ILOMOCA Highlights Play and Creativity Through OMOCHA Activities

The exhibition offers a more interactive experience through toy-making sessions, guided tours, and creative workshops.

Japanese toy culture comes alive in Iloilo as the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) presents a lineup of public programs for Omocha: Japanese Toys Today, a travelling exhibition by the Japan Foundation, Manila, now on view at the museum’s 2nd Floor Galleries 1 and 2 in Iloilo Business Park.

Running from June 27 to July 26, 2026, the exhibition invites audiences of all ages to explore the stories, craftsmanship, and creativity behind Japanese toys, from traditional play objects to globally recognized icons such as Gundam, Transformers, Pokémon, Hello Kitty, and Sylvanian Families. Admission to the exhibition and its accompanying programs is free of charge.

Designed to make the exhibition more engaging for families, students, hobbyists, and toy enthusiasts, ILOMOCA’s upcoming programs offer different ways to experience the world of Japanese toys beyond the gallery display.

A Playful Start Through Paper Toy-Making

Kicking off the activities, Toy Talks: Make Your Own Paper Toy with Talk and Demo by Piod Paper Crew introduced participants to the art of paper toy-making on June 27, 2026. The session showed how simple materials can be transformed into playful and imaginative creations, while giving guests a closer look at how craft, design, and storytelling come together through toys.

More Activities Await at OMOCHA

Visitors may also join Toy Trails, a series of guided tours that take audiences through the exhibition’s key displays and stories. The first tour was held on June 27, 2026, while the remaining sessions will continue on July 4, 11, 18, and 25 for Saturdays, and July 3, 10, 17, and 24 for Fridays. Each tour runs in three sessions: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The program concludes with Toy Studio: Built for Battle – Gundam Model Making on July 26, 2026, with sessions from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The activity gives participants a hands-on introduction to model-building, one of Japan’s most popular toy and hobby cultures.

Presented as part of the 70 Years of Philippines–Japan Friendship celebration, Omocha: Japanese Toys Today reflects the continuing role of cultural exchange in connecting communities. Through its programs, ILOMOCA invites the public to rediscover play as a space for learning, imagination, and shared creativity.

Guests may scan the official registration QR code or visit the official pages of the Japan Foundation, Manila and ILOMOCA for schedules and updates.