Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art: Nestled within the Casa Emperador Building at Megaworld’s Iloilo Business Park is the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA), the first museum in the Visayas dedicated to modern and contemporary art. The 3000 square meter property houses five exhibition rooms, a souvenir shop, and a theater facility. The museum’s development was initiated by Megaworld Corporation through the Megaworld Foundation, with the aim to be a ‘regional venue for the inclusive experience and study of art’.
“The Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art aims to enrich the community life of Iloilo province by way of exhibitions and outreach programs. ILOMOCA is envisioned as a site where ideas are constructed and engaged through art. By activating the transformative potentials of exhibitions and public programs, the museum presents art as a means and a method by which dialogues about social life can unfold,” excerpts from the ILOMOCA website.
The Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art: The ground floor houses the souvenir shop and is called ‘Hulot’, meaning ‘room or space’ in Hiligaynon. It is for exhibitions by local and international artists. The second floor is ‘The Gallery’, primarily reserved for changing exhibitions. The Gallery is intended to host three inaugural exhibitions: works by local artists recognized locally and abroad, sculptures, and works by foreign artists. The third floor, meanwhile, houses ‘The Adoracion Valencia Gallery’ which features artworks from the collection of Edwin Valencia, the museum’s primary patron.
The museum was able to host exhibitions such as ‘Realities We Don’t Normally See’, curated by Libby Limoso (February to November 2022); ‘Iraya’, curated by Bryan Liao (March to May 2022); ‘Super Inday’, curated by Rosa Zerrudo (May to August 2022); and ‘Panagbo’, curated by Marika Constantino (September to October 2022); to mention a few. As of date (March 2023), an ongoing exhibit ‘Curatorial Laboratory for the Youth’, a curatorial workshop of senior high students from Zarraga, is in place.
To further its mission as a venue for art, the museum has its own theater facility ‘The Box’ which is equipped with state-of-the-art audio technology and is intended for screenings, performances, theatre productions, workshops, and other cultural events.
The museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am to 6pm. The admission price for adults is P150, P120 for senior citizens and PWD, 100 for students, and free for children under the age of four. Further information can be accessed via https://ilomoca.org/
ILOMOCA Membership Card: Valued at P2,500, the membership card provides the cardholder a year-round admission to the museum with one (1) companion; a birthday freebie; free WiFi access, invitations to special exhibits, events, lectures, workshops, and merchandise sales; 10% on three (3) workshops and theatrical events; 5% discount on house brand merchandise. Membership will raise funds for the museum to help strengthen the delivery of quality art, collections, exhibitions, and programs.
Museum Guidelines:
- Touching artwork is strictly prohibited.
- Baggage policy in place with size and weight allowance.
- Refrain from behavior that disrupts other visitors.
- Mobile phone switched off or in silent mode.
- Present ticket stubs before proceeding to the 2nd floor.
- Pets are not allowed inside the museum.
- No smoking, eating, or drinking inside the museum.
- Still photography and video are only allowed on the ground floor.
- Tour coordinators are responsible for group behavior.
- Museum security and staff must be followed at all times.
