ILOILO City – This city’s push to cement its status as a national cultural hub takes a bold step forward with this year’s Iloilo Arts Festival, which is rolling out its biggest and most diverse program yet from October 4 to 25.
Now on its fifth year, the festival expands its scope to give prominence to art forms long sidelined, including cinema, architecture, and dramatic arts.
Executive Assistant Jay Treñas, who is spearheading preparations, said the goal this year is to broaden representation.
“We’ve curated a spectacular showcase of diverse programs not just for the people of Iloilo but for everyone who wants to experience what Iloilo has to offer in the arts. Iloilo City is now strongly becoming the center for culture and the arts,” he said.
Among the highlights are the National Food Showdown featuring 16 top chefs, a free piano concert by world-renowned artist Cecile Licad, and a fashion exhibition by iconic designer Patis Tesoro.
The Iloilo Cinema Festival, in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), is also taking center stage.
“Our goal is to have every genre represented, and this year we’re giving more spotlight to art forms that have not been prioritized before. By elevating local cinema, we’re opening a new platform for Ilonggo filmmakers and connecting them with a broader audience,” Treñas explained.
Major venues such as the Iloilo Convention Center, the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA), and Festive Walk Mall will host the activities to make the arts widely accessible.
Calendar of Events
* Oct. 3-4 – National Food Showdown (Gastronomy), Iloilo Convention Center
* Oct. 6-7 – Cecile Licad Concert (Music), Molo Church / UPV
* Oct. 10 – Patis Tesoro Exhibit (Fashion Design), ILOMOCA
* Oct. 11 – Arts Festival Opening Program, Festive Walk Mall – Atrium
* Oct. 18-25 – Kuris: Strokes of Strength (Architecture), Festive Walk Hallway
* Oct. 24-26 – Ilonggo Cinema Film Festival (Cinema), Festive Walk Mall – Cinema 1
* Oct. 25 – Urban Streetscape Design Competition (Architecture), Festive Walk Mall – Atrium
* Oct. 25 – Sayaw Kabataan (Dance), Festive Walk Mall – Atrium
* Oct. 25 – Eksena sa Barangay (Dramatic Arts), Festive Walk Mall – Atrium
* Oct. 25 – Eksena sa Iloilo (Literary Arts), Festive Walk Mall – Atrium
* Oct. 25 – Closing Program & Awarding, Festive Walk Mall – Atrium
Since its launch in 2019, the Iloilo Arts Festival has evolved into a platform that not only showcases Ilonggo creativity but also nurtures collaborations with national and international artists./PN
