The City of Love is slowly becoming the center for culture and arts. It can be recalled that the art industry is slowly booming in Iloilo – murals being crafted as local attractions, public places being adorned with unique creations, and even bridges are being painted on.

“That is one of our dreams even before. We want to be the center for culture and arts, slowly we are going there,” states Iloilo City Tourism and Development Officer Junel Ann Divinagracia, in an article by the Philippine News Agency. Moreover, Divinagracia appends the growing trend to Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and his wife’s love for art. “They pushed for public art. The mural was first done in Sambag (Jaro district),” adds Divinagracia.

“We want them to be more creative because of the colors, the paintings inspire our children to be more creative and to find other sources. In the future, when they take over, they will find more creative responses to the city’s problems,” states Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas.

Mayor Paints His Dreams for Iloilo City

Iloilo Mayor Treñas urging establishment owners to have their blank walls painted with murals. This is after Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas painted the City of Love with colorful murals and interesting street art.

“We will be putting some more in other areas along Muelle Loney. And we have identified wall in Ledesma Street. We will continually look for blank walls that the owner will allow us to use for mural. Right now, hopefully, we will start this month as tribute to our indigenous people, the roots of Ilonggos or Iloilo,” states Francis Cruz, Executive Assistant to the Mayor.

It can be recalled that Iloilo has been progressive in terms of reintroducing art to the metro – murals being crafted as local attractions, public places being adorned with unique creations, and even bridges are being painted on.

“It’s infusing the culture and arts to the bloodstream of the city and into the community. The first mural started in Sambag, Jaro and the outcome was aesthetically amazing. And so Mayor Jerry decided to put murals around the city; making the walls attractive,”adds Cruz.

All in all, there are 13 galleries and museums fully operational in the City of Love. These galleries include the Art Deck Gallery by the John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (JBLFMU); Ceramico Arts and Crafts by Nerissa Luger; Cinematheque Iloilo, Film Development Council of the Philippines; Et Nos Gallery, Angelicum School Iloilo; Galerie De Arsie by Arsenio Rafael III; Gallery-I; Guevarra Gallery Arts and Antiques; UPV Cinematheque Film Museum by the University of the Philippines –Visayas; Mamusa Art Gallery; Omriel Art Gallery; Molo Mansion Gallery by SM City Iloilo; Museo Iloilo Art Gallery Section and the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art by the Megaworld Corporation.