete without visiting its iconic churches:

National Shrine of Our Lady of Candles (Jaro Cathedral)
St. Anne’s Church in Molo, often called a feminist church for its female saint imagery

Relax at Graciano Lopez Jaena Plaza near Jaro Cathedral, then enjoy lunch at Agatona 1927 Museum Café, a restored heritage home serving comfort food with history.

Across Molo Church, take a leisurely break at Molo Plaza, then explore the food and crafts market at Molo Mansion, a favorite stop for local souvenirs.

Afternoon: Art Museums and Creative Spaces

Spend the afternoon exploring Iloilo’s growing contemporary art scene:

Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA)
Brandy Museum at Festive Walk Parade

Walk through K-Town for lantern-lit streets and outdoor dining, and browse artisan finds at Festive Mall. If time permits, visit Thrive Art Gallery at The Shops at Atria for rotating exhibits by Ilonggo artists.

Coffee stops worth noting:

Born in Bread for croissants
Neighbor Coffee for Lavender Matcha or Apple Lavender Americano

Evening: Calle Real, Museums, and Local Dining

Head to Calle Real, Iloilo City’s historic commercial street, for heritage architecture and vintage shops. Nearby museums include:

National Museum of Natural History (Iloilo)
Museum of Philippine Economic History

End your walk at Plaza Libertad, then visit San Jose Placer Church or Fort San Pedro for sunset views toward Guimaras Island.

For dinner, locals love Beige Eatery, known for comforting Ilonggo dishes. Namit guid.

Tip: If you prefer guided sightseeing, the Iloilo City Heritage Tour on Klook is a convenient option for first-time visitors.

Day 2 in Iloilo: Countryside and Island Escapes

Morning: Miag-ao Church and Southern Iloilo

Travel south to visit Miag-ao Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important historical landmarks in the Visayas. The drive offers scenic coastal views, especially in the early morning.

Food stops along the way include:

Mrs. Wharton’s London Bakes and British Teas (Oton)
Tatoy’s Manokan and Seafoods (Arevalo)
Breakthrough Restaurant for classic Ilonggo seafood

Iloilo’s reputation as a gastronomic destination truly shines in these countryside stops.

Afternoon: Guimaras Island Day Trip

From Iloilo City, take a short ferry ride to Guimaras Island, known for its laid-back beaches and rural charm. Choose a beach resort for a slow afternoon, or explore inland attractions such as:

San Lorenzo Wind Farm
Trappist Monastery café and gift shop
Casitas de Palma

Guimaras is an ideal side trip for travelers who want a quieter island experience.

Travel Tips for Visiting Iloilo City

Best time to visit: November to February for cooler weather
Getting around: Taxis, ride-hailing apps, and tricycles are widely available
Where to stay: Mandurriao and City Proper offer convenient access to major attractions

Final Thoughts: Why Iloilo City Is Worth the Visit

Iloilo City doesn’t try to impress—it simply welcomes you. With its walkable streets, rich history, creative food culture, and warm locals, it’s the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave.

Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or longer, this 48-hour Iloilo City itinerary offers a thoughtful way to experience the City of Love—at your own pace.

Kit-anay kita sa Iloilo.