Food, film and fashion lead Iloilo Arts Festival

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The city government is bringing creativity to the forefront with the Iloilo Arts Festival 2025, a monthlong celebration of food, film, fashion and other art forms throughout October.

Jay Treñas, executive assistant to the mayor, said the festival aims to showcase and elevate all forms of artistic expression in Iloilo City while making the events accessible to both locals and visitors.

“We’ve curated, I would say, a spectacular showcase and diverse program for our participants and anyone, not just exclusively for the people of Iloilo, but for everyone who wants to experience Iloilo City when it comes to the local art scene,” he said.

The festivities will kick off on Oct. 3–4 with the National Food Showdown at the Iloilo Convention Center, with a registration fee of PHP 100.

On Oct. 6–7, acclaimed Filipina classical pianist Cecile Licad will perform in a free concert at the historic Molo Church, with limited tickets available at the MICE Center in City Hall.

The Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art will feature the works of Patis Tesoro, the Grand Dame of Philippine Fashion, in a special exhibit opening on Oct. 10.

The Arts Festival Opening Program will be held at the Festive Walk Mall Atrium on Oct. 11.

“Kuris: Strokes of Strength,” an exhibit at Festive Walk Mall, will run on Oct. 18–25.

The Ilonggo Cinema Film Festival will screen at Festive Walk Mall Cinema 1 on Oct. 24–26.

Aside from free screenings of Ilonggo films, the film festival will include a short film competition with winners receiving grants for future projects promoting Ilonggo culture and arts.

“We have entries coming from different areas, but we will prioritize our local filmmakers around the city,” he said.

“We’re trying to create a community that is open for those who want to start filmmaking, and for those who are not aware that there is a thriving Ilonggo cinema,” he added.

Other scheduled events include the Urban Streetscape Design Competition, Sayaw Kabataan, Eksena sa Barangay and Eksena sa Iloilo, all on Oct. 25.

The city government has allocated PHP 1.5 million for the festival, with significant funding for the Licad concert, the Tesoro exhibit and the Ilonggo Cinema Film Festival.

“The Iloilo Arts Festival 2025 is a testament that Iloilo is truly the hub for culture and the arts,” Treñas said.