Reaction Paper in THM 1

(Molo, Iloilo City Tour)

Submitted by: Janice Angel V. Tiongco

Molo, Iloilo: Its prominent place in history
Although the town of Molo, which is now one of the districts of the city of Iloilo, is small
in size when compared to other towns, it played a giant role in the history of the
Philippines. Its area is only 4,205,600 square meters (Angayen 1970) but it served in
various periods as Iloilo’s trade center, as “Athens of the Philippines” and as the
birthplace of prominent leaders in the country’s history.

Long before the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, Iloilo was already having a
flourishing trade with the Chinese through Molo. Some of the Chinese traders eventually
decided to settle down in the place and took local women as their wives. Thus, upon
the arrival of the Spaniards, they found Molo already having a considerable number of
Chinese inhabitants who were engaged in the buy-and-sell business. Today, the
descendants of these early Chinese settlers can be found in such names as Consing,
Ditching, Lacson, Layson, Locsin, Yulo and Yusay. On the part of the native Moleños, it
can be found in family names like Mabilog, Mabaquiao, Mabunay, Macalalag, Magahum,
Maluto and Mejica (Ibid).

In the second half of the 19th century, Molo earned the sobriquet “Athens of the
Philippines” or center of learning. It was here that schools like the Instituto de Molo,
Centro Escolar and Colegio de Santa Ana were established. Instituto de Molo was
founded by Manuel Locsin while Centro Escolar was owned by the brothers Perfecto,
Fernando and Felix Salas. Colegio de Santa Ana was an exclusive school for girls
founded by the Avanceña sisters: Jovita, Ramona and Josefina. Some of the teachers in
these schools were graduates of universities in Manila, Madrid in Spain, London in
England and Paris, France.

Molo was also the birthplace of prominent personalities who played significant roles in
the nation’s history. Among them were: Gregorio Araneta, the secretary of the Malolos
Congress under the leadership of Emilio Aguinaldo; Gen. Aniceto Lacson, revolutionary
leader and president of the independent cantonal government of Negros; Ramon
Avanceña who became chief justice of the Supreme Court; Jose Zulueta who served as
Iloilo’s representative in the Philippine Congress for twenty-one years; Raymundo
Melliza, one of the leaders of the revolutionary movement against the Spaniards in
Iloilo; and Esteban de la Rama, famous entrepreneur and owner of the De la Rama
Steamship Co.
Other prominent individuals associated with Molo were: Gil Montilla, Francisco
Villanueva, Jose Ma. Arroyo, Espiridion Guanco, Mariano Yulo, Gregorio Yulo, Mariano
Arroyo, Jose Yulo Regalado, Angel Corteza, Pablo Araneta, Rodolfo Ganzon, Timoteo
Consing, Perfecto Salas, Felicisimo Feria, Miguel Unson, and many more.

Speaking of famous persons, it must be noted that Molo was visited by the national
hero, Jose Rizal, in August 1896 on his way to Manila from Dapitan. He saw the Molo
Church which, according to him, was beautiful in both its external and internal features.
He also admired the beauty of the house of Don Lucio Lacson found in front of the
church. Don Lucio was the father of Gen. Aniceto Lacson who, together with Gen. Juan
Araneta, was responsible in liberating Negros Occidental from the hands of the
Spaniards and who, subsequently, became the head of the independent cantonal
government of Negros.

Not to be ignored is the fact that Molo is where the most beautiful neo-classical Gothic
church in the whole of Western Visayas is located. Viewed outside, the church is the
dominant structure in Molo. Its twin belfries break the skyline and one can hear the
tolling of its bells for kilometers. It is affectionately known as the “Women Church”
because of the sixteen nearly life-sized images of female saints occupying the columns
on either side of the church’s central aisle.
 MOLO CHURCH

Molo Church is a famous Spanish-colonial church and heritage site in Molo District. It
known for the prominent red spires that crown its tall bell towers and as “the feminist
church” because of the all-women ensemble of saints represented in 16 statues perched
on the aisle pillars. Built in neo-gothic style, the church is one of the Iloilo City’s most
familiar landmarks and top tourist attractions.

This magnificent structure can be best photographed during the late afternoon hours
when the coral stone facade of the church reflects the soft golden rays of the sunset.
While you are there, take a stroll in and around Molo Plaza. Also within an easy walk
are a couple of remarkable heritage houses and the Iloilo Esplanade.
 MOLO MANSION

The Yusay-Consing Mansion, popularly known as the Molo Mansion, is a significant and
historic house in Molo, Iloilo facing the town plaza and the St. Anne Parish Church.
The mansion was neglected for several years and was thought to be good for
demolition because of its very poor state. One of the gems of Western Visayas once, a
private developer rescued and restored the mansion.
The mansion was turned into a heritage museum. Not only preserving what’s inside and
outside the house, it also showcases local delicacies, products and arts made by
Ilonggos. The mansion-museum also has a cultural retail shop while the façade is made
into a public garden plaza .The Yusay-Consing Mansion was built in the 1920s. The first
resident was Doña Petra Lacson who married Manila’s judge of the Court of First
Instance, Estanislao Yusay. They had a big family with 10 children: Jose, Ramon,
Vicenta, Enrique, Rosario, Trinidad, Mariano, Manuela, Manuel and Soledad. The family
was said to possess and have power over the Molo district. The mansion was later
passed on to Timoteo Consing Sr. and his family. He served as Iloilo’s governor in 1935
to 1937. The mansion was believed to have hosted and accommodated two Philippine
Presidents, Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio Osmeña, during their visit in Iloilo.