ILOILO City – A total of 180 Ilonggo artists are showcasing their over 200 artworks in what is considered as the biggest art exhibit in the history of Iloilo and Western Visayas currently being held at the Iloilo Art Pop-Up Studio at the Festive Walk Parade in Mandurriao district.
The exhibit, which kicked off Nov. 9, 2022, is in line with the celebration of the Iloilo Arts Festival – a brainchild of Iloilo City’s first lady Rosalie Sarabia-Treñas.
According to Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, the Iloilo Art Pop-Up Studio which is originally until Dec. 30, 2022 only will be extended until January 2023 in time for the Dinagyang Festival. Megaworld agreed to offer the place for free up to the said period.
Art groups Abay, Agurang, Avac, Baysulangpu, Himbon, Hubog Iloilo, Mamusa, Mind Art Torture, Oval, Red Table Boys, Sanag, Sigahum, and Thrive, and several independent artists are exhibiting their masterpieces.
“Art always makes me happy. It lifts the soul and moves us. It is really special to see beautiful visuals around you. I am glad, no, more than glad, I am proud to share your art with all the Ilonggo people,” Mrs. Treñas stressed.
The first lady, along with Mayor Treñas and other stakeholders, led the ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the exhibit.
“We are so proud of local artists and their works. Daku gid ni dayaw kag bugal namon ni mayor sang inyo mga obra. Never in my imagination have I thought (we would be able to gather all these artists) given that we had only a month to come up with something of this scale,” said Sarabia-Treñas.
She thanked the original members of the Arts Festival Committee, namely multi-awarded Ilonggo artists Ed Defensor, Rock Drilon and PG Zoluaga for their guidance and push for the Iloilo Arts Festival, and another respected artist, Vic Nabor, for the 2022 Arts Festival space planning and design committee.
“I am so happy and very grateful that all the artists have joined us and worked on their obra maestras for this Iloilo Art Pop-up Studio. Baw, gapasalamat gid ako sa inyo tanan,” the first lady said.
Sarabia-Treñas also thanked the festival’s venue partner, Festive Walk Parade of the Megaworld, through its general manager, Karmela Jesena, and her team.
Also, she extended her appreciation to Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) and the Iloilo City government through the mayor’s office for their support.
“Together with all our efforts, and the wonderful results we see today, we can proudly say we will be an arts center of the Philippines. This is art in the heart of the Philippines,” she stressed.
Other guests during the exhibit opening were Councilor Candice Tupas; regional governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) – Western Visayas, Atty. Joebert Peñaflorida; Joebert Uygongco; Alvin Tan and Michelle Tiu of Uswag Ilonggo; Jennifer Fong of Megaworld; and art collector Edwin Valencia.
Treñas, for his part, commended the organizers of the arts festival who, despite the lack of sufficient time, were able to provide a venue for more than 180 artists.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to supporting local arts in the metropolis.
“(We are) dubbed as the Contemporary Arts Capital of the country. I am happy that more and more young Ilonggos are delving into creative careers. The 180 artists joining this momentous event deserve so much appreciation for always doing their best in honing their skills and doing their passion despite the lack of support from society,” he added.
The city government was able to launch the first Arts Festival last year in many venues – galleries and schools and malls.
One of these venues was the SM City Iloilo in Mandurriao which, through the years, served as a premium venue for art exhibits by local artists and groups.
It is also one of the stakeholders that consistently support art and local art community.
This year’ Iloilo Arts Festival was also launched by the city government and Iloilo City Culture and Arts Council at SM City Iloilo simultaneous with the celebration of the “Adlaw sang Ciudad sang Iloilo” on Oct. 5.
The city mayor earlier emphasized that art is the soul of Iloilo City, thus, it has to be supported.
“We always say Iloilo is the Queen City of the South. We cannot be the Queen City of the South if we do not strengthen the soul of Iloilo City. And we can only strengthen the soul of Iloilo City if we support the arts,” Treñas said./PN
