BY JENNY ROSE TOLEDO
ILOILO City – The restoration of two heritage cemeteries in the province of Iloilo is being proposed.
Engineers and personnel of the Western Visayas Regional Museum recently assessed the Spanish-era cemeteries in the municipalities of Janiuay and Cabatuan.
The Filipino-Hispanic cemetery in Janiuay was described as the country’s most artistic at the time of its inauguration in 1884.
Despite its run-down state, it is considered the most monumental and perhaps the grandest Spanish-era cemetery.
Meanwhile, the well-kept Cabatuan Cemetery is perfectly square-shaped and enclosed by a solid limestone base with an artistically designed steel railing. The overall design is Romanesque with Gothic rosette carvings.
A huge octagonal baroque mortuary chapel, or capilla, is at the center.
Unlike other historic sites, cemeteries in Iloilo were spared from World War II destruction.
“Duha lang anay, maayo gid na masugoran naton para kon makita nila ang produkto kag ang completion, basi ma-ayo naton ang iban nga banwa sa National Museum,” said 3rd District’s Cong. Lorenz Defensor who hoped that the restoration would receive allocation from Congress next year.
The Janiuay and Cabatuan cemeteries are in the 3rd District. Defensor requested the National Museum to assess them. (With reports from Lifestyle Inquirer and Explore Iloilo)/PN
