‘IG-AMPO NIÑO CAMI’: What 8 Iloilo Spanish-era cemeteries reveal about the past

ILOILO CITY — Cemeteries are often regarded as places of mourning and remembrance, especially during Undas on Nov. 1 and 2, when families gather to honor departed loved ones.

But beyond the tombstones and burial plots, these spaces also hold stories of faith, artistry, craftsmanship, and community life.

A new book published by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) brings these stories into focus. It revisits a three-decade-old scholarly work documenting the historical and artistic significance of Iloilo’s Spanish colonial cemeteries.

The book, “Ig-Ampo Niño Cami: An Art History of Iloilo Spanish Colonial Cemeteries,” was written by Marie Joy Buendia Rosal, a professor. It examines eight surviving Spanish-period cemeteries in the province, highlighting their architecture, artistic elements, historical backgrounds, and cultural significance.

The book was launched on Oct. 6 at the Museum of Art and Cultural Heritage Performance Hall of the University of the Philippines Visayas Iloilo City campus.

The study covers cemeteries in Oton, Dingle, Janiuay, Santa Barbara, Pototan, Cabatuan, Miagao, and San Joaquin.

The NHCP is the government agency mandated to research, preserve, and promote Philippine history and heritage.

The publication draws attention to an often-overlooked part of Iloilo’s colonial heritage. That heritage has traditionally been associated with churches, ancestral houses, and other prominent historical structures.

From thesis to published book

During the launch, Rosal recalled how unexpected discoveries during her fieldwork helped sustain her interest in the research, particularly at moments when she considered giving up.

One such discovery was an inscription on a stone tablet in the Santa Barbara cemetery, which eventually became the book’s title.

“Ig-Ampo Niño Cami, the book’s title, is actually the engraving on a stone tablet, a memento mori from the cemetery of Santa Barbara. Finding little surprises such as that, along with other discoveries, are what kept me going when I really wanted to stop,” Rosal said.

The book traces its beginnings to Rosal’s master’s thesis in art history at the University of the Philippines Diliman, completed in 1995.

Earlier opportunities to publish the research did not materialize. Rosal was balancing the demands of motherhood and her academic work, along with her own doubts about pursuing the project.

The opportunity finally came in late 2025, when the NHCP invited her to publish the research as a book.

Tracing the history of burial grounds

“Ig-Ampo Niño Cami” situates Iloilo’s historic cemeteries within the development of burial practices in the Philippines, from precolonial times through the Spanish colonial period.

The book follows how burial practices shifted under Spanish rule. Burials were initially conducted inside churches or on adjoining grounds.

As these spaces became overcrowded and concerns over sanitation grew, cemeteries were gradually established farther from churches and town centers.

The book examines the materials and construction techniques used to build these cemeteries, including limestone, coral stone, sandstone, and bricks.

It documents the craftsmanship behind these structures, identifies local terms for construction materials, and discusses the contributions of workers, including those known as manog dagiao.

Rosal’s documentation covers a range of cemetery features, from perimeter walls and entrances to chapels, burial niches, and religious and decorative imagery.

The study also explores the influence of the Augustinians on the religious and parish development of Panay. It places the cemeteries within the wider history of Spanish colonial religious life in the region.

The Augustinians were the first missionary order to arrive in the Philippines, coming with the Legazpi expedition in 1565.

Visual records of changing structures

The historical discussions are complemented by three sets of visuals:

• photographs from Rosal’s fieldwork in the 1990s;
• hand-drawn illustrations of architectural and decorative details; and
• more recent photographs by Stan Cabigas.

Together, these materials document the cemeteries’ physical features and provide a basis for examining structures that have changed over time.

They also serve as historical records of architectural details and artistic elements that might otherwise be overlooked.

By bringing together historical accounts, architectural documentation, and visual records, the publication adds to the body of research on funerary art and architecture in Iloilo.

NHCP Chairman Regalado Trota Jose Jr. described the book as a contribution to the study of the country’s Spanish colonial built heritage.

He also expressed hope that it would encourage further research into funerary art and architecture in other parts of the Philippines.

Availability

Copies of the book have been distributed to academic and cultural institutions in Iloilo:

• UP Visayas
• University of San Agustin
• Central Philippine University
• National Museum of the Philippines-Iloilo
• West Visayas State University
• Iloilo Science and Technology University

“Ig-Ampo Niño Cami” is available from the NHCP for PHP 1,100 per copy.

For orders and inquiries, contact the NHCP Property Section at (02) 5335-1209, Monday through Thursday, except holidays, or email property@nhcp.gov.ph.

Ordering details are also available at https://bit.ly/Ig-AmpoNiñoCami.