Local artists to glam up Iloilo City’s open spaces

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

THE Iloilo City government will tap local artists from universities to help transform vacant walls and spaces in the metro into vibrant art areas.

Mayor Jerry Treñas announced on Monday that he will partner with the Fine Arts students of University of San Agustin (USA) and lloilo Science and Technology (ISAT-U) for the project.

On Sunday, Treñas joined some Fine Arts students of USA and Ilonggo artist Rock Drilon as they painted the wall along the bike lane at Brgy. Sambag in Jaro district.

Treñas said the activity is only the start of his plan to ramp up the local art scene in Iloilo City through murals and paintings.

“That is the first among the several (art projects) for Iloilo City. Mapinta kita sa mga bakante nga walls kag gusto naton mga local artists naton ang maubra para matahom. Nalipay kita nga all over the, city we will be able to beautify it through the murals,” he told reporters.

After Sambag village, the mayor said murals will also be painted on some buildings in Muelle Loney in City Proper district.

Treñas added that they are also planning to adorn overpasses and lamp posts in the metro with paintings of Ilonggo heroes.

“Ang mga overpasses kag poste pintahan ta man sang mga local heroes ta nga sanday Teresa Magbanua, Maltin Delgado kag Macario Peralta para nga madumduman sang mga Ilonggo,” he stressed.

By October 24, 2019, the city government will launch the finished mural in Brgy. Sambag, Jaro, Iloilo City at 5:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, he urged barangay officials and residents to oversee and monitor the murals and other art installations to protect it from vandalism.

“Barangay officials are tasked to maintain them and the residents should also monitor the murals, sila gid na ang mabantay,” he noted.