‘MUSEUMS AND SUPPORT’: Treñas Defends Iloilo Business Park as Arts Hub

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor and JP Jaen

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas said the presence of museums and the support of Megaworld Corp. were key reasons for declaring the Iloilo Business Park (IBP) as the city’s “Center for Culture and Arts.”

“They have been supportive. They are a big instrument why the city was recognized for arts and culture. In all of our programs, they are always there,” Treñas said during a press conference on Monday, July 14.

The mayor noted that IBP, a 72-hectare mixed-use development, has become a major venue for cultural activities and festivals in recent years.

She cited the hosting of various events during the Iloilo Arts Festival in October 2022 as an example.

First launched in 2019, the Iloilo Arts Festival has evolved into an annual celebration of Ilonggo creativity across disciplines such as visual arts, literature, dance, music, culinary arts and horticulture.

Treñas also highlighted the recent opening of National Artist Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera’s exhibit Rhapsodies and Recollections at the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) as further validation of IBP’s cultural designation.

ILOMOCA, the first modern art museum in the Visayas, features a rich collection of contemporary artworks by both Filipino and international artists, including Rock Drilon, Charlie Co, Salvador Dalí and Ramon Orlina.

When asked whether arts and culture advocates were consulted before the designation, Treñas responded, “This was discussed by our group,” without elaborating on the group’s composition.

The designation has since drawn criticism, with some accusing the city government of favoring commercial branding over inclusive cultural development.

Critics argue the move sidelines grassroots artists and communities that have long sustained Iloilo’s creative traditions.

Treñas defended the decision, saying the downtown area—particularly Calle Real—could not be declared as the city’s culture and arts hub because it is already a designated heritage zone.

“The downtown area is a heritage area,” she said.

“The IBP became an art center because of the museum and the support for the art festival. The support really has a big impact on why we consider giving them the designation.”

The Iloilo City Central Business District, including Calle Real, was officially declared a heritage zone by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in 2014.

The declaration recognizes the district as a cultural heritage tourism zone and historical landmark.