More things are in store for Ilonggos this 2022—beginning with the celebration of Dinagyang Festival and the launch of the country’s first-ever Brandy Museum.
Iloilo Business Park has been instrumental in transforming the way Ilonggos live, work, and play for a good few years now. It is home to several unique, world-class, and first-in-the province destinations — from Iloilo’s Most Beautiful Mall to VisMin’s Longest Dining Strip and First Contemporary Art Museum; and from state-of-the- art office towers that host some of the city’s biggest business process outsourcing (BPO) companies to two award-winning hotels and the iconic Iloilo Convention Center.
But the fun in Iloilo Business Park doesn’t stop here, as developer Megaworld adds even more color and excitement to this 72-hectare, award-winning township with the launch of Dinagyang festivities and the opening of the new Brandy Museum this month.
Keeping the spirit of Dinagyang alive
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Iloilo Business Park joins the Dinagyang festivities this year by holding several special events across the entire township. Below are some highlights.
A gastronomic and cultural journey awaits all visitors of Festive Walk Mall. First, see quintessential ati warrior costumes from Dinagyang tribes in partnership with the Iloilo Artists Festivals Association (IAFA) in the Warriors Regalia exhibit at the 2/F Hallway, on display until January 31.
Next, drop by the PCCI Dinagyang Trade Fair, the biggest trade fair for Dinagyang festivities featuring Ilonggo artisan products, handicrafts, delicacies, and many more proudly Ilonggo-made products. Mounted in partnership with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Iloilo, the trade fair is open until January 23 at the G/F Indoor Atrium.
A glimpse of artisanal products such as homeware, clothes, textile, and more showcased at last year’s Bugal Iloilo.
Cap off the day by savoring sumptuous food at the Dinagyang Alfresco Fair at 1.1 kilometer-long Festive Walk Parade, open until January 23. Take your pick from a wide array of choices from Ilonggo dishes to street food, and enjoy safe, alfresco dining. However, as dine-in seating will be limited, diners can also opt to get their food on the go from the To-Go/ Take Out counters available there.
Meanwhile, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo plays host to Miss Iloilo anew on January 22, with the event to be streamed live directly from the Pool Deck at 7:30 pm via the Facebook pages of Miss Iloilo and Dinagyang. Eight Ilongga beauties will vie for the title as they showcase their wit, talent, and beauty during the strictly by- invitation-only event.
Also happening at Richmonde Hotel Iloilo is the Bugal sa DinagyangFair. One of the highlights of Dinagyang 2022, Bugal Iloilo enables Ilonggo micro, small, and medium enterprises to thrive during the pandemic by providing a venue to sell and showcase locally made products such as handwoven hablon textile, clothing, houseware, hand-carved wooden products, handpainted woven bags, custom- designed clothing, and more. Bugal Iloilo is open until January 30, from 11 am to 8 pm, at the Hotel Lobby.
Finally, the facade of the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) will be illuminated this weekend by The Light Show at ILOMOCA. To be held until January 23, this light show aims to inspire hope among Ilonggos amidst these trying times as they marvel at bursts of colors and be enticed to dance along with the accompanying lively music.
Welcoming the Philippines’ first Brandy Museum
Liquor connoisseurs and enthusiasts now have the opportunity to know the story behind one of Filipinos’ favorite liquors, as the country’s first-ever Brandy Museum by Emperador Inc., the Philippines’ biggest liquor company and the world’s largest brandy manufacturer, opens its doors to the public.
Here, guests are treated to an immersive learning experience as they walk through various exhibitions that tell the long and storied history of brandy. Important artifacts are also on display, including books, letters, traditional wine- and brandy-making tools, samples of soils used to grow grapes, and rare, old Emperador brandy bottles.
Audio-visual presentations showcasing the Bodegas Fundador vineyard and bodegas in Jerez, Spain, the process of creating oak wine barrels, and the cultivation and harvesting of grapes for wine- making—also known as viticulture — are also available.
Brandy Appreciation classes are also being offered here for a fee. The Brandy Museum hosts a souvenir shop selling bottles of Fundador and Emperador, as well as a cafe that offers frappes and iced drinks infused with Emperador’s latest offering, Emperador Coffee Brandy, best paired with the offered decadent desserts such as cakes and macarons.
Open everyday from 10am to 7pm, the Brandy Museum is located at the Festive Walk Parade right beside ILOMOCA. Entrance is free.
The best place to call home in Iloilo
Carrying the “live-work-play” concept Megaworld townships have long been known for, Iloilo Business Park also hosts several residential condominiums — namely The Pinnacle, One Madison Place, Lafayette Park Square, The Palladium, Saint Honore, and Saint Dominique — that are already taking shape, with units already selling like hotcakes among those who wish to live right where the action is. All these are a testament that Iloilo Business Park is not only a place for business and leisure — it’s also a place one can call home, too.
One Madison Place sits just right across Casa de Emperador, which houses the ILOMOCA and Brandy Museum. 
The Palladium and Lafayette Park Square are among the latest residential condominium towers completed in Iloilo Business Park.
For inquiries, you may call Iloilo Business Park at (0917) 352 4888.
