Yesterday, I finally visited the Jaro District Plaza in Iloilo City. It has been years since I last walked here. I usually just pass by it in a modern jeepney, so stepping onto the plaza again felt like a fresh experience for me.
I noticed right away that many beautiful improvements have been made in this place. The whole area is much cleaner and very well-maintained now.
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As I walked along the clean brick pathways, I saw plenty of comfortable benches everywhere. People were sitting down to rest and chat under the shade of giant, leafy green trees. The park feels alive and peaceful. Children were laughing and playing on a bright green and yellow playground, zooming down the slides and balancing on the seesaw while their parents watched nearby. I also walked past a lovely white pergola with curved pathways and old, twisting trees that look like natural works of art.
Right in the heart of the plaza, I stood in front of the famous white monuments. One tall stone pedestal holds a proud statue of Graciano Lopez Jaena, a great local hero, waving his hand toward the sky. Not far away, another monument features a golden statue holding a flag high. It's the statue of a heroine, Patrocinio Gamboa y Villareal.
Looking up, the view is breathtaking. The iconic Jaro Belfry stands tall and grand on the other side of the plaza, its red brick and white stone structure reaching up into the blue sky. I even spotted white statues of saints standing on its ledges, watching over the town like guardians.
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The plaza also reflects the deep faith of the locals. I found two beautiful shrines dedicated to the Virgin Mary nestled among the greenery. One shows Mary in a brilliant blue and white robe under a protective metal canopy, holding the infant Jesus.
The other statue shows her with open arms, surrounded by lush plants at the corner of the plaza.
Nearby, tall gray monument points straight up into the clouds, topped with a striking statue of a hand holding a rifle horizontally against the sky.
Before leaving, I took a moment to admire the classic white bandstand with its elegant curved stairs and stone railings. Looking through the open pavilion, I could see the red roof of the church in the distance. That's the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. I will share the photos on my next blog.
Jaro Plaza has truly transformed into a wonderful, breezy place where history, faith, and daily life come together beautifully.
