Educational and Cultural Tour

 Exploring Iloilo: An Unforgettable Educational & Cultural Tour

Stepping into Iloilo City, Philippines, I knew this journey would be more than just a teaching practicum. Before diving into lesson planning and classroom observations, I had the chance to explore the rich culture, history, and traditions of Iloilo through an incredible educational and cultural tour.

CULTURE & SCHOOL LIFE

What makes ILS special is not just its academic excellence but also its vibrant school life. Throughout the year, students participate in various events such as:

🎉 University Day – A competitions in literature, music, art, and public speaking.

🏅 Hinampang Day – A fun sports festival that brings students together in friendly competitions.

🎓 Pinning Ceremony – One of the most meaningful moments was attending the Pin
ning Ceremony, a formal event for 4th-year College of Education students who were about to start their practicum. It was a significant milestone for them, symbolizing their transition into professional teaching.

These activities make learning more enjoyable and give students a well-rounded educational experience.

A CITY ALIVE WITH FESTIVITIES: DINAGYANG FESTIVAL

My arrival in Iloilo coincided with one of the city’s biggest and most vibrant celebrations—the Dinagyang Festival. This festival tells the story of how Christianity arrived in the Philippines, celebrating devotion to the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) with colorful street dances, drumbeats, and grand parades.

Because of the festival, many roads were closed, so we had to walk a lot to see everything! The streets were filled with intricate decorations, and we even got to ride local transport like jeepneys, tricycles, and minibuses—a fun and authentic way to experience the city.

LEARNING HISTORY THROUGH MUSEUMS & STORIES

 

During our city tour, we visited several museums that showcased the Philippines' colonial past, particularly its history under Spanish rule. My student buddies explained that Catholicism is the dominant religion in Iloilo because of Spanish influence. This was evident from the numerous grand Catholic churches around the city.

One of the most surprising things I learned was that the Philippines has national symbols for almost everything—a national flower, a national animal, and even a national dish! It was fascinating to see how deeply Filipinos value their identity.

THE STRUGGLES OF FINDING HALAL FOOD

As a Muslim, one of my biggest challenges was finding Halal food since most Filipino dishes contain pork. In the end, my friends and I decided to cook our own meals after shopping for ingredients in local markets.

Despite this, I felt deeply respected by the people around me. My Filipino friends and mentors were always considerate, helping us find a comfortable place to pray and even waiting for us to finish before continuing our activities. Their kindness and respect for different beliefs were truly heartwarming.

THE UNEXPECTED SIMILARITIES BETWEEN INDONESIA & THE PHILIPPINES

Even though we come from different countries, I noticed many similarities between Indonesia and the Philippines:

✅ Both countries only have two seasons—rainy and dry.

✅ Some words are the same! For example, bawang means garlic in both languages, and guro means teacher.

✅ Both nations love festivals and celebrations, leading to frequent school holidays.

✅ The Philippines was preparing for a presidential election, just like how elections work in Indonesia—with campaign posters everywhere.

✅ Filipino and Indonesian Daily Staple: Rice as the Heart of Every Meal

One of the biggest similarities between the Philippines and Indonesia is our love for rice! In both countries, rice is not just a side dish—it’s the main part of almost every meal. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Filipinos and Indonesians always have rice on their plates.

In the Philippines, rice is often paired with dishes like adobo, sinigang, or grilled seafood, while in Indonesia, it’s served with rendang, nasi goreng, or soto. Both cultures also enjoy fried rice (sinangag in the Philippines and nasi goreng in Indonesia) as a popular comfort food.

Another similarity is how rice is commonly served with spicy condiments—Filipinos love their vinegar-based sauces, while Indonesians enjoy sambal. And of course, in both countries, eating with hands (kamayan in the Philippines and makan pakai tangan in Indonesia) is a common and enjoyable way to savor a meal.

This shared love for rice makes Filipino and Indonesian cuisine feel familiar yet unique at the same time. No matter where you go in either country, one thing is certain: a meal is never complete without rice!

EXPLORING ILOILO’S HISTORIC & CULTURAL TREASURES

One of the highlights of the trip was our special cultural and educational tour. We visited some of Iloilo’s most historically significant places, including:

🏡 Casa Mariquit – The preserved home of a former vice president of the Philippines. This house was filled with history, from old photographs and vinyl records to a secret underground tunnel that once led to a nearby church! But the eeriest moment? When we opened the prayer room—it had an unsettling atmosphere that gave me chills.

⛪ Centuries-old Catholic Churches – Some of the most breathtaking churches in Iloilo are recognized by UNESCO for their architectural beauty and historical significance. Seeing these churches up close was like stepping into a time capsule of Spanish colonial history.

🌿 Garin’s Farm – A mix of agriculture, spirituality, and adventure! This place gave us insights into how Filipinos see Jesus as their God, with artistic installations that visually depict biblical stories.

🍲 Trying Malaysian Cuisine – Since Halal restaurants were rare, we visited a Malaysian eatery, one of the few places where Muslim-friendly food was available.

🕌 Visiting Iloilo Pioneer Masjid – As Muslims, we didn’t miss the chance to pray at a mosque in Iloilo, which was a peaceful and meaningful experience.

🐠 Aquarium Café – Before heading back to Indonesia, we visited a unique café filled with marine life. It was a relaxing way to wrap up our journey.

A TASTE OF ILOILO’S LOCAL DELIGHTS

Cultural tour is complete with food tasting! One of the most famous desserts I tried was Halo-Halo, a refreshing Filipino dessert with shaved ice, sweetened fruits, jelly, and evaporated milk—it was delicious! And I like the bread, its name is Ensaymada Ube. This soft, fluffy pastry is infused with the rich, sweet flavor of ube (purple yam), then topped with butter, sugar, and grated cheese. The combination of its creamy ube filling and cheesy topping made it an irresistible treat that I absolutely loved!

FINAL THOUGHTS

Iloilo City left a lasting impression on me—not just because of its festivals, history, and beautiful places, but because of the kindness and hospitality of its people. From helping us find Halal food to respecting our prayer times, everyone made us feel welcomed and valued.

This experience broadened my perspective, deepened my appreciation for different cultures, and made me fall in love with Iloilo. I will always cherish the memories, friendships, and lessons I gained from this incredible journey.

Maraming salamat, Iloilo! I will never forget you.