A bold cultural milestone has been achieved as Mayor Raisa S. Treñas formally declared Iloilo Business Park (IBP) as the Center of Arts and Culture in Iloilo City through Executive Order No. 021, Series of 2025.
The 72-hectare township, developed by Megaworld Corporation, has long been at the forefront of supporting artistic expression, cultural dialogue, and heritage preservation — earning recognition not only in Western Visayas but across the nation.
Anchoring this declaration are IBP’s iconic institutions — the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA), the Emperador Brandy Museum, and the Iloilo Convention Center (ICON) — which have become cornerstones of Iloilo’s evolving cultural identity.
ILOMOCA stands as the first museum in the Visayas region dedicated to modern and contemporary art, providing platforms for exhibitions, outreach programs, and community education. It has become a regional venue where art serves as a catalyst for conversation and social transformation.
Meanwhile, the Brandy Museum pays tribute to centuries-old Spanish heritage and craftsmanship in liquor distillation, while ICON continues to host large-scale cultural and artistic events, both national and international.
Recognizing Long-Term Commitment
Treñas underscores IBP’s consistent role in promoting cultural events and collaborations. It has been a proud venue and supporter of major city festivals including the Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo Arts Festival, Iloilo Food Festival, and Iloilo Bike Festival, aligning with the city’s recognition as the Bike Capital of the Philippines and a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
Further strengthening its cultural impact, IBP will soon mount a major exhibition at ILOMOCA in honor of Maria Beatriz “Patis” Pamintuan Tesoro, a National Living Treasure in Philippine fashion, during Museums and Galleries Month.
Megaworld’s Cultural Advocacy
In an official statement, Lourdes T. Gutierrez-Alfonso, President and CEO of Megaworld Corporation, expressed gratitude to the City Government for the recognition.
“We have long envisioned [Iloilo Business Park] as a canvas that celebrates the Ilonggos’ deep-rooted passion for creative expression,” she said. “Our museums and cultural activities have helped put Iloilo City in the spotlight, not just within the art community but also among local and foreign tourists.”
Gutierrez-Alfonso emphasized that even during the tenure of former Mayor Jerry Treñas, Megaworld has been actively building spaces and launching initiatives that highlight “artistic expressions and collaborations” that shape the city’s cultural narrative.
A Cultural Hub for Generations
With the declaration, Iloilo Business Park is now officially recognized as a central venue for preserving, promoting, and nurturing Ilonggo creativity and heritage.
Mayor Raisa Treñas, in issuing the executive order, affirmed this commitment:
“In recognition of the continuing efforts and overwhelming support in providing avenues for artistic expression, I hereby declare Iloilo Business Park as Iloilo City’s Center of Arts and Culture.”
As Iloilo City continues to rise as one of the country’s most progressive and culturally vibrant destinations, Iloilo Business Park stands as a living testament to what happens when visionary urban planning meets a profound respect for art, history, and community.
