Ilo-ilo City

Iloilo Customs House

A Historic Neoclassical Landmark and Maritime Museum

PUBLISHED August 18, 2022

PHOTOS | WORDS BY MARIANO SAYNO

The Iloilo Customs House, a neoclassical architectural gem from 1916, now serves as a key cultural site in Iloilo City. Home to the Museum of Philippine Maritime History, it provides a deep dive into the maritime heritage of the Western Visayas. Through its exhibits and interactive displays, the museum underscores the vital role of maritime trade and the sea’s impact on the region’s history, making the Iloilo Customs House a vital destination for exploring the area’s rich maritime past.

Explore the Philippines through my lens as we venture into Iloilo Customs House with Point of View (POV) photography. Using a body cam, I’ll guide you on an interactive tour, revealing the behind-the-scenes of capturing the shots shared here. Let’s dive into this visual journey together and uncover the wonders through my lens!

Let’s explore the PHILIPPINES through my lens as we journey on a photo slideshow to Iloilo Customs House. Join me in this visual adventure and discover the wonders captured through my lens! Check out the shared slideshow here.

History and Architecture of the Iloilo Customs House

The Iloilo Customs House, also known as Aduana de Iloílo in Spanish, is a historic building in Iloilo City constructed in 1916 during the American colonial period in the Philippines. Originally referred to as the Iloilo Customhouse, it was built with an initial appropriation of ₱200,000, plus an additional ₱33,000 in 1917. It is the second customs house built by the Americans, following the Cebu Customs House (now Malacañang sa Sugbo), completed in 1910. The planning for the new customs house at the port of Iloilo began in 1913 under the supervision of William E. Parsons, the Consulting Architect at that time. Parsons initially oversaw the project, intending to replace the older Spanish-era customs house situated near the river.

Check out the video for more highlights. See what I’ve captured through my lens with Point of View (POV) photography. Using a body cam, I’ll take you on an interactive tour, showing you behind-the-scenes moments of capturing the shots shared here.

Check out the video below for additional features. Explore what I’ve captured through my lens in this cinematic slideshow.

Ralph Harrington Doane replaced Parsons as Consulting Architect in 1916 and finalized the building’s architectural plans. Critical of Parsons’ earlier work in the Philippines, Doane sought to enhance the aesthetics and ornamentation of public buildings. His notable works include the Pangasinan Provincial Capitol and the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila. The Iloilo Customs House, located at the intersection of Muelle Loney Street and Aduana Street along the Iloilo River, is designed in the neoclassical architectural style, featuring a dominant central tower that serves as a distinctive landmark. It is the second largest American-era customs house in the Philippines, following Manila‘s, and the second oldest, after Cebu‘s.

Restoration and Museum of Philippine Maritime History

In 2018, the Iloilo Customs House underwent rehabilitation by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) as part of a broader effort to preserve and adapt the building for reuse. After the restoration, the building now houses the Museum of Philippine Maritime History, which officially opened on January 13, 2023. This museum, operated by the NHCP, is the third thematic history museum in the Visayas, alongside the NHCP Museum of Philippine Political History and Presidential Gallery in Cebu City and the NHCP Museum of Philippine Economic History, also located in Iloilo City. The upper ground floor continues to serve as the office for the Bureau of Customs, maintaining the building’s historical function as a government facility.

The Museum of Philippine Maritime History on the ground floor celebrates the rich maritime heritage of the Western Visayas region, offering an extensive look into the area’s seafaring history from ancient times to the present. The museum features a diverse collection of artifacts, including maps, navigational instruments, and ship models, which highlight the vital role of maritime trade and commerce in the region’s development. Through interactive exhibits and educational programs, the museum provides an engaging experience for visitors interested in exploring how the sea has shaped the cultural and historical fabric of Western Visayas, making it a key destination for those interested in the maritime past of the region.

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