Sumagaysay traces Iloilo’s colonial cemetery art in new book

ILOILO CITY — The University of the Philippines Visayas Division of Humanities, in partnership with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), launched Prof. Marie Joy R. Sumagaysay’s book, “Ig-Ampo Niño Cami: An Art History of Iloilo Spanish Colonial Cemeteries,” on Oct. 6.

The launch was held at the Museum of Art and Cultural Heritage Performance Hall in the UP Visayas Iloilo City campus Main Building.

“Ig-Ampo Niño Cami” explores the art history of eight surviving Spanish colonial stone cemeteries in Iloilo.

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

The book documents an important part of Philippine history and cultural heritage, particularly that of Iloilo.

In her review of Sumagaysay’s book, Rona Repancol, a faculty member of the Department of History at the University of Santo Tomas, said the work originated as a master’s thesis completed in 1995.

Reflecting on her experience, Sumagaysay said a lack of confidence and grit, coupled with the responsibilities of motherhood and academe, led her to shelve the work.

Three decades later, the manuscript was revived and published as a book following a serendipitous invitation from the NHCP in late 2025.

“‘Ig-Ampo Niño Cami’, the books title is actually the engraving on a stone tablet – a memento mori from the cemetery of Sta. Barbara,” Prof. Sumagaysay said.

The NHCP was represented at the launch by Regalado Trota Jose Jr. and Executive Director Carminda R. Arevalo.

Copies of the book were presented to the UPV Center for West Visayan Studies, University of San Agustin, Central Philippine University, National Museum of the Philippines-Iloilo, West Visayas State University and Iloilo Science and Technology University.

Sumagaysay is an assistant professor 7 at the UPV Division of Humanities under the College of Arts and Sciences.

She earned her master’s degree in art history from UP Diliman.

Her academic interests include local heritage and food. (Mary Arvic Dolendo, IPO)