Barangay transforms plain walls into Instagram-worthy murals

The Covid-19 pandemic did not stop the youth leaders and officials of a barangay in Iloilo City to come up with ways to help its citizens cope with the pressures of the health crisis.   

The once lifeless walls of Brgy. Punong, Lapuz was transformed into a stretch of Instagram-worthy interactive murals, thanks to the innovative leaders of the community.

The “Iloilo Instagramma-Walls,” which feature 65 interactive and colorful wall panels, was a project initiated by the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and barangay officials, according to SK chair Trisha Tomacruz.

Tomacruz said they were brainstorming ways on how to bring life to the bland concrete walls of their barangay until they resorted to street art.

What started off as a simple idea gained support from their barangay officials, their constituents, and the Iloilo City government. Hence, they pursued the project.

“Nakit-an namon ang mga walls bala daw kahigko na gid kag nangita kami ways paano namon siya magamit. When we started the project, damo man suggestions ang amon nga mga constituents so we incorporated it,” she said in a radio interview Tuesday.

The barangay tapped Sky Builders Construction for the painting project which lasted about two months.

Tomacruz said they allotted P800,000 from the barangay’s supplemental budget, which also funded the replacement of the barangay’s welcome arch.

The goal of the project is to uplift the spirits of Punong residents and ease their stress and anxieties caused by the pandemic.

According to Tomacruz, they were surprised that the “Iloilo Instagramma-Walls” went viral and gained the attention not just of residents of Iloilo City but neighboring areas as well.

“We undertook the project for the Punonganons para malipay man sila and currently we are happy that it brings a little joy to people of Iloilo City,” she added.

Amid the challenges of the pandemic, Tomacruz noted that youth leaders have important roles to play in their respective communities. She encouraged other youth leaders to think of new and innovative projects that can be beneficial to their communities.

“There are challenges, but we have to do everything we are capable of and do of what you can because at the end of the day, life goes on. So we really have to make use of our potentials and I believe there are a lot of creative people and talented artists in Iloilo City. We can all do our share,” she said.

Mayor Jerry Treñas has also been initiating art projects in Iloilo City particularly implementing mural projects in City Proper, Molo district, and Mandurriao district in its bid to promote Iloilo City as the Art Capital of the Philippines.

Iloilo Instagramma-Walls – which feature mural paintings inspired by Studio Ghibli films, video games, anime, movies, and other pop culture – can be seen in front of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Lapuz district.

The new attraction is open to the public for free. Meanwhile, the officials reminded the visiting public to practice minimum health standards such as physical distancing and wearing of face masks and face shield.