IAL Archives on “ILOMOCA and Iloilo’s Art Renaissance” is being republished in commemoration of the 8th anniversary of the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art on March 18, 2026.

Originally published in August 2018, is part of the Iloilo Art Life archives chronicling Iloilo City’s evolving  art scene. An important note regarding the names quoted in the article: Atty. Helen J. Catalbas, former regional director of the Department of Tourism–VI, retired from government service in April 2021. Dr. Cynthia J. Ticao, the first museum administrator of ILOMOCA, sadly passed away in November 2023.

Iloilo City may have lingered on the sidelines in arts and culture development, observing quietly the past decades while neighboring cities in the Visayas took center stage as key players in the Philippine art scene.

But fast-forward to today: much is happening in Iloilo. The creative fever has radically transformed the city’s vibe since local artists collectivized to reignite the dormant art community. They hosted the Visayas Visual Arts Exhibition and Conference (ViVa ExCon) in November 2016, after a 20-year hiatus.

ViVa ExCon 2016 unlocked the doors for Ilonggo talents and reawakened Ilonggos’ long-established love affair with arts and culture. Today, the local scene brims with solo, group, and collaborative shows nearly every month, as a new generation of artists boldly occupies the frontlines.

Read this to learn more: The Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA)

Fueling this seemingly unstoppable renaissance is the mushrooming of art enclaves, cafés, alternative spaces, galleries, and museums around town. This boom prompted this writer to establish a regular section, In The Frame, along with a monthly Art Chart on the pages of the Iloilo Metropolitan Times to guide visitors through thriving art events.

These developments elevated the city further with the opening of the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) in March 2018. Housed in the three-story art nouveau Casa Emperador at Iloilo Business Park, it has become an iconic landmark, propelled by Megaworld’s vision to drive positive transformation and revitalize Iloilo’s art and academic life.

The P109-million investment by Megaworld stems from its core belief that art reflects the social and human condition. That’s why ILOMOCA was integrated into the township alongside business hubs, BPOs, condominiums, hotels, malls, banks, restaurants, cafés—and, yes, more art galleries.

Ilonggos embraced ILOMOCA’s arrival as a tribute to their glorious past. It honors Gen. Martin Delgado with a bronze sculpture in the museum’s front open space, evoking the fight he led for liberation against the Spanish in a then-pro-Spanish community.

Above all, ILOMOCA’s opening arrived as a timely milestone. It recognizes the efforts of local artists and institutions, celebrating achievements spurred by the momentum of art movers and shakers over the years.

Becoming a Center for Art and Community Engagement

“The museum was created not only to showcase artworks and safeguard rare collections but also to become accessible to the public—a space to stimulate thought and spark reflection on the real issues confronting society,” said Dr. Cynthia J. Ticao, the museum’s administrator at its opening.

Dr. Ticao explained that ILOMOCA aims to activate public engagement and shatter the notion that art is only for intellectuals or that museums are too expensive and inaccessible. By breaking these barriers while upholding world-class standards, it uplifts local artists’ skills and integrity, preparing them for global engagements.

Regular art exhibitions, forum discussions, and dialogues will enrich art appreciation and deepen understanding of people and societies across time and space.

ILOMOCA’s collection—numbering in the hundreds—is the region’s largest showcase of avant-garde works by Ilonggo women and men artists, alongside pieces by critically acclaimed international creators who are publicly treasured and honored by prestigious award bodies.

“There is something to catch the interest or fancy of any viewer at ILOMOCA,” Dr. Ticao said of the museum’s compendium. The vast, rotating displays offer diverse subjects, mediums, approaches, and skills from artists worldwide.

Visitors access each of the three floors via escalator, often losing track of time as one artwork leads seamlessly to the next. This creates a mesmerizing labyrinth across 3,000 square meters of floor space, filled with pieces of varying sizes and shapes—you might even lose count of the artworks and their creators.

Without a doubt, with ILOMOCA at the helm, Iloilo City is emerging as a regional center for the arts in the Visayas and Mindanao.

A Hub for Art Appreciation and Learning

A visit to ILOMOCA is a deep dive into art and the creative minds behind it. The diverse works reveal artists’ inner processes—using symbolism through colors, hues, shapes, textures, and sizes to share meaning or convey messages.

Some pieces tackle historical issues like social justice, equality, and human rights. They draw valuable lessons from past struggles, offering knowledge to artists, students, scholars, and the public.

As you step into the Hulot Gallery on the ground floor, the air feels charged with history.

This dedicated space pays tribute to Gen. Martin Delgado through vibrant works by Spanish artist Gines Serran-Pagan—pieces that extol “native patriotism yielding to the wisdom and virtue of the local cause against foreign colonization.” Beyond the historical homage, the gallery hums with fresh energy, rotating exhibitions by local and visiting artists to keep the conversation alive and evolving.

Escalators whisk you up to the second floor, where three signature galleries weave a tapestry of Ilonggo pride alongside known masters.

It all begins in Gallery 1: “Ilonggo Country,” a showcase of Western Visayas talents that greets you with Ed Defensor’s tender “Mother and Child” (2001, colored pens on paper) and Salvador Joel Alonday’s evocative “Homily” (2016, stoneware).

Turn the corner to discover Dumangas’ pride Rock Drilon’s “Blue Loop,” hanging alongside Cezar Arro’s “Temper,” Jerry Elizalde Navarro’s surreal “The Gunung Agung Contemplates Moon on Top of its Head” (1994), and Lamberto Hechanova’s “Olympus Spokes” (1998).

Large frames command attention with award-winners like Jeanroll Ejar, Joemel Mirabuena, Richard Dela Cruz, Allain Hablo, Paul John Cabanalan, Melvin Guerhim, Are Zambarrano, and intuitive artist Marrz Capanang.

Also displayed are works of women artists’ considered gems: Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi’s delicate “Qing Butterflies” (2014) and Nelfa Querubin’s stoneware masterpieces “Zenith” and “Perception No. 2″ (2006).

The journey expands in Gallery 2: “A Presence Beyond the Native,” where art’s borderless spirit shines through diverse eras and origins.

It features works of icons: Salvador Dalí’s dreamlike “El Perduto Paradiso” (1973), Joan Miró’s rhythmic “D. 654 Le Chef D’Orchestre” (1974), Marc Chagall’s tender “Lovers in Grey”, and Victor Vasarely’s embossed serigraphs “Pontos” (Pointed) and “Fenyes” (Luminosity).

Contemporary voices join in through works by Vanessa Schiavone, Richard Tomas Scott, Luke Hillestad, Leonor Fini, Nicola Verlato, and Bruno Catalano’s poignant bronze “Two Men Waiting on Bench with Suitcase”—proving creativity knows no bounds.

Finally, Gallery 3 captivates with sculptural drama. Ramon Orlina’s luminous glass forms, Alab Pagarigan’s intricate five-piece copper-and-brass wire series, National Artist Benedicto Cabrera’s “Heads Limited Edition, Ferdinand Cacnio’s enduring “Timeless,” and the monumental brass-and-wood “Kamanava” (2009).

Each floor builds on the last, drawing you deeper into a world where local roots and international flair collide in perfect harmony.

World-Class Destination for Travelers

“The Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art embodies the soul of a people who want to express themselves and connect with others—enriching visitors’ experiences,” said Atty. Helen J. Catalbas, regional director of the Department of Tourism-VI.

“ILOMOCA complements Iloilo City’s cultural tourism portfolio, which we’ve been promoting,” Catalbas added. “Tour operators now include it in packages for domestic and international visitors.”

You can view the works here: Salvador Dali Zodiac Series 

Since opening, ILOMOCA has welcomed around 31,505 visitors—primarily travelers to Iloilo and students from local schools. Freshly accredited by the Department of Tourism, it gains access to an even wider promotional network, promising more foot traffic.

Renowned Ilonggo artist Ed Defensor calls ILOMOCA a “cultural gift from great art collector Edwin Valencia and Megaworld to the people of Iloilo.”

“I’ve visited art museums and galleries worldwide, and ILOMOCA stands shoulder-to-shoulder with many—especially those in Europe,” declared Defensor, who helped nurture Iloilo’s art community into what it is today. “I’m hoping these efforts endure, especially as Iloilo undergoes an arts renaissance.”

ILOMOCA symbolizes this renaissance: a reawakened art scene, fueled by bold young creators and seasoned mentors. Above all, it shows Ilonggo artists’ resolve to claim a bigger place in the nation’s evolving arts landscape.