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[av_heading heading=’New life for Calle Real | Rock Drilon, local art community hope to spark change with historic Eusebio Villanueva Building’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By Rhick Lars Vladimer Albay
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Saturday, June 24, 2017
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PHOTO BY GEPL ILOILO
The façade of the now iconic Eusebio Villanueva Building, recently restored to its former glory along Iloilo’s historic Calle Real.
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“CALLE Real is a heritage street, parang living withess siya ng history natin dito sa Iloilo,” explains veteran Ilonggo painter Rock Drilon, who was taken it upon himself to empower many of the city’s young and emerging artists.
“We need to preserve this history,” he continues. “We see steady progress in other areas of Iloilo – in infrastructure and commerce – but we should preserve our local culture as well, otherwise hindi meaningful ang progress”
Smack dab at the center of Iloilo City’s beating business district, the Eusebio Villanueva Building has witnessed 90 years of rich Ilonggo history – as the prestigious International Hotel in 1927, before falling into disrepair, and as a marvel of restoration in 2012, unveiled as a heritage site.
Now the iconic landmark is on the verge of being reinvented once more: as a sanctuary for Iloilo’s thriving art community.
“Ang gusto namin dito kase, we want to start a community,” relates Drilon. “We hope to inspire others to take Calle Real as a home too, maybe for local businesses, cafes or culinary establishments. I hope marami nang susunod [na tenants here at the Eusebio Villanueva Building]. Even Cinematheque Iloilo is also set to move this July.”
After an 18-month residency at the Casa Real Gallery at the Old Provincial Capitol, the home of Ilonggo artists relocated to the halls of the Eusebio Villanueva Building and formally opened this June 16, carving out a space for creatives in Iloilo’s bustling metro.
The art space is set to be renamed “gallery i” (i standing for Iloilo) under the leadership of VIVA ExCon Iloilo Org chairman and prolific artist Allain Hablo as gallery director; and Hubon Ilonggo (formerly the Iloilo Visual Artists Collective) president Arel Zambarrano as assistant director.
Gallery i was officially unveiled to the public with a maiden show entitled “i launch” that opened on June 16. Among the over 60 artists highlighted by “i launch” are up-and-coming Ilonggo artists Jecko Magallon and Noel Elicana, as well as home-grown talent Jeanroll Ejar and Kristoffer Brasileño who mounted successful solo shows a few months ago.
The Eusebio Villanueva Building in Calle Real is a symbol of Iloilo’s history of grandeur, now signifying a promising future – and with the local art community about to take residence, the occasion could be ushering in a new golden age of Ilonggo culture.
“This is not my vision alone,” adds Drilon. “There are so many people who envisioned this way before us and we’re still working on it. Minsan may paatras, minsan hindi maganda ang takbo, pero we’re still aiming for that vision. It’s just that change often takes its time.”
Gallery i is located at Unit 2B, 2F E. Villanueva Bldg, Corner JM Basa and Aldeguer St. 5000, Iloilo City./PN
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