Iloilo city: The 72-hectare Iloilo Business Park (IBP) in Mandurriao district has been named the center for arts and culture here. In a media interview on Monday, Mayor Raisa Tre±as announced that the IBP's new status was officially declared under Executive Order No. 21, which she signed on July 9.

According to Philippines News Agency, the IBP has been instrumental in providing a venue for art activities, including the Arts Festival that recently gathered over eight art groups encompassing visual arts, cinema, dance, and music. The mixed-use development project by Megaworld Corp. includes the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA), the Brandy Museum, and the Iloilo Convention Center (ICON), which are pivotal to the city's cultural landscape.

ILOMOCA stands as the Visayas region's first museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art, while the Brandy Museum is unique in the country. ICON, a 3,000-seater, has hosted numerous high-level national and international conferences, meetings, and cultural exhibitions, further cementing its role in the arts and culture sector of Iloilo.

Mayor Tre±as also highlighted upcoming initiatives, including a training program for local artists with the support of Megaworld and renowned artist Emmanuel Garibay. The visit of Benedicto Cabrera (Ben Cab) for an exhibit at ILOMOCA last week further reinforced IBP's cultural status.

In collaboration with the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. and ILOMOCA, the local government plans to host an exhibition honoring Maria Beatriz "Patis" Pamintuan Tesoro, a Philippine fashion icon, during upcoming cultural celebrations.

The IBP's involvement extends to the annual Iloilo Bike Festival, promoting environmental sustainability and community spirit among cyclists nationwide. Megaworld Corp. president and CEO Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso expressed their commitment to enhancing Iloilo's cultural identity and tourism industry, envisioning IBP as a hub for the vibrant Ilonggo arts and culture.